Chapter 217: The Fluctuation Between Knowledge and Wisdom
As James and the others were scrambling to advert the disastrous encounter with Luke Skywalker, the leaders of the group originally after the Jedi Master were currently regrouping after Jacen and Full Frontal's ambush ruined their attack on the Great Fox.
At the moment Kylo Ren, Sheng, and a high-ranking member of the First Order, the red haired General Hux were walking in to a wide black chamber. As soon as Kylo and the others walked up to the center of the wide room the center flickered with red energy, before the image of a giant bald, pale man with a disfigured face covered in black robes materialized in front of them.
As the tall being looked down on him Kylo quickly nodded." Grand Master Snoke, the situation...has changed."
"I'm quite aware of that Ren...I brought you before me to figure out how to deal with that. These new contestants to Battle-World are an annoyance that's unneeded this late in the game.
Thus, you must take whatever measures are required to prevent them from finding the last Jedi. If they were to unite with Luke Skywalker...everything we are striving for will be in jeopardy."
The man named Hux cleared his throat before uttering," Supreme Leader I take full responsibility. I will."
"General!" Snoke bellowed out suddenly as he stood up and his eye twitched." Our current strategy must change."
"The weapon is ready." Hux responded tensely." Starkiller base might not be powerful enough to destroy the other worlds but it can destroy all the Jedi and all the other threats, then we can simply charge it up to full power in peace."
"If we reveal the base before its fully charged then the others possibly could attack and cripple us. We must fire only when victory is assured, carelessness will be our bane. Have you felt it Ren, have you felt the recent awakening?"
The masked man was immobile for a few moments before answering with a stoic," Yes."
Theirs's something more. "Snoke mused with new intimacy." The droid that has the key to our victory, you and I both know its currently on the Millennium Falcon. Yes...in the hands of Han Solo, your father."
Shang noticed Kylo Ren react with subtle, but real surprise before the Knight of Ren retorted with a defensive." He means nothing to me."
"Now is no time for facades," Snoke snapped out." Even you, master of the Knights of Ren, have never faced such a test."
"By the grace of your training, I will not be seduced. It is your teachings that make me strong Supreme Leader."
Ren blurted out with steely resolve." Snoke eyed Ren carefully as he leaned forward." It is far more than that. It is what you are from...it is what you are made of. The dark side...and the light. The finest sculptor cannot fashion a master piece with poor materials.
He must have something pure, something strong, something unbreakable to work with. Palpatine had Vader, and I have you. I watched the Galactic Empire rise, and fall. The gullible prattle on about the triumph of truth...justice...individualism...free will...as if such things were solid, real.
But the historians had it wrong, all wrong! It was not arrogance or poor strategy that brought down the Sith. You know full well what did though yes."
"Sentiment." Ren uttered swiftly like a test answer he long memorized." Snoke smiled before continuing on with," Yes...such a simple thing, such a foolish error in judgment, such a small lapse in an otherwise exemplary life.
If Vader had not succumbed to emotion in such a crucial moment, had the father killed the son, the empire would have prevailed, and existence would not be in the unbalance state it is today.
"I am not as weak as he was, I will finish what he started."
Shaing snickered at Ren's boast before throwing in a wry," Is that the reality and not just what you wish Ren? After all, if your will was as unwavering as you say then your actions would be far to sloppy.
Is it that just maybe you're not as hell bent on going through with killing your family after all? Take it from me, when they are nothing but loathsome trash killing kin is like taking out the trash."
"I have no doubts about what I must do Shaing!" Ren barked out as he grasped his fist tightly." Nothing matters to me more than purging all scum from existence! Han Solo is the embodiment of weakness, I won't hesitate to give him just what he deserves!"
Shaing just snickered before he slowly grasped his sword. As his right eye glowed blue he rasped out," Guess we will see if I can settle things with Akito before you can settle your blood feud first! Just don't dare mock me, for all your powers the power of the Geass will not be dismissed."
"I can say the same to you...the power of the dark side trumps all! That being said, so there is no misunderstanding its Han Solo that bothers me, it's that imposter that mocks me. This Jacen Solo should have crumbled swiftly like the cheap imposter he is! But...his understanding of the Force is more than a mere fake should ever be able to have."
Snoke just chuckled darkly before responding with a sharp." Don't let the illusions of this Battle-World unnerve you. It's true that this Jacen Solo has forced us to take his skills with the Force and his tactics alike seriously.
But even if he has Force skills you don't at this moment of time, he, this Ben Skywalker, that "Sword of the Jedi" Jaina Solo and all the other counterfeits can't compare to your passion!
Never forget that no matter how many combat skills this imposter may have, you are the true chosen one, the true successor of the Force itself! All of the tricks from all of these fools can't outlast the passion of the genuine superior being for long!"
The man in black below Snoke grasped his fist firmly, but before he could retort a snide male voice cut in from the left." You say your champion is superior Snoke, but the data has not lived up to your thesis so far!"
Ren swerved his head to see that the older half syntheses voice came from a decrepit man in a hover chair. The bald man was so old that his eyes were not even open, however he had a third glowing blue eye blazing out on the top of his forehead.
Kylo Ren quickly moved at the new man at an angry pace after hearing the insult, but the sight of a dozen Dalek's swarming around the man made the Knights of Ren leader pause.
Snoke saw his follower's anger and just sneered." I figured someone with your level of patience understood that great things often take time to ripen yes Davros?"
Before Davros could respond a new younger voice with a metallic tone cut in with a sharp," Maybe Snoke, but with your champion's lack of results our Conclave will lose the war before he lives up to the potential you envision!"
The yell came from a man to the right, a man with metallic skin and armor. Next to him were two other alien like figures in glowing armor, the Archon and the Ur-Didact.
Snoke saw Ren's sword arm twitch before he sighed." And here I thought you Mechon knew the value of patience? Losing a few battles means nothing if it sets up winning the war Egil."
Egil gave Snoke a stren glare, before the Archon just crossed his arms and glanced at the hologram." So, you say, but for all your assurances...the results are not matching. You call him the "fake" time and again but the facts are that Jacen Solo has out preformed Ren both in his personal skills and in his capacity to lead his forces to victory. If you want to ensure us that your "chosen" one is not just a farce then you have to provide us with ample results to justify it."
Snoke glanced down at the doubtful glances of his "associates" and grasped his hand tightly." I assure you comrades, you all, along with everyone else in Battle World will see the supreme power of the dark side.
It's true that Ren's power is not as clear as the pretenders at this stage, but like how a flower that blooms later is superior before this is over everyone will see that once fully realized no other being in the Force, not even Luke Skywalker himself can stop him!"
A new being stepped in from the right, a being the size of an overweight male with yellow skin that looked like a bulbous frog. The frog like being clad in black armor croaked out," The faith of the true believers will overcome all. However…the faith of our enemies can be…a hindrance if we don't quickly cut down their own faith, and their lives! Despite our superior resources we still have failed to kill Luke Skywalker! And now the new combatants seem to be a real threat, if they join Skywalker and his Jedi it might ruin everything!"
Snoke glanced at the obese member of the Ganglion race before he chuckled." Don't lose your nerve now Luxaar. The last of the Jedi will fall, Luke Skywalker will fall no matter what. Yes, the scion of Darth Vader will at last be forced to submit to the truth, to what is the true nature of the Force, if not life itself.
From what are reports say, that moment might be approaching faster than we expected. Yes, despite how many legends he has, Luke Skywalker is no savior. No…he's far frailer then most realize, and he can't hide from the truth anymore. Yes…it does not matter if the nature of Battle World might somehow be causing him to unravel faster, all that matters is that we must be prepared to strike to push things in our favor.
The Warden's beacon has faded, send as many as we can to his last location. Ren…prepare to have the Finalizer secure the zone around the Shuigang Snowfields" encase the false Solo tries to blitz our encampment. Despite the differences among us Conclave members, at last we have the means to reshape reality itself to how it should be, we cannot, we will not let the unstable masses stand in the way of destiny!"
A new female voice cut in with a focused," Yes, those that deny the will of the true master of all must face their penance."
A light appeared in front Snoke's image, before everyone saw that the voice came from Ramlethal.
The Black Swan had already introduced herself to the First Order higher ups and upon seeing everyone look at her she threw out a flat," You are the group in this world who have the strongest will, the ones that do not let their preconceptions bound their ambition. Prove to Rabum Alal that your will can overcome the plots your enemies weave, and everything you desire will be yours."
Ren nodded in agreement before he…Hux…Shaing, the Ur-Didact, the Archon, and the others below Snoke nodded before moving out to try and crush their target of obsession. However, as they did, little did they know that their target was on the verge of crushing everyone around him.
James was still struggling to keep conscious after Luke Skywalker suddenly unleashed a massive outburst of the" Force" to attack everyone's minds. The Enji Master used all of his power to remain conscious as he glanced at his unstable attacker, and saw that Luke's eyes looked pained." He seems to not be attacking with malice…but wild rage. Course that matters little if we can't stop it."
James knew that simply breaking the delirious Jedi Master's focus would likely free them all, but to his dismay he was under so much pain that he could not focus enough to unleash a spell.
The member of Squad 7's dread magnified as he glanced to see his comrades seemed just as paralyzed as him.
But as effective as the leader of the Jedi was at effecting all the organic minds around him, in his frantic state Skywalker failed to realize not everyone around him was an organic being. E-123 Omega did not waste any more time to take advantage of that as the red and black E-100 robot had its thrusters fly him into the air, before unleashing a barrage of energy blasts from his transformed hands.
The robot's target showed he was not frenzied enough to be oblivious to the threat, and had his lightsaber blaze out again as he easily deflected the energy blasts and batted them back at Omega.
As the red robot fell, Samus, who's helmet and armor at least partly shielded her from the mental attack had her scanners finish its assessment on her current threat before she aimed her arm cannon at him. "I don't know if this is seen as an introduction from where this guy is from, but enough already."
Samus quickly finished charging her arm cannon and unleashed her Wave Burst to try and scramble the delirious Jedi. Her target got hit by the bounty hunter's projectile, and to everyone's dread used the Force to resist being paralyzed.
Master Chief and the other Spartan commandos, who were also partly shielded vie their armor and after seeing that while Luke was resisting Samus's attack was working, causing Master Chief to look at his comrades, before they all nodded, and had their guns switch to be set to stun before barraging their target with blue paralyzing energy blasts.
With all he was doing at once, even the Grand Master of the Jedi could not deflect every incoming attack. But even as he got hit he just got more frantic." No…I won't…let you…stop me! The Dark Side…will not get the last laugh!
The ground begun to shake, but before Luke could attack a new female voice shouted out a desperate," Uncle Luke, wake up already and stop this!"
Luke's eyes widened as he staggered, and glanced in the direction of the voice. To James and his comrade's immense relief, the mental pressure faded. James regained enough focus to see that the new voice came from a new woman, a fierce looking women with long brown hair and brown eyes, 1.49 meters in height, and dressed in a green and red pilot suit.
Everyone saw the women run up to the Jedi Master, before he blurted out an uneasy." Jaina…is that you?"
"What…you have other nieces like me?" The women retorted before flashing a half lopped smile."
"No…but the Force has gone wild, the dark side is lurking everywhere on this world. The illusions of the Sith are everywhere, everyone feels like they are a fake, you included!"
"This whole Battle World thing may be insane enough to make the Yuuzhan Vong look normal, but you got to get a grip! I don't know what that Beyonder is doing to your mind but you really can't tell me from a fake? C'mon, you're the one who said
"I name you the Sword of the Jedi. You are like tempered steel, purposeful and razor-keen. Always you shall be in the front rank, a burning brand to your enemies, a brilliant fire to your friends.
Yours is a restless life, and never shall you know peace, though you shall be blessed for the peace that you bring to others. Take comfort in the fact that, though you stand tall and alone, others take shelter in the shadow that you cast."
Ugh…I only had that memorized because mom would never shut up about it."
Luke paused for a moment before he looked more stable." You…do seem like the real Jaina. So…that means everyone here, is not agents of the dark side?"
Rey grimaced before coughing out," That's what I been trying to tell you Master Skywalker!"
Jaina just rolled her eyes at the state of the fellow women's pained state." Get a grip or you're never going to make it to the end new girl! So, um…sorry if this is how he introduced himself to all of you. I promise this is not how he normally welcomes allies. Well, unless you're not allies, then we have a problem here."
James saw Jaina was slowly moving her hand to her sleeve before the red-haired man re-positioned his glasses and walked up." Based on the info we currently have I like to believe we should be allies with the Jedi. That depends on if the information we have is valid though."
Guy nodded before throwing in a tense," Got that right. No offense lady but Luke's acting a lot more hostile then the guy was said to be."
Guy's friend Luke raised an eyebrow before throwing out a baffled," Hey what the hell did I do now? I'm only as confused as you all are dude! Really think after all these years I'm going to do something like Akzeriuth again!"
As everyone looked at the red haired Enji from the world of Auldrant with various levels of annoyance Tear just rolled her eyes." Don't be self-absorbed enough to think it's about you idiot! We are talking about the other Luke, the one that's the Jedi Master!"
"Hey, I'm a senior Enji Knight Tear I'm not that far off!"
Guy just chuckled before he patted his childhood friend on the back. "You come a long way from the spoiled brat you use to be man. Still, so things don't get to confusing we better figure out code names. Well I guess we could call you Luuke for now or something."
"Seriously the best you can come up with is something that sounds like it came from a five year old?"
Jade cleared his throat to get his comrades attention before he walked up." I would like to think most of us here can tell the difference between the two. Still, now I see why the others were worried. Tell us miss, is something wrong with Master Skywalker?"
Jaina saw Jade was looking earnest before she sighed." What, he's not looking healthy? Sorry you had to find out the hard way but, I promise Luke's not usually this aggressive.
Something has been messing with both him, and my parents ever since we were all sent to this insane reality by that damn Beyonder. Luke and my parents, Leia and Han Solo, have been seeing things as soon as things started, memories that did not exist.
It's been, like they are two people, with two sets of memories, and emotions. It's made Luke act out in, very dangerous ways. To be honest he went off on his own from where we were hiding, good thing I found him when I did eh?"
Sonic chuckled as he rubbed his nose." No kidding girl, your slick timing got us out of a bind! Still now I see why that Jacen dude wanted us to find him. Well, at least we got to him in time, that son of his will be happy to hear his old man's ok."
The blue hedgehog and those around him saw Jaina grow cold the moment he said Jacen. Jaina once more reached for her pocket as she got in front of Luke." Wait…so Jacen sent you? Just how did you get here anyway?"
James sighed before he put out a diplomatic." We still may be missing on information but the short story is that when we arrived we were instantly confronted by the one known as Kylo Ren in his ship the Finalizer.
He was forced to retreat when Jacen Solo and those fighting alongside him like "Full Frontal" and the others. Since, we still were not in the best position to argue we met Jacen and the others on the command deck of the Anakin Solo, where he told us a few things, and that's more or less how we wound up here.
Jacen Solo seemed like the better of the options we had, but your tone is implying that might not be true. Their still seems to be gaps on what we know is going on here, I take it we are missing a rather large gap on what has really been going on around this world?"
"You could say that." Jaina retorted bitterly." Jacen and I are twins, we use to be so close we had a mental bond. But, Jacen's become so full of himself that he thinks he is superior to everyone! That Kylo Ren is a sick piece of work, but sadly my brother is only a little better at this point. The short version is that Jacen use to be so kind he would try and help any animal in his sight.
However, after the war with the Yuuzhan Vong Jacen became twisted. The pain he went through, the pain of losing our brother, Chewbacha, and so many others broke him. None of us realized it at first, or at least we did not want to see it, but Jacen transformed so much the brother I loved might as well have died as well.
What emerged was a cold man who only cared about crushing anything that was a threat. When we were dealing with a blockade on the world of Corellia, my brother ordered me to fire on a civilian ship just because he assumed that there was a possibility it could be a threat someday and when I refused to fire he stripped me of my rank and fired me from Rouge Squadron!
On top of that we found out he killed a prisoner in an interrogation, used the Dark aspects of the Force to push people around, and even killed another Jedi because he thought it was for the greater good."
James saw how bitter Jaina looked before his own expression hardened." I was getting the impression he was the type that cared about results but, from what your telling me he values order above all. We, have experience with the time who have that obsession before, enough to know how much of a problem it can be."
Luke Skywalker had his right eye twitch, and he coughed a bit before staggering forward." Jacen Solo, is not an evil man, just a misguided one. He wants to bring balance to the Force, and to the galaxy, but he's become so obsession with the goal that he's forgotten that the ends do not always justify the means.
Since we were forced into this cosmic game, Jacen allied himself with individuals that were overwhelmingly embracing the Dark Side of the Force, merely because they were all " practical" men.
Jacen is down this path because I failed to guide him properly. I can't let him make the same mistakes my father, Anakin Skywalker made. I won't let another Darth Vader be unleashed on my watch! I'll save him, and Ben. I'll…Ben…Ren…have to atone…GUH!"
Luke's eyes twitched again before the Jedi Master grasped his head again. Both Jaina and Rey grasped him before Jaina bitterly muttered,"Snap out of it already! I went through the same stuff Jacen did and I did not turn dark! I mean, yah I had a few close calls but Kyp and the others got me to see things straight! Jacen did not even bother to reach out to reach out for help, he thought he was above it!
As good as it was that he beat that true Supreme Leader of the Vong, that puppet master Omni, after that he thought he knew better then everyone else just because he learned a few more Force tricks! If Jacen does not want to turn back, then we just got to stop him along with the rest of the monsters here and make sure he does not drag down Ben with him!"
"So Jacen went to the path of an extremist because of trauma in war I take it? This, is having more in common with Kira then I figured. Still, what about this Kylo Ren? He mentioned the Sith to, is he another former student or sibling of Master Skywalker that's now gone corrupt?"
Jaina paused, before snorting." Oh, you're talking about that punk? Never heard of him or those Knights of Ren loonies that seem to be his toadies. I mean…he reminds me of a former student of Uncle Luke's, Brakiss, but far as I can tell he is just a zealot that crawled out of the shadows. I don't know, you said you saw him before in person right Rey?"
The younger female Jedi looked indecisive before she nodded." I saw the recording BB-8 took when he raided the village of Tuanul on Jakku. He, killed the village elder Lor San Tekka without a shred of remorse. He, laid waste to the entire planet because he's obsessed with finding Luke Skywalker. By luck I got warped here and found Master Skywalker by chance when the fighting started."
Jaina shrugged before throwing out a sharp," If he wants to get thrashed that badly that' s fine by me. Still…Jakku huh? Only heard of that planet from my mom once, no offense but that world makes Tatooine look like a tourist spot.
Guess it makes sense that some twit would crawl around them without getting to much attention since the Outer Rim still loves to keep to itself a lot of the time. Well, we will shut him up for good soon enough.
But, if he and his robot pals can keep Jacen busy while we get the Mortis Monolith ready that would be nice. I mean seriously with how insane it is even guys and gals like us are owned one break right?"
"The Mortis Monolith you say?" James cut in coyly as he raised a eyebrow." So, your group does have a plan to win Battle World as well?"
"Who wants to know?" Jaina answered tensely." Nothing personal but you have not really proven that you're not working with Jacen. If you're as slick as he is this can all be a front, and we can't afford to let our guards down."
Sonic rolled his eyes before spitting out," Cool down the paranoia a notch lady! We don't play ball with jerks, not sure how to prove it without showing you our life story though! If you want proof just check outside. That snake dude that your brother sent with us to watch us wanted to go all brutal on you guys but we told him" Screw that" before James pinned down his tail and we took off."
Lilac suddenly had her eyes widen with dread before she blurted out,"Wait, you're talking about Serpentine? Did you just leave him there? Idiots, he's just going to slither back to Brevon! Now we really have to high tail it out of here!"
James winced before he looked at the purple colored female." I did not knock him out per say, but I did use magic to cover his tail with metal to bound him. I…did not see a transmitter but even so I."
Everyone heard a crashing sound in the distance, that was followed by mechanical grinding noises. Suddenly the door where James and the others entered collapsed, before a giant house sized mech that looked like a golden panther burst out. James jumped back, and saw in the panther's head was a cockpit, where Serpentine clearly was commanding the machine.
The Enji Master saw both Lilac and Jaina giving him dirty looks from the corner of his eyes before he reacted with an uneasy chuckle." I admit I did not have time to give a detailed analyzation scan of his body and what unique hiding spots he could come up with. Thus…as an apologize I'll clean up the mess we caused."
Serpentine had his panther mech jump to the other side of the chamber and saw the Jedi all giving him hateful looks, before he hissed gleefully." I knew you were hiding the Skywalkers! Thought you could deceive us traitors? You will pay thinking you could outwit Lord Brevon, Colonel Solo, and the others! Give up this farce now if you still want to live, only those with the will to get things done will win this war!"
Jaina snickered before she took out a lightsaber, and quickly got into a fighting stance before a blade of purple light formed out of her weapon." Being stubborn and ruthless are not the only thing that makes someone strong you pathetic Neimoidians rip off!
Jacen may have forgotten that, but I'll give him a rough reminder when I get my hands on him! Think your little toy will be enough to take down Jedi Masters? Please, maybe it's a little sleeker but I took down AT-AT's without breaking a sweat!"
"Colonel Solo did say his sister was a hot-headed fool, don't mock me Jedi! This machine was made to take your kind down! Even if I can't defeat you all, if I can neutralize Skywalker, I'll fulfill Lord Brevon's will!"
Serpentine saw various projectiles coming his way and had his mech jump on to the rightward wall. The golden panther then released a dozen missiles from its back. James, Samus, Jade, and some of the others were able to swiftly shoot down the projectiles, but as they exploded in the air, smaller black spears rained down.
Knuckles saw one coming his way and hit one with a lunging punch to smash it into the wall. He paused for a moment as he saw that at the bottom of the spear there was a clear sphere that had a small furry salamander-like being in it.
The red echidna saw that the salamander was just running around in its cage before he raised an eyebrow." What the, the snake is capturing animals and storing it in their machines to! Don't tell me he is like, this world's Eggman or something! Whatever, just more things to smash!"
Tails scanned the spears with his machine before the two-tailed fox tensed up." Not so fast Knuckles, those creatures are emitting energy! If its poison or something it could be trouble!"
Jaina glanced at the creatures and cringe as a result." What the…when did Jacen have time to drag Ysalamiri out of Myrkr when he already is trying to do everything!"
Rey looked at the Ysalamiri and then saw that Serpentine was swerving his panther mech around to try and fire at her and Luke form behind." It does not matter what tricks or monster this slime has, he's no match for the force! Huh?"
Rey tried to unleash a force push to try and topple the incoming charging mechanical panther. However, to her shock, the Force does not respond at all. Just as the charging animal like machine was going to trample her Jaina tackled her and also swung her lightsaber to cause Serpentine to change course.
Jaina saw the younger women still look shocked before she grit her teeth." Keep focused Ray, one moment is all it takes to lose your head! The Ysalamari can repel the Force, rendering all Force powers within their sphere of influence void. Seriously girl I know you're not as much of a pro at this as me but your acting like you been living under a rock!"
"Well not quite a rock but I have spent most of my life living in a broken AT-AT. I did salvage a few holo stories about creatures across the galaxy though!"
"That's…great. Rey, just stay behind me."
"Hahah, your brother was prepared to take down anyone that got in his way Jedi!"
Serpentine hissed out gleefully as he aimed at the Jedi once more. Before he could open fire at his targets Iliac ran fast enough up the wall to jump up and hit the panther mech hard enough for its intended laser beam to go off course.
As Serpentine glared at the one who intercepted him, the native glared back." I don't care how many things you creeps prepared for, you're not going to have enough tricks to have your way with my home! I won't allow it!"
Lilac used another of her abilities to control her hair, and have her ponytails become whips that lashed out hard enough to hit an incoming missile in the other direction, damaging the panther mecha further.
Serpentine hissed out in rage as he took out twin plasma pistols from his armor."You will pay for that you annoying brat! Your no dragon, just a bug that's going to be, GUH!"
The blood hungry serpent prepared to fire on Lilac with his own guns while she was avoiding the machine's claws. Before he could Carol suddenly had her motorcycle burst up in her target's face. Just as Serpentine locked on to her she slashed at him with her claws, hitting him in the face.
The serpent pilot screamed with rage and had his mech fire in all directions in an angry attempt to blow up the one's who wounded him. However, as some missiles nearly hit Lilac and Carol from behind Sonic burst up and smacked one out of the way with his Homing Attack.
Lilac saw the blue hedgehog's move save her, and also saw Knuckles, Tails, and Blaze take out more of the projectiles before Sonic flashed a confident smirk." Keep it up girls, that's some killer spunk you got! Just don't trip up to his lame moves and he's going down in no time flat!"
Serpentine glared at Sonic and tried to have a cannon come out of the panther mecha 's mouth and gather a large amount of energy. As he did Samus jumped up and preformed her Screw Attack to become a spinning blade of powerful energy. James saw the bounty hunter's attack knock the machine back and tried to use a magnetic spell to crush its legs, only to see the mech briefly glow red.
The response caused the Enji Master to tense up." The machine is covered with magic neglecting properties? Seems Jacen Solo does indeed prepare for everything."
Natalie saw James's dismay and grasped her bow tightly." Maybe so, but we overcome far worst villains then this and for the sake of all we hold dear we have to win here!"
Jade nodded before he flicked back his hair." It's not the most…elegant path but from what it seems our one-time ally does not currently have the means to close the gap in power between us so it would be good to make use of that now yes? After all, it does seem like we have a very busy day."
James saw his fellow Enji looked eager before he chuckled." Fair point Jade. I did not think it would have been good to overplay our hand when we did not know the full extent of everyone's skill and power but…now that it's clear who's the opposition, I suppose throwing our weight around to give a bit of intimation can't hurt. Very well…stand back everyone. Ultima!"
Ben's red-haired friend quickly made a few hand gestures before his aura exploded with enough intensity to shake the room and he casually casted one of the more powerful and destructive magic spells.
At the same time Jade unleashed his Indignation Mystic Art and Shadow unleashed his Chaos Blast. As a result, a massive red and green beam of energy crackling with lighting roared at their enemy. Serpentine noticed this just in time to widen his eyes." What the? Curses!"
On instinct Serpentine moved his machine enough out of the way of the blast to have the head avoid being vaporized. Even so the resulting explosion blasted the head with enough force to push it all the way out of the cavern.
Jaina saw just how large a hole James and the other's attack made before she looked at the Enji tensely." What kind of Force skill is that!? Even, Jacen and Uncle Luke can't pull off a raw energy blast."
"I assure you it's a high-class magic spell, but one commonly enough known were we are from. Not sure if you would know the planet though, it's from a time long ago in a place very far away."
Luke and Rey saw the massive aura of blue energy still crackling around James before Rey muttered." Master Skywalker…can the Force really be used like that?"
Luke grasped his head before muttering an unfocused," Abilities so powerful they make Force Lighting look like nothing, and you're truly not agents of the Dark Side?"
James saw how wary the Jedi looked before he sighed." Spells like Ultima are destructive yes, but like very tool, it's the user that defines if the act is good or evil. I would love to debate over the difference on how we tap into energy and all that but we seem short on time. I hope by now that you can see we are on your side.
We are not on either Kylo Ren or Jacen Solo's side, but the force that sides with justice. If your brother is as attentive as you implied it would be foolish to stay here. Can you take us to your base of operations so we can properly get up to speed?"
Jaina, Lilac, and Rey all looked at Luke, before the Jedi Master looked more focused." Jaina, I think we can trust them. I sense righteousness in their hearts, and if they are repressing their feelings the Mortis Monolith will expose the truth. Their unique powers might even help us get things ready faster."
Jaina paused, before she shrugged." Well, we do need to hurry before those freaks get their mega Death Star or whatever fully charged. Not sure if it will really be powerful enough to take out everyone else in Battle World but, it can't be good. Either way it's a eyesore so let's go on and blow it up.
All right, tell Shulk and the others to contact my mom and get her to get Elsenova and the other Rusalki ready to lower the breech duck dude."
Iliac and Carol's friend rolled his eyes before spitting out," My name is Torque Jaina! I don't call you Jedi dude!"
"Yah but that's because I'll force push your beak off if you call a lady that."
"I thought you're not on the dark side?"
"I'm not, don't push me down that path with stupid questions! Ugh…you moan more than Zekk. C'mon, if your serious we have to move now! Where we are hiding out is a space that Jacen and everyone else can't detect either by radar or the Force. But, if we are careless they might detect us when the breeched space opens."
James just chuckled as he looked around." Don't worry, me and my comrades are well experienced with timely operations. I'll just contact my other teammates on our ship and be happy to follow you."
Luke nodded before he and the others went down the path that the Jedi Master originally entered. James glanced around to see the state of his friends before he tried to look confident as he opened a line to Fox.
As he saw everyone carefully follow the Jedi he repressed a sigh, and while he was waiting to call Fox he scanned the Jedi Master with the scanner on his glasses." Assuming the cymatic scan did not get damaged in the fight, the leader of the Jedi's Crime Coefficient, his Hue…is green. The legendary savior's currently has a chaotic enough state of mind to become a latent criminal. I suppose in a stressful chaotic war it's unrealistic to expect everyone to have unclouded hues, but relying on unstable allies could be a fatal mistake.
Well…guess it could be worst. Based on how some of this world is based on fiction, it's entirely possible the Beyonder reacted Luke Skywalker with fictional memories based off fake events spawned from fictional tales, not facts. To a god that only desires a fun show, creating insane game pieces seems to be a trivial thing.
A world full of unstable people with glitchy memories and personalities, every one of them could snap and attack us like Bisley and the others. And yet, it's still not as dangerous as confronting the Beyonder directly so it seems ideal to play along with this game as well as we can.
With any luck, we might learn more details about the Beyonder's agenda, and at least a few things that can help us stop him. More than ever before, we need to keep a sharp eye on are surroundings. We may not have Ezan's Sharingan but, we will have to do the best we can."
James then proceeded to really call Fox to check up on everyone on board the Great Fox before seeing just what the Jedi and the others had planned.
After ten minutes of going down various tunnels the Enji and their teammates saw the Jedi's group stop around a giant metallic blue-grey face attached to the wall behind it by numerous wires. James and the others noticed behind the face was a substance that looked like bubbling liquid.
Sonic saw how unstable the wall looked before tensing up." Wait…do we have to swim to get to the hideout? Even if I was a good swimmer, this water looks more toxic then the stuff Egg man had in all his crazy factories!"
"I'm doubting you even swim in that stuff Sonic." Samus muttered as she scanned the substance with her helmet." It's even more unstable then Phazon, it's like its very essence is corrupt matter that changes by the moment. I guess it's a good way to keep uninvited guests out, long as you don't forget about it and vaporize yourself."
Lliac's friend Torque just chuckled as he took out an exotic gun. "Don't know if it has an official name but the Beyonder really does seem like he was powerful enough to slam entire planets together, only problem is that he did a sloppy job about it.
This space is like, a corrupted segment of space, a "Glitch" in reality. A comrade of ours, a scientist named Athetos invented this Address Disruptor to alter the glitchy areas and stabilize them, allowing us to hide out in a small pocket dimension past this breach.
Thanks to Elsenova here and the other Rusalki machines like her that watch over the world of Sundra siding with us, they are able to divert sensors and hide our presence. Athetos got captured by that Kylo Ren freak, but at least he told he how to use his gun before that happened."
James and those around him tensed up as the giant face suddenly had its eyes glow." These organisms are not in the database, are they to be trusted?"
"Seem like it." The green colored duck answered." They can do some cool things and we kind of need all the help we can get so we are going to take a chance and see if they can help us ready the Mortis Monument and even survive this."
Elsenova had her eyes glow blue for a few moments before turning back to normal." Ophelia…Veruska…and Katrahaska all agree the risk is worth the odds. Very well, proceed."
Torque nodded before he aimed his gun, the Address Disruptor, and fired a series of beams shaped like blue squares. At first nothing seemed to happen, but after being exposed by the beam for around ten seconds the unstable matter suddenly glowed white, before the matter melted away, reveling a pathway.
James saw that beyond the breach looked a normal enough brown pathway in what looked at first glance like a temple like structure before Lilac grinned at Torque and swerved around." All this stuff is over my head but even if it looks crazy it really works! It does not last forever though so hurry up or you slugs are going to get left behind!"
Lilac chuckled before she brazenly dashed down the new pathway. Sonic snickered at the girl's spunkiness before he leaned down." Who you calling a slug girl? You're an exotic looking slug in the face of my speed!"
Sonic quickly spin-dashed into the tunnel to catch up to Lilac, and as Carol coughed from the dust cloud Sonic left in his wake she moaned out," Just great, the blue guy seems as single minded as Lilac!"
Tails chuckled as he itched his nose." Nah…he can focus on more than one thing when either Chilly Dogs or speed is involved. Besides, he never gets distracted when things are on the line. So, ready to show us just what is on the line guys?"
Carol nodded before she, Jaina and the rest of their group went into the hall way. With one last check of his surroundings James lead his group into the new pathway. After only a few seconds they emerged in a wide temple like chamber.
Just as everyone wondered if anyone else was their they got their answer as a man clad in black armor with white hair, a band covering his left eye and a katana sizzling with energy suddenly jumped down from the ceiling.
James quickly drew his bow, but as his comrades also got in to fighting stances Lilac giggled." Calm down they are with us Raiden. If you really thought we were dumb enough to take the bad guys with us here then I'll smack you no matter how hard your jaw is!"
The cyborg like man eyed James intensity, and then saw Jaina and Luke nod before he put his sword back in his sheath." Just making sure…with everything going on you guys could have been coerced by a spell or nano-machines or something."
A older male voice chuckled in the distance." Ease up Raiden…all your fancy augmentations and you can't even tell a friend from foe eh? Told you tech's no substitute for a warrior's instincts."
James and the others saw that the snide remark came from a tall man with Brazilian features with black hair tied in a ponytail, clad in armor, casually holding a red sword over his right shoulder.
The man with a scar on his face flashed a wide grin as he looked at the Enji. "So we got a bonus from the Grand Master's fishing trip eh? That's good, the Princess is on edge as it is."
"I'm on edge because I told you and everyone else that its General, not princess smartass. Your just lucky I have faith in Shulk's skills to trust what him and" Dunban Sam."
The retort came from an old women's voice, one with razor sharp whip. The man just winced before he swerved around." Of course, General Leia."
Everyone then saw a woman enter wearing a green military outfit. She had penetrating black eyes with her brown hair shaped in an exotic bun. Despite having a few wrinkles on her skin her sharp look made it clear to everyone that she was on top of things. To her side was a humanoid clad with a golden metallic body, and James quickly noticed that it looked like an old type of Protocol droid.
The droid glanced at the returning Jedi before his pace quickened." Master Luke you returned! And you returned with Master Rey as well! I told you Master Jaina would set everything straight Artoo, like I said…Master Luke's just been having a headache because of how unstable things are on this world! A whole planet did blow up recently, remember what happened to Master Kenobi when the Death Star destroyed Alderaan. We have enough to worry about so cease with the moaning or I'll switch you off! I to would switch you off for all the fun so just watch it!"
A white and blue astromech droid rolled out alongside the taller droid while beeping out something that sounded sarcastic. Leia just pushed the droids aside." I don't have the time to humor you Threepio. Luke… I'm glad you're alright. Even after I saw the Monado's vision I was worried something horrible would happen. You were supposed to stay by the Monolith remember?"
Luke looked around with an unfocused look before muttering," I had to go, the Force was calling me. I sensed Ray was in danger."
"She knew her mission, but in the end I guess it all worked out. That is, unless this is an elaborate hostage situation Jaina?"
Jaina just snickered as she saw the tense looks James and some of the others were giving her." If it is it's a dumb one mom. Don't worry they may look like an odd bunch but they seemed legit. Proved who's side they were on after thrashing one of the minions Jacen had tagging around."
"You sure Jacen did not follow us here?"
James re-positioned his glasses before cutting in with a wry,"I assure you General, we took every precaution and they don't seem to be aware of how we got here. I know you don't have a reason to trust us yet but I hope we can swiftly do something to fix that. I am James Elrond, Master of the Enji order and an agent of the Lylat Kingdom."
"Enji? Luke this is a hell of a time to reveal there was another splinter branch of the Jedi you left out after all these years. What…you just stumbled into another Holocron in this Battle World or something?"
"Ah, I would not quite call the Enji a splinter group of the Jedi. Its, a long story and to be blunt right now we have more pressing issues. When we first arrived at this battle zone we were confronted by Kylo Ren…only to be "rescued" by Jacen Solo.
He told us we needed to find Luke Skywalker but I'm thinking more and more that the reasons why were vital only from his point of view. I was hoping you would be willing to get us up to date so we can get the whole story. My take is that your group is opposing both parties?"
"We got a sharp one eh?" Leia muttered as she crossed her arms." Well we would not be hiding if we wanted to be found Enji. Your right though, Jacen may be calling us the radical ones but he is the one who's projecting. He's decided that causing the fighting to end is the only thing that matters.
I, my brother Luke, and others disagreed and after finding others that shared are line of thought we broke away and tried to find a better way. We had far too many close calls, but our resistance has managed to hold together to this final round, thanks to finding those that wanted to fight with the Jedi.
I see you have been introduced to Lilac and her friends, along with the cybernetic swordsmen Raiden and Jetstream Sam. Alright, we don't have time to waste so let's get everything out of the way at once.
Come with me Luke, Kyp, and the other Masters are making progress with the Mortis Monolith. Aright Enji, if your legit or not we will see how strong your Sabacc face is."
"Ah, so that's still in fashion for you? Interesting."
"What you on a tour for various card games or here to fight? I only need one at the moment so if you're going to be any help let's do this."
Leia motioned everyone to follow her and went to talk to Luke as the now larger group went down another hallway, and entered into another wide chamber. Various individuals were gathered around a giant black and red crystal. James noticed many individuals in hooded brown robes in preying positions around it.
Before the Enji Master could inquire his new surroundings, a cocky male voice chuckled." So you're new guests to the party eh? You don't look that special. Then again, people tell me they think I'm nothing special, so I guess we're both full of surprises. Guess you were not tripping after all kid."
Everyone saw that the voice came from a tall man with Asian features wearing a purple attire with gelled hair and stylish sun glasses. Behind him were a few more individuals in likewise casual purple clothing including a black skinned man with a fedora and a women with braided hair.
Before James could say anything a younger man with a British accent responded with a confident," Like I said Mister Gat…the Monado was spot on! I'm really feeling it, this is going to work out!"
Ben's comrades saw the newest voice came from a blond man clad in informal red attire welding a large red sword with a hole in the area around the hilt. The man saw James looking at him and just smiled." I'm Shulk, nice to meet yah! Always good to see fellow Homs! Sorry if I'm not more shocked but I already saw you in the vision the Monado gave me!"
James eyed the red sword in Shulk's hand, the Monado curiously, before a taller man with wild brown hair with a shield gun lance hybrid weapon in his right hand playfully pushed Shulk."Oy Shulk, you're going to weird them out if you keep it up like that the lot of them don't even know what the Monado is!"
"They are all as intense adventures as us Reyn! I know they are use to out their stuff, the Monado showed me! Anyway, here is my friend Reyn, along with my comrades Sharla and Dunban."
Jaina chuckled as she saw Shulk's friends, the English women with long black hair in red armored shorts and shirt with a sniper rifle named Sharla, and the older man with long black hair and elegant red and black clothing with a katana, the ace swords man Dunban, walk up before she glanced at James." At first, we thought these guys had just lost their minds from all the insanity going on in the battles here, but then this Shulk kid showed he really could predict the future with that odd Monado sword of his even better then we could sense things with the Force!
I mean I can still take him down without trying that hard but, I admit knowing what's coming's got us out of a few tight spots so far, especially with Uncle Luke and mom having so many, er, never mind. Alright we don't have all day for introductions so the guy in the shades is Jonny Gat, he and the others in purple are from the Saints Row Gang."
James saw how wide a grin Gat formed before he raised an eyebrow." Gang members eh?"
Before Gat could say something the scanner on James's glasses blurted out," Warning, subject's Crime Coefficient is near pitch black."
Gat saw James's tension before he spat on the ground." What the hell, this some fancy sting after all?"
"Sorry about that, some of the gear's still on the fritz from all the insanity going on. Still, I see your quite the colorful cast."
Leia went in front of Gat before smirking." I admit some of the people here would not past the Jedi entrance exams but, despite how shady their past maybe we can count on them. Kylo Ren killed their boss and my husband Han likes them so they see him as their current boss so we won't have to worry about them. Trust me, I know a thing or two about reliable rouges and people in their group like Pierce, Shandi, Kinzie, and Benjamin King have helped us get through some tight spots."
Jaina saw James, Samus, Sonic, Jade, and a few of the others accept her mother's defense before she laughed again." I think dad just likes having guys on his level besides Lando to talk with. Well…with how tense things are anything to relax is good these days. Still, where is dad?"
"Han…insisted if he stayed cramped any longer he was going to snap so he went to check out things in the Falcon with Lando and Chewie. He still wants to prove he is a " major" player in this game even without the Force."
Jaina tensed up as she glanced at her mother." And you just let him go!? Now is not the time for dad to stroke his ego, even the Millennium Falcon can't just shrug off some of the guns from the guys Jacen and Ren are teaming up with!"
Raiden chuckled before throwing in." Ease up girl. Snake's with him, and he sure as hell won't let your dad or anyone else do anything rash to blow his cover. It was risky but, now is not the time to play it safe. Frankly, the faster we get this big force thing to work the faster we can make our move."
Sonic glanced around before throwing out an uneasy chuckle." I'm all for speed dude. Just wondering, I been doing this long enough to tell that your team is the one to trust but, now that we are on the same page mind filling us in on what the game plan is? Is that giant gem what your betting on? Man, and I thought the Master Emerald was a big gem!"
Luke saw everyone looking at the giant crystalline structure above them before he got more solemn." Its more than a mere crystal, it's a nexus of the Force itself, the Mortis Monolith. My father, Anakin Skywalker, and my mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, uncovered it during the Clone Wars, but only discovered a fraction of what it could do.
Jacen searched for it as a second Galactic civil war prepared to erupt after it was clear the Confederation was not going to back down even after the death of their former leader, Han's older cousin Thrackan Sal-Solo.
He wanted to secure a power that surpassed the Centerpoint station that the Corellian Armada had command of. He wanted to secure a power even greater than the legendary relics of the old republican like the Star Forge to ensure that no one would dare to defy him again.
He said it was the best way to bring" True lasting balance to the Force" but I saw that the Dark Side had a hold on him. After finding old notes that Kenobi had on the Mortis Monolith I and those I trusted most went to secure it.
We managed to stay ahead of Jacen and find the true monolith. There was one that was as big as a moon that everyone thought was the true one, but we were lead to this one, its core."
Samus scanned the Monolith with her visor only to get an inconclusive reading before she turned to the Grand Master of the Jedi." Not sure just what kind but there is enough energy to power a planet behind this Monolith, if you guys can really control it then guess we got a game plan here. So, I guess those robed people are your comrades and they are controlling it or something?"
Skywalker saw the people surrounding the Monolith and smirked." They are indeed my peers, my fellow Jedi Masters, Kyp Durron, Corran Horn, Kyle Katarn, and Cilghal. They are the only ones left, after, after we arrived here.
They are using the Force to open the Monolith. Like the Jedi and Sith Holocrons, an object infused with the Force requires a Force user, and an object of this magnitude requires multiple Force users. It took, much time and difficulty to figure out but we at last made progress. How's it going Cilghal?"
One of the Jedi Masters pulled down her robes and revealed she was a member of the red colored fishy Mon Calamari species before responding with a wary," It's about ready Luke, we should be ready in time to counter the Starkiller Base."
James eyed how much the other Jedi Masters were focusing before he walked up." Is, this going to unleash a laser or something powerful enough to overpower the enemy?"
"Not quite, the Force works in mysterious ways my friend." Luke answered plainly." The Light Side is not that of aggression, but, I know it will give us the means to counter act the enemy."
"Well…I can see why the other teams would not want that to happen. Things are coming together now. One last thing, were does Kylo Ren factor into this? He does seem like one of those Sith Lords. Did he and Jacen have a falling out?"
Leia suddenly had her face twitch before her breathing got heavy." No…he's not with Jacen. He, Snoke, he came from, the shadows. I, should have seen it, should have seen Snoke acting, should have, reached out to Ben before it was. I should have been able to reach out to, ugh."
Everyone got alarmed as both Leia and Luke grasped their head in pain before Jaina grasped her mother. "Take it easy mom, that freak's not going to get the last laugh, we took out worst!
We were all stressed about things, we all were too willing to hope Jacen would see how obvious things were but guess he was more stubborn then we gave him credit for. Don't worry, I'm not going to let him drag Ben down with him, and hell we will even find Aunt Mara to!
I mean suddenly Chewey came back from the dead in this place so who knows what can happen right? I mean, a little odd someone cloned Chewbacca but it cleared Dad and Lowbacca up a lot so might as well enjoy the good moments right?
No matter how crazy things get we always bounce back, and we will do it again, right?"
Leia looked dazed for a moment before she muttered," Yes…we will save Ben, and reach out to my son."
Jaina saw everyone looking at Luke and Jaina with concern before she grinned." Sorry, something about that Ren freak causes my parents and Uncle Luke to freeze up. Could be some obscure Force power, there has been plenty of those over the years. Just another reason to take him out I guess."
James saw his comrades looking at him with concern over what he told them about the true history of Luke Skywalker before he just put out a polite face. "It does seem like the only solution to murderous fanatical types yes? Oh right, I don't know how much of it was a lie but Jacen said that the First Order members were after something called the Kingdom Stone."
Torque chuckled before walking into the center of the room." The best lies are one's that are half true, and they were at least right about that. Even before we got sucked into this Battle World, Brevon was after the Kingdom Stone. Thankfully we got some luck as we go it right, here!"
The duck like being took something out of his bag, and everyone looked in awe as he took out a small sparkling Opal and Sapphire colored crystalline sphere. Knuckles saw how the Kingdom Stone shimmered before he raised an eyebrow." Almost sounds like this thing does the same thing that the Chaos Emeralds and the Sol Emeralds do."
"Heh well I don't know what those things are man but the Kingdom Stone is the crystalline concentration of the energy supplies of the star-ship that brought the Ancient Dragons to Avalice, er, the world that Brevon invaded before we all got sent to this place.
According to the worlds Royal Magister, the Three Kingdoms of Avalice, Shang Tu, Shang Mu, and Shuigang have depended on the Kingdom Stone for centuries, using its energy to power their technology.
Sadly, that's why it's very likely this Kylo Ren wants the stone so that he and his buddies can power up their doomsday weapon enough to try and take out the other worlds. The Kingdom Stone does a lot of good to a lot of people, we can't let its power fall into the wrong."
Before Torque could finish he nearly lost his grip on the Kingdom Stone, causing it to bump into him, and to everyone's shock, hit him hard enough to cause his beak to fall off. Shadow saw this and just sighed." Well…seems like yet another unstable power source."
To his and the other's shock Torque just laughed before his smaller mouth underneath where the beak was spewed out," Sorry about that, I pretended to be a duck to blend in with the locals but the truth is I'm not from this, well, the world Lilac, Carol and the others call home either.
The truth is I'm from a group called the Chasers, a group formed by an alliance of planets meant to stop evil individuals from causing harm, like Brevon. I tried to stop Brevon on my own after I lost my last crew, but the stakes are too high to be humble now.
Things have gotten crazier than I ever thought possible, but no matter how many villains and how many gods try to have their way, I'll keep trying to the end to make things right!"
"Don't stress out about it Torque that's what the bad guys want!" Lilac uttered as she patted her green friend on the back." No matter how crazy this gets I'm not stopping till we can all chill out hassle free back home!"
James saw the various groups sharing faces of resolve before he took a deep breath." I can see your determined, I take it that means you have a strategy for this aside from hiding from the enemy?"
Leia regained her composure enough to form a slick grin." We are going to take the fight to the enemy, and start off by getting them to lower their guard down. Theses smug pricks want us so badly to submit to them that we are going to give them what they want, or at least pretend to long enough to sucker punch them. More or less, we are going to give them a fake Kingdom Stone.
That will trick them long enough to attack and secure a path to the Star-killer."
Jade looked at the Kingdom Stone intently before throwing out a dry," Your enemies seem to desire this Stone quite a lot. Are you sure your deception will hold up to a through scan?"
Torque chuckled as he turned to the corner." If you mean do we think the façade will last then not really. However, we just need them distracted enough to divert their attention, then we can lock on to their systems, long enough to have a map to their location."
Rey suddenly walked up before muttering a timid." Before we got sucked into this Battle World I met this BB-8 Droid that's owner had downloaded part of the Star-Killer's data files before they were captured by Kylo Ren. Come on out Beebee-Ate, the guys here are not hostile."
A droid that looked like a soccer ball with mostly white, with some orange and silver for color on its body body, as well as a black photoreceptor for an eye attached to a round dome head rolled up before looking at everyone anxiously.
Artoo then beeped something that caused the smaller droid to calm down. Rey then patted her robotic comrade on the head before smiling." The fake duck man says if he can get out Beebee-Ate to log into their systems again for only a little bit we can not only secure a pathway to their location but even lower their shields!"
"Don't worry Rey, "Torque threw out." Between me, Kinzie, Otacon, and a few of the others the Holodragon's mimic program should be enough to fool the First Order we gave them the stone. I mean, you do say your programmed for this kind of thing in the first place, right Pangu?"
Torque glanced behind him before a floating blue machine that looked like a Squid floated above the Kingdom Stone." Since the time of the Ancient Dragons I have been programmed to defend the dragon's legacy. This task is within my programming, see?"
The robot Pangu glowed before a flash of light appeared, and when it faded Pangu now looked like the Kingdom Stone. James eyed the transforming robot carefully before C-3PO saw the doubt in his and the other Enji and stepped forward." I assure you sir Enji that the replication program is praise worthy, even Artoo was unable to tell the difference. The odds of our success are twenty point nine nine nine to one."
Artoo blurted out an erratic beep, which caused the protocol droid to slap the astromech droid on the head." I'm not going to sugarcoat it Artoo the chances of failure are still quite high but at least it's not totally hopeless. Oh shut up you were indeed fooled the first time!"
A man with long unkept hair, the scientist Otacon then walked up before sprouting a weak grin." We have a plan B, if they do take the fake back we managed to create a virus program that will hopefully give this thing hell. I mean, not sure if it will be as effective as the FOXALIVE virus was on the patriots AI but, can't hurt right?"
Jaina smirked again before she looked at her fellow Jedi." Don't worry, just slow down the First Order's big toy long enough for our own "toy" to get the job done. It should be done as long as you guys don't blow it. I mean, I know most of you Masters have been to use to just sitting around and talking but we can't afford for you guys to drop the ball now."
The Jedi Master Kyp just snickered before barking back," I did not get to strut my stuff for a while Jaina but you're going to regret talking smack about me. Remember I dragged the Sun Crusher out of a Star all by myself? "
"Yah but I thought that was when that Sith Lord Exar Kun's ghost possessed you?"
"Well yah but…he was wanting to manipulate me because of my power after all. Don't worry, we will get this thing ready, it's going to take a lot more then firing a Proton Torpedo in the right spot to take down this new super weapon."
James saw how focused the Jedi were before he gave their leader another uneasy glance." I know all about how mystical objects cannot give you the full story. That being said, you're sure that this Mortis Monolith is something we can count on to be our key to winning the approaching battle?"
The Jedi Master closed his eyes before responding with a wary," If your saying I tested this to assure us that victory would be absolute then I'm afraid that's not the case. However I assure you my hunches have been worth following in the past and, this time I feel the Force as strongly with this hunch as when I blew up the Death Star or when I survived fighting my father in Cloud City.
The Force works in mysterious ways, if I could understand it perfectly I would have lost a lot less then I have in all the years I fought the agents of the Dark Side. But…I been doing my best to bring balance to the Force, to make sure society is on the right path, to live up to the ideals of the Jedi.
Since the earlier form of the Jedi Knights, back when they were known as the "Je'daii " Talid monks of the Order of Dai Bendu on the planet Ando Prime, tried to figure out how to counter act the influence the dark "Bogan" with the bright Ashla to bring balance to all people's hearts. And yet, around thirty-six thousand years later, the goals of the Jedi have not really seemed to have come closer at all.
I wanted more than anything to make sure the galaxy never would be in the same state as it was under Emperor Palpatine, under Darth Sidious. And yet…despite my efforts, chaos swept through the galaxy, and we were unable to stop people from going to war, in fact, my own students accelerated conflict. Yes, my own. Ugh."
Luke had his eye twitch again before he coughed violently and he looked at the Mortis Monolith with a desperate look." Maybe, the Jedi should be no more, maybe…the ideals they founded on, were based on delusions that are out of place with reality."
James saw Jaina and the other Jedi Masters starting to look worried before he cleared his throat." I can't say I know just what you went through Grand Master Skywalker, but me and my comrades have been aiming for the same goals as you.
The founders of the Enji have dreams like yourself, and, maybe it's just the difference in our locations but, the means to truly reform society and bring about a world free of repression is within in our grasp.
So, don't lose faith now, we can't let theses selfish individuals shatter rip up all that we have built. That's why, we all got to combined our resources to outwit the resources and tactics are enemies have."
Luke saw the resolve in the Enji Master's eyes, before he nodded. Leia saw how focused James was and snorted." Your either crazy or have seen as much stuff as me and my brother to just take this battle as another day of the week kid."
Sonic crossed his arms before throwing out a bold,"No offense lady but for most of our group this is what a day of the week is for us, at least for a lot of years. Saving the world, if not the universe from baddies on ego trips is how we roll! This is going to be one of the more crazier rides we have been on but, we are not going to lose!"
"You can brag how much of a big shot you are but even if this is another day of the week for you guys it's still my world on the line." Lilac blurted out." Well, at least part of my world. Either way, my home's part of so it's everything for me! So if you're not taking it seriously I."
"Chill girl, everything's on the line for all of us to. That being said, can't let the pressure get to yah or you will trip up right?"
"Well…guess you guys have shown you can walk the walk so far, just don't choke up when it counts you hear!"
James tried his best to project confidence as he crossed his arms." I assure you, most of my group have devoted their entire life to making sure we don't choke in the moment of truth. Still, to ensure this operation has the best odds of success it would be best if we could contact our comrades."
Jaina snickered before throwing out a hearty," Sure, we got a place that serves as a quick place for ships to land in a pitch. We got members of Rouge Squadron and Wraith Squadron still playing double agent over on Jacen's side. Never thought I could rely on a Gamorrean but that Piggy earned his reputation, Wedge picks them well. You don't mind if some of our guys tag along on your ship eh?"
"You mean to watch over us to make sure we don't back stab you? Don't worry, it's only natural." James uttered dryly." Feel free to send who you like with us, it will just make it all the easier for us to coordinate if your aware of more details of our units beforehand."
"Heh, you're as blunt as Fel eh? Sure, I'll bite, would not mind what exotic ships you have. What's all of these mobile suits that have been flying around? Why you even have ships that look like humanoids in the first place it's so stupid!"
"I assure you our tech is advanced enough to make what seems impractical practical. But don't take my word for it, hopefully you will see for yourself onboard the Great Fox, Amuro, Slippy, and the others will be all too happy to clear your doubts. Now then…unless there is anything else we need to know I suppose it would be best if we prepare to mobilize yes?"
Leia glanced at Lilac before nodding." The plan is to meet up with Zao, the Major of the city known as Shang Mu. He's the the one who's officially conducting the "surrender negotiations." It would be best to not be late, he seems like the impulsive type."
"Yah..even with Spade watching him I would not put it past him to try and brag about something to look cool and blow it. Hey Shulk, what does your magic sword say?"
Shulk looked at the Monado before he shrugged." I'm not getting a vision, maybe that means it will be ok?"
"I'm not willing to take that chance, floor it Hero Pants!"
As Lilac rolled her eyes Luke Skywalker cleared his throat before looking at the others." Everyone, this will be as brutal battle as they come, but for the sake of everything we hold dear we must prevail. May the Force be with us."
Luke Fon Fabre raised an eyebrow before muttering," Why? Is that going to."
Tear jabbed him in the gut to cut him off before she politely smiled. James then let Jaina and Raiden lead his group to reunite with the Great Fox as everyone prepared to make final preparations.
As Leia saw Luke look at Rey leaving she winced and went right up to her brother." Luke, tell me the truth, are you really ok? I feel the same symptoms you are, don't hide it from me."
The leader of the Jedi made sure no one was listening before tension seeped into his face." The blunt truth is that I'm in tremendous pain Leia, both physically and mentally. I feel like I'm about to come apart both body and soul, but, I forced myself through worst, and I don't have a choice but to keep going or I'll let everyone down."
"You can't just willpower through this one Luke, you have to think clearly so we make sure we don't let the right people down. We have to know what is real, and what is fake."
"I know that Leia, but even focusing as hard as I can the Force is giving me mixed messages. It all feels so real, even the fake memories. The memories of Chewbacca dying as a moon fell on him, even though I know he was alive. The memories of Jacen, of Jaina, they feel real, the emotions feel real! So how, how do we tell them they are not real?"
"To be frank, we can't. Even if I know Jaina is not my real child I know she thinks she is, and we can't afford to crush her mind when the stakes are this high. We just have to focus on saving as many as we can, like Ben."
"Even as things stand now…you still want to try and save him even with Jacen?"
"It sounds asinine in my head, but I can't give it up in my heart. You're really going to tell me its hopeless with how stubborn you were about Vader?"
"Well…I mean the situation is far different now but, your right I own you that much at least. We, just have to have faith in the Force, and in those we love even if they seem lost in the darkness. We have to be prepared for everything, while holding out to the end that both Jacen, and Ben will wake up and realize what insanity is before it's too late. Just, got to make sure I don't lose myself to madness first."
"Don't worry about that." Leia threw out dryly," Han's been good at keeping us grounded in reality and," Luke saw her sister's eyes suddenly twitch before blurting out," No, no he was not grounded at all, he was to bitter to reach out and just ran away, he, ugh. Damn it these memories are getting to be a pain, let's just end this already."
Luke saw Rey, Dunban, Jetstream Sam, and some of the others looking at them before he and his sister went to begin the operation, pretending to come off as far more confident than they were.
As they did…the man that at least to him was one of their sons was preparing to shut down their hopes with absolute confidence.
Jaina's twin brother had remained onboard the Anakin Solo since he saw James and the others off, and had been tracking down both the First Order's units and those sympathizing with his Uncle. At the moment Ben Skywalker had walked into the command deck and saw Jacen had his arms folded as he was looking down on the planet.
Ben saw that Brevon, Full Frontal, and Uther and some of the others of the makeshift Cabal were with him and was conflicted for a moment before Jacen suddenly uttered a calm," Speak your mind Ben, I know I taught you to not walk around the Command Deck without purpose."
Jacen's unofficial apprentice took a deep breath before he nodded." Prince Dail has contacted us about Mayor Zao heading now to the "Glacier Zone" to hand over the Kingdom Stone to Kylo Ren and Shaing. The Mayor's transport is heading to the location now."
Brevon suddenly chuckled before he grasped his fist tightly." I knew Dail would be an ideal puppet for this game board, I could see the weakness in his eyes as I decapitated his father. Knowing who will give you the least amount of push back is ideal for concurring after all."
Jacen cleared his throat before throwing in a dry," Knowing how to obtain the ideal resources is key yes…but knowing how to use every resource to size victory is vital. Tell me…any reports on just what Zao will be handing over? Any reports on what security is defending him and if there is anything unusual?"
Ben repressed a wince as he stiffened up." Sorry…they did not indicate anything unusual, nothing about if my d, if Master Skywalker, the other Jedi, or any others would be coming with him."
Jacen merely waved his hand before a hologram recording of the Great Fox appeared in front of him. "No need to worry Ben, you did as I asked. As…chaotic as things have been even with what the reports have been saying it would assume too much to think they would make this easy for us yes? After all…its clear we are dealing with very powerful individuals, is that right Serpentine?"
Brevon's right hand man slithered into the chamber, still with burn marks he suffered after being extracted from his mech. Serpentine flinched as he saw the combined glares his way before he looked down." I promise I did all I could Commander! It's just, these new players, their power is insane!"
Brevon chuckled darkly before he hissed out," And good escape artist to boot, our efforts to follow them are not turning out well. Don't feel too scared Serpentine, you were just meant to observe the new pieces to give us a sample of what they could do, and in that regard, you succeeded.
Heh, I figured he would not throw in lightweights for the final part of the game but after seeing how they dispatched the Dalek's they do seem to have, quite a variety of magic a their disposal."
Jacen saw the footage of James and the other destroying Serpentine's panther machine with their magic and just hardened."It's true these Enji and their comrades have powers that are an enigma even to me, but no matter how exotic their talents are, it won't help them if their resolve is unable to make use of it. Yes…since they are siding with Luke Skywalker and his band of naïve rebels they proved they are plagued with mental weakness.
In the end though it's better to find out now before they can sabotage anything crucial. Now that we know their true nature, we can exploit it to ensure they will not stop us. Their acting commander, the man named James, seemed wise.
However, like Luke, and even my own hopeless sister he's a man who refuses to see the true nature of people. I won't let nativity stand in my way any longer, any who refuses to see the truth will be struck down, the stakes are too high!"
Full Frontal just chuckled before adding a wry," The "Oldtypes" are not looking for greater truths, they are looking for simple answers to feel good about themselves. The heroic types that blind themselves to the possibility of hope.
Possibility is a form of chaos, it has no shape and easily turns into destruction. Only those like us that embrace the true nature of reality will steer the masses to evolution. Those that stand in our way must be exterminated without mercy."
Uther just grimaced before he grasped his fist tightly." To ensure that the people of Insalaum survive ill make myself become whatever kind of devil that will see get the job done. Even so…I don't want to waste my soldiers' lives. Even if this new group is naïve the data indicates they have enough power to kill quite a lot of us. "
"True." Jacen answered flatly," That is why we must treat this operation with precise precision. Of course I was lead to believe that's what some of you specialized in. Or was my assumption wrong, Commander Skull Face?"
A new arrival walked into the command deck, this one being a black trench coat who's pale head was so badly disfigured that he nearly looked like a walking skeleton. Skull Face saw everyone looking at him and merely tipped the black cowboy hat on his head lower. "I assure you that the XOF is the best at what they do Commander Solo. I admit it took a...bit of time to update my men to all the jarring changes.
But thanks to you allowing me to combine my Skull Commandos with the gear of your GAG commandos. I admit we have yet to test the result in a live combat situation, but if the upcoming battle is going to involve multiple targets then it would seem like an ideal chance to show everyone who the superior soldiers are yes?"
Jacen saw a dozen soldiers, all clad in black armor with round full head skull like masks with six small sets of neo blue sensors for where the eyes would be.
The Jedi saw that the soldiers were as still as machines before he closed his eyes." I'll give you credit where its due Skull Face, despite coming from a far less evolved time period in the span of a few days you managed to forge a trooper more nightmarish then the Dark troopers that the Empire came up with despite all of their resources. That being said, the new Skull XOF commandos can get good results in ambush situations, but that enough won't amount enough in the face of Luke Skywalker and this new group."
"Quite true," Skull Face threw out callously." But that's where the extra help from Desperado Enforcement LLC comes in yes? After all, you and the other Winds of Destruction did want to have a good time did you not, Sundower?"
A new man entered the room, a tall man of over two hundred centimeters clad in battle armor. The bald man with grey eyes saw Ben look at him with distrust and just gave the young man a savage grin." I'm not a complicated man Skull Face. I'm glad we can kick things into gear and rip apart all of the wuss's getting in our way! What can I say, kids are cruel commander. And I'm very in touch with my inner child!"
Ben saw the glee in the Desperado commando's eyes before the son of Luke Skywalker rolled his eyes." Speak for yourself. J, Commander Solo you really think a simple thug like this guy is going to be the key to neutralizing the Jedi Masters or theses new guys?"
Jacen saw Sundowner snarl and gave the tall man a look cold enough to make him back down before he shrugged." Not quite, but theses Desperado units, after the modifications to their cybernetic enhancements, can cause enough havoc to erode the strength of our enemies, making it easier to land the decisive blow. All that remains is to get a grasp of all the unknown factors. But even if we really are at the beckon of a strange powerful deity that vows its supremacy, I won't at anyone's mercy.
After all, you think you're getting closer to solving this puzzle, are you not Relius Clover?"
A door opened from the right before a new male entered. He had light blond hair and clad in magenta shaded purple. He had a golden opera mask over his face and had a purple shirt with black rimming and a knee-length magenta cape flowing over it.
Relius' had a golden X-shaped fixture to hold the cape in place and had two rings protruding out of the lower front halves of it in a similar fashion to the rings on his weapon, the Detonator: Ignis.
His baggy white tights were tucked into his stylized black and purple boots, these boots had golden toecaps that have a silver colored nail-like fixture on the top; the mouth of the boots also have a white and golden cuff to them.
As Jacen's masked comrade flicked his cape back an metallic women in a purple dress with metallic claw like hands and blades attached to her round hat strolled alongside him.
Relius glanced at everyone looking at him before he looked outside the bridge, and at the sun like castle where the Beyonder was staying." I'd be lying if I said had this puzzle solved, but Ignis has managed to bring at least some pieces to light. I'm thankful for your contributions, I had even more resources at my command then I did when I was part of the World Void Information Controlling Organization.
As a result, I have harvested ample data, enough to already conclude that are assumptions were correct, the length of this dimension is quite limited. The entire size of the reality we are all in seems to not go on much more beyond this area of planets, what look like stars seem to merely be aesthetics.
Also studying the various areas of the planet have given me the conclusion that the soil has only existed for little more than a week."
One of Jacen's collaborators, Prince Ga Jiarg took in what Relius said before he growled."What are you inferring scientist? That we were not taken from our worlds after all, just an imitation of our own?"
Zinyak chuckled bitterly before throwing in a dry," Are you implying that we are in some digital, simulation? This would be some sick joke if after I broke all those humans with my digital prisons they knocked me out and put me in one as pay back."
"Oh I assure you, this is nothing so elementary, so mortal Zinyack." Relius answered sharply." I investigated are own bodies thoroughly and I can promise you that we are of flesh and blood. Tsc…as much as those Black Swans like to squawk about the supremacy of their beloved Rabum Alal I am forced to concede its more than sheer delusional faith. The power to do all of this makes even the deity I was aware of, Hades: Izanami, seem infantile in comparison. I would love to get a better idea on the situation, but alas anything that gets even close to the sun, or at least what is acting for this dimensions sun is promptly destroyed.
We all saw what happened to the group that attempted to direct Rabum Alal's power for himself, the swift deletion of him and the entire planet he was on. However, while direct confrontation would seem like a very unwise idea at the moment, I am getting a bigger picture of our situation.
You see, I've gotten samples of this world, and the remains of the world destroyed in the godly outburst previously, and its broadcasting at various harmonics, a latent trans universal signal.
Even if we can't physical go to the region of space at this period of time my scans were powerful enough to see that points of space are creating a series of touchpoints, like celestial buoys, that can best be described as a dimensional bridge."
Defense Secretary Nagi raised an eyebrow before looking outside the bridge." Wait, are you saying you can pinpoint where we entered into this realm? And we can even escape back to our own world if things take a turn to the worst?"
General Alma suddenly looked around anxiously before blurting out," Wait, let's not get to hastily here. I mean, as powerful as Rabum Alal is if we talk too much about undermining him won't he blow us up instantly like that Doctor Doom earlier?"
Jacen merely sighed before responding with a flat," Don't lose your nerve, he knows full well the majority of those he gathered were not found of being thrusted into this situation, however he still is curious to see what we do.
Based on what our divine host has said so far, he sees this as a game, a contest to see who's will is superior. All we have to do; is give him the result he desires. Keep up your efforts Relius, the more you uncover the more of an advantage we might have."
"But of course. I am most, curious about your most recent guests Commander Solo, their souls, and the energies radiating off them seem, unique. Yes...a frequency that differs from everyone else so far. Figuring out what that is could be a boon to my research, and vastly improve are odds of coming out on top."
Jacen walked forward and looked at a monitor showing the Finalizer moving past glaciers in the planet below before he closed his eyes." I concede something about Elrond and the group around feels different in the Force myself. If we can bring one of his group back for a "full" interrogation then all the better but the priority as always is neutralizing the threat they pose. And with that, is your unit ready to deploy Full Frontal?"
The masked ace pilot nodded." Zinnerman has informed me the Shamblo is ready to emerge at our command, the Metal Gears will be ready soon as well. We should have the advantage…barring unforeseen complications."
"Well I don't doubt your men did all they could but I'll be descending as well because with the people we are dealing with, its best to expect the unexpected. Everyone…from here on out be at combat ready at all times."
With a nod Jacen got Ben to follow him out of the Command Deck. With one last glance, the son of Han Solo read the various eager looks Skull Face, Relius, Full Frontal and others had before he snickered and speed up his pace to the Star Destroyer's docking bay." Kylo Ren, Luke, these Enji, my parents and everyone else will all see their delusions be crushed by the true power, the true nature of existence. No matter what secrets they are hiding, all use their own nativity to trip them up and neutralize them, till at last the prize will be mine. No matter what it takes, it will all be worth it to have the power to make the vision about Allana on the throne a reality.
No matter how much I have to bloody my hands, it will be worth it to create an existence were my child will never have to. Only doom will come to those who think their naïve morality will be enough to stand in the way of my dream."
As Jacen prepared to depart from the ship he named after his deceased brother to take out those that stood in his way. A little while later a man that had far more in common with Jacen then he would have liked to admit was descending to attempt to do the same, and it was Kylo Ren.
The head Knight of Ren had eagerly descended to meet Mayor Zao to get what he expected to be the Kingdom Stone in the center of the Shuigang Snowfields in the Northern section of the fragment of planet Avalice.
As the wide thin wings of the First Order Custom Upsilon-class command shuttle descended in front of the Mayor of Shang Mu the small fox humanoid clad in red with a fancy regal hat saw the man in black enter out of the shuttle alongside a dozen First Order Storm Troopers and the metallically armored Captain Phasma and just winced before throwing out a submissive," Lord Ren right? Thank you for agreeing to this meeting."
Ren slowly looked around the area and saw that a large armored humanoid panda was near Zao before he crossed his arms." I agreed to a meeting about the terms of your submission, I don't have to remind you just how badly this will end for you and everyone you know if this turns out to be anything but that yes?"
Zao quickly looked at the Panda man to his side and just chuckled anxiously." Oh, I assure you I'm no fool, Gong here is just my long-time body guard you see? Not for you just, you know, random things. I mean sure he is really the General for the Royal Magister of Shang Tu but we are working together to show a united front you know?"
Ren saw Gong growl, and just kept starting at the General till he flinched. He then looked back at Zao." I see…it's understandable you need someone else to defend yourself with your utter lack of ability to do so yourself."
"Hey I'm no frail dandy!" Zao shout out defensively." I just have a lot of hidden pose!"
Lliac's friend Milla had joined the group and saw Zao's eye twitch before she blurted out," Let me help!"
The white canine quickly dug a small platform to raise Zao enough to look Ren right in front of his face. The man in the mask just grasped his fist tightly." I'll cut you down regardless of your height if your attempting to defy us."
"I assure you we are sincere, I'm just trying to be diplomatic! Show him the Stone Gong!"
The General walked over to his men and took out a fancy box, and opened it to reveal the Kingdom Stone, or at least the copy. Ren saw it and unfolded his arms." Glad to see your wise, we have had enough foolishness in the past few days yes?"
Zao was about to say something a large green and gold faced Mechon landed on Kylo Ren's shuttle and promptly had two large cannons form out of its shoulders. Ren saw Zao and everyone around him look terrified before throwing out a calm," Don't mind Jade Face here, he is a Mechon that excels at sharp shooting. Like you, we brought precautions. After all, war tends to make people…irrational, and irrational actions will not be tolerated. Understood?"
Before Zao or anyone else could respond everyone felt the ground shake. Zao looked up to see the tremor came from a twenty-two-meter-high war machine that looked vaguely like a robotic camel. Ren saw some of Zao's men tense up before he threw out a bored," No need for alarm. The All-Terrain Armored Transports and All Terrain Scout Walkers, or, AT-AT's and AT-ST's are merely "Additional" precautions in case anyone else tries something unwise, understand?"
Zao saw the various armored machines slowly stomp up to them before he laughed anxiously." Totally Lord Ren! Better safe than sorry, right? You guys are so totally prepared that we all realized it was a good idea to be on your team so please take the Stone to nuke all the others ok? Save the blasting for the other team right?"
Ren walked right up to the Kingdom Stone and grasped it in his hand. He saw everyone around him looking anxious before he walked back up to Zao." You vow your sincere, but your emotions reek of insincerity in the Force."
"Oh I'm just a tad anxious with all the big guns being pointed my way no worries. I mean the other guys are likely not to happy we are working with you so I am worried about what they might do."
Ren just grasped his fist before he took out a hilt from his pocket, his unique lightsaber. "That might be part of the truth, but not all of it. You're clearly a career politician Zao, but your weak mental tricks can't hide the truth from me. Yes…parasites like you are why the New Republic, if not all life is infested with the lies of the weak! The just will not be bound to your kind much longer. After I take my rightful place as champion of Battle-World I'm going to purify all of existence of spineless worms like you! But to start off I should, oh?"
Ren felt a sensation, just as a large burst of blue energy was roaring for him from the upper right. In an instant the leader of the Knights of Ren raised his hand and the laser bolt froze in midair. The masked man saw everyone's shock before he had his unique lightsaber ignite, and an unstable blade of red energy appeared out of the hilt, along with the sides of the hilt.
Ren slowly pointed the blade at Zao's nose." You're so weak that you reveal your true nature with only the slightest pressure. And now you're going to pay dearly for thinking such a simple façade could fool me."
"Just hold on whoever just shot that was not with us I swear!" Zao squeaked out desperately. Ren saw General Gong go for his weapon before with the wave of his hand unleashed an outburst from the Force to knock everyone back. He then saw Jade Face swerve around and have his cannons charge up before swiftly unleashing an energy blast at the same direction as the blue energy bolt.
After seeing an explosion break out in the distance Ren sneered." Careful now you pathetic maggot, the more you insult my intelligence the more painful your death is going to be. One last time… where is."
Before Ren could go on everyone hear an explosion in the distant right, before they heard another one to the left. Ren saw that mist was suddenly starting to cover the area around him before Captain Phasma readied her gun." Lord Ren…this mist is unnatural. This might be the work of those XFL soldiers are men encountered two days ago."
"Bah…those inferior primitives dare think their antics can stop someone like me? Their mist can't hide from the Force, desperation won't change that they are outdated scum that will."
The masked man was cut off as a projectile came out from the mist. The man who commanded the Dark Side of the Force once more called on his power to freeze the projectile in midair. After he did, it exploded, causing the Storm Troopers around it to be vaporized. Ren snarled as he saw a dozen of the new XFL soldiers that Skull Face had forged stagger out of the mist like zombies.
Some Storm Troopers aimed at them but just as they were going to fire their targets suddenly snapped alert and vanished like the mist, reappearing to shoot down the Storm Troopers around them with ace precision.
Phasma saw her soldiers get mowed down, and saw Jade Face begin to barrage the area before she threw out a flat," It would seem that they have had their armaments...updated since previously."
Ren grasped his lightsaber tightly before he looked at the AT-AT's behind him. "The faker is rallying all the cowards on this world to his side eh? No matter how resourceful he is, I'll rip him out and put him in his place! Shaing, the time for subtlety has ended! Bombard this entire area till everyone sees the price for defying the will of Supreme Leader Snoke, and me!"
The AT-AT's in the distance lowered their heads before unleashing massive red energy blasts form their head cannons. The blasts were powerful enough to carve large chunks of the ground up, and take out many XOF soldiers. Ren thought he was about to take control of the battle, when suddenly a massive yellow energy beam roared out in the distance, and blasted right through the AT-AT.
Kylo Ren saw the camel like take have a large molten hole in its center before it exploded. Everyone then heard a roar like noise before one of the glaciers in the distance cracked and shattered, revealing a thirty-one, eight-meter-high heavily armed red lobster like amphibious mobile armor emerged out of the icy fragments.
The other AT-AT's, AT-ST's, and TIE Fighters in the area all served around to the new arrival and opened fire, but the mobile armor suddenly had twelve miniature satellites emerge to form an energy barrier powerful enough to ward off all the incoming attacks.
The Mobile Armor then unleashed a bunch of yellow energy beams from its shoulders, and then get refracted by the satellite bits to unleash a wide volley of energy beams that vaporized several TIE fighters at once and damaged the other units.
The pilot of the Mobile Armor saw the damage she caused and threw out a gleeful," Full Frontal… Loni Garvey reporting that the on the Reflector Bits and the psychoframe on the AMA-X7 Shamblo are all working at full capacity. The plan is working so far, I'll make sure it works! SEIG ZEON!"
Kylo Ren saw the fanatical pilot of the Shamblo mobile armor crush a AT-ST in its pincer claw before he swerved to Captain Phasma." How the blazes did you Hux and the others, not notice something of that size descending?"
"Sir based on its movements it just might have aquatic features." Phasma calmly retorted." I and the others did wish for a scan of the oceans but you were the one that said it was best to focus on tracking down their ships in space yes?"
Ren had his head twitch as he noticed that Zao and the others had already fled while he was distracted. Snoke's top enforcer glanced that the Kingdom Stone was there, and saw that the Anakin Solo was descending, and unleashing various mobile suits and fighters the sight of this caused Ren to chuckle." Perhaps Zao was not fibbing after all. Yes… those counterfeits realize they are rapidly out of time and are throwing everything they got to stop me before the Star Killer finishes them off. Too bad for you faker, but destiny is on my side! Tell Hux to tell Egil to send the Daleks and the others to back us up!"
Ren saw more XOF commandos appear out of the mist and swiftly batted incoming energy blasts away with his light saber to take out one, then use the Force to push another right into his light saber. He then saw the Vercingetorix fly by before he snickered.
The pilot of the Knightmare frame type mobile suit saw the enemy forces descend and just had an eager look form in his eye." All these fools are so eager for death that it will be kind of them to give them just what they want!"
Shaing attempted to dive right for the enemy Star Destroyer's command deck, only to hear a warning sigh on his radar and see a missile coming for him. As he blasted it out of the way he saw Full Frontal flying at him in the Sinanju. The Grand Master of the Knights of St. Michael swerved his machine out of the red mobile suit's barrage and parried the incoming slash with his own.
As the two machines tried to out maneuver each other Full Frontal sent a hologram transmission before throwing out a coy," You know you do seem to obsess about death quite a lot Shin Hyuga Shaing. If that is what you desire most I just might grant your desire. After all, I am a vessel of the people!"
"Spare me your prattle you pathetic pawn, you can't defeat me! You think your clever but you're clearly the inferior power here, and the moment of truth is fast approaching!"
"Are you referring to your precious Star Killer base? A big gun is useless if it can't be loaded in time Shaing, you and the rest of the First Order's zealotry will be your undoing."
"Tsc… loath are passion that much you pawn?"
"Not especially, though I admit I have a few current comrades who have quite a lot to loath about your murderous passion and said quite a few things about doing something about it."
Shaing saw his radar go off before he saw an incoming missile heading for him in the right. He then saw a purple colored Alexander Liberte type Knightmare Frame before a voice blared out," I have you at last, Shaing!"
Shaing instantly recognized the voice and just chuckled as he parried the new arrivals attacks." Oh, have you steeled yourself for death Akito? How good of you to at last do what I told you to do years ago, brother, and die!"
"I refuse to die…not till I avenge my parents!"
Akito attempted to attack his brother with his machine's wire like Slash Harken's on the Liberte's wrists only for the Vercingetorix to transform into its Centaur mode and kick the Liberte back. Shaing just sneered at his brother's defiance before his eyes glowed." You're an insolent little brother, and I had enough! Your luck has run out, a tool like you can't resist the power of Geass, thus I command you to die now!"
The head of the Saint Michel Knights had his right eye glow intently and Akito felt so much pain that for a moment the Liberte stopped. Shaing looked excited as the Liberte looked like it was going to impale itself with its own beam katana, till Akito stopped." I'm not bound by your shackles brother, even if it is the will of Geass! Leila, her power allows me to fight your control!"
"What…that turncoat tramp has the power of Geass to? No, the power of god does not belong with someone like her, after I put you in your place Akito I'll rip her right out of your command ship and throw her into the ground!"
Shaing tried to impale his brother only for Full Frontal to intercept the strike with his own beam nagaita." As amusing as your family feud is," The masked man threw out," I can't allow you to jeopardize my current command ship. You die today Shaing."
"Honor deprived puppet, don't interfere! Bah…hold him down while I settle things, Ashley Ashra!"
Full Frontal saw a new red mobile suit with large four large beam Gatling guns attached to its arms fly in his direction before he chuckled." Someone else is trying to take my red motif? Now that won't due at all."
He saw a new transmission open as the pilot of the red Gloucester, Ashra showed his face and wild red hair to his enemy." Shove it you masked loser! I heard the stories but the true legend in red will be made clear to all today!"
"Guess so eh?"
Ashra got annoyed at how casual his target was and opened fire with all of his weapons. However Full Frontal showed his skills were no myth as he easily evaded all the incoming blasts with masterful bursts of thrusts from his mobile suit. Shaing saw Full Frontal casually slice off one of the Gloucester's Gatling guns before he sneered out." Your lot is full of tricks, but it can't stand against superior resolve! Yes, your Commander Solo can spin as long a web as he can from the shadows, but the best plots can't stand up to superior will!"
"Tsc…well words won't prove the superior will eh? Come now, put your money where your mouth is!"
The head of the Sleeves forces kept Ashra at bay while also coronating the rest of his forces engaging the First Order. Little did his enemies know the one commanding the entirety of the make shift cabal was taking a much more active role then some assumed.
In fact Jacen Solo had descended into the battle zone and was the one who had ordered Captain Lon Shevu to perform the sniping attempt on Kylo Ren.
After seeing the attempt fail the Jedi quickly descended to his target, and was using his mastery of the Force to cloak himself in the Force almost completely as well as using another power he learned to make people not look at him.
As he saw Kylo Ren's shuttle in the distance he readied his lightsaber." All of this clown's boasting and he does not even have the slightest idea on how to repress his presence in the Force. After seeing his boasting, he truly seems to think he does not need to cower from anyone.
Ah well…him being this incompetent will just make shutting him up a simple task. His master Snoke and the others might take a bit more effort, but after securing their lead dog's corpse and a path to their precious weapon it should be easy enough. At last…this farce will end and the true, what the?"
Jacen felt a surge in solemn emotions and swerved around to see none other than his former teacher, Luke, along with Jaina, Kyp, Shulk, and Raiden. Any doubts that they were looking for him were settled when the Grand Master of the Jedi broke the silence with a wary," Jacen…if there is any of the nephew I loved for decades in you then stop this now."
"Master Skywalker, your looking far better than the last reports indicated." Jacen answered dryly." I suppose even after how far I evolved, you still have an edge, for the moment."
Jaina chuckled bitterly before she took out her Light Saber." You're not as superior as you think you are Jacen. All it took was seeing your foot prints, learning you descended in to the battle zone and locking on to your scent. You're not the only one that has skills!"
Raiden then tapped the blindfold over where his right eye should have been." Your tricks with the Force may even work on your fellow Jedi, but despite what you think you were not evolved enough to avoid my sensors punk!"
Shulk then grinned before adding,"And we knew where you were going to be because I saw it with the Monado!"
Jacen gave the blond man welding the unique red sword a look harsh enough to make him gulp before he sighed."
You may have a few skills " sis", but I'm the one who pushed myself to use my talents in the best way possible, not just for short term feel good moments. You had your chance to truly serve the Force but if you're too weak willed to do what must be done then get out of my way or I'll do whatever it takes to do what must be done."
Jaina's temper flared up but before she could say anything Luke put a hand up and put out a calm."This is all because we have come to an impasse on what it means to have "resolve" Jacen. I'm sorry I did not realize how lost you have become but I have to stop it before more innocent people suffer."
"Just because I am willing to open my eyes to the truth and embrace the true nature of power it hardly means I'm loss "Luke". Your just to afraid that I've grown to the point that I will surpass you."
Kyp rolled his eyes before snarling out," Do you even hear yourself talk Jacen? Your one step away from going full Sith Lord, you're making the same mistake I made! I thought I was superior and that Luke was weak when I let Exar Kun's sprit show me the power of the Dark Side. I thought I was the stronger one when I put him into a coma and used the Sun Crusher to wipe out entire Imperial Worlds to try and kill Admiral Daala. But I was being weak, and it was not till I killed my own brother that I realized it!
Never met him but Master Yoda was spot on when he said the Dark Side was easier! But the short term is not always the best path, when you rush into something you only realize to late it was not what you really wanted! You were the one who erased Exar Kun's essence when you were a damn toddler Jacen, whatever hold the Dark Side has on you wake up and realize you can't just force choke everyone to being peaceful till it's too late!"
Jacen's eyes sharpened before he hissed out," Don't assume we are equals Kyp, my situation is not at all like yours. You were merely a angry weak willed boy who lashed out at the first thing that offered you to sate your thirst for payback. If you were holding out hope that I was being mind controlled by Lumiya, the ghost of the Emperor, Darth Bane, the Dark Lord Marka Ragnos, The legendary demonic" Bringer of Chaos" Abeloth, or anyone else then discard those delusions now. I went down this path by choice, not for my personal anger or joy or greed, but to mold society into a more peaceful state, regardless of what personal cost that may be."
Jaina tried to repress the bitterness she was feeling before blurting out," Damn it Jacen, you call us blind when you keep deluding yourself to thinking how pure you are for being a backstabbing murderer? Do you even realize how hypocritical you are for feeling good that you gave up morals and all that just because you were fed up and just wanted to punish people till they were peaceful?"
Jaina saw her brother's eyes narrow before he hissed out a frigid,"Don't project your failures on to me Jaina. Judge me to feel better if you like but the ways of the Jedi have failed to bring peace, to stop war, to save life.
I won't deny that those like Palpatine and most of the Sith Lords of the past merely use the Dark Side for their own gains but those like Darth Raven did use the Darkness in the service of the light!
You failed Uncle Luke, you and my parents tried your best but it's clearly not been enough to really change things. You may be content with telling people before you die that you tried your best but I'm willing to get my hands dirty if it means I can give the next generation a truly better world!"
"Jacen." Luke uttered solemnly," I understand your frustrations, I really do. Nothing pained me more than seeing things turn back in the direction of war. But a false peace, the same kind of peace that Palpatine and Vader, that my father forced on everyone was a peace that only those on the top enjoyed. I want to create a true one, even if it is one that will take far longer, one that might take longer then I live to create."
"Tsc…I see your many traumas are wearing down on your mind "Master". Your just desperately trying to prove your life's work failed. "
"If it was just me then you might be right Jacen but this is not about me. No, there are others as well. They come from far away galaxies, but they are helping me because even if they don't believe in the Force they believe what is right. Even if the Jedi failed, even if they have been a mistake, fighting to protect others is not a mistake."
Jacen eyed Luke carefully before he looked around." Are you referring to the new group that emerged to Battle World recently, the Enji? Did the power of these new "game pieces" give you confidence that you could win? Is all this some plot to stall me while those" Enji" try and make a move?"
Luke sighed before he took out his own lightsaber." They did not push me to do this Jacen, I'm doing this because I want to stop you before it's too late. I want to save you to, but one way or another I will stop you."
"You will try…but those who see how things truly work will emerge the victor."
Jaina jabbed out a furious," You mean like Ben? Your worst then the Vong if your using Luke's son as a shield Jacen!"
"I don't need as shield Jaina. Ben is taking part in the battle, like all of my men, because he values what I'm fighting for. I want him to live though this, but sacrifices are part of war."
"So, it's out of your hands uh? What about Mara? We know she wanted to talk to you about something related to Ben's trip to Ziost right before we all got sent here!"
"Tsc…who knows? I'm no god Jaina, maybe she was left behind when we were all sent to Battle-World. If you worried about your wife so much Luke Skywalker, you should have done more! But it's too late now!"
"Not yet, I won't give up till I stop you Ben!"
Jacen raised an eyebrow at Luke saying Ben's name, and saw that the Jedi Master's eye twitched again. Jacen saw that Jaina and Kyp also looked distraught, and suddenly unleashed a powerful burst of Force Lighting that caused the snow around him to melt instantly.
Luke winced in pain but dashed forward to protect the others and block the burst of Dark Side energy with his hands.
Jacen saw that despite Luke's weariness, he had more than enough power to keep the Force Lighting back, causing angry to build in Jacen's eyes. As his eyes turned yellow, the color of those who declare themselves dark lords of the Sith he cried out,"Stubborn to the end, but your time is over Uncle Luke! Yes, the era of naïve heroism and the chaos it causes is over, let true order, true peace rise at last!"
Luke just hardened his glare as he released enough energy to push Jacen back. Luke saw his nephew get pushed back a few feet, before he showed he was not going to fold so easily as he suddenly unleashed an even larger, more intense storm of lighting that Jaina and Kyp had to block as Shulk and Raiden tried to move around to get a strike in.
As the bitter battle between former master and student and between siblings erupted out, little did Jacen know that the late additions to the bloody game were closer then he thought.
After finalizing their plans with Luke, Leia and the others James did contact the Great Fox, and with Jaina's help were able to reunite with them. In that time Fox and the others were able to repair the damages the ship suffered, and even got the celestial stealth barrier the angels bestowed them to be invisible to everyone around them.
Just as Jacen was preparing to settle things with his family, James was observing this on board the Great Fox's command deck. The Enji Master was immensely relived that the shield was preventing any one from detecting them as Bright pointed out that more warships were arriving on both sides.
The member of squad 7 saw various Knightmare frames, TIE Bombers and others try to ambush the Shamblo from behind, only for two other massive war machines, Metal Gear Sahelantropus and Metal Gear Excelsus burst out of the ground to bombard more First Order units before Bright whipped some sweat from his brow." Master Elrond…it would be careless to think we seen all the enemy has, but at this point it does seem this is more than a skirmish, both sides seem to be intending to finish each other."
"Then we must be even more diligent in making sure things end in the best way possible. Now that everything is as secure as can be the time for action is at hand. Amuro, Fox, Setsuna, go ahead and tell everyone to launch. Remember the priority is to make sure one way or another that Rey women and her BB -8 droid have enough cover to open the pathway to Star Killer Base."
"Understood sir. Setsuna F. Seiei FS 00 Qan… launching to eliminate target!"
The head of the Celestial Being unit launched out of the Great Fox and was soon followed by his fellow teammates Tieria Erde in the Raphael Gundam, Lockon Stratos in the Gundam Zabanya, Allelujah Haptism and Soma Peries in the Gundam Harute, Amuro Ray in the Hi-Nu Gundam, Bellri Zenam in the BPMF-01 Gundam G-Self Perfect Pack, Mikazuki Augus in the tailed ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex, Banagher Links in the RX-0 Full Armor Unicorn Gundam, and Riddhe Marcenas in the black horned RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn.
As the various mobile suits, all flew out around the Great Fox, Fox and the rest of the Star Fox team also deployed in their Arwings.
Uther saw the various Gundam's deploy before he raised his Seiouki the Insa's sword." More white devil machines? Damn it...ts raining Gundams! They are the ones that turned against Commander Solo. Bah…no matter their intentions, for the sake of my people they have to fall no matter what! Gerard, Wayne, Marilyn, surround them before they have a chance to spread out! We still have the advantage in numbers so barrage them before they have a chance to move out!"
James saw various mobile suits, Skells, and Knightmare frames instantly fly at the Gundam's before he crossed his arms." If the enemy mobile suits have firepower comparable to most Gundam's this would be to our disadvantage. But, my thanks to Hank Pym and Dr. Ray Palmer for working on giving us as much as a advantage as possible. Now, undo the Pym particle and have the second wave deploy!"
At the red-haired man's command, a box attached to the Great Fox's deck the size of a grain of sand glowed, before it flied out. The Pym Particles circulating around the box's wires glowed, and after it left the Great Fox it grew to the size of a second hanger bay, before many more Gundam's, being led by Wing Gundam Zero flew out to back up their comrades.
James chuckled as he saw Heero Yuy fire on incoming hostiles with its Twin Buster rifle." Guess the risk was worth it, we needed to cram as many units as we could if there was no chance for a second descent. Er…just hope Ben and the others are not in desperate need for mobile suits for the fights they are going through.
Well, we got to make the best of what we have, and right now we have to either secure the key to Star-Killer base or force one of their soldiers to get us in there. Well, with the combined power of our Gundam units we might be able to forcefully blast a path to their base if need be. It will work…we broke through to stop Weil Zabi before he could wreck things with his Death Star, we were able to break through all the forces of the Zannacross Empire's home world to stop them, mostly, so we will break through the enemy here everyone! Just, don't lose focus no matter what they throw at us."
James saw Sonic, Guy, Malik, and some of the others around him giving nods of agreement before a female voice suddenly cut in with," Conceited pawn, you are arrogant to think the tricks you used in the past could be enough here."
James froze as he saw alarms suddenly blare out before he went up to Bright." Impossible, one of the enemy units can detect us? Bright where is the transmission coming from?"
"Kid, that voice is coming from inside here! Behind you!" Samus yelled out as she charged up her arm cannon. James felt dread creep down his spine as he swerved around while readying his bow, before seeing that there was a woman floating behind him, one of the Black Swans, Ramlethal.
The Enji Master quickly had his magical aura blaze up as he eyed the intruder carefully." She was able to warp pass the ship's barrier effortlessly, even after the layers I added? Is this one of the First Order's forces or someone aligned with Jacen?"
"Neither dude!" Sonic uttered tensely." I remember she was one of the ones Lacus fight, when things got messy yah hear? I was not fighting her but I think she's one of those Black Swan broads!"
Ramlethal saw James tense up before uttering a detached," Its curious that you know about us before we announced our selves, perhaps are agents over in Cosmos's dimension had weaker resolve then we figured. But it matters little.
You Enji Knights were naïve in thinking that even with Cosmos's power you could deny us. By some glitch you were able to become aware of our plans before we wanted you to but, no matter how much resolve you have, nothing can deny Rabum Alal his wish. The universe of redundancies will be no more regardless of how it defies its fate."
James aimed right for the tan skinned Black Swans head before retorting with a composed." You won't get us to cower with taunts Swan. As impressive as your master is, we overcome worst. If the Beyonder truly was omnipotent, there would be no need for hiding and we would all perish the moment we displeased him yes? Even if the gap in power between us is massive, as long as there is at least one percent chance of winning we will."
Ramlethal suddenly unleashed her own aura with enough force to push James back. As she did her two flying Lucifero bat companions had massive broad swords form out of green energy in their mouths before the Black Swan pointed both of them at James. "You still fail to comprehend just what you are, James Elrond. My Master did not erase you and your comrades instantly not because he could not, but because he deems that's not a good enough death for all of you."
Ramlethal waved her hand before the swords suddenly dived right for the red-haired man. James used the Flash Step to avoid being hit, but as he looked at his attacker everyone heard an explosion from below before Samus yelled out," Damn it, one of her swords hit the engines!"
The bounty hunter fired a charged shot, only for Ramlethal to casually swat the energy blast without even turning around. James saw his current enemy suddenly give a wicked smile to show her razor-sharp teeth." Nothing you, your friend Ben Auro or anyone else can do will stop Rabum Alal, but as long as your struggling you might as well fit in to his grand game. Yes, those here are fighting to prove, among other things, what is the best method to winning war.
Absolute power, cunning, bravado, mortals have been intoxicated with warfare since the moment they could make fists and my master is curious to see what is truly the key to winning war, before he wages the final one. So, try and be as cunning as you like Enji, no knowledge you possess can change fate, nor will delay the game that will prove between the "Light" side and the "Dark" side which emotion wins war once and for all."
James heard more explosions and alarms blare out from the Black Swan's attack as he saw the Great Fox suddenly descend to the surface after losing power, and franticly tried to figure out how to avert disaster.
Authors Notes: I know I threw in even more people then normal but I wanted to show how both sides were doing things their own way, hopefully it came off as I hoped.
First off, Johnny Gat and those around him are all from Saints Row, this week he will even be in the new Agents of Mayhem game but, that game seems so far from what the Saints Row series was it might as well be a distant spin off.
Elsenova and her siblings are from the Axom Verge game along with Athetos, who was that game's final boss. In that game" Glitch Zones" could be found by using the right gun to cause the right wall to come down to find dimensional " splinter" zones in a Metriod like manner.
Relius is another one of the ruthless antagonists from the Blazblue series.
Skull Face and the XOF Soldiers are from Metal Gear Solid 5 Phantom Pain while Sundower is one of the enemies in Metal Gear Rising, and Raiden and Jetstream Sam were also from Rising.
I know that those two games were far apart in the Metal Gear Solid timeline but that's due to the nature of the Beyonder that they are in the same place in the same time. I know Snake was most likely not alive during Rising but once more, another instance of taking from different time frames. Sigh, still will most likely make more sense that mess that is Metal Gear Survive, talk about a disgrace, god damn it Konami's going to remain on the worst video game developer list for a while for me for how they destroyed all of their top franchises and back stabbed Kohima, we will see if they ever redeem themselves or just crash and burn.
Meanwhile, as you might have guessed Jaina is from the pre Disney Star Wars timeline along with Kyp and well, most of the others lol.
If you did not pay attention to the EU Star Wars stories well more or less, the short version is that before Disney rebooted things Jacen and Jaina were the twin children of Han and Leia, along with a brother Anakin Solo, while Ben Solo is their offspring in the Disney cannon.
Ben Skywalker was Luke's son in the pre Disney cannon while, Rey, maybe is his kid? Eh, hopefully she's not another force conceived child, we will see. I know she is getting overshadowed by Jaina but lets be honest, take out all her mary sue preformances and she more or less was a spunky plank of wood personality wise.
I mean yah sure maybe her actor will give killer back story in the Last Jedi but, as it stands, you can say she has not won me over yet.
Anyway, as you guessed Luke, Han and Leia are the only ones acting weird because they are the only ones that have memories of both timelines." If Lando ever shows up in the new movies maybe he will to, we will see." So they are struggling between shifting realities and all that stuff.
Lastly, the Mortis Monolith was at first from the Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon series but was mentioned in the Fate of the Jedi series. However I'm also fusing it with the other monolith that was a plot item in the final Star Wars book of the old EU timeline, Crucible .
Sorry for the delay, was busy with the trip I was on and its after math. I'll be going to Spain this weekend for two weeks so the next chapter will be delayed as well most likey. Well, hopefully someone cares but in the meanwhile thanks for the reviews and see you next time at Chapter 218: The Phantom Pain in the Bog of War!
