AN: Sorry about the waiting on my other story, I'm a little short of ideas.
It's the beginning of the end. Viszla fell just yesterday, after a grueling fight that lasted for a solid month, and now we're mounting for a final offensive in the capital and execute kill or capture on prime minister Almec. Cheating death wasn't news anymore for us. Sometimes we find ourselves only inches from having dinner with the Grim Reaper. But it comes, eventually.
Not saying that I'm dying, but we lost Katan to the swordsman bodyguard just last night. That's right, Darth Maul was behind all of this. He's returning, and he's trying to stop us, and slaughter us all with all his anger and hate to us, for what we did back at the time of the Clone Wars.
Only two choices remain. Death or freedom. I may fall tonight, at the heart of their evil. I may be defeated by Maul, by the Empire. But at this very moment, millions will rise and stand, against our true enemy.
The end is near, and we all know what had to be done. I know I might not live to deliver this message, but I'll just say it. Sabine, I love you, and I'll be there for you, always.
Signing off.
Galactic date: 17 January, 1 BBY
Location: docks of capital Sundari, Mandalore
A dagger-shaped shadow loomed above the skies of the outer dome of Sundari, the deep roaring sound of the engines of the Darksider filled the people's ears. They knew the Death Watch is here, not to destroy their homes, but to return them a free world.
Dozens of Gauntlet fighters painted the sky like dots, spinning it's rotating wings and blasting at every TIE fighter that got in their way. Several of the Gauntlets were shot down, but most of the Mando troops inside got out safely, along with the rest of the invasion force.
"Let's get'em boys. And keep your eyes open, that Sith can be anywhere. And when you see him, do not engage him directly. Contact me and I'll work my magic." Said Ezra just before the first wave landed on the dome. Ezra found an exhaust vent and hopped inside. "Get in here and start planting explosives. We need to open a hole for our forces."
Soon, hundreds of round and tiny devices were planted in every corner of the vent system. Jaden, who made a touchdown afterwards, activated his comlink. "Is it all set?" Ezra soon received his call and wasted no time to answer. "You're good. Do it."
Moments later, the entire vent system was turned into solar dust, allowing the Mandos to jump in by rocket packs. Patrols of imperial police gunships were caught in the ambush, and couldn't stand a chance against the dreaded warriors.
"Let's get that SOB." Sabine cursed under her breath. She was vengeful by the loss of her mother, and her blood was boiling for a fight. She was at the brink of going rampant, and so is Ezra. The two diverted from the main forces and flew straight to the palace. Ezra reached the palace first, and soon Sabine's comlink crackled to life. "No sign of him. He must've gotten...kssh...aggghh!..."
The comlink went static, and Sabine could already smell trouble from her spot. She quickly accelerated and headed towards the main entrance, where she found out the terrible truth she wished that never happened: Ezra was levitated in the air by Maul, with a small trail of smoke coming out from his chest. His lifeless body was thrown to the other end of the throne room. Sabine's heart was now only inches from shattering like glass, she realised she just lost two of her loved ones in just 24 hours, and it was just too much for her heart to take.
Her breath became unstable, her eyes were filled with tears, and she could barely keep herself from falling on her knees. "You and your rebel friends, trying to star a little revolution, a little uh...rebellion? Simply pathetic. This ends today." The Sith mocked, paying no attention to the anger and grief of the vengeful Mandalorian. "So be it, a-hole." Muttered Sabine.
She ran forward with all her power and ignited her darksabre for one final fight. Maul drew his, and deflected the Mandalorian's blow. She clashed her saber with Maul's and launched a kick onto Maul's robotic legs, setting him off balance. Maul rolled just be before Sabine stabbed the ground. He got on his feet and threw a powerful punch into her visor, blinding her.
Sabine panted briefly and threw her helmet aside. She rushed at Maul, only to encounter a wave of force-lightning generated at her. She managed to deflect most of it, but she was pushed back by the blast. Eventually, Maul launched a force push and sent Sabine flying to the other end of the room, leaving her mortally wounded. Blood dripped from her forehead and mouth, and it seemed the Sith has finally accomplished his revenge against the jedi and the Mandalorians.
However, to Maul's surprise, Sabine was able to pull out her pistol with her last strand of strength. She held down the trigger, and Maul was shot in his shoulder. Unfortunately, Maul was only lightly injured, he pulled Sabine towards him and threw her across the room, rendering her unconscious. He pulled up his hood, and marched out the throne room with an evil grin on his face.
But as the ancients said, he who laughs last laughs longest. Maul soon found himself exposed to the rain of yellow bolts headed straight for him. He managed to deflect the first few, but he finally met his demise when Jaden, who has already received the sad news of his friend's death, unleashed a battering volley of punches to his head. He fell, and the Mandalorian drew his pistol and made sure of his downfall for good.
It was the end, and Mandalore was free, at a very high cost. The rebels have lost one of their best jedi, and potential battlemaster ever to be born in this galaxy. And despite being sworn enemies of the Jedi for a long time, the Mandalorians gave him a proper funeral and became one of the Alliance's strongest allies. They've lost hundreds of great soldiers in this movement as well, but none of them could be compared to the death of the man that united all of Mandalore and fought like a true warrior.
Hearing the loss of Ezra has also taken its toll to every crew member of Phoenix squadron. The Ghost still functioned without any faults, but the atmosphere seemed empty without the Mando-chasing Lothalian. Even Zeb was mourning for him, they used to be mortal enemies in every manner, but Zeb discovered that this boy was no street-rat that would bother the living daylights out of him, he'd been like a brother to him.
The clones were even lost in this mayhem. Rex had been a close friend and mentor to Ezra, aiding him in his fighting skills and his relationship with Sabine. Not even the most emotionless Chopper could withstand this pain, the loss of his prank buddy was unbearable to him.
With grief and sadness in the crew's heads, they were forced to move on, and go further into the battle to defeat the Empire.