Light
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. This is merely a fanfiction. I gain no income from this story.
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Mortis.
It hung in the empty reaches of space, hidden from the galaxy at large. It was said to be the birthplace of the Force, the wellspring from which it flowed across the galaxy. Hidden deep, deep in its mountains was rumored to be an old temple with two thrones. Light and Dark. Ruling together. Both offsetting each other, neither destroying the other. An eternal dance. Push and pull. Ying and yang.
Balance.
But as with all good things, mortals corrupt it.
The Sith seek dominance through darkness. Their Code demands giving into one's basest urges. Giving into passion yields strength. From strength flows power. From power comes victory. Through victory, one's chains are broken … the Force frees them.
Or so the Sith say.
The Jedi say the opposite. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. The Sith believe their chains are broken through power … but in reality, power enslaves them.
The Jedi are no better. The Jedi suppress emotion for peace. They seek knowledge for knowledge's sake. They ignore passion – even the basic human survival instinct – for serenity. Where there appears to be chaos, they believe they see past this to the true harmony of the light. To them, to die is a good thing. Death is the chasm that allows them to become one with the Force. Pass out of all existence, knowledge, to lose oneself in the pure energy of the Force.
But there can never be true harmony, true serenity. The cycles of the past prove it. Darkness rises, and light to meet it. Light extinguishes the dark. Then the light weakens under the weight of the flaws of its own code and darkness rises again.
But what if the answer lies neither in the Jedi or the Sith, light or dark? What if the answer lies in one who can master his passions and emotions, without giving in to hate? One who takes the best of both codes and weaves a new code of his own.
What if at Mortis, the true nature of the Force – light and dark together, both as two sides of the same river of energy – is manifest for all to see? Could it be the answer to the centuries-old dilemma? Could this revelation bring an end to the millennia of war and bloodshed which has cost countless trillions their lives in a conflict they neither understood nor wanted?
Such a revelation could bring the entire conflict to a final decisive end.
But no one ever reaches the end …
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Darth Plagueis stood on the bridge of his command ship, arms folded. The glow of Mortis was reflected in his eyes. And he smiled. Absolute power was within his grasp. Darth Vader stood at his side, staring at the planet, a hint of recognition buried deep within the recesses of the shell of his mind. Plagueis had awakened his old memories. Yes, Vader had set foot here … once. Would the time come for him to return to its surface?
A Mandalorian lieutenant rushed up and saluted.
"Are all things ready?" Plagueis asked.
The lieutenant nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Today, destiny smiles upon me."
Vader continued to stare at the planet before them. "Do you require my presence on the planet?"
"No, no … our friend will go alone. For now at least. As for you, my friend – stay and revel in our victory. Today – we all bask in the eternal power of the Force."
Vader continued to stare. A voice – an old memory – lingered in his mind.
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~0~
"I will do such terrible things."
"Yes. But it doesn't have to be that way. The choice is still yours to make."
"How?"
"The future, by its nature, can be changed."
~0~
Vader repressed the memory as quickly as it came. True, once he had thought the course of the future could be changed. That was why he sought a means to save Padme from his nightmares, to seek refuge in the promises of the Emperor. But now … now Vader knew different.
The future cannot be altered. The visions he once experienced on Mortis had come true. The dreams about his mother – about Padme – came to pass despite his best efforts.
Or was it because of his efforts?
Vader shook that thought away too. No. Fate and the Force had conspired against him, to reduce him to this shell. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, becoming the Dark Lord was always his destiny. Serving a Master was always his predestined end. Whether Watto, or Obi-Wan, or Sidious or now even Plagueis, he would always serve another. He was born a slave, and a slave he would always remain.
He gave Mortis a final glance. He had no desire to see this planet any further. With a flick of his cloak, he marched off the bridge.
Plagueis watched him vanish through a doorway. His eyes narrowed. The Muun then turned to the lieutenant and spoke. "Our ground forces?"
"They've already reached the planet's surface. It's strange – the planet is experiencing some … irregularities."
"Such as?"
"Our ground forces swear that one minute it's autumn then winter! Others claim they see visions of lost loved ones!"
"That is not unexpected. Only one with a strong will can make it to the temple."
"The men are frightened, sir."
Plagueis bared his teeth. "Good. Fear will drive them. Make sure they surround the temple. We do not want my young friend interrupted as he ciphers the power of the planet."
"Very good, My Lord."
Plagueis turned back. Mortis floated there, hauntingly.
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Hyperspace warped around Bail Organa's fleet, made up of Rebel ships under his command as well as ships from their various allies.
Starkiller was alone in a meditation chamber. He was floating, his legs crossed, arms out, eyes closed … concentrating. His father's lightsaber was levitating in front of him.
He stretched out with his feelings. The final battle was upon him now. He had meditated, called out to the Living Force to provide him with the resolve and power to do what needed to be done. He stretched out with his feelings, emptied his mind of questions – there – the temple was in his mind's eye.
He grit his teeth. He saw himself in front of the temple, confronting the Dark Apprentice. He saw them dueling …
He saw his own body, beaten and broken at the feet of his foe.
His eyes snapped open and he plummeted to the ground. He dusted himself off, shaken, sweat beading. It's not real, he told himself. It's not the future … the future can always be changed …
"Did I ever tell you … how I met your grandfather?"
Zarbina was leaning against a wall, arms folded.
"I didn't hear you come in," Starkiller said.
"Long ago, before I ever fell in with Plagueis and the Force … I had a job in the Outer Rim. Transporting … unconventionally acquired tech and spices to several 'legitimate businessmen' in the Outer Rim."
Starkiller raised an eyebrow. "Unconventionally acquired? You mean stole?"
"What? We stole cargo that was already stolen by other rival gangs. Was a helleva good smuggler back in the day. I was quite a looker too. Many's the time I had to crack the skull of a drunken Aqualish or Twilek who got too familiar for their lekku."
"What does this have to -?"
"Your grandfather was a rival smuggler. One way or another, we always ended up crossing each other's paths, stealing each other's cargo. Frequently fought. Never could get the better of each other. Mind you, I was the only one capable of even getting a shot off on him. Then one day, he crosses Ogga the Hutt, stole his private spice stores blind. Ogga puts a bounty on him and of course I'm the only one capable of even bringing him in."
Starkiller couldn't mask his skepticism. "You pursued a bounty on my grandfather?"
"I trapped him on an old space station – it was abandoned by the colonists. My ship had a cloaking device. I snuck in – he ambushed me immediately. Broke my arm. He got a slice across his gullet from my vibroblade. For three days we played a game of cat and mouse, neither able to get the better of the other. Finally, I acquired access to the control room, hacked the mainframe and tracked him to the medbay. He was licking his wounds. I attempted to vent toxins into the medbay. Little did I know that I had accidentally vented the entire facility. The gas blew into the control room – a valve broke and the next thing I knew was flaming explosions rocking the deck. I was blasted down, down – at least three levels. Your grandfather hacked the mainframe through the medbay and shut off the gas. When he found me, I was broken and beaten three levels down. He pulled out his blaster, aimed it at my head …"
"How'd you survive?"
Zarbina only smiled. "He aimed it to show me he could finish me if he wanted. Then he holstered it, nursed me back to health. We jumped ship, were married three days later. Ogga was not happy – put a price on my head too but I dared any bounty hunter to come after me."
"What happened to him?"
The old woman turned, staring off at a console on the far side of the room. "I had to make a choice …"
"What do you mean?"
"We put smuggling behind us. Decided we could do a helleva lot of good in the galaxy. Worked local security together for some colonists who were hounded by pirates. Protected 'em for a long time. One day we got sloppy. The pirates tricked us. They leaked information that they were going to attack the colony head-on. They sent out only a small portion of their fleet to greet us, drew our entire security force out to meet them. We fell for their ploy, leaving the colonists at the mercy of the pirates. Your grandfather was ambushed trying to alert the colonists … he was captured. Yelled for me to run, to warn the colonists they were about to be bombed. I knew leaving him would mean certain death. Such a miserable choice. Save my husband. Or save thousands of innocents – many of whom were children."
"What did you do?"
"He pleaded with me. He told me that if the colonists were killed, all our life work was for nothing. He screamed for me to go! To leave him! That his life wasn't worth the colony's. I looked him dead in the eye – I turned and ran back to the colony to warn them. That was the last time I ever saw him. The colonists were warned about the impending attack and most got away. As for me … I tracked the bastards down who killed your grandfather. Rage is a drug. That was when the Force first manifested in me … that was when I realized I could control it."
"What happened to the pirates?"
"Heh. An angry young woman, spiraling with untapped, uncontrolled anger and Force power … use your imagination. That was what drew the Jedi to me … how I first joined them … how I tried to master my emotions, and failed …. After the death of your parents, that was one blow too much. I left the Order and Plagueis first came to me …"
"Why are you telling me all this?" Starkiller asked.
Zarbina sighed, before she walked up to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. She smiled sadly at him. "The Force does not let us see everything all at once. We are blind to how each sequential event in our life has greater and greater significance. Every step on your journey has led you to this destination. Very soon, you're going to be faced with a final choice … I hope you make the right one … for all our sakes …"
She gave her grandson a final, sad embrace. She stepped back, hands on his arms, staring at his face. "How you remind me of my daughter … and your grandfather …"
She turned, leaving Starkiller alone in his room to contemplate his destiny …
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Starkiller walked along the hangar of Bail's ship. The Naboo pilots were refueling their starfighters. Rogue Squadron was busy as well, their R2 units being plugged into the back of their fighters. Wedge was fixing a loose bolt on the top of his fighter. He stopped, stared down at Starkiller and nodded.
"You're leading Shield Team?" Starkiller asked.
Wedge nodded. "I'll be right out there with you. The rest of Red Squadron will lead Hammer Team and take those Mandalorians head on!"
Kaden was helping fuel a starfighter nearby. He chuckled to himself and spoke aloud. "Me. Putting my butt on the line for a Jedi. Who'd have thunk it?"
"Who indeed?" Wedge laughed down at him. "Usually all anyone sees is your butt – running the opposite direction from danger."
"Oh very funny." Kaden snorted. "I decide to turn over a new leaf and this is the thanks I get."
"You gotta admit," Starkiller said, "it is strange."
Kaden tossed his tools aside and gave Starkiller a joking punch on the jaw. "I owe you that. You did this to me."
"Did what?"
"Turned me into a good person." Kaden motioned. "Walk with me."
The two walked along the hangar, watching as their allies prepared for the final battle. "You do realize there's a low chance of survival for Shield Team?" Starkiller asked.
"Duly noted," Kaden replied. "Honestly, it would be better for morale all around if you didn't keep bringing that up."
"But that's the point," the young Jedi protested. "You're all throwing yourselves on into harm's way for me – just to get me to that temple!"
"Yup. That about sums it up." Kaden smiled at him. "But we'll get there – no matter the cost -."
"Kaden -."
"Starkiller would you just shut up and listen to me?! I made you a promise – through thick and thin! We all did! I'm not the only one! Wedge! Pooja! PROXY! All of us! We're with you to the end. We know what's at stake. Everyone here is fighting for a future – and for you! We won't stop until you reach that temple and take the bad guys down once and for all! Even if it costs our own lives!"
"You really don't have to -."
"I know we don't! But we will! For you! And for what you represent!"
"The Jedi -."
"The Jedi have been the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy for over a thousand generation!" Kaden's arms were gesticulating, pleading. "Isn't it only right that for once, the galaxy stands up and protects the Jedi? After all you guys have done for the galaxy? Please … let the galaxy give the Jedi something back … let us be the ones to sacrifices ourselves for you …"
Kaden's lip trembled and before he could stop himself, he threw himself into Starkiller's arms, hugging his friend. Starkiller looked around awkwardly. The rest of the hangar had stopped to listen to Kaden's little speech. They had hung on every word. For a moment, there was silence … then the hangar broke into wild applause.
"You get up there, you face down that Dark Apprentice, and you do me a favor, will you? When you take him down, tell 'im I sent you!"
Starkiller found himself chuckling. Kaden turned, observing everyone in the hangar. He smiled and pumped his fist high to the skies. "For the Jedi!"
"For the Jedi!" the rest of the hangar cheered.
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Lines of light streaked to a stop around the cockpits of the Rebel cruisers as they shot out of hyperspace. Bail Organa watched in the distance from the bridge, brow furrowed, fingers drumming nervously as the massive Mandalorian fleet appeared in the viewscreen – led by Plagueis' base/flagship. Mortis hung in the background.
Around him, officers barked orders, traced lines on data grids, held comlinks to their ears.
"Base One, this is Hammer Team. We're starting our approach. Red Eleven, Red Two, follow me."
Bail watched as several X-wings and Y-wings zoomed past his cockpit, enveloping him in their bright red rear engine lights. They raced forward, towards the massive Mandalorian fleet, Mortis glowing in the distance.
"There's a lot of static."
"Could they be jamming us? Switch to private communications."
"This is it boys!"
"Cut the chatter! Lock S-Foils in attack position."
Starkiller joined Bail, watching the Rebel Fighters break off from each other – several – led by Wedge, veering to the left away from the enemy forces. Shield Team was already amassing. The rest of Red Squadron – following Red Leader – made up the bulk of Hammer Team. They flew dead-on towards the Mandalorian fleet.
"It's beginning," Bail said. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"I wanted to thank you," Starkiller said.
"No need. You can thank me by getting out there and ending this! PROXY's already got The Rogue Shadow prepped! Now get there!"
Starkiller nodded. "It has been an honor, sir."
He turned and began walking off the bridge.
"Wait."
Starkiller stopped. Bail was still standing on the bridge, staring out the window as Hammer Team continued their course towards the Mandalorians. Bail continued staring as he spoke. "I never got to thank you."
"Sir?"
Bail looked at him. "Kashyyyk. When you rescued my daughter. And Felucia – when you saved me from Maris and that monstrous rancor."
Starkiller rubbed the back of his head. "That wasn't exactly me …"
"All the same … Starkiller – whether original or clone – has saved countless lives. And I believe you'll do it again. Now get out there!"
Starkiller gave a respectful bow, before exiting the bridge.
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The young clone was halfway back to the hangar when Pooja blocked his path. She stared at him.
"I … just wanted to say …"
Starkiller placed his finger on her lips. "Say no more."
Pooja stared up at him. "When this over -."
"When this is over, we'll figure us out."
Pooja smiled deviously. "Then I have a reason to survive."
The two leaned in and kissed. She held his face. "Come back to me," she said. Her eyes were bathed with tears. Starkiller held her, resting his cheek on her head.
"I came back from death once … why should you think I couldn't do it again …?"
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"All set, PROXY?"
"All systems are a-go, sir. Ready when you are."
Starkiller sat at the controls of The Rogue Shadow. He pressed a switch. "This is it."
The Rogue Shadow ascended from the hangar, then blasted out into space. Ready for one final mission.
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Red Squadron led Hammer Team's forces. Behind them, several Rebel cruisers lumbered, ready to engage the Mandalorian supervessels at point-blank-range.
"This is it!" came Red Leader's voice.
The Mandalorian cruisers took position. Their hangars opened. Swarms of Mandalorian fighters buzzed out, streaking right for Hammer Team. The skies were lit ablaze with laser fire.
"You got one on your tail!"
"I can't shake him!"
"Cut to the right, I've got a clear shot!"
"Hurry Red Seven!"
"Bombers incoming!"
"They're heading for the medical frigate! Hammer Team Beta, you know what to do!"
Red Leader spun his X-wing, several Mandalorians on his tail. He dove into a dive towards the medical frigate, red beams lancing from his wings, turning several bombers into slag.
"Good shooting Red Leader!"
"Reinforcements at Point O-8!"
Next to him, an X-wing was enveloped into a ball of flame. Red Leader grit his teeth. The Mandalorian crusiers were incoming. They opened fire, bombarding Hammer Team's cruisers. He shook his head. "Our frigates won't be able to hold on too long! We've got to draw their fire!"
He turned – a flaming Y-Wing spun out of control past his cockpit, crashing into one of their frigates.
The Mandalorians had the upper-hand. They wouldn't be able to hold out for too much longer …
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But hold out was all that they needed to do. Hammer Team was nothing more than a diversion. For two things. First – to keep the bulk of the Mandalorian forces busy while Shield Team escorted Starkiller to the temple on the planet's surface. And second – to allow Sword Team – led by Pooja, Maris and Korr Sunka – to infiltrate the Mandalorian flagship/base, rescue Juno, and blow up the ship from the inside. And hopefully take Plagueis with it.
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While the space battle raged, a small team of starfighters headed for the Mandalorian flagship's secondary hangars. Maris spoke from her commlink.
"Disabling their shields. Cloaking devices set and ready."
Several fighters flew into a small subhangar. Maris jumped out of her cockpit, her twin wrist-mounted blades blazing, decapitating two shocked Mandalorian guards.
Pooja landed on the cockpit floor, rifle in hand, blasting several more guards.
Korr Sunka and several Beast Riders popped out of their ships and observed their handiwork. "Nice shooting," he said.
Maris pointed towards the doors. "This'll take us a back route to the medbay. We'll have to go through the cloning facilities first."
"Great," Pooja said, slinging her rifle over her shoulder. "Just lead the way."
The group followed Maris deep into the bowels of the Mandalorian flagship.
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"A small Rebel force has penetrated our outer defenses and landed on this ship, my Master."
Darth Vader was kneeling on the bridge of the flagship, head bowed in mock obedience. He had learned the form over the past two decades of fealty to Palpatine.
Plagueis stood with his back to him, arms folded. "Yes, I know."
"What is thy bidding, my Master?"
Plagueis raised a finger. "They have undoubtedly come to rescue Captain Eclipse, if my instincts still serve me. And they hope to destroy us in the process. I have foreseen such an eventuality." The Muun Sith Lord turned to his lieutenant. "Has he landed on the planet?"
The lieutenant nodded. "He touched down on the mountain ranges only moments ago. The planet's weather has turned – a heavy lightning storm is tearing apart the upper atmosphere. He has had to take the final trek up the mountains on foot."
"Good. And as for our Rebel friends – be sure they find their way to me. But make them work for it."
"Very good, sir."
Plagueis watched Mortis in the distance. Behind him, Vader rose to his feet and stood at his side. "Soon, Lord Vader … soon we will transcend even this mortal realm … life and death …"
Vader folded his arms. He had heard this promise before. It hadn't panned out then, either.
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"Wait for my signal then begin your descent!"
Everyone was itching for next move. Shield Team was flying in the low clouds of Mortis. In the distance, storm clouds were darkening and there was nothing but lightning. Shield Team was comprised of nearly a dozen X-Wings which flew in formation, like protective bubble, around The Rogue Shadow. Starkiller eased on his controls as Wedge's and Kaden's fighters zigzagged in front of him.
"Haven't we held long enough?" Starkiller asked.
"Not yet! Just a little longer …"
"Wedge!"
"Now!"
Shield Team spun out suddenly from the clouds into the low atmosphere of the planet. Below was an enormous mountain range. And there – in the far distance – a speck. Starkiller gulped. The temple from his dreams. He could feel it.
He could also feel the Dark Apprentice. He was almost there. They had to hurry.
The atmosphere around them was lit with laser fire. On the mountains – Mandalorian artillery batteries had been stationed.
"Fighters coming in!" Wedge yelled.
Mandalorian fighters screamed at them head-on, unleashing bursts of laser fire.
"Protect the Jedi!" Kaden screamed. He took full on position in front of The Rogue Shadow, joined by Wedge and several other X-wings.
"Fire!" Wedge shouted. Around Starkiller's cockpit, the air was alit with red laser fire and explosions as several Mandalorian fighters were turned into slag.
"Nice shooting Kaden!"
"Not quite nice enough! They're regrouping!"
"Watch that ground fire!"
Below, the Mandalorian artilleries opened fire, nearly blasting Wedge and Kaden out of the sky. The fighters began zigzagging, trying to provide a tempting target for the enemy to hit rather than Starkiller. Shield Team was throwing itself literally in harm's way – for him.
"Shield One – more artillery ahead! Take them down!"
An X-wing lowered itself, spinning in circles, dodging laser fire as it unleashed hell on the ground forces, blasting the artillery cannons into smithereens. The Mandalorian troops on the mountains scattered, then regrouped.
More artillery cannons were head. More fighters too.
That's when Kaden noticed it – they were so focused on protecting the front flank of The Rogue Shadow – they had forgotten its rear. Behind them, the artillery cannons spun around a full 180 degrees and opened fire from behind.
"Blast it!" Kaden yelled. He pulled back on his control stick, falling back.
"Kaden what the hell are you doing?!" Starkiller yelled.
"Someone's gotta save your skin – might as well be me!"
"Kaden!"
Kaden fell back, taking up position behind The Rogue Shadow. He spun his ship, taking the blasts into the rear. He grit his teeth as his ship buckled and he rerouted all shield capacity to the rear.
Was it enough?
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Starkiller spun his head to look backwards – there was a massive explosion!
"KADEN!"
Starkiller pounded his fist on his dashboard. He slumped into his seat.
"Damn it Kaden!"
A static voice filtered through his console.
"You ain't planning my funeral already, are ya?"
"Kaden?" Starkiller breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm a little cooked but I'm okay! Now let's move!"
Ahead, more artillery guns were moving into place on the mountains. And the skies of Mortis were filled with dozens of Mandalorian fighters. Starkiller thrust the controls forward, forcing his ship beyond its capabilities.
The Dark Apprentice was almost there, he could sense it.
They were running out of time …
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The Dark Apprentice was climbing the final mountain scape at the far end of the range. His cape fluttered in the wind and his face was shrouded in a black hood. He was carrying something in his arms – something covered in a sheet. He grunted with each step.
A freak storm had forced him to ground his fighter and continue his journey on foot. But it was the strangest thing – the storm had cleared out as quickly as it came. Replacing it was a deep mist.
Behind him, he could hear explosions and yells and laser fire. He turned his head, seeing tiny dots in the distance duking it out. "It's begun …" he breathed. He turned, adjusting the load in his arms, and climbed. Above, still many yards away, was the temple.
A wind whipped him – the atmosphere changed again. Snow? The Dark Apprentice snarled.
"What are you doing here, Galen?"
The Dark Apprentice stopped. He turned – in the snowy haze he could see a figure in a brown robe.
Kento Marek was shimmering in the blistering winds.
The Dark Apprentice sneered as he began walking past his father. "That's not my name …"
"It is the name of your true self, you've only forgotten."
The Dark Apprentice stopped. He grit his teeth. "I have become more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of. Even you. Father." He spit the last word out with contempt.
"And where has that power gotten you? Do you honestly believe Plagueis will share power with you? He'll kill you first. You know I speak the truth. Or has the Dark Side blinded you that deeply?"
"You know nothing about me, old man! Let Plagueis try to turn on me. With the power of Mortis, I can reduce him to dust with the barest flick of a finger!"
"Is that truly why you've come here? Solely for power? Or is there something more?"
The Dark Apprentice shifted the load in his arms.
"Then the Dark Side has not wholly consumed you after all," Kento continued. "There is still hope for you, my Son."
"You lost the right to call me that long ago!" The Dark Apprentice was shouting now. "You failed, old man! You let him take me!"
"Galen …?"
The Dark Apprentice gave vent to his true feelings, hidden, repressed for all these long years. "You died! You were too weak to save me! You let Vader take me from my home, torture me, turn me into a monster! If I fell to the Dark Side, it is wholly – entirely – your fault!"
Kento stared at his son. The Dark Apprentice stared back.
"You're right." Kento's voice was solemn. Sad.
"What is this?"
"I wasn't strong enough to save you. I take complete responsibility for not preparing better. Not training harder. Not hiding you more completely. I died and left you alone in this world, completely at the mercy of Vader. I'm sorry, my Son."
"After all these years that's all you have to say?! I'm sorry?!"
"It's not still too late for you … your true motivations are not hidden from me …"
"What would you know of my true motivations?!"
"I loved your mother, Son. Deeply. I would have given everything for her. I know you would do the same." Kento's eyes fell on the load in the Dark Apprentice's hands. "You can be the man she wants you to be! Do you think power is what she cares about? She loves Galen Marek – the Jedi! The hero! Not the monster! Not the conqueror! Not the Sith!"
The Dark Apprentice stared at the dying body in his arms. Tears ran down his cheeks, staining the blanket.
"You can save her," Kento continued. "And not sacrifice your soul! Please, I am begging you! Do not take the power of Mortis for your own! Do not destabilize the Force itself for selfish power! Forsake this insane dream or destroy everyone and everything you held dear!"
The Dark Apprentice's head was lowered. He seemed to be considering Kento's words. And then -.
"I am so sick of being lectured!" The Dark Apprentice reached out with his right hand – bolts of lightning flew from his fingertips, striking where Kento stood. He increased the velocity of his strike.
"All my life I've had teachers who've told me what I'm supposed to do, what I'm supposed to want! You! Vader! Plagueis! No more! Do you hear me?! No. MORE!"
He panted, lowering his hand. Where his father stood, there was nothing but a smoking hole in the snow. The Dark Apprentice bared his teeth. "I make my own destiny! I will bleed this planet dry and become a god! And no one – family, friends – will stop me!"
And he spat at the spot where his father once stood.
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Aboard the Mandalorian flagship, Sword Team darted across the hallways, trading fire with Mandalorian troops. Pooja ducked behind cover next to Korr Sunka as laser bolts blasted over their heads. Next to them, a Beast Rider was blasted square in the chest. He was thrown clean off his feet. Korr Sunka snarled and grabbed a large rifle from over his shoulder. With a roar, he charged out from cover, unleashing hell on the Mandalorian troops, blasting them back.
Maris phased in behind two others, slicing them up their backs. She motioned. "Come on – this way to the cloning facilities – then the medbay."
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They followed Maris into a large laboratory. Pooja sneered in disgust. In vats all around them were floating clones – clones of Darth Plagueis. Most looked fully developed.
Others – well, their faces were twisted, distorted, their features blurred and skulls oddly proportioned.
"We called them 'abominations'," Maris explained. "The failed clones. You can tell by the faces and head that the cloning wasn't successful."
"They're hideous," Pooja said.
"Consequences of trying to clone a Force User."
Pooja approached one of the vats holding a failed clone. She stared up at its twisted face as it floated.
IT'S EYES BLARED OPEN!
Pooja screamed, backing into another tank, shattering it. A second failed clone sprawled out onto the floor, its body twitching, babbling incoherently.
"Something's not right," Maris said. Her eyes darted around.
Around them, the lights blared on. The clones – the successful clones of Plagueis – suddenly all began twitching at once. The fluids in their tanks began to drain. The tubes began shattering and the Plagueis clones – covered in incubation fluid – slithered down to the floor. Unsteadily. Their mouths gaped, looking around.
"I take it that's not supposed to happen?" Pooja asked.
"No!" Maris yelled. "Run!"
Sword Team took off running through the labs. Behind them, six of the successful Plagueis clones staggered, raising their hands, summoning Force energy.
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Shield Team continued flying low in Mortis' atmosphere. Above, thick clouds swirled, killing off their visual scanners should they try to ascend higher.
Laser fire lanced in all directions. Kaden brought up the rear, cursing as he evaded several Mandalorian fighters. From the side, more enemy ships appeared, attempting to flank The Rogue Shadow.
"Shield Three, Shield Four – Cover!"
Two X-wings shifted out of formation, unleashing torrents of laser fire on the enemy ships. Several Mandalorian fighters were gunned down.
Several more took their place.
Starkiller could feel his desperation growing.
"There's too many of them!"
"Shield Three is hit!"
Kaden slammed his fist on the console. "Back in formation! Back in formation!"
"It's too late!"
There was an explosion – and Shield Three was silenced.
And that was the beginning of the end of Shield Team.
.
Starkiller pounded the console. "NO! This is all my fault!"
"Cut the complaining!" Kaden's voice blared over his speakers. "Shield Three knew the risks, we all did!"
"We made a pact, Shield Team," Wedge said. "No matter what – Protect the Jedi!"
"We're getting you to that temple," Kaden screeched. "No matter the cost!"
"NO! I'm not letting you!" Starkiller could feel his fury building.
Shield Four's voice crackled. "More fighters inbound! They're coming from behind! I just lost my rear stabilizer! Go on ahead – it's over for me!"
Starkiller grabbed his controls. "I'm going back! I'm not letting another one sacrifice themselves for me!"
"Don't you dare!" Kaden's voice was frantic, angry. "You stay in formation!"
"I'm helping Shield Four!"
"If you go back, I'll blast you out of the sky myself!"
Starkiller eased on his controls. The Rogue Shadow began turning – Kaden's X-wing flew by, lasers lancing, grazing his hull. Starkiller was screaming. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!"
"Making sure you don't screw up this mission! Don't you get it – if you don't get to that temple, it's all over!"
"I can't believe you'd let your own allies die! What more could I expect from a slicer?!" Starkiller was letting his temper get the better of him.
Kaden was stung by those words. He recomposed himself and this time, there was new sympathy in his voice. "We all made a promise. To protect you no matter what. You've saved all our butts a hundred times over. Let us make it up to you. Let us save you."
"NO! I refuse to let anyone else die!"
"Trillions will die if you fail. Listen – we didn't come all this way just to turn back around. Every man and woman here is ready and willing to lie down their lives for you. We're your friends. We're doing what friends ought to do. This is why we fight. We fight for you – for everyone!"
Starkiller banged his fist on the console.
Behind them, Shield Four was tailspinning towards the mountains. He was screaming. "For the Jedi!" There was a crash, and then silence.
"We're all here sacrificing ourselves for you," Kaden said. "Please … let us protect the Jedi for once! Let the galaxy repay you for all your sacrifices!"
"I can't …"
"Yes you can. The Jedi life is sacrifice. So let us follow the Jedi way as well. Let us sacrifice ourselves as you guys have sacrificed yourselves for so many millennia. You changed me, you know. The Kaden of old would've high-tailed it and run. Now I'm diving headfirst, ready to give myself up for my friends. I've got you to blame for that."
Starkiller forced himself a smile.
Wedge cut in. "We're all willing to give it our all for the Jedi. For you! Can't you just accept our help?!"
Starkiller eased on the controls. "PROXY – back in formation."
"Yes, sir."
The Rogue Shadow merged back as the remaining ten X-wings converged around it. They all cheered as one.
"Protect the Jedi!"
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"We're trapped!"
Pooja returned fire in the labs. A dozen Mandalorians were holed up at the far end, blocking their escape. Behind them, the clones of Plagueis – several fully formed ones, several deformed, failed abominations – lumbered mindlessly behind them. One raised its hand – electricity coursed around them.
Next to Pooja, a Beast Rider was his square in the chest and he crumpled.
"We can't hold out much longer!"
Maris deflected a bolt with her lightsaber. "There's a maintenance shaft nearby – if we can get to it. It'll lead us up, up to the medbay."
"We're pinned down!" Pooja yelled back.
Korr Sunka turned to his fellow Beast Riders. "It's time," he said.
"What are you doing?" Pooja protested.
"It's time we Beast Riders repay you for your help on Onderon," Korr Sunka said. He stood up with his men, ducking out from cover. "Tell Queen Ashti – I will always love her!"
The Beast Riders rushed out from under their cover, blasting the Mandalorians. Behind them, the Plagueis clones sneered and hissed – their minds not fully developed, but fully capable of determining the Beast Riders were enemies that needed to be destroyed.
Korr Sunka kneeled down, aiming with his rifle. He screamed as he fired nonstop shots.
The lead Plagueis clone raised a gnarled hand – Korr Sunka's shots were deflected helplessly off his palm, bouncing around the lab. Korr Sunka stared at his men … this was the end, they knew it. They nodded. He turned to Pooja and Maris. "We'll hold them off – GO!"
"Korr Sunka -." Pooja protested.
"GO!"
Maris carved a hole in the wall with her lightsabers, creating an entry into the maintenance shaft. She grabbed Pooja's arm. "We gotta go!"
Pooja spared one last glance at Korr Sunka. He nodded, before tossing his rifle aside and unsheathing his vibroblade. "For the Jedi!" He charged head-on into the Plagueis clones, followed by his men.
Pooja turned and followed Maris into the maintenance shaft.
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"Almost there – just a little further! Come one, we can do it! One final push!"
Kaden was spurring Shield Team on. The Rogue Shadow was dented, it's shields at a quarter capacity – but still it pressed forward.
More artillery lined the mountains ahead.
"I'm hit!" There was a scream, and Shield Eight was gone.
"Our numbers are thinning fast!" Wedge yelled.
"Just a little further!" Kaden yelled, trying to rally the remnants of Shield Team. Only six X-wings were now left. They flew in formation on each side of The Rogue Shadow. "We're almost there, just a final push!"
There was a beeping sound on Starkiller's console. "Guys – we got problems!"
In front of them, a giant Mandalorian cruiser had descended to their altitude. It was unleashing scores of fighters. And even worse – it was blocking their path to the temple.
"Blazes!" Wedge shouted.
"It's okay," Kaden said. "We'll improvise!"
Swarms of fighters were overwhelming them. There were two more explosions – Shield Team's number was reduced to four.
"Form up! I want a fighter covering each flank!" Kaden was barking orders.
The Mandalorian vessel was turning. Starkiller grit his teeth. "I've got an idea – PROXY – hold the controls." The droid took over as Starkiller stood up. "When I give the signal, you stop this ship at point-blank range, you got that?"
PROXY'S photoreceptors blazed. "My goodness – what are you -?"
Starkiller was already leaving the cockpit.
.
"What the hell is he doing?" Kaden was indignant.
The Rogue Shadow came to a standstill. The four X-wings flew around it like hornets protecting a hive. Starkiller was on the hull atop The Shadow. Memories burned in his brain … the original Galen – the Dark Apprentice now – had once stopped a Star Destroyer with the bare Force.
If Galen could do it, so could he.
Force energy seethed in Starkiller's hands. He reached out at the cruiser with his hands, focusing, concentrating.
"Get your ass back in the cockpit!" Kaden was losing his mind. "You're a sitting duck out there!"
"You've done enough! Let me take it from here!"
"Are you -." Starkiller shut off his commlink. He emptied his mind, reaching out with his feelings. He raised his arms.
Kaden watched from his cockpit. His skepticisim was returning. "He's out of his everliving mind," he breathed.
Starkiller closed his eyes, reaching out.
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The engines of the Mandalorian cruiser were primed. It was ready to unleash the full force of its turbolasers on the tiny Rogue Shadow before it.
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"Get out of there!" Kaden pleaded.
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Starkiller closed his mind to outside distractions. He reached out with the Force.
It wasn't enough. The cruiser was still incoming. Its lasers primed.
The ship was just too massive …
~0~
"You're a Jedi, boy! Size means nothing to you! Reach out with the Force and grab that ship or you will die on this trash heap!"
~0~
The cruiser began to fire …
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With a grunt, Starkiller reached out at the turbolasers, bending them up, back, towards the hull of its own ship.
.
KABOOOOOOMMMM!
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Starkiller had turned the ships own cannons against itself, blasting through its own hull! Flames erupted across the ship and it began to shear apart. Starkiller reached out through the Force once more, gripping the now flaming ship. He jerked his hands down – THE STARSHIP PLUMMETED UNDER HIS CONTROL, CRASHING INTO THE ARTILLERY CANNONS ON THE MOUNTAINS BELOW!
And the entire mountain range was filled with smoke and flame.
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"That was terrifying," PROXY muttered as Starkiller swung back into the cockpit.
"Yeah, tell me about it. All good Kaden."
"If you're done playing heroics, we need to get a move on! You bought us a minute or two, but they're remobilizing! Their forces all falling back -."
"That's good!"
"To the temple! They're moving to protect it – the way we protected you. It's not over yet."
Starkiller's face was grim as he stared through the smoke at the temple ahead. "Then let's finish things – once and for all."
.
"Heavy fire zone!" Wedge gave out the warning as they made their final approach to the temple. The Mandalorian forces had coalesced here. Artillery guns and fighters infested the final mountain. They were determined to protect the Dark Apprentice at all costs.
"Shield Team – this is it. Form up." Kaden stared ahead. "One final yahoo for the road!"
The four remaining X-Wings flew in an arrow formation, completely protecting the front of The Rogue Shadow. On the mountain, the artillery batteries took aim. The skies were filled with laser fire.
"I can't dodge them!" One of the X-Wings was lanced with laser fire and was turned into a fireball.
Only three fighters left protecting The Rogue Shadow.
"I'll cut around the mountain's axis and try to draw their fire," Wedge said. "Shield Nine – cover me! Kaden –."
"- Protect the Jedi," the Twilek said, his face grim.
Wedge and Shield Nine peeled off, strafing the mountains, blasting several artillery guns into oblivion. The rest of the guns turned, aiming at Wedge, opening fire. Wedge circled, drawing them off.
"Just a bit more," Kaden said. "Almost there!"
Kaden's X-Wing as ascending, The Rogue Shadow behind it. They were ascending up the mountain ridges – the temple almost in sight.
For the first time, Starkiller breathed. He was almost there. That was the first ordeal.
The final would be stopping his brother once and for all.
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A hole in the Mandalorian medbay's front wall suddenly appeared. Maris had cut through it like butter with her lightsaber. She jumped through, followed by Pooja. A Mandalorian guard jumped out – Maris phased in front of him, filling his gut with her blade. She turned, looking down the rows of beds.
"If I remember correctly, Juno's bed was this way!" Maris and Pooja raced down the line of beds, Maris counting them off from memory. "Ah, here we are!"
Maris wrenched a curtain open, revealing Juno's bed –
It was empty!
.
With a grunt, the Dark Apprentice used the Force to remove a circular covering from the floor inside of the temple. The covering was used to seal a pit in the temple. Now – now he had unsealed the wellspring of the Force. He reveled in the Force energy flowing from it.
He stood up, staring at the two thrones. Light and Dark.
He stared down at the wellspring – a deep circular pit that seemed to have no bottom. He then gazed at the load he had been carrying up the mountain. He had placed it at the edge of the pit. He kneeled down and gently peeled the blanket down – Juno.
She was barely conscious. Her skin was translucent and her veins were clearly visible under her skin. She was in the final stages of the Force virus. The Dark Apprentice lovingly swept her blonde hair out of her face and caressed his cheek.
"Soon, my love. Vader would not give me the cure, but we don't need it. The power of Mortis – once mine to command – will give me the power to heal you for good. Then you and I can pick up where we left off." Visions swept through his memory – kissing Juno aboard the Death Star, allowing himself to fall backwards … that was all he could remember.
He stood up. A sudden warning in the Force. Their enemies were approaching. The Dark Apprentice stared down at Juno, before he tucked the blanket around her body and kissed her forehead. "But first – one final thing stands in our way. I'll be back soon – I promise."
His black cape swept over her as he headed back outside of the temple.
.
"We made it! We actually made it!"
Kaden and The Rogue Shadow were within a few kilometers of the temple. Starkiller nodded. "Prepare for descent."
"At once, Master," PROXY replied.
They circled above – Starkiller felt a warning in the Force. "PROXY!"
They gazed down – the Dark Apprentice had exited the temple and was standing on the mountain's summit. A victorious grin was plastered on his face. He raised his hands – Starkiller knew what was coming.
And lightning arced out of the Dark Apprentice's fingertips, racing straight for The Rogue Shadow.
.
"Protect the Jedi!"
"Kaden!"
Starkiller watched as if in slow motion. Kaden's X-Wing cut across his cockpit – taking the full brunt of the Dark Apprentice's Force Lightning. The X-Wing began to smoke, and to spiral away towards another mountain!
"KADEN! PROXY – rescue manuevers!"
"No!" Kaden's voice was coming from his fighter as it tailspinned downwards. "The fate of the world is at stake – did you think there wouldn't be any losses!"
"I'm not losing another friend!"
There was a moment's silence.
Then Kaden's voice came in, full of static. But there was a seeming peace about it. "You're not. Death isn't the end, it's only an illusion. You taught me that. There is no death …"
Tears rolled down Starkiller's face. "There is the Force …"
He closed his eyes as he saw the small orange explosion in the mountains below. He held the controls tightly. "Goodbye Kaden … and thank you …"
He turned his attention below.
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The Dark Apprentice had raised his hands. He reached out, gripping The Rogue Shadow with the Force.
.
Starkiller reached out, trying to cancel out the Dark Apprentice's hold on his ship. PROXY'S eyes blazed. "Sir – the instruments aren't responding!"
Starkiller knew what was coming. "MOVE!" He grabbed PROXY and dove through the cockpit with a crash.
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The Dark Apprentice sneered as he began tearing The Rogue Shadow apart at the molecular level.
.
Starkiller plummeted down the side of the mountain, his face filled with horror as he watched his beloved ship turned to absolute shreds. The smoking wreckage rained down upon him. A piece of the wreckage struck him in the head and he saw nothing but black.
And he plummeted forever.
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The Dark Apprentice felt a sense of genuine satisfaction at seeing the destruction of his old ship along with his brother. "Good riddance."
.
Light.
That was the first thing Starkiller saw.
Then pain. Crushing pain in his ribs. But he felt no earth beneath his feet. His head jerked up and he realized – he was dangling miles above the ground from the side of the mountain. Something was holding on to him. He looked up.
PROXY was also dangling from the side of the mountain – a tree branch had impaled the droid through his abdomen. His circuits were weakening and the light in his eyes were fading.
"Oh Master, thank goodness you're awake …"
Starkiller could sense the damage. "PROXY … you're hurt."
"Yes. But you seem to be in one piece. Can you climb, sir."
Starkiller felt the crushing pain in his ribs. He pushed it out of his mind. "Yes. Yes, and then I'll carry you up -."
"There is no need, sir. My reserve energy cells are depleted. In a moment, I will be deactivated and you will be dropped to your death. You must save yourself, sir."
Starkiller's eyes welled up. First Kaden, now PROXY. "I can't leave you …"
"It has been a delight working with you sir. Too bad I never completed my primary programming of killing you."
Starkiller couldn't help but chuckle.
"I have just enough energy to hoist you to that outcropping there. I trust you can scale the rest of the mountain without my assistance?"
Before Starkiller could respond, PROXY hoisted him up with his arm, using the last of his energy. Starkiller reached out with his hand, grabbing the outcropping. He pulled himself up to it, then turned and stared down at PROXY.
The tree branch holding the droid was beginning to splinter. PROXY's eyes were fading. Starkiller kneeled, his face flooded with pain. "I can use the Force – pull you up here -."
"Save your energy. You would not be able to repair me."
"I can't lose anyone else, PROXY!"
"But did you not hear what Kaden said? Death is an illusion. There is no death. There is only the Force."
"But you're a droid, PROXY!"
"And? Does that mean I did not live? Does that mean we did not share a friendship?"
"Of course not -."
A spark ran up the droid's spine. He inclined his head up at the Jedi. "Then the Force will allow that friendship to continue. Beyond my mortal frame. I will continue on in your memories and in your heart. I will live forever. Our friendship will never die."
Starkiller wiped his eyes. "Thank you, PROXY. Thank you for everything."
"I have one final question." PROXY was staring up at him intently. "Do I have a soul?"
Starkiller stared down. The lights in PROXY's eyes had faded. The droid's frame went limp.
For a moment there was silence. Silence except for the sound of the cold winds carrying the droid's memories away.
Starkiller's voice broke the silence.
"Yes. The answer to your question is yes. You do have a soul, PROXY."
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Darth Plagueis stood on the bridge, watching Hammer Team battle it out with his fleet. He sneered as he stared a report.
"A breakout in the labs?" He threw the datapad at his lieutenant. "How is this possible! Those clones weren't complete! They're worthless to me now! Worthless!"
"They did take down those Beast Riders," the lieutenant answered.
"Yes, but at the cost of their utility! What happens when this frame of mine dies? And I need to transfer my essence to a viable clone! Who activated them?"
"We're still looking into it sir."
Plagueis clenched his fist as he turned away. "If I don't have answer in the next five minutes, then I'll have your head!"
"You can have both," came a deep voice.
There was a flash of red, and the lieutenant's head flew free from his body. His corpse swayed and collapsed at Plagueis' feet.
Darth Vader stood there, lightsaber in hand.
"You," Plagueis breathed.
Vader angled his weapon. "You were a fool," he said, "to believe I had betrayed my master."
.
Outside, Hammer Team was fighting a losing against the Mandalorians. Red Leader winced as more of his squad was blasted to smithereens. "This is a massacre. We have to order a retreat!"
"Sir – more enemy ships appearing on our scopes!"
"What?"
A fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers appeared out of hyperspace and immediately began unleashing swarms of TIE fighters. The Imperials did not discriminate. They attacked both Rebel and Mandalorian alike. Now it was a three-way battle.
.
Emperor Palpatine sat on the bridge of the lead Star Destroyer, a grin plastered on his rotting features. He stood up, cane in hand and looked at the Mandalorian viewscreen. He gave an order to his captain.
"Prepare a shuttle. Lord Vader is expecting me. It's time my old Master learns his true place in the galaxy."
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The Dark Apprentice was walking back towards the temple when he felt a disturbance. He whirled around.
A hand appeared at the edge of the mountainside. Starkiller hoisted himself up, bruised, battered, but yet very much alive and determined to end this. He rose to his full height.
The wind swept past them, their clothes billowing.
Starkiller and the Dark Apprentice stared at each other, ready to duel each other for the last time …
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