Hello, readers! Sorry it's been awhile, but I'm back with a new chapter! Anyway, the next chapter should come up a bit faster since it will be my own plot and not an episode's. What's more, since I've given this Lucasfilms series to Natasha, I plan to add Indiana Jones 1 and 3. 1 will happen during Nairbix's time in Star Wars as a way to reintroduce the Inquisition and 3 will happen when we focus more on the Inquisition after the war and Elsa is born. And to save confusion, the antagonists won't be working for the Nazi's, they will be with the Inquisition. Oh, and I've decided to include Mal from Descendants as Nairbix's little sister.
Anyway, before I put the disclaimer, I'll just let you know there will be another A.N. at the end. Enjoy even though I do not own Kingdom Hearts, its characters, anything Disney or Star Wars.
After the damage done by Slick, the Republic's forces on Christophsi had a difficult time dealing with the droid army. Two nights after they had contacted Coruscant to send more troops, supplies and resources to aid them, the Jedi on Coruscant had been contacted by Tatooine's crime lord, Jabba the Hut regarding his kidnapped son.
In the Supreme Chancellor's office, he and Jedi Masters, Mace Windu, Plo Koon, and Natasha Romanoff viewed the transmission sent by Jabba as his protocol droid translated. "Jabba requests that anyone that can help us find his kidnapped son send any information they have immediately."
"We must help Jabba." Palpatine declared, "This is the opportunity we've been looking for. The Jedi must rescue his son."
"Hmm, I don't like it, dealing with that criminal scum." Windu growled, "This is a dark day for the Republic."
"I agree, my friend. But what choice do we have?" Palpatine asked as they began to leave the office. "The huts control the outer rim and we'll need their space lanes in order to move our troops." He reminded.
"There is more to this kidnapping than it seems." Natasha added giving her two cents.
"Then you must send as many Jedi as you can!" Palpatine urged.
"Impossible, Chancellor." Windu informed, "General Grievous has spread our forces too thin. The only Jedi that we can spare are Skywalker and Kenobi along with VanSull. They just captured the planet Christophsi."
"Then contact them immediately." Palpatine ordered. Inside the Jedi temple, Yoda, Windu and Natasha contacted the fleet orbiting Christophsi.
"We need to make contact with General Kenobi." Windu informed the fleet's Admiral.
"We've been trying to reach them but their communications are down. We think it's due to a solar storm or they're rebooting their power. I'm sure the blackout is temporary."
"I am bringing a messenger along with myself and troops to Christophsi to aid against any remaining Separatist forces. See to it that we get there are soon as possible." Natasha informed.
"Yes, ma'am. We will depart as soon as you say." The Admiral replied.
"No time there is." Yoda argued, "Immediately Master Romanoff and the messenger must go."
"I understand, sir. I will personally take an unloaded ship to drop the two of them off then return to pick up my reinforcements."
On Christophsi, the droid army was leading an onslaught against the Republic forces. As Obi-Wan, Nairbix and Anakin ran over to aid the clones, Anakin called out the obvious. "They're back!"
"I told you two this victory was too easy. We never should have sent the ship back for supplies." Obi-Wan lectured.
"Well, it wasn't my idea to send the ship back!" Anakin retorted sending a side glare at Nairbix who just shrugged.
"Alright, men. Second wave incoming!" Nairbix hollered, "Spades, you're with me." He said to the clone.
"Rex, same with me." Anakin ordered as they followed the True Master.
"Cody, battle positions." Obi-Wan ordered as all the other clones continued to fire at the droids.
"Skywalker and VanSull should've attacked by now!" Cody said over the explosions and gunfire.
"Don't worry, they know the plan!" Obi-Wan replied as he deflected the bolts with his lightsaber.
"What's our plan of attack, sir?" Rex asked as they watched the battle from up high.
"Follow us." He and Nairbix replied with wicked smirks. The two of them then readied their weapons as they each jumped down and landed on a massive spider droid while the clones used their jetpacks and blasted the overgrown clankers.
"Come on, men!" Obi-Wan cried as he led the charge. As each clone charged at the droids, several of them as expected were shot down. As Anakin and Nairbix deflected the droids' fire, the two spider droids got close enough to shoot each other while the duo sliced their heads before moving onto the next ones.
"We're gonna need reinforcements." Anakin advised as he and Nairbix met up with Obi-Wan.
"We haven't been able to reach the admiral." He replied not taking his eyes off the enemy only to see them retreat.
"They're pulling back?" Nairbix asked as a lone Republic ship flew overhead.
"Looks like help has arrived." Obi-Wan pointed out with R2 coming up behind him. "Our cruiser must be back."
"Which means we'll be getting our reinforcements." Anakin added.
"Then it looks like our problems are solved." Nairbix threw in happily.
"Fresh troops, new supplies and perhaps they've brought my new Padawan with them." Obi-Wan pondered as they walked to the ship.
"You really think it's a good idea to bring a Padawan learner into all of this?" Anakin asked.
"I spoke to Master Yoda about it. You should put in a request for one." He suggested.
"You'd make a pretty good teacher, Anakin." Nairbix added only to hear his friend chuckle and refuse.
"Anakin, teaching is a privilege and it's a part of a Jedi's responsibility to help teach the next generation." Obi-Wan reminded/stressed.
"I'll become a teacher when Nairbix takes on an apprentice of his own." Anakin replied.
"Like anyone could survive training from me." Nairbix joked dryly.
"Besides, a Padawan would just slow me down." As the rear platform of the ship came down, a young female Trorgruta wearing red and white clothes along with Natasha and Wall-E emerged.
"Natasha?" Nairbix asked.
"And a youngling?" Obi-Wan asked.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Anakin asked while R2 beeped happily at the sight of his fellow droid and friend.
"I'm Ashoka, Master Yoda sent me along with Master Romanoff." She replied, "I was sent here to tell the three of you to come back to the Jedi Temple, immediately. There's an emergency."
"So why are you here, Natasha?" Nairbix asked.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of missing your reactions to the rest of the message." She grinned mischievously causing them all to raise their eyebrows.
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in a bit of an emergency right here!" Anakin stressed while Natasha was still trying to control her laughter.
"Communications have been a bit unreliable but we've been calling for help." Obi-Wan added.
"Master Yoda hadn't heard from you, so he sent me to deliver the message." Ashoka replied.
"Great, they don't even know we're in trouble!" Anakin huffed.
"Maybe you could relay a signal through the cruiser that just dropped us off." Ashoka suggested. After doing so, they discovered that they fleet was under attack just before they contacted the temple and saw Yoda's small image.
"Master Kenobi, so glad found you I am." The little master said coming into view.
"Master Yoda, we are trapped here and vastly outnumbered." Obi-Wan explained, "We are in no position to go anywhere or do anything. Our support ships have all been destroyed!" He stressed while the transmission flickered and cut out.
"I guess we'll have to hold out a little longer." Anakin said bluntly.
"Forgive me, young one. It's time we had a proper introduction." Obi-Wan said to Ashoka as Natasha's snickering came back.
"What is wrong with you, today?" Nairbix asked.
"Wait for it." She said as her voice trembled.
"I'm the new Padawan learner, I'm Ashoka Tono." She introduced.
"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, your new master."
"I'm at your service, Master. But I'm afraid I've been assigned to Master Skywalker." She said which sent Natasha to the ground laughing and crying. Seeing Anakin's face, Nairbix joined in.
"What was that you said earlier, Anakin?" Nairbix asked while he and his secret crush rolled on the ground laughing.
"No, no, no, no there must be some mistake." Anakin argued, "He's the one who wanted the Padawan." He said pointing to a slightly disappointed yet more amused Obi-Wan while Ashoka huffed and crossed her arms.
"No, Master Yoda was very specific." Ashoka debated, "I'm assigned to Anakin Skywalker, and he is to supervise my Jedi training."
"But that doesn't make any sense." Anakin whined in confusion.
"We'll sort this out later." Obi-Wan interrupted, "It won't be long before those droids figure out a way around our cannons."
"I'll check on Rex in the lookout post." Anakin muttered still miffed.
"Don't forget your Padawan." Nairbix teased while Ashoka beamed as her new teacher scowled. Not much later, Jackal had informed Nairbix and the others that the droids were beginning to advance another assault but with the help of a shield generator giving them cover. Once they formulated a plan, the clones, Jedi and Nairbix discussed their next plan of attack.
"The shield generator is somewhere in this area." Obi-Wan informed as everyone looked at the hologram image of the enemy's position.
"It would also appear that they're slowly increasing the diameter and keeping it just ahead of their troops." Natasha added.
"Heavy cannons are going to be useless against that thing." Rex informed.
"As they draw closer, I suppose we could try to draw them into the buildings." Obi-Wan suggested stroking his beard.
"That could work." Nairbix mused, "That actually might level the playing field a bit."
"If that shield's going to be such a problem, why don't we just take it out?" Ashoka asked.
"Easier said than done." Spades said flatly.
"Well, I, for one…agree with her." Anakin said with reluctance, "Someone has to get that shield generator and destroy it. That's the key."
"Right, then." Obi-Wan agreed, "Maybe you two can tiptoe your way through enemy lines and solve this particular problem together." He suggested.
"Can do, Master Kenobi." Ashoka chirped only to have Anakin scold her again.
"I'll decide what we'll do." He hissed.
"If Rex, Spades and I can engage them here, you two might be able to get past their lines here." Obi-Wan suggested as he pointed at the positions.
"Make that four." Natasha corrected, "Just in case the new dynamic duo has issues working together, Nairbix and I will give them back up."
"Alright then, Natasha. If you think that's best." Obi-Wan agreed.
"They won't have much time." Rex interjected, "The droids far outnumber us, so our ability to street-fight is limited without the use of the heavy cannons."
"They'll march forward under the protection of that shield until they're right on top of our cannons and blow them away." Spades added.
"We'll figure out a way." Ashoka said with optimism, "Come on, Master, let's go." She said to Anakin.
"If we survive this, Snips, you and I are going to have a talk." Anakin growled while Nairbix and Natasha went back to snickering at his frustration. From their high look out point, Anakin was scoping out the incoming wave of droids while Ashoka eagerly awaited his plan of attack.
"So, what's the plan?" She asked only to hear her new master laugh.
"Oh, I thought you were the one with the plan." Anakin replied.
"No, I'm the one with the enthusiasm." Ashoka corrected, "You three are the ones with the experience, which I'm looking forward to learning from."
"Figures we'd be added into this." Natasha joked dryly while Nairbix gave her a flat stare.
"That's because you decided to drag the both of us into this." He said dryly.
"I thought they could use some help." Natasha defended.
"I meant coming here in the first place when we were kids, Natasha."
"…Oh." She carried with a blush of embarrassment.
"Anyway," Anakin continued hoping to change the subject while smirking at his friends, "We'll need to get behind that shield, then get past their tank lines."
"Why don't we just go around, outflank them?" Ashoka asked.
"That'd take too long." Anakin said still staring at the droids through his binoculars.
"Sneak through the middle then." She suggested.
"Impossible, unless you can turn yourself into a droid." Natasha replied. For a moment, she and Anakin turned to face Nairbix. His reply was saying nothing as he made an X with his arms above his head in refusal.
"Alright, you guys win." Ashoka huffed while Anakin gained an idea. "My first lesson will be to wait, while you all find an answer."
"Well, the wait's over. I've got a plan." Anakin announced, and his plan was the four of them hide underneath a box with two each as the droids and the shield passed them. Once the shield passed over Obi-Wan and his men, the battle resumed. While the battle raged on, Ashoka and Anakin stood straight up for a moment after the droids passed only to bump into a destroyer.
While it blasted at the two crawling Jedi, Natasha quickly came over to it and crushed its head in her hand. "Déjà vu." She muttered, "Come on, let's go find that generator."
After several minutes of climbing over ruble and debris, they found the crimson geyser of light that was the shield generator. "Stay close." Anakin advised Ashoka, "We got to be careful-"
"Come on." She interrupted as she made her way to the generator.
"Wait!" Nairbix called.
"Why?" She asked still running unaware of the antennae sticking up from the ground. As she ran through them, each of them activated and awoke multiple battle droids.
"Forget about the droids! Set those charges!" Anakin ordered as he and the others slashed at the machines. As Ashoka tried to set the charges, another droid came up from behind her and attempted to crush her. But before it could, she sliced it in two and pushed it away with the Force. However, due to the droid's cylinder head, it rolled over more of the trap droids and activated them.
"Sorry!" Ashoka called wincing at the sight.
"Whose side are you on, anyway?!" Anakin shouted hotly.
"Less talk more droid destroying!" Natasha ordered as she continued to fight the enemies while Ashoka set the charges.
"We could use some help!" Anakin hollered to his Padawan.
"Guys, don't move!" Ashoka advised as she concentrated the Force and brought down the wall behind them.
"What?" Anakin asked before he and his two friends noticed what she was doing. Thankfully, there was a hole in the wall and it happened to land right over the startled trio.
"Argh, you could have gotten us killed!" Anakin shouted while Natasha fearfully clutched a hyperventilating Nairbix.
"I know what I'm doing!" Ashoka retorted.
"We had everything under control!" He shouted back as he stormed past her.
"I just saved your lives!" She snarled.
"Did you set the charges yet?!" Anakin asked.
"Yes." Ashoka replied with a glare.
"Then what are you waiting for?!" He asked. Her reply was simply pressing the button on her wrist-com which caused the charges to explode. And thus, the shield was finally down.
"That certainly became more complicated than it originally should have been." Nairbix said bluntly as his redheaded friend nodded while reinforcements flew over their heads. Off to the side, Ashoka sat on the ruble with shame plastered on her face. Seeing this, the three friends sat down with her.
"You're reckless, little one." Natasha said with a smirk looking up at the sky.
"You never would have made it as Obi-Wan's Padawan." Nairbix added.
"But you might make it as mine." Anakin finished lifting the girl's spirits; after each of them exchanged friendly smiles, a cruiser with Rex and Spades came down and picked them up.
"Good work, Generals." Spades said proudly as they boarded the cruiser.
"You too, kid." Rex added smirking at Ashoka. As the ship landed back at the base to drop the quartet off, Nairbix and Anakin gave their thanks to their troopers before heading over to meet with Obi-Wan and the newly arrived Yoda.
"Master Obi-Wan. Master Yoda." Anakin greeted.
"Hmm, trouble with your new Padawan I hear." Yoda informed while Ashoka looked downcast.
"I was explaining the situation to Master Yoda." Obi-Wan explained.
"Really?" Anakin asked.
"If not ready for a Padawan you are, then perhaps Obi-Wan-"
"Now, wait a minute." Anakin interrupted, "I admit Ashoka is a little rough around the edges. But with a great deal of training and patience she might amount to something." He admitted smirking.
"Then go with the three of you to the Teft system she will." Yoda replied. Hearing this, the party became confused.
"Teft?" Nairbix asked, "But that's wild space the droid army isn't even in that sector."
"Oh, right I forgot to tell you!" Natasha exclaimed as she slapped her forehead, "Jabba the Hutt's son has been kidnapped and he's requested that the Republic assist him in finding his son."
"…Natasha," Nairbix said dryly, "Remember what we talked about concerning your priorities in providing information?"
"No." She replied without hesitation causing the Narnian to pratfall at her response.
"Wait, you want me to rescue Jabba's son?" Anakin asked not believing his ears, the council knew fully well of his past with the Hutts and especially Jabba.
"Anakin, we'll need the Hutts' allegiance to gain an advantage over Dooku." Obi-Wan reminded.
"Negotiate the treaty with Jabba Obi-Wan will." Yoda informed, "Find the renegades that have Jabba's son your mission will be."
"Come on, Master. It doesn't sound that hard." Ashoka said sure of herself, "I'll go get Rex and get the ships organized." She said before darting off.
"Don't worry, Anakin." Obi-Wan said warmly, "Just teach her everything I taught you and she'll turn out fine."
"You know, something makes me think that this was your idea from the start." He said to his old master before walking off.
"Actually, it was Natasha's!" Obi-Wan called back while Anakin looked over at the redheaded master in shock as she started laughing again. After the party left Christophsi, they traveled via star ship to the planet where the location of Jabba's son was discovered. In the ship's hangar, the three friends along with the two droids made their way over to gather information from one of the scouts that arrived from the planet.
"Lieutenant, did the kidnappers see you?" Nairbix asked the clone.
"No, sir. We're the best scouts in the regiment." He replied.
"What about the bounty hunters? Are they still there?" Natasha asked.
"I don't think so. We haven't seen them in a while." The clone responded.
"Well, what are we up against?" Anakin asked, before he answered, the clone pulled out a hologram displaying the monastery that held the huttlet.
"Looks like there's two droid battalions protecting a monastery. It's heavily fortified so you won't be able to land there."
"Good work, men. Get some rest." Nairbix dismissed. As they walked back to the ships, they spotted Ashoka trying to impress the clones with a story.
"That sounds like a lot, even for a Jedi." Dars said to the Padawan.
"I heard you were surrounded by droids. How did you ever get the shield down?" L asked.
"Okay, so there's a wall behind them with a hole in the middle. So I pull the wall down on top of the droids, destroying them all and saving the generals." Ashoka told proudly while the clones laughed.
"Is that true, sir?" Spades asked Nairbix.
"Well, most of it." He admitted with a smirk while the droids gave their own form of laughter.
"Would this be a good time to remind you that a Jedi is humble, my young Padawan?" Anakin asked with a grin.
"Sorry. Just trying to keep the boys inspired, is all." Ashoka replied still smiling. Later on as the party and the battalion of clones flew down to the planet, Obi-Wan sent them a message explaining the situation.
"Alright, here's the story." The Jedi began, "Jabba has given us only one planetary rotation to get his son back to Tatooine safe and sound."
"Won't take us that long, Master." Anakin replied while he, Natasha and Ashoka had their hoods and cloaks on.
"Well, take extreme care." Obi-Wan advised, "We have no idea who's holding Jabba's son. When I finish negotiations with him, I will join all of you."
From the highest point of the monastery, a group of droids were scouting the perimeter. One of them spotted the group of cruisers in the distance but couldn't make them out.
"There's something coming." It said in its high silly voice, "I can't make out what it is."
"I don't like it. Prepare to fire." A commanding droid ordered.
"What if it's one of ours?" The first droid asked.
"Shut up, Sergeant! I'm in command here."
"Roger, roger." The droid replied. Back in the cruiser, Anakin gave some helpful advice to his new student just before the battle began.
"Just stay close to us, if you can." He teased.
"It won't be a problem, Master." Ashoka joked dryly.
"This isn't practice, Ashoka." Natasha reminded sternly.
"I know. And I'll try not to get you guys killed." She said just before the droids started firing at the ships.
"Sirs, we're taking heavy fire." The pilot informed.
"Close the blast shields. Get us under those guns." Nairbix ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
"Here we go." Ashoka said coolly as the blast shields closed.
"Rex, your com's got static." Spades warned.
"Got it." He replied, "Red light. Stand by." He ordered as the clones readied themselves.
"Welcome to paradise, you sorry bastards." Natasha announced as the ship landed and the doors opened. As soon as they did open and the light went green, everyone save for Ashoka who hesitated immediately jumped out fully ready for battle.
While the clones were blasting away the droids and the Jedi were cutting them to ribbons, Nairbix was doing a combination of both as he sliced and fired his Dark Volley Shotlock.
"Nairbix!" Natasha shouted over the sounds of the battle, "Concentrate your attacks on sector 1137-2465!"
"…1137…what was that again?" He asked in confusion.
"Just fire right there!" Anakin informed as he pointed to the target. After most of them safely made it to the base of the mountain that carried the monastery, they waited for the proper moment to continue.
"So, this is where the fun begins." Ashoka said bluntly.
"Race you to the top." Anakin offered to his three companions.
"I'll give each of you a head start." Ashoka replied playfully.
"Your mistake." Anakin said clearly having fun before climbing up the mountain side. As he did things the old fashioned way, Natasha made things interesting and literally ran up the mountain with Nairbix doing the same.
He then noticed the numerous droids firing at them, the clones and the walkers and grew a wicked grin. From his back, he let loose a wave of destructive darkness that took care of several battle droids. To his left, a group of droids on speeders came charging over. With his wicked smirk still showing, he swung his fist in the air and created a massive fist made of darkness and magic.
While this was going on, Ashoka who was on top of a walker's face was struggling to keep her balance as more droids on speeders attacked. Seeing this, Anakin leapt down and sliced the heads off of each droid and hijacked the last one.
"Try to keep up!" He called to his Padawan as he zoomed on ahead.
"Hey, no fair!" She shouted in protest. At the base of the monastery, Nairbix managed to arrive just before the others and landed in a kneeling position. As the droids surrounded him, his eyes snapped open reveling his blazing eyes before he eradicated the machines.
"I love this job!" He said darkly with an added insane growl as his friends arrived. "Well, it's about time you three showed up." He teased.
"Show off." They said bluntly as they glared at the True Master as the clones joined them. "Too many droids for them to be renegades." Natasha stated, "I sense Count Dooku's hand in this."
"As do I." Anakin agreed, "Let's find Jabba's son and get out of here."
"No problem, the hard part's over." Ashoka jinxed.
"You really shouldn't have said that, Snips." Nairbix sighed with dread as they entered the monastery.
"I don't like this place. It gives me the creeps." Spades said to no one in particular.
"This looks like one of those B'omar monk monasteries that I read about in my studies at the temple." Ashoka said giving her two cents.
"Smugglers take these monasteries over to turn them into their own personal retreats." Anakin explained as they ventured further into the dark building.
"And the monks just let them?" Ashoka asked.
"Smugglers usually get what they want, one way or another." Natasha replied as something caused a clattering noise. It was just a simple lost protocol droid.
"Uh, good guy or bad guy, Master?" Ashoka asked while everyone readied their weapons.
"Who are you?" Natasha asked.
"Merely the mighty care taker, oh, mighty ones." It replied, "You have liberated me from those awful battle droids. I am most thankful."
"Where is the Hutt?" Anakin asked hotly.
"The battle droids kept their prisoners on the detention level. I must warn you, it is very dangerous down there, my friends. Not a pleasant place for a servant girl." It said gesturing to Ashoka.
"Do servant girls carry these?" She asked hotly as she ignited her weapon, "I am a Jedi knight." Hearing this, Anakin and Natasha gave her a set of disapproving looks. "Or soon will be." She corrected.
"A thousand apologies, young one." The droid said to her as she walked past it.
"Captain, Colonel, we'll get the Hutt. Stay here. Keep your eyes open." Anakin ordered the two commanding officers.
"Copy that, sir." They said in unison.
In the depths of the detention level, the party made their way through the halls fully aware of the hidden droids. "Masters, you know that we're walking into a trap." Ashoka pointed out.
"We know." They replied just before Nairbix's face scrunched.
"Ugh, we're almost there. The smell is getting even worse than when we got on this planet."
"We just passed two more droids." She stressed.
"We know." The trio repeated.
"Well, I don't like it. Can't I just take care of them?" Ashoka asked.
"If you feel so strongly about it, go ahead." Natasha replied with a smirk as the Padawan quickly took them out.
"Not bad. You even remembered to take out their weapons first." Anakin praised.
"I'm improving your technique." She replied as he ever so skillfully stabbed a droid behind him without even looking.
"Of course, you did miss one." He added smugly.
"Check for corners, rookie." Natasha threw in as they walked past her
"I…did that on purpose." She defended bashfully as they reached the designated door.
"I sense our kidnapped Hutt is in here." Anakin sated as Ashoka's face scrunched in disgust.
"Ew." She groaned, "I smell him too." As Natasha used the Force to open the door, everyone saw the young, stinging, green, tadpole-like creature making some sort of moan/cooing noise.
"He's a lot younger than I thought he'd be." Anakin said bluntly as they all stared at the Hutt.
"Aw, he's just a baby." Ashoka cooed, "This will make our job a lot easier. Oh, he's so cute!"
"Just wait until you see what he'll grow into." Anakin added with a slight glare.
"Huh." Natasha stated as she folded her arms and looked at the Huttling.
"What is it?" Nairbix asked.
"Nothing. He just looks an awful lot like Jumba to me." She replied.
"He looks nothing like Jumba!" Nairbix defended on his brother's behalf.
"Masters," Ashoka addressed, "My Jedi training didn't prepare me for this. What do we do?"
"Well, since you think that smelly larva is cute, you're gonna carry it." Anakin replied with a smirk as the little Hutt began to cry. As they walked out of the monastery, Anakin continued to tease his Padawan. "So how do you like our little friend now?"
"Still cute?" Natasha asked.
"No. He's reminding me of you guys more and more." Ashoka retorted as the little stinker cooed at them. "See? You're four of a kind."
"Maybe you should carry all of us then." Nairbix suggested as the Hutt began to whine and cough.
"Masters, I think this little guy is sick. He's burning up with a fever." She informed as Nairbix checked his head.
"You're right. Here, hand him to me." He advised as the Padawan passed the little thing. After glancing at the whining Hutt, Nairbix held his right hand over his face and recited a spell. "Curgara." He said as a green magical light engulfed the Huttling; in a matter of seconds, it was showing signs of being better.
"Nice work, but he'll get in the way if we continue to carry him like this. Trooper, get me a backpack!" Anakin ordered. As soon as they received it, they began to stuff the squealing alien into the backpack.
"Will you just let me do it?" Ashoka asked hotly as Jabba's son struggled.
"I hate Hutts." Anakin growled.
"Wall-E!" Natasha called out for her droid who happily wheeled over to them, "Contact Obi-Wan. We need to tell him we found the Hutt." The little droid complied and brought up a hologram of the Jedi.
"Natasha, did you find Jabba's son?" He asked.
"We have him. But it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction." She replied.
"Smells like Count Dooku to me." Nairbix threw in.
"I think its little Stinky you smell." Ashoka whispered.
"I'd wager that Dooku is using us to get Jabba to join the Separatists." Natasha informed.
"As would I." Obi-Wan agreed.
"I still think working with the Hutts is a bad idea." Anakin added.
"Anakin, you know they control the shipping routes throughout the Outer Rim. Jabba's support is crucial to the war effort. If you let anything happen to his son, our chances of a treaty with him will disappear." Obi-Wan reminded just as droid reinforcement ships arrived.
"Masters, we've got trouble." Ashoka said pointing out the obvious.
"Defensive positions!" Spades ordered the troopers.
"Anakin?"
"I'll have to call you back, Master. We're under attack. We could use a little help here, if you have the time."
"I'll get there as soon as I can. Protect the Hutt, Anakin." He said as the transmission ended. As the droids began to surround the monastery and attack the clones, Anakin ordered Ashoka to get inside with the Hutt with R2 and Wall-E at her heels.
"Fall back!" Nairbix ordered as the survivors got behind the closing metal door.
"Spades, Rex, wait here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements." Anakin ordered while he gained a strange look from Ashoka. "What?" He asked.
"Master, do you really think we can hold them off?" She asked in disbelief, "We've got to find a way out." She stressed.
"Our mandate is to protect this Hutt and that's what we're going to do, Ashoka." Natasha reminded sternly.
"Our mandate was to get this Hutt back to Tatooine, and time is running out." She corrected.
"Then, I suppose you have a plan?" Nairbix asked.
"Yes." She replied looking at R2 and Wall-E. "Or I think so. R2 and Wall-E willing."
"All right, Snips, we'll trust you on this one." Anakin replied.
"Spades, you and Rex hold them here as long as you can." Nairbix said to the Colonel.
"Will do, sir." Spades replied, "You heard the general! Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal!" He shouted to the troopers.
In another area of the monastery, the party began to search for another way out with the assistance of the two droids. "If there's another way out of here, these little guys will find it." Ashoka said as R2 and Wall-E began to search through the building's computer.
"Finally asleep, huh?" Nairbix asked glancing at Jabba's son, "Best to put him down and get some rest yourself. You've had a long day, little one." He said to Ashoka.
"I can hold him, Master Nairbix. I'm not tired." Ashoka replied.
"I'm sure you can. But there's no reason to waste your strength with a simple task. And by the way, since I'm not a Jedi, you don't need to call me 'Master'; Nairbix will do just fine." He informed with a smirk as he ruffled her head.
"Even so, you ought to listen to him as though he were your master, Ashoka." Anakin informed, "Nairbix's been at this sort of thing a lot longer than any of us and can give you valuable lessons. Even when he doesn't mean to." He said with a grateful smile to his friend; clearly he was thinking about the punch he received back on Geonosis.
"I know, Master. I just don't want to be treated like a youngling anymore." Ashoka confessed.
"You must have patience." Anakin reminded, "What are you trying to prove anyway?"
"That I'm not too young to be your Padawan." She admitted.
"Ashoka," Anakin began gently, "A very wise Jedi once said, 'Nothing happens by accident.' It is the will of the Force that you're at my side. I just want to keep you there in one piece."
"And so do we." Natasha added with a warm smile while Nairbix nodded. Seeing and hearing all of this, Ashoka relaxed and sat the backpack down onto the floor. But the touching scene was quickly interrupted by a loud explosion and tremor.
"That doesn't sound good." Natasha said bluntly just as R2 and Wall-E alerted them all. R2 then pulled up a hologram of the monastery with a red shaded area showing the way out as Wall-E anxiously pointed at it.
"A backdoor landing platform." Ashoka clarified.
"We'll call for a gunship when we get there. Wall-E, R2, lead the way." Anakin urged.
"Guys, wait." Nairbix said to them, "Where's Stinky?" He asked seeing that the Hutt was missing.
"You guys told me to put him down!" Ashoka reminded before his gurgling could be heard from underneath a bench.
"Come out of there, you grubby little slug." Anakin growled as he yanked Stinky out by the tail. "Let's see you get away this time." He said as he put the cooing baby back in the bag just before Rex contacted him.
"Anakin, come in." He said confusing them all.
"Anakin?" The other three questioned.
"We've held the droids, sir. What is your location?" He asked.
"That's not like Rex." Anakin mentioned.
"Ventress." Nairbix concluded.
"Dooku's assassin?" Ashoka asked.
"She's here to kill the Hutt." Natasha realized, "Come on."
Once they reached the platform, they were able to see that their reinforcements were engaging the droids. "Skywalker to Obi-Wan, mark my position." Anakin said to his former teacher via com-link, "We need a ship immediately. Do you copy?"
"Anakin, do you read me?" Obi-Wan asked over the explosions all around him just before the transmission cut out.
"I can't get a hold of Obi-Wan." Anakin informed, "I'll see if I can find Rex."
"I'll try Spades." Nairbix added. At the front entrance, Rex, Spades and the other surviving clones were being held hostage by the droids.
"What is that?" A droid asked as it heard Anakin's voice come from Rex's com-link.
"It's coming from the prisoner." Another droid said as they got closer to the captain.
"Let me show you how it works, clankers." Rex growled before pulling a droid in as a shield and took its weapon. This then set in motion the clones counter attack.
"Captain Rex, respond." Anakin ordered.
"I read you, General. We're pinned down in the courtyard."
"Do you need help?" His reply was the sound of rapid fire over the transmission. "I'll take that as a yes, Captain. Standby, we're on our way. Skywalker out."
Just as he ended the transmission, two Destroyer droids rolled their way over to the party. "Great, rolling death balls." Ashoka groaned as they began to fire.
"Wall-E, get the door!" Natasha ordered as she and the others blocked the droids' attacks. Just before the little droid closed the door, Ventress came into view; once the door was closed, Ventress's lightsabers pierced it and began to carve out an opening.
"I think now may be a good time for a retreat." Anakin suggested slightly nervous.
"Retreat? That's a new word for you." Ashoka remarked.
"You guys head for the jungle. I'll hold off Ventress." Nairbix declared as he dismissed his Keyblade. "Oh, I've been itching to try this one out." He mumbled excitedly. He then dropped both his arms to his sides and flexed his hands which created two pinkish-orange blades that looked identical to lightsaber blades.
As he eagerly awaited his opponent, the three Jedi noticed another landing platform in the distance with a ship on it. "So how are we going to get over there?" Ashoka asked.
"Leave that to us." Natasha and Anakin said before they jumped off and hitched a ride on two large insects.
"I hope I don't have to learn that." Ashoka muttered in disgust. As this happened, Ventress finally made her way out of the makeshift entrance and stared down Nairbix.
"Where is Skywalker, VanSull?" She asked threateningly.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" He mocked before rushing in to attack the assassin. As they both skillfully landed strikes on each other's blades, the droids below them continued to fire at the platform which quickly destroyed it and allowed Nairbix and the two droids to escape.
"Count Dooku demands a report on your mission." A battle droid alerted Ventress from the hole in the door. "Should I tell him they got away or what?" It asked stupidly. In retaliation, Ventress used the Force to throw the unfortunate droid over the mountain side.
As the party reached the other platform, they all looked at the available ship in disappointment. "We're taking this junker?" Ashoka asked, "We'd be better off on that big bug."
"Get on board and prime the engines." Anakin told her.
"Assuming it has engines." Natasha mumbled, "By the way, how'd it go with that technique you were wanting to try out?" She asked Nairbix.
"Well, let's just say, I'll leave the laser blade combat to you guys." He admitted as they walked over to the ship. They then noticed the caretaker droid from before and saw that it was working with other battle droids.
"She's at it again." Anakin remarked as he saw his Padawan take out the clankers. Once they were all taken care of, they boarded the ship. "Now let's get Stinky out of here." He said eagerly as he tried to start the ship. "Uh, if we can." He said with less enthusiasm while Ashoka groaned and the baby cried.
"Don't worry, Snips." Natasha reassured, "Wall-E, see if you can spark the ignition couplers." Wall-E did as he was told but to no avail.
"No, that's not it." Anakin said to no one in particular, "Try opening the fuel lifters all the way." He suggested which gained immediate results.
"Good work, buddy." Natasha said fondly to her droid as the ship took off. As they were soaring through the sky and clouds, they found themselves entering an air battle between the two opposing forces.
"Well, things just got a lot harder." Nairbix bluntly commented.
"All we've got to do is land on that Jedi cruiser." Anakin informed.
"But the deflector shields are up!" Ashoka warned as the cruiser fired at them, "They must think this grease bucket is an enemy ship."
"Jedi cruiser, hold your fire." Natasha alerted over an open channel.
"Incoming ship, identify yourself." A clone demanded from the ship, "Repeat, identify yourself."
"This is General Romanoff with Generals VanSull and Skywalker; we have Jabba the Hutt's son." She replied, "We must board immediately."
"Stand by."
"Stand by? That's helpful." Ashoka said sarcastically.
"General Romanoff, we think we can lower the shields for you in the southern entrance bay." A clone informed over the channel.
"We're on our way." Anakin replied as they flew to the hangar.
"We've made it. We've made it!" Ashoka cheered. Just then, three aircraft droids zoomed into the hangar and caused a massive explosion.
"General Romanoff, abort! Abort!" The clone shouted as the explosion took him, his brothers and the hangar as well as the party's chance.
"That changes our plans." Anakin pointed out bluntly.
"Looks like we're going to have to take this bucket of bolts all the way to Tatooine." Nairbix said not liking the situation.
"We're clear to make the jump to hyperspace." Anakin announced, "R2, program the navicomputer. Let's go." He said as they all saw the breathtaking sight of the stars dragging just before the jump.
"Alright, Tatooine, here we come." Nairbix sighed in relief.
"It'll be weird to go back to that old sand box." Natasha chuckled.
"Hmph, you're telling me." Anakin added as he tinkered with the ship's control panel.
"You grew up on Tatooine, right?" Ashoka asked Anakin, "So this must be like a trip home for you."
"Yeah, it's also where I met these three and Obi-Wan." He replied gesturing to Nairbix, Natasha and Wall-E.
"Yeah, hard to believe that happened all those years ago." Natasha said wistfully, "I remember how disappointed Nairbix was when he missed his chance to convince you, Anakin."
"Convince me?" Anakin asked, "For what?"
"Nairbix thought that you had what it took to become a wielder of the Keyblade when we first met you." She replied.
"You did?" Anakin asked his old friend who simply nodded, "What changed your mind?"
"Nothing. The only thing that stopped me from preforming the ceremony to see if you could wield a Keyblade was that you decided to become a Jedi. Qui-Gon beat me to it. Sneaky old fox." Nairbix said in memory of his old friend.
"So what would you have done to see if I could?" Anakin asked clearly interested at what could have been.
"It's nothing special." Natasha waved off causing Nairbix to comically fall out of his chair. "All he would have done was recite an old poem and see if you could hold his Keyblade without it flashing back to him."
"Really, that's it?" Anakin asked chuckling at his friend's expression.
"It's not 'nothing special,' Natasha!" Nairbix retorted, "It's a sacred ceremony that marks the beginning of the lifetime journey that we wielders of the Keyblade take when the wielder's master take them on as their student!"
"Maybe, but your master never did that with you." She reminded smugly, "You already forged your Keyblade nearly a year before you met him. Not to mention, the first time you used it, it was when you and your mother cursed a baby."
"You did what?!" Ashoka and Anakin asked in disbelief.
"It's a long story." Nairbix replied, "Besides that, Aurora was given a better life since she wasn't and still isn't being raised by Stefan. Not to mention, I knew fully well even then that my mother's curse would also affect her since she also cursed Aurora to be beloved by all who meet her. So, nah!" He exclaimed while making a weird face in Natasha's ending the argument.
"How's Stinky holding up?" Anakin asked as they reached Tatooine.
"He seems alright." Ashoka replied as she glanced at the sleeping baby. "Even you have to admit, he's cute when he's asleep."
"I admit I like him when he's quiet. But only a little." The Jedi replied while two attack ships came up on their rear.
"Looks like someone doesn't want Stinky to make it home in one piece." Nairbix said bluntly as the ships blasted the ship.
"This is going to be bumpy." Natasha said gripping her seat, "Ashoka, activate the guns."
"All the guns are locked in the forward position." She replied, "It's too bad you decided not to repair the rear deflector shields." She said to Anakin.
"Not now, Ashoka." He growled, "R2, see if you can unlock those guns." He said to the droid.
"Sometimes a good defense is the best offense." Ashoka argued.
"Why don't you go secure your little Huttlet friend?" Anakin asked.
"None of us are secure with you flying." Nairbix groaned as his face began to turn green while Anakin took a nose dive which knocked everyone out of their seats; including Stinky who began to cry.
"Great, you woke the baby!" Natasha said hotly over the screeching.
"Got one!" Anakin cheered after he blasted a ship.
"What about the other one?" Ashoka asked.
"One thing at a time." Anakin replied as the other ship took out their tail.
"Good call on not repairing the shields, Anakin." Natasha said with sarcasm.
"R2, turn those guns around!" Anakin repeated, "R2?!"
"Why can't you be a tiny little mouse droid?" Ashoka grunted as she pushed R2 over to the console.
"Shoot it, R2!" Natasha begged only to see the little droid succeed.
"Good shot, buddy. You've been holding out on us." Anakin complemented before his and the other Jedi's faces scrunched in disgust.
"What is that Force awful smell?!" Natasha asked.
"…Sorry." Nairbix groaned with his face still green as he wiped his mouth against his sleeve.
"Obi-Wan, do you copy?" Anakin asked as he contacted the Jedi.
"Kenobi here." He replied as his hologram appeared.
"We're in a bit of trouble and we need-"
"Anakin, did you get shot down again?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes." The other three replied.
"The ship is too slow." Anakin defended.
"I'm still cleaning up your other mess. But, I'll get there." Obi-Wan informed before ending the transmission.
"So much for our reinforcements." Natasha stated bluntly.
"Hold on." Anakin warned, "This landing may get a little rough."
"Crashes are rough. Landings aren't." Nairbix reminded.
"Then it's a crash landing, Nairbix." Anakin retorted through his teeth; and sure enough, it was indeed a crash landing. As the party opened the rear door and looked out to the vast desert, Ashoka cradled Stinky and welcomed him home.
"Jabba's palace is on the far side of the dune sea." Anakin informed, "We better hurry if we're going to make it by morning." And with that, the party ventured into the endless desert of Tatooine. Later that day, Ashoka began to start up a conversation.
"Master Yoda has a saying: Old sins cast long shadows. Do you know what he means by that?" She asked.
"He means your past can ruin your future if you allow it." Natasha replied.
"But you forget, it was Master Skywalker who said: I don't want to talk about my past." Anakin reminded sternly.
"Alright, I get it." Ashoka said raising her hands in surrender. "Nairbix?" She asked with hope.
"Not a chance, Snips."
"Fine. There's so much more we can talk about out here. Like the sand." Ashoka joked, however, Anakin didn't take it as one.
"The desert is merciless." He said flatly, "It takes everything from you."
"That's a happy thought." Ashoka replied still thinking it was a joke even when Natasha put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.
"It won't take us. Right, Artooey?" Ashoka asked the droid who beeped merrily. As the day continued and the suns began to set, they all stopped as they felt a disturbing presence.
"We're not alone." Ashoka alerted.
"I sense it too." Anakin informed.
"It's the dark side of the Force." Natasha finished.
"My guess is that it's Dooku." Nairbix offered.
"Whatever it is, it's coming for the Hutt. Time to split up." Anakin decided.
"We'll face it together, Master." Ashoka said with determination.
"Not this time, Snips." Natasha denied, "We have a far more important mission for you."
"More important than keeping Skyguy alive?" She asked.
"Ashoka, I need you to trust us on this one." Anakin said seriously.
"He's right. Besides, I'll be going with him to give him back up while you and Natasha take care of the rest." Nairbix further explained.
"I'll be fine on my own, Nairbix." Anakin argued gently which earned dry looks from him and Natasha.
"Uh-huh, and how well exactly did your last confrontation with Dooku go?" Nairbix asked making several hand gestures with his right hand and arm.
"Yeah, if I remember correctly," Natasha added using her right hand and arm to infer their point, "Didn't you lose something of yours that day because you took on Dooku alone?"
"Alright, I get it!" Anakin exclaimed in annoyance, "Nairbix will come with me and make sure I don't lose another limb. Happy now?" He asked turning to the duo before telling them his plan. After night fell and the party split up, Nairbix and Anakin saw the cloaked Sith Lord ride to them on a speeder.
"Surrender the Huttlet or die, Skywalker." Dooku ordered as Anakin who was carrying the backpack ignited his lightsaber and as Nairbix summoned his Keyblade. Dooku then sent out a blast of Force lightning which was deflected by Anakin's lightsaber and challenged by Nairbix's black lightning.
Seeing the method was bearing fruitless, Dooku then ignited his own crimson lightsaber and skillfully took on the duo. "Your training has come a long way, boy." He said to Anakin who grew angry. "Ah, now I remember." Dooku stated hoping to further agitate the Jedi. "This was your home planet, wasn't it? I sense your strong feelings. Feelings of pain, loss."
Having enough of the banter, Anakin used the Force to send a wave of sand at the count only for him to send an even more powerful wave right back at him sending him back several feet and knocking his lightsaber away.
Just as Dooku was about to finish Anakin off, Nairbix quickly got in the way and shrugged Dooku off of his weapon. As this happened, Anakin got back into the fight but allowed Dooku to slice the backpack with his lightsaber.
"You've failed, my friends." Dooku said to them thinking his achieved victory, "I have just killed Jabba's son."
"You've fallen for our little trick, Count." Anakin said smugly as he tossed the backpack filled with rocks away.
"But you did succeed in taking out some innocent rocks." Nairbix teased.
"The Huttlet is with my Padawan and Master Romanoff safely at Jabba's palace." Anakin added.
"I expected such treachery from a Jedi." Dooku replied, "I assure you, my web is strong enough to catch your insignificant little Padawan and Romanoff."
"They're more skillful than you think." They retorted.
"You deceive yourselves!" Dooku shouted as he engaged the duo once more. As Natasha and Ashoka along with Stinky and the two droids reached the palace, three of Dooku's battle droids armed with laser staffs sprang from the ground.
As the fight between Dooku and the other duo continued, the Sith pulled out a hologram of Ashoka and Natasha struggling with his droids. "After my droids kill Jabba's son, they will deliver your friends to him for punishment for the Huttlet's murder. I can't imagine he will be merciful." He taunted.
Realizing that he was right, the two friends dashed away to the Hutt's palace in hopes to save their friends should they fail. As the two men made their way to the female members of the party, the two girls held their own against the droids.
"Argh, we don't have time for this!" Natasha shouted before using the Force to crush the three clankers together; as soon as she did this, the remaining members of the party joined them. "Excellent timing as usual, boys." Natasha teased.
"Less talk more returning the Huttlet." Anakin replied as they made their way to the door.
"…I knew that remark I gave him would come back to haunt me." She thought bluntly to herself. As they entered the palace, they finally came face to face with Jabba the Hutt. The best way to describe him would be to compare him to a massive green slug with arms and a terrible odor. At the sight of his son, Jabba began to cheer happily as he cradled the baby; in his own language, he gave an angry order that was translated by his protocol droid.
"You are to be executed immediately." The droid translated.
"What?!" They all asked in shock as Jabba's assassins surrounded them.
"Does this always happen to you guys?" Ashoka asked bitterly.
"Everywhere we go." They replied just before the crime lord received a transmission.
"Your uncle Ziro is calling." The droid informed, as it activated the hologram, an image of Padme of all people came into view.
"Greetings, mighty Jabba. I am Senator Amidala of the Galactic Congress." She greeted, "I've discovered a plot against you by one of your own."
"Does anyone else feel like we missed something?" Nairbix mumbled to his friends who shushed him.
"Your uncle will admit he conspired with Count Dooku to kidnap your son and frame the Jedi for the crime." Padme continued before showing another Hutt who looked extremely guilty. After a quick exchange in Huttenese, Ziro confessed that it was Count Dooku behind the whole thing. Switching back to Padme, she continued her speech.
"Perhaps now, you will allow the Republic to use your trade routes and hostilities can come to an end." Padme offered only to see the Hutt laugh.
"Jabba agrees." The droid clarified, "A treaty is in order. The clone armies may move through Jabba's territories."
"Senator," Anakin began, "You have my undying gratitude."
"No, Master Skywalker, it is I and the Republic who owes you thanks." Padme replied before ending the transmission.
"Jabba would be most appreciative if you bring Count Dooku to justice for his crimes against the Hutts." The droid informed.
"You can count on it, Jabba." Anakin replied.
"If that pun was intended, I'll murder him." Natasha whispered bluntly to Nairbix who nodded in agreement.
I know, that was a blunt way to end it but I couldn't think of anything else. Anyway, the next chapter should come up a bit faster since it will be my own plot and not an episode's.