Nightmare…on the ReBeL Station.
Chapter 5: This…is…the End!
Vader and Az both shot up in pain, feeling the shockwave of Tank's and Freddy's contact through the Force as if a nuclear blast had gone off. From the diagnostic table, Tank's body twitched, ever so slightly, as his mind battled with the evil creature on his own turf.
"Inject him, now!" Zara ordered, having seen the reaction on the two Jedi. The medic didn't question the order as he injected first the adrenaline, and then used the Resuss pack. The heart rate indicator jumped up, but he didn't wake.
"What's the deal? Why isn't he awake?" Mac asked. The Medics rushed about, checking readings and trying to wake Tank up the old fashion way: slapping him silly. Nothing worked.
"I…I don't know sir! He should be as awake and charged up as a mad bantha!" The Doctor in charge said, obviously at a loss. "How he's still asleep and in a dream state is beyond me. It should be impossible!" Several more attempts to wake Tank were ineffective, and the medics could only shrug in abject helplessness.
"Blast!" Several of the pilots said.
They could only watch in silence, hoping for the best, even as the medics brought in another dead body, covered in slashes from a dangerous pet that had gotten loose. Vader reached out though on a hunch, and could feel the dark side of the Force tainting the body. He shuddered slightly under his armor, glad that it covered slight movements easily.
Beside Crys, a Comm unit beeped, and when she tapped it, a slightly slurred voice reported, "Admiral, you wished to be told upon AllTeam's arrival. He'ssss arrived at the civilian dockin bay."
"Thank you officer. Send him down immediately, then trade off on your duties, you need rest." She said, concerned.
""Aye ma'am. Out." The Comm clicked off.
Not long after, the Imperial Officer from OBS named AllTeam walked in at a hurried pace, a guard rushing along behind him.
Wasting no time on pleasantries, he said, "I felt the evil presence the instant I came near. What's going on?" He looked at the high command of RBL, then down at the table and blanched. "He's not trying to fight this is he?"
Az growled slightly as he responded, "Yeeessss. He wasn't supposed to, but it appears that he couldn't get away in time. We tried to wake him from our end, but as you can see he's still out."
AllTeam nodded. "I'll try to enter his mind, and act as a communication bridge for you guys and him. If I can help, then I will, but I'm not sure how useful I'll be on the mental plane."
Zarathos simply nodded, "Do it."
With that order, AllTeam reached out and placed his palm on the soldiers forehead, and probed.
* * * * * *
"How do you like that?" Tank asked smugly, having sliced up Freddy into several pieces, still in a ready position, saber humming. "With him down for the moment, I should be able to wake and inform the others as to what's going on." He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he was back in the med-bay, surrounded by his friends. Several of them looked worried, while others looked relieved.
He sighed in relief himself, feeling flushed from battle, as he asked, "How long was I out."
He didn't get an answer, for at that moment, a support beam from above dropped down, cutting down Crysania and Zarathos. Tank rolled off the bed, dragging cables and whatnot with him as another beam fell where he'd been but a moment before.
"Let's get out of here!" He yelled, and was followed out by Vader, Az'is, a grieving Mac, Vapor, supporting a wounded Simon.
"What the hell just happened?" Az asked, his saber in his grasp.
Tank shook his head. "Not sure. That shouldn't have happened…wait…" He whirled around just in time to see a shadow flit across his vision behind Mac.
"Mac! Behind you!" He yelled, pulling his saber out to ignite it as Mac whirled around pulling his blaster from its holster.
That was as far as he got. Five blades suddenly protruded from his back, as he looked up in shock at the disfigured face before him, firing a single blast at the deck before shuddering in a death gasp.
Freddy pulled his hand free, and said contemptuously, "You missed. HAHAHAHAH!" His demonic laugh filled the halls as Vapor and Simon opened fire with their blasters. Freddy simply became like putty, morphing and shifting around the blasts, each missing by a good distance, as he closed in on them.
"No!" Az cried out, leaping forward with his green saber ignited. Slipping between a couple blasts himself, he swung downward, cutting off one of Freddy's legs, dropping him to the ground. He flipped backwards, out of Vape's and Simon's aim and ordered, "Finish him now!"
They poured on the blasts, firing at Freddy until the decking underneath became white-hot, frying the body and leaving an acrid smelling smoke in the air. Suddenly, the blasts stopped, both men uttering out a single surprised, "Urk!"
"What the…" Tank turned towards them, and there was Freddy again, only this time he looked like a Dark Trooper. Both Simon and Vape dropped to the deck, having been sliced neatly in half by the vibroblades in his hand.
From beside him, Tank heard the furious hiss of Vader's helmet as he rushed forward against the monstrous Dark Trooper, cape fluttering behind him like an avenging eagle. DT Freddy charged forward, eyes glowing manically red as he pulled his bladed arm back. Vader held his red saber to the side, and with a furious clash of blades on armor, they passed each other, weapons extended out from the killing blow they gave.
Only one stayed standing. With a slight gurgling sigh, Vader slumped to the deck, his saber shutting down.
"Vader…no…" Tank mumbled in shock, having felt as if his own beating heart had been ripped out from him. His saber rolled from his lifeless grip as he collapsed down to his knees.
With a cry of outrage, Az leapt forward again, his white eyes almost red in both fury and anquish. His green blade swirled furiously, battling with Freddy's vibroblades as they parried and swung at each other in a complex dance, beautiful, yet deadly.
And there could only be one ending to this dance. With a suddenness that was deceptive, Az'is saber flew through the air, followed by his brush-topped helmet. Once again, Tank felt overwhelmed, having lost all that he cared for in mere moments, and he hadn't been able to do anything about it.
With contempt, Freddy tossed Az's body aside, to lay with the rest of the RBLs as he approached Tank slowly.
"You couldn't stop me from killing your friends. What makes you think you can stop me from taking what will be mine?" He asked, almost gently as his vibroblades extended a bit, the tips opening slightly, giving the blades the appearanc of being hypodermic needles. And they were.
Tank shook his head, trying to clear it from the grief and pain he was feeling. He was sitting on his knees, eyes cast down to the deck as he felt his failure to stop Freddy keenly.
Freddy's grin grew as he stood over the defeated man. "You're mine. You were before you knew it." He raised his hand, preparing to inject himself into Tank's mind, and thereby his body. "You failed, just as you failed your unit. Join with me, and together, we'll rule all and destroy everyone who ever brought down death to our planet."
A small murmur was all he heard from Tank. Freddy didn't hear it, nor really cared what the man said, and with a great thrust he sent his hand down at Tank's neck, air swishing in his hands passing.
"What!" He cried as his needles were held back mere millimeters from his target by the very man he thought he'd beaten. Tank hadn't moved anything other than his hand, which seemed to have a crushing grip on his. No matter what Freddy did, he couldn't push the needles into his vulnerable skin. "What are you doing!? You're a fool to think you can stop me!"
Tank finally stood up, bringing the needles away from his neck as he did so. He looked at the killer with a gaze that chilled even Freddy's blood. "You forget Freddy. I know you. I know how you work. The imagination is very powerful here." With disgust evident, Tank pivoted on the balls of his feet, sending his free hand palm out at his opponents gut. It didn't touch, but a force like that of a runaway log sent him flying meters down the corridor. He landed near the Grand Staircase that lead up to Aslan's Bar and the two extendable corridors to the tactical section of the station.
Tank started to walk towards Freddy, his saber once again in his hand, called to him by the Force. Fear seemed to radiate from Freddy, and he quickly rushed up the staircase to disappear in the bowels of the station. Tank slowly followed, anger burning within, yet he didn't let it control him. He sensed out with the Force, searching for his target as he called out defiantly, "Freddy! One way or another, you will not go any further. This is the end!"
Freddy had gone from being the hunter, to the hunted.
Tank walked about in the empty corridors, feeling as empty as they with the loss of his friends and comrades so recently. He had been able to feel them through the Force before, albeit fuzzily, when he fought with Freddy earlier, but now…now he was alone. He couldn't feel anything but the overwhelming presence of evil that was Freddy. He remained silent as he walked about, his saber at the ready.
He passed by one of the doorways that lead into the collapsible corridors connecting the main RBL station to its tactical and operations center. Senses alert, he stepped into the wide corridor, as lights above him flickered on and off, casting shadows about here and there. Tank stopped halfway across, feeling danger close by.
"Come out Freddy. You're here, I know it." Air shifted ever so slightly, and he ducked, igniting and bringing his saber up to block…
"A lightsaber? Since when did you use that?" Tank grunted as he held back the red-white blade of his scarred opponent, no longer looking afraid.
"Since now." Freddy said simply as the opposite end of his saber ignited, surprising Tank to the point where he almost didn't block it in time. The flashing of the sabers moving at high speed back and forth as they parried and counter struck filled the corridor as Freddy slowly forced Tank backwards towards the tactical section. They broke apart for a brief moment, Freddy now wearing a black flowing robe, as well as the claws and felt hat that was his trademark.
Tank shook his head. "Why the sudden change? The Priest look really isn't you."
Freddy grinned, although there was no amicability in it. "What can I say?" He pulled off his head, exposing lots of horns. "I'm a horny little devil…HAHAHAHAH!"
Inspiration struck Tank, and he smirked. "Guess you need a time out period then." Shifting his balance, he quickly spun about to face behind him, swinging at the side of the corridor as he did so. The blade easily cut through the wall, exposing the inside of the corridor to space. He could feel the suction pull at him as he gave himself a hard shove with the Force through the door before it slammed shut, leaving Freddy to be sucked out thru the gap.
Tank panted for a bit, having just narrowly avoided the same fate himself, when he felt a new presence appear nearby. Groaning slightly as he raised himself, he shifted into a combat stance, only to be blinded by a golden light.
"Tank? Tanker?" A familiar voice called out. Tank squinted slightly, as AllTeam lowered his aura to a low dim glow.
"AllTeam? Is that really you?" Tank called back, not lowering from his stance no matter what.
"Yes mate, it's me." AllTeam answered, then said slyly, "So you rebels couldn't take care of this without Imperial help eh?"
Tank shook his head slightly in humor, shooting back, "We just didn't want you guys to feel left out is all." He still didn't lower his stance though, and AllTeam noticed, and while he didn't like it, he didn't approach either.
"I could feel the evil presence when I got here. Your friends tried to wake you up when they felt you make contact, but for some reason you wouldn't wake up." AllTeam explained. "So I'm acting as a bridge for them and you. I don't know how effective my powers will be here, but I'll do all that I can."
Tank finally lowered his stance, still wary, but was willing to take a chance. He reached out with the Force to touch AllTeam…
And he rocked backwards from the flood of feelings he got in return. It was as if he had regained all the friends he'd thought he'd lost as he felt their worry, their concern, their frustration. Understanding came to him then.
"So…he was blocking the others from me." He said aloud. AllTeam nodded.
Tanks empty feelings melted away, and he felt as if an oppressive blanket had been lifted. "Glad you're here man."
"That's what I'm here for." AllTeam shrugged, with some pride. He then said with a frown, "He's still here. You only delayed him. We should prepare for his return. You can fill me in on what's going on then."
Tank nodded, then smiled. It wasn't pleasant. "Let's get started then."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tank stood in the middle of a huge maintaince bay and Great Hall on the station. It was located directly between all three of the main hangers, underneath the Tactical and Operational Center. Used for major maintaince and overhaul of fighters and light freighters, it was going to be the last stand Tank would take against Freddy.
He tapped his foot a couple times, hearing the echo bounce around the now empty bay. "What's keeping you Freddy? Where you at?"
The sound of metal across metal filled the bay, coming from directly behind Tank. He turned around slowly, his hands crossed over his saber hilt, shut down, as he gazed hard at the demon.
Freddy walked slowly around the bay, dragging his claw across the bulkhead, leaving light scratches across the finish as he gazed back with a tooth grin. "So…you've stopped running." He said simply. No reply. "Guess you want to do one last hero thing that you hero types do before I take your mind and body as mine." He whirled about, facing Tank in a gun-slingers stance, arms and legs wide to the side.
"Draw!" He cried gleefully as he pulled two pistols, and started firing slugs at him. Igniting his saber with a twirl, Tank blocked each shot until the ancient style revolvers were out of ammo, and then blocked both revolvers as they were thrown at him, slicing them easily.
He smirked. "My turn." Tank held up a hand, fingers out, and suddenly bolts of bluish-purple electricity sizzled the air, slamming Freddy against the bulkhead. He bounced around, screaming loudly, which turned to laughter as the bolts suddenly washed off as his body became like rubber.
Tank stopped the lighting, frowning. Freddy pulled out his own saber, igniting the two ends, twirling it about himself. Tank couldn't help but laugh slightly. "You're no Jedi Freddy."
"Don't have to be. I'll become one soon enough." Freddy retorted, then leapt inhumanly high above Tank, one of the blades pointed directly at his head. Tank rolled away just before impact, then blocked a following swing, just barely though. Tank feinted left, swung upwards with his saber, cutting across Freddy's chest to slice him open. Freddy grimaced, but swung back, cutting Tank down diagonally on his own chest. It was only a slight wound, but he couldn't stop himself from crying out slightly in pain.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
On his sleeping form, blood started to seep through his tunic. Medics quickly got to work, bandaging up the wound, while the others worry and anxiety increased.
"We have to do something!" Vape cried, worried.
"Don't worry." AllTeam said, as if in a trance. "Just wait a few more moments…"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tank jumped backwards a good distance away, using the Force to heal himself a bit as Freddy charged, eyes wild with mania, slashing with his clawed hand across Tanks cheek. Tank recovered, slicing at the claw, cutting off one of the blades. The battle continued, as the sabers twirled, bouncing back and forth, parrying, tapping, riposite, swinging and thrusting in an incredible battle. However, no matter how many times Tank hit Freddy, Freddy didn't slow down, and Tank, for all the ability and Force training he had, couldn't heal himself and fight at the same time.
Tank panted, feeling his strength wain. Freddy just gloated, gesturing with his saber. "Common…I got plenty more!" He yelled.
Tank forced himself to rise and take up a stance, knowing that he had to let himself get just a little more damage, to the point where he was vulnerable. Then…then…they'd have him.
"Let's go then!" Tank cried, leaping and charging at the same time.
* * * * * * * * * ** * * * *
"Everyone." AllTeam said suddenly, startling everyone away from the increasing amounts of cuts on Tank's body. "I need you to place a hand upon me."
"What for?" Simon asked, curious.
AllTeam smiled in response. "You'll see. Prepare yourself."
Zara and Mac glanced at each other, while Crys and Az shrugged. From the backroom, two others could be seen working their way towards the assembled pilots…
"Don't go without us!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
With one knee bent, Tank leaned over, gasping from near exhaustion. Freddy shut down his saber, and tossed it away, drawing his claw back, needle tipped again. "This time you can't stop me. You tried sooo hard, but you still failed." Freddy chuckled, but then frowned as Tank started to laugh uncontrollably.
He lifted his head, eyes blazing as he said, "I didn't fail. Just had to get you in the right position. Now AllTeam!"
From above a golden glow could be seen as AllTeam flipped down from his perch, landing next to Freddy. Freddy whirled about, in some shock as AllTeam lifted his arms, his voice booming, "Freddy Krueger! Meet those whom you said Tank had failed!"
From each side of AllTeam's arms new forms appeared, as the minds of the real Az'is, Vader, Zarathos, Mac and Crys, Simon and Vape, and even Wild§lash and Aslan were connected to Tanks. AllTeam continued. "You cannot harm them. Their strength, is Tanker's strength. You want him, you have to defeat them all."
A blast of golden Force energy shot forth from all present, and converged on Tank, healing his wounds, and rejuvenating him fully. Eyes closed, he took in a deep breath, as a golden aura shined around him. He opened them, and the eyes glowed a bright blue for a brief moment before returning to normal.
Freddy didn't seem all that concerned. "So what? They've tried this trick before." He said, drawing his claw back to strike. Before he could though, Tank was in his face, palm out near Freddy's face.
"Same trick, new technique, and much more powerful friends." Tank started to draw the Force to him, all the dark side energy that was present around them to the center of his palm while the light side from his friends protecting him from the dark side corruption.
"Wha…what are you…" Tank interrupted.
"The Force is in all things. There is the Dark side, and the Light side. Like a magnet, the two sides are drawn to each other, and the natural friction from this contact is a constant balancing act. Only the Light side may triumph though, for all will suffer under the Dark side." A small orange ball started to form in Tank's palm as Freddy's dark presence was drawn into it. Freddy felt himself start to get pulled into it, and fought with all his rage and might against the pull, but it only made it worse.
Tank continued as the ball increased in size. "I am a Jedi, and I know the dangers of the Dark side. However, I also know the power of the Light, as do my friends here. With their help, I have become a focus for your dark energy, and we will eliminate you from all planes of existence, forever."
"Nooooo!" Freddy screamed a final time before his body became energy and vanished into the now swirling angry orange and red ball. Tank held his hand there for just a few moments more as the last dregs of Dark energy was sucked into the Force Destruction ball.
Finally satisfied that all of Freddy's evil presence and vestiges was contained within, he stepped back, leaving the ball to hover in mid-air, held there by the power of his mind. He lifted his saber, and AllTeam ignited his own golden-saber, flame trailing from it as he faced off across Tank, saying, "With the power of the Light, and the purifying power of my flame, you shall be…"
As one, everyone present cried, "….NO MORE!" Tank and AllTeam slammed their sabers together, directly into the center of the ball, flames enveloping it in its entirety. An inhuman scream could be heard as pieces of the ball attempted to escape from the light and flames, but failed, and were incinerated slowly, leaving nothing behind of the monster.
TBC