TRTSS1: The Warrior of Stars! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, and the other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 14
CHOOM!
A huge energy bubble was shot from a Genosisian artillery cannon, knocking some of the Jedi down. However, Sailor Mercury sees, after decapitating the head of a battledroid with her lightsaber.
"Mercury Power SPLASH!" Sailor Mercury yelled, as she twirls around, while pointing her lightsaber in the air, whips out her free hand.
BLOOSH!
The energy bubble and the full stream of crushing water collide, canceling each of the attacks.
Meanwhile, Ranma blocking, weaving, and parrying the attacks with his lightsaber…
'Screw this!' Ranma said, as he leaps five feet, and then stabs the ground. As he did so, he focused his mastery over the Force into his lightsaber.
BOOM!
The force of the attack created a shockwave that reverberated outwards. Those caught in the blast were knocked over, while the droids were shattered into bits.
"You could have warned me, Ranma," Shaak Ti said, as she and Ranma began to fight back to back. "And what do I hear about these other dates?"
"Um," Ranma said between attacks. "Can you be specific?"
And then, Anya (blue skin with a pair of tentacles for "hair" and Luminara (a rather conservatively dressed female in black robes and gowns, but have facial markings on her face) shows up, wading through droids to get to Ranma and Shaak Ti's position.
"Ranma!" Anya yelled. "I just learned that you've been two-timing on me!"
"Really, Saotome," Luminara said, as she remained calm and collected under fire. "You should not string us all."
"Well?' Shaak Ti asked.
"Guys, you know the rules about dating," Ranma said. "And besides-"
"Die, Jedi scum!" said a battledroid, as it took aim.
Without batting an eye, Ranma used the boomerang effect to decapitate the offending droid.
FLICK!
WRRRRRRRRRR-!
SLICE!
CLANK!
Ktch!
"We might end up going to war or something, with the way things are," Ranma replied, as he continued to fight alongside the three women. "That's all that I'm saying."
"Well, I suppose you are right," Anya said, as she pressed her attack.
"An unlikely excuse, but…it is acceptable for now," Luminara said.
"We could…schedule a date, right?" Shaak Ti said.
"Hey, anything is possible," Ranma said, as he waved off another droid. "We adults, right?"
The women nod their head in agreement.
"Look at that guy, Padme" Anakin said to Kasumi, as he observes Ranma's interaction with the Jedi girls, while he fights alongside of the object of his desires.
BLAM!
After shooting her blaster pistol, Kasumi turns towards Anakin.
"Anakin?"
Anakin turns to look at Kasumi.
"Padme?"
Kasumi looks at Anakin for a long moment. For the first time, she could no longer see Anakin as the boy she met years ago. Instead, she saw Anakin as the Jedi Knight, who actually felt with his heart.
'Is this…is this love?' Kasumi thought to herself.
"Padme, are you okay?" Anakin asked.
"It's nothing," Kasumi said. "We'll talk later…"
Soon, the remaining Jedi were circled. Dooku called his droids to cease their actions.
CLAK!
"So this is how it ends," Ranma said with a smirk.
"Ranma, please protect us," Shaak Ti said, as she, Luminara and Anya huddled close the martial artist.
Usagi rolls her eyes.
"You all fought well," Count Dooku said. "Your names will be placed on the annals of the Jedi Order. Now, all you have to do is surrender."
"We will not surrender," Master Windu said.
"Ha, speak for yourself!" Usagi yells.
Kenobi leans towards his student.
"You should comport yourself better than this, padawan."
Usagi turns towards her "master".
"Actually, this IS comporting myself. If I wasn't, I would be screaming like a child or something."
"…"
Jinn steps forth.
"Master Dooku, end this now, or begin something terrible," Jinn said.
"I'm sorry, my former padawan," Dooku said. "The die has been cast."
CLAK!
"This is going to be a rough one," Ranma said, as he and the girls get ready to fight their way out of a mess-
WRRRRRRRR…
"Everyone, look!" Kasumi said, as she points to the skies.
Troop transports begin pouring into the arena, firing upon the battledroids. One of those transports were the first to land nearest to Ranma's position…
"Master Yoda!" Ranma exclaimed happily.
"Happy to see me, you must be," Master Yoda chuckled. "Help we have, against the Separatists. Live, if you come with me."
"I'll live regardless," Ranma said, as he and the Jedi begin to board the transports. "But I'll take the sentiment…"
With the Jedi rescued, it was decided that the command bunker and the Trade Federation processing station and ships should be targeted, so that Dooku's forces could be crippled from the get go.
"My apprentice has informed my that she, Anakin, Ranma, Usagi and Senator Amidala have spotted Dooku, and are in hot pursuit
"We need to regroup and arrest Count Dooku," Jinn said. "He is at the epicenter in all this."
"Agreed," Windu said. "You and Master Kenobi pursue. And…be sure to observe Usagi's actions."
"You seem hesitant about Usagi, Master Windu," Kenobi said.
"My thoughts on her can wait until AFTER this battle," Windu said. "Now go."
"Yes, Master Windu," Kenobi said, as he and Jinn turn to leave.
"Them, I shall accompany with," Yoda said.
"Master Yoda?" Windu asked.
"Your skills lie in the battlefield, Master Windu," Yoda said. "Elsewhere, is MINE."
Meanwhile…
"It's a good thing we spotted Dooku ended up towards this direction," Ranma said, as he held on to the transport railing. He then turns towards his companions.
"I heard this guys was pretty good," Ranma said.
"So?" Anakin said. "There are five of us, and one of him. What can HE do?"
Dooku lobs a rear missile.
CHOOM!
"Evasive!" yells the transport soldier, as he steers his craft to avoid getting hit.
WHOOSH!
"Ah-!" Kasumi said, as she fell over.
"Padme-!" Anakin cried out.
"Anakin…"
END FLASHBACK!
Kasumi opens her eyes, and smiles. From what she could gather, the Jedi padawans put up a fight before Jinn, Kenobi and Yoda shows up. However, unprepared for the Dark Side of the Force everyone was, that only Yoda managed to hold his own. Ranma was particularly upset that an old man had surprised him, when Dooku used Force Lightning to zap Ranma over into a near bottomless pit, forcing Usagi to go after him. Ami tried to use her special abilities, but was injured…along with Anakin, who lost an arm. Dooku then fought both Jinn and Kenobi together, nearly killing them both. This was, in part, due to Jinn's reluctance to fight his old master. Master Yoda had not compunction in fighting his old student Dooku, but was stalemated long enough to allow Dooku to make his escape…
Still, thanks to Usagi's gift of healing, all parties that have been injured have been healed.
And then Kasumi sighed, knowing that with Dooku's escape, there is the likelihood that a full-scale war will occur, now that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has received "emergency powers" and a standing army-
CHIRP!
Kasumi looks up to see the communications holo-vid.
"Yes?" Kasumi asked. She hoped that nothing has happened since Anakin and the others returned to the Jedi Temple.
CHIRP!
A holographic image of Ami appears. She looked visibly upset.
"Ami?" Kasumi asked. "What's wrong?"
"There is a hearing on whether or not Usagi should be expelled from the Jedi Order," Ami said.
"I'm on my way," Kasumi said, as she gets up from her lounger.
A short time later, Kenobi and Usagi are standing before the Jedi Council, just as Kasumi and Ami enters the hall.
CLAK!
All eyes turn towards Kasumi and Ami.
"Senator-" Windu began to say.
"I apologize for this intrusion, but I must respectfully ask you NOT to remove Usagi," Kasumi said.
"Senator-"
"I will lodge a formal protest if I must, but I am sure that Usagi has reasons for doing what she did-"
"Padme, it's okay," Usagi said, as she turns to face her old friend. "I've already accepted the council's judgment."
"I don't understand," Ami said. "You looked visibly upset."
"I've accepted a leave of absence, pending review of the council's judgment," Usagi said, as she backs off. "My actions are understandable, but I have to accept the consequences for them-"
WHAM!
Ranma and Anakin come running in.
"Usagi-!" Ranma yelled angrily.
"Usagi-" Anakin began to say.
"Guys, calm down," Usagi said.
Ranma and Anakin both turn to look at each other, and then at Usagi.
"Huh?"
"Senator, Padawan, officially, Padawan Tsukino is on suspension, due to possible wrong doing unbecoming of a Jedi…during the Battle at Geonosis," Jinn said. "However, unofficially, we can use someone to go underground, in order to learn more about Count Dooku's true purposes."
Ranma looks at Jinn, and then at Usagi.
"Is this true?" Ranma asked.
"Yes."
"Hmmm…"
"With that, we shall conclude this matter," Windu said. He then stands up.
"Fellow council, all rise…"
The circle of senior Jedi Masters stands up.
"Jedi Padawan Usagi Tsukino of Earth: you are here standing before us for violating protocols that is unbecoming of a Jedi Knight." Windu said. "How do you plead?"
"Guilty, Master Windu."
"Very well. Until further notice, you are hereby banished from the ranks within the Jedi Order, until a review has been authorized. Dismiss."
Usagi sighs, as she bows her head. She then turns to leave…
"Wow, that hurts," Usagi said, before leaving the council chambers.
"Usagi!" Ranma said, as he reaches out.
"Ranma Saotome," Mace said, as he and the Jedi Masters sit down. "Now that you are here, let us talk about your fraternization…"
As Kasumi tunes out the conversation, her eyes turn towards Anakin, who was perplexed at what just had happened.
'Maybe I should just…take the plunge?' Kasumi thought to herself. 'Life is certainly short…'
A week later…
"I can't believe you married this…'pipsqueak'," Ranma said, as he rubbed Anakin on the head jokingly.
"Hey, now," Anakin replied tersely, as he removed Ranma's hand. "I'm a married man, now…"
"I am SO happy for you, Padme," Usagi said, as she hugged Kasumi.
"Thank you," Kasumi said, as she thought back at the decision she made to marry Anakin. It was foolish to do so, since both of their positions would be compromised. However, considering the fact that a war was coming on, she and Anakin took the leap towards wedded bliss, even if it was to be a secret wedding on Naboo.
"It was a lovely wedding," Ami said.
"Thanks, Ami," Kasumi said, as she broke her hug. "I'm just sorry for what has happened…even though I know it is all for the best."
"Look at it this way," Usagi said, as she slung her pack on her shoulder. "I get to go on a nice vacation."
"We figured that this whole 'undercover' nonsense was the cover for that," Ranma said with a smirk.
"Humph," Usagi said, as she moves in to kiss Ranma full on the lips.
"What was that all about?" Ranma said.
"Keep Ami and Ani safe, Ranma," Usagi said with a smile.
"That's why I gave him 'The Talk'. That way, he and Padme can practice safe sex."
"Hey!" Anakin yelled.
Kasumi only blushes.
"Considering your reputation, maybe I should give you 'The Talk'," Ami said.
"Hey, now," Ranma said. "Don't hate the player…hate dating game."
"Whatever," Usagi said. She then turns towards Tho-Ohki, who was playing with C3-P0's head.
"Tho-Ohki, it's time."
"Th-owww!" Tho-Ohki yowled happily, as he leaps off of Threepio's head.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Threepio said, as he waved his arms about. "That horrid little creature was confounding my instruments."
R2-D2 chirps and beeps his reply.
"Then YOU should interact with him, not ME. Humph!"
"You take care, ya'all." Usagi said, as she steps forth. "Contact me if you need my help."
"We will," Ami said.
"I know," Usagi replied. "Tho-Ohki? Ship mode."
"Th-owwwww-!" Tho-Ohki said, as he leaps into the air…
BLOOP-FWOOMP!
Tho-Ohki was not a gleaming starship, as he floats above the Padme's home.
"I still can't get enough of that," Ranma said.
"Be seeing you guys," Usagi said, as she is beamed unto Tho-Ohki. A minute later, Tho-Ohki takes to the stars.
"Be seeing you indeed," Ranma said, as he waves his good-byes…
Meanwhile, on Camino…
"Doctor, we have made excellent progress on our genetic same for the next batch of clones," said the assistant, as she motions towards a clone tank.
"Excellent," said the cloning director, as he steps closer to take a look. "This specimen will make the perfect foil for the clone troops made from the bounty hunter."
Within the tank was a red-haired baby girl, who was sleeping in a suspended state. On the tank's letterhead was a name that would become significant later on: Mara Jade. The clone was named thusly, so not to arouse further scrutiny.
"Are you sure that it is wise to make this new clone series, Director?" the assistant said.
"Considering the fact that we haven't discovered who originally authorized the creation of the clone troops, I want to make sure that we have insurance."
"In case of what, sir?"
The Director turns to look at his assistant.
"What indeed…"
Tbc.
Next Time: We move forward in time to the start of the so-called "Clone Wars". A series of battles with the Separatists forces the Jedi Order to retrieve Usagi for active duty status, only to find out that Usagi might have gone to the Dark Side…as the Sith Acolyte Asajj Ventress! See you then!