Hello again, everyone! I am SuperHeroTimeFan, and for the second time today, hopefully, this Halloween, is another brand-new Chapter for my great Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Young Justice story, Journey of the Knight: Honor Bound! This may be a surprise, having two Chapters on the same day. I can't guarantee this will always happen, but I have a good reason for getting this Arc done in time for Christmas. Still, I must thank you, everyone, for your continuous support. This goes for MinuteMan76, MartyrFan, The Mandalorian Terminator, Jacqueline Karst, Logan GC, FusionBase27A, Ezra Wren, Ultimate Advent Story Dude VII, Eubulon Zenith Extreme, Geo Hikari The 2nd, Cycomatrix Eternal, fire-storm-amagi, Jack Sparrow 475, Hay Lin x Tsukasa Kadoya, Ross Blum the IV, Rebel Sabine Bridger, HarmonyGirl567, Riku Soncazenosee, Dwayne McDuffie, Bowser3000000, animebella09, Slade The Terminator, High Supreme King Of Awesome, Tines Sensahthe, Ultra Neo Kamen Rider 15, Awesometacular Extravaganza, 17lakect, the conman w, PHL360, Spartan of Chaos, GundamTachiagate, Phily76, dragonslayerajahn, LadySerentity22, DJ Meltdown of Ground Xero, Dragon Slayer John, Just a Crazy-Man Wolfman2010ism, Joey Lumbley, Mr. StrangerMan98, Rebecca Chambers Rules, Sleeping Skeleton, Nibra Ha Rishon, Mr. FNAF Fan-Gamer, LadyStar10, Neos the Final Builder, Maniiikz, 1049, Taiski, ToLegitt2Quit, RebeccaSnow23, Carlos Jacob, Armando Andres Romero Lozano 7, Wolfslick, CT7567Rules, Outplace, TheGreatGodzilla, Darth Sicarius, AbbyDobbie, Maximus Potter, Darth Khan, Virgil1989 The Crossover King, and of course, all of you Guest Reviewers. It really means a lot that this Story continues to get so much love, despite its fallbacks. Thank you all so much. Before I go on, I have to say, I saw the final trailer for Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, and I loved every bit of it! It makes me even more excited for the movie now. Now, with all the other questions answered in the last Chapter, onto my next newest Chapter! Please be sure to review, rate, and as always, please be sure to enjoy!
Chapter 27: The Dual-Op Synchronicity
In Memory of Cameron Boyce (May 28th, 1999 – July 6th, 2019)
And…
Peter Fonda February 23rd, 1940 – August 16th, 2019)
And…
In Memory of Robert Axelrod (May 29th, 1949 – September 7th, 2019)
Choose your battles wisely.
Crystal heist! After mixed attempts of collecting crystals from the Planets of Shei'Ten Kar and Tehar, Darth Maul has started to gain the power he needs for a sinister plot known only as Project Hell Saber! Despite fallbacks from the first two Planets due to intervention from the Young Justice, with help from the Crusaders of Shei'Ten Kar and Yejyo Vanzig, head of the 31st Crime Investigatory, Maul continues to plot, now with a new plan, one he shares with the members of the Legion of Doom on the watery Planet of Castillon and the Core Planet of Najra-Va.
On Crait, Darth Maul stood in the main operations room. Behind him were Lady Shiva, Tokoyami, General Zod, Malcolm Merlyn and Kreel. As Darth Maul waited, a hologram of Vrak appeared, coming from Najra-Va while a hologram of Siren appeared, transmitting all the way from Castillon.
"Lord Maul," Vrak said as both he and Siren bowed to Darth Maul with their utmost respect. "We live to serve."
"I can assure you, we are mining for the underwater crystals as we speak," Siren added on. "We will not disappoint you," she said before glancing at Lady Shiva, Tokoyami, Malcolm Merlyn and General Zod. "Back so soon, I see?" she asked.
"Their presence here only confirms that the Young Justice and the Allied Forces are continuing to be a problem," Darth Maul said. "And as of the failures of Merlyn and Zod, you two now have a fourth party waiting to get in the way… the 31st Crime investigatory, led by none other than Yejyo Vanzig."
"This will complicate things," Vrak said. "Not only is Vanzig's influence stronger than that of Vaapad Rage, but he is also one to never cross paths with, no matter HOW strong you are."
"Yes, which is why I am issuing a new plan, one that you two shall carry out to speed up our operation," Darth Maul said. "Synchronize your communications and troops with each other, ensure your forces work at the exact same pace. This is an operation I learned from taking over Mandalore, the joint-op."
"Ah, yes, I have been told about this," Siren said. "Multiple attacks, all at once, to overwhelm the enemy."
"It is now a dual-op, since your two Planets are the only ones remaining to have their crystals be brought to me," Darth Maul said. "As I have ordered, synchronize your efforts. All ships leave at the same times, scheduled or unscheduled, it matters not. What matters is that we have a sufficient number of crystals to begin Operation Hell Saber. An operation that we need to even the odds when Darth Sidious comes to challenge us."
"The very moment we have all been training for." Lady Shiva said to herself.
"I have gotten word from some of our spies," Vrak said. "Mace Windu is leading the strike team to take Najra-Va."
"And Kenobi is leading his own team with Kit Fisto here on Castillon," Siren added on. "How badly injured do you want him to be, Master?" she asked. "I know how badly you want to kill him yourself, after all."
"At any time he is to confront me, I want him at full strength," Darth Maul said sternly. "You may do battle with him, but if he becomes too injured to fight me one on one when the time comes…" he started out before he lifted his hand into the air, causing Siren to choke and feel her neck. "You know the punishment that awaits you."
"Yes… Lord Maul," Siren said, trying to breathe. "I understand."
Darth Maul narrowed his eyes before resting his hand. Siren dropped, gasping for air.
"Good," Darth Maul said. "Now, follow my orders, and with any luck, more crystals will arrive here on Crait for us to use," he said. "Do not detract from your missions," he ordered. "Make sure the crystals, all or only some, are delivered here," he told them. "Then make it back here yourselves."
Both Siren and Vrak nodded and bowed. "AS YOU WISH, LORD MAUL." They said simultaneously before signing off, ending their transmissions.
Darth Maul turned around. "The prism from Lothal," he said, looking to Lady Shiva. "Where is it?"
"Placed at the Devil's Heart, just as you requested," Lady Shiva said. "I, too, live to serve."
"No, you and Tokoyami live to serve a greater purpose," Darth Maul said. He looked to the crystals that had been gathered and grinned. "Prepare the crystals," he ordered. "We must start."
Meanwhile, over Najra-Va, a Jedi T-6 Shuttle came out of Hyperspace. Inside of it were Mace Windu, Miss Martian, Metamorpho, Huntress and Rocket, the Vaapad Master at the controls.
"To be honest, I've always dreamt of going into space," Metamorpho said, causing Rocket and Huntress to look over to him. "Aside from having a life with Sapphire, of course. She and I made plans before I went to the future…" he started out. "And discovered nothing was there before coming back again."
"Sounds like you didn't see as much as we thought there would be," Miss Martian mused. "Katana feel the same too?"
"Oh, yeah," Metamorpho nodded. "She and I were pretty annoyed that we would be involved with very little. Wasted, like so many others."
"Fortunately, you have returned, and because you two have volunteered to help, you will have much more to share when that time comes." Mace Windu said, turning to face Metamorpho.
"Thanks, Mace," Metamorpho said. He realized what he said and gulped. "Um… I can call you that, right?" he asked nervously.
"Yes, you can," Mace Windu replied with a grin. He suddenly heard a beeping coming from the console and turned back around. Pressing it, a hologram of Yejyo Vanzig appeared. "Yejyo, hello," he said. "How may we help you?"
"It is more like me and the 31st are helping YOU," Yejyo said. "I was on Tehar, investigating a case, when Knight Skywalker…"
"Just 'Anakin' will do!" Anakin's voice called out.
"Right, Anakin," Yejyo corrected himself. "And his team arrived, trying to solve a similar case, which turned out to be the same one I was investigating," he went on. "He and Knight Tano…"
"'Ahsoka' will do just fine!" Ahsoka's voice called out.
"Everyone is so insistent these days," Yejyo muttered, causing the Young Justice members, as well as Paula, to chuckle. "Anyways, Anakin and Ahsoka informed me of what Darth Maul and the Shadow Collective have been planning, and I have sent Lenny, Eliza and some of the 31st Crime Investigatory to both Najra-Va and Castillon to help you, as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi and his team as well."
"Thank you, Yejyo," Paula said respectfully. "This is a big help."
"Yeah, we don't know how to thank you for this." Raquel added on.
"Just be sure to stop the Shadow Collective from getting any more crystals," Yejyo replied. "That is all you CAN do to thank me at this moment." He said before signing off.
Miss Martian smiled. "Well, it's good to know we have the 31st on our side for this one." She said.
"Yes, it is," Mace Windu said. "But we still need to be careful. We don't know if Vaapad Rage is down there, or if any members of the Legion of Doom are helping to mine the crystals. We're going to have to be extra careful while we are on Najra-Va."
"Speaking of, what is even on Najra-Va?" Metamorpho asked, causing everyone to turn to him. "I mean, I get the crystals there, but what's it like down there?" he pressed on. "I can't be the only one who wants to know what kind of Planet we'll be setting foot on."
"Najra-Va, being a Planet within the Unknown Regions, is an uninhabited one," Mace Windu said. "It will make it easy for us to get around without anyone in harm's way, but the rocky terrain will mean we have to be careful."
"Great," Rocket said. "I'll be sticking to the skies a lot, then."
"The Planet also has a powerful core, and a very powerful sun as well," Mace Windu said as they started to get down to the surface of Najra-Va. "Fortunately, it's already night here, so we will not be exposed to the strong radiation of the sun."
"But it will also make it easier for the Legion of Doom and Vaapad Rage to make their way around us stealthily," Huntress added on. "As a former assassin, I know how the minds of these kinds of people think. They'll use the darkness of this time to their advantage, and with it, sneak as many crystals of this Planet off-world as fast as they can."
"That's a good point," Rocket said. "There's so much shade here that anyone can sneak around, even the largest of people."
"Wait," Miss Martian said. "I just had a thought."
"What is it?" Mace Windu asked.
"How far away is Castillon from here?" Miss Martian asked.
"At least one Hyperspace jump away, to the north, according to what the database says here," Rex Mason said as he looked to his control panel. "Why do you ask?" he asked. "You think Obi-Wan could be in trouble already?"
"Well, think of the distance between here and Castillon," Miss Martian said, bringing up a map that showed how close Castillon and Najra-Va were to each other. "You could make it to Castillon and back to Najra-Va within a few cycles, but that gives you enough time to load up your excess fuel, and make a huge jump."
"Like to wherever Maul is," Mace Windu said thoughtfully. "Of course," he said. "The Dual-Op."
"The what?" Rocket asked.
"An old tactic, employed by the Sith Empire back in the days of the Old Republic," Mace Windu started to explain. "Two or more armies would operate concurrently on different Planets, focusing their enemy to focus on one target at a time," he went on. "Not only was this effective, but it is also suicidal."
"Whoa," Miss Martian said, shocked. "What makes it so suicidal?" she asked.
"One group would have to sacrifice themselves for the other to pick up where they left off and continue," Mace Windu went on. "Darth Malgus stopped it after seeing some results, but later employed the tactic again when he ordered all Dual-Op missions to synchronize with each other at all times. This helped them move at the exact same time, and were able to make it off Planets with minimal casualties. If Darth Maul has perfected it, we could en up losing the crystals from either here or from Castillon."
"Well, that certainly is a problem," Huntress said. "How do we stop them while we don't even know what is going on with Obi-Wan's team on Castillon?"
Miss Martian thought for a while. Just then, a grin came onto her face. "Actually, I think I have a plan," she said, causing everyone to look to her. "I'm betting Maul and his army doesn't even know about this yet."
"What do you mean?" Mace Windu asked.
"The portals," Miss Martian recalled. "Remember how they work on Earth?" she asked, getting everyone to nod. "There are places on Earth that share resemblances with places in the Expanded Universe, and vice-versa. If we can get a visual of the way Castillon looks, and once we get a good visual of everything on Najra-Va, we can make it back and forth, countering the Dual-Op. And Maul won't even be able to catch on."
"Hmm, good thinking, M'gann," Mace Windu said thoughtfully. "The fact that we discovered the portals while our enemies have not is definitely a good choice."
"Yes," Paula said as she dialed onto the side of her helmet. "I'll inform the others right away."
On Castillon, another Jedi Defender Shuttle landed at a Star Cruiser. Inside of it, waiting for the arrive, was none other than Jedi Master Kit Fisto. As soon as the Shuttle was docked, Obi-Wan, Serra, Robin, Aqualad and Lux.
"Master Kenobi," Kit Fisto said as he walked over. The two shook hands with deep respect. "I am pleased to meet you here. Thank you for alerting me when me and my men were close to this System."
"We are glad to have you on board, Master Fisto," Obi-Wan said. "You already know the Young Justice, I'm sure."
"Yes, I do," Kit Fisto said. "Without our teamwork, Dac would have been taken from both the hands of the Republic and the Separatists. I am pleased to fight alongside you all again."
"Thank you, Master Fisto," Aqualad said. "As of now, though, the Shadow Collective is collecting Kyber Crystals from various Planets, including this one," he said. "We must act quickly before they are able to complete their Operation Hell Saber."
"We need to find the source of the Shadow Collective operation, and put an end to it immediately," Obi-Wan said. "I've brought my underwater equipment with me, as have the Young Justice," he said. "But with you and Aqualad as the most adept when it comes to aquatic combat, you are the most valuable to this mission."
"Me and my men will help out in any way we can." Kit Fisto said with reassurance.
All of a sudden, Robin's hologlove started to beep. "Huntress?" he asked. He picked up the message and saw a hologram of Mace Windu and his team. "What's going on?"
"It's the Shadow Collective, both here and on Castillon," Paula replied. "They're planning a Dual-Op."
"Well, that's never a good thing." Obi-Wan said, placing his hand to his chin.
"Fortunately for us, we've come up with a solution to counter it," Miss Martian spoke up. "Send us a layout of the entire Planet, and we'll do the same from Najra-Va."
"What have you got in mind?" Serra asked.
"We can't say over the Comms, just in case the Shadow Collective has hacked into our transmissions," Metamorpho said. "Just send us the layout. You'll catch on, we promise."
"Okay, will do," Kit Fisto replied. He looked to one of the Clone Troopers. "Tell Admiral Woz to bring me the layout of all of Castillon," he ordered. "Make it fast."
"You should be getting help from the 31st Crime Investigatory soon," Rocket added on. "Yejyo Vanzig has been generous enough to help us out, seeing as these are the last two Planets that Vaapad Rage has reached."
"We were told by Ahsoka and Anakin that they succeeded in stopping the Shadow Collective forces on both Shei'Ten Kar and Tehar," Miss Martian said. "That should help to make the mission easier for the both of us," she said. "I will be establishing a link between us shortly."
"Of course, M'gann," Obi-Wan said with a nod. "May the Force be with all of you."
"Always." Mace Windu said before the transmission ended.
"General Fisto, I have just sent you a holo-schematic of Castillon," Admiral Woz said over the speakers. "As a fighter here before, I know the Planet like the back of my head."
"Thank you, Admiral Woz," Kit Fisto said before looking to everyone. "Suit up," he said. "We're going underwater."
Back on Najra-Va, the Jedi Defender was hovering over the surface. Metamorpho was at the bay doors, looking out with awe.
"So, this is what another Planet is like?" Metamorpho asked as Paula and Miss Martian smiled. "So much I could adapt from here, so much new elements to take in."
"This one seems like a keeper to you." Paula mused.
"I will be landing us down soon," Mace Windu said over the speakers. "Everyone, be ready to explore."
"Say no more," Metamorpho said, unaware that he was stepping onto the edge of the ramp. "I'm coming right the— Augh!" he yelled suddenly, falling out.
"Man overboard!" Miss Martian called out. She leapt out and started to fly. "I'll get him!"
"Uh, Mace?" Paula called out. "We might want to land here! Metamorpho flew out!"
Vrak was looking around on the surface, checking out for any activity.
"This Dual-Op must work perfectly," Vrak said. "No matter what, Operation Hell Saber must not be delayed."
All of a sudden, Metamorpho flew past him, with Miss Martian flying right after him at high speed.
"I got you!" M'gann called out, causing Vrak to look up.
"Hmm," Vrak said before turning back to get to his speeder. "It's raining heroes… that's new." He mused before making his way down.
Back at the Jedi Defender, Rocket was hovering high in the air. Mace Windu and Huntress looked up to her.
"You see them, Raquel?" Mace Windu called out.
Rocket aimed her sword around before feeling something in the south direction. "They're coming!" she called out. "I'm flying down now!"
Mace Windu and Paula waited for Rocket to fly down before Miss Martian arrived back, levitating a top-heavy and dizzy Metamorpho with him.
"Sorry about that," Miss Martian said. "I found Metamorpho. He was hung up in a tree."
"Wait, that's not right…" Mace Windu said before he and Paula looked around in confusion. "There are trees around here?"
Raquel raised an eyebrow. "Really?" she asked. "That's your only takeaway from this?" she asked before looking to M'gann. The two simply shrugged.
"Alright." Miss Martian said.
Metamorpho regained himself. "Well, I got myself some good looks of the place, so there's an upside." He said.
"Trees…" Paula said, now lost in thought.
Down below the surface in the meantime, Martian Starkiller was with Kinetica and the Reverse-Flash, as well as more of Vaapad Rage, overlooking the excavation of crystals within the caverns of the Planet.
Vrak walked over to the three members of the Legion of Doom. "Remember our instructions," he said. "This Dual-Op is to go according to plan. That means no deviating from the mission, no matter what. If the Young Justice engage, we fight them, but they are not, under any circumstances, to get close to any of the mining equipment."
"I've already got that covered," Eobard Thawne said. "Lady Shiva reported that Kid Flash was on Shei'Ten Kar, is that correct?" he asked.
"Yes." Vrak confirmed.
"Then even with two Jedi, they are no match for my speed," Eobard Thawne said. "But even with two Jedi, I cannot fend off against them on my own."
"That's why you have me." Vrak said, holding out his lightsaber.
In an underwater cave on Castillon, around the same time, Siren swam through the seas. She eventually entered the alcove and leapt into the air before landing on the ground, her fist pounded in.
"Wow! Way to make an entrance, Hila!" Harley Quinn cheered as Felix Faust walked towards her.
"Have the Allied Forces arrived?" Felix Faust asked.
"Yes, they have," Siren confirmed, her mouth plate retracting to show the serious expression on her face. "And they will have help: the 31st Crime Investigatory."
"Whoa!" Harley Quinn said. "I'm crazy to fight a Jedi, but the 31st? Pass!"
Siren aimed her Ikakalaka at Harley Quinn's neck. "No one is backing down from this!" she snarled. "You can get on board, or get out of the way, and wait for Lord Maul to deliver your sentence."
Harley Quinn gulped. "I was only kidding, Ren." She said nervously.
"Well, I'm certain we can make the most of this situation," Siren said, lowering her sword. She looked over a female member of Vaapad Rage in the shadows, donned with a mask with the crest of a Cobra on her forehead, as well as seven eye slits on both sides. "Bemulaire, prepare your women," she ordered. "Ensure that we have all the breathing room we need to conduct the mining we need."
"Yes, my Mistress," Bemulaire said with a nod and a twirl of her large lightsaber hilt, which measured to about half her height. "I will not disappoint you."
"I know," Siren said. "You and your brother have a knack for always getting the job done."
"Vrak and I are anything but close," Bemulaire said, placing a mouth plate over her mouth to complete her mask. "I can assure you… my actions actually bring results."
"In any case… don't fail me," Siren said as the rest of Bemulaire's Vaapad Rage women appeared from out of the shadows. "Go. And execute anyone in your way."
Up over the waters of Castillon, Kit Fisto's Star Cruiser lowered closer to the ocean surface. Everyone, save for Aqualad and Kit Fisto, were now in aquatic combat gear.
"Everyone ready?" Robin asked.
At that moment, as soon as everyone gave a nod of confirmation, another ship approached. Eliza appeared on top of the cockpit with her blast baton, and saluted everyone. The Clones saluted back to her, as did Master Kit Fisto, Obi-Wan and the Young Justice. She pressed a button on her glove, giving herself her own aquatic combat gear. Out from the ship came the rest of her men, wearing the same kind of armor.
"Ready when you are!" Eliza called out.
"Everyone! Dive!" Kit Fisto called out.
Obi-Wan and the Young Justice dived into the water after Kit Fisto and his Clone Troopers. Eliza followed afterwards, her men following behind with her.
Back on Najra-Va, Rocket was flying over the rocky terrain of Castillon. All across, she could see a lot of rough terrains, with only a few smooth areas on the surface of the Planet. She looked up ahead and saw Mace Windu, Miss Martian, Huntress and Metamorpho waiting for her. She smiled and landed, pressing a red button on her gauntlet as she did.
"Got a once-over of the Planet," Rocket announced. "We're ready to send it over."
"I'm on it," Huntress said, receiving the layout of all of Najra-Va. She pressed a few buttons on her gauntlet before finishing it up by pressing one last one. "Obi-Wan's team on Castillon should be getting it now."
"Okay, both teams have their Planet Layouts," Miss Martian said before placing her Hand to her head. "I'm establishing the Psychic Link now. It's a big one, so give me some time."
All of a sudden, the waters around them started to rise up. Everyone looked around in surprise before a streak of red lightning zoomed by. Miss Martian gasped and flew up just in time, where Rocket blasted him away soon afterwards.
"Keep going!" Metamorpho called out, forming a blade from his left hand and a hammer from his right. "We'll cover you!"
Mace Windu reached for his lightsaber as the Reverse-Flash raced at them again. With a swift stroke, he grazed the evil speedster before sensing another attack coming. Reversing his direction, he slashed some rocks into the air, which were in turn cut apart by Vrak. He yelled as soon as he landed, the two now locking blades together.
"We meet again, Master Mace Windu!" Vrak exclaimed.
"After all this while. I've been waiting for this moment," Mace Windu mused as he and Vrak stared each other down. "A moment to teach you just what Vaapad is truly capable of."
"Come and try!" Vrak remarked, kicking Mace Windu away. He let out a yell and utilized Vaapad to strike him from below, only for the true Vaapad Master to spin out of the way.
Mace Windu held his lightsaber at the ready, in which Vrak did the same. The two stared each other down for a while before eventually charging, clashing Vaapad with each other once more.
Huntress flew into the air and fired down on the Reverse-Flash. Eobard Thawne ran out of his path to avoid getting hit, but Rocket started to create energy bubbles wherever he was forced to run.
"Keep running, Thawne!" Raquel called out. "You're only making things easier for us!"
"That's what you think!" the Reverse-Flash remarked before speeding around the line of fire.
Paula and Raquel looked on with shock before the Reverse-Flash suddenly appeared behind Rocket. Raquel turned around just in time, but was unable to use her sword in time to deflect his punch, and was tumbling back. She managed to fly into the air to break her fall, and started to blast down, with Paula doing the same once again.
As Miss Martian was continuing to establish the Psychic Link with Obi-Wan's team on Castillon, Martian Starkiller emerged from the ground. He looked to his stepdaughter before loading up his bladed blaster arm.
"You're so weak." Ma'alefa'ak said, preparing to fire.
"Wrong!" Metamorpho called out, slashing Ma'alefa'ak away with his hammer arm. "You're the weak one!"
"Ah, how I've longed for a challenge." Ma'alefa'ak said with a grin on his face. He let out his blade from his prosthetic arm before flying at Metamorpho.
Metamorpho held out his sword arm and leapt into the air to meet Ma'alefa'ak head-on. The two yelled as Martian Starkiller tried to shake him off before they started to plummet back down to the ground.
Vrak leapt into the air and slashed down at Mace Windu, who backflipped out of the way. Vrak slashed at him several times with his Vaapad style, but Master Windu evaded each strike before kicking him away. Holding out his lightsaber again, he twirled it around before throwing it at Vrak, who barely managed to knock it to the side. As soon as he deflected it, Mace Windu leapt at him, causing the two to lock the moment he landed.
"Just a fair warning, your friend, Kenobi, is going to be in for quite a surprise," Vrak said as he and Mace Windu stared each other down in their blade lock. "If you think you know my skills with a lightsaber, then imagine someone with twice my skills to take on Obi-Wan!"
"Has she ever fought Maul, Dooku, General Grievous and Xion?" Mace Windu asked. "And lived to tell the tales?"
"Empty words, compared to real skill!" Vrak spat.
"We shall see." Mace Windu said, looking up to see Martian Starkiller and Metamorpho plummet towards them. He broke off and grabbed Vrak by the collar before throwing him at the two, causing all three of them to crash to the ground.
"Well…" Metamorpho said as he got up while Vrak and Ma'alefa'ak regained themselves. "At least I didn't wind up in a tree this time." He mused before Ma'alefa'ak and Vrak turned to him.
"There are still trees in this place?" Vrak asked. "Get out!"
Ma'alefa'ak only growled before slashing at Metamorpho. He blocked it with his own weapons before Mace Windu leapt in, also locking with Martian Starkiller. However, as he did, Vrak ran in and sent a Vaapad stab at the Vaapad Master while his back was turned, only for Miss Martian to suddenly fly down and intercept the blade with her crossguard lightsaber.
"Got your back, Master Windu!" Miss Martian called out over the Psychic Link.
Mace Windu looked behind him and nodded. "Are we all connected?" he asked.
"Yes," Miss Martian confirmed before she broke off with Vrak, allowing Mace to lock blades with him while she blasted Martian Starkiller with her Martian Vision. "And not even Ma'alefa'ak can pick up on it. We're good to go!"
Under the waters back on Castillon, Kit Fisto, his squad, Obi-Wan, Serra, Robin, Rebel and Aqualad, as well as Eliza and her squadron of the 31st Crime investigatory, were swimming around, trying to find any signs of the Legion of Doom, as well as any signs of Vaapad Rage.
"We're looking good so far." Lux said. He held his lightsaber blaster at the ready, just in case of an attack.
"Indeed," Obi-Wan said, looking around. "But I sense we won't be alone for long."
"Agreed," Kit Fisto said. "I sense a dark presence approaching."
"Guys!" Miss Martian's voice called out, surprising all of them.
Serra stuttered from surprise at the sudden call. "Megan, don't do that!" she called out through the Psychic Link. "You'll give Commander Geiz a heart attack!"
Back on Kit Fisto's Jedi Cruiser, one of the Commanders up on the Deck with Admiral Woz suddenly fell over, causing everyone to look to him with surprise before several Clone Medics arrived to help him back up.
"You see?!" Serra called back.
"Sorry," Miss Martian said. "I was just checking to see if we're all connected through the Psychic Link."
"Well, we certainly are," Kit Fisto said. "I admit, I really missed this since our time on Mon Cala."
"It is nice to have this again," Aqualad admitted as well. "So, what's our plan?" he asked.
"Currently, we're battling Vrak, Martian Starkiller and the Reverse-Flash," Metamorpho said as he slammed away Ma'alefa'ak, right before the evil Martian locked blades with M'gann. "I'm betting there are more Legion of Doom members here, and there are some equally strong people on Castillon as well."
"Members that members on our different teams can counter against," Huntress added on while shooting everywhere carefully as the Reverse-Flash sped around. "M'gann, tell them your plan."
"We use the portals," Miss Martian said, getting the Young Justice members on Castillon to grin. "Aside from all the rocky plains we've seen here, there is a lot of water, and I think that some structures here match those at Mount Justice."
"Which means we can go back and forth to help one another," Rocket added on. "But we have to be careful. We can't let the rest of the Shadow Collective catch onto our plans."
"Got that right," Robin said. "We haven't come across anyone ye—"
"Incoming!" Eliza called out.
Everyone looked up ahead to see several Vaapad Rage members riding on underwater speeders towards them, Bemulaire leading them. She activated her lightsaber, which was a navy blade the size of a claymore.
"Vaapad Rage is here," Obi-Wan said as he and Kit Fisto reached for their lightsabers, Serra following suit. "We had better make the most of the portals while we can. It is not a luxury for us to take for granted."
"I'd head there to help, but I'm a bit occupied at the moment!" Miss Martian called out, clashing blades with Ma'alefa'ak once more. "And we could really use some help against Thawne!"
"I know his speed patterns!" Robin called out before taking out several Birdarangs. "I'll find a portal and cross Earth to get to you!"
"Whoever you find at Mount Justice, make sure they go back the way you came!" Raquel called out as she slashed in midair. The Reverse-Flash growled before she flew at him, only for Kinetica to suddenly appear, blasting her away. "Make that two Neo Young Justice members!" she corrected herself. "Kinetica is here!"
"I can't take Thawne by myself!" Huntress called out as the Reverse-Flash raced at her. She flew back into the air before firing down at him, causing him to once again race out of the line of fire. "If you're taking requests, bring in Jesse!"
"On it!" Serra called out as Eliza and the rest of the 31st Crime Investigatory headed off to take on Vaapad Rage. She looked to Robin and nodded. "I'll cover you!"
"Thanks, we go up ahead," Robin said, motioning towards some rocks on the surface. "That's a close match to the beach at Mount Justice."
"Let's go!" Serra called out as she led Robin towards the entry point.
Kit Fisto slashed one of the female Vaapad Rage members off of their speeders. Taking control of the speeder, he rode it at the others and fired at them just as the rest of his Clone Troopers started to open fire.
"Kenobi!" Bemulaire yelled.
Obi-Wan looked up ahead as he activated his lightsaber. Bemulaire leapt off of her speeder and spun around her lightsaber claymore before slamming it down at him, forcing him to go on the defensive against her.
"You're a new one," Obi-Wan said as he and Bemulaire circled around each other. "How did you end up in Vaapad Rage?" he asked.
"Training through the Dark Side…" Bemulaire started out before reaching for another lightsaber hilt in a scabbard at her side. "Under the tutelage of Lord Maul himself!" she yelled. She unsheathed the second lightsaber, letting out an aqua blade, almost white, and slashed at Obi-Wan with it. He was caught off-guard as she used both weapons against her.
Bemulaire yelled as she used a scissor cross to try and cut Obi-Wan down, only for him to use the Force to first halt the attack before slashing her away with a rapid succession of Soresu attacks. Bemulaire growled and swam down to the ocean floor, using her feet to send Force Blasts at Obi-Wan, which continuously threw him off-balance. He took off after her, making sure the other members of Vaapad Rage were unaware of the plan they had.
At the entry point near the surface, Serra arrived, keeping an eye out for any enemies. Once the coast was clear, she looked to Robin and grabbed him with the Force.
"You sure about this?" Serra asked. "You remember the last time I threw you, right, Dick?"
"That was when you were arrogant," Robin said. "Now, I trust you completely."
"Thanks," Serra said as she pulled Robin further towards her. "Straight through?" she asked.
"And don't stop!" Robin yelled as he started to pick up speed.
Serra catapulted Robin through the crevice, sending him through the portal.
On Earth, Robin was sent flying out from the rock walkway on the beach near Mount Justice before activating his mini jets. He rocketed himself right into Mount Justice, where Jesse Quick and EmJay were sparring with each other. They stopped the moment he landed.
"Whoa, Robin!" Jesse exclaimed. "That was… quite an entrance."
"What's going on?" EmJay asked.
"No time!" Robin exclaimed as he looked at the holographic layout of Najra-Va. He turned to Jesse. "Jesse, with me!" he ordered. "EmJay, take an aqua combat suit, and go back the exact way I came."
"Got it!" EmJay exclaimed, pressing a button on her wrist. A black bodysuit with pink energy lines on it crystallized over her body before she leapt out of Mount Justice, right through the crevice that Robin came out from.
"I didn't mean to jump, that's my thing," Robin muttered as he and Jesse looked down. He turned back to her as he deactivated his own aqua suit. "Alright, we go to the Hangar Bay," he said. "Speed right through the rocks closest to the rightmost wall."
"You got it!" Jesse exclaimed before grabbing Robin. "Hang on!" she called out before speeding off.
Jesse ran through the halls of Mount Justice, speeding past some of the other members. Quinlan Vos looked on with amazement before she sped off of the ledge in the Hangar Bay, making her way to the two rocks in the water at the far right side.
Back on Najra-Va, as Rocket and Kinetica battled in the air, Paula flew down and swung her Bō Staff at the Reverse-Flash, hitting him just as he raced at her.
"I've fought the Flash before," Huntress said, separating her Bō staff into her dual tonfas. "You'll be no different."
"That's where you're wrong." The Reverse-Flash remarked before he started to vibrate again, his eyes glowing. He raced right at her, knocking her into the air. She fired at the ground, sending her back before she could fall, and fired at the ground randomly.
The Reverse-Flash raced over the spots where Paula fired, causing several mines to go off in front of him. As he was sent up, Paula leapt back down and swung her tonfas once more, only for him to speed back down and grab her, slamming her to the ground.
"Gotta admit…" Paula said while trying to catch her breath. "You didn't see that coming."
"You won't see anything coming after I do this!" the Reverse-Flash exclaimed. He formed a knife head from his hand and vibrated it, preparing to thrust it into Huntress's heart.
At that moment, Robin leapt off from the ledge. Arming himself with his Birdarang Swords, he slashed at the Reverse-Flash, catching him off-guard.
"What?" Robin asked as he helped Huntress up. "You didn't see that coming?"
"Honestly, no," the Reverse-Flash said before his eyes glowed. "You got any other surprises, Boy Wonder?"
"Not from me." Robin said smugly.
Eobard raced at Robin and Huntress, only for Jesse to intercept him. The two speedsters stared each other down, not giving one or the other the pleasure of making any kind of remark, before speeding throughout the area.
"What?!" Vrak exclaimed in surprise as he and Mace Windu locked blades again. "How did that happen?!"
"Something you'll have to find out for yourself!" Mace Windu remarked, elbowing Vrak away hard.
"It worked!" Miss Martian exclaimed over the Psychic Link. "They don't expect the Portals!"
"Don't take your eyes off me for one minute, M'gann!" Ma'alefa'ak yelled, slashing at Miss Martian.
Miss Martian looked back and blocked the attack with her lightsaber. She and her step-uncle stared each other down before they took their fight into the air.
"You're done for!" Bina yelled at Raquel at the same time. She formed some energy in her hand, and from it, a burning sword appeared.
Rocket readied her own sword before the two flew at each other, clashing blades immediately.
Robin leapt away from one of the Reverse-Flash's excess attacks as he and Jesse Quick continued to clash. Once in the air, he caught sight of Rocket locking her sword with Kinetica's. He tossed a Birdarang right at the latter, causing her to lose her focus. Rocket looked back to Robin and nodded in respect, to which he replied by doing the same, before landing on the ground again. Pressing his gauntlet, several holograms of himself appeared where the Reverse-Flash would run.
"Huntress, now!" Robin called out.
Huntress nodded and flew into the air, firing on the holograms. Immediately, as soon as the Reverse-Flash hit them, he was met with Paula's own blasts.
Back on Castillon, Aqualad was clashing with three members of Vaapad Rage with his Water-Bearers. He broke off with all of them before spinning around, using his own water from his packs to knock them off-guard. He soon locked blades with one of the women, causing the two to start pressing their momentum. After a while, Aqualad backflipped away before attacking with a water serpent.
All of a sudden, an Ikakalaka Sword and a Trident Blade were thrown at Aqualad, throwing him off-balance. He staggered back before seeing the weapons return to Siren, now with her mouth plate up.
"Siren!" Aqualad exclaimed, aiming one of his swords at her. "You will not be leaving this Planet with the crystals!"
"And you won't be leaving here alive!" Siren spat before she swam right at Aqualad.
Aqualad held up his Water-Bearers, blocking Siren's two blades. She pushed him back before extending her sword, trying to stab into his shoulder. Aqualad quickly formed a chain from one of his Water-Bearers and caught the blade before using the same weapon to throw her off. She growled as she swam at him again, once again locking with both of his weapons.
At the same time, EmJay came flying out from the crevice, where Serra was now fighting off several members of Vaapad Rage. EmJay quickly tossed her lightsabers at two of Serra's opponents, killing them on sight, before she swam up next to her as her helmet formed around her head.
"Hey, Serra," EmJay said. "So, what did I miss?"
"Good to see you too, EmJay," Serra said as she and EmJay swam back to back with each other. "The Shadow Collective has been mining crystals off of several Planets. It looks like we've got the last two, considering the Shadow Collective is launching everything they have at us at the moment."
"Good thing I'm here to help, then," EmJay said, spinning around her lightsaber. She looked down to see Eliza using her taser rod on two of the Vaapad Rage women. "Is that Eliza?" she asked.
"Yeah, we got the 31st Crime Investigatory helping us for this fight," Serra confirmed. All around them all of a sudden, more members of Vaapad Rage emerged. "You been practicing with Master Vos on those lightsaber skills?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah." EmJay replied with a grin.
Four Vaapad Rage women charged at Serra and EmJay from both sides. The two Jedi charged back, locking blades immediately.
Bemulaire leapt up and landed a dropkick onto Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan grunted as he was sent back before stabbing his lightsaber into the ground to break his fall. He looked back up and slashed some sand at Bemulaire, causing her to spin out of the way. When she was done spinning, Obi-Wan slashed at her again, causing her to use both her claymore lightsaber and her side weapon in the form of Niman to block him.
"You've been trained well," Obi-Wan said before he and Bemulaire brought their weapons down to the side. "There is almost something familiar about you."
"You mean I get the good looks?" Bemulaire quipped, causing Obi-Wan to raise an eyebrow. "Considering I'm Vrak's brother, it's really no surprise."
"No wonder you seem familiar," Obi-Wan said before he and Bemulaire brought their blades up so that they were now crossed in front of them again. "You share Vrak's darkness."
"Ugh!" Bemulaire groaned. "Again with the darkness! Why does everyone see that in us? It's always the looks for me!" she complained before spinning around, using the back of her claymore hilt to knock Obi-Wan away. "That's the last time you'll be making that mistake!" she remarked, aiming both her weapons at him. With that, she let out a torrent of water with the Force, which Obi-Wan tried his best to block.
Obi-Wan held up his lightsaber to block the torrent. As he did, he slowly started to use the Force to form a protective barrier around him. With a fling of his arm, he knocked the torrent to the side. With them now open, they leapt at each other, the Negotiator using Soresu while Bemulaire used Vaapad. Once they landed their attacks, they landed again before spinning around, Bemulaire now growling in his face as they locked blades once more.
Obi-Wan did his best to keep up with Bemulaire's movements, but she was using a faster version of Vaapad against him now. Her rage adding onto the Vaapad onslaught forced him onto a strong defensive, eventually having to keep his blade locked against hers as she pushed him back towards a deep abyss behind him.
"Your hate will destroy you." Obi-Wan said grimly.
"Then damn us both!" Bemulaire yelled, unaware that EmJay, who had disarmed a Vaapad Rage woman of her lightsaber, had noticed the struggle, and was swimming down towards them. "Damn us both to Hell!"
At that moment, EmJay swam down at top speed and sent a strong Force Blast, almost creating a sonic sound wave. Bemulaire yelled in pain as she tried to cover her ears. As she did, Obi-Wan broke off, regained his balance, and disarmed her of her weapons before jumping back. He activated his lightsaber again and performed a screw kick right at her, sending her flying towards a cave entrance at the bottom.
"Thank you, Mara, for the assist," Obi-Wan said as he tapped his ear. "But in all honesty, you might want to give a little more warning next time."
"Sorry, Master Kenobi," EmJay said before looking to the lightsaber she disarmed her enemy of. "Not to give praise to the Shadow Collective, but these are some cool hilts."
"Don't get too used to it," Obi-Wan said, aiming his lightsaber at Bemulaire, in which EmJay did the same with both her own lightsaber and the one she took, which shone a purple blade, the exact same color as her own rather than a darker version. "We still have the head of these Vaapad Rage cultists to deal with."
Bemulaire groaned as she got up. She looked up to see Aqualad now pushing Siren back on the defensive before eventually slashing her away.
"Fall back!" Bemulaire ordered. "We'll overwhelm them in the caves!"
Siren snarled and swam down, grabbing Bemulaire by the neck. "You do not give the orders around here!" she hissed. "You may be Vrak's sister, but remember who is in charge of the operation!" she exclaimed. "Even a Sith has a Master without the Force so don't you dare test me, you incompetent bastard!"
Bemulaire hissed back and broke off from the grip. "As you wish… Mistress." She said before she and the remaining members of her faction of Vaapad Rage swam back to the caves.
Kit Fisto rode towards Obi-Wan and EmJay, with Serra, Aqualad and Rebel, as well as Eliza and her remaining forces of the 31st Crime Investigatory.
"Mara, it is a pleasure to meet you." Kit Fisto said.
EmJay bowed. "Thank you, Master Fisto," she said. "I have heard much about you. You did a good job in the Battle of Mon Cala against Riff Tamson."
"Thank you," Kit Fisto said, sending her his signature smile. He looked back to Obi-Wan. "Gadget has picked up high energy signatures from inside of the caves where the Shadow Collective retreated into," he told him. "I have a feeling that's where the operations are being held."
"And where the mining for the crystals is being performed as well," Serra said. She placed her hand to her head, almost falling. "I am sensing a certain madness of an individual coming from inside."
"That must be Harley Quinn,." EmJay said. "Robyn told me all about her. She's a dangerous one. We're gonna need Robin back."
"He'd better bring Robyn too," Lux said. "I'll go ahead and call for him."
Back on Najra-Va, Rocket slammed her sword down at Kinetica. She tried to use her own sword to counterattack, but was soon sent down to the ground. She growled as Raquel flew down, running at her once she landed. Both Rocket and Kinetica locked blades immediately.
Vrak was now pushing back Mace Windu, who was using his true Vaapad to stay on the defensive. Miss Martian backflipped away from Martian Starkiller as well, scraping his blade along the ground threateningly.
Robin slashed away several blasts from Kinetica as she tried to fend off against Rocket, and now, Huntress. Jesse, on the other hand, was continuing her speed fight against the Reverse-Flash, but both were starting to feel a bit worn out. Soon, Thawne knocked Jesse back, sending her crashing to the ground to where Robin was.
"You okay?" Robin asked as he helped Jesse back up on her feet.
"Yeah," Jesse said as the Reverse-Flash stopped running. "Just need to catch my breath."
"Oh, you won't be breathing soon." Eobard Thawne said, vibrating his hand dangerously.
All around Mace Windu and his team, Vrak and the Legion of Doom members were starting to advance dangerously at them. Before any of them could make a move, however, a blast hit Kinetica in the shoulder, causing her to be sent flying back.
"What?!" Vrak exclaimed.
Everyone looked up to see a Theta-class H-2 executive shuttle flew down, Lenny standing on top of it with his shock baton. He aimed it down, with several other men of the 31st Crime Investigatory doing the same as well.
"Open fire, boys!" Lenny called out, firing several blasts, which in turn was a signal for his men to do the same.
Vrak growled and broke off with Mace Windu, deflecting as many blasts as he could while Kinetica formed several shields to avoid getting shot again.
"Fall back!" Vrak called out. "Regroup, now!"
Jesse spun her arms around quickly, sending tornadoes at the Reverse-Flash. He hissed angrily after getting sent back before his eyes glowed once more. He ran back into the tunnels down below, with Vrak and the rest of the members of the Legion of Doom following right behind him.
The shuttle soon landed, and Lenny and his men got off. Mace Windu walked up to him and the two shook hands.
"Master Windu," Lenny said. "Good to see you again."
"Same with you, Lenny," Mace Windu said. "I am pleased that Yejyo sent you to help us."
"This Operation Hell Saber seems like a serious threat," Lenny said. "I am glad to help in any way I can."
"Good thing you came when you did." Robin noted.
"Forgive me for my tardiness," Lenny said. "But we were intercepted by Maul's Death Watch on our way here. He must have been told about our involvement ever since we stopped the operations on Tehar."
"It's cool," Rocket said. "At least you're here now, and frankly, that's all that matters."
"Robin, come in!" Lux called out to Robin over the Psychic Link.
"I'm here," Robin said, placing his hand to his head. "What is it, Rebel?
"Harley Quinn is here on Castillon," Rebel replied. "You're the most skilled with her, but we also need Robyn to help out as well."
"I'm there," Robin said before looking to Miss Martian. "Gotta head back to Castillon, but I'm leaving Jesse Quick here," he told her while also motioning to Jesse., who nodded in agreement. "Think you can handle without me?"
"Sure thing," Miss Martian replied, nodding. "Do what you need to do."
Robin saluted before running to the edge. Everyone else looked to him as he fell over and down through the crevice, making his way through the portal.
"What was that all about?" Lenny asked.
"He'll be fine," Rocket said with reassurance. "Right now, we need to head after the Shadow Collective before they take all the crystals from here."
"Right," Huntress said, looking to the cave that Vrak and the Legion of Doom retreated into. "This way."
Back in the tunnels underneath the surface of Najra-Va, near the core, Vrak and his faction of the Legion of Doom returned. Anthony Ivo, who was working on a project using one of the larger Kyber Crystals, looked over after adding several parts to his new project.
"How is everything looking?" Ivo asked.
"The 31st is here." Vrak said. "I need all Vaapad Rages here, and as many ships as we can to take off!" he ordered.
"I need at least a few to keep guard of this chamber," Ivo said. "I am almost done with the new ship I have developed. I just need a little more time."
"How much is 'a little'?" Kinetica asked before she separated into Bina and Apurna.
"At least ten hours more." Ivo shrugged.
Bina and Apurna looked to each other with disbelief. Calmly, they walked up to Ivo before slapping him on both sides of his face.
"We don't have that luxury!" Apurna yelled. "Just transfer it back to Crait!"
"Even with the speed of Eobard, that could take hours!" Ivo exclaimed. "This is a delicate device, one that could bring the Allied Forces and the 31st to their knees, but only if we're careful!"
"Fine, I'll leave three to guard this chamber," Vrak said. "But you need to get back to Crait first. We can't proceed with Operation Hell Saber without your scientific expertise!"
Ivo sighed. "Very well," he said, walking to the Hangar Bay. "But I expect my prize to be in one piece when this is all over."
Above, Mace Windu, Miss Martian and Huntress were leading their forces through the tunnels. Jesse raced ahead after turning a corner before she raced right back.
"Well?" Paula asked.
"Two tunnels, up ahead," Jesse reported. "One of them has a lot of noise coming from it. Mostly drills."
"That's gotta be where the mining is," Miss Martian said. "What sounds are coming from the other tunnels?"
"Engines, a lot of them," Jesse said. "My guess is that the Shadow Collective created a Hangar Bay with several passages passing over the Core of the Planet to bring the Kyber Crystals."
"If any crystal reacts with the core, it will explode," Mace Windu said. "Did you at least spot Vrak anywhere?"
"I can't pick up his trail," Jesse said. "Sorry."
"I'm sensing him," Miss Martian said. She pointed to the middle of the two passageways. "There's a hidden way in the middle."
"Allow me." Lenny said. He fired a blast from his shock baton, causing the section of the wall to give away.
"Thanks, Lenny," Rocket said before taking out her sword. "Shall we get going?"
"They're still performing a Dual-Op," Mace Windu said before placing his hand to his head, accessing the Psychic Link. "Master Kenobi, Master Fisto, what is your position?" he asked.
On Castillon, Robin returned with his aquatic combat suit. Robyn followed right behind him, wearing her own suit.
"They're this way!" Robin called out as he led Robyn through the tunnels as the last of the 31st forces headed down. "Come on!"
"On it!" Robyn called back.
"Master Windu, Robin and Robyn just arrived," Kit Fisto reported as he looked to see the Boy Wonder and Girl Wonder approach them from within the caves. Everyone swam up to the surface, now finding themselves in a cave system underground. "And we have a trail of the Shadow Collective."
"Prepare to move in," Mace Windu ordered as he, Miss Martian and Huntress led their forces through the hidden passageway. "We're ready to put an end to this."
Rocket and Jesse walked behind everyone. However, as they did, three Vaapad Rage members noticed them, and took out their blaster-bladed tonfas.
"Keep going!" Rocket called out as she and Metamorpho took notice. "We've got this!"
"I'll help too!" Jesse called out.
"No," Rocket said, stopping Jesse from running. "While Lenny may have injured Kinetica, Thawne is still running, and you'll need to catch him to stop him from getting away."
Jesse nodded. "Right," she said before heading off with the rest of the Young Justice, Mace Windu, Huntress and the 31st. "Good luck!"
The three Vaapad Rage members fired on Rocket as soon as the rest of their group had separated. She quickly formed a shield while Metamorpho ran forward with hammer arms. He yelled as he slammed one of the members into the wall before pounding another one in the head. The last one was about to attack until Rocket flew at him, ramming her shield into him. As soon as he was unconscious, the two looked to each other and smiled before bumping fists together.
"They're a whole lot easier when they're not using their lightsabers." Metamorpho mused.
"Yeah, they sure…" Rocket started out before noticing a glow coming from behind the wall. "Hey…" she said, looking to the glow. "What's that?"
Metamorpho turned around and noticed the glow as well. He placed his ear to the wall and listened.
"There's another room on the other side," Metamorpho said before forming a sword. "I got this."
With that, Metamorpho sliced down an X at the wall, causing it to give away. Both he and Rocket entered, and looked in amazement at the project Ivo was working on.
"What's this?" Rocket asked.
"Looks like someone, I'm betting Ivo, was using Kyber Crystals to create something," Metamorpho said as he looked to the metal exterior. "A part of a larger ship, by the looks of it."
Raquel flew over to the tables, seeing all the plans were taken. "He didn't leave much for us. He's not that dumb," she mused before looking to the project. "Maybe we can make good use of this."
Outside, Ivo was getting away in his shuttle. As he was taking off, he noticed the shuttle belonging to the 31st Crime Investigatory.
"Ah, so careless, Lenny," Ivo said before pressing a button on his controls. "Never leave your ship unguarded."
With that, several missiles fired out from Ivo's shuttle. They all made impact on the shuttle belonging to the 31st before he took off into Hyperspace, leaving the explosion to destroy the shuttle.
Everyone down below felt the explosion.
"One of the ships was destroyed," Lenny realized. He pressed a button on his gauntlet, only to hear static. He sighed. "Someone destroyed ours."
"We still have ours," Miss Martian said. "We've had some people develop automatic force fields to defend any unguarded Defender in the event someone tries to destroy them."
"We'd better keep going," Mace Windu said. He placed his hand to his head. "Rocket, Metamorpho, what is your status?"
"You'll have to do the fight without us," Rocket said. "Rex and I found something, but we need to move it delicately back to the Shuttle," she explained as Vrak started to approach the army. "Think you can handle without us?"
"Master, look out!" Miss Martian called out. She flew forward as Vrak silently activated his lightsaber and brought it down. In the nick of time, M'gann used her crossguard lightsaber to block his blade before throwing him off. The lights in the room they were in revealed to have at least twenty Vaapad Rage members and seventeen Death Watch Devils surrounding them, accompanied by the Reverse-Flash and Martian Starkiller.
"Do what you need to do," Mace Windu said as he activated his lightsaber while Huntress readied her bowcasters and Lenny and the 31st readied their own weapons. "We've got this."
On Castillon, Siren walked back in with Bemulaire and her remaining Vaapad Rages. Harley Quinn and Felix Faust noticed them and ran over.
"Ready the ships!" Siren called out as everyone looked over to her. "We're leaving with whatever we've got!"
"Ah, and we just got here." A voice said.
Siren, Harley Quinn, Felix Faust, Bemulaire and her women all turned to see Obi-Wan, Kit Fisto, Eliza, the 31st, Robin, Robyn, Aqualad, Serra and Rebel standing at the exit.
"At least give us some proper treatment." Robyn quipped.
"I don't know how you keep getting these reinforcements," Bemulaire said as she activated her lightsaber claymore again. "But in a few minutes, it won't even matter."
"Finally, two birds!" Harley Quinn exclaimed as she took out her bat, which opened up to turn into her hammer. "Now I can really flip them to my heart's content!"
"You made a mistake in not bringing Zatanna with you!" Felix Faust remarked, lighting up his hands.
"Okay, the original plan to for us to take on Harley together. I wasn't expecting Felix Faust to be here too," Robin whispered to Kalifa. "Think you can take on Faust?"
"Sure thing," Kalifa replied. She took out her Birdarang Axe while Robin brandished his Birdarang Swords. "I've always wanted to fight someone like him anyways."
"Turn yourselves in!" Kit Fisto ordered as he and Obi-Wan activated their lightsabers.
"Catch us first!" Siren yelled before the rest of the Vaapad Rage women charged with several of the Death Watch Devils.
"I've got the leader," Kit Fisto said to Obi-Wan. "You and Aqualad take Siren."
"We're on it!" Obi-Wan said, jumping off of one of the Vaapad Rage women. "Aqualad, with me!"
"Right!" Aqualad called back. He aimed his Water-Bearers down and shot up in a stream of water with Obi-Wan, blowing away several more members of Vaapad Rage at the same time.
Kit Fisto ran at Bemulaire, only for one of the female Vaapad Rage members to clash with him using a dark emerald blade. Kit quickly disarmed her and Force-Pushed her away before staring down Bemulaire.
"My dear, I suggest you back down while you still have the chance," Kit Fisto said as he and Bemulaire circled each other. "Unlike Obi-Wan… I'm not one to hold back."
"How touching," Bemulaire said before activating her other lightsaber. "Unfortunately, Master Fisto, I don't get so easily flattered."
"Who said I was flirting?" Kit Fisto smirked. He swung both lightsabers around and saluted Bemulaire with his main one.
Bemulaire saluted back and charged at Kit, bringing her left lightsaber down at him. He held his main one up in defense, causing the two to eye each other carefully as they treaded along.
"You truly are a disgrace to Master Windu's form." Kit Fisto spat.
Bemulaire snarled and broke off with him, swinging high at him overhead with Ataru while he utilized Niman. He blocked her second attack and performed a sweep kick at her, which she dodged by cartwheeling into the air. She unfurled from her ball form and landed again in a perfect split, slashing at him from down low. He placed his stolen lightsaber up in defense and grabbed her, prompting her to slam her main blade onto his own. The two circled around before breaking off, Bemulaire swinging at him with pure Juyo this time.
Back on Najra-Va, Mace Windu and Vrak ran down one of the passageways while the rest of the 31st fought against the Death Watch Devils and Vaapad Rage. Vrak kicked Mace Windu off him and swung down, using his flailing left hand for a more open attack. Mace evaded his strikes and sent a punch at his head, forcing him back. The two slashed each other, Vaapad against Juyo, before their blades were locked. Wasting no time for momentum this time, the two swung their blades to the side, slashing down part of the wall.
"I must commend you, Master Windu," Vrak said as he and Mace Windu readied their blades for another round. "Not many can last long against my blade, nor could they ever match my skill set."
"Skill alone has nothing to do with mastering Vaapad," Mace Windu said, bringing his lightsaber up. "My form took years to perfect. Your version of it is almost an exact duplication," he remarked. "If only it were not so sloppy, so perverted. It is a sign of weakness compared to the true power of Vaapad."
Vrak growled as he sprinted towards Mace Windu. However, Mace kept his stance and waited where he stood. As soon as Vrak approached him, he reversed his grip and slashed at him, causing part of his mask to fly off. Vrak groaned as he crashed into the wall, now revealing to have red skin and golden eyes.
"Like I said," Mace Windu said, placing his lightsaber back in its normal grip. "Only a mere imitation."
Vrak roared as he spun his lightsaber around. He charged at Mace Windu, who held his lightsaber at the ready once again.
As Mace Windu and Vrak were battling, Jesse Quick raced Eobard Thawne in a speed fight. Everything around them seemed to slow down as they threw punches and kicks at each other. Thawne sent an uppercut punch at Jesse, sending her into the air. As time resumed, she used her own speed to race to the wall behind her before zooming back down, causing time to slow down once again. She ran and kicked Thawne backwards, just as time resumed. Behind him, Miss Martian tossed her secondary lightsaber at a member of Vaapad Rage while keeping her crossguard lightsaber locked with Martian Starkiller. Thawne was only grazed by the hit as time came to a halt before Jesse reappeared in front of him, sending a series of fast punches towards him before the two sent punches at each other, forcing them both backwards.
"Not bad, Jesse Quick!" Eobard hissed as his eyes stopped glowing for a minute. "Almost as good as Wallace."
"Oh, me? I'm not that good," Jesse said as lightning sparked around her. "I'm sure I could finish you off, but that's for Wally to do. You're not worth my time."
The Reverse-Flash's eyes lit up. "We'll see."
Jesse and Eobard stared each other down before they started to race around in circles, gathering the lightning from their speed. They soon launched themselves at each other, sending punches. The Reverse-Flash almost landed a successful punch at Jesse Quick, but she dodged her head to the side at the last minute and punched the Reverse-Flash in the jaw, sending him flying into a wall.
Kalifa ran from several magic blasts sent at her back on Castillon. Taking out several Birdarangs, she tossed them, which Felix Faust blasted apart before she sent up several more.
"Is that all you've got?" Felix Faust asked, getting into a more serious fighting stance.
"Oh, if you thought that was all I had, you're mistaken," Kalifa said. She reached for her baton and placed her special Birdarang onto the end, forming her Birdarang Axe. "I'm full of surprises."
Felix Faust grinned before red lightning formed in his hands. "Disappear!" he yelled, sending the blast forward.
Kalifa spun her Birdarang Axe, causing a thin lightsaber blade to appear on the shaft. She absorbed the lightning within seconds before running forward. Felix Faust continued to send more of his red lightning, but she retaliated every single time by absorbing it into her weapon. Soon enough, the Birdarang Blade at the end of her Axe lit up, and she ran at Faust. Angrily, he sent two razor-sharp blasts at her. One of them she leapt over, but the other one grazed her in the chest. Holding the pain, she rolled onto the ground and slammed her blades at Felix Faust, sending an electric shock through him. Soon, he was catapulted towards one of the drills, which exploded on impact.
"That was one tough hombre." Kalifa panted. She got up and felt her side before looking to Robin as he battled against Harley Quinn. As one of his Birdarang Swords was sent flying out of his hands, Harley kicked him away. Robyn looked to her weapon and tossed it towards Robin just as Harley leapt into the air.
Robin stood ready to take on Harley as she prepared to bring her hammer onto him. At that moment, Robyn's Birdarang Axe hit her, and afterwards, fell into Robin's spare hand. He looked to Kalifa, who nodded to him, in which he nodded back. Holding both his sword and axe, he ran at Harley Quinn as she regained herself back on the ground.
"I ain't done yet!" Harley exclaimed. She slammed at Robin, who locked the top half of her weapon with his borrowed axe before connecting it with the bottom of his sword.
"I think you pretty much are!" Robin remarked. With that, he separated the two weapons, his sword now glowing, before slashing Harley across the chest. She grabbed her hammer and tried to block it, but the blade broke through. She was sent tumbling down to the ground in pain afterwards.
Obi-Wan locked blades with seven women of Vaapad Rage. As he locked their weapons, he started to muster up as much Force as he could. He broke off and used the Force he gathered to send the seven flying. As soon as they were in the air, another Vaapad Rage member raced over and slashed at him, only for him to kick her to join the others. With his enemies now in the air, he leapt up and slashed at all of them. He landed with his blade held behind him, and his enemies fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
As soon as Obi-Wan landed, Kit Fisto slid over, Bemulaire sprinting at him with both her lightsabers. The two Jedi Masters looked to each other and nodded before they both locked with her two blades. She growled as she tried to gain momentum, pushing them backwards.
EmJay locked blades with two Vaapad Rage members before using one of the lightsabers she stole to break off and kick them away. Noticing Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto in trouble, she leapt into the air onto one of the drills.
"Really hope this works…" EmJay said, disconnecting one of the lightsabers she stole. She quickly cut open the drill she was on and activated the sabotaged lightsaber before throwing it in. The drill soon exploded, and she rocketed right at Bemulaire. "Hey, Harridan!" she called out.
"What?!" Bemulaire exclaimed, turning around. She gasped at the sight of EmJay and switched the hands holding her claymore lightsaber and her normal lightsaber. Holding up her claymore lightsaber, she held off against EmJay as she was sent screeching backwards.
EmJay used both of her lightsabers to force Bemulaire back even more. As she did, Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto held their lightsabers at the ready.
"EmJay, be ready to move on our command!" Obi-Wan called out to EmJay through the Psychic Link.
"I know what you're planning already," EmJay replied back as Bemulaire started to press back at her. "Give the word!"
Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto both stabbed downwards, then slashed up together. Slashing down, they spun and slashed forward a SokaTan Trinity Strike.
"Now!" Kit Fisto called out.
Bemulaire yelled as she slammed her lightsabers at EmJay. EmJay only grinned and backflipped into the air to let the two SokaTan Strikes make their way towards her. She gasped and held her lightsabers up in defense, holding against the strike. After a while, she let out a feral roar and slashed both to the sides, destroying some tanks nearby.
"No way!" EmJay exclaimed in disbelief.
"I warned you… don't cross me!" Bemulaire yelled as she swung her lightsabers out, both glowing bright. Her eyes glowed white before she stabbed her blades into the ground, creating a shock wave that sent all three Jedi into the air for safety.
Aqualad, at this moment, was clashing with Siren once again. The two pressed against each other before breaking off. Siren used both of her blades to try and fend off against Aqualad before he swung low at her legs. She jumped up and landed to where the rest of her ships were taking off. Summoning her special water, she formed several ice daggers and sent them all in Aqualad's direction, forcing him to slice some of them apart while the rest were absorbed into his own water pack.
"Not bad!" Siren remarked. She charged again, only for Rebel to shoot at her with both her blasters. She spun around her trident sword and deflected the blasts as best as she could before Eliza and the rest of the 31st fired at her. She growled before looking to see at least half of their ships took off while the rest were destroyed. "Fall back!" she ordered, creating a water wall that held against the blasts. "Retreat!"
Bemulaire snapped out of her enraged trance upon hearing the order. Looking to see she had at least thirty Vaapad Rage Maidens left, she yelled and spun her claymore lightsaber around, getting them all to stop fighting.
"To the shuttle!" Bemulaire ordered as Harley Quinn and Felix Faust recovered. "We'll finish this another day!"
Eliza and the rest of the 31st continued to fire, as did the Clone Troopers. They did not stop, even taking down several Death Watch Devils as they guarded Bemulaire and her Vaapad Rage Maidens, as well as the Legion of Doom members, into the shuttle. Soon, they took off into Hyperspace.
"Goodbye." Siren said, pressing a button on her gauntlet.
At that moment, several explosions went off. Robin and Obi-Wan looked around before Aqualad used his Water-Bearers to form a barrier around all of the Republic and 31st Forces. When it cleared, the cave was now blown to bits, and several Kyber Crystals were floating in the water. Aqualad looked out and signaled to everyone, getting them to activate their aqua combat armor again. He lowered the barrier, and with the Force, Obi-Wan, Kit Fisto and EmJay grabbed the remaining crystals.
"Now what?" EmJay asked. "Do we alert the others?"
"No need," Ahsoka's voice said before the Equinox appeared over the surface, getting everyone to smile. "We've found you already."
"Get up here as fast as you can," Anakin said over the speakers. "We're headed to Najra-Va."
On Najra-Va, Miss Martian caught the lightsaber she tossed just in time as Martian Starkiller landed his blade at her. She slashed him off quickly using Shii-Cho, and deflected several blasts from him just as he fired at her with his blaster arm. As she was deflecting, Huntress flew over and sent down fire from her flamethrower. Ma'alefa'ak growled as he flew into the air, where Bina and Apurna, the latter now having her arm in a sling, fired at them, causing them to run away from the line of fire.
"Hold it right there!" Lenny called out, firing at Ma'alefa'ak, Bina and Apurna. The rest of the 31st with him fired as well while others kept keeping the Death Watch Devils at bay.
Vrak noticed half of his ships leaving, as well as the fleet of ships departing out of Hyperspace from Castillon. He looked up, seeing his sister, Bemulaire, as he narrowed his eyes, and she nodded at him. Nodding back, he raised up his lightsaber.
"Fall back!" Vrak ordered. "We have what we need!"
Ma'alefa'ak, Bina, Apurna and Eobard Thawne looked to each other and nodded. They helped the rest of their surviving army into a shuttle as the rest of the drills collapsed from lightsaber marks. Vrak kept his lightsaber aimed at Mace Windu as the Jedi Master stared him down before leaping into the cockpit. Activating the thrusters, the shuttle took off, with the remaining three carriers as well.
"I really wish they hadn't gotten away," Jesse said as the Young Justice regrouped. She looked to Robin. "Thanks for this experience," she said. "But I gotta head back now."
"Understood," Robin nodded. "Thanks for your help."
Jessika nodded before Robin guided her back to the portal.
On Castillon, Serra hovered the Bioship over the same portal that Robin went through, with EmJay and Robyn by her side.
"You sure you want to go back?" Serra asked.
"I think we've had enough for today." Robyn said.
"Besides, I've got something I need to take care of back on Earth," EmJay said. "But if you need us, we'll be there."
Serra smiled. "May the Force be with you."
Robyn and EmJay both nodded before jumping out. They made their way through the portal, and as soon as they were back, Jessika joined them.
On the surface of Najra-Va, Ahsoka was looking at what Rocket and Metamorpho found.
"We think it's a start of a ship, one powered by a Kyber Crystal," Metamorpho said. He placed his hand on it, and soon, he started to shine like it. "And now I got myself new elements to add to my powers."
"If we can build it with what Ivo started, we could make a powerful ship," Ahsoka said before sighing. "Now we just need to know where the Shadow Collective is."
"Actually," Miss Martian said, walking over with a holo-device. "We found this near the caves, and we may have something." She said before activating it.
"We don't have that luxury!" Apurna's voice called out. "Just transfer it back to Crait!"
"Crait?" Ahsoka asked. "I don't think any side has claimed that Planet yet."
"Well, now we know where we're headed," Anakin said as several Clone Troopers helped to load the Kyber-powered ship into the Equinox. "Get everyone ready."
On Crait, all of Vaapad Rage and the Legion of Doom presented Darth Maul with the crystals gathered from Castillon and Najra-Va.
"This is a fine work," Maul said. "Well done."
"Thank you, Master." Bemulaire said.
"So, what now?" Apurna said. "I need to heal in time for when we strike next."
"Now, we begin," Darth Maul said, revealing a large device resembling a clawed saber emitter attached to the main Fusion Cannon of the Ruination. "Commence Operation Hell Saber!"
Author's Notes: Well, everyone, did you like my second Chapter for Halloween? I really put a lot of effort into this, so I hope you like the way this turned out. I know I did. I will have the ending of the Arc up by Thanksgiving. Please review, rate, and if you can, Private Message me for anything on the story. After all, I'm always keen to hear from you, so long as it's positive. For now, this is SuperHeroTimeFan signing off. Happy Halloween, everyone! See you soon!