Hey everybird! What's up!?

So this is the chapter I bet you were all waiting for since I returned to this story! And I hope you're ready for the surprise!

Now moving on to today's question…

How did you feel when Leia passed after she reached out to her son?

Me: It was shocking to say the least and of course very emotional, and well added to the fact that Carrie Fisher died in real life and Leia dying very much reminded me of the fact that Carrie is no longer alive. I never thought my heart could drop so much, so fast…

Moving on to your questions…

From Nightfly123, he asks, "Could Arthur or Tyler be in a same-gender relationship in this story?"

Me: Well, that is entirely up to the readers, but like I once said to T8ECR34TOR, I don't want to focus on the romantic relationships because I did that already in The Scarlet Rebel, this story focuses on the sibling relationship Arthur and Tyler share. Plus I already did a little romantic relation between Tyler and Tally to satisfy those wanting that.

Chapter 57: A "Warm" Welcome

(Arthur's POV)

With Alex getting back a reply from Grandpa Blu, in which both Tyler and I were to stay silent until we got back to base, I felt relieved. I knew Grandpa Blu was very worried about us going off alone on this mission and even with confidence in us, I knew he still had fears that he would never see us again. However both Tyler and I knew the dangers and risks when we volunteered to fight for the Resistance.

Soon enough the civilian transport came out of hyperspace as I looked outside the windows to see a massive First Order star destroyer in orbit around Belladoon, its shadow looming over the transport, the menacing sight a clear mark that the First Order ruled here. Obviously it was here to maintain control of the planet and monitor all traffic going to and from the world, I really hoped they were not able to mark us as Resistance, one shot from a turbolaser would certainly rip a hole through the transport's hull and open it to the vacuum of space. I slowly breathed in and out as the transport continued on its way down to the surface, to the capital city's spaceport.

As the transport descended down through the atmosphere, I could see the First Order was already rebuilding and and restarting the old Imperial factories to use for its own war effort, no doubt putting the world's citizens into forced labor. Approaching the capital city, where Grandpa Eddie was waiting for us, I could see the First Order keeping the capital under tight lockdown like in Iziz, trooper patrols and walkers clearly visible even from up in the air.

"Oh boy… another city with stormtroopers crawling all over…" Tyler rolled his eyes as I had to chuckle a little from my brother's attempt at a joke.

"Well, hopefully we can pass them easily." I replied as the transport made its final approach, docking at the spaceport as the door opened and all the passengers started getting off.

As Tyler and I, along with Alex and Ashley walked out, troopers were around, stopping random birds to ask for identifications. From my side view, I could see a trooper walking up to us, holding onto his blaster with both wings, as I tried not to pay attention, keeping my eyes front and center, but beginning to panic as he came closer. However as luck would have it, another bird kept in front of the trooper, asking him a question.

"Excuse me, is this docking bay 25?" The bird asked the trooper, stopping him from reaching Tyler and I as another bird came walking up to us, whispering to us.

"This way, Governor Eduardo has been expecting both of you." The bird told us as I couldn't argue or question if this bird was truthful, doing so would attract attention, we just had to follow this bird as Tyler looked at me as I nodded back.

Walking away from the docked transport we came from, we reached a very familiar elder bird who's back was turned, waiting and as he turned around to face us I could finally smile and well Tyler and I couldn't hold it as we just hugged him.

"You're alive Grandpa Eddie, thank the Force." I cried as Grandpa Eddie chuckled, hugging us back before pushing us gently off to take a good look at Tyler and I.

"It's good to see you boys again, but lets not stay here, we can talk while on our way out of the city and to what I have to give you." Grandpa Eddie expressing his happiness, but then getting to his serious tone as I knew he was right, following Grandpa Eddie out of the spaceport to a waiting speeder.

With all of us getting on and the driver starting up the speeder, driving it on the streets to the city's borders, Grandpa Eddie, who was sitting up front in the passenger's seat while Tyler, Alex, Ashley, and I were in the back, turned to us, informing us of everything that has been happening over on his side.

"When I saw the red lights in the sky, I knew something terrible was happening and when the news came over that the Hosnian System was completely destroyed, I knew that meant the First Order was free to take over and become the dominant power in the galaxy." Grandpa Eddie started, as he was careful with the volume of his voice as we passed by stormtrooper patrols. "I know your mother and father were on Hosnian Prime when it was destroyed, I am sorry boys…"

"Thank you Grandpa Eddie…" I sighed.

"We were at least lucky to speak to them right before they were vaporized, but it doesn't make it any better or easier…" Tyler added.

"Well, at least you were able to say goodbye." Grandpa Eddie trying to cheer us up as he continued on. "As the First Order was now free to take control of all the remaining systems, I knew they would come here and I spread the word that everyone was to prepare, and well sure enough a star destroyer arrived and sent troops down, securing every city down to the smallest village. And they were just as brutal and ruthless as the Empire, even those who once supported the First Order changed after a few weeks and now everyone on this world supports the Resistance."

"Good, but than how come you haven't tired to overpower the First Order?" I asked, curious why everyone is acting like they submitted fully to the First Order.

"We're waiting for the right moment." Grandpa Eddie told us. "Speaking of which, when the First Order broadcast the news that the Resistance was finally destroyed at the Battle of Crait, I chose not to believe that and I made sure the news got around, I didn't want to believe you two were gone as well and I'm glad that it didn't turn out to be true."

"Well, they might as well be right…" Tyler saying back.

"We tried to get out a call for help, no one came and only a few of us managed to escape with a single ship, the war might as well be over for all I know." I gave credit to the First Order for not completely telling a lie.

"Hey, I know you two don't believe that, you have only lost when you truly believe it, give up and just die, this war is not over yet, we will win." Grandpa Eddie giving us his tone of confidence as we approached the heavily guarded checkpoint at the city's border. "Let me do the talking boys." Grandpa Eddie told us as he nodded to the driver, who slowed down, coming to a stop as a stormtrooper motioned for us to halt.

"State your business out there." A trooper asked as he went to Grandpa Eddie's side.

"I'm Governor Eduardo and I'm out to check on my birds." Grandpa Eddie replied as he took out his ID, clearly showing the trooper who he was.

"Well Governor, you should know the First Order does take care of everyone here, there is no need for you to go out." The trooper explained. "And who are these two and the droids?"

"These two boys are my servants and they want to see some of their family who lives outside the city, I told them I would take them to do so." Grandpa Eddie lied of course as another trooper came to Tyler's side and as I looked, I saw Tyler starting to grip on his blaster pistol he got back from Ashley.

"I'll have to check with my superiors first, hold for now." The trooper requested as he went to the small checkpoint building next to the road, which we could clearly see what was happening through the windows as the trooper discussed things with his superiors.

It didn't look good as we saw the trooper showing his superiors who was riding inside the speeder, which Grandpa Eddie nodded to the driver as I saw the driver holding onto the accelerator, while I got the signal to get my blaster pistol ready. As the trooper was coming back, holding onto his own blaster at the ready, and was about to say something to the rest of the troopers at the checkpoint, Grandpa Eddie didn't waste another second.

"Now!" Grandpa Eddie shouted out as the driver pushed the accelerator down all the way as we made a break for escape, the troopers were caught off guard for a couple of seconds, but they quickly regained their senses and started shooting at us, luckily we were very fast and out of effective range while both Tyler and I took out our blaster pistols.

"Not a very silent mission now is it!?" Tyler said loudly to me.

"Your sense of humor is getting better brother." I joked back.

Of course the First Order wasn't going to just let us go as a couple of speeders began giving chase, firing their strapped blasters, all of us keeping our heads down. As I peeked up, I could also make out a troop transport following up from behind the two speeders, bringing the troopers necessary to overpower us once the speeders shot the engines dead and we were stuck. Tyler and I started shooting back, which was very difficult to do, shooting at a fast moving target from a moving target with only blaster pistols was useless, but at least it gave the troopers driving the speeders something to worry about.

"What now Grandpa Eddie!?" I shouted.

"Don't worry, I thought something like this might happen and I was prepared for this." Grandpa Eddie replied back as I saw him push a button on something as he looked at us. "Brace yourselves!"

I wasn't sure what Grandpa Eddie meant by that, but Tyler and I held onto our seats as the driver suddenly steered the speeder out of the main road into the fields and straight to a low valley between two hills. The First Order speeders and transport following us did the same as we went into the valley, which would make us an easier target, making me wonder why Grandpa Eddie would have the speeder driver go here.

"This is a terrible idea Grandpa Eddie!" Tyler shouted.

"Wait for it…" Grandpa Eddie replied back as a couple seconds later, suddenly blaster fire came from both sides of the valley from hidden spots, completely surprising the speeders chasing us as their drivers had no time to react, their bodies and vehicles being riddled with fire as the speeders crashed into the valley sides.

As the destroyed speeders were blocking the path of the troop transport following, the transport stopped and started to dislodge its occupants to counter the ambush, but they were just going out to their own deaths as soon as they were out they were shot dead. As the carnage continued, a rocket came out and finished off the troop transport and whoever was left inside, blowing it apart and bursting it into flames as both Tyler and I could only hang our beaks wide open as the driver stopped the speeder.

"You're clear Governor Eduardo." The leader of the ambushers reported as they came out of their hiding places and out in the open, most of them checking the First Order wreckage, taking weapons and ammo as the leader a few others came up to our speeder.

"Good, be fast and return to your hideout before the First Order shows up when these troopers don't report in." Grandpa Eddie told the leader as he turned to Tyler and I, looking like we clearly needed an explanation. "I told you boys we support the Resistance, this is just one of many small groups of rebels on this world." Grandpa Eddie told us as the driver started up the speeder and we resumed our trip.

Soon enough we came to an abandoned mine that looked deserted, but as we got off the speeder, with Grandpa Eddie leading the way, he stood in front of a solid steel door, knocking on it as a slot opened up and a pair of eyes greeted us, who quickly was able to identify Grandpa Eddie and open the door for us to go in.

"Those of us who are strong enough to fight have taken to the hills, caves, and abandoned old Imperial installations like this mine that have yet to come under First Order control to resist, doing hit and run attacks to keep the First Order under pressure." Grandpa Eddie told Tyler and I as we arrived to another steel door within the mine which led to somewhere, where a couple of rebels were standing guard, one of them opening the door. "And this hideout houses what I am giving you boys…" Grandpa Eddie told us as he stepped inside and then aside to let Tyler and I see what he had for us.

And well what Tyler and I saw completely shocked us more than the ambush Grandpa Eddie had in place, far from that… In a makeshift hangar of some sorts sat two old blue and white T-65 X-Wings…

More specifically mom and dad's X-Wings…

How was that for a surprise!? Worth the wait!? LOL!

And don't worry, everything will be explained in the next chapter!

Until than…

See everybird later!