Zer0: IS it on? It is? Alright! Hello everybody we are back! We are back after a….one year hiatus. XD Sry about that but tbf it's not like I wasn't doing anything (Looks over at ADJ).
Bio: The amount of time since we finished Episode VII could probably be used to make a Star Wars movie.
Zer0:...Oops. Well it's out now, let's not waste anymore time and get on with the review responses from the last chapter in episode seven.
The1whoknox: Thanks. Honestly the hardest choice for me was Jacen's actor, since I tried to get someone that at least matched the age and even the looks. Sure it's not perfect, but Nick was the best choice I could think of. (Bio: I liked to imagine some of the alien characters like Arthon being done by way of motion capture. Makes the image of say, Arthon throwing stuff or people around funnier to me since if this were an actual film production, it'd just be the actor in a mocap suit with everyone else being professional as can be and struggling not to laugh)
Spiral-Voltron-Zero0Q1: Thanks. Enjoy!
Bob the Kraken: Aw, thanks. Storytelling might not be my strongest, but I like to think I write really good fight scenes. Yes, Damien is Jacen….well mainly in name sadly, I don't think I could do Canon/Legends Jacen Justice…..well I could try but I gotta go back and reread….a lot of books oh god. Enjoy!
Zack: Uh, we'll see WHEN I make a new lightsaber for him, can't promise what the color of the crystal will be. It is a nice way of looking at this series as a focus for the grandchildren. Prequels focused on the fall of Anakin, Originals focused on Luke and his rise while also trying to redeem his father, and the Sequels are sort of the end to that legacy and the burden of being a Skywalker. A lot more deeper as we get into the series but you'll see why. Enjoy!
Gwb620: Thanks man! Enjoy!
Khyharah: Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed the story, Bio and I really enjoyed writing it. Yeah, sometimes I mess up on my grammar since I'm just focused on writing the chapter (Working on the draft and what not), Bio's the one who goes over chapter once we're done and sends me the finished copy. I hope you enjoy this story.
Pyrojack25: Thanks!
Calito808: Thanks. Yeah Bio and I agreed that seven was the one that needed the least changes since it was pretty simple…..copy of episode 4. I digress. Well I hope you enjoy our retelling of Episode 8, enjoy!
Seraph: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, like I said, fighting might be my strongsuit when it comes to writing. Enjoy!
AnimeGoji91:...Glad you enjoyed the story. Enjoy!
TheLittleRocketMan: Yeah, I'd imagine there is something between Jacen and Rey, lol. Bio and I felt really proud writing this story since it is a passion of ours…..yes this new one being a bit late didn't help but I was working on my Magnum Opus (ADJ). I hope you guys enjoy the newest chapter in the trilogy.
SupremeSongLeader: Huzzah! Glad you enjoyed the story. Well Ahsoka not showing up is….I just didn't have the time, guess I shouldn't have added her on the character list. I probably won't do erotic scenes in the main series. I might do a little side story just for that, but who knows. Well I hope you enjoy this story!
Mr1980rivera: Glad you think so, I like to think so.
SaiyaSage: Aw…thanks Saiya, I really appreciate the feedback. Still waiting on the whole of ADJ volume one, but thanks. Enjoy!
M1stymix: Thanks. Yeah, his canon background from Janitor to best troop in the squad (I think it was in like a book or something) was weird. So Bio and I figured we give him more depth, being one of the best beside Pyre and Phasma, chosen to be part of the Sith Troop Corp, etc. Hmm, well I choose the music since it sets a nice tone…I mean, you are on the Internet, a simple google search for the name of the song on Youtube doesn't take long. I appreciate the thought tho, and hope you enjoy the newest chapter in this trilogy.
Jackseaweedjackson: Heh, I think you're giving Bio and I too much credit….mostly because I don't read every Star Wars fanfic on this sight, but I do appreciate it. Well I hope you enjoy this next chapter in the series.
Zer0: I think with that, you may all continue.
Disclaimer: We do not own Star Wars or the characters inside besides the OC. Star Wars is….sadly owned by Disney, Kevin Feige…..and…..ugh…..Kathleen Kennedy.
Zer0: And with that, ladies and gent…..
Bio: We present the next chapter in this thrilling saga.
Zer0/Bio: Star Wars Episode VIII: A Light in the Darkness
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
(Play Star Wars Main Title)
STAR
WARS
EPISODE VIII
A Light in the Darkness
Dark times arise! Despite the destruction of Starkiller Base, the treacherous FIRST ORDER remains undeterred, holding the superior military force against the meager numbers of the RESISTANCE.
Under orders by his mother Leia Organa, Jacen has been sent out to find his uncle Luke Skywalker, and convince him to assist the Resistance in restoring hope to a galaxy shrouded in darkness.
As he focuses on this mission, the rest of his friends remain with the Resistance, who have begun a desperate escape now that the First Order has discovered their location...
(D'Qar, Raddus)
Above the last homebase of the Resistance, the flagship Raddus docking bays were open as a vast array of shuttles docked inside. The ships were in single file all the way from the last resistance base on D'Qar. Soldiers were carrying cargo outside the shuttles and into the storage areas. Far past the docking bay, down the halls as officers and soldiers ran by, a single individual sat in their quarters alone.
Rhasar lived his entire life as a fighter. On Mandalore, and later, the galaxy, he never once let a loss get to him. But now, he never felt more useless, sitting alone in his quarters, staring at the rusty, scraped together piece of junk that had been seen fit by the doctors to replace his lost arm.
It was barely holding itself together, fused together by various parts that normally wouldn't mend well together, finished with a harness he'd have to strap over his shoulder to ensure the arm wouldn't fall off. It was primitive, but deemed effective by those who made it for him…he couldn't disagree more.
His style of fighting was made around being faster than his opponent. Shoot fast, hit fast…his remaining arm could still do that perfectly fine. But this…hindrance made him slow, sluggish…useless. If he could have it any other way, he'd sooner burn it to scrap than wear it for the rest of his life. But he had to deal with it.
For this was the price he paid for being a hero.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Rhasar? Are you in there?" Karine's voice called out from the other end of the door, a light knock followed after.
Rhasar sighed, and stood up, leaving the arm by his bed, walking towards the door, feeling the wind blow through the hole he had torn into the shirt he was given to make room for said arm. He hated the phantom pains that came from missing an arm, but anything was better than wearing that hunk of junk they deemed as fit to take its place. He reached out and pressed the button to open the door, coming face-to-face with his Twi'lek acquaintance.
"Hey. Arthon and the others are on Deck 4, I just wanted to check to see if you are okay." Karine said, pointing down the hall with her thumb.
"I'll be there in a bit." Rhasar said, his eyes not meeting hers. To Karine, while he wasn't showing many signs of it, Rhasar looked…miserable.
"May I come in?" Karine asked, seeing that he might just need to be cheered up.
"Door's never been locked." Rhasar said simply. Karine followed him in, the Mandalorian sitting back on his bed while she found a nice spot by the desk, leaning on it with her arms crossed.
"How…..how are you holding up?" Karine asked.
"…Just peachy." Rhasar said, his one hand clenching into a fist. His eyes glanced at his prosthetic for a moment, and they burned with anger for a brief moment before it went away, back to the neutral look he had worn ever since he had woken from his defeat at Starkiller Base.
"Well, it could've been worse." Karine mused, walking over to the prosthetic limb and picking it up. She poked at the robotic digits, moving it back and forth. "I'm sure once we find a new location to hide out in we can find suitable parts so this doesn't look like it was found on Lotho Minor." Karine teased, placing the hand back down and sitting across from the Mando.
His blank stare was all that greeted her.
"If you're trying to cheer me up, Tails, you're not doing a good job." Rhasar said.
"Sorry….but I am glad you're still alive." Karine said, turning her head to the window, D'Qar in view. "Otherwise, who else is gonna constantly complain about my amazing piloting and craftsmanship?" Karine said, a small teasing smile on her lips.
"What a wonderful time." Rhasar said dryly, his face barely changing. The two sat in silence, the Mandalorian looking down at his remaining limb, while Karine looked out into space.
"Is he still alive? The one who did this, is he….?" Karine didn't know if she wanted to think of THAT monster. She still had never met the dark lord, but the way the others spoke about him made her shiver as a chill ran down her spine.
"Yeah. We tried to take him on…and he took us all like we were nothing to him. Every hit we made didn't even seem to phase him, and the times it did…he retaliated twice as hard. For us, it was a fight for survival…to him, it was like a game." Rhasar said. "In the end, he got away, with only parts of his armor destroyed…he dealt us more crippling blows." He said the last part with venom, looking at the stump where his arm once was.
"Not only him, but there are even Knights that follow him…..Kriff." Karine swore, rubbing her head, before looking at Rhasar. "Do…..do you think he will come back?"
Rhasar didn't need to be a mind reader to know who she meant.
Jacen.
"I don't know, Tails. Considering the odds we've got, and what happened the last time we went toe-to-toe with Ren…I'm not sure even Luke Skywalker can save us."
"You really don't think we can win with Skywalker?" Karine asked. She didn't know if Jacen would come back or not, but if he did with Luke Skywalker at his side, she believed they could stand a chance. She had to.
"He trained Ren before his fall. If he couldn't stop him when he turned against him, how would he do it now?" Rhasar asked.
"It's been some time, maybe where he went, he learned some new force techniques or whatever Jedi learn." Karine argued.
"So he just sat back and let Kylo and the First Order grow while he learned a few new tricks? What could possibly be worth waiting this long?" Rhasar countered.
"I….I don't know Rhasar." Karine said, lowering her head. "All I know is what Leia and the others have told us: Luke is our last hope, we can't give up on it."
"Take a look at what's happened to us, Karine." Rhasar said. "This isn't hope…this is desperation. We're an animal on their last leg, and the First Order is hunting us so they can finish the job." He said. Karine said nothing in response, rubbing her arm, she didn't want to believe it. That this was it, all the work Leia, Han, and the others have done will lead to this. She….she had to keep believing.
"Rhasar….I-!"
BEEP BEEP
The two jumped up at the alarms, the room blinking red, as commotion echoed outside the doors. Karine immediately jumped up from her seat while Rhasar calmly stood up, grabbing the prosthetic as he did.
(Hangar)
"So what was Skywalker like?" Finn asked, his arms crossed as Poe was hard at work tweaking his X-wing. Arthon let out a low growl as he handed Poe the Proto-wrench, as soldiers and pilots marched around them inside the hangar of the Raddus, helping unload cargo from the transport carriers as they landed inside the command ship. It has been some time since Jacen's departure to find Luke Skywalker. IG was helping resistance soldiers carry crates without strain despite his new limbs, though he was not programmed to complain.
"Can't say I knew him that well, not as well as General Solo or Leia. Hard to separate the truth from legend, seeing as I've never met the man. But everything I heard always says one thing: he was one of the most powerful Jedi to ever live." Poe said, a slight hint of awe in his voice. Finn looked to Arthon for further explanation. The Trandoshan shrugged.
"All I know was that he was a key figure in the Rebellion. Before he came in, the Empire had the Rebels dead to rights, but when Skywalker joined, that was when their luck turned around. Before you knew it, he killed the Emperor and freed the galaxy. If you want something beyond that, my people didn't give him much mind. We were simply happy to have the Empire out of our way." Arthon growled. Finn numbly nodded his head before turning to face the rest of the hangar, his eyes focused on the stars outside, separated by the ray shield.
"You guys think he can help turn the fight around?" Finn asked. "Everybody talks like he's some kind of god, some mythical figure…but he's just one man, right?"
Poe didn't respond, almost contemplating Finn's answer, but the look on his face seemed to show that he struggled to believe that there was an outcome where Luke wouldn't help them. He opened his mouth to speak before suddenly, the alarms started ringing. Soldiers dropped their crates and began scrambling to their post. BB whistles sharply as Poe tosses the wrench away and climbs into his X-Wing. Rhasar and Karine ran into the hangar pushing past soldiers finally making it towards the three, the sirens echoing across the hangar.
"What's happening?!" Karine asked, watching as the resistance fighters got the ships prepped and ready.
"Something just came out of Hyperspace!" Poe yelled, flicking the ship controls on as engineers loaded BB. Rhasar, Karine, and Arthon looked at each other worriedly before quickly running over to the ray shield, peering outside into the void of space. As IG joined them, their eyes widened in fear and shock at the sight of the three Resurgent Class Star Destroyers exiting from hyperspace.
"The hounds have come for blood." Rhasar muttered.
"It appears the First Order have arrived." IG stated, its optics blinking at the group.
"Thanks, Captain Obvious." Arthon muttered.
(Quarters)
Space was very quiet, Rey noted as she stared up at the white metal ceiling within her quarters, it was a nice replacement for her dry sorrow makeshift bed back on Jakku. Just thinking of that dusty world made Rey's lips feel dry, the sound of boots stomping the ground outside her door. It has been a day since Jacen left to go find Luke Skywalker, and Rey already missed him. While she still had the others to keep her company, and she wasn't without being able to help around the ship, Jacen was in a way, the first friend she had made. In Rey's mind, it would always be odd whenever he's not around. Jacen just had a presence about him that could brighten up any room.
And now he was off in another corner of the galaxy, trying to find one of the most powerful Jedi to ever live and get him to help the Resistance. She wondered….could Luke truly help them? She didn't know enough about Skywalker, other than that he was a war hero, but….after seeing what Kylo had done on Starkiller. Did they have a chance? Lifting her hand up, the desert girl flexed her digits, trying to imagine lightning dancing around her fingers. She had never felt such power before, to conjure the power of the Force through her fingertips. At the moment it felt exhilarating, a power that she had never held now hers, it made her feel like the most powerful being in the galaxy. It made her want to move the landscape. It made her…...It made her feel…
Cold.
After unleashing that power, a power that could change the tide of battle, she felt the cold emptiness within her. It felt as if all her life force was sucked into a void of darkness, never to return, leaving her in the cold emptiness of space. Alone. She hated being alone, she hated the cold, the Dark. She picked herself up from the bed, shaking her head from such feelings. She can't believe that the bed she laid in was a lot less comfortable then her bunk on Jakku now….she really needed to stop thinking of that world. Picking herself up, Rey looked over at her staff, the one that Kylo sliced in two. She was able to get some engineers to meld her staff back together, a ribbon from her old robes tied around it. A little piece of home, but she did need a change of clothes….and a shower. Standing up Rey grabbed her staff and stared at the weapon, wondering how it was gonna be of any use. If she did use the Force, then by all means….she was a Jedi, right? Or did she have to go through some trial? She didn't really know it worked.
BEEP BEEP
Her eyes widened as her room began flashing red, realizing that something bad was about to happen, she didn't know why…perhaps a feeling. Quickly grabbing her staff and jacket, she slipped it on and sheathed her staff over her back. She ran over to the door, waiting for it to slide open before being welcomed by the bright light of the hallway and soldiers and pilots. The alarms blared throughout the whole ship, confirming her fear of the worse.
"REY!" The Scavenger turned to see Rhasar and Karine running down the hallway towards her.
"Is it the First Order?!" Rey asked, secretly hoping that it was nothing but a false alarm, but inevitably she knew what it was.
"What else could it be?" The Mandalorian asked sarcastically. The three ran down the hall, pushing past the troops and making their way into Hangar 4. All around them pilots entered their X-Wings, voices clamoring across the area as their engines roared to life. Rhasar's eyes landed on a particular group of fighters, guiding the two girls behind him and towards the group.
"H-How did they find us?" Rey asked as they finally joined up with Poe and the others.
"No clue, but we don't have time to throw speculation around." Poe responded, clipping on his helmet and preparing to board his fighter. "We gotta hold them off, buy time for the rest of the people to evacuate. You guys should get going." He said.
"This is suicide, you know that, right?" Arthon asked. Poe merely smirked.
"Well, it's a good thing I've got the best with me, right?" He asked.
"Damn right."
"I meant BB." Poe remarked, the small droid beeping happily in response.
"Don't make me shoot you, flesh bag."
Karine grabbed her helmet and began to climb up to her fighter, jumping into the seat and clipping on her helmet. Arthon followed suit, whereas Rhasar surprised Karine by climbing up her steps and leaning on the rails of her cockpit.
"What?" The Twi'lek looked at the Mando in confusion. He stayed quiet for a moment, as if searching for his words.
"...Try not to die out there." He said.
"Gee, thanks for those wonderful words of encouragement." Karine rolled her eyes before closing the canopy to her ship. Rhasar slid down and stepped back with Finn and Rey as all of the fighter's roared to life, lifting off the ground. The X-Wings flew out into the void of space, leaving the three alone in the hangar.
"So what are the chances of us surviving this?" Finn asked. Rhasar scoffed.
"You're the First Order expert. You tell us." He retorted.
"Is this really the time to be arguing?" Rey asked, looking at the two. The two turned to her, bewildered expressions on their faces.
"You think this is arguing?" They asked simultaneously.
"Let's just go." Rey said, turning around and heading towards the command deck, both following right behind her.
(Command Deck)
"Two more are exiting Hyperspace." An officer stated, following the booming noise of a ship arriving. Leia and Han looked up from their spot on the center pad, Lando and Ackbar standing by the glass staring up at the stars. From the void of space hovered two First Order Resurgent-Class Star Destroyers, followed by two more. The four ships flew towards the fleet of Resistance fighters, the Raddus side opened up as transport ships flew in and out, evacuating the base below.
"Awfully persistent. Just like old times, eh?" Han said to Leia. The Princess rolled her eyes before turning back to Ackbar.
"Admiral, prepare the fighters, we still need time to evacuate." Leia ordered.
"I believe Poe is already a step ahead of you, Senator." Ackbar muttered, watching as several X-Wings flew on by.
"The kid's quick." Lando mused, walking over to the two, Chewie roaring in agreement.
"A little too quick for my taste." Ackbar grumbled, joining the leaders in the command pad. Leia reached for the central communicator, connecting to all X-Wings.
"Commander Dameron, are you in range?" Leia asked, waiting for the commander to respond, the communicator was static for a few seconds.
"Just about." Poe responded. The X-Wings flew in a defensive formation, flying between the Star Destroyers and the Resistance Ships. A looming silence echoed through the fighters, no one saying a single word for a few seconds. The Star Destroyers made no action of attack or no legion of TIE Fighters flying out to attack.
"...What now?" Karine asked, looking over at the other X-Wing fighters.
"The K-Wing's aren't ready yet, Sir." Tallie, Poe's Lieutenant and A-Wing Pilot, stated over the comms. Arthon clicked his tongue as the silence began to get on his nerves, looking over at Poe's fighter.
"What now, fearless leader?" He drawled, his eyes constantly watching his equipment to ensure nothing caught him by surprise.
"I've got an idea," Poe said. He looked toward his communicator. "But first, I gotta make a call…"
"What?" Karine asked, looking over at his ship. BB instantly whistled and screeched in disagreement, shaking his head erratically.
"Commander Dameron, what do you think you are doing?!" Ackbar grunted, eyes hardening at the screen. What could Poe possibly be trying to do now?
"Honestly, sir? Something pretty stupid, but hey, what better way to buy time than a call, right?" Poe asked, the confidence in his voice seemingly endless as he kept an eye on the ships ahead of him.
"Please tell me whatever you're doing is some sort of joke?" Karine asked.
Aboard the Star Destroyer, Chimera, Supreme General Hux stared out towards the fleet of Resistance Cruisers. His eyes darted to the transport ships entering and leaving the capital ship and down to the planet below. His Vornskr hounds sat obediently at his side, ears perked up at any sign of danger. Hands resting behind his back as the officers moved about at their posts, in perfect union. For they knew that this was it, this was the last time they will have to deal with the Resistance once and for all. This was their chance to wipe the galaxy clean of such chaos, and bring order back.
And this was also, while uncharacteristic of Hux, a sort of payback to destroying Starkiller. While they had succeeded in destroying the main hub of the Republic, the Resistance had gotten lucky and dealt quite the heavy blow to the First Order, destroying what took years to build. Lives were lost in the weapons' destruction, and a great deal of their resources. To the surprise of many, Hux had remained quite calm in the destruction of the base, hand clenched but nothing more. He had simply ordered the remaining fleet that stayed behind Starkiller to head for D'Qar, ordering Captain Tierny to head into the Mustafar System and begin preparations. What that was, Pryde had no clue, his hate for Hux deepening for keeping him out of the loop.
The General looked over at Hux, glaring at his back, almost wishing he could choke him with the Force. He did not see why the Supreme Leader had so much faith and trust in the young general. Sure, he was an excellent tactician and had clearly shown himself to be worthy of his station and rank, but the man was almost insufferable in Pryde's eyes. Pryde had served in the Empire far longer than most here, he knew and still carried its true legacy in mind. Hux only believed in his own vision of Order, not for the Empire or the First Order, but for himself. His eyes landed on the two hounds at Hux's feet, the two ready to tear apart anyone who disturbs their master.
"Supreme General Hux, General Pryde, we're receiving a communique from….the Resistance." An officer stated, as if bewildered by the idea.
"Patch it through." Pryde said. At first, there was silence, but then, a voice echoed through the room.
"Hello, this is Commander Poe Dameron. I've come to negotiate with…ah, what were their names again? First Order higher ups are practically identical. Prude? Parade…Pryde! Yes! Pryde, is there a General Pryde there I can talk to?" Poe's voice asked, unaware of the twitch of Pryde's eyes at his mockery of his name.
"This is General Pryde, Resistance scum!" He said, taking the comm. "Have you some to beg for forgiveness? Because I can assure you, there will be none for the crimes you and your lot have committed!" He said.
"…Okay, I'm guessing he's not there. Anyone else willing to talk?" Poe asked, as if he had completely missed everything Pryde had said. The man in question looked furious, and would've retaliated if Hux had not taken matters into his own hands.
"Whatever negotiations you wish to engage in, Commander Dameron, I warn you; the best I shall offer is a swift death." Hux cut in, his tone strict, as if he were addressing someone of lower rank. "Surrender now, and I shall accommodate such a request."
"Hello? Anyone there? Hellooo?" Poe asked. Hux's eyes narrowed, no longer finding this game amusing.
"Your obvious attempts at humor during a most critical hour for your comrades only reveals your weakness. Surrender or be destroyed." Hux demanded.
"Is this seriously your plan?!" Karine asked, looking frantically at Poe's ship.
"What is he doing?" Ackbar asked, shaking his head in annoyance.
"Oh, hey Hux!" Poe said, as if he were greeting an old friend. His eyes glanced at a certain piece of equipment. "You sound angry. I DID destroy that giant base of yours after all. You still not over that? Or do you just sound angry all the time?" Poe asked, cracking a small smirk. He always did love riling up First Order officers.
He only received a mirthless chuckle from Hux in response.
"Charming to the last, though I would be more concerned with my own fleet if I were you, Commander. We need only a single suitable fighter to wipe out your pathetic 'Resistance'." Hux said.
"Poe?" Karine asked, hearing nothing on his end.
Suddenly, Poe noticed the gauge he had been periodically glancing at turn green. He grinned.
"You know, I was just thinking the same thing." He said, before his hands gripped his stick tight. "BB, punch it!"
And in that moment, all hell broke loose as Poe's fighter shot off towards the First Order fleet at speeds way beyond the recommended level for X-Wing pilots.
"Dammit, Dameron." Ackbar growled, reaching for the comms. "All fighters engage, ENGAGE!" All X-Wings and A-Wings blasted off towards the Star Destroyers, entering attack formation.
"Open fire." Hux ordered, the officers around him entering command codes to the turrets below.
"Woo! We're really moving, BB!" Poe exclaimed, nearly being pushed back in his seat at the speed he was flying.
"This was your plan?!" Karine echoed over the comms, following after Poe and shooting down a turret from a Star Destroyer..
"It worked, didn't it?!" Poe asked. "Nobody saw that coming, huh?!"
"Your plan was to just charge at them?! Are you mad?!" Arthon retorted, hissing as he followed along.
"Focus, guys! Take out those Star Destroyer turrets!" Han ordered over the comms. The X-Wings moved in different locations across the fleet, shooting down turrets.
"Scramble our fighters!" Pryde ordered. Seconds later, TIE Fighters flew out into the void of space, firing at the Resistance fighters.
"And here comes the parade." Poe quips, hard breaking his ship to aim at the TIE Fighters, firing down three. Poe flew across the Star Destroyer, TIE Fighters right behind him, firing bolts and missing his wings by the paint of his metal. The commander twisted his ship and deactivated his engines as he flew through two twin antennas, reentering Attack Mode and flying away as one TIE was not fast enough to fly over, exploding in a blast of metal and fire, crashing into the small deck of the Destroyer. Poe twisted his ship around and began firing down more turrets, the other fighters following suit as they flew around sporadically.
"Turrets down on the first ship, how about you guys?" Poe asked over the comms. On another Star Destroyer, Karine spun over a TIE fighter, landing behind the ship. She blasted the ship to smithereens, flying through the cloud of fire and smoke. Karine flew down the ship's underbelly, shooting down turrets and TIE fighters, spinning and twisting around the blaster bolts. She twisted her ship avoiding the turret's blaster bolts, shooting at its backside and blowing it to oblivion. From his cruiser, Hux watched the ships be surrounded by X-Wings, their turrets destroyed every so often, his demeanor remaining ever so calm.
"Second ship down! Arthon?!" The Twi'lek exclaimed, looking over at the Trandoshan's X-Wing fighter.
"Work-in-progress! These meat sacks don't make it easy!" Arthon snarled, having gotten behind a TIE. He then proceeded to blast it to pieces, followed by a nearby turret. He growled as he fired his next few shots, destroying the next few turrets. "Third ship down!" He said.
Meanwhile, Poe was being chased by three fighters, bolts flying past him, before a second later his X-Wing shakes from an explosion.
"Turrets down! I repeat, all turrets are down! Where are those bombers?!" Poe exclaimed over the comms.
"Excellent work, Commander. Now return to the Raddus." Ackbar ordered over the comms. A look of confusion on Poe's face, while several others voiced their agreement.
"Admiral, you heard the comms, Hux is here! If we can take him out, it'll deal a massive blow to the First Order!" Poe argued.
"Disengage now, Commander, that is an order. You are too far out that the bombers will not reach you in time!" Ackbar ordered, shaking his head. While the bombers were exiting the flagship, most of the fighters were out of reach and were surrounded by ten times that of TIE fighters.
"Commander Dameron, I repeat, disengage no-!" Ackbar's voice went silent over the comms, shocking the other pilots, Karine looking over at Dameron's ship in concern.
"Poe, you heard him, we have to retreat!"
"What are you doing, Dameron?!" Arthon asked.
"Focus all fire on the Command Deck, do not let up! We can finish this here and now!" Poe said, focusing all of his attention on the Star Destroyers.
"What is that fool doing?!" Ackbar growled, slamming his fist on the center pad.
"Something reckless. Well, at least he's living up to the job requirements." Han remarked.
"I wonder where he gets that from." Leia added, 3PO turned to the Princess and General.
"Who, me? No." Han retorted.
"Commander Dameron does share the same reckless nature that Han Solo did in his you-!"
"Can it, Threepio." Han cut in.
"Send out a message to all fighters, fall back to the Raddus." Ackbar ordered a nearby officer, shaking his head in annoyance.
Meanwhile, aboard the Chimera, Pryde was nearly close to blowing a gasket. The Star Destroyers around them had lost all of their turrets, and were now being bombarded on all sides, only a matter of time before they fell. Yet, out of everyone on this ship, Hux remained level-headed during the entire space battle. It infuriated him, turning to fully face the young general, inches from his face.
"Tell me, General, is this all part of the plan? To have our entire fleet reduced to molten scrap?" Pryde seethed, glaring at the Supreme General, the Vornskr snarled beneath him ready to pounce at the threat. Hux turned his head to face Pryde, a snap of his fingers and the hounds went silent, before turning to one of the officers.
"Are the bombers within range?" Hux asked.
"Four clicks from the first Star Destroyer, General." Hux nodded his head, ignoring Pryde and entering a few codes on the command pad. Pryde's eyes narrowed at the young general, just as the holographic form of the young Captain Tierny stood in front of them.
"Is it ready, Captain?" Hux asked, hands resting behind him.
"We'll be arriving in T-minus ten seconds, General." Tierny stated, saluting the Supreme General.
Meanwhile, as the battle raged on over the Star Destroyers, TIE fighters and X-Wings shot down and exploding mid-flight, Ackbar noticed an alarm go off near one of the monitors. Karine and Arthon, who had shot down a squad of TIE fighters, their heads shot up in surprise as the thunderous roar of a ship exiting hyperspace echoed in their ears. Many pilots looked over to see two Star Destroyers appear between the current First Order fleet and the Resistance navy.
"Poe, two more Star Destroyers just exited from Hyper-!"
(Star Wars: Order 66 Theme TWO STEPS FROM HELL STYLE by Samuel Kim)
BOOM
Karine's voice over the comms were silenced, an audible static was heard across the comms as every pilot and abled body went quiet. Karine felt a chill crawl up her spine, Arthon let out a low hiss as a large shadow passed over the X-Wings and TIE Fighters. Aboard the Raddus, Rey and Rhasar looked up in horror as the shadow slowly blocked the system's sun from their view. Aboard the command deck, Han and the others walked over to the window, eyes widened in horror at the menacing sight.
"N-No…..it can't be." Arthon growled, eyes narrowed at the sight.
"Wha…..what is that?" Rey asked, arms trembling in terror, the Mandalorian beside her letting out a heavy sigh.
"A dreadnought." Rhasar said, his prosthetic arm slowly clenching in anger.
"Not just any dreadnought…the Eclipse." Finn said, eyes wide with terror.
"The Scourge of Trandosha." Arthon snarled into the comms. The Dreadnought, the Eclipse, was a Super Star Destroyer Class Cruiser, easily twice the size of the Raddus itself. A large shadow that loomed over both fleets, its hull floating between the First Order and the Resistance. Within the command deck, Tierny stood front and center with the officers behind her sending orders and typing away. She stared out at the Resistance fleet, perplexed by the sight of it, was this it? Was this what stood between the First Order and control of the Galaxy? Well, she will not disappoint General Hux, who appointed her head of the ship for the time being, an honor no other will receive.
"Prepare the fighters, and focus all turrets on the Resistance Fleet, blast them out into the void." Tierny ordered, officers sending the orders. The Resistance Bombers, K-Wing class fighters, had barely anytime to pull back or move forward as a battalion of TIE fighters flew out of the dreadnought and blasted them to oblivion.
"Poe! The fleet!" Karine yelled over the comms, turning her fighter to see the Resistance Fleet soon surrounded by TIE fighters.
The Eclipse began to open fire, turrets unleashing heavy bolt blasts that rocked against the Raddus shields.
"All Cruisers, full power to the main shields!" Han ordered, the explosions outside shaking the ship.
"Watch out!" Rhasar grabbed Rey and lunged for the ground with Finn right beside him, bolts shooting into the bay and destroying several transport cruisers. Sparks harmlessly landed on the Mandalorian's back before he stood back up, dragging Rey to her feet.
"Poe, we have to fall back!" Karine exclaimed over the comms, but she heard nothing from his end at first. Meanwhile, Poe looked up in horror as the large cruiser opened fire on the Resistance fleet, the blasts tearing through the shields with each shot.
"Poe!" Karine exclaimed, looking at his ship for an answer.
"No, we can't leave yet, we have to finish-"
"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Arthon's roar of rage drowned out all other voices that would've spoken before his X-Wing sped past the others, opening fire on the Eclipse. The small bolts did little to the shields, but that did not stop the Trandoshan as he kept firing at the dreadnought, continuing to roar as he did so.
"Arthon?!" Karine cried out, watching as the Trandoshan's X-Wing was soon tailed by several TIE Fighters. She sped towards him, watching in horror as a TIE fighter blast bolt hit a thruster, flames and smoke shooting out as the X-Wing stopped firing. Once she was within range, Karine held down the trigger, shooting down the TIE fighters and moving beside Arthon. "Arthon?! Arthon can you hear me?!" Karine asked, hearing static on her end for a few moments, before a snarl was heard.
"Kill them! I'll kill them all! They'll all pay for what they did!" Arthon roared with a level of rage Karine had never seen from him before. The Twi'lek took in her surroundings and realized how outgunned they were, watching as several of their fighters were shot down by turrets and TIE fighters. They could not win, not anymore, they were losing pilots by the second, and the Resistance was losing their shields. She had no other choice.
"This is Karine Syndulla, ordering a full retreat. Fall back! Fall back to the Raddus!" Karine ordered over the comms, hearing several voices of agreement, a few fighters flying past her.
"Arthon! We have to go now!" Karine exclaimed. She didn't hear a response for a moment, before Arthon let out a snarl, and soon after, the Trandoshan turned his X-Wing to head back towards the Raddus.
"Karine, we have to finish this!" Poe said.
"We can't, Poe. We….we can't." With that, Karine flew her ship back to the Raddus.
Aboard the command deck, Ackbar noticed one of the other cruisers on the pad was blinking red, Han ran over and activated the comm.
"Lieutenant Gawat, the shields are going down, focus all power there now!" Han ordered.
"We can't, we've lost power to the main engines! We're goin-AARRGGHHH!" Leia let out a small gasp, watching in horror as one of their cruisers exploded beside them. Molten scraps flew towards the Raddus, exploding upon impact with the ship.
"We need to leave now!" Han stated.
"We can't, we still have transport cruisers down below." Ackbar stated, the ship shaking upon impact.
"If we don't leave now, there won't be anything left!" Han stated, holding himself up as the ship shook again. Inside the hangar bar, Karine and Arthon's fighters flew in and practically crashed, smoke rising out of the cockpits. Rhasar immediately ran over to Karine's, hopping on the side and smashing his robotic limb against the glass. Rey and Finn ran over to Arthon's, noticing the silhouette of the Trandoshan had his head low, smoke covering their field of vision within the cockpit.
"Arthon? Arthon?!" Rey cried, smashing her fist against the glass, but saw no reaction from the Trandoshan. Eyes widened in horror, before she let out a small cry of terror, the glass shattering into a million pieces and flinging Finn off the fighter while Karine's slid away. Rey suddenly felt dizzy, falling on her butt, clutching her head. Finn immediately got up and ran over to the cockpit, grunting as he grabbed Arthon by the arm. IG, who was buried under some metal from the earlier blast, had finally freed itself to assist the others. IG helped Finn pull out Arthon and grab Rey, dragging them away from the smoking fighters as several soldiers came by to put them out. A second later, Poe's X-Wing flew in with several bolts flying past him.
"Why….WHY ARE WE STILL HERE?! Get us out of here!" Karine yelled, hoping that someone from the bridge heard her as Rhasar pulled her away from her fighter.
"Ackbar…" Said Admiral turned to Leia, seeing the pain in her eyes, but silent agreement. Ackbar let out a tired sigh, pressing his finger on the communication comm.
"All ships, prepare to enter Hyperspace! Now!" Ackbar ordered, officers quickly tapping away at coordinate locations, before entering them. Back at the hangar, Rey crawled over to the downed Trandoshan, a look of concern in her eyes as the Trandoshan remained silent.
"...Arthon?" Rey muttered, short gasps exiting her breath. A second later, the Trandoshan let out a pained snort, his eyes opening up to see Rey staring down at him. Rey let out a breath of relief, head resting on the Trandoshan's arm.
Arthon merely growled before he moved away from Rey, staring out into the battle outside. However, the world below them soon became a blur, as did the stars themselves.
"What?! No…No…NO!" Poe exclaimed in shock, watching as the world outside became nothing but Hyperspace itself.
"What….what happened?" Rey asked.
"We lost….we lost." Karine muttered, laying her head in Rhasar's lap. Meanwhile, Hux smirked as the Raddus entered Hyperspace with the two other ships, the other one nothing but metal floating in space.
"What are you doing?! Don't let them get away!" Pryde exclaimed.
"They won't escape." Hux replied calmly. "They cannot hide from me."
"General." The hologram of Tierny appeared between the two, her eyes focused on Hux. "There are still Resistance Transports in the atmosphere, and we have located the base on D'Qar."
Hux's reply was clear.
"You may fire when ready."
The Resistance soldiers below could not believe their own eyes, watching as the Resistance Fleet disappeared into Hyperspace. Many let out cries of panic, some tried to get the transport cruisers away from the base, but it was too late. Many could only look up in horror as the Eclipse was aimed directly towards the base, followed by a green ball of energy charging up. The last thing any of them ever saw was the green bolt, before everything turned white.
Nothing remained of the base on D'Qar, or the people that had inhabited it.
(Ahch-To)
Jacen couldn't stop the tear that trailed down his cheek, a small sniffle escaping his throat as he hugged Luke. Luke Skywalker, his long lost uncle, pulled his nephew into his arms for the first time in a long time. He couldn't believe it, how could he? The last time he saw his nephew was the day he lost both him and Ben, never to see them again. He wanted to believe that Jacen was a ghost, that this was all a vision, but here he was. Alive.
"Jacen…I…It really is you." Luke muttered, stepping away from the boy as they stood from one another. Jacen fought back the tears, trying to remain strong his his uncle, because not only will the battle against the First Order now be in their favor. He now has the answers to his past, to everything that happened.
"Yes, Uncle Luke….It really is me." Jacen said, hands resting at his side.
"B-But how?" Luke asked. Jacen was about, before pain shot through his head, groaning a bit as visions flashed through his head. He saw rain, bodies everywhere, and Kylo.
Ben. His brother.
No. As far as Jacen was concerned, Kylo was not his brother, Ben was gone. Shaking his head, he reached into his belt, feeling the lightsaber-His Grandfather's lightsaber-against his fingers.
"It's a long story, Uncle Luke, but I'm just so happy to see you again. And knowing that you are indeed here, means everything to all of us." Jacen said, looking down to unbuckle the saber, unaware of the grim look on Luke's face.
"...Us?"
"Yes Uncle: Me, my friends, Leia and Ha…..My mother and father. The Resistance itself. Bringing you back will turn the tide of the war." Jacen said, finally pulling out the lightsaber, and holding it out to Luke. The older man's eyes widened in shock, staring down at the silver and black handle in his nephews hand.
"Uncle…..we-the Galaxy needs Luke Skywalker again." Jacen said, holding out the blade to his uncle. Luke remained silent, his expression stoic, hands slowly reaching out towards the blade. Jacen noted that his uncle no longer covered his right hand. The robotic limb took hold of the blade, Jacen taking a step back as his eyes shimmered with hope. Here stood before him was Luke Skywalker, son of Anakin Skywalker, the most powerful Jedi who ever existed. Yet, as the seconds went by, Jacen noticed his uncle began to shake his head, arms trembling. Luke looked back up at his nephew, eyes cold, distant.
"I'm…..I'm sorry Jacen, but I can't." Jacen's hope shattered, bewilderment in his eyes as Luke dropped the lightsaber, the handle landing softly in the grass.
"You never should have come here." Was the last thing Luke said, walking past Jacen and down the steps, leaving Jacen to his own thoughts. Jacen could not believe the words that had just left his uncle's mouth. He couldn't? What did he mean by that? That he couldn't help his friends, and family? Or the galaxy itself? Why…There had to be a reason, his uncle had to have his reasons. Reaching down for the lightsaber, Jacen quickly ran down the steps towards the village below. Once he reached the bottom, he spotted his uncle entering a hut, shutting the door behind him. Jacen noted that the door looked to be a metal fragment of an X-Wing, but would focus on why it was like that later. He quickly walked over and began to repeatedly knock on the door.
"Uncle Luke? Uncle Luke, we don't have time for this!" Jacen said, knocking on the door.
"Go away, Jacen." Jacen heard Luke on the other end. Inside the hut, Luke folded his robes, a new black robe covering him. The hut around him was simple, aside from his bed he had very few trinkets from his past, some hidden from the untrained eye. His hand rested on the robe, slowly trailing down to the silver handle within, feeling the hum of the crystal inside. He could picture the green blade coming to life, followed by a red blade clashing with his. His head shot up to the sound of his door flying off the hinges, followed by Jacen walking in.
"Uncle Luke, I don't know what has gotten into you, but we don't have time for this. Please Uncle, we need you to stop Kylo Ren." Luke, who was originally gonna tell his nephew to leave, stopped short at the mention of Kylo. Visions danced across his mind, scenes playing in his head: A crimson saber, a black mask, dead all around them, and in the center of it all was Jacen and Ben.
"...Ben…." Luke muttered, shaking his head. Jacen looked away from his uncle, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Jacen…..you saw him, didn't you." It wasn't a question, Jacen looking into his uncle's eyes, giving him the answer he needed.
"Tell me everything."
(Supremacy)
Aboard the Super Star Destroyer Class Cruiser, Officers and Troopers walked down the hallway, minding their own business or heading to their stations for duty. However, at the mere sight of him they all kept their distance and tried to stay out of his way. For walking down the halls of the Supremacy was the second most powerful being in the First Order, the one who led the charge in many battles. The Blade of Supreme Leader Snoke, the leader of the Knights of Ren.
Kylo Ren.
Gone was his mask, fractured and kept away in a glass box within his quarters for now, Kylo's eyes narrowed in silent fury as he made his way down the halls. He wasn't here to dilly dally, he was here to meet with his…..master. Snoke had summoned him to the flagship of the First Order, Snoke's personal transport ship, the Supremacy. He had no doubt what it was about, to scold him of his failure on Starkiller Base. In short, he had failed, failed to stop the destruction of the base, lost much of their resources, and lost the map of Skywalker.
Most of all, he lost his brother once more. If Jacen had reclaimed his memories, and Kylo had no doubt he did, Jacen was now no doubt with Luke Skywalker as he walked. He made it to the elevator, two troopers quickly stepped aside as Kylo walked in. He entered the codes to his masters quarters, the elevator quickly moving up. His grip tightened as the night before played in his mind, defeating most of those Resistance fighters, disarming the Mandalorian, and fighting his brother. Yet…he failed to get the map, and stop his brother.
"Come on, Ben!" A child's voice echoed in Kylo's head, followed by the sound of laughter. Wait….No.
The elevator dinged, the doors sliding open, shaking Kylo of his thoughts and making his way into the room. The Supreme Leader's main quarters were not one for resting, but to observe the Galaxy itself. It housed a large throne chair where the Supreme Leader sat, long red curtains that could be pulled back to show the stars outside. On the left side of the wall was the Supreme Leader's Trophy display, many things both he and the Knights of Ren had collected for the Dark Lord. As Kylo made his way inside, he noticed the holographic form of Hux standing before the Supreme Leader, a grimace on Kylo's lips as he bowed before the Dark Lord. He didn't hate Hux persay, knowing he was far more powerful than him, but he also had no respect for the General.
"Good, very good General. Continue your search." Supreme Leader Snoke ordered, gesturing the General away.
"At once, Supreme Leader." Hux stated with a bow, disappearing from the room, leaving Kylo with the Supreme Leader and his guards. The Praetorian Guards, eight in total, were the finest soldiers in the First Order. Reminiscent to the Royal Guards for the Empire, these soldiers were wired in to forever obey the Supreme Leader without question, shock treatment lodged into their brains that to do so would mean their death. They were no match for Kylo, but they were still a force not to be reckoned with, aside from the Force Users and the Supreme Leader himself.
Snoke, the Supreme Leader of the First Order, was no simple or frail man like the Emperor. He was imposing, adorned in black robes like that of a Sith, a long cape that went past his boots. Much like the Emperor, he was powerful in the Dark Side of the Force. He was Kylo's master, the master of the dark side. Eyes, those that were the dark side itself, stared down at Kylo Ren, his features were unreadable.
"...Master, I-!"
"Despite having no powers in the Force, Hux is highly respected and perhaps even feared among his peers." Snoke began, standing from his throne. "But you, my pupil, YOU too are to be respected and feared. You, the master of the Dark and Light, my blade for the First Order. The annihilation of the Jedi was to be dealt by your hand, your lightsaber…..And yet…." Snoke mused, his boots clacking against the metal floor. A hand brushed against Kylo's shoulder, but the young warrior felt it, a great wave of the dark side brushing past him. "Yet I sense…..hesitation?" Snoke asked out loud, eyes staring outwards, and yet his attention was on Kylo.
"Merely adapting to the changes we've discovered." Kylo said.
"Perhaps…and yet, I sense something." Snoke stated, walking around Kylo, his cape dragging against the cool metal floor. "Fear? No. Reluctance? No…..it's something else…..Or…..someone else?" Snoke asked, finally
"Resolve." Was Ren's simple reply. Snoke hummed in response, his back turned to Kylo.
"Resolve. Tell me then, my dear apprentice, where was this resolve when the map was right in your hands?" Snoke asked, walking back towards his throne.
"Where was this resolve when Skywalker was to be brought to me?" Snoke sat back in his chair, facing Kylo.
"Where is this resolve when you failed to bring me the map to Skywalker?" Snoke was practically accusing Kylo with the way he spoke. Despite this tone, despite this degradation, Kylo remained unphased….at least on the outside.
"My resolve, much like the plan, has changed." Kylo stated, the Supreme Leader letting out a low hum from the response.
"Well then, my faithful student…..WHY did you fail?" Snoke asked, leaning from his throne, gesturing towards Kylo himself. "How did you fail? Or…WHO stood in your way?" Snoke asked, his gaze hardened at his pupil. He could sense it, he sensed something that Kylo was hiding from him, what it was he did not know. He should be proud that his pupil was strong enough to keep him out of his head, but the recent destruction of Starkiller and the failure to bring the map to him had wavered his trust in Kylo. The powerful force user remained quiet at the moment, his eyes gazing back at his master, the two almost challenging one another. Should one give in, it means utter failure, and to this day Kylo has never beaten Snoke in this pressure of the Force. He's never lost, as it always ended in a tie, but he could tell his dark master was finally showing his power.
The entire room felt darker, colder, as the dark side of the force creeped in through the two users. Frosty breath left Kylo's mouth as he remained calm, his piercing eyes staring into the red eyes of Snoke, the eyes of the Sith. The pressure began rising, a small tremor reverberating off of Kylo's boots. Even the Praetorian Guards, Snoke's finest warriors, wavered under the pressure with one even falling to a knee. Finally, for what seemed like an eternity, Kylo gasped as the pressure lifted off his shoulders, the young force user looking back up at Snoke. The older man's features were hidden by his hands clasped in front of him as he leaned back in his throne, but Kylo could sense the smirk.
He won.
"...Jacen. Jacen Solo lives." Snoke states, the silence answering for him. Kylo didn't need to use the Force to know Snoke was disappointed. Snoke remembered the young Solo quite well, always at Ben's side during the golden days of Luke's New Order.
"Now…..should Jacen find Luke, all of our work will be for nothing." Snoke looked back at his apprentice, glaring down at him.
"Seeing your brother alive and well….it must ease that last flame of the Light inside of you." Snoke asked, his tone almost mocking as he leaned on one hand.
"Did seeing your brother make you hesitate?" Snoke finished as he lifted one hand and called upon the dark side. Lightning crackle at his fingertips, the physical embodiment of the Dark Side in the palm of his hand.
"You already know the answer." Kylo gestured to his torso, still bearing evidence of his fight with Jacen and his friends. Snoke glared at the young man, eyes scanning the young man's physique, sensing the physical scars under the robes. He noted that Kylo was not wearing his helmet, no doubt destroyed during the battle on Starkiller.
"Yes, I do." Snoke answered, disappointment in his eyes.
"I sense that should you come to blows with your brother again…..you will hesitate." Kylo's eyes widened in shock, glaring up into Snoke.
"Hesitation is the last thing I will ever show to those who stand in my way. You know this." Kylo said.
"And yet…..Jacen still lives." Snoke remarked.
"Do my ears deceive me?" A mechanical yet smooth voice spoke up as the doors to the elevator opened up. Kylo held the urge to grip his fists as the clacking of boots and footsteps echoed behind him, two individuals standing beside him as several others kneeled before the Supreme Leader. Kylo did not need to look to know who it was: Snoke's Hands, Servants in the Dark Side. Desann and Lumiya. Desann was a Chistori, the reptilian dark side user growling as his eyes glared down at Kylo, wearing dark garbs covered by a metal plate of chest armor. Lumiya was everything but alive, most of her flesh replaced by machines, her face hidden by cloth save for her eyes. These two served Snoke long before Kylo came around, even before the Knights of Ren. Speaking of, Kylo knew the ones who now bowed behind him were his Knights themselves. Each one deadly as the next, what Snoke would consider Knights of the Dark Side. His second-in-command, Vicrul. The Weapons Expert, Cardo. The Collector, Trudgen. The Torturer, Usher. The Pilot, Kuruk. The Executioner, Ap'lek. Each one served as Disciples in not just Snoke's Order, but for previous Sith Lords from the lost ages.
"The second born son of Leia still lives?" Lumiya asked almost in a teasing, venomous tone.
"It seems you placed your faith in the wrong hands, Master." Desann snarled, arms crossed as he glanced at Kylo, clearly mocking the young warrior. Kylo remained quiet, holding back his anger, because he knew if he were to face them in combat he would come out on top.
"...Perhaps you are right, my Hand." Kylo's head shot up to the Supreme Leader, but Snoke's attention was on Desann.
"Perhaps Kylo's recent failure has tipped the burden on his shoulders." Lumiya added, placing a clawed hand on his shoulder.
"...Well, my apprentice? Can I trust you in completing this mission?" Snoke asked, leaning from his chair, patiently waiting for Kylo's answer. As he did, the Knights of Ren slowly stood up, eyes trained on their leader, weapons in hand.
"It will be done." Kylo said.
"Will it? Because this recent failure gives me doubt. What have I taught you, Kylo?" Snoke asked, raising his hand.
"Hesitation is the weak link in the Light of the Force. Should you feel it take over…you have already lost." With that, Kylo felt his lightsaber flying out of his belt and right into Snoke's hand, just as Desann's lightsaber came to life. Kylo immediately jumped away as his cape was sliced into ribbons from Desann's blade and Vicrul's scythe. Kylo instantly landed back on his feet as Desann was already upon him, his red lightsaber slicing through the air. Kylo used the force to stop the blow, pushing Desann back before the Knights of Ren lunged at their leader.
"The Jedi do not know emotion, for their peace is built on pillars of lies." Snoke recited, staring at Kylo's lightsaber. Kylo pulled his head back from Vicrul's scythe, kicking the knight away while Ushar lifted his club as Trudgen lunged with his cleaver. Such large weapons made light due to the Knight's mastery in the Force. Kylo held his hands out, using the Force to stop the attacks, pushing them back before ducking under a blast bolt. Kylo held his hand out stopping a bolt from Kuruk's custom rifle, just as Cardo aimed his arm cannon at his leader.
"The Jedi believe that they know no ignorance, yet the knowledge they collected was built on ignorance." Snoke stated, testing the blade in his hand. Cardo unleashed a torrent of flames, Kylo's eyes widened as a memory flashed in his mind of the previous battles. He knocked the bolts away as he used the Force to crush Cardo's flamethrower, just as Kuruk slammed the butt of his rifle into Kylo's side before blasting him with the Force. Kylo growled in pain, taking a deep breath before holding both arms up catching the Knight's rifle, he kneed Kuruk in the gut and kicked him away, tossing the blaster aside. Kylo felt his body go flying from a blast from Desann, who began charging at Kylo. The dark side user held his arms out catching Desann's hands, pushing back against the Chistori Sith, pushing him aside and knocking him back with the Force.
"The Jedi know not passion, but serenity. Serenity in the fact that they were blinded by their own hubris." Snoke remarked. The crackling of energy forced Kylo to hold his hand out, seething as an energy whip wrapped around his wrist burning the cloth. Lumiya smirked under her mask as she jerked her whip back, pulling Kylo off his feet. Kylo landed on his stomach, trying to push himself back up only to be shocked by hundreds of volts courtesy of Lumiya's vibrowhip.
"The Jedi do not see chaos, only because they find harmony, building it around the chaos." Snoke's words earned a growl from Kylo as he channeled the shock into his finger tips, blasting it towards Lumiya knocking her into the air. The cyborg Sith landed back on her feet as Kylo stood back up shrugging off the pain, reaching out and calling forth his lightsaber. Snoke kept a strong grip on it, but he was impressed by his students' strength, he had taught Kylo well. The leader of the Knights was knocked in the ribs by Vicrul, the scythe wielding Knight slicing at Kylo, the warrior jumping back only for the blade to slice at his cloth. Not enough to cut into the bone, but blood now stained his sleeve. Kylo grabbed the scythe and slammed it into Vicrul's helmet, pushing him away just as a lightsaber cut the ground where he stood.
"To the Jedi, there is no death….but the Force." Kylo felt the heat of the blade as he dodged Desann's blade, only to be sliced in the back from Lumiya's blade. Kylo growled as he stood back up, turning to see the Knights of Ren and Snoke's Hands slowly stand before him, some of the Knights reaching towards their sides for their true weapon. Kylo felt the darkness flow through him, spiraling within, before channeling through his fingertips.
"RRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!" Kylo let out a bone rattling roar, before unleashing a storm of red lightning. It passed through each and every one of the Sith, knocking them off their feet, jolting erratically. The entire Supremacy shorted out from an overflow of power, shaking from the might of Kylo. Once he was done, Kylo rested his hands, panting heavily as the Sith sizzled with steam rising off their bodies, groaning from the excruciating pain. Hearing heavy footsteps, Kylo turned face to face with his master, Snoke staring down at his apprentice.
"But death is all but a lie, a chain to hold us down to the Will of the Force." Snoke said, holding out Kylo's lightsaber. Kylo looked down at the blade, then back up at his master, slowly wrapping his hands around the blade. It would be so easy, so easy to activate the blade and kill his master. Just….just as he always planned. Perhaps Snoke sensed it, almost challenging Kylo, the two staring down the other.
"...And we will not be held down by chains." Kylo finished, holstering his blade. Seemingly pleased, Snoke made his way over to a wall that was covered by red curtains.
"Do not fail me again, my apprentice." Snoke said.
"...Yes, master." With that, Kylo walked past the Knights and Hands, leaving the room as the heavy pressure began lifting again. Snoke smirked as his apprentice left, sensing the boys darkness slowly taking him over, it was only a matter of time. Slowly looking over at the rising Knights and Hands, he began setting other events in motion. He will allow Kylo to deal with Jacen and Luke. He had other ideas for his Hands and Knights, ideas that will set the Galaxy in his favor. The Galaxy will be his….and Skywalker….
Skywalker will die.
Zer0: Whoo, hell yeah, that was fun writing. We did it, the first chapter in the newest story is here and a lot of stuff to unpack. Bio can address certain moments since we're not on Voice Chat or Discord at the moment.
I said before that I am pretty good at fights, whether it is or not is up to you, since I take a lot of time writing them. Though if I'm gonna be honest, I don't think I'm good at writing Ship battles. I have the first four X-Wing books so I should go back and read those, it's just been a while. I'm gonna try and get better with those Space ship battles. Yes, let's also point out the next thing Bio and I agreed had to be taken out: The fucking BOMBERS. Man, Rian, I gotta ask: Why? Why make possibly the slowest ship in the universe? Literally one of my major complaints for the episode were the bombers, just because of how dumb they were…..oh and bad writing.
So while we were writing this, Bio and I wondered how to really set the stage for this episode? Do we have it where the Resistance escapes like in the original? Or do we try something different? Well as you can see we made our choice, and what better way than to show off possibly one of the coolest ships in Star Wars: The Eclipse. I believe we made mention of it in episode seven, hence the 'Scourge of Trandosha', and not only did we have it where the Resistance lost. They LOST. Only a Cruiser or two left, their base and hundreds of fighters dead just like that. Another fun scene was the rewrite with Hux, since our version is much more calm and patient. Plus we got that dialogue from Mauler's Critique of the Last Jedi, pretty good stuff I'd say so.
Jacen and Luke sadly was a smaller scene, I did have two more scenes, one with Jacen and Luke. But I felt like Snoke was a good ending prologue, and I do have more with Luke. Bio and I have more to the Luke side, especially when it comes to training. We want to do more with Luke, but we can't spoil much.
Snoke, the Sith behind everything so to speak. Our design is based on Dark Empire Sidious….No, it's not Sidious in disguise, we're not doing that plotline but I did want Snoke to be far more…reserved? Well I didn't want a decrypted old man in a golden bathrobe. We also have Lumiya and Desann appearing, with Desann (Main enemy of the Jedi Knight game) being a focus for one of the characters. The Knights of Ren are gonna be the First Order's version of the Inquisitors (No Reva….sry not sry), and well….the weapons they use are not their main arsenal.
Out of the current two, Episode Eight is definitely the most changed, what we changed I cannot spoil since it leaves for interpretation and that it will be fun how you see what we did. So maybe the group goes to Canto Big…..XD can't say that with a straight face. No no but hopefully you guys like what we have planned and as we unveil the newest chapter in this trilogy.
Zer0: I think…..I think that's all for me. Bio?
Bio: Buckle up, folks. Things are gonna get wild.
Zer0: I hope everyone enjoys the chapter. Until next time!
