The Force's Shepherds

Chapter 53

Ripples in the Force

Vader's rhythmic breathing rumbled through the small conference room aboard the Chimaera. He awoke a few hours ago and demanded to be returned to his suit. Against the medical droids recommendations. He did not ask twice. As soon as the medical droid denied his request, Vader crushed the droid until it was nothing more than a hunk of metal on the floor of Thrawn's ship. Needless to say, the medical personnel immediately fetched Vader's suit as well as Captain Thrawn.

And now, the pair waited in the conference room as Vader contacted the Emperor. The buzzer on the conference table rang for a few seconds. It went silent. A blue hologram shimmered on the sleek, black table top. Both Vader and Thrawn bowed low as the Emperor's hooded visage appeared.

"Captain Thrawn." The Emperor nodded. His gaze turned to his apprentice, "Lord Vader. Rise."

They both rose to their feet and stood before the Emperor.

"Explain what occurred on the surface of Lothal." The Emperor snarled at Vader, "I felt a great disturbance in the force. Then I sensed your life force flicker. After that, i received a communique from Captain Thrawn that provided me more questions than answers."

Vader's voice boomed through the conference room.

"I made contact with one of the Mortis gods."

Thrawn's gaze snapped over to Darth Vader. It took every ounce of self control in him not to gape at the dark lord in shock. The Mortis gods were a myth. A legend that a pair of Jedi Knights and a Padawan allegedly encountered during the Clone Wars. Beyond that strange report and the mural on Lothal, there was no evidence of Mortis or the strange beings that inhabited it.

Sidious narrowed his gaze at Vader.

"Have you? And which one did you contact?"

Vader did not answer. Instead he glanced over at Thrawn.

"Captain," The Emperor snapped, "Leave us."

Thrawn suppressed his own surprise. Whatever this being from Mortis was, the Emperor and Vader desired to keep it a secret. Even from the naval commander responsible for assisting in the search for their mystery planet. Despite his surprise, he respectfully bowed to the Emperor and exited the room.

He did not need to press the Emperor for answers. He would learn the truth soon enough. If Vanto followed his orders and managed to obtain information from Imperial intelligence, then he would know what planet they were searching for. And why.

Back inside of the conference room, Lord Vader returned his attention to his master.

"I spoke to the one known as the Father." Vader told Sidious.

Darth Sidious hummed, "That was the more powerful of the Mortis gods according to Anakin Skywalker's initial report. What was the nature of your conversation?"

Vader answered immediately.

"He is dying."

Sidious frowned.

"Dying?"

"His power grows weak. And as it grows weak, he is losing his life force and his own sanity." Vader took a breath, "He did manage to give me a coherent answer in regards to our quarry. The father confirmed that she cheated death. And she would cheat death more."

Sidious drew a deep breath, "Did he reveal anything else to you?"

Vader frowned behind the mask. The Father revealed so much to him. But even he could not understand most of it. It all sounded like the ramblings of a madman. Incoherent and unfocused. The last thrashings of a dead man. But he did recall one thing the Father showed him.

"A planet. Mostly aquatic with some land masses on the surface. A single moon."

"What system?" Sidious inquired.

Vader bowed his head, "I am uncertain. There were many stars around it."

"Many stars?" Sidious drew back, "Is it possible?"

"What is it, my master?"

Sidious lowered his gaze at Lord Vader, "Two years ago, I sensed a disturbance in the Force. A strange pulse that originated from the core of the galaxy. That impossible maze of dying stars, black holes, and supernovas. I sent probes into the core to investigate. None of them were able to return. And I received very little information regarding that section of the galaxy. The only concrete information we received was that there were many stars being born at the center of the galaxy. Just as many that were dying. It is a very congested region of the galaxy. Perhaps, that is what you saw. A life bearing planet in the middle of the most chaotic storm in the known universe."

"Do you believe the planet our quarry resides on is in the deep core?" Lord Vader asked.

"Your visions are rarely incorrect, Lord Vader." Sidious reminded his apprentice, "And I doubt the Mortis God would so willingly deceive you. After all, he once knew you as Anakin Skywalker. Perhaps he believes you will somehow help him? It matters not. We know where we must search. You and Thrawn are to enter the deep core. Map it. Navigate it. And locate the planet. Once the planet is located, apprehend the young woman known as Lucina. Use any means necessary to achieve this goal. And do not return to Coruscant until it is accomplished.

Lord Vader bowed his head, "I will not fail you, my master." He rose to exit the room, but before he did, he turned to look back at his Master, "How much information should I give to Captain Thrawn?"

Sidious smirked back at him, "I believe it is now Rear Admiral Thrawn, given his recent success with you. And he is… entitled to more information given his new station. Let him know of where we hunt. Not who we hunt. And not the reason why."

Vader nodded in understanding. Sidious smiled and the hologram winked from existence. Once his master faded away, Vader let out a small groan. His suit had not been fully repaired. Its systems were still struggling to reboot. Which caused immense pain to crawl all over his burnt skin. Maybe he should have waited.

No. This mission was far to important for him to be delayed by his own weakness. Vader strode to the bridge. Once on the bridge, he noticed Thrawn talking to his aide about their next course of action.

Commander Vanto saw Vader approaching first.

"C-captain." Vanto stammered.

Thrawn turned to face Vader.

"Not Captain." Vader thrummed, drawing a confused expression from Commander Vanto, "The Emperor has seen fit to grant you the rank of Rear Admiral, Thrawn. And he has entrusted me to provide you with the next phase of our mission."

Thrawn did not react to the news. But Vanto did. The Commander's jaw fell open.

"R-Rear admiral? Sir, you are the first non-human to ascend to such a post!"

"What is the next phase of our mission, Lord Vader?" Thrawn asked Vader.

Thrawn's demeanor earned a small measure of respect from the Dark Lord. The Chiss did not care about promotions or honors. He cared about accomplishing the task given to him. From what Vader had observed of the Imperial Navy, there were very few officers of Thrawn's rank that subscribed to such a philosophy. Perhaps his Master was right to entrust more details of the mission to his newest Admiral.

"We are to map and navigate the Deep Core."

A hush fell over the entire bridge. Any officers and crew that were at their stations froze and fell silent. Commander Vanto's face paled. His eyes flicked over at Thrawn's impassive face. There was a flicker of concern that crossed the Chiss's face before he corrected himself.

"The Deep Core?" Thrawn asked, seeking confirmation.

Vader nodded.

"Cap-er- Admiral," Vanto began, "The deep core is an absolute maze. Worse than any asteroid field. And far more deadly. No one has successfully navigated it since the days of the Rakatan Empire. And we don't have any records or recent maps from that species regarding the Deep Core's nature. The only reason we know they existed-"

"Is because of Jedi texts regarding their own conflicts with said Empire. As well as the Jedi's belief that their mythical home world exists inside of that hellscape. I am aware." Thrawn replied, "These are the Emperor's orders?"

Vader nodded, "The planet we are searching for is there. It is a semi-aquatic world with a single moon."

Thrawn rubbed his chin, "Commander Vanto, bring me the most recent star map for the deep core. I don't care if it is considered ancient. It could be on papyrus for all I care. But I want one in front of me. It may not be one hundred percent accurate anymore. But it can give us a starting point."

"Yes sir." Vanto saluted and marched off to the ship's archive room.

"Everyone else, prepare to jump to the core system closest to the Deep Core. We will resupply and plot our next course of action from there." The Admiral turned to Vader as the hyperdrive generator powered up, "I hope you are correct about the location. If you are not, then we could be heading to our deaths."

"I am correct." Vader said firmly.

Thrawn took a deep breath then nodded. As Vader turned to leave, Thrawn called him.

"Lord Vader."

The Dark Lord glanced back it him.

"Did you manage to see anything when you made contact with the mural? I remember reading that certain force adepts are susceptible to strange visions. Visions that could grant clarity regarding the past, present, even future. I assume that you experienced one when you contacted the mural? Perhaps what you saw can give us some more clarity as to what we seek. I assume that is how you came to the conclusion that our search must enter the Deep Core. But, I want to know if there is anything else I need to be aware of before risking my ship and crew on such a mission."

Vader glared at Thrawn. The Chiss was perceptive. An intelligent operative. No wonder the Emperor promoted him through the ranks so quickly. A loyal soldier with such intelligence was a rare commodity to have.

"No." Vader replied. He turned on his heel and marched off of the bridge.

"A pity." Thrawn sighed.

"Hyperspace coordinates are locked in, Admiral." One of his technicians barked.

"Engage."

The hyperdrive generator roared to life. The stars outside of the Chimaera turned into streaks of brilliant light. And the ship shot across the stars.

….

He sat patient. Still in the night. Fingers tented in front of his face. His eyes stared into the shadows of the room. The only light provided by the moon filtering in through the large glass windows.

For a barracks room, this place seemed very comfortable. There was a large, queen sized bed resting against the wall beside the door. A desk rested against the opposite wall. Papers and documents were stacked in neat rows on the smooth desktop. A row of books ranging in color from black and purple to blue and red lined a small shelf beside the desk. Whoever lived in this room was used to the comforts of a luxurious life. They expected to come home to a warm fire, a warm bed, and a relatively stress free environment.

Equus smirked. He was looking forward to shattering such a perception.

There was a flurry of voices beyond the rich, wooden door. He heard a smaller voice squeaking orders at some larger ones. A woman's exasperated tone hit his ears. Then she faded away with the deeper tones. He crossed his legs and waited for the door to open.

"Unbelievable!" The worm called Excellus cried as he pushed his door open, "How many times must I teach a soldier how to feed a child?"

Equus arched an eyebrow as he got a good look at the cretin in the moonlight. A pale, plump man. Fat, red lips that resembled fresh sausages. Jowls that jiggled as he muttered under his breath. A revolting human to look at. Equus's nose wrinkled as a wave of overpowering perfume hit his nose.

"I have to do everything around here." Excellus grumbled as he failed to notice Equus sitting in the shadows.

The pudgy man lit a lantern on his desk and sat down. He plucked a quill and dabbed some ink onto the end.

"How to begin this letter to Lord Validar?" Excellus wondered out loud.

"Start with how you captured the wrong child." Equus's rich voice pierced the air.

"What!? Why would I-" Excellus froze in his seat. Slowly, his body turned to look at Equus, "Who the hell are you? How did you get in here?"

Equus leaned back in his seat, "Our Master is displeased by your actions, Excellus."

Excellus narrowed his eyes at him. One of his fat hands plucked a spell book from the nearby shelf. Equus arched an eyebrow as the fat man rose to his feet and opened the tome.

"You are an intruder!" Excellus exclaimed, "I have no master! Not even the mighty Conqueror can-"

Equus rose from his seat. A chill swept through the air as he leaked power from his body. His eyes flashed from their normal, soft brown to a blood red crimson. Excellus panicked and fired a thunder spell at the Deadlord. An attack the monster brushed to the side with a wave of his hand. The thunder crackled against the stone wall then died away. Leaving nothing behind but a black scorch mark.

"You do have a master. You just do not know it yet." Equus replied, "I have come here on behalf of the Fell Dragon himself."

Excellus began to tremble before him. The spell book slipped from his grip and hit the floor with a loud bam.

Equus shot across the room and seized the fat man by his thick throat. Without any effort, he lifted Excellus up on his feet. Excellus's eyes bulged from his skull as he felt Equu's grip on his throat tighten.

"Such a pathetic life form." Equus snarled, "It is a shame I am not allowed to kill you."

He let go of Excellus. The man dropped unceremoniously to the floor. He scrambled onto his hands and knees and bowed low to Equus.

"My lord." He groveled.

Equus's face twisted in disgust, "Pick yourself up before I take you by the throat and do it myself."

Excellus shoved himself back up to his feet. Showing much more agility than Equus thought was possible for a man of his shape. The Deadlord stood tall over the shorter man. His gaze scrutinized every little thing about Excellus. From his posture and nervous ticks, to the way sweat beaded on his brow when faced with such a superior being.

"If you are one of our Master's servants, then perhaps we deserve to lose." Equus snarled with disgust.

"What- what have I done to anger Lord Grima?" Excellus squeaked, "I-I followed Validar's orders exactly. I was told to capture the boy named Kage. And I did just that."

"You captured the wrong boy, fool." Equus's eyes flashed bright red again, "The one that is a danger to our Master's plans still roams free." He glowered down at Excellus, "And you are going to tell me where I can find him. Since you are incapable of accomplishing even the simplest of tasks; I have been sent to clean up your mess."

Excellus paled, "H-how could I possibly know where to find the one you seek?"

"Think. Use what few brain cells you have." Equus growled, "You captured Prince Kage, the child version of the one we seek. So who would be interested in making sure he is rescued?"

"Ch-child version?"

Excellus appeared puzzled. But he did not babble anymore, much to Equus relief. Instead, the man furrowed his brow and thought long and hard.

"Other than the boy's direct family, if he is just a younger version of your prey, then perhaps the one you seek would like to rescue him."

"Well done. You actually rubbed two brain cells together."

Excellus bristled, "I am much more intelligent than you give me credit for. It took many days of meticulous planning in order to capture the Chon'sin Prince."

He glared at Equus as the Deadlord moved towards his desk. The Deadlord's fingers flicked through multiple letters and notes until he stopped on one. He yanked that note free. His red eyes lingered on the text for a couple minutes. Rage filled him as he comprehended what he read on the note.

"So, not only did you manage to capture the wrong Kage, but you threatened his family as well?" Equus glanced up from the note at Excellus, "Truly your stupidity knows no bounds."

"I have to make it look like I still serve the Conqueror and not the Grimleal!" Excellus argued.

"How is that relevant to what I just said? This little note here, a reply from General Yen'fay, signals submission. But only at face value." He threw the letter in Excellus's face, "If you were half as smart as you thought you were, you would know that as soon as Prince Kage was beyond your grasp, his family would turn on you. That would draw Walhart's ire. Not towards Yen'fay. He would expect such a reaction. But to you for even creating such a situation in the first place. Which jeopardizes your position at Walhart's side. A position our Master is keen to keep." Equus saw realization rush over Excellus's face, "You sacrificed a long term victory for short term pleasure." He snorted, "I still wonder why I am not allowed to kill you. A being of such low intelligence such as yourself would be quite easy to replace."

Excellus fell to his knees again, "For-forgive me, my lord! I-"

An invisible force gripped Excellus. It squeezed so hard that it felt like his bones were about to break throughout his body. The force levitated Excellus up into the air and floated him so that he was mere inches from Equus' hate filled gaze.

"Save your groveling for when our Master is victorious."

The force dropped Excellus. Once again, he lay in a heap on the floor of his personal quarters.

"Are you aware of any rescue attempts in progress?" Equus asked.

Excellus swallowed hard, "No. I am not. But I did recently learn that the Governor of Chon'sin, Princess Say'ri, has decided to leave on an extended vacation. She took one personal guard with her. A stranger from Ylisse named Luke."

Equus furrowed his brow. Princess Say'ri was the older sister of Prince Kage. This was not a vacation. It was a thin disguise for a rescue attempt. Any member of the Chon'sin royal family would have an entire retinue of guards to accompany them anywhere. Yet she traveled with just a lone man. That alone spoke to the skill and power her single bodyguard possessed. Which told Equus all he needed to know.

Princess Say'ri's bodyguard was the man he was looking for.

"Make certain Prince Kage is delivered to Plegia within the month." Equus ordered Excellus, "You have started down this foolish road. Now you must see it through. In the meantime, I will deal with the actual threat."

Without another word, Equus exited Excellus's quarters. Once he stepped out into the hall, the red eyes that showed Grima's power coursing through his veins faded back to brown. It did not take him long to find Fort Steiger's exit. When he did, he took a deep breath.

The crisp night air rushed through his reborn lungs. Equus closed his eyes and breathed deep again. When Grima brought him back to life, he had been confused at first. The last memory he had was a bit hazy. He recalled being on a ship of some sort. There was an old man in a chair. His prisoner? He felt weaker in that memory. Less focused and far less powerful than he felt now. There was a younger man before him. That man was conflicted about something. Equus was at his mercy. The old man croaked a command at the younger one. Then there was nothing. Just an endless black void.

Then he heard Grima's voice call to him. Felt the Fell Dragon's power grab his soul and breathe life back into it. Reborn as the greatest of the dark lord's servants. A Deadlord.

He owed his existence to Grima. His newfound power belonged to the Fell Dragon. A gift given to him so that he may carry out his Master's wishes. Equus ran a hand through his white beard and nodded. There was still a nagging feeling in his mind. A presence that demanded to be in charge. Denied the gifts his Master granted him and yearned to be free of the Fell Dragon's grip. A part of his mind locked away. And with it, memories and experiences unknown and uncountable.

Equus shook his head and refocused himself. The mission at hand was more important than his own personal feelings. The boy known as Kage would be captured. He would see to it himself. And when he accomplished this task for his Master, perhaps then he would learn more about who he once was. A reward for his loyal service.

He turned his eyes to the southern road. He could feel the boy's presence in the air. The Force raged like a black storm cloud in that direction. Kage's power was unmistakable. It would not be hard to find him.

All he had to do was start walking.

Birds chirped soft, mellow notes in the night air. A peaceful wind swept through the large boughs and branches over Marth's head. Carrying a slight chill from northern Valm. Stars twinkled like small torches above her head. Some of them were obscured by the enormous tree that Marth decided to make camp beneath.

She knew this tree. Or, at least had heard about it. The Mila Tree, a massive thing that towered high up into the night sky above her. It was so tall that Marth could not even see the top, no matter how far back she craned her head. According to legend, the Mila Tree marked the resting place of two divine dragons. As a result two trees of mammoth size emerged and eventually intertwined into one. It was a sacred site in Valm. Revered by all in the region.

And she was going to have a good night's rest beneath it.

Marth did not start a campfire as she rolled out her small bedroll. A campfire was too risky. She had noticed a large presence of Valmese soldiers in the region. She had a feeling they were in the area in order to guard the Mila tree. Especially since there was no significant settlement in the area. Marth did not know why they sought to guard the sacred tree. Perhaps it was that significant to the religion in this land? Maybe rebels threatened to use it in some sort of scheme to upset the Valm Empire? Whatever the reason, it was not her problem. As long as those soldiers did not bother her, she would not bother them.

The horse General Yen'fay gave her lay down in the soft earth beneath the tree and dozed off. The loyal beast was tired. Marth rode the poor thing hard for a long time before finally deciding it was time to rest. Hopefully when all of this was done, when baby Kage was rescued and older Kage was dead, she could rest and reward the horse that carried her so swiftly through Valm.

A long sigh left her lips. It was still a long way to Fort Stieger. At least another three days of hard riding. Maybe more depending on the whether and how often her weary body needed to stop.

She lay back on her bedroll. Her eyes felt heavy. After several quiet minutes, she drifted off to sleep.

Heat torched her skin. Fire crackled all around her. Screams pierced her ears. Marth jolted upright. Eyes wide and heart racing.

She was in the Ylisstol Palace. And it was burning. Fire rushed over the wooden beams above her head. The glass mirror across the room cracked from the intense heat. Smoke choked the air. Marth rolled over and pushed herself up to her feet.

Coughs wracked her lungs. The smoke burned her eyes. But she had to find out what was going on. Who was attacking the palace?

The answer came with a loud boom that shook the floor beneath her feet. Marth stumbled and fell to the ground. It felt like an earthquake. A rush of wind whipped through the room she was in. She heard scattered shouting from beyond her door. Marth surged back to her feet. As she reached the door, she heard something heavy smack against it.

Within a split second there was a shout. A enormous bang hit Marth's ears. The door shattered into splinters in front of her. The shards cut into her skin. A shock wave sent her body flying back across the room and out onto a stone balcony that overlooked the city.

She let out a long, pain filled groan as she lay sprawled out on the stone balcony. Somehow, the heat was even worse outside than it was in her room.

She tried to raise her head, but the pain proved to be too much. A wet cough left her lips. She could feel blood dripping out of the corner of her mouth. Her one good hand ran over her abdomen. Her heart started pounding. Her clothes were sticky with blood. With each hammering beat of her heart, she felt her ribs shift. Tears pooled in her eyes as she struggled to fight back screams of pain.

With what little strength she had remaining, Marth rolled over onto her back. There could only be one reason Ylisstol was burning. She had seen it once before.

The Fell Dragon Grima had attacked. That had to be why her home was in flames. That had to be why she heard men dying in the city around her. Once again, she had failed to stop him. Once again, the enemy of all humanity won. The world she knew was over.

Through bleary, tear filled eyes, she stared up at the smoke filled sky. She expected to see Grima in all of his terrifying power. A massive, six eyed dragon that towered over the city. Whose roar could shake the very earth it trod upon. The doom of all mankind. The harbinger of death for all living creatures that called this world home.

Instead she saw something that boggled her mind. Floating high above was an enormous, gray, triangular… something? Was it a flying ship of some sort? She did not know. She had never seen anything like it. Other, smaller things came flying out of large gaps along the sides of the ship. Green flashes of light rained down from the flying ship and crashed into the city around her. As the green lights impacted, they exploded. Sending debris and fire flying high up into the air.

She studied the ship above her, taking in every detail to memory. Down to the strange animal carved into its belly. As she lay there, her blood pooling around her, she heard metallic footsteps approaching.

"My lord," A muffled voice hit her ears. It sounded artificial. Strangely metallic. Her vision grew weak. But she could still see who spoke.

A soldier in spotless, white armor approached her. Behind him were two others wielding strange, blunt, black sticks. Another man wearing a white, cloth uniform rushed towards her and opened up a kit filled with bandages and other strange medical devices.

"Hurry up." One of the soldiers barked through his helmet.

The helmet terrified Marth. It looked like the man was casting a permanent scowl at the world. Black, lidless eyes stared down at her from the white helmet. She could not see the person behind them.

"She needs to live. Those are Lord Vader's orders!"

Marth raised her brow.

Lord Vader? Was there a Lord in Ylisse by the name of Vader? She did not recall one.

As her vision faded, the world around her rippled. The voices from the soldiers faded away entirely. Her sight began to white out. A new voice hit her ears.

"Lucina."

He sounded older. Wise and authoritative. But kind and gentle. Marth swallowed hard. She did not feel like she was in pain anymore. As she sat upright, the carnage and destruction around her rippled out of existence.

Ylisstol no longer burned around her. Instead she was in a giant, dark, humid swamp. Dirt and moisture clung to the exposed skin on her hands and arms as she rushed back up to her feet. Confusion filled her. What exactly was going on? How was she not dying? Why was she not in Ylisse? Where was she for that matter?

"Calm yourself, Lucina."

A man covered in pale blue light appeared in front of her. His appearance matched his voice. He was tall and weathered. Long brown hair ran down in great locks over his shoulders. A neatly trimmed beard lined his chin. His eyes were soft and kind. His clothes were simple robes and a cloak that was very similar to Ben's.

"You have nothing to fear."

"Who are you?" Marth asked, "Where am I?" She narrowed her eyes at the translucent figure, "How do you know my real name?"

The man gave her a gentle smile, "My name is Qui Gon Jinn. And you are on the planet Dagobah. As for how I know your real name, you need to ask Obi Wan to help you sharpen your mental defenses."

Marth drew back in surprise, "How do you know my Master?"

"His Master, he was once."

She twirled on her heel and reached for Falchion. Instead of the hilt of her sword, she only felt her leather belt. It was one thing to see a glowing, blue guy in front of her. That could be explained as some strange magical spell. But a little green man with pointy ears and enormous wrinkles was completely insane.

The little green man grunted and hobbled up to her with the help of gnarled wooden cane.

"This one, Qui Gon?" He asked the glowing man behind Lucina.

"She is the one, Master Yoda."

The squat green creature narrowed his bulbous eyes at Marth. His wrinkled lips pressed together in what had to be a frown of some sort.

"Hmm… clouded her future is."

"My future?" Marth glanced back and forth between the two strangers, "I know what my future holds."

She yelped when the little green man whacked her shin with his gnarled cane. As she hopped up and down, the little creature known as Yoda harrumphed.

"Improved as a Master, Obi Wan clearly has not." He grumbled, "Fail to listen to Qui Gon, he did. Heh! Know everything, he thinks, hm."

Marth bristled, "Do not insult my Master! He is-" She swallowed hard, "Was a great man. I could not have asked for a better teacher."

"Not much choice, were you given. Hm? Change, that will." Yoda remarked.

"What he is trying to say Lucina, is that the future you know is no longer certain." Qui Gon's gentle voice explained, "The actions you and others have taken have thrown everything out of focus. Even I, someone who is one with the force, can no longer divine what the future holds. I can only glimpse possibilities." Qui Gon looked past her, "Would it kill you to be less grumpy, Master Yoda?"

"Grumpy, me!?" Yoda cried, "Grumpy I can be! Nine hundred years old, I am. Right to be grumpy, earned I have!" A long sigh left the ancient creature's lungs, "But, correct Qui Gon is, Lucina. Yes, correct." He sagged in front of her, "Seemed hopeless, for so long, it has. The Dark Side, powerful it has become. For an old Jedi like me, too much to handle."

Marth's eyes widened. This old creature was a Jedi Master? That meant that the glowing man was also a Jedi of some sort. Embarrassment rushed over her face. She quickly bowed to both of them

"F-forgive me, Masters." She stammered, "I had no idea."

"Heh! Manners at least, Kenobi taught her." Yoda laughed.

"There is nothing to forgive, Marth. This is but a vision. You have not personally offended any of us."

"Personally offended, I am!" Yoda grumbled, "Fail to mention me, Kenobi did. Or you! Or Skywalker's failure! Bury his past, he did, Doom the future in the process, he may have." Yoda pointed at Marth, "Up to you it may be, to save the future. To save our last hope, from the enemy. And from himself."

Marth's eyes widened, "Y-you're talking about Kage, aren't you?" She shook her head, "I'm supposed to save that monster?"

"Monster? Hm… Monsters you know, young one. Kage, not one he is. Misguided, yes. Lost, maybe. But monster? No." Yoda corrected.

"There is good in him, Marth. We have sensed this. Seen it even."

"You don't know him." Marth snarled back, "He has tried to kill me! He betrayed me and my friends. He helped kill Exalt Emmeryn. Which set all of these events into motion."

"Oh?" Yoda hummed, "One event, cause all hardship did it? Fail to see the scope of the universe you do. Fail to understand the scale of the Force. Arrogant you are, to think that by alter one event, change others, you can."

Marth bristled a little. She looked over at Qui Gon, "Could you please tell your friend to speak plainly so that I can somewhat understand him?

Yoda whacked her other shin.

"Speak fine, I do!"

"Enough, both of you." Qui Gon let out a small sigh, "Lucina, our time together is running short. You wish to kill Kage. We brought you here to tell you to not take that course of action. Doing so will doom not only your friends and home, but the rest of the galaxy as well."

GALAXY!? What galaxy!?

She gave Qui Gon a confused looked. Beside her, Yoda closed his eyes and hummed to himself. In that moment, a wave of power slammed into Marth. It felt so bright. So pure and comforting. It nearly brought the girl to her knees. She gazed at Yoda in stunned silence.

"Powerful, young Skywalker has become." Yoda hummed. His power returned to his small body, "Dark he is. But… evil he is not. Our enemy, Sidious, hmmm…true evil, that is. Defeat him, only Skywalker can."

Marth felt even more confused. Was Skywalker another name Kage had? Was it a code name of some sort? A nickname? She remembered Ben using a stage name called Obi the Skywalker during their travels in Plegia. Did it have something to do with that.

"None of this makes any sense." Marth said. Frustration filled her voice.

"Trust in the force, young one." Yoda hummed, "Guide you, it will."

"Do not kill, Kage." Qui Gon told her. His gentle voice held a firmness to it as he spoke, "Return to Obi Wan. Complete your training. Both of you will need it."

The world around her rippled once again. Qui Gon's blue form faded away. Yoda turned away from her and hobbled through the swamp towards a small hut in the distance. As the world faded to black, questions plagued Marth's mind.

Why was she the one that had to save Kage? Could he even be saved? How could she possibly forgive him for everything he had done?

An even darker question hit her as she lost consciousness. The two Jedi Masters mentioned an evil she had never heard of. An evil not named Grima. An evil that may have been behind the carnage she saw in the first vision.

Who is Sidious?

And chapter! This was more of a set up chapter. A lot of building towards bigger things. We have Thrawn and Vader narrowing their search for Lucina down to a section of the galaxy. A very dangerous section of the galaxy for that matter. Equus made Excellus squirm and is now setting his sights on Kage. And Marth just saw a possible future and got paid a visit by two very powerful Jedi Masters. This is getting interesting! Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!