Lead the Way: A Star Wars/She-Ra Story
Chapter 26: Shot in the Dark
The next day.
Everyone was back on Darla, the ship, and they were in space again.
Sam asked, "anything yet?"
"Nothing", Luke said with a sigh.
"Uh-oh. I think I found the blockade Perfuma was talking about", Entrapta said nervously.
Everyone looks to the Interface where Horde ships surround Etheria.
"That's a lot of Horde ships", Han said a bit nervous.
Luke said, "we gotta find a way to get past it. Our friends won't last long with Sigma using his chips."
Leia added, "especially with half of them being under his control."
"If only we knew what Sigma's weakness was", Hordak asked as he crossed his arms.
Hordak Jr said, "but is Sigma not a clone, like us?"
Everyone looked at Hordak Jr in surprise.
Sam said, "I think he's onto something. Entrapta, give him a cookie."
Hordak Jr says, "yay!"
Hordak Jr then started to eat the cookie.
The group then started to head to a planet called Krytis after Hordak Jr told them there could be a key to Horde Sigma's weakness.
They had a plan in the works: find a way to defeat Sigma, and help deactivate the chips controlling everyone on Earth.
The ship soon made it to the planet.
"My readings show that the atmosphere is safe", Entrapta said.
"Good news", Obi Wan said with a smile.
The ship then landed on the planet.
"Everyone be careful", Sam said as they started to walk down the ramp.
Han said with his blaster in hand, "yeah, who knows what's inside that cave?"
Everyone began walking into the cave.
Sam, Hordak, Ashla, Prime, Obi Wan, Bow, Glimmer, Luke, Leia, Hamill, Artoo, Adora and Catra go one way, as Han and Obi Wan go with the clones led by Slash.
Threepio stayed on the ship, ever the coward, with Entrapta and Hordak Jr, to review and connect to the system.
"Uh Entrapta, there's no door", Leia said as she and the others stared at the wall.
"Well, the schematics show a door right where you're standing. Data never lies", Entrapta said over the comlink.
Hordak Jr gasps and sits up.
"The logs say Lord Prime…. Retreated from this planet? Oh…. This cannot be. Lord Prime…. Does not retreat. He is…. The almighty conqueror. His dominion is just and eternal", Hordak Jr said.
"I don't know how many times I have to repeat myself: Data never lies", Entrapta said as she held her tablet.
Hordak Jr snorts as tears begin to run down his face and he starts to sob.
Hordak Jr's bawling causes feedback over the comms, making the group grimace in pain.
"Uh…. I mean…. There, there….", Entrapta said over the comlink.
Prime said, "Entrapta is right. I fled from this planet. There was some form of strange magic that weakened me. And whatever it was, may be able to help us take down my brother, and finally end this war."
"If there is no door, I'll handle that", Hordak said as he used his lightsabers to slice the wall open creating a hole.
"Let's go", Ahsoka said.
The group started to walk across a hallway that was filled with strange yellow glowing spores.
The spores land on Hordak's and Horde Prime's noses.
Sam said, "aww! That's how you sneeze Hordak?"
"I never knew you sneezed like that Prime", Ashla said.
"What", Hordak asked as he rubbed his nose.
Horde Prime asked, "what's wrong with my sneeze?"
"It's just so…. Cute", Sam and Ashla said.
"That's how I sneeze", Hordak said as he was blushing.
"My sneeze is normal", Horde Prime said as he blushed.
"I can't believe the whole time, Hordak the leader of the Horde, who was trying to kill the Rebels, had the cutest sneeze ever", Sam beamed.
"Don't call me cute", Hordak said as he blushed even more.
"And the mighty Horde Prime had such a cute sneeze as well", Adora said with a giggle.
Horde Prime blushed even more.
He yelled, "I am not cute!"
Bow said, "like I told Catra, the angrier you are, the cuter you are!"
Luke and Leia were laughing as Hordak said, "I am not cute!"
Luke said, "yeah right, Mr. Cutie McCuterson!"
Leia cackled at Luke's joke.
Hordak and Horde Prime lunged at them, but they ended up getting another spore on their noses and they sneezed again.
"Awww! I swear it gets cuter every time", Sam beamed with a loving look on his face.
"Stop it Prime, I can't take it", Ashla giggled.
The two men groaned in annoyance at the others having such amusement over their misfortune in this series of events.
Ahsoka chuckled, having remembered seeing this all play put in a vision.
Hordak and Horde Prime once again ended up getting another spore on their noses and they sneezed.
"Won't this stop", Hordak said as he rubbed his nose.
"Awwww! So cute", Sam said with a squeal.
"That Sneeze is killing me Prime", Ashla said as she squealed.
Prime said, "oh, like you're one to talk! You hiccup like a Lothcat!"
Ashla said, "yeah, I admit it. But your sneeze is still the cutest thing ever."
"I agree with my sister", Ahsoka said with a giggle.
"Yeah, we agree with our uncle", Leia said with a smile.
Hordak, Prime and Catra all groaned at being made fun of for their sneezes, even as Adora hugged Catra close to cheer her up.
Sam hugged Hordak to cheer him up as well, Luke and Leia joined in on the hug.
Ashla did the same with Prime.
And soon, the group made their way into a rather large room, looking very similar to a temple, with columns towering above them, and a ton of plant life climbing over everything.
"Woah, this looks old", Luke said as he stared at the temple.
Leia asked, "is this a Jedi Temple?"
Sam said, "I don't know. It could be, considering the one we found on Etheria."
Catra asked, "but what kind of magic would the Jedi have that could scare Prime away?"
Prime said, "I'm not sure, but it could prove to be the key in defeating my brother. So everyone keep your eyes open for anything."
"I'll let Obi Wan and the others know", Luke said.
Hordak asked through the comlink, "Entrapta? Could this be a Jedi Temple?"
"Yes, what you are standing in front of is in fact a Jedi Temple", Entrapta said through the comlink.
"Now that I remember, Antauri did tell me that Jedi were more active throughout the galaxy during the High Republic", Sam said with a thoughtful look.
Adora shrugged and said, "so that means there could be many more Jedi temples on other planets like this one. And with this temple here, we'll hopefully find something useful here."
Bow asked with a confused look, "one question though, why did the Jedi abandon the temples on the other planets?"
"Yeah it would have made it easier for them to protect the galaxy", Hordak said with a nod of his head.
Sam said, "it must have involved the situation with Etheria, combined with many of the issues the Jedi order had in the past."
"We're here", Han said as he, Obi Wan and the clones were behind him.
"Let's go inside", Sam said as he activated his lightsabers.
"Just be careful", Hordak said as he activated his lightsabers as well.
Sam said, "hey, careful is my middle name."
Ahsoka asked, "I thought it was Leslie?"
Hordak snorted and asked, "Leslie?"
Sam yelled, "damnit Ahsoka! I told you that in confidence!"
Leia asked Ahsoka, "is that really our uncle's middle name?"
Ahsoka gave a smug grin and said, "that's nothing. When Padme thought of naming one of you that name, Sam and Anakin immediately shot down the idea."
Adora asked with a giggle, "really?"
"Let's just go inside", Sam said with a blush on his face.
Hordak said, "and you made fun of me for my sneezing."
Sam yelled, "zip it!"
And with that, the group ventured further into the temple.
"Woah look at this place", Bow said, looking amazed.
There were statues of Jedi temple guards.
"Look at these murals on the walls", Obi Wan said as he pointed to one.
There were various murals on the walls that depicted many battles nearly forgotten to time.
And that last mural on the wall depicted three warriors fighting an army with glowing green eyes, and an army of black and white soldiers.
The warriors were one that was white with flowing gold hair and a sword, a warrior clad in blue with red eyes, and a warrior in light robes.
It was clear who these warriors and armies were.
Adora, Hordak and Sam fighting the Horde and the Galactic Empire.
Luke asked, looking shocked, "is that…. Uncle Sam, Hordak and… Adora?"
"It is them", Ahsoka said, looking amazed.
Sam said, "the Jedi of this temple must have been able to foresee what was going to happen. All the way to our battles against the Horde and the Empire."
Catra chuckled and said, "makes ya wonder what else is in this temple."
Prime asked, "is there any sort of writing on these murals?"
"There is one", Sam said.
Hordak asked, "what does it say, Sam?"
Sam read, "when the force is out of balance, with armies of a malicious hive mind, and a galactic tyranny, the wielder of the sword of protection will join the dyad of the force to defeat them, as well as…. The fallen chosen one."
"The Jedi knew that Anakin would fall", Obi Wan said with a sad look on his face.
Sam, Luke, Leia and Ahsoka all had sad looks on their faces.
Hordak put a hand on Sam's shoulder as Adora hugged Luke.
Catra was surprised as Leia hugged her.
Sam asked with a few tears in his eyes, "so does it mean Anakin was always meant to…. Fall to the dark side?"
Hordak hugged Sam.
But then, Bow said, "hey look. There's one more inscription on the bottom.
Sam blinked, having not seen it.
He slowly read, "when the balance is nearly lost…. A hero will rise, after falling from grace…. What does that mean?"
The others all shrugged, and unknown to them…. They were being watched….
"Come on, we have to keep searching", Adora said.
Hordak helped Sam stand up.
The group kept walking through the temple.
"Hey look, a Lightsaber", Ashla said as she picked one up.
"And look, another", Slash said as he went over to where the other Saber was.
There were various lightsabers scattered on the ground.
"This was a battlefield", Obi Wan said.
Adora asked, "what happened here?"
Glimmer activated one of the sabers, and the blade was blood red.
Obi Wan saw this and whispered, "Sith…."
Sam said, "this must be why the Jedi left. A battle against the Sith forced them to retreat from this place."
Catra then felt something run past her.
Adora asked as she walked over to her, "Catra?"
"I thought I felt something run past me….", Catra said as she turned around.
Hamill beeped as he was running around.
Sam asked in confusion, "Hamill?"
"I feel that we are not alone", Bac said as he held up his blasters.
Sam and Hordak stood back to back with their sabers drawn. Catra was scanning the shadows of the room to see what was hiding.
Then Han saw a shadow run by.
"Ahhh", Han said as he fell down.
"Han", Leia shouted as she ran over to him, "what happened?"
Han said, "I don't know. It was some sort of…. Cat thing, or whatever."
Catra said, "cat thing? I'm the only car thing here, Solo."
"I can sense it is near", Hordak said as he felt it through the force.
"I can sense it's coming closer", Obi Wan said.
Then a shadow attacked Prime.
"Prime", Ashla shouted.
The Shadow then pushed Catra to the ground.
Adora yelled, "CATRA!"
She held it back as it growled at her, revealing itself as some form of panther-like creature with red stony skin!
"Stun it", Slash shouted as he and the other clones fired upon it.
The panther creature jumped over the blasts, and pushed a few of the clones back.
"Hey", Leia shouted as she tried to use a force push on the panther, but once again it jumped and it attacked Prime.
Prime held the creature back as Luke and Sam tried using the force to pull it off of him, but it seemed to be stronger than them!
Prime then once again sneezed, and the creature got off him.
Catra then sneezed too.
The creature turned its gaze to Catra and made a noise similar to her sneezing. She grew wide-eyed as it began approaching her.
Han asked, "what is that?"
Catra then slowly reached out her hand and she started to pet the creature.
It then changed color, it's mane was now blue.
Bow asked, "uh, Catra, how did you do that?"
Catra said, "I…. I dunno."
"It looks like it has imprinted on Catra", Sam said as he approached Catra along with Adora.
"Hey, I think I can understand what it is saying", Catra said.
Ahsoka asked, "well, what is it saying?"
"It says its name is…. Melog. It's been here by itself for a long time. It thought we were enemies, like, um, the ones that came to take its magic? They dug into the ground, built machines", Catra said as she translated.
"The First Ones. That's what they were doing. They were mining this planet's magic, just like on Etheria", Adora said with wide eyes.
"But it was thanks to the Jedi Order, they didn't get that far", Catra translated for Melog.
Sam asked, "can, uh, Melog, tell us what this magic does? Since it can weaken Prime, we need to know all about it."
Melog then started to purr and growl.
Leia asked, "what is it saying?"
Catra said, "it's explaining what the magic of this planet is. A very ancient magic, in tune with the force, that the First Ones wanted to harvest. But the Jedi stopped them, and the magic developed a strength against these machines."
"That's it! The force and Magic are Sigma's weakness", Hordak said.
"Then we found our key to defeating Sigma", Luke said with a smile.
"And freeing our friends", Adora said with a smile.
Melog then started to purr.
"Wait, Melog is saying the reason it attacked us…. Was to test us", Catra said.
Sam asked, "really? Well, who wanted to test us?"
Catra asked, and translated with a shocked expression, "he said…. Antauri?"
Everyone looked at Sam as he went wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open in utter shock.
"Melog is telling the truth, my friends."
Then right before their eyes; ANTAURI! He was bathed in a blue light, and they could all see through him.
He stood before them as some form of spirit.
Sam muttered, "Antauri…."
Antauri smiled and said, "hello, my son. It's been a long time."
Sam felt a few tears falling down his face.
Sam then walked towards Antauri.
"I can't believe you are here", Sam said as he cried.
"Like I said, I promised I would always look out for you", Antauri said with a chuckle.
Sam said, "it's been so hard to continue without your guidance. I don't know if I can save the galaxy without you."
Antauri placed his hand on Sam's shoulder and said, "you never needed me, my friend. You have always been the Jedi I knew you would be. You have your friends and family by your side. With them, you can do anything!"
Sam cried a bit after hearing those words.
Hordak then went over to hug Sam.
"There, there, Sam", Hordak said.
"But how are you here? Adora told me that you died after you transferred your life force to save Sam", Catra asked.
Ashla asked, "how is it possible?"
Antauri said, "no one is ever really gone. It took many years to study the ability to turn into a spirit of the force. My powers are limited now, but I can still offer aid in times of strife."
"We really need your advice Antauri", Hordak said as he held Sam in his arms.
Adora asked as she stepped forward, "we now know Sigma's weakness, but how do we stop the Heart of Etheria?"
Antauri said, "to finally stop the Heart of Etheria, it will take all of your combined might. Adora must be there to stop it, and one of you will be there to help her rise to the challenge!"
Adora nods her head.
"But I must warn you all…. Soon the Empire will find Etheria", Antauri said.
"No! That can't happen", Luke said with a look of fear on his face.
Antauri said, "I'm sorry, but it is bound to happen. All you can all do is stick together in order to combat the Empire when it DOES show up. Sam, you and Hordak along with the others must protect Luke and Leia at all costs when the Empire arrives on Etheria", Antauri said.
Bow asked, "why is that?"
But Sam, Hordak, Adora, Luke, Leia, Obi Wan and Ahsoka knew why….
Antauri looked to the others and said, "Vader is after anyone with the ability to use the force. And Luke and Leia are some of the strongest with the force."
Prime asked, "why is Vader after them?"
"Because Vader is their father", Adora said with a sad look on her face.
Ashla asked with a shocked look, "what?"
"Darth Vader was once a Jedi Knight called Anakin Skywalker", Obi Wan said with a sad look on his face.
"He was my twin brother", Sam said with a sad sigh.
"Vader."
Sam said, "in his goal to save Padme from death, he only caused it, along with turning him into the monster I've had to face on more than one occasion."
"He is the Emperor now", Ahsoka said.
"Vader will do everything he can to get his hands on Luke and Leia", Sam said with a look of fear.
"So he can turn them to the dark side", Obi Wan said.
"Which is not going to happen", Hordak said as he held Sam in his arms.
Sam said, "I'm never going to let my brother get them. He lost his right as a father the moment he brought harm to any member of his family."
"I promised you Sam, I would help protect Luke and Leia, and I intend to keep that promise", Adora said to Sam.
Antauri smiled at their words.
"It will take all of you to stop Vader and finally bring peace to the Galaxy", Antauri said with a nod of his head.
Hordak said, "we'll be by his side every step away. As a family."
Antauri smiled softly. He then turned to look at Prime.
"Antauri…. I'm sorry for…. What happened…. With your son…. I didn't mean…. For him to lose…. His father", Prime said with a sad look on his face.
Antauri said, "it is alright, old friend. You strive to redeem yourself, which does more than a simple apology could."
Antauri was then starting to fade away.
"Antauri, wait, don't leave", Sam said as he reached his out towards Antauri.
Antauri then reached his hand towards Sam's, the two hands touched.
Antauri smiled softly and said, "remember, I will always be with you, my son…."
Antauri faced away, and Sam began to cry as Hordak held him.
Luke and Leia went over to comfort their uncle.
"There…. There…. Sam…. It's okay", Hordak said softly.
"Uncle Hordak is right…. At least you got to see Antauri….", Leia said with a sad smile.
Sam smiled and said, "thank you all. I'm glad to have a family such as you."
Everyone smiled at Sam as Hordak said, "I recommend we get back to the ship and set up camp for the night. Tomorrow, we can work out a plan to save everyone on Etheria."
Everyone nods their head as they went back to the ship.
After setting up camp, Sam and Hordak were in their bed. Sam hugged Hordak as he tried to fall asleep. Hordak kept rubbing his back, lulling his fiance to sleep.
In another tent, Catra was laying down with her back to the door.
She heard the door to the tent open, but did not turn her head as the person sat next to her.
Catra muttered, "hey Adora."
"Hey Catra", Adora said.
Melog snuggled closer to Catra.
"I see Melog has taken a liking to you", Adora said with a chuckle.
Catra said, "well, I'm glad someone has…."
The two were silent for a moment.
Adora asked, "how are you doing?"
Catra said, "... better, I guess…."
Adora replied, "well, I just wanted to make sure you're alright. I'm gonna set up my tent…."
Adora tried to get up, but Catra grabbed her arm, her back still to her.
Adora said, "Catra?"
Catra muttered, "I…. I don't wanna be alone…. Can you…. Stay here tonight?"
Adora blushed slightly as she said, "s-sure."
Adora slowly laid next to Catra, staring at the ceiling, and glancing at Catra as she continued to lay there.
….
Back at Sam and Hordak's tent.
Hordak asked as he held Sam in his arms, "what's wrong Sam?"
"I've been thinking about where we will have our wedding", Sam said with a sigh.
Hordak asked, "where do you want to have the wedding, my love?"
Sam said, "I was thinking of Naboo. It's where Luke and Leia's mother was from. I could finally take the kids to pay their respects to their mother."
Hordak asked as he rubbed Sam's back, "what does Naboo look like, my darling?"
Sam said, "utterly beautiful. White sandy beaches almost everywhere. Breathtaking waterfalls and lakes. The cities are glorious locations, from the capital, to the underground Gungan cities. I used to join Anakin and Padme on vacations there. I would just lay on the beaches under the shade of a tree. It would be a wonderful location for us to hold the wedding."
"After hearing that, I would love to see Naboo in person", Hordak said with a smile.
Sam smiled as he then kissed Hordak. Hordak then returned the kiss. The two started to make out.
Neither of them would ever get tired of the intimacy they shared with one another.
….
The next day.
Darla was approaching Etheria.
"Coming up on the blockade around Etheria", Entrapta said as she was looking at Darla's interface's projection of the blockade.
"They'll have visual on us soon", Threepio said nervous.
Slash asked a bit unsure, "we sure this is gonna work?"
"One way to find out", Adora said.
Catra said to Melog, "ready?"
Melog grunts in response and then focuses, beginning to glow, and it disappears, making spores drift around inside the bridge. Melog channels all its magical energy into the ship, masking its presence from the Horde ships. Everyone else gathers with wide, concerned eyes to watch their approach.
Han asked a bit uncertain, "so, just to make sure I get it, we're going to go running through a Horde blockade while relying on the magic of a creature we just met?"
"We have no other option", Prime said.
"Punch it, Darla", Entrapta said as she slammed her fist down on the interface panel, making it glow and whir.
Darla charges up and boosts toward the Horde ships. Everyone gathers together.
Glimmer said, "we've got one chance. If this doesn't work, we won't be able to save everyone."
Sam said, "it'll work, trust me. We've come too far to fail now."
The ship flys at full speed.
"Here we go", Luke shouted.
Everyone held their breath as Darla sailed past the blockade, with Hordak Jr nearly squeezing the life out of Hordak and Prime.
Soon Darla made it past the blockade.
Sam opened his eyes and he saw the skies of Etheria.
"It worked", Sam said with a smile.
"We made it", Adora cheered.
Glimmer said, "part one is done! Part two; we gotta find the others."
Bow suggested, "they must be at the temple."
Sam said, "right. Entrapta, get us to the temple."
Entrapta said, "you got it!"
"Make sure the ship is still invisible, we don't want to give the location of the temple", Obi Wan said.
"Understood", Entrapta said.
….
At the Jedi Temple
Hunter asked, "any luck Tech?"
Tech replied, "I'm trying to get more communications through, but the Horde keeps jamming it."
Nearby, Crosshair was using binoculars to keep a lookout.
And that's when he saw an invisible shimmer in the sky!
He whispered, "what is that?"
Wrecker asked, "what is what?"
"I see something heading towards the Temple", Crosshair said.
"Let me see", Luminara said as she grabbed the binoculars.
"Wait, I see it too", Echo said as he saw the ship in the sky.
As the shimmer grew closer, it faded away and revealed Darla!
Luminara yelled, "it's Mara's ship! Sam and the others made it past the blockade!"
Perfuma yelled, "it's a miracle!"
"Open the hangar doors Twilight", Castaspella said.
"Opening the hangar doors", Twilight said.
The hangar doors opened and Darla landed inside the Hangar bay.
Everyone ran forward and watched as the ship opened up.
Hordak Jr poked his head out and yelled, "HELLO BROTHERS!"
Everyone jumped back as Sam pulled Hordak Jr back in and yelled, "sorry, he's very excited to meet new people!"
The others all yelled, "SAM!"
The rest of the group walked out of the ship.
"Obi Wan", Luminara shouted as she hugged her friend.
"Ahsoka", Echo said.
"Slash", the rest of the Bad Batch said.
Perfuma yelled, "Glimmer", and hugged her tightly.
Hordak Jr yelled, "DONKEY!"
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Hordak said, "sorry about him, he's a little more defective than I was."
"He must have seen Swift Wind", Sam said with a chuckle.
"Prime", Shadow Weaver said.
Prime held his wife's hand as he walked forward.
Prime said, "hello Shadow Weaver. You look well."
Shadow Weaver said, "so what Sigma said was true…. Your clone took control of your Empire?"
Prime replied, "yes. And he's now using those chips on everyone. My wife and I are here to help you all end this war, once and for all."
Perfuma caught sight of Catra and quickly hugged her, much to her shock.
Sam asked, "wait, where's Shaak ti?"
Glimmer asked, "and my father?"
Adora asked, "where's Omega and Scorpia?"
"I don't see Mermista or Rex", Bow said.
The others all gave somber looks.
Perfuma struggled to say, "all of them…. They were chipped…."
Sam exclaimed, "what?!"
Hunter said, "when we were investigating a town that had been chipped, Omega, Spinerrella and Rex were chipped without us knowing."
Wrecker said, "Mermista and King Micah got chipped too. Scorpia held them off so me, Perfuma, and Double Trouble could get away."
Frosta added, "Shaak Ti did the same so we could all get away from them."
Perfuma said, "we've been trying to figure out any way possible to save them! We have to save them!"
Catra took a step towards them and said, "you're right."
Everyone looked at Catra as she continued to speak.
She said, "I know what it's like to have been chipped. It's like being stuck in your own mind, unable to stop your own actions as you hurt the people you care about from a complete maniac. We are NOT leaving any of them to that fate!"
"Now that we are here, Entrapta and Prime can help in finding out how to remove the chips from everyone", Sam said.
"We need all the help we can", Echo said.
"Then let's get to it", Prime said.
Prime and Entrapta walked off with Tech, Echo and Bac, the smartest minds in the group, determined to disable every single chip!
Bow turned to Adora and Glimmer and asked, "what do we do now?"
Adora looked at the lightsabers on her hips and said, "now? We take back our home..."
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: I'm glad it did.
SpongebobPatrick: there ain't nothing fancy about that word!
….
Extra chapter this week! Expect the next one at 4!
Just fyi, the characters being chipped won't last for too long, due to the length of the chapters and whatnot.