Legacy of Jarik Shan V5: Rebirth

by xxTheTruMan196

Ever since the horrific events on Malachor and the loss of Ahsoka, Jarik has been struggling to recover, and his adopted daugter Mara Jade has fared no better. But with the Empire still ruling the galaxy, and with new allies and enemies revealed, the Shan family must continue the fight to bring peace to the galaxy, and restore the Jedi Order as they should've been.

56. Ch 53 - Terror From Beyond

Author's Note: Sooooooo... I noticed a mistake I made in continuity with this story lol. In chapter 9, it was explained that Shaak Ti lost her lightsaber after Vader stabbed her on Naboo, and it was left behind. Yet after the Action at Coruscant, I made it so that Shaak gave her lightsaber to Mara, who lost her original purple blade after being captured.

Yeah, bit of a retcon there as a result (._.) Oh well, at least it's really minor, and not something that breaks the story lol.

---

Tatooine - Outer Rim Territories

Jarik POV...

After checking up on Luke at the homestead, Obi-Wan and I returned to his home to sleep for the night. The next morning I packed up my things for departure, and Obi-Wan joined me on the trip back to my A-Wing so that he could see me off. After around an hour of travel we arrived in the area that I left my ship, as well as the site of the tusken massacre, and bring my dewback to a halt.

"My ship is just up ahead on an outcropping," I tell him.

"Very well then," he replies in understanding. "Although risky, I am glad I was able to see you again Jarik."

"You as well Obi-Wan," I nod in reply, smiling at him.

"I am curious, what are your plans when you return? I'd imagine your ability to travel is limited with how intently the Empire is searching for you," Obi-Wan points out.

"Well, the rebels are close to launching the first major military strike against the Empire," I explain, gathering my things and dismounting my dewback. "I'm still considering whether or not Mara and I should join in. Do you think I should?"

"Whatever you feel is best for the two of you," he responds. "Although your presence would include the risk of Vader being there as well."

"I guess," I sigh in agreement, staring off at the horizon for a few seconds. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything, Jarik," he replies.

"Do you know about what happened to Anakin's mother?" I ask slowly, looking up at him uncertainly.

Obi-Wan's reaction is immediate; he pauses, sobering up at the mention of her and looks forward with an unreadable gaze. He's silent for a good while before finally responding, letting out a sigh.

"I'm aware of her fate, yes," he says softly.

"And what came after?" I ask him cautiously.

"I did not learn of that until years later, after..." Obi-Wan trails off, but I know what he's referring too. "I suppose I hold some of the blame. Before the start of the war, Anakin dreamt much of his mother, but I disregarded it as nothing more than just that: dreams. If I had known what would happen..."

"You would've tried to help him?" I deduce.

"I would've done more than I did," he sighs.

"I'm sure all of us would've done more if we knew about many things," I remark with a bitter scoff.

"Possibly," Obi-Wan nods. "But the simple truth is that we didn't see many things. Because of that, Anakin is gone, and now only Darth Vader remains."

"Do you think he could be redeemed?" I ask him.

"Redeemed?" he replies, frowning.

"It's not unheard of. My family has personal experience with this," I try reasoning, having told him about my lineage during these last few days. "Revan was a feared Sith before returning to the light. Bastila Shan also fell to the dark side, but Revan's love for her brought her back."

"Perhaps. But as you said, it was the love your ancestors shared that redeemed them, and that did not work for Anakin," Obi-Wan reminds me, sighing regretfully. "You saw what he did to Padmé. Without her, I see no hope in his return to the light."

"She's not the only one Anakin would've loved," I point out.

"There's a reason we've kept them both hidden from the knowledge of the Sith," he states firmly, softening his gaze. "I'm sorry Jarik, I really do wish Anakin could be saved. But if even Ahsoka failed to bring him back, then Padmé is the only other person who could've done so."

I concede his argument reluctantly, unable to disagree with that. If even Padmé and Ahsoka couldn't sway his heart, then there aren't any others who could. Perhaps his children, but like Obi-Wan said that do not know each other, not to mention they would have no motivation to try even if they knew he was their father. As for Obi-Wan and I? Not a chance in the whole universe would we get through to him.

"I wish there was a way," I say softly.

"So do I. But I see no other way forward except through the next generation, so that they might succeed where we failed," Obi-Wan tells me.

"Master Yoda would have his hands full with both," I say jokingly.

"He's handled younglings for generations. He'd do just fine," Obi-Wan replies with a smile.

"I can't imagine doing that," I scoff with a tired sigh. "Having to be the one others turn to for wisdom is stressful already."

"Maybe so Jarik, but teaching is a privilege, and an important job at that," he advises. "As Master Yoda used to say, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters."

I look towards the ground for a moment, thinking about his words before turning back to him, smiling softly.

"I'll keep that in mind then," I respond.

"I'm glad to hear it," Obi-Wan nods, taking the reigns of the second dewback. "Farewell my friend. May the Force be with you."

"And with you as well," I say back.

I wave my hand to him in farewell as he turns around, heading off back to his home with both dewbacks, before continuing on to my A-Wing.

---

Chopper Base - Atollon

Jarik POV...

After landing back at the rebel base, I got out of the ship and handed off its id number to the officer in charge of managing the starfighters. He was slightly perplexed about it, wondering what a guy with my status and reputation could have possibly been doing, but doesn't question it. As I made my way through the base I came across Rex and Boil, who were in conversation with each other while analyzing a datapad. They took notice of me, pausing in whatever they were doing to come chat.

"Hey Commander!" Boil greets pleasantly.

"I'm not a commander," I say, letting out a sigh.

"Rebel command refers to you as such," he reasons.

"Technically, I don't have any official rank in the Rebellion," I point out. "So I'm not a commander."

"But since you were in the Clone Wars, that's the title that you've been given," he retorts smugly.

I roll my eyes in exasperation and don't bother arguing, resigned to the fact that Boil is going to keep calling me that every day for the rest of his life.

"I mean, the title is more honorary than anything. I'd say you're more on General Cracken's level of authority, while having as much pull and influence as Senator Mothma or Senator Organa," Rex says thoughtfully.

"So-" I start to say.

"So definitely a commander," Boil interrupts with a grin.

I give him a look.

"Aren't you supposed to be watching HK-47 still?" I question, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Master Ti offered to take over watching him for the moment so that we could do our work more effectively," Rex explains.

"Shaak is watching him?!" I ask incredulously, staring at them both in alarm. "What the kriff were you thinking!?"

"It actually turned out pretty well," Boil says placatingly. "Honestly, I still can barely believe it. She came over to us while that tin can was throwing another fit, and actually straightened him out."

"What does that mean?" I ask suspiciously.

"Well, he was pretty dismissive of her at first, but she really got his attention by freezing him in place with the Force and started reprimanding him," Boil scoffs, cracking up slightly as he recalls the incident. "She never yelled, but even I felt a bit of shame just by listening to her."

"I don't believe it. HK was basically made to fight Jedi, and he gets embarrassed by one stuck in a hoverchair?" I deadpan, looking at them dryly. "No offense to Shaak, but that's hard to believe."

"Yeah, well HK could barely believe it either, but it happened. I think she scared him a little bit," he replies, snickering.

"As I understand it, Master Ti's got HK helping to train the new recruits. And before you freak out again, she made sure there's no way he could seriously harm anyone," Rex quickly says in assurance. "He's only using light stun blasters, and is serving as a way for them to test and improve their battle skills."

I raise an eyebrow at them, crossing my arms.

"Huh. And she knows what she's doing?" I ask warily.

"I don't doubt it for a second. She's keeping a really close eye on him. Besides, it does let him participate in a bit of action, even though it's limited," he reasons.

I think about it for a moment, finding it does make sense. If Shaak says she can handle HK-47, then she's likely prepared herself thoroughly in the case that he tries something. She's never been the kind of person that struck me as 'overzealous.' And until HK goes on an actual mission, he's making himself and everyone else around him miserable in his desire to shoot something.

"Ok, fair enough," I concede.

"So, how's the General holding out?" Boil asks me.

"Obi-Wan? He's doing fine. I'm sure Ezra already told you guys what happened," I say in response.

"Sure did," Rex nods in confirmation, frowning slightly. "I can't believe you both knew what happened to him and never said anything. I would've thought you'd at least say something Boil."

"Well I never actually knew where he's been, only that he was still alive," Boil explains casually. "I left to find you before they decided where they had their 'secret meeting' or whatever you guys were doing."

"Still wish you would've told me at least," he replies.

"There's a reason we didn't say anything. Only four people in the whole galaxy know the full truth we're trying to protect. Obi-Wan and I are two of those four," I explain apologetically.

"Full truth of what?" Rex asks curiously. "A way to defeat the Empire?"

"Not just the Empire, but a pathway to the final victory over the Sith, for all time," I say, quietly so that others don't hear, surprising them a little. "We can't let that hope die, so we swore ourselves to secrecy until the time is right. Even hiding my planet isn't as important as this."

"Did Ahsoka know?" he quietly asks.

I hesitate, realizing that would put it at five people instead of four, but subtly nod my head.

"I eventually told her," I murmur in reply. "While Mara and the others were with you on Seelos."

They both nod their heads in understanding, and Rex lets out an apologetic sigh.

"Well if it's that important, then I understand why you're keeping it a secret," he remarks. "Sorry if I was a little pushy about it."

"Ain't a problem brother," Boil tells him jokingly. "Though that last part I had no clue about."

"That, I do not doubt," Rex teases in reply.

I scoff in amusement, crossing my arms and then looking around. The base seems a bit more active and lively right now than it was a few days ago, so I'd imagine the strike against Lothal will be happening soon. I can't see any other reason why everyone would be this busy; it's probably why Shaak offered to get HK-47 off Rex and Boil's hands for a little while.

"I'm guessing the strike is happening soon?" I ask them.

"Oh yeah. It's happening in two days at the latest, which is why we're doing a count of all the supplies and equipment we've got to make sure we have everything needed according to our plan," Rex explains.

"Anything I can do to help?" I ask him.

"Besides giving another speech that exposes old wrinkly face?" Boil says rhetorically, laughing. "Not much to be honest."

"If you say so," I reply, rolling my eyes.

"Probably not an issue, but just in case you needed to know, General Dodanna's fleet will be coming to support us for the battle," Rex tells me.

"Alright, good to hear," I respond.

---

Reaching the training area of the base, where Shaak instructs newer recruits about ground combat, I find them to be currently in the middle of a training exercise. Shaak oversees the training grounds from her heightened position while the newer rebel soldiers were in the middle of a firefight with HK-47, using nonfatal blasts of course; Cere was standing beside her as well, a deep frown on her face as she observed the training. I step up to the railing beside them with an uneasy look as I watch the fight, glancing over at them.

"You sure this is the best idea?" I ask.

"No, not the best, but it is still effective," she replies calmly.

"If that droid causes any trouble then I'll be the first one to respond," Cere states, a bit more tense than Shaak.

"He is trouble," I sigh in exasperation, turning to watch.

HK-47 ducked behind several barriers to avoid a volley of laser bolts from the rebels, and then rolled out to fire a few shots back at them. All three of his shots each took out a rebel, sending them to the ground unmoving as their training outfits and gear shut down to simulate death for the duration of the training session. A pair of rebels move up to flank him, but as they jump around the corner HK merely hits their blasters out of their hands before taking them down by kicking one and smacking the other with the butt of his blaster, shooting a stun blast at both of them for good measure. I flinch, knowing that those hits would surely leave a mark on the young recruits, and Shaak frowns slightly.

"Did you allow him to do that?" I ask her.

"I heavily advised him against causing bodily harm," she sighs in response. "Though I also understand that the enemy won't fight fair in a real battle."

"I don't trust that droid with this," Cere says suspiciously.

"I don't fully trust him either, but my point still stand," Shaak reassures her.

I begrudgingly accept Shaak's argument, knowing that she isn't wrong. War isn't about fairness or honor, but about who ends up being the victor. Even Mandalorians reserve honorable combat mainly for fights between individual opponents, not on large scale battles.

With only four of the rebels left standing, HK ducks out from cover and makes a fun for them, swiftly evading their shots. One tries to trip him up, but HK ends up turning it around so that he tripped the rebel, shooting him with a stun blast. He sidesteps a charging rebel and kicks them to the ground before swiveling around to stun the third, aiming for the last one. However the rebel he kicked to the ground surprised him by shooting him in the back of the head, making HK stumble forward briefly.

"Query: Did you actually just do that, meatbag?" he demands, whipping around to glare at him.

HK-47 makes to attack the nervous rebel, but Shaak Ti intervenes before he could reach him.

"That is enough! This session is finished HK-47," she states firmly.

"Correction: A shot like that would not have off-lined me!" he argues.

"You were playing as the role of a death trooper, an elite variant of stormtroopers, not as yourself," Shaak reminds him. "The shot you just took would've been a killing blow. Victory goes to Bravo squad for this session."

Leaving no room for argument in her statement, Shaak Ti presses a button on her datapad that returns range of motion to the stunned rebels, allowing them to get back to their feet. They move to congratulate the guy who shot HK, while the assassin droid in question stomps off with a few muttered curses of irritation, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"I've never seen him back down that fast," I comment, a bit impressed.

"I've dealt with trigger happy soldiers before," Shaak reminds me, a small smile on her face. "How is Master Kenobi doing?"

"He's doing fine. We no longer have to worry about Maul, so there's some good news," I tell them.

"We heard as much from Ezra," she nods in reply.

"So Master Kenobi truly is alive?" Cere asks me, and I nod my head. "Then why wouldn't he come help us? A Jedi Master of his stature wouldn't just allow the Empire to rule unopposed."

"He isn't," I reply.

"Then what reason would he have for hiding on Tatooine?" she asks with a troubled look.

"There is a reason, but it's not something I can share," I say apologetically. "Not until the time is right."

"Is it a way to restore the Jedi Order?" Cere questions earnestly.

"Not even that," I tell her.

"But-" she tries to say.

"Cere..." Shaak interrupts, moving up beside her. "I understand your concerns, for I share them too. But I'm afraid it's something we'll have to accept."

"But Master Ti, if Master Kenobi knows how we can defeat the Empire, shouldn't he be helping us?" she reasons.

"Not everything is as clear as it may seem, nor can everything be controlled," she tells her. "Some things are simply beyond the handling of the Jedi Order, and we must trust in the Force to direct it on the correct path."

I can tell Cere is still hesitant and doubtful, but she gives into Shaak's advice with a reluctant sigh.

"As you wish, master," she nods.

---

3rd person POV...

Looking around, watching as the rebels of Phoenix Squadron went through their busy schedule in preparation for the soon approaching strike on Lothal, Ezra couldn't help but feel amazed. All around him were people dedicated to fighting the Empire so that the people of his home planet could be free from their oppressive rule. Three years ago, he would've never believed something like this could be possible.

"She did it. Hera really did it," he says to Kanan in amazement. "Look at everyone. I can't believe they're all gonna help Lothal."

"It wasn't just Hera," Kanan replies, moving forward.

"Oh, I know. You, too, Kanan. And Zeb, and Sabine," he adds while following him, making a so-so gesture with his hand. "Chopper less so."

"No. That's not what I meant," he replies in disagreement. "I meant you."

"Kanan, I- I didn't do any of this," Ezra says uneasily, feeling slightly abashed. "If not for you guys, I'd be back on Lothal, just waiting to be rescued like everyone else."

"Ezra, you have never been like everyone else," Kanan retorts, turning around to face him, and Ezra glances down with a smile of gratitude. "Hera always saw something special in you, and so did I. At times, I was afraid. Afraid that I couldn't teach you everything you needed to know."

"But you did. I've learned so much," he says happily.

"And so have I. We all have," he replies, sighing. "In fact, sometimes I wonder if I have anything left to teach you."

"No. That can't be true," Ezra says in disagreement.

"My own Jedi training was limited," Kanan states.

"I don't mean about the Force," he explains firmly. "I mean about life, about being a good person. That's what you've taught me."

Kanan smiles back at him, before the coughing of someone nearby interrupts their conversation. They both notice Cal and Merrin standing beside a stack of crates nearby, with BD-1 perched on the other knight's shoulder.

"I don't believe that. Caleb's a maniac," Cal teases.

Kanan sighs in exasperation, and Merrin nudges Cal in his side.

"Cal, don't be so inconsiderate. They're having another bonding moment," the nightsister chides him.

"Come on, we're all good friends, right?" he replies dismissively in casual protest.

"The only thing good about being your friend is that you make sure each day spent on the Mantis is never boring," Greez Dritus says, taking the opportunity to get a gibe in as he passes by.

Ezra and Kanan withhold most of their laughter, a small snicker bursting from the former while the latter smirks. Cal shakes his head while Merrin only smiles at him, and BD-1 beeps his own amusement at the comment.

"Yeah, laugh it up BD," Cal scoffs.

"Come on Cal, it's only fair," Kanan teases.

"When it's not you getting the short end of the stick," he retorts.

"And you're not the same?" he challenges in reply.

"Touché," Cal shrugs in acceptance.

"I think you guys are all nuts," Ezra says with an amused smile.

"If we're nuts, then your group is crazy," Merrin rebuffs him. "You followed Jarik Shan in an attack against the Empire's capital."

"We won, didn't we?" he points out.

"Exactly my point, young Jedi," she states, confusing him for a moment.

"Well, nothing wrong with specializing in crazy I suppose," Kanan remarks, crossing his arms.

"With what you've all been up to over the years, you certainly have had it worse than us," Cal says. "No wonder there haven't been many Inquisitors chasing us in a long time."

"Because they're all focused on Jarik Shan and his lot," Merrin comments, a thoughtful look on her face. "Does he always try to get the Empire's attention?"

"You can ask him yourself," Hera calls out from across the holotable.

"Ask me what?" Jarik asks curiously, approaching them alongside her.

"Merrin was wondering if you always try to get the Empire chasing you," Cal says, and Merrin makes a face at him.

"Oh, Force no," he scoffs, shaking his head. "I actively try to do the opposite, or else I'll constantly have Vader swinging his lightsaber on my tail."

Merrin looks at him dryly.

"Then you're terrible at it," she deadpans.

Before he could respond, a rebel officer in the command center gets up from their chair at a nearby computer console, calling out to them.

"Captain Syndulla, we've detected a vessel that just appeared out of hyperspace," he informs them.

"A ship?" Hera asks, confused.

"Is it General Dodonna?" Jarik asks her.

"No, that wouldn't make any sense," she replies with a worried frown.

"General Dodonna? That name sounds familiar," Ezra remarks.

"It should. He got those Y-wing bombers we stole," Kanan reminds him. "He commands one of the largest rebel cells I know of. With him and his fleet, we have a real shot at taking out the Imperial factories on Lothal."

"But this can't be him. He's not scheduled to arrive for another day at least," Hera tells them in concern, turning back to the officer. "What type of ship is it?"

"We can't seem to identify it ma'am, but its just entered the atmosphere," he reports.

"Put it on the holotable," she orders.

The officer does so, and a holographic scan of the ship appears in front of them, followed by its projected pathway down to Atollon's surface. Upon seeing the ship, Jarik widens his eyes in bewilderment, both greatly alarmed and very confused. The others however study it with analytical, suspicious looks on their faces.

"It doesn't look like any ship I've seen," Cal remarks. "Trust me, I've dismantled a lot of ships before."

"I have," Jarik states uneasily. "What I'm more worried about is why they're here in the first place."

"You know who it is?" Kanan asks him.

"What type of ship is it?" Hera questions.

Jarik looks at them with a grim expression on his face.

"It's cybertronian. Elita is on that ship," he reveals.

The rebels who knew about Elita stand up straighter in surprise, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"What?!" Ezra exclaims incredulously. "I thought you said she left!"

"Left to where?" Merrin asks, perplexed

"Why is she back here all of a sudden?" Hera asks in astonishment.

"Wait, hold on, who are you guys talking about?" Cal interrupts loudly, confused. "Who's Elita?"

"It's a bit hard to explain," Kanan tells him.

"The ship appears to be damaged, captain. It's bound for impact about three miles beyond the northern perimeter," the rebel officer reports. "Should I send a strike team to investigate?"

"No, my team and I will check it out. I need you inform Commander Sato that an ally of ours, codename 'E-1,' is back," Hera orders, and he nods in confirmation. "Ezra, go find Zeb, Rex, and Boil, and get the Ghost ready for take off."

"You got it Hera," Ezra nods, rushing off to do so.

"Do you mind our team comes along?" Cal asks them.

"If you feel like it. Understand things that way will be easier anyways," Kanan says.

"They were supposed to have gotten back ages ago," Jarik murmurs anxiously, staring intently at the holotable. "Why would they come back?"

"I'm sure we'll get our answer once we reach them," Hera replies.

"Query: Answer about what?" HK-47 interrupts curiously.

Jarik and the others both turn in surprise and annoyance to see the assassin droid standing there, and Jarik lets out a sigh of frustration.

"Better question, what are you doing? You're supposed to be helping Shaak Ti," Jarik says.

"Statement: Today's training session is finished," he replies dismissively.

"Did she give you permission to go walking around the base?" Hera asks suspiciously.

"Statement: Well, I certainly saw no need for my presence there with the training over," HK comments without a care. "Query: Are you planning to investigate a ship of unknown origin?"

"It's not 'unknown,' we already know who-" Jarik starts to say.

"Musingt: I should join you in case things get dangerous. You'll need me for it," he interrupts, seemingly not hearing what Jarik said.

"I don't think-" Cal starts to say.

"Statement: Nobody asked you meatbag," he scoffs, turning away. "I'll get my blasters ready."

"HK, will you just..." Jarik protests, before grumbling in resignation. "Fine, whatever."

He shakes his head in frustration as HK-47 walks off, and Hera crosses her arms with an annoyed frown on her face. BD-1 beeps in disbelief while Cal and Merrin share a look with each other, the latter making a face.

"I don't like that assassin droid," Merrin comments, crossing her arms. "Even my sisters held more respect for outsiders than that one."

"I think I can safely say that's true," Cal nods in agreement.

"Tell me about it," Jarik sighs in exasperation. "The only reason he's even helping us is because my ancestor created him, but apparently even I'm not worthy of much respect in his processor."

"If that's the case, why'd you bring him in the first place?" Hera asks doubtfully.

"Because the rebellion doesn't have enough people with his skillset," he explains bitterly. "And he's very good at what he does."

---

After getting Rex, Boil, and the rest of the Ghost and Mantis crews together, they swiftly took off in the Ghost to rendezvous with the falling ship. While flying the short distance of three miles, they spotted the autobot vessel soaring through the air in a burning fireball on its way to the surface, though there were clear signs of it still trying to fly properly. It angled itself, slowing down as much as it could before hitting the ground in a large flat plain, crashing through a coralline tree as it skids across the dirt. With the location clear, Hera flew the Ghost down to a landing beside it, and the rebels swiftly piled outside once the ship was settled.

"Cal, Greez, do you have the medical supplies ready?" Cere questions.

"Ready and waiting Cere," Cal nods in confirmation.

"If necessary, I could use an incantation to help ease any serious injury," Merrin offers.

"If anyone survived a crash like that, that is," Greez adds worriedly.

"I wouldn't bother with that you four. Our medicine doesn't work on Elita's people," Jarik states, leaving them confused. "But cybertronians are very durable, so I doubt they'll need it anyways."

"What do you mean?" Cere asks with a frown.

"You'll see," Ezra replies simply.

"Query: I thought this would be exciting, but you meatbags are making no sense at all," HK-47 comments.

"Hey, you're the one who insisted on coming," Boil reminds him in exasperation.

"I thought you said Elita left a while ago with two other autobots. Why'd they come back?" Rex asks Jarik.

"That's what I'm worried about," he replies anxiously.

"Nothing good, judging by the state of their ship," Zeb points out in concern.

"Chopper, stay with the Ghost," Hera says, and Chopper beeps in acknowledgment.

Jarik and the two clone troopers lead the way over to the autobot vessel, which, despite the rough crash landing still seemed to still be relatively intact aside from a few scorch marks. The real damage was instead scattered across its hull in various points in ways that the crash could not have caused. Jarik narrows his eyes at the marks, faintly recognizing them with a hint of familiarity; the type of familiarity that made him nervous, though he couldn't place it.

"Now that I'm looking at it, this ship seems kind of like a shuttle of some kind, but, different for some reason," Greez notices with a frown.

"Different how Greez?" Cal asks him.

"Different... bigger," he replies, looking slightly uneasy. "Much bigger."

Just then, a section of the vessel opens up on the back, showing it to be a door entrance, though it's at least ten times the size needed for a regular shuttle. The sliding door pauses partway however, loud grumbling can be heard before a large, black metal hand reaches out and shoves the door open fully, and a massive metal figure walks out from inside. HK-47 and the Mantis crew all jump back in alarm, reaching for their weapons while the rest of the group remain calm, already familiar with cybertronians.

"What the kriff-?!" Cal mutters in a panic, reaching for his lightsaber.

"Relax guys, they're friendly," Jarik tells them.

"Statement: Friendly? Meatbag, do you not see the large droid in front of us that requires off-lining?" HK demands.

Hearing them, the large black cybertronian turns his head to look in their direction, observing them with a hard glare from his glowing optics.

"You, offline me? I'd like to see you try scrap head," he growls, a disbelieving expression on his metal face. "Who are you lot?"

"This guy is good, right?" Boil asks Jarik.

"Like, autobot good?" Ezra adds hopefully.

"Yes, he's good," Jarik sighs, stepping forwards so that he was in clear view. "Ironhide, right? Do you remember me?"

Ironhide looks down at him for a moment, recognition in his optics as he nods his head with a grunt.

"Hmph. That's right. You're the Jedi, huh?" he remarks, turning to look back inside his ship. "All clear femmes! Your rebel friends are out here."

Moments later, two smaller cybertronians walk outside, one blue and one pink, both looking a bit more feminine in appearance than Ironhide.

"Already? That was quicker than I expected," Elita One comments, her demeanor brightening pleasantly at the sight of them. "Hello everyone."

"Uh, hey!" Ezra replies with an awkward wave.

"Elita," Rex nods in greeting.

"Alright, will one of you give us an explanation already?" Cere demands, still tense.

"Statement: I concur. Otherwise I start blasting," HK threatens, holding two blasters in his hands.

Chromia raises an optic ridge at him and crosses her arms, glancing up at Ironhide with a dull expression.

"Big talk for a machine," she remarks.

"It even thinks it could offline me," he grunts in reply.

"Amused query: Do you believe to act like you are not droids as well?" HK retorts mockingly. "Perhaps your makers never mentioned that the bigger they are, the harder they fall."

"Try me, you little glitch," Ironhide scoffs.

"Both of you, be nice," Elita chides him.

"I'm very confused right now," Cal says cautiously.

"You and me both kid," Greez replies, and Merrin nods in agreement, looking at the three autobots suspiciously.

"I'd be surprised if you weren't. It's a bit of a long story, so I'll shorten it," Kanan starts to explain. "Basically, they're a race of sentient metal beings from a completely different galaxy, and they're just as alive as the rest of us."

"Large metal beings from another galaxy?" Merrin asks, confused. "Then why would they be here?"

"Well, they're fighting in a civil war on their homeworld that's lasted for a long time, and at some point Elita One, the pink one, was trapped in stasis after being ambushed in our galaxy," Boil informs them. "Commander Shan and Mara both found her, and since she was stranded with us she decided to assist us for a little while."

"Query: Assist you? What motive would they have?" HK demands.

"Us Autobots believe all sentient beings deserve to live freely, while our enemies, the Decepticons, desire subjugation over others," Elita says, crouching down to be closer to their level, startled the Mantis crew for a second. "It's not very dissimilar to your own struggle against the Galactic Empire."

"Huh... I guess that's good to know," Cal shrugs, unsure of how to respond.

"Annoyed statement: Ugh, are you all such goody-two-shoes?" HK groans sarcastically.

"Would you prefer I do otherwise by blasting you, frag head?" Ironhide demands, whipping out a cannon on his arm.

HK-47 raises his blasters in response while the Mantis crew all tense up once more. Chromia however just rolls her eyes while Elita lets out a sigh, and Jarik rubs his forehead in frustration.

"Alright, knock it off you two!" Hera orders firmly, narrowing her eyes at HK in warning. "None of us our enemies here, so there's no reason to get all trigger happy. I'm looking at you, HK-47."

"Statement: I'm only being logical. Droids do what they're programmed to do, not act like saints," HK scoffs.

"They're not-" Ezra starts to say before groaning in frustration. "Kanan, why did we agree to have him on base?"

"I'd like to punch him too," Zeb adds irritably, and HK turns toward him with a challenging look.

"Relax you three. We've got other things to worry about," Kanan reminds him.

"Elita... why are you back here?" Jarik asks, moving the conversation along. "I thought you would've been back on Cybertron already."

"That's the problem, fleshy, we can't get back," Ironhide grunts. "We've been unable to travel outside of your galaxy."

"Why not? You guys got here just fine, right?" Rex asks, confused.

"Does your ship not have enough fuel to make the distance?" Hera suggests.

"It's not that. Our ship has more than enough fuel," Chromia replies, shaking her head. "We were ambushed. Every time we try to pass the galactic border, we're cut off by enemy ships."

"Is it the Decepticons?" Boil asks in concern.

"No, it isn't them either," Elita tells them. "Another force of dangerous creatures are prowling the borders of the galaxy, creating a blockade to prevent anyone from leaving."

Alarm flashes through Jarik at the statement, fear starting to build in him as he slowly comes to a conclusion of that force she refers too. He so hopes he's wrong, but... what else could it be?

"Another force?" Kanan asks. "You mean the Empire is preventing you from leaving?"

"But that doesn't make sense. No one in history has ever been able to reach the galaxy's border. There's just too many unknown and dangerous sections of space to be able to map it all; even the Empire couldn't do it."

"And what would the Empire be doing out there in the first place is the bigger question," Cere points out.

"It's not the Empire, is it?" Jarik says knowingly, getting the Autobots attention. "There's another race responsible... a race that despises anything technological."

Elita, Ironhide, and Chromia, all share surprised looks with each other before turning their focus to him.

"You know about the Hive?" Elita asks him.

Before Jarik could answer, he's suddenly overcome by a sudden rush of power in the Force, flowing through him like a powerful gust of air; a strong gust of wind picks up around them as well. Lifting a hand to his head, he notices that the other four Jedi present react in the same way, as does Merrin, as they all detect a powerful presence in the Force. Although sudden and a bit overwhelming, the great presence is in no way hostile, and is one that Jarik, Kanan, and Ezra immediately recognize: the Bendu.

"There is a great evil that approaches. The very Force is infected by its unnatural taint. Beware this darkness from beyond."

The soft, but powerful voice of the Bendu fades away in an echo, his presence disappearing as well. The Jedi, and Merrin, all look up with stunned, confused expressions on their faces, Cal, Cere, and Merrin completely shocked while Kanan and Ezra were more worried and uneasy, already knowing it was the Bendu; Jarik however, was petrified with horror upon realizing what that meant.

"Jarik, are you alright?" Boil asks in concern.

"What in the name of the Force..." Cere starts to ask.

She falters in her questioning as a new presence drifts over them, much more different than the Bendu. Unnatural darkness, more disturbing than the presence of even the Emperor himself hangs around them with cold, terrifying power, this time affecting not just the Jedi but every single living person among them, including the autobots, aside from HK-47. The very air is suddenly bone-chillingly cold, and as the unnatural darkness forces itself onto them, they all grab at their heads in pain to try and shut it out, unable to help feeling nothing but absolute terror as a horrific shriek echoes through the air.

Jarik holds his head, trying his hardest to block out the overwhelming entity pushing itself into prominence. Even with his eyes shut tightly to block out the pain stemming from the evil presence invading his mind... he could still see him, staring into his soul with three glowing green eyes; the very face of evil itself.

"YOU MACHINES THOUGHT YOU COULD ESCAPE BY FLEEING BACK INTO THIS GALAXY?" the Taken King roars. "DEATH, WILL COME TO ALL!"

The terrible and dominating presence of that great and evil being eases up a little, allowing everyone relief from the skull-splitting pain in their minds. However, with its retreat another problem arises in the form of a high-pitched shriek echoes through the air, although not as terrifying as the first one. Not far away from them, two green portals open up in the air to reveal a black void of sickening space, allowing for two long and black t-shaped vessel to come through, both about the same size as the Ghost.

"What's happening?!" Ezra shouts in a panic.

"All of you, fall back now!" Elita orders loudly, swiftly standing to her full height as she and the Autobots ready their weapons.

"Observation: It seems too late for that now," HK states in concern.

All around them, several orbs of green energy burst into the air with bright flashes of light, allowing for dozens of monstrous, evil looking alien creatures to appear out of the air, surrounding the rebels. A good number are small and skeletal in appearance with bone white skin and sharp claws. Many more still seem slightly bigger, with three glowing green eyes and pale crimson exoskeleton serving as pieces of armor, carrying a ranged weapon in their hands. All of them have grotesque, beast-like faces and lipless, snarling mouths filled with teeth.

"It can't be..." Merrin murmurs to herself with a fearful gaze. "They were just stories!"

"What are those things?" Zeb exclaims, raising his bo-rifle.

"Statement: Hive acolytes and thralls! Very dangerous!" HK replies, for once sounding completely serious, if even a little worried.

"You know about them?" Jarik asks incredulously, whipping his head around to face them.

"Surprised query: You know about them?" the droid demands in reply.

Letting our wild war cries the acolytes start firing at them, shooting purple bolts of energy from their weapons while their spindlier counterparts rush forward to cover the distance, sprinting madly with loud shrieks. All five Jedi ignite their lightsabers while the rebels pull out their blasters, shooting back at the creatures. Most of them however seemed to be targeting the three Autobots, charging for them in favor of the rest. Elita, Ironhide and Chromia all start shooting their energon blasters at the Hive, incinerating many of them instantly.

"Frag these spawns of the pit!" Ironhide growls angrily.

"What've we gotten ourselves into?" Greez cries out.

"Everyone get to cover!" Cere orders firmly, trying to maintain a level head despite her fear.

"Cover where?!" Ezra asks incredulously, deflecting a bolt aimed for him.

"We have to get back to the Ghost!" Hera suggests, firing her pistol.

"Hera, look out!" Kanan shouts fearfully.

Hera whips her head around to see a thrall lunging for her with its claws outstretched, shrieking wildly, and she stumbles backward with a scream of fear. However, Ezra swings his lightsaber to cut the thrall in half before it could reach her, and its body disintegrated to ash upon hitting the ground. Hera breathes out a sigh of relief, her heart racing.

"Thank you," she says gratefully.

"I can't see them..." Kanan says with growing alarm, swiping his lightsaber through a purple bolt. "I can't see them around me!"

"What do you mean you can't see them?!" Zeb demands, confused. "I thought you used the Force for that!"

"I mean they have no presence in the Force!" he explains worriedly. "I can't sense anything from them!"

Ezra, Cal, and Cere quickly notice that he's right, alarm filling them at the realization. The thralls then reach them, lunging to slash at the them with their claws while shrieking defiantly. Zeb raises his bo-rifle to block a strike from one, kicking it down with his foot before blasting it to bits. Cal and Cere remained in front of Merrin and Greez to shield them from the melee strikes of the thralls while the other two picked them off with blaster fire and nightsister magick. Kanan deflects purple bolts shot by the acolytes, but struggles to detect the thralls. Ezra comes to his aid by cutting them down with his own lightsaber in defense of his master.

"Thanks Ezra," he says gratefully.

"Don't mention it," Ezra replies.

"If you can't see them that makes you vulnerable Caleb!" Cal says in concern, swinging his saberstaff through a thrall

Rex and Boil shoot down the snarling creatures with pinpoint accuracy, relying on their extensive combat training and experience in the Clone War to avoid incoming fire as if they were just battle droids shooting at them. Still, these weren't battle droids, and one thrall jumped on Boil from behind, knocking him down with a startled cry. It tries clawing at him, his clone armor luckily protecting him from injury so it instead tries biting at his head, and Boil just barely manages to hold the snarling, vicious beast back.

"Get off!" Boil yells, trying to shove it away.

"Boil!" Rex shouts in concern.

He runs over to help him but is cut off by more thralls, which force him to step back and shoot them down. The thrall on top of Boil relentlessly pushes its head closer, opening its mouth with a snarl while Boil tries to move his head away. Luckily, Jarik slices the thrall's head off just in time, and Boil throws the disintegrating body off of him.

"These kriffing things are crazy!" Boil exclaims in disgust.

"Gah," Rex shouts, flinching as a purple bolt bounces off his shoulder armor. "We're too exposed out here!"

"Statement: We need a defensible position before they swarm us!" HK declares.

"You all get out of here, now!" Elita orders.

She, Ironhide and Chromia were having no trouble blasting the Hive infantry with their blasters, stomping them flat if they got too close, but more of them just kept coming, seemingly teleporting from the tombships hovering above them all. Jarik tosses his lightsaber, slicing through a dozen thralls and acolytes before it returns to his hand. He and the other Jedi were forming a defensive perimeter around the rest of their companions, protecting them from enemy fire as best they could for how exposed the group was, their only form of protection being the autobot ship they were pinned against; the Ghost was already cut off by the Hive, seemingly ignored by them for the moment.

"Hera, call Chopper!" Kanan shouts, deflecting a blaster bolt.

As she pulls out her comlink to do so however, a larger orb of dark energy appears in the sky with a sickening echo, before bursting to reveal a Hive much larger than the rest, hovering in the air and clad in dirty, crumbling robes. It shrieks at them all, lifting up its clawed hands to create two balls of green energy in them.

"That doesn't look good," Cal exclaims.

"A wizard!" Merrin identifies. "It's using a spell of summoning!"

"Spell of what?!" Rex asks in bewilderment.

"How do you know what that thing is?" Cere asks incredulously.

The wave of Hive seemed to ease up a little, giving them breathing room while seeming more interested in what the wizard was doing. The Hive wizard was chanting in some form of incantation, its voice a mix between hissing and a terrible screech. As it continued chanting, a much larger orb of dark magic appears in front of it, growing in size the longer the chant continued. Eventually, the wizard completed the incantation with a loud shriek, and the orb exploded with a bright flash of energy.

In place of the was a monstrous, hulking beast, having appeared as a result of the wizard's summoning. It was large enough to rival Ironhide in size, and looking more grotesque than the rest of the Hive. Its head was without eyes, appearing as a glowing mutated blob, situated above a huge, snarling mouth. The great creature let out a tremendous, ear-splitting roar to the sky, smashing its fists on the ground.

"Karabast..." Zeb mutters, horrified.

"And I thought rancors were ugly," Rex adds uneasily.

"Statement: That would be an ogre," HK-47 informs them, sounding fearful for once.

"How do you know these things?" Jarik demands.

"KILL THE METAL ABOMINATIONS!" the wizard's shrieks, its terrible voice cutting through the air.

"Oh scrap," Chromia says warily.

"You want a slaughter, pit-spawn?" Ironhide growls, whipping out his twin cannons. "Come get it!"

The wizard screeches, raising a clawed arm in their direction and the ogre bellows in challenge, charging at them.

"Jarik, you and the others need to get out of here!" Elita shouts at them once more. "We'll deal with the Hive!"

"What-" he starts to protest.

"We gotta move!" Ezra yells in warning.

The ogre stomped its wave toward them at full speed, and Ironhide rushed to meet it. He fires his cannons at the beast, but it shrugs the blasts off with a pained roar and surprises Ironhide by tackling into him. The rebels are all forced to move away swiftly to avoid what would be a sure death before the two powerful combatants crash into the side of the cybertronian ship. The ogre lifts its arms up and brings them down to smash Ironhide in the chest, and he grunt in pain from the heavy hit. Elita and Chromia fire her energon blasters at the ogres's head, getting its attention away from Ironhide with an angry bellow. Chromia jumps forward to attack with her wrist blades, but the ogre swings a heavy arm to smack her out of the air, sending her flying into a startled Elita.

Having leapt to avoid the collision, Jarik gets up to his feet to see the autobots fighting the ogre, unsure of how to help. However the rest of the Hive resume their attack, now focusing on the rebels with the ogre fighting the autobots. The rebels accidentally separated as a result of running to avoid being squashed, now being in three different groups; Cal, Merrin, Ezra, and Zeb were the first group, Jarik, Rex, Boil, and HK-47 were the second group, and Kanan, Hera, Cere, and Greez were the third group.

"This isn't good!" Zeb yells.

"Nothing about this is good!" Ezra shouts back, cutting his lightsaber through a lunging thrall.

"We've have to call in reinforcements!" Hera exclaims.

As the thralls continue jumping for them in desperate, suicidal attempts to strike their prey, the acolytes fired shots from their shredders, forcing each group further apart. Kanan's group made their way over to a rocky outcropping, giving them some protection, while Jarik's group was edged closer to a field of coralline trees. The wizard who summoned the ogre then flies over, hovering in the air and raising its arm to unleash a barrage of darkness blasts at Cal's group, which Merrin takes notice of.

"Cal, watch out!" she exclaims.

She pushes herself in front of the others and conjures a protective shield using her own magick, protecting them all from the darkness blasts. Cal, Ezra and Zeb are alerted to the problem and turn to face it while the wizard hisses angrily, its glowing white eyes filled with hatred.

"THIEF..." the wizard says with a hiss. "NIGHTSISTER, STOLE HIVE MAGIC!"

"What does that mean?" Cal asks incredulously.

"The Nightsisters supposedly learned magick from a higher power," Merrin briefly explains, slightly panicked. "But those were just stories."

"NIGHTSISTER, DO NOT DESERVE... OUR POWER!" the wizard screeches, enraged.

"Well I don't think it likes that," Ezra says uneasily.

"You think?" Zeb scoffs.

---

A pair of thralls leapt through the air with claws outstretched, only to be cut down by a single swipe of Jarik's lightsaber. He rolls underneath a volley of void bolts and then stabs an acolyte through the chest. It dies with a roar of pain, disintegrating into ash. Beside him, HK-47 smacks a thrall out of the air and then crushes its head with his foot, swiftly firing three blasters shots to eliminate three acolytes with pinpoint accuracy.

"How the kriff, do you know about the Yuuzhan Vong?" Jarik demands, cutting another thrall in half.

"Statement: Revan, Malak and I encountered these monstrosities while searching the Unknown Regions for the Sith Emperor. We barely escaped," HK-47 explains, kicking away a lunging thrall. "Query: How do you know of them, meatbag?!"

"Visions from the Force," he replies, throwing his lightsaber at a pair of acolytes. "Oh, and Revan's spirit told me."

"Statement: How ridiculous," HK scoffs.

"These things are worse than those zombie bugs on Geonosis!" Boil exclaims, shooting down an acolyte.

He pulls a grenade from his belt and throws it at a group of thralls running in his direction, blowing them to bits. Rex backs up beside him, firing his twin pistols at two thralls attempting to attack him on either side before switching to shoot at a group of acolytes, who were taking cover behind the coral trees.

"You said it brother," Rex replies in agreement.

While the two soldiers worked together to eliminate any Hive that got too close, a small pillar of green fire erupted a dozen meters away. From out of the fire appears a much larger Hive, standing at around seven and a half feet tall. Unlike its smaller brethren, its armor was much more bulky and regal in appearance, its head adorned with three bony spikes, as well as three eyes that glowed a much brighter green, filled with malice; in its hands was a massive sword of bone. It advances on the pair, and Jarik happens to notice the danger upon glancing back, widening his eyes in alarm.

"Guys, look out!" he yells.

Rex and Boil turn around in alarm to see the fearsome Hive Knight charging at them, raising its sword overhead with a deep growl. Thinking fast, Jarik reaches out with his arm and uses the Force to yank both clones in his direction, just narrowly avoiding what would've been a fatal blow as the Knight slams his sword down into the ground. Rex and Boil rolls across the ground next to Jarik's feet, pushing themselves back up with nods of gratitude.

"Thanks Commander!" Boil says.

HK-47 lifts his blaster and fires several shots at the Knight, but it simply raises an arm to block the laser bolts, growling at them. Rex moves to shoot the Knight, but the other Hive quickly remind them of their presence by attacking, acolytes shooting at them.

"I got this one, stay focused on the rest," Jarik tells them.

"We're on it sir," Rex nods. "Come on, lets move!"

"Statement: These ones are much more dangerous," HK warns.

"Yeah yeah, I got it," Jarik says, shoving the assassin droid after the others.

Twirling his lightsaber in hand, Jarik runs at the Knight and jumps into the air, slashing his saber down. The Knight raises its sword to block it, surprising Jarik with the swords ability to withstand a lightsaber, and then shoves him back with a snarl. Roaring, the Knight slams its sword overhead once more, but Jarik leaps out of the way and rolls across the ground, swinging for its unprotected side. Moving with startling speed, the Knight avoids the strike and swings its sword out in a wide arc, forcing Jarik to jump back to avoid it.

"Wretch," the Knight growls, glaring at him. "Your power is pitiful, Blood of Revan."

Jarik looks back with a slightly stunned expression, quickly hardening his gaze.

"You know of me?" he demands.

"My King has spoken of you. Death shall soon find you, as it shall find the rest of your heretical galaxy!" the Knight proclaims, baring his teeth.

"That's not gonna happen," Jarik retorts firmly.

"You cannot stand against my God! He will destroy all, and I shall see to it his glory is achieved!" the Knight roars. "For I, Narzuc the Hunter, am your death!"

Letting out a great roar, Narzuc lifts his sword and comes barreling over at Jarik. He swings his sword down at him, and Jarik raises his lightsaber to block it. Jarik groans as he's forced down onto one knee as a result of Narzuc's incredible strength, gripping his saber tightly with both hands as its forced closer to his head. Pushing back with all the strength he could muster, Jarik slips out from underneath the two blades and spins around to face the Knight, readying his lightsaber once more. Narzuc growls at him, swiping his sword in an upwards strike but Jarik sidesteps the attack and then speedily slashes his saber, the blade scratching between the armored plates of his wrist, forcing him to drop his sword.

Seizing the opportunity, Jarik pulls his lightsaber back before thrusting forward it forward with the intent of impaling the Hive Knight. However, to his astonishment, Narzuc suddenly grabs the plasma blade of his lightsaber, gripping it with nothing but his bare hands while crouching down to one knee, making the blade sizzle with a shower of sparks at the constant contact. Baffled, Jarik tries to yank his lightsaber back but Narzuc holds it firmly in place from his crouched position, a low snarl building up in his throat.

They both go still in their standoff, Narzuc's deep growl breaking the silence, and Jarik slowly lifts his head to meet the Hive Knight's gaze, staring uneasily into his three gleaming eyes, which are filled only with malice. Narzuc returns the stare with a mocking sneer before lunging forward, grabbing Jarik's arm. Snarling, he yanks him forward with startling strength and then swings him around into a rock pillar. Jarik grunts in pain, his lightsaber falling from his grip as he falls to the ground, only to be grabbed by the shoulders and thrown back around into a coral tree, his back smacking against it before collapsing with a groan.

Sneering scornfully, Narzuc stomps over to him and then raises his leg, kicking down at the dazed Jedi. However, Jarik recovers just in time to get into a crouch and grabs hold of his foot just as it hits him. He grits his teeth in exertion, struggling to push back against the Knight's leg to avoid being crushed against the coral tree, before finally using a combination of his metal arm and the Force to throw him off.

Narzuc staggers backward, and Jarik takes the opportunity to leap forward, landing a swift punch against his head with his left arm before grabbing the Knight's arm and pulling with all the strength he could muster to slam him against the same coral tree. Grabbing one of the horns of his head, Jarik slams Narzuc's head repeatedly against the trunk of the coral tree, making him roar in pain, before kicking him into the tree fully, resulting in its trunk cracking from the impact.

Reaching an arm out, Jarik calls his lightsaber back to his hand and ignites it, jumping forward with the intent to cut his head off, aiming for the gap between his armor at the neck. Unfortunately for him, Narzuc recovers in time to swing his arm around delivers a fierce backhand, throwing Jarik several feet away and disarming him once more. Rolling across the dirt, Jarik struggles to get up, his body aching with pain, whilst Narzuc quickly approaches with heavy stomps, an enraged scowl on his beastly face. Jarik attempts to throw another punch but the Knight deflects it, head butting him instead. He staggers a few steps back, dazed, but is offered no recovery before Narzuc throws his arm out for another hard punch to the head, and then delivers a powerful backhand.

Jarik grunts in pain from the first punch, but is then sent flying dozens of feet through the air from the backhanded strike. Snarling in satisfaction, Narzuc stomps his way after him, cracking his neck and fists eagerly.

---

The ogre makes a swipe at Elita, but she ducks underneath its arm and aims a kick behind the knee. The ogre collapses down onto one knee and Chromia makes another pass to swipe at it with her wrist blades, cutting into its side. Bellowing in pain, it gets back up and turns toward her before getting tackled by Ironhide, who slams it up against a cliff wall. Ironhide starts beating its head over and over with powerful punches, burying it into the rock. The ogre roars in pain and rage, swinging his arms out in a wild attempt to grab him, but Ironhide easily avoids its reach.

Letting out a tremendous roar of fury, the ogre's head starts to glow, confused Ironhide for a moment, before a powerful beam of void energy blasts outward. Taken by surprise, Ironhide takes the beam fully in the chest and is blown away with a grunt of pain, rolling across the ground. Elita shoots her blasters at the ogre, but it swivels its head to aim the beam at her, forcing her to jump behind their ship for cover.

"Isn't this just fragging perfect," Elita scowls in frustration, flinching as the ogre's eye blast strikes the ground beside her.

The ogre is interrupted in its assault as Chromia comes leaping through the air, firing her energon blasters at its back while flipping over it. The ogre roars in pain, stumbling forwards momentarily before whirling around with startling speed, catching her by surprise and blasting her with its energy beam. Chromia cries out in pain as the beam slams her against the cliff wall, and she drops to her hands and knees with a grimace. The ogre bellows triumphantly, but is sent flying by a heavy punch from Ironhide, smashing it against a coral tree with a roar of pain.

"That's for touching my sparkmate, slaghead," the autobot veteran growls.

"Aww, you do care," Elita teases.

"Shut up Elita," Ironhide and Chromia both snap at her.

She grins back at them in amusement, but the ogre comes charging over at them once more with an outraged roar, raising its fists up and delivering a powerful ground slam. Ironhide has to roll back to avoid being hit, the other two autobots whipping out their wrist blades and sprinting forward to assist him.

---

Command Center - Chopper Base

"Commander Sato, I think you need to take a look at this," a rebel officer calls out.

Having been standing at the holotable to analyze battle plans for the strike on Lothal, Commander Sato nevertheless turns away from it and approaches the officers position, looking at his computer.

"What is it trooper?" he questions.

"Our scanners are detecting a surge of activity just a few miles out beyond the northern perimeter of the base," he reports.

Sato looks at the screen with a frown while Shaak Ti comes over to them, her attention caught by the conversation.

"That's where Captain Syndulla's team is investigating a crashed ship," Sato realizes, becoming concerned. "Can you identify what caused the surge?"

"I'm not sure commander, it's hard to identify. It's almost like multiple anomalies just appeared out of nowhere," the officer replies, perplexed.

"Something bad has happened," Shaak says, introducing herself to the conversation; her face is slightly pale, a hint of fear in her gaze. "I sensed a terrible disturbance in the Force."

"What do you mean?" Sato asks her.

"A dark presence lingers nearby," she murmurs, looking up at him worriedly. "I feel as if Hera's team is in grave danger."

Sato frowns in concern, having had enough experience nearby to know that such reactions from them are not to be taken lightly. Just then, his comlink starts beeping urgently, and Hera's voice comes through.

"Commander Sato, please come in!" she shouts, obviously panicked.

"Captain Syndulla, what is going on out there? We're scanning a lot of activity in your area," Sato answers in reply.

"We're under attack from an unknown force! They just, appeared out of nowhere!" Hera exclaims, the sound of a firefight and strange roaring heard in the background. "We need serious backup!"

"What kind of force?!" Sato asks.

"We don't know, but they're-" she says, but is interrupted as the transmission gets cut off.

"Captain Syndulla? Captain Syndulla!" Sato exclaims in alarm, frustrated at receiving no answer, and he turns to the rebel officer. "I want Phoenix Squadron out there to assist now!"

"Right away commander!" the officer says in confirmation.

---

Atollon Wilderness - Atollon

Before Hera could finish her sentence, a thrall had jumped at her, and she accidentally dropped her comlink. She ducked back and shot it in the face before it could swipes its claws at her. She crouched behind a rock for cover beside Greez while Cere slashed her double-bladed saber through another thrall, Kanan deflecting incoming fire from the acolytes.

"These creeps just don't stop coming!" Greez exclaims, leaning out to shoot his blaster at a few acolytes, who ducked behind cover.

"If I could sense them I wouldn't be having so much trouble!" Kanan says, flinching as a shot just barely misses his head.

"You worry about the ranged attackers while I deal with the rest," Cere tells him firmly.

She and Kanan both deflect a few more shots before ducking down with the other two to hide behind the rocks, taking a moment to recover. The acolytes roared and began moving forwards cautiously, keeping a constant rate of fire training on their hiding places.

"Every time we kill these things, more just keep appearing," Hera says, glancing up into the sky where the tombships are visible. "I'm betting they're somehow teleporting down from those ships."

"Are the ships doing anything?" Kanan asks.

"It doesn't look like it, but I'd guess that Hera's right. It's the only thing that would make sense, as ridiculous as it sounds," Greez remarks.

"If we could get to the Ghost, we might be able to shoot them down," Hera suggests. "But Chopper still hasn't contacted us."

Cere peeks out from behind the rock to get a look at the Ghost, which is situated across the field a little over a hundred feet away from them. A thrall suddenly comes screaming down at her, swiping its claws, but Cere cuts it in half with her lightsaber, and its body disintegrates into ash.

"If we're gonna get there, it has to be now. Those things are starting to swarm around it," she advises.

"I'd feel most comfortable in a ship," Greez replies. "We've gotta make a run for it."

"Can you make it Kanan?" Hera asks worriedly.

"As long as I'm not attacked face to face with them, I can block the blaster fire," he scoffs, a bit anxious and uneasy.

"Then everyone follow my lead," Cere orders.

Peeking out from cover once more, she holds a hand up to them to wait and then waves outwards, jumping out from cover. They other three quickly follows as they run at a dead sprint for the Ghost. The acolytes and thralls roar as they change their direction to attack the four rebels, shooting their guns while the thralls gave chase. Cere and Kanan worked to deflect incoming fire with Hera and Greez shot any thralls that came to close, the former being especially careful to make sure they didn't near close to Kanan, seeing as he was incapable of seeing any of their opponents.

Luckily they made it to the Ghost, taking refuge underneath its hull while Hera got to work on opening the ship's entrance. However, due to her distraction, a thrall managed to slip close to them and lunged at Kanan, swiping its claws. Kanan's only warning was hearing a wild shriek just to his left before it slashes its claws along his arm, and he yells in pain from the injury.

"Kanan!" Hera exclaims in horror.

Swinging his saber wildly, Kanan managed to swipe his blade through the thrall's midsection, and Cere leaps to his defense to cut down another group of thralls that were charging for them. As the ramp into the Ghost opens, Hera rushes forward to Kanan and worriedly checks over his wound, seeing three deep claw marks running down his left upper arm.

"I'm fine, we need to focus," he tells her through clenched teeth.

From the open ramp, Chopper appears with panicked beeps, screaming as a few acolyte shots are directed towards him. Hera helps Kanan into the Ghost while Greez and Cere follow after them.

"Shut the door now Chop!" Hera orders.

Chopper wastes no time in doing so, and a few clawed hands from thralls grab at the ramp desperately as it closes, only to slip off. One of the thralls however manages to pull itself up, but before it could get through all the way the door shuts completely, crushing its body in half. The rebels look on in disgust at the gory sight, though they're given some relief as its body disintegrates like the rest.

"Hera, get the ship in the air," Kanan groans.

She wants to argue, but also understands the critical importance of their situation, hearing the sounds of void bolts peppering the ship's exterior.

"I need one of you on the turret while I get us in the air," she states.

"I'll handle it," Cere says.

"I'll be co-pilot," Greez adds.

---

Ezra and Zeb jumped out of the way wildly as a volley of darkness blasts were thrown in their direction by the wizard. From the branch of a coral tree standing beside it, Merrin appears out of green smoke and starts throwing blasts of ichor at the wizard. They hit the wizard, revealing a translucent barrier of solar energy around it, and it shrieks it pain. Turning to face Merrin, the wizard summons a large ball of dark energy and casts it at her; Merrin teleports away just before it hit, and a large section of the coral tree shrivels up into ash as if burned by intense acid.

Cal throws his lightsaber at the wizard, but it swoops out of the way and flies over to him with a hand outstretched to grab him. He rolls out of the way to avoid its grasp, catching his returning lightsaber, but the wizard turns back around and gestures at him with its arms. A cloud of dark poison suddenly engulfs the ground around him and he collapses to his knees with trembling gasps of pain. Cal feels sudden relief however as Merrin appears next to him an stretches her arms out, using her magick to create a bubble of clean around within the cloud of poison.

"Thanks Merrin," he says, coughing heavily to expel the poison.

"I don't know how long I can hold this Cal," she anxiously replies.

The wizard hisses in frustration and rage, making a clenching motion with its fists. The poisoned cloud starts to force itself inwards, and despite Merrin's best efforts her protective bubble was getting smaller. Outside, Ezra and Zeb look on in concern, getting back to their feet.

"We've got to help them!" Ezra says.

"Hey kid, you got your lightsaber ready?" Zeb asks him. "Because I got an idea."

"What're you talking abo- WOAH!" he suddenly shouts in surprise.

Zeb grabs Ezra with both hands and runs forward a few steps, ignoring his protests before throwing him into the air with all the strength he could muster. Looking up in front of him, Ezra holds his lightsaber tightly in one hand and then grabs onto the wizard by the shoulder.

The wizard lets out a surprised screech of anger and staggers around in the air, relinquishing the cloud of poison in favor of reaching back to try and grab at him. Ezra pulls himself up and then stabs his lightsaber through its shoulder, and the wizard shrieks in pain. It finally grabs his arm and yanks him off, throwing him down to the ground. Ezra rolls across the dirt with a few grunts of pain, lightsaber deactivating, and Zeb rushes to his aid while firing at the wizard with his bo-rifle. It raises its arms to protect itself from the laser bolts, crying out angrily, and starts flying away to recover.

Merrin narrows her eyes at the wizard and raises her hands, which glow with green mist. Using her magick, she grabs hold of the wizard with restraints of ichor to prevent it from fleeing. The wizard shrieks in rage, the solar shield around it glowing brightly as it tries to resist her hold.

"Now's your chance!" Merrin shouts to the others.

Cal and Ezra run forward with their lightsabers at the ready while Zeb keeps firing his bo-rifle at it, peppering its shield with blaster bolts. Merrin grits her teeth as she struggles to keep the flailing wizard restrained, but soon enough Cal and Ezra both jump into the air to strike with their lightsabers. However to their astonishment the wizard suddenly disappears in a bright blue flash, and Merrin stumbles forward as her hold over it is broken.

"Wait, what?!" Cal asks, baffled.

The wizard suddenly appears behind Merrin with the same flash of light, shrieking with rage as it unleashes a large barrage of darkness blasts. Merrin is forced to jump away with a pained cry, rolling across the ground while Zeb is blown back with a surprised yell. The wizard then raises it arm into the air, summoning a group of thralls beneath it to assist it in the fight.

"That's not fair!" Ezra groans.

---

Narzuc slowly marches up to his prey with heavy steps, almost tauntingly, while the dazed Jedi struggles to his feet, wearily lifting his head up. He's unable to react in time before Narzuc is grabbing for him, yanking him off the ground.

The Hive Knight effortlessly lifts him up into the air with a clawed hand around his throat, baring his teeth. Grabbing at his arm, Jarik glares at the beastly face of the Knight with gritted teeth and attempts to retaliate. Using his prosthetic arm, he punches Narzuc in the stomach and then his face, whipping his head to the side from the force of the punch. Narzuc grunts, his grip slackening, and Jarik brings his feet up to kick him fully in the chest, staggering the Knight back while also freeing himself from his grasp.

Landing on his feet, Jarik lunges at the unbalanced Knight and goes to deliver another punch to the head, swinging his left arm as hard as he can. However, Narzuc recovers swiftly with an irritated growl and ducks away from the swing, letting Jarik move past him. Before he could react in time, Narzuc swings his own arms with a fierce roar, both of his bony fists connecting with the Jedi's back. The astonishing power of his hit sends Jarik flying, bouncing off the ground once before crashing against a cliffside nearly two hundred feet away in an explosion of rubble. Dazed and in pain, he stumbles forward momentarily with a weak groan before collapsing to his hands and knees, coughing in painful gasps.

Baring his teeth, Narzuc looks to his side to see a small coral tree close by, almost twice his size, and stomps over to it. Smashing his fist into its rock-like trunk, he breaks off the entire thing and raises it over his head with incredible strength. Taking a few steps forward, he throws the tree with a roar, sending it hurtling through the air. Looking up, Jarik widens his eyes in alarm and holds up his arms to use the Force. The tree slows down gradually, but not enough and, out of desperation, Jarik uses the Force to rip the tree apart and allow both halves to smash down on either side of him, before he collapses back to his hands and knees himself, exhausted of energy.

Looking up once more, he watches as Narzuc continues to march relentlessly in his direction, his footsteps stomping powerfully as he crosses the wide distance between them. Raising a hand discretely, he uses the Force to locate his lightsaber and call it back to him, intentionally direction it towards Narzuc. The saber's blue blade ignites midair with a fast spin, cutting through the air as it heads directly for the Hive Knight. However just as it was about to hit, Narzuc whips around without hesitation and effortlessly bats the lightsaber away in one swift move, the blade harmlessly bouncing off of his armor before deactivating.

Jarik looks on in disbelief, blood dripping down the sides of his face from several cuts inflicted by the Hive Knight,, and Narzuc resumes his march with a mocking sneer on his grotesque face.

---

The ogre bellows angrily as he charges at Ironhide, swiping its big arms, but Ironhide dodges it wild attacks with ease and retaliates before throwing a fierce uppercut, making it stagger backward. Elita shoots her energon blasters at its side, getting it to focus on her, and then Chromia jumps forward to slash her wrist blades across its back. The ogre roars in pain and whirls around with another swipe of its arm but she ducks away from it and Ironhide rams into it with his shoulder, sending the beast flying.

Roaring in pain and rage, the ogre gets back up once more and stomps its way toward with with a fierce bellow, its sack-like head glowing as it charges up another eye blast. However Ironhide acts first by raising his twin cannons and firing two rockets, which explode on impact against the ogre's face. It staggers backward with a roar of agony, but still remains standing on its feet.

"What's it gonna take to kill this thing?" Chromia scowls in frustration.

"I'm about ready to the head off of this organic pit-spawn," Ironhide grunts, cracking his knuckles.

"Maybe those guys can help us?" Elita suggests.

She gestures up at the sky, and Ironhide and Chromia turn their heads to look where she was pointing. From the direction of the base, a squadron of A-Wings were flying through the air, led by Wedge Antilles. He and his fellow pilots quickly surveyed the situation, astonished by what they were seeing.

"What are these things?" one pilot asks incredulously.

"I don't know, but they're freaky! Do you see that giant monster down there?!" Hobbie replies.

"Alright Phoenix Squadron, tighten up! Whoever these guys are they've proven to be hostile, so lets take them out!" Wedge orders firmly. "Phoenix 3 and 4, you two help out with that giant monster. Everyone else, follow my lead!"

"Phoenix Leader, what about the large droids?" a female pilot asks.

"Those guys are friendly! It's the monsters you gotta worry about!" he replies, recognizing the pink armor of Elita One.

"Copy Phoenix Leader, we're going in!" another pilot says confidently.

Phoenix 4 and 3 break off to attack the ogre while the rest of the squadron follow Antilles in the direction of the enemy ships. Growling in confusion, the ogre looks up at the two starfighters, only to be bombarded with laser fire. It roars in pain, staggering back as a result of the laser bolts, and the A-Wings swoop up after the strafing run for another pass. Roaring defiantly, it charges up its eye blast and fires a violet beam in the sky, forcing the surprised A-Wing pilots to break off their assault.

The ogre is halted in its attack when Elita comes sprinting forward, jumping up into the air to deliver a swift kick to its face. It stumbles momentarily, charging at her only to be tripped up by Chromia. As it's knocked off its feet Ironhide runs forward and smashes his fists down onto its face, slamming its head into the ground. The ogre roars in pain, lunging out with its fist to punch Ironhide away, but as it stands back up its hit with another volley of laser cannon fire by the A-Wings. It bellows furiously, but is forced to its knees after Elita and Chromia both swipe their wrist blades across its calves.

Recovering quickly, the ogre swings its arm around and manages to punch Elita away, but Ironhide comes running back over and kicks it in the face, knocminng it down to the ground. The ogre stands up again but Ironhide delivers a series of powerful punches, all to its head, a fierce blow to the head actually spinning it halfway around. Ironhide then grabs the ogre's arms and holds it out in front of him, restraining it in such a way so that it was clearly exposed.

"Shoot the slagger!" he yells.

Elita and Chromia do as he says, whipping out both energon blasters and firing nonstop at the ogre. The A-Wings also add to the barrage with another strafing run, and the ogre roars louder than ever in incredible pain as its peppered with laser blasts, the intensive barrage forming sizzling holes in its body while Ironhide uses it as a living shield. Eventually, the constant rate of fire was too much for the beast, and its roars are cut short as its bulging head explodes as a result of being shot so much.

Ironhide throws the corpse down with a disgusted growl, some of the ogre's innards having splattered him a little bit.

"Disgusting," he grumbles.

Meanwhile, the rest of the starfighter squadron led by Antilles began their attack on the two Hive tombships, firing their laser cannons. Suddenly under fire, the tombships start moving and take off into the air, flying around erratically in ways that regular starships couldn't.

"Woah! What kind of ship moves that way?" one pilot asks incredulously.

"This kind apparently," Wedge replies. "Hobbie, lets move in!"

"You got it Wedge," Hobbie replies.

The rebel pilots give chase after the Hive tombships, which shoot orbs of purple energy at them while attempting to flee. Wedge shoots his laser cannons at the energy spheres before they could hit him, narrowing his eyes at the tombships to try and determine the weakest point. His comlink crackles to life as the Ghost rises into the air to join them.

"Ghost to Phoenix Leader! Boy am I glad to see you guys," Hera says.

"You too Captain Syndulla. Got any idea what we're up against?" Wedge asks, swerving to keep after the wildly moving tombship.

"No idea, but they're far from friendly! We need to take them out before they can report our base's location to whoever they're affiliated with!" she replies.

"Copy that Captain," Wedge says in confirmation.

While the rebel starfighters and the Ghost worked on dealing with the Hive tombships, the others on the ground continued their fight against the acolytes and thralls. Rex and Boil worked brilliantly together at taking out enemy forces, using the terrain to their advantage against the acolytes, though the thralls were an upset to their typical battle strategies.

"I'm starting to think these punks don't care about dying!" Rex grunts, shooting a thrall several times in the face.

"At least they can die!" Boil scoffs in response, reminded of the undead Geonosians.

"Statement: The Hive find religious fulfillment in pain and the extermination of life," HK-47 comments, bashing an acolytes skull against a rock. "Even I find their lust for death to be ridiculous."

"Yeah? Why do I not believe you?" Boil retorts.

Luckily for them however, it seemed as though the number of Hive on the ground was finally starting to ease up, now that the tombships were no longer spawning in move Hive to replace the dead. The two clones and assassin droid efficiently worked their way through their enemies, lessening their numbers.

Meanwhile, the fight between Cal's group and the Hive wizard was still ongoing, as the wizard seemed especially eager to kill Merrin. She rapidly teleports away to avoid being blasted by its magic, only for a pair of thralls to come lunging at her as she reappears. She uses her magick to toss the thralls back, and Cal swipes his lightsaber through another. Nearby, Zeb grappled with a thrall that lunged at him, growling as he spun around and slammed it to the ground, bashing its head in with his bo-rifle whilst Ezra stabbed another that jumped at him.

"I can't take this anymore!" Zeb growls in frustration.

"How do you think I feel about this?" Ezra replies sarcastically, stabbing another thrall.

The wizard raises its arm and summons more thralls, which immediately charge at them.

"Merrin, do you know a way to kill that thing?" Cal asks.

"It has an energy shield around it," she informs him. "I can use a talisman to amplify my magic enough to break it, but I need time to do so."

"Then we'll give it to you," he nods in confirmation. "Ezra, Zeb! We need to draw their attention so Merrin to break the wizard's shield!"

"How are we gonna do that with these blasted things rushing at us?!" Zeb demands, shooting down a pair of thralls.

"Like this!" Ezra replies confidently.

He steps forward and thrusts his arms out for a Force push. However to his astonishment the group of thrall only stagger back a few steps before resuming their charge, snarling and shrieking at him.

"What?!" Ezra exclaims, panicking.

"You kidding me? What was that you just did?!" Zeb complains.

"They were supposed to be blown away!" he retorts defensively.

"Just throw your lightsaber!" Cal suggests.

Igniting the second blade of his saberstaff, he and Ezra both throw their lightsabers at the thralls, and the spinning blades rapidly cut through a large swath of them before returning to their hands. Zeb chuckles, picking off the stragglers with his bo-rifle.

"I like that better," he says.

The wizard screeches angrily and casts several darkness blasts in their direction, forcing them to scatter. Zeb fires at it with his bo-rifle while Cal and Ezra run around to either side, splitting its attention between them. It casts a cloud of darkness in front of Cal, and he skids to a stop to just barely avoid it; Ezra tries attacking it from behind, but the wizard swoops out of reach of his saber. Meanwhile Merrin held a talisman in her hands, calling for the aid of her fallen sisters for strength, her voice echoing with power as ichor starts flowing around her body while her eyes start to glow green.

The wizard throws more darkness blasts at the Jedi, switching focus to Zeb in annoyance from his constant blaster fire. Zeb runs to avoid a volley of darkness blasts, and Cal jumps up at the wizard, only to be smacked back down by a swing of its arm. Hissing at them all, the wizard suddenly looks over in alarm upon noticing Merrin using her magick, and screeches angrily. Before it could attack however, a beam of green ichor is blasted out of Merrin's hands, striking the wizard in full force. The wizard cries out in pain as its energy shield is blasted apart, and Merrin drops down to one knee.

"Kill it now!" she cries.

Shrieking in alarm, the wizard attempts to flee but is struck by Zeb's bo-rifle, now in its electro-staff form, forcing it to pause momentarily with a pained cry. The staff continuously shocks it, but the wizard grabs it and chucks it away, However Ezra throws his lightsaber at the wizard again, the blade slicing through its body and eliciting a pain filled screech. Cal then jumps up into the air with his lightsaber raised, slashing to cut through the wizard from the shoulder down. the wizard falls from the air with a scream of pain, dying before it hit the ground.

The four rebels take a moment to pause, breathing heavily in exhaustion from the taxing fight.

"Uuuggghh... did we get them all?" Ezra groans wearily.

---

Jarik POV...

As Narzuc throws me against the cliffside, the only thought currently running through my mind is that everything in my body hurts.

I look up weakly, just barely throwing myself out of the way with a pained groan as Narzuc slams his fist deep into the rock where I just was, ripping it out with a snarl. He was just so strong, much more so than even a wookiee or a trandoshan, which are the strongest humanoid species I know of in the galaxy. Narzuc swipes at me with his arms, attempting to punch or claw at me, and I desperately duck away from him by jumping to the right to move past him.

However while I'm still in midair he grabs my cape and slams me down on the ground. I cry out in pain, and with my cape still in his grasp he spins around for extra momentum and throws my away. I smash through a small coral tree, breaking its trunk completely, and tumble onto the ground with a painful moan, my body throbbing and aching in pain. If it wasn't for the Jedi battle armor I wore to complete my outfit, there's no doubt in my mind that all the bones in my torso would've been broken under the extreme abuse I've taken.

"My King spoke of your ability to harness the power of Ashla," Narzuc growls, sneering at me. "For the first time, it seems he was wrong."

Gritting my teeth, I call on the Force to ease the throbbing agony I was feeling in my body, and forced myself to my feet. Bringing my arms back, I thrust them forward to deliver a powerful Force push at Narzuc, shouting defiantly as I did so. He staggers briefly on his feet, but to my complete astonishment he's otherwise unaffected; even Vader had a bit of trouble resisting my Force push. I try to unleash another blast of Force energy at Narzuc, but the same thing happens, and he chuckles darkly as he continues to march toward me.

"Foolish Jedi. We are beyond the understanding of the Whills!" he sneers mockingly. "The Force is trivial in comparison to the Deep!"

"Do you ever stop talking?" I scowl, trying to hide my fear behind annoyance.

"I speak of greatness! And you, Blood of Revan, are nothing to it," Narzuc growls.

He opens his hand, and his sword reforms back in it out of dark mist. Remembering I still have Ahsoka's lightsaber with me, I pull it off my belt and ignite its glowing green blade, holding my side with a pained grimace. Narzuc roars and charges at me, swinging his sword down with one hand, but my experience with saber fighting allows me to spot that he's swinging with too much power. I sidestep his strike and use his own momentum to bat his sword aside with my lightsaber, forcing him off balance. He snarls as he takes a step back, and I quickly seize the opportunity to go on the offensive for once.

Gripping Ahsoka's lightsaber with both hands, I slip into a combination of Makashi and Djem So to attack with swift, precise, and powerful saber strikes, forcing Narzuc to move backwards. I swing high and low, using the Force to enhance my speed faster than the bulky Knight could keep up with, proving my much greater skill in saber combat by parrying his sword effortlessly and pressuring him relentlessly. Eventually, I smack his sword away and then swing my lightsaber down through his unarmed bicep to cut his arm off cleanly, then bring an end to the duel by stabbing my lightsaber through a chink in his chest armor, impaling his gut.

Narzuc growls in surprise and pain, staggering for a moment while I hold the lightsaber there to burn his body. However to my surprise he grips my lightsaber with his remaining hand and starts pulling the lightsaber further through him, leaning in with a vicious snarl and baring his teeth, his intention to kill me as well by biting my face off all too clear. Gritting my teeth, I rip my lightsaber out of his body with all the strength I could muster and take a step back, letting out a defiant yell before swinging my lightsaber through the armor-less gap in his neck to decapitate him.

Narcuz's body collapses lifelessly on the ground, the green glow of his eyes now gone, and I watch as his corpse disintegrates into ash. Still holding my stance, I breathe heavily and stumble forward in a state of shock. Noticing the shine of my main lightsaber lying on the ground nearby, I deactivate Ahsoka's green blade and retrieve it with the Force, clipping both blades to my belt. I inhale and exhale deeply, staggering in my steps as I lean against a coral tree with a moan of pain, the damage dealt by Narzuc now pushing to the front of my mind.

The sounds of battle are now gone, and looking around I could see the two Hive ships being blown up in the sky by several A-Wings. Thankfully, it seems that the danger is now over.

Blinking my eyes in an effort to dispel the blurriness of my vision, I weakly look forward to see a shadowy figure standing up ahead, towering several feet above me, glaring down at me with three glowing, starlight eyes.

"Rest with your pitiful victory for now, spawn of Revan," the shadow of Oryx hisses. "In time my army shall come, and when we do... your galaxy will burn!"

The shadow disappears in a flash of dark mist, and I collapse to my knees, my body throbbing with pain. I try to hold onto consciousness, but with a final groan I fall to the ground in exhaustion, darkness obscuring my vision as I fall unconscious.

---

Imperial Complex, Capital City - Lothal

3rd person POV...

An Imperial shuttle flies through the air towards the capital city of Lothal, headed for the Imperial Complex. In the main hangar, two rows of stormtroopers stand at attention for the ships arrival as Governor Pryce, Vice Admiral Sloane, and the Second Sister approach to greet their visitor. Once the shuttle lands in the hangar, the ramp opens for Grand Admiral Thrawn to walk out, flanked by a pair of death troopers.

"Governor Pryce, I bring urgent news," Thrawn says.

"Of course. Right this way," Pryce responds in acknowledgement.

She and the others turn to walk down the hangar in the direction of her office, the Second Sister staying in the back. Nobody but her and Thrawn were aware that Agent Kallus was watching them from the catwalk high above, spying on them. But that's what they both wanted, playing right into their hands. As they left the hangar, a mouse droid came rolling out of the hallway with a few squeaks before entering a small passageway made for their access, and Second Sister allows herself a smirk underneath her helmet.

Once the group arrives in Governor Pryce's office, Thrawn moves around towards the window with his arms behind his back, watching as the windows darken to block out any capability of seeing through from the outside.

"Are you certain that all of this secrecy is necessary, Grand Admiral?" Vice Admiral Sloane questions.

"We still have a traitor in our midst. We need to be highly cautious about what we discuss and where we speak," Thrawn advises, stepping up to the head of the desk. "And what I'm about to say cannot fall into the rebels' hands."

Across the desk from him, a hologram of Grand Moff Tarkin appears, seated in a chair with a stern gaze on his face, whilst another hologram of Darth Vader appears behind him, standing taller than everyone else in the room.

"Admiral Thrawn, I trust the information you have for me was worth the wait," Tarkin says with a frown.

"The rebels of the so-called 'Phoenix Squadron' are about to launch a major military strike against the Empire," Thrawn replies, sitting down at the desk.

"They wouldn't dare," Tarkin states doubtfully.

"Oh, believe me, they would. The attack on Coruscant by Jarik Shan proves as much," he responds confidently. "Everything leading up to this moment has been rehearsal. The real performance is about to begin. I'm counting on it."

"Then proceed, Grand Admiral," Vader says firmly, his breaths echoing around the room.

---

Cybertron - Milky Way galaxy

3rd person POV...

From his position up in his citadel, Darkmount, he had a grand view of Kaon and the surrounding landscape it that stretched for hundreds of miles. Hands held behind his back, Megatron observed the explosions of distant battles taking place every which way he could see with a deep frown on his face. He turns around when he hears the lift door open, allowing Onslaught and Soundwave to enter the throne room. They step up to the center of the room before bowing, and Megatron slowly moves up to them.

"I do hope that whatever you have to say is worth my time," Megatron snaps.

"Completely, Lord Megatron," Onslaught replies confidently.

"Then spit it out Onslaught," he scoffs with contempt, narrowing his red optics.

In response, the two Decepticons stand up from their kneeling position on the ground, and Onslaught gestures to Soundwave. The Con's surveillance chief doesn't speak, but instead displays a map on his visor, a set of coordinates marked and beeping insistently. Megatron frowns at the image and turns toward Onslaught for explanation with a demanding look on his face.

"Just as I predicted my lord, Elita One and her friends were unable to find a way through the Hive's blockade of Andromeda," Onslaught explains, smiling. "They have fallen back to regroup with her organic companions."

"And you can confirm this Soundwave?" Megatron questions.

Soundwave nods silently in reply.

"Very well. Then prepare the Nemesis for departure," he orders firmly. "It is time I properly reacquaint myself with our lost femme."

Soundwave nods once more and turns around to do as instructed. After sending another warning glare at Onslaught, Megatron moves on as well, thinking about the details surrounding Elita One and the Andromeda galaxy. Whoever it is she considers her allies there, whether they hold mystical power or not he cares little for them, only that they'll die if they get in his way. As for the Hive, Megatron could care even less so. Whatever it is that has Oryx so interested in Andromeda, whether it's the so-called 'Force' or the mysterious 'Traveler' they hunt, they as as important to him as the ground he walks over every day.

The only thing important to Lord Megatron is the destruction of Elita One; a sure way of crushing Optimus Prime's spark as a result of his grief, bringing about the ultimate destruction of the Autobots without the guidance of their dear leader.

---

Author's Note: Ummm... super intense chapter, and I'm sure very surprising as well! Lots and lots to think about. The Hive/Yuuzhan Vong have struck the first blow: a scouting force anyways that was chasing after the Autobots. The rebels barely managed a victory over the Hive, though Jarik certainly took a beating from Narzuc.

If you guys picked up on it, I drew inspiration for their battle from several well known fights in fiction (Thor v Kurse, Legolas v Bolg, Aragorn v Lurtz), and I really enjoyed it. I've always kind of enjoyed the idea of Jarik taking a bit of punishment from adversaries in a superhuman style, and Narzuc was a good way to fit the bill lol. He's a lot more deadly than the average Hive Knight, as I'd measure his raw strength to be around that of an average Asgardian (MCU), so that's a hard hitter lol. But strength doesn't always mean victory as Jarik is one of the most skilled lightsaber duelists in the galaxy, able to contend with the likes of Vader and Sidious, which he used to his advantage against Narzuc at the end.

I also came to notice that Nightsister magick comes off as really similar to Hive magic, so I played around with a possible connection if you guys noticed. So much about the Nightsisters powers are unexplored in both Canon and Legends, so I have plenty of freedom to work with on those things.

I'm a bit more curious about the Yuuzhan Vong's true capabilities though, as I haven't read the books detailing their invasion of the galaxy. I know a good amount of things about them in general, which is why I felt they were similar enough to the Hive, but I'm not too sure if they have their own form of magic: I know they have priests and the ability to terraform planets, but in terms of "magic" magic? Idk, but considering they're outside of the Force I'd assume they have something. Anyone who'd read those books fully know more? :P

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Really appreciative of the support you have for the Shaniverse, means a lot! :D Things seem to be only getting worse from here for the rebels however, as we are now moving into the Season 3 finale...