The Force Unleashed III Chapter 13: Dragon Vs Rancor, a star wars fanfic

Dragon vs Rancor

~0~

Old Gammy had trouble sleeping these days. She just wasn't the "city-type." Ever since "Gramps", her husband, decided to retire from their nice, quiet life as moisture farmers out beyond the Dune Sea, he had been railing on about the city-life. So he decided to up and turn her peaceful, normal life upside-down by moving them into Mos Espa.

"Don't get me wrong," she would think to herself. "Moisture farming isn't the most exciting or profitable business venture … but it paid the bills."

It was good enough for Gramps too.

Until he met that crazy old wizard. Old Ben, the locals called him. He would bump into Gramps occasionally, when Gramps would go to Anchorhead or Mos Eisley to pick up supplies. Old Ben would buy Gramps a drink at the local cantina and regale him with tales of the Old Republic, of the glory days, and his adventures visiting many strange and exotic worlds. Gramps thought Old Ben had once been a smuggler or something.

Gammy suspected he was a former Jedi Knight in hiding.

Gramps laughed right in her face and told her that Old Ben was just a crazy old hermit.

Gramps was probably right.

However, crazy or not, Gramps was inspired by Old Ben's tales and decided to sell the farm, uproot their life, and move to the great, big city.

Gammy hated it.

Raucous partying, debaucheries, swoop races, the criminal underworld. "Hey, what's there not to love?" Gramps had asked.

The worst part was the kids. Always up, playing in the street, keeping her up into the late hours of the night.

Tonight, things were quiet.

Until, of course, she heard a loud roar.

She bolted upright in bed. She looked over at Gramps, sleeping next to her like a log.

Could she have heard right?

Not hearing the noise for a second time, Gammy shrugged and rolled over in bed.

ROAARRR!

Okay, she definitely heard that. "Rotten kids". Gramps was still passed out, snoring lightly. Gammy grabbed her walking stick and shuffled over to the door. Brandishing her walking stick, she creaked her door open and stepped into the street.

Nothing. Nada.

"Hey you kids!" Her raspy voice croaked up and down the empty street. "You better cut that racket out!" She brandished her walking stick like a sword. "You remember last time! You kids didn't come out all in one piece!"

Still no response. Muttering to herself, Gammy turned and began shuffling back to her doorway, wondering how she was ever going to get back to sleep. Maybe another nice shot of Tarisian ale would put her out.

That's when she heard it.

Screaming.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!"

Whipping around, Gammy stood flat-footed as the strangest, motliest crew she'd ever seen raced past her. The leader – a Twilek – was flailing his arms, screaming his lungs out.

Gammy had just about had enough. She would teach them a lesson or two. She was about to shuffle towards them, when the Twilek noticed her and stopped dead in his tracks.

With panic, and concern in his eyes, the Twilek gripped Gammy by the arm. "Let go of me!" Gammy screeched. "Help! Kidnap!"

The Twilek shushed her as he guided her back towards her homestead. "Hey lady, I'm no kidnapper. Name's Kaden. Nice neighborhood you got around here. Please don't come outside again. Everything will be fine. No worries. No emergency." He put on a fake smile, hoping to keep the old woman calm as he walked her to her front stoop.

ROOOAAARRRR!

To Gammy's utter amazement and horror, a bull rancor burst through several buildings down the block. Then, to further astound her, a krayt dragon flattened a building, charging at the rancor, jaws snipping.

The Twilek named Kaden let out a girlish scream. "WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" He then turned to Gammy and strangely smiled again. "Shhh, no need to worry. We're all going to be just fine. Just stay in your house, and don't leave until morning. There's absolutely nothing to fear. We're all safe."

He walked Gammy back inside, before slamming the door and running off screaming like a maniac. "RUN! NOBODY IS SAFE!"

Gammy stood in her doorway, utterly astounded and perplexed.

Maybe she would hold off on the Tarisian ale for a while.

~0~

"I sure hope you've got a plan!" Kaden yelled as he kept pace with Pooja.

"Me?!" She shot back. "Why am I always the plan person?"

"Hey, you got us out of Vislusk's lair!"

"Yeah, but you're the hotshot slicer!"

Behind them, Proxy, Asar the zoologist, his sister Shay, and the Rodian Wald, were frantically running behind them. Wald was carrying the weakened Watto on his back.

At the end of the block behind them, the mother krayt dragon leaped towards the bull rancor, charging it. The rancor grabbed the dragon by the two horns on its head, pushing it back into a large store. The dragon spun its body, its tail whipping around, the spikes penetrating into the rancor's wrist. The rancor and dragon roared at each other, before charging again.

The group raced around a corner into an alleyway. Outside, Mos Espa was becoming more and more chaotic as city guards and militiamen surrounded the two animals, opening fire.

Their weapons barely grazed the thick hides of the two predators.

Pooja turned to look at Asar and Shay. "Okay, you two are the zoologists here. What do we do?"

"The krayt dragon just wants her egg back." Asar replied. "Once she has it, she'll return to her lair to nest it."

"Okay," Pooja answered. "Starkiller was supposed to get the egg. So when he gets back, we somehow hand it off to the mother."

"In the meantime," replied Asar, "we have to figure out how to deal with that Bull Rancor. It's the aggressor here."

Shay nodded in agreement. "But with its massive hide, no weapons can penetrate to do enough damage!"

They thought for a second.

"I have an idea," Wald interjected. "Watto's shop has several starship-class power couplings. They're easily converted to bombs. And if they go off, it's no tiny pop like a thermal detonator. It can level an entire city."

"So what are you suggesting?" Pooja demanded.

"Okay, we split up," Wald suggested. "Kaden, we'll need your skills. You too, Proxy. We go back to Watto's shop and convert several power couplings into bombs. Proxy – do you have enough energy in your system to load a charge?"

"Affirmative," the droid responded. "I do believe I my self-sustaining system should have enough energy to spare."

"Perfect. We then lure the rancor out of the city, hide one of power coupling bombs in a dune, arm it, and when that rancor steps on it …"

"Boom," Pooja finished. "It's risky .. but we have to stop that rancor."

"Forgive me," Kaden asked. "But what about the OTHER giant monster terrorizing the city?! Nobody seemed to think of that." He put his hands on his hips and puffed his lip out in a condescending way.

Asar held his hands out in a placating motion. "Shay and I have studied the wildlife of Tatooine. Krayt Dragons are dangerous … but in this case, she only wants her egg back."

Shay nodded. "Once Starkiller returns with the egg, we present it to her and she'll leave and go back to her nest. I guarantee it."

"But we'll need bait," Pooja said. "One of us will have to lure the Krayt Dragon out of the city and to the bomb. That's probably the most dangerous job. So, who should do it?"

Everyone looked at Kaden.

"What?"

~0~

In the middle of the night, a bruised, battered and utterly defeated Starkiller staggered out of the Sand People Tombs, Old Ben right behind him. Starkiller staggered, and Ben caught him and sat him on a rock, before he ripped a piece of cloth and began bandaging Starkiller's arm.

"We don't have time for this!" Starkiller groused. "My friends are out there and are gonna die if we don't help them!"

Old Ben nodded. "But you can't help them if you're not all in one piece."

"Who are you? Why are you helping me?"

Old Ben looked up into Starkiller's eyes. "An old friend came to me … told me there was someone lost and needing help."

"Lost? I know exactly where I am!"

Ben chuckled. "One does not need to be someplace they don't know in order to be lost."

Starkiller sneered and turned away. "We have to move!" He sighed. "Who is this 'friend' of yours, anyway?"

"A mutual friend of ours, actually. My old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn."

Starkiller perked up in disbelief. "He was your Master?"

"Many years ago. Back when I served the Republic. Back when I was a Jedi Knight."

Starkiller stood up abruptly, almost bowling Old Ben over. "A Jedi Knight!"

"Once. Years ago!"

Starkiller's hands found themselves balling into fists. "All your brethren are dead! The Empire rules this galaxy with an iron fist, the Rebels are losing, and you're content to sit on the sidelines?!"

Ben chuckled again. "Not at all. I am helping to win this war."

"How? By meditating in the sand all day?!"

Ben didn't rise to Starkiller's bait. "Victory will come through the most unlikely of sources. Rest assured, the way to defeat the Empire and the Sith is here on Tatooine."

"A weapon? What?!"

The old Jedi merely shook his head. "That is all I can say. And if you will not trust me, then perhaps you will trust Qui-Gon Jinn."

Starkiller waved him off. "Yeah, well, if you've been in communication with Qui-Gon, you'd know that he sent me to find the secret weapon to destroy the Sith."

"Oh? And what mission does Qui-Gon have for you?"

"I'm to find Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some friends who are going to die!"

He stood up – and felt his arm in a vice-like grip. Ben's whole disposition changed. "… Anakin? What do you know of him? Whyare you looking for him?"

"You're a Jedi, and you don't even know that the Chosen One was destined to destroy the Sith?"

Ben lowered his head. "I once believed that the prophecy was about Anakin. That he was the Chosen One." He looked up at Starkiller with saddened eyes. "… I no longer believe the prophecy was about him."

Starkiller stopped in his tracks. "What?! Why?!"

Ben sighed. "Because Anakin Skywalker is dead."

Starkiller felt as though his heart were now in a vice. "Impossible … You lie!" His mind wandered back to the Rogue Shadow. Juno.

"Anakin Skywalker is dead. You may not be able to accept it, but this is the truth. I was there."

"What do you mean?"

"I was there on the planet Mustafar … I witnessed the death of Anakin Skywalker at the hands of my old apprentice … Darth Vader."

The vice on Starkiller's heart tightened. Vader. "But that's impossible!" he implored. "You must be mistaken. Qui-Gon assured me he is alive!"

Ben opened his mouth, then closed it. "I sense that you seek him for a more personal reason than just saving the galaxy."

"That's right! Someone I care for very deeply is in danger and he's the only one who can help her!"

Ben nodded. "I'm so sorry. I trust my old Master and his guidance, but I don't see how a dead man can help you. And if you find him alive, I doubt very much he would be willing." His eyes seemed to be trying to tell Skywalker more than his mouth. "If you do find Anakin, you must not allow your feelings lead you to the dark side. More than this I cannot say."

"Why? You can help me find him!"

Ben shook his head. "I will help you and your friends … but I must stay here on Tatooine. Anakin can no longer help you, but there is something here that can destroy Vader and the Emperor for good."

Starkiller turned and began heading towards Mos Espa on foot. "This is a waste of time. Some Jedi you are! Thanks for nothing! And I don't need your help saving my friends! Now if you'll excuse me, I've wasted enough time on you!"

He stormed off into the desert, leaving Old Ben standing there forlorn and sad. The aged Jedi glanced up into the heavens.

Anakin.

~0~

Khaji was leaning against his land speeder out in the Dune Sea, the Krayt Dragon egg secure in a pouch on his belt. He checked a gadget on his wrist as a sleek, black shuttle landed in front of him.

"You're late," he chortled.

The ramp to the shuttle opened, and a Bith in purple armor and a red cape descended.

Khaji rolled his eyes. "I got what you contracted me for. I expect payment."

The Bith held out a gauntleted hand, and Khaji placed the Krayt Dragon egg into it.

"Ah yes," the Bith exulted. "My Master will be pleased."

"I'll be pleased when I get paid," Khaji retorted.

The Bith eyed him. "Very well. I will see you get what's coming to you." The Bith stepped forward and placed his hand on Khaji's shoulder in a brotherly gesture. "You have indeed done well."

Khaji smirked. And then there was the sound of a snap-hiss, and Khaji's features melted into a shock of pain and horror.

The glowing red blade of a lightsaber was jutting out from his back.

The Bith twisted the blade into his gut. "Yes … you have done extraordinarily well. You have brought both items to me. The egg … and the young Jedi clone. He will come after you for the egg, but instead will find only me. I thank you."

The Bith deactivated his weapon and Khaji collapsed into the dirt and sand.

He indeed received what was coming to him.

~0~

Mos Espa was in pandemonium. The two giant battling creatures were leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Fires raged out of control and suppression units were deployed in full force. Mothers screamed for their children, husbands searching for their wives.

The krayt dragon launched itself at the bull rancor, who caught it by its giant tusks and hurled it into a building.

Security forces arrived in landspeeders and blasted at the rancor. Its thick hide deflected the bolts like a magnetically sealed door and it roared in rage. The security team began to disperse and flee … one was not so lucky. The rancor grabbed it by the leg and gobbled the screaming officer up in one gulp.

Another roar echoed. The krayt dragon was back on its feet, wounded and bleeding. The rancor bellowed at its nemesis and charged again.

~0~

"Why do I have to the bait?" Kaden was outside in the backyard of Watto's shop with Wald, Proxy and Watto. Kayden pointed at the wounded Toydarian. "That guy's plenty fat! Wouldn't the rancor see him as being more delicious?"

Watto scowled, raising his fist. "I outta let the rancor have the whole lot of 'ya!"

"Watto's too wounded," Wald explained. "He'd never be able to outrun that rancor."

"This is true," Proxy chimed in. "I have seen Mr. Kaden fleeing many times and have never in my programming seen another organic with such a brisk pace. Even when the danger is minimal, he manages to outpace our entire team."

"There," Wald said as he stripped a second power coupling from an old starship engine. "We only got two, but that should be sufficient. Kaden – you're up!"

Kaden kneeled down by the power couplings. "Now to turn these things into live bombs." He cracked his knuckles and began opening the power couplings up. After a matter of minutes, he stood up. "Alright, Proxy, we're going to hook you up."

In a matter of moments, the power couplings were converted to full-blown bombs, with each loaded with a charge from Proxy's energy system. "Okay," Kaden said, handing a power coupling to Wald and Proxy. "Once these things are primed, we'll have a narrow window of time before they go kablooie. I only created two, so if the first one fails, the second is our last hope."

Wald nodded. "Pooja and the others are already outside of Mos Espa. Kaden, we'll see you there."

Watto chimed. "Uhh … perhaps it would be best if I stayed behind ya' know? Watch the shop?"

"Oh yeah," Kaden replied, "in the middle of the night. The place ought to be crawling with customers."

"We don't have time," Wald retorted. "Kaden … time to be the bait."

Kaden shook his head. "Between getting imprisoned by crime lords, battling Imperials and getting chased by rancors, I was probably better off in my days as a prisoner in Kessel. Damn that smuggler and his Wookie friend for starting that revolt."

~0~

Wald and Proxy exited Watto's shop. They heard a loud bang, and suddenly a krayt dragon was thrown through a neighboring building. Another building was flattened as the rancor charged through.

The krayt dragon stood, but it was clearly weakening. Clearly the bull rancor was more than a match for the desert beast. The krayt dragon lunged, but with a swift turn, the rancor slammed the beast in the head with its spiked tail, leaving a horrid gash along her head and neck.

The krayt dragon mother attempted to stand up again, knees buckling, but the rancor pinned her down. The krayt dragon's eyes fell upon Wald and Proxy … and then there was a CRUNCH on her spine; her eyes glazed and she moved no more.

Wald could feel a sense of sympathy for the giant beast. She had only come here for her egg …

But this was no time for sympathy. "Come on, Proxy." They ran off ahead of Kaden carrying the power couplings.

~0~

Kaden sat at the counter in Watto's shop watching a timer on his wrist. "Three … two … one …" He sighed. "Guess that gives Wald and Proxy time to get to the others outside the city. Guess I'm up." He turned to Watto. "Wish me luck!"

Watto snorted. "You're gonna die, methinks."

Kaden gave him a thumbs up, scrunched up his face in a condescending fashion and spoke in an obnoxiously cute voice. "You are just a ball of radiant sunshine and Telosian Tulips!"

~0~

The bull rancor stood victorious over the body of the krayt dragon, roaring in triumph into the night.

Until a pebble was flung into its eye.

The rancor snarled, looking for the source of this irritation. Its eyes focused on Kaden, who stood there grinning and making rude gestures at the monster.

The bull rancor took a step forward, preparing to grab this upstart creature and devour it whole.

Kaden grinned through his teeth. "I am so screwed."

~0~

If anyone on that street were to poke their heads out in the midst of the pandemonium, they would see a green-skinned Twilek running, flailing his arms and screaming bloody murder.

"IT'S THE APOCALYPSE! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE! RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"

And the bull rancor was hot on his tail.

~0~

Starkiller staggered through the desert in the night. He could see the lights from Mos Espa in the distance. And … smoke?Screams of terror from the city's population carried through the night, and there was the sound of blasters firing.

"Amazing, isn't it? How easily balance within a civilization can be tipped into chaos."

Starkiller stopped when he heard the voice. A figure emerged from the dark. His hands slid down to his twin lightsabers at his side.

"No need for such hostilities … I come in the name of friendship."

"Who are you?"

The figure emerged … a Bith wearing purple armor and a red cape. Starkiller noticed a lightsaber hilt dangling from his belt.

The Bith cocked his head. "Who is anyone? I was once like you. I had my own identity once. Then my life was taken from me. But even in death, I found renewed purpose. As did you."

"Cute," Starkiller said. "But my friends are in danger and I've lost enough time already."

He attempted to move past the Bith. The Bith simply raised a gauntleted hand, and Starkiller was lifted off the ground, his body bound.

"No," the Bith said. "We have watched you. Your friends are resourceful. They don't need you. Not as much as you need them."

Through gritted teeth, Starkiller summoned energy from within, and unleashed a Force Repulse, blasting himself free. He landed on his feet, and in an instant his twin sabers were ready. "I am not going to say it again! STEP. ASIDE."

But the Bith didn't move. "Yesss … you truly do need them. But to get to them, you will need to go through me."

Starkiller twirled his sabers. "Gladly."

"… Or, you could consider my offer. Or, I should say, the offer of my Master. The offer given to you on Onderon."

Starkiller's eyes narrowed. The Master. "So you work for him? His Sith apprentice I take it?"

"Oh no," the Bith replied. "Not Sith. Not Sith at all."

"I don't care what you call yourselves. Right now, you're preventing me from rescuing my friends, so GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

"Ah, but there is another you seek to rescue. Captain Eclipse."

Starkiller had enough. He unleashed a Force Push; the Bith held out his hand, summoning Force energy, turning the attack aside. Starkiller charged, now in a rage. He brought both sabers down upon the Bith's head … to be met by the Bith's scarlet lightsaber. The Bith easily turned Starkiller's attacks aside.

"And now you seek the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker." He blasted Starkiller back, with a shockwave more powerful than anything he ever felt.

He staggered to his feet, only to be blasted back again. He couldn't deflect the Bith's Force attacks.

Yet he rose again.

"You are wondering how it can be that one can be so powerful in the Force."

He was right. Starkiller found his body bound, unable to move, his arms pinned to his legs, his lightsabers dropping to the ground.

With a wave of a gauntlet, Starkiller was thrown across the desert. He scrabbled once again to his feet, summoning his weapons.

The Bith hadn't moved from his spot. "Midi-chlorians are an amazing thing. They can be manipulated."

He blasted Starkiller back.

"They can be killed."

Another blast.

"And finally, they can be consumed. Stolen away from a Force user, draining them, leaving them an empty husk. And integrated into one's own being, adding the Force potential of their victim to their own."

As Starkiller rose to his feet, the Bith aimed his gauntlet at him, blasting him backwards with red Force Lightning.

"Once one masters this technique, there is no limit to one's power. And such power The Master can teach you, as he has taught me. As he has taught my brothers and sisters."

More red Force Lightning, more powerful than any he had ever felt before, rivaled only by the vicious power of the Emperor he had felt on the Death Star.

Starkiller fell to his knees, his entire body engulfed in red lightning, torching every nerve like a fusion cutter. His screams carried into the night.

And just as quickly, it was over.

Starkiller looked up in a haze; the Bith was now kneeling before him, holding his face in his hand.

"The Master can even show you how to take some of your midi-chlorians and transfer them to one who is near death."

Through the blood in his eyes, Starkiller fixed his gaze on the Dark Jedi. "W-what?"

And just like that, the Bith placed his hand on Starkiller's head and mumbled. And Starkiller felt warmth, a warmth that spread throughout his body, the pain washing away and instantly he felt a renewed strength.

"My Master can teach you all these things … and more. Oh dear Jedi Clone … haven't you wondered why it is that you relive Anakin Skywalker's memories with such clarity? Why you feel the emotions he felt? Why they compelled you to slaughter an entire Tusken Tribe, just as he once did?"

The memory of his actions burned in him. "Tell me!"

"It is not my place to fully explain. But there are such things as Force Bonds. Yes, a Force Bond was created between you and The Chosen One. The Master will explain how and why, and how to find Anakin Skywalker."

Starkiller stood up. "No! Tell me! If he is alive, tell me! And tell me where he is! TELL ME NOW!"

"You were told that he is dead, killed by Darth Vader. This is true in a way, yet he still lives."

Starkiller could barely contain himself. "So then he learned it … the path to immortality! He still lives!"

"He yet lives, after a manner. Darth Vader can never fully destroy him. He will torment Vader for as long as Vader lives. But enough talk … you have friends to rescue. If you wish to find the truths of all these things, seek my Master on Mandalore. He will reveal all, if you wish."

Starkiller felt something heavy drop into his hands. "And a gift from The Master for your friends."

Starkiller looked down and saw that he was holding a krayt dragon's egg. He looked up at the Bith questioningly.

"Did you honestly think that this was all about a krayt dragon egg? Feh, this was all about forcing a meeting, with you. Save your friends … consider our offer. Perhaps one day, we will be friends."

The Bith waved his hand across Starkiller's eyes … Starkiller blinked, and the Bith was gone.

~0~

"Okay, primed and charged."

Pooja, Shay, and Asar watched from behind a dune as Wald and Proxy put the finishing touches on the power coupling bombs. The Rodian and the droid quickly joined the rest of the group behind the dune.

Wald looked at a timer. "Okay, Kaden should be along any second."

They heard absurd screaming coming from the outskirts of the city wall and growing louder.

"That's him," Pooja sighed.

Kaden ran like a maniac through the city gates … then, not even two seconds later the bull rancor broke through the gates, raining debris in all directions.

They watched as Kaden made a right turn away from them.

"Does … does he know where the bomb is?" Pooja asked.

Wald looked at Proxy. "Didn't you tell him where it would be before we left?"

Proxy shrugged. "I assumed you did."

They all watched as Kaden led the bull rancor on a chase in the wrong direction.

~0~

Pooja jumped over the dune, rolling down the side with a blaster. "We have to get its attention!"

She took aim and squeezed the trigger.

The laser bolts lanced harmlessly off the rancor's back.

But the beast did hear the sound of blaster fire. It turned, looking to see Pooja.

"That's right," she said to herself. "See the pretty girl? Come get me."

She ran across the sand, firing at the rancor, running towards where the makeshift bomb was located.

Wald and Asar looked at each. "Is she crazy?" Asar screamed. "She'll be caught in the blast radius!"

Proxy raised a finger. "I'll have you know she is a Naberrie … so yet, quite crazy."

Pooja was close to where the bomb was and she stopped, hunched over, breathing deeply. The rancor had given up on chasing Kaden, who was still running in the completely wrong direction. Its focus was now squarely on Pooja.

It started running towards her, picking up speed.

Her eyes squinted. "That's right … just a little closer."

Wald yelled at her from behind the dune. "You'll never make it in time! Get back here!"

It was then that Pooja realized her mistake … she was so desperate to get the rancor to step on the bomb, that she hadn't thought of how she would escape the blast radius.

And now it was almost on top of her.

Blast her oversight! How could she have given herself no escape?

And now the rancor was on practically on top of her. It stepped on the bomb.

Pooja closed her eyes and accepted the inevitable.

~0~

"POOJA!" Wald called as he could only watch helplessly.

~0~

Kaden heard the screaming. He spared a glance behind to see the rancor was no longer chasing him. With a sinking feeling, he realized he had gone the wrong direction.

And now he watched the rancor, towering over Pooja, step onto the bomb.

~0~

Silence.

~0~

So this is what dying is like, Pooja thought. Silence. Painless. I didn't even see an explosion.

~0~

But wait, that wasn't right. There should have been a big boom, blinding light and a fall into the embrace of death.

Pooja opened her eye.

She was still in one piece.

The rancor was standing on top of the bomb, but nothing was happening.

It was then that everyone realized that Kaden, Wald and Proxy had fashioned a dud.

~0~

Pooja, realizing the new danger of the rancor, attempted to roll away, only to be caught in the trap-like nails of the rancor's claw. It grabbed her leg, holding her up in the air, dangling her over its wide maw.

~0~

BOOM!

~0~

A blinding light filled the sky.

For a moment, everyone thought the bomb really did go off.

But the rancor was still standing, was still holding a struggling Pooja, when there was another explosion which hit the rancor's shoulder, then its back. The monster screamed, dropping its victim. Pooja scrabbled in the sand and Wald ran out halfway to meet her and escort her back to the dune.

But what were those explosions?

~0~

The answer came in the sound of a jetpack as a rocket flew from a flying man in armor. The rancor took another hit as Boba Fett landed in the desert.

The rancor's shoulders were bloody and several of its horns were cracked, but those rockets were not near enough to break its hide.

The rancor charged the bounty hunter, who dove out of the way, roasting its leg with his wrist-mounted flamethrower. The rancor was unfazed.

"Blast it don't just stand there, do something!" Fett shouted to the group hiding behind the dune.

Pooja turned to Wald and Proxy. "You guys said you created a second bomb! Can you prime it?"

Proxy nodded. "A simple charge of electricity from my energy core would charge it. But can we lure it into another trap?"

"We have to try!"

"No," came another voice from behind them.

Starkiller emerged from the night, looking healthier and stronger than ever. "Proxy, give me the bomb. I'll make sure that sucker swallows it."

"Yes sir," Proxy responded. "But once it's primed, you must be very careful not to get hit. If the bomb gets the tiniest bump, it may blow!"

"Never easy with you guys." He latched the device to his belt, then Force Jumped to the battlefield, landing next to Boba Fett. The bounty hunter inclined his helmet.

"Don't think I've forgotten what you did back there," Fett snarled.

"Never mind, let's get out of this mess first."

The rancor squatted, analyzing both Fett and Starkiller, deciding which was the biggest threat.

Starkiller turned to Fett and pointed to the bomb on his belt. "I'm gonna cram this bomb down it's throat."

Fett nodded. "I think I arrange that."

And the rancor charged at Fett, who propelled himself away with his jetpack. Starkiller strafed along the opposite side, blasting the rancor with Force Lightning.

The rancor screamed swatting at Starkiller. The nails nearly raked the Jedi's face clean off. Starkiller darted to the side, unleashing lightning out of both hands. The rancor charged him … the Jedi couldn't move fast enough. The monster's fist made contact, throwing Starkiller meters across the sand.

Fett landed behind the monster, roasting its back with his flamethrower. The rancor whipped around, bringing its fist down on the bounty hunter. Fett rolled away, and blasted the creature with more fire.

Starkiller was running along a dune and leaped onto the rancor's back, driving both of his lightsabers into its shoulders. The creature grabbed Starkiller by the nape of his neck, tossing him like a rag doll.

Fett jetted upwards into the air, catching Starkiller under his armpits. The bounty shunter ank under his weight. "I can't keep aloft – hurry!"

Starkiller fumbled with the bomb as Fett's jet pack began losing energy. The rancor reached out, grabbing Starkiller's leg, pulling him towards his gaping maw.

"You want eat something?!" Starkiller shouted. "Eat this!"

He hurled the bomb into the rancor's mouth, then blasted the bomb with a jolt of Force Lighting.

There was a flash of light, as the bomb ignited in the rancor's mouth.

Starkiller and Fett were blasted clean across the desert as the rancor held its throat, screeching as an explosion rocked its mouth.

Fett and Starkiller sat up to watch the rancor fall forward and collapse in a heap.

For a moment, silence.

Fett glared over at Starkiller. "Well, you saved the day. Still don't atone for what you did. And after this, you and me, we're done."

Starkiller watched as Fett dusted himself off and took to the skies.

~0~

Starkiller slouched towards his friends hiding behind the dune. Pooja ran to meet him and pulled him into a tight hug. "I think that's the closest I've ever been to death!"

Starkiller chuckled. "Hang around with me more. You'll get closer."

"Yes indeed," Proxy said. "Especially considering Master Kota reprogrammed me on Dantooine to keep trying to kill you Master, as part of your training."

Starkiller shook his head. "Not in the mood Proxy."

The rest of the group emerged from behind the dune, and Kaden swaggered up to them from the other side of the desert. "Oh yeah, that was all me! You guys did nothing!"

Wald lowered his head. "It's a shame about the krayt dragon mother … and Kahji got the egg."

"Did he now?" Starkiller presented the krayt dragon egg to them.

Wald, Shay and Asar's eyes widened. "What? How?"

"Long story."

Pooja dusted herself off. "Okay, I guess it's back to Watto's. That is why you came here. To get information about Anakin Skywalker."

Starkiller nodded. "Let's get moving."

At that precise second, the ground trembled, and with a roar the bull rancor suddenly rose to its feet like a demonic hound, its gruesome form casting a shadow over the entire group.

"Are you serious?" was Kaden's high-pitched response.

Starkiller ignited his weapons. "How many times do I have to kill this thing? The one on Felucia wasn't even this tough."

The bull rancor opened its mouth. Its own blood ran down his jaws which displayed broken teeth which were burned and singed. It took a labored step. Then another. More blood gushed from its mouth onto the ground in thick, goopy piles. The rancor was going to die from the wounds inflicted by swallowing the bomb, no doubt about it. But it would be damned if it didn't take its killers with it.

Everyone backed away from the monster that had suddenly appeared before them. The bull rancor reached out towards Pooja with a trembling claw …

CRUNCH!

The bull rancor let out a horrified scream of agony as the teeth of the wounded, yet very-much-alive, mother krayt dragon sunk into its neck. The rancor spun around, attempting to grab the dragon, but its wounds were too much. The dragon drove its claws fully into the rancor's back and with a final CRUNCH from its jaws, severed its spine.

The rancor collapsed once again.

This time to never rise.

Everyone stood there, afraid to exhale.

Kaden raised a finger. "This is great and all, but this doesn't change our problem! We still have an angry, hungry monster that wants to kill us!"

The krayt dragon slithered off of the rancor's carcass and now was menacing on them.

Starkiller stepped forward. "I know what it wants." He presented the egg to the mother.

The krayt dragon looked down at the egg, then at Starkiller, fury building. It screeched at him.

"I don't think that worked," Kaden said. "It probably thinks you're the one who stole it."

"Thanks Kaden."

The krayt dragon opened its slimy jaws, ready to devour Starkiller whole.

When suddenly its jaws closed. The giant creature turned to a brown-robed figure who stood there with his hand out, concentrating, walking slowly towards the creature.

"Ummm … who the heck is that?" Kaden asked.

Starkiller sighed. "Old Ben."

Ben Kenobi moved closer to the creature, reaching out with the Force. "Calm," he muttered. "Be calm."

To everyone's utter amazement, the krayt dragon backed away. It's tongue flicked out and gently scooped up the egg. Then, it gave Starkiller a final glance, and sidled off into the desert's night.

Kaden turned to the old Jedi. "That was awesome! How'd you do that?"

Ben gently smiled. "The Force can have an influence even on the largest beast. I simply reached out and made sure she understood we weren't a threat."

Starkiller couldn't contain himself. "I know I told you I didn't need your help, but boy am I glad to see you!"

Ben nodded. "Yes, I hear that quite frequently."

Wald nodded. "With all due respect, Shay, Asar and I would like to return to Watto's. The old bird can't be alone too long." The three bowed before Starkiller. "Thank you for all you have done for us. Is there nothing we could give you in return?"

Starkiller rubbed the back of his head. "I really only came here to find out what I could about Anakin Skywalker from Watto."

Ben interjected. "There is no need. Please, come back to my home. I cannot tell you all I know, but if Qui-Gon Jinn has sent you on a journey, then I will assist how I may – on one condition. Afterward, you must leave Tatooine and never return."

"Don't worry, I don't intend to return to this dust ball."

Wald laughed. "Tatooine is a funny planet. People who say that … tend to always get roped back here. Then if there is nothing else, we must really be on our way."

Starkiller nodded, before turning back to Pooja. "Get in touch with the Rogue Shadow. Tell Kota we'll be leaving in a few hours."

~0~

Starkiller sat in the living room of Old Ben's hovel. As he looked around, he noted a lot of old trinkets and items that dated back to the Clone Wars. Ben sat thoughtfully stroking his beard.

"Anakin was a good friend. When I first knew him, I was intrigued by how strongly the Force was him. I took it upon myself to train him in the ways of the Jedi." He chuckled. "Had to pull him out of a few hairy situations in his training. Then he pulled me out of many more in the Clone Wars."

Starkiller leaned forward. "And Vader?"

Ben opened his mouth to say something, then paused. "To my shame, I was the one who trained Vader."

"You?!" Starkiller couldn't believe it. Vader had taken everything from him, murdered his parents, was now terrorizing the universe. And the man who created the monster was sitting right next to him.

Ben nodded. "Vader was also highly gifted in the Force. I thought I could train him just as well as Yoda. I was arrogant. I was wrong. The Emperor sensed his power and lured him to the dark side."

"And when did he kill Anakin?"

Ben sighed. "I tracked Vader to Mustafar. I thought I could turn him back to the light side, but he was beyond reasoning with. We fought. He killed Anakin there on the shores of the lava rivers of Mustafar. I then left Vader for dead. His wounds were too grave, his body beyond repair. He exists in an iron lung, kept alive only by machinery and his own black will."

Starkiller was tempted to correct Ben, to mention the Bith he met in the desert earlier in the night. To mention that the Bith said Anakin still lived.

He decided against it. Perhaps Ben merely thought Anakin dead; perhaps he left him, mistakenly, for dead as he did Vader. He thought it best not to place that thought in the older man's head.

"So why are you here on Tatooine?" Starkiller asked.

Ben shook his head. "I cannot tell you. All I can say is that I am here to ensure the destruction of the Sith."

Starkiller thought for a second. "You're watching over someone," he guessed. "You said last night you no longer believed Anakin to be the Chosen One. The one you're watching over – do you believe he is the Chosen One?"

Ben sighed. "Many Jedi prophecies have been misinterpreted in the past. I will not say who or what it is I am watching over; best to not let the full truth leak out to the Empire."

Starkiller nodded. "I understand. I wouldn't want Vader to come here searching."

Ben shook his head, and Starkiller noted it was not without sadness. "No. Vader will never set foot on Tatooine again. There is too much here from his past."

"You mean he lived here? With Anakin?"

"Vader and Anakin's pasts were both tied together. Their past here on Tatooine is one of hardship and personal tragedy. No, Vader may be a machine, but even he fears what he might awaken if confronted with his past."

"Look, I'm going to level with you," Starkiller finally said. "Qui-Gon sent me to search for Anakin. You say he's dead – but I have a feeling he's still alive somewhere. Come with me! We can find him! You can help him defeat the Empire and restore the Jedi!"

Ben would have none of it. "Qui-Gon sent you on a journey – this journey is yours alone. Your destiny lies along a different path from mine. But I implore you … trust in me. There is a plan. It was Yoda's plan. Trust in him and in the Force. If you search for Anakin Skywalker, you will only find pain."

"… I have no choice," Starkiller said. "Just before the end of the Clone Wars, Anakin began searching for a means of eternal life."

Ben's head shot up, his brows knitting together. "Indeed?"

"He wanted to save someone … Padme was her name."

Realization crossed Ben's face. "… Of course. It all makes sense …"

"The woman I love is dying. If Anakin can heal her … I have to at least try."

The Jedi Master sighed. "To be a Jedi, one must learn to let go of everything they fear to lose."

"I can't do that, Ben. I won't."

Ben nodded. "Then Vader has already defeated you. You must do what you feel is right … as must I."

~0~

Starkiller sat in the cockpit of the Rogue Shadow when a drunken Rahm Kota staggered in. "Alright kid, so tell me again how you blew up a bull rancor and it survived and you just happened to be saved by the appearance of a krayt dragon." Kota hiccupped. "'Cause frankly, it sounds like you're the one hitting the Tarisian ale a little too much."

Wedge Antilles joined the two in the cockpit. "Glad to see you in one piece, Starkiller. Where to next?"

Starkiller glared at the coordinates. "The old man on Tatooine mentioned that he last saw Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar. So there's our next course."

"You got it." Wedge began punching the coordinates, when Starkiller stopped him.

"On second thought … I need to make pit stop to Mandalore on the way …"

~0~