The Assassin and Her Pet
by SWZ
Summary: Two unique individuals, used and abandoned by the ones they served, find themselves stranded on a distant planet. Will they survive?
I own nothing
Star Wars/Evangelion crossover
Chapter six
Foraging ahead
Shortly after their fight with Serlenna, both master and apprentice settled into the home of Denada which was fairly large on the inside while small on the outside. There he began to explain that she was one of many dark acolytes. The personal warriors of Darth Ravage. Denada assumed that during the battle for the pyramid they perished along with the Jedi. Apparently, he was mistaken, but if she were still alive then they must have been alive as well.
"This could indeed complicate matters if these acolytes are still alive." Ventress mused putting a hand on her chin
"Yes, I lost many friends to those bloodthirsty monsters, they delighted in the chaos of the war that was waged here. Slaughtering millions of people, that just wanted to get out of the way." Denada spoke sadly remembering the chaos
"These acolytes sound like the ones employed by Dooku on Geonosis, for a time," Ventress said (Look up clone wars the game)
"In any case, Serleena will hunt you both down again. For this instance, she was toying with you both. Had she fought seriously, your apprentice would be dead." Denda stated
Shinji shifted in his chair a bit,
"Yes, he requires more training, your control in the force is growing apprentice, but it won't be enough, we'll need to improve upon your physical conditioning. " Ventress stated with finality "No apprentice of mine will be weak in body."
"I might be able to help with that," Denade spoke causing both master and apprentice to look at the Namek
"Can you now?" Asajj asked folding her arms
"The warriors of my planet trained with weighted attire, to ever suppress their strength and help increase their speed and stamina."
Denada went over to the large chest in the corner of the room opening it, he pulled out its contents. It is full of vases, strange and unique weapons, and droid parts. He kept searching until he found a dark blue sleeveless undershirt and tossed it but it made a clanking sound much to the clothing, then pulled out two weighed wrist bands, then knee pads then lastly pulled out heavy grey shoulder armor, wrapped in a white cloth.(Think Piccolo's armor).
Asajj gave the contents an appraising look
"Your warriors trained with these?" Shinji asked picking up the shirt and feeling some weight to the seemingly light shirt
"Yes, they've proven time and again to be effective."
As her apprentice examined the garb, Asajj put a hand to her chin in contemplation. She could do so much in training her apprentice in the ways of the force, Jedi padawan trained their bodies for hours a day, barely stopping, to maintain a certain level of fitness to maintain the force. These objects could prove useful in his training.
"Alright, apprentice, put on the shirt." his master ordered
Shinji looked at her strangely before doing as ordered. Taking off his shirt, and putting on the sleeveless top feeling some weight on his upper body. Shinji struggled to stand up a little bit and managed to.
"Yes, this could prove useful for us. We should begin immediately." Asajj suggested
Denada looked to outside too see it the day was ending
"No, I would suggest you put it off until the morning." Denada said "Night is approaching, it is best for you both to rest. "
"But"
"I will lead you to a secluded area, where your apprentice can train without distraction."
Seeing that night had indeed fallen, the Dathomiran nodded in agreement. Shinji took off the weighed shirt and put it back on his shirt. Denada had motioned to Shinji towards one of the spare bedrooms which was down the hall.
"I understand you want to teach him as quickly as possible. But give the boy time, he's still processing his defeat. You must understand what that's like, don't you?" Denada inquired getting a glare from the woman.
It's true she was defeated by the best Jedi in the order during the clone war, Yoda, Skywalker, and Kenobi, she even had a few encounters with Skywalker's pet padawan and Quin Lin Vos. But such losses fueled her rage and anger to cause her to train harder so she may slay one of the best Jedi in the order, be they Kenobi, Skywalker, or Yoda.
"I know, but what's pivotal is how comes back from a loss. I don't want this loss to drag him down, and fill him with more doubt within himself when we first met." Asajj stated
"Failure and defeat are all parts of the path. Sometimes if we experience too much defeat, it could be fate's way of saying we've been on the wrong path or we must grow stronger. You should know something about that." Denada spoke the tips of his antler-like horns glowing
"What are you implying Namek?"
"I can see it in your eyes, you've gone through much defeat haven't you?"
Ventress growled at the insinuation, even though it was true.
"On the other hand survival is a victory, albeit a small one at that. He still survived and that's most important."
"She only spared him, to toy with us! You saw, had Serleena been serious, I would be burying him right now!" Asajj stated vehemently
"My own training was limited, but some of which I was taught, was harsh but effective, I have survived my battles."
"Survived, but not won." Denada thought
"The next time we meet, she won't walk away." Asajj declared
"Indeed, but for now you should rest too. "
"But.."
"Do not fret we will be protected, should the acolyte return. I have been preparing for this moment."
Denda went to the kitchen, opened a panel on a far wall, and pressed a few buttons, the ground rumbled a bit, and outside the house, a branch-like antenna popped out of the chimney. From the top, it produced a stream of energy that expanded and began to encompass the entire property in a dome.
"An energy shield?!" Asajj uttered in total surprise
"During the war, there were multiple shielded outposts, some the Jedi disabled without destroying them entirely, others were destroyed, sometimes by the sith. I scavenged the parts remaining and managed to get them working with a sufficient power source underneath my home." Denada explained
"Impressive," Ventress remarked
"Thank you," he replied
(With Shinji)
Shinji lay on the bed looking at the unfamiliar ceiling of their home of Denada, touching the scar on his cheek as he thought about today. That beautiful freaky alien woman defeated him and his Sensei. The small mechanical bird hopped on his chest breaking him from his musings.
"Epkp Ekpk ." it chirped
"I'm alright, it could have been a lot worse," Shinji replied
"Epkp Ekpk."
"Serleena, she was just messing with me, Serleena reminded me a little too much of two people back on my planet."
(On earth both Misato and Asuka sneezed)
"Ekp Epk" it chirped again
"That's a story for another time, but what's your story uh, oh geez what do I call you?" Shinji questioned examining the little drone bird
"Epk Epk, Epk"
"So you can't remember your name either, hmm maybe ..how about Laserbeak? Or Wing eye?"
"Epk Epk ."
"Hmmm. I think Laserbeak is better,"
"Epk Epk Epk." Laserbeak chirped
"I guess that's what I'll call you for now at least."
"Epk Epk Epk." LB chirped inquisitively
"No, I don't think sensei likes you, sorry," Shinji replied
"Epk Epk Pkp"
"No, I think she's had a bad experience with your kind, she fought with droids before."
"Epk Epk."
"They aren't any droids like you back in my world, we're not all that far into robotics yet," Shinji replied not wanting to tell him about Evangelion
"Epk, Epk, Epk."Laserbeak chirped
"That's what she said too."
"Epk Epk Epk."
"Sensei Ventress thinks she will, and we do have the first Obelisk, so sensei wants to step up my training."
"Epk, Epk, Epk Epk."
"I'll do whatever I'm asked, I won't let her down." Shinji said, "I can't."
Nothing else was said as Shinji stared at the ceiling drifting off to sleep.
(The next day)
Morning soon broke, and as promised Denada led both Master and Apprentice to an area far, from his home village. The area itself had narrow walls deep empty ravines, twisted metal pipes, practically melted into the ground, and lots of spaceship debris. It was less than what Ventress had expected, but she had to make it work.
Her apprentice on the other hand could feel the echoes of those who came before as if there were others who made this their training ground to hone their skills in times of war. First Shinji went to the narrow wall and noticed a small reptilian creature scaled the wall all the way across, touching it Shinji was hit with a vision. A Jedi padawan, running along the wall using the force to strengthen his legs. And a voice echoing:
"Persistence and the force as your ally"
Asajj called her apprentice forth to commence his training, Shinji first began with a 500-yard run through a large spaceship engine and wrecked starfighters then began piling up pieces of rock and wood, on a cart and used his upper body to pull them while wearing the weighed shirt. And dragged it all across the landscape.
Then with a blade fashioned by Denada, Asajj instructed him to chop down a large dead tree, using nothing but his regular strength. It took well over twenty minutes but Shinji cut it down.
Next came lightsaber combat, Shinji grew more adept at his sensei's hard-hitting and quick-striking method mixing it with the gained skill from form six. Then came dodging techniques with the force. Ventress levitated small pebbles at Shinji whose senses kicked in and began to dodge, while still wearing the weighed shirt. The more he moved, the lighter Shinji started to feel, with the shirt.
"Don't think apprentice, feel, stay in the moment, void out any and all distractions," Asajj instructed levitating more stones at her apprentice, striking him a few times.
"Ugh." Shinji groaned
"Stay focused boy."
She quickened the pace, firing the stones more rapidly. Shinji began reacting more quickly more, fluidly much to her delight.
"Good, good." she praised
"Thank you sensei," Shinji replied panting
"That is enough for today, come we will return the Namekians home. We need to plan our next move." Ventress said
"Wait Sensei, I want to try something," Shinji said suddenly
Asajj watched as her apprentice went to the narrow walls and looked over the empty side of it, and titled her head in confusion as did the small bird droid. She watched as he crouched his legs, leaped on the wall, and ran across it, jumping from one end to the other, making it to the other side effortlessly
"Persistence and the force," Shinji repeated
"I was never taught, most impressive." Asajj said, "Apprentice, make your way back to me."
Shinji did just that, making his way back to the other side, while LB landed on his shoulder.
"Where did you learn that technique apprentice?" Asajj asked
"As soon as I touched the wall and I knew, the place holds trace amounts of echo of the force," Shinji explained
"I see, you're going after to teach me that technique."
"You never learned it?"
"No," she answered "Now come,"
(Five days later)
Master and apprentice once more continued their journey, seeking another temple containing another Obelisk. The pair were overlooking a barren forest filled with old battle droids leading to another mountain area. The results of Shinji's training were evident, as he felt more muscular in his chest, legs, and biceps.(think teen Gohan base form, not SS) His master approved that now he wouldn't have to rely on the force as much. But be in sync with it. Body and mind.
"Keep on your guard apprentice. Denade informed me that sentinel sentry patrol droids were scattered all throughout the land, so they might still be active." Asajj informed
"Yes sensei," Shinji answered with Laserbeak on his shoulder
The pair traveled cautiously through the barren field, from a distance they were being watched from distance by shapely dark-dressed Togruta.
"Yes you fools, lead me to the second the Obelisk," Serleena murmured
It was then that she sensed another presence approaching from behind. He was a tall humanoid male with purple skin white hair, dressed in sleeveless dark ninja-like attire, and a mask covering his scarred face, with a black cylinder attached to his side.
"Abigor, " Serleena addressed without turning around. "So the master woke you up as well?"
"The master felt you were taking too long, so he sent me," Abigor replied
" I am capable of bringing him the Obelisks, the Dathomiran, and the boy, whom I sense has grown in his power very quickly, since our first encounter."
"The master wants quick results, and I will provide them," Abigor stated gripping his lightsaber
"They are both heading toward Sigurn pass, a straight shot to Ikana valley."
"I remember Sigurn pass, I fought Zala himself there. Could this boy be just as formidable?" Abigor asked getting a chuckle from his counterpart
"No, this boy is a padawan, a novice at best, but he managed to barely hold his own against me, tapping into the force."
"So he has potential, intriguing." mused Abigor
"Let's go, I want to do battle with the Dathomiran again." Serleena hissed
Serleena started off with Abigor following
Meanwhile, Shinji and Asajj encountered more insect creatures on their path, which was good for Shinji to put his training to the test and impress his sensei, Shinji rushed in with a forward quick slash, then used a force push on a giant insect coming from behind, sending into another.
Ventress was using her quick strike method, to cut more than a few and using a force grip to crush the thoraxes of two right in front of her
CRACK!
CRACK!
And just like it was over,
"Your abilities are growing faster apprentice." Asajj complemented "Maybe even faster than I can teach."
"Thank you sensei," Shinji said deactivating his lightsaber
"Your intense training over the past few days has yielded good results."
The pair continued onward to eventually reaching the entrance to Sigrun pass.
"Denada said Sigrun pass, is a straight way to Ikana valley, remain alert," Asajj said
"Do you think the next Obelisk is really there?" Shinji asked
"I do not know, we'll find out when we reach the shrine." the Dathomiran replied
CREAK CRACK
The pair walked through the entrance to a massive litter of droid parts and skeletal remains. Shinji was a little more than unnerved, but Laserbeak chirped at Shinji
"Epk Epk Epk." LB chirped
"What you can do that?" Shinji asked
"What did the droid say?"
"He says he could scan the area, scan the droids to see if there any hidden surprises," Shinji explained
"Hmm, good the droid will be of some use after all," Asajj said
"Go for it Laserbeak."
With that Laserbeak flew from Shinji's shoulder lighting up its singular optical eye the light shining blue. The droid scanned the area. The pair following close, so far the droids scans remained blue no threats detected
Asajj's eyes darted from side to side, readying to activate her lightsaber at a moment's notice. Laserbeak continued to scan the area, the ground started to make strange vibrations, with every step the pair took, minus the drone.
Just as they were about halfway towards the end, LB's scan started to light up red. Then a rusted mechanical arm shot up from underground then something started to rise, a large bipedal large bulky machine rose from the ground(A/N think Enforcer droid from the KOTOR)
Then more droids of the same make and model although they were barely whole, as some were rusted, decayed, and falling apart. Each spread out and surrounded the pair. Both Shinji and Asajj turned on their lightsabers and struck first, for Shinji he went in close avoided a strike and jump flipped
mid-air, and sliced off both arms on the right side.
"Yah!"
SLICE
STAB
Then Shinji used force to push an oncoming droid into the narrow wall, Asajj was skillfully deflecting laser fire in a twister motion, then hit an upward double slash. A droid ran close to the Dathomiran to hit a smash attack only for her to move and hit under strike staggering the large.
And next, she used force crush to crumble it to scrap. Seeing this Shinji re-doubled his efforts on the two remaining droids, twirling his own lightsaber, Shinji slashed at the legs of the final droid and used the force to slam it into another.
This briefly amused Asajj, apparently, her student was trying to emulate her aggressive way of using force. Although her way of using force aggressively didn't exactly suit him. But deep down Shinji still carried a lot of anger and fear.
"We're clear Sensei, what were these?"
"Hmm..these are old droids, dating back decades, if not centuries. From a much older era," she answered
"But they seem far more effective than the C.I.S battle droids I commanded."
The pair continued on while Laserbeak continued to scan the area, however as they were walking a mysterious cloaked figure was watching them. The pair made it to the exit end, only to find more debris and emptiness.
"We rest here for now," Asajj said
"Yes, sensei ."
"While we rest, we mediate. I still sense much fear, much anger, in you my apprentice."
Both into kneeling positions with both knees on the ground. Laserbeak landed on Shinji's shoulder.
"Find your center, clear your mind of all thought, all distractions. Let the force flow through you." Asajj instructed with her eyes closed Shinji followed suit
Shinji relaxed his breathing foregoing all thoughts, banishing the thoughts of their goal, albeit temporarily. Feeling the energy of the force clear his thoughts, strengthing his connection to the force. Then both master and apprentice were hit with a series of visions
(Shinji's mind )
His hand intertwined with his sensei's
Inside the Pyramid
the Obelisks glowing
a vortex
Being inside a starfighter
Encountering an armored warrior clan with an unfamiliar golden crest
A female Zabrak on a forest planet
(Asajj)
Her hand intertwined with her apprentice's
Battling a dark lord
A vortex
A lone hunter
A Strange broken world
massive purple machine
Asajj opened her eyes and glanced at Shinji who was still in meditation. He seemed calmer than before but still carried conflict within him.
The burdens of his past still weighed heavily on him. Abandonment and being thrust into open warfare is no life for a simple child. Battles leave scars, some scars that cannot be seen, Asajj also has her fair share of scars as well, but she learned, to bear them as she grew. The Dathomiran would help him bear his scars as well. But the visions, what did they mean?
"Hmm.. apprentice keep your mind clear. "
"Yes sensei."
"Could we have had the same visions?" Asajj wondered
Deciding they had rested and meditated enough, she put a hand on his shoulder and urged him to move. Getting up they continued on their way, wading around the debris and ruins around them. Asajj outstretched her hand, using force.
" I feel a sense of the force, it's strongest in this direction."
"Laserbeak, scout on ahead," Shinji told the droid on his shoulder
"No, we trust in the force and remain on alert, I sense we're being watched."
Shinji looked around and didn't see anyone, but had a strange feeling of being watched. The pair continued on forward. Wading through the twisted metal and debris of buildings, ships, and large weapons, the master and student started to tread very carefully, suddenly the sounds of shuffling were heard.
Asajj's senses kicked in as her hand went to her lightsaber on instinct, her eyes darting from side to side. More shuffling could be heard putting Shinji on alert, and he went for his lightsaber. Shadowy figures
"Sensei."
"I know,"
Then several cloaked masked figures carrying spears, and electronic staffs jumped out and surrounded the pair. Quickly Shinji and Asajj activated their respective lightsabers startling, startled by their red blades. They hissed in a low language only they could understand. Master and Apprentice stood at the ready, Shinji eyed them carefully watching and waiting.
But their mysterious interlopers didn't move in close despite having the pair outnumbered. Shinji slowly but carefully turned off his lightsaber much to the dismay of his sensei and to the surprise of the masked figures even though they couldn't see it.
"Apprentice what are you doing?" hissed Asajj
"Sensei, if they wanted to attack us, they would have done so already," Shinji said
Shinji put his hands up in a surrender motion, indicating he meant no harm, his master on the other hand kept a tight grip on her lightsaber, poised to strike first. Which caused some of the masked figures to grip their weapons tightly. It was then that the tallest of the lot stepped forward and waved their hand, motioning to the others to lower their weapons. And they did so albeit reluctantly.
"Sensei please deactivate your weapon,"
Asajj narrowed her eyes at her apprentice for a bit before relenting and shutting off her weapon. The tallest of the large group slowly lifted their mask to reveal themselves to be an alien female, with green skin, puppies red eyes, and tentacles that framed her face, which reminded Asajj, of the Twi'leks, She wore a red swimsuit bodysuit under her cloak(Think Myaxx from Ben 10, AF or OV whichever comes first)
"Are you Sith or are you Jedi?" she asked
"Neither," Asajj answered
"But you carry the blades of the sith warriors that decimated our people!" someone shouted
"Please, we mean you no harm, my Sensei and I are just passing through to Ikana valley," Shinji spoke his hands still up
"Ikana valley? Why would you wish to go there? Don't tell me it's for the object?" the woman questioned
In response, Asajj took out the first obelisk, which caused the interlopers surrounding them to balk and gasp.
"You mean this?"
"Hmm, come with us, our village chieftain will want to have a word with you." the woman said
Seeing that there was no alternative and there wasn't gonna be another fight the pair followed after the group.
"Stay alert apprentice, " Asajj said remaining on guard her eyes sharply on the leader
Through the barren land, the group traveled, eventually reaching a large village downhill. The large group carefully slid down the hill. As they entered the village they were halted by a somewhat heavyset man, eyeing the master and apprentice carefully before admitting them inside.
The robed warriors dispersed upon entering, taking off their masks to reveal themselves to different kinds of alien species, some humanoid, with different colored skin, much like Asajj.
Others were creature-like and animal-like. The red tentacle female led Asajj and Shinji to a large building. Upon entering the pair were treated to a throne room(Think Atlantis the lost empire throne room only without the water).
At the end of the room, a figure in a red tunic with gold markings. He was a humanoid man, with pointed ears, slanted eyebrows, weathered pale skin showing his age, short white hair, and dark eyes sitting on a long lounge chair serving as the throne of sorts. The man coughed rather loudly, showing ailing health, he eyed the master and student suspiciously.
"Lyaxx who are these two that you bring here?" the man questioned in a monotone voice
The strange man's flat monotone voice reminded Shinji of his fellow pilot, Rei Ayanami, and his father.
"Elder Mortu, forgive me these are the strangers that cleared away the means that plagued Sigurn pass. Now the way is open once more." Lyaxx explained
"Hmm..state your names," Mortu said to the pair
"My name is Asajj Ventress, and this is my apprentice Shinji Ikari ." Asajj introduced gesturing to the boy next to her while he bowed respectfully.
"My name is Mortu, I am the leader of this settlement, what brings you and your apprentice here?" Mortu inquired
"We are just passing by, on our way to Ikana Valley." the Dathomiran answered
causing the occupants in the room to gasp slightly
"Why would you wish to travel there? That place was once the site of a desolate battlefield. One of many on this planet. You would not dare travel there unless it was for the object." Mortu said eyeing the item on the side of the Dathomiran
Asajj took out the Obelisk in response.
"We found one, now we seek the second."
"Hmm, there where many have sought that accursed object, and they all perished. The Jedi took great pains to hide it from their ancient enemy the sith." Lyaxx explained
"We know, but now the sith have reawakened and are now after the Obelisks," Shinji spoke
"I see, so the struggle has not ended. But I must inquire as to who the two of you are, you look neither Jedi nor Sith. " Mortu said briefly looking at their weapons.
Asajj seemed to catch on to what he was thinking. It was obvious the man suspected them to be Jedi or Sith. Although she was affiliated with the Sith.
"I will not do you the disservice of lying, I was trained by both Jedi and Sith, but I abandoned their ways, " Asajii stated under no uncertain terms
"Hmm.." Mortu hummed disgesting the Dathomiran's word trying to find truth in them
"And what of you, young one?" asked Mortu addressing Shinji
"My situation is...complicated," he answered
"Hmm, judging by your attire, you are an adolescent Terran." Mortu guessed
"Terran?" Shinji repeated
"Yes, my people have encountered your species before. From a different time. Your people have still yet to evolve,"
"Indeed they do." Asajj agreed
"Why do you want the object? The sith destroyed all in their path to trying to acquire it, what reason do you have Asajj?" asked Lyaxx
"To keep it from the hands of the Sith, they've recently reawakened."
"So you intend to travel to the pyramid," Lyaxx said
"Yes, we do, the force has brought us here for a reason."
To her surprise, Mortu scoffed.
"The force, the supposed Jedi Jago Zala spoke such nonsense, it did not help him or his fellow Jedi against their enemies." Mortu scoffed
"Hmm, I don't know how Zala operated, but we're different. Being guided by the force is the first step, the rest will be on our own strength and skill." Asajj stated
"Is that a fact? You seem almost too confident Ms. Asajj. Does your apprentice feel the same way?"
All eyes turn to her apprentice, who felt like he was under a microscope. Making the save for her student, Asajj spoke sharply
"Just tell us where the valley is, you don't want us to linger here any longer than we should," Asajj said
Mortu glanced down momentarily and did not find fault in that logic. The sooner these two left the settlement, the better.
"Very well, at the end of the village, you'll find the quickest way to the valley," Mortu said
"But be warned the location of the object you seek, was buried underneath a large spaceship. Many of our people went in search of it, only to return either half-mad or driven completely insane," said Lyaxx
Asajj glanced at her apprentice, who glanced back a little worriedly.
"Understood, we won't fail. Come, apprentice."
With that, she turned around and walked briskly out the entrance, while her apprentice bowed in respect much to the elder's surprise, and followed the woman out. He motioned for Lyaxx to come near.
"Follow them. If they obtain the Obelisk, destroy it," he ordered
"Yes elder," she replied
(With Asajj and Shinji )
"Sensei," spoke Shinji walking alongside the Dathomiran
"Yes apprentice," she answered
"That man, the elder, Mortu. The way spoke, reminded me too much of my father. And on top of that, I got a feeling about him, I just can't tell if it's good or bad."
"You also felt he was hiding something as well hmm, in time you will discern what is good and bad through the force. For now, stay focused."
"Yes sensei."
The pair continued on the narrow rocky pathway, leading them to a couple of hills, after traveling through them, while meeting some resistance from the same insects as before, they found Ikana Valley. Much like most of the planet, the pair had seen, the valley was filled with crashed starships, armaments, tanks and debris, narrower canyons, and a dried-out ravine.
Taking out the compass, Asajj waved the object around trying to get a fix on the Obelisk's location with some difficulty. Shinji looked around the valley at the desolate spaceship wasteland. Filled with all sorts of different ships
"Hard to believe this planet was ever peaceful." he mused
"Apprentice this way," Asajj said finally getting a faint reading with the compass pointing south.
"Mortu said the shrine where it was hidden was underneath a ship, which one could it be?"
"I don't know, there are dozens of crashed capital ships here, making it difficult for the compass to get a lock on."
They moved swiftly in between the ships, unaware that they were being followed. Shinji looked high and low from side to side in case anything might surprise them. It was then he felt a strange feeling, followed by a buzzing noise in his mind. Shinji looked around for the source, it felt like the sound was all around the place. Remembering his sensei's teachings, he outstretched his hand.
"Trust in the force," he said while Laserbeak chirped on his shoulder
Seeing what her apprentice was doing, and cursed herself for not thinking of it sooner, she put the compass back to her side and joined in. Shinji opened one eye a brief smile crossed his face, and resumed concentrating.
"Sensei I see a massive concave ship over the ridges in the west, there's something-" Shinji said
"Buried underneath the ship. But something else is there." Asajj finished putting her hand down.
The pair started off westward passing a number of wrecked cruisers and smaller ships. They were at the end until a group of feral pitch-back canine beasts with six legs emerged from underneath the wreckage of a nearby starship. (Think the viper wolf from Avatar)
"Grrr." the beasts growled at their newfound prey
Master and apprentice ignited their lightsabers, the beasts balked back a bit in fright but did not back away as they surrounded the pair.
"Ready yourself," said Asajj standing back to back with her apprentice
SCREECH!
"Argh!"
"Gargh what in the hell?!" groaned Shinji grabbing his ears in pain
The canine creature was seemingly also in pain and quickly dispersed. The screeching stopped, and the pair stood to take a breath.
" What in Blazes was that horrid noise?" the Dathomiran hissed in pain and anger
"That would be this" Lyaxx appeared behind the pair, holding a curved bone whistle.
"This is the only thing that can scare those dogs away. Anyone who's wandered from our village at night those creatures prey upon instantly."
"Oh I see, that's handy and loud," Shinji said
"Why are you out here? Far from your village?" Asajj asked using the force to scan her mind
"I was told to follow you, to make sure you were safely away from the village," Lyaxx replied warily
"And to see if I could be of assistance."
"You want to help us?"
"I have knowledge of the terrain, I can guide you to the ship."
Asajj sensed she had an ulterior motive In mind, normally she would cut down anyone that would undermine her or attempt to double-cross her. But in this case, she could be of some use.
"Very well, lead the way," Asajj said
Lyaxx nodded and took point, the master and apprentice followed closely
"Apprentice, keep a close eye on her. And keep on your guard, I sense she has ulterior motives."
"Yes sensei," answered Shinji
"In time you must learn not everyone can be trusted. You and I both know this from experience." the Dathomiran spoke sagely
Shinji looked down almost in sadness and shame, thinking about the so-called people in his life.
"Shut them out apprentice. Your thoughts betray you, as-"
"I understand sensei." Shinji quickly said cutting her off
"Good."
At this, she couldn't help but feel a bit of sadness for making her apprentice feel the way he does now after the life he had lived. After passing through several more ships the trio made it to the end of the long ridge.
"Right there, down below." Lyaxx pointed
What they were seeing was a massive city-sized concave saucer, heavily damaged in larger areas
"Weird I feel like I've seen that before, but where? Maybe in a movie" Shinji thought
"Somewhere beneath that ship, lies the shrine where your Obelisk lies. Some of our villagers went in search for the Obelisk here, only for them never to return." the red alien explained
"We must make haste before it gets dark."
The trio charted forth making their way down a hillside. Along the way, they encountered giant beetle insects. They were quickly dispatched by the master and the apprentice with ease. From there they continued on their way. After close to an hour of travel they reached their destination, which was much more decayed and a lot larger up close. Shinji's face formed into a frown as he got a cold feeling.
"Sensei." Shinji I feel-"
"Yes, I feel it too Stay focused," Asajj said her darting from side to side
The winds began to kick up fiercely, the sands began to shift revealing the remains of beings that attempted to acquire the Obelisk. Skeletal remains littered the ground all over, from humanoid remains to alien remains, and weapons such as unique blasters, spears, lances, and even lightsabers were on the ground. Lyaxx frowned at what she saw.
She could all but confirm that her fellow villagers had met their end here. They made their way beneath the ship, through the innards of the twisted debris, wires, and metal. The air was thick and murky, barely breathable. A low buzzing noise permeated through the air.
BZZZZ
BZZZZZ
"What could that noise be?" whispered Lyaxx while Shinji and Asajj readied themselves, with their hand on their respective lightsabers
"This way, I sense something strong in the force," Asajj said going straight ahead, rounding from a control panel
BZZZZZ
BZZZZ
the noise started to get louder and louder, then Shinji felt something invade his mind, but only briefly. He stayed close to his master while she led the way. Bypassing more debris the trio reached the center, only to find it empty.
"There's nothing here," Lyaxx said looking around
Asajj and Shinji looked around while LB looked up and chirped incessantly
"Epk Epk Epk." LB chirped getting Shinji's attention
"What is it LB?" asked Shinji
Shinji looked up to where the droid was looking his widened.
"Sensei, Lyaxx look up there!" Shinji pointed
"Hmm." they both went and gasped
Above the damaged ceiling of the ship was a large shellfish shaped like a cocoon dangling above them. It pulsated on and off like a light switch. It was connected by a vast array of wires mixed in with tentacles on the ceiling.
"What is that?" Lyaxx whispered
"Ready yourselves."
BZZZZZ!
BZZZZZ!
A buzzing noise emanated from the cocoon itself echoing throughout the chamber. But while it caused slight discomfort to the two alien women, Shinji was most affected as he felt images invade his mind causing him to grab his head.
"Gha!" Shinji screamed
"Shinji!" Asajj cried
As the sound was still echoing the cocoon pulsated faster and faster until it started to open up slowly. A large object dropped from the ceiling kicking up a thick layer of dust and mist. Asajj activated her lightsabers.
SNAP HISSS
Lyaxx took out her knife and blaster readying herself for this unknown enemy. The enemy rose up revealing itself to be a large slender armored alien creature with large tentacles protruding from its back, it slender had arms and legs that were less armored. (Harvester Independence day) It stood almost the size of a building. Although from Shinji's perspective, the creature looked almost about as tall as the Evangelion. (Think knee high)
"SCHREKK." the alien shrieked loudly
The shrieking ended allowing Shinji to finally regain his bearings enough to turn on his lightsaber. Various images of the earth (not his earth) flashed in his mind briefly and more of its kind came into conflict. Shaking it off, he joined his sensei and Lyaxx.
"What is this creature?" Lyaxx asked
"It doesn't matter, attack now!" Asajj shouted
The trio spread out and gave the armored creature a wide berth. The armored creature in question sent emanating psychic pulse wave blasts from its main body blasting the trio away.
Wirrrrigh!
Shinji quickly kicked back up and twirled his lightsaber. He raced forward dodging the tentacles. Shinji used the force and levitated some of the tossed it and at the creature striking it knocking it off balance briefly.
But for that split moment, it allowed Asajj and Lyaxx to go on the offensive. Lyaxx, began firing off her blasters, her shots not even phasing the armor. Asajj using her speed slid underneath its tentacles and struck from behind making at least one scratch.
Shinji followed in tandem hitting the creature from the right side. The creature fired another energy pulse wave destroying large sections of the ship.
"We'll need to get it off balance, Apprentice goes for its legs on the right, I'll take the left."
"Yes, Sensei."
Both master and apprentice went right to work, Shinji narrowly avoided a claw strike sliding on both knees using a two-handed spin attack, wounding it but not taking it down, for his efforts Shinji was hit by a tentacle.
SMACK!
"Gha!"
Laserbeak departed from his new master's shoulder and took the air, circling around the creature, making a full scan of the massive monstrous creature while avoiding its tentacles as well as its arms.
"Epk Epk" Laserbeak chirped
Asajj made a couple of quick strikes on the leg while narrowly avoiding a downward claw strike, Lyaxx firing off her laser fire directly in front of the creature, still not making a dent. Shinji used the force once more taking the debris from all around and tossing it, at the creature.
But this time he aimed higher striking it in the face. Which gave the desired effect, Lyaxx aimed and fired at its mid-section causing it to double over in pain. The Dathomiran assassin jumped and cut off its tentacles from behind as they were going for her.
SLASH SLASH!
"SCRHHHH!" the alien screeched in pain
"Keep up the pace!" Lyaxx cried
Shinji rolled through a swipe and jumped high taking out the knee
"Yah!"
SCRHHH!"
WRIIHHH
The alien fired another pulse ring wave, causing more destruction and more debris to follow, kicking up a large amount of dust. That gave Shinji an idea, using the force, he pushed the dust upward, towards its eyes.
"If an enemy can't see, he can't fight," Shinji said "Whoa! where did that come from?"
The alien staggered and stumbled allowing Lyaxx and Asajj to launch simultaneous attacks on the middle and lower regions. Meanwhile, Laserbeak landed on the back of the large monstrosity unbeknownst to it.
LB waddled to the top of the head and from its nozzle delivered a small shock to the top of the head.
BZZZ!
It didn't do much to phase the armored alien, but it gave a slight opening for Asajj to reduce the number of tentacles left. Lyaxx chooses at that moment to concentrate fire on the arms, her shot having some effect. The creature fired another pulse wave attack then backhanded Lyaxx sending her flying. Then it refocused its attention on the two force wielders in the vicinity.
"Apprentice we must end this now!" Asajj exclaimed
"Any ideas?" Shinji asked lightsaber active
"Yes, follow my lead."
Shinji nodded using the force to read her thoughts he knew what she had in mind, Both master and apprentice moved in tandem, with Asajj moving with snake-like grace moving from side to avoiding the remaining tentacles, Shinji charged on forth gathering large portions of the ship's debris using the force with both hands Shinji tossed them at the legs of the creature causing it to stumble and go down to one knee, although it did still tower over them.
This allowed Asajj to leap into the air and stab it in the midsection with her lightsabers causing the creature to scream in pain.
"SCRRHHH!"
"Shinji!" Asajj called her apprentice "Go for its knees!"
"Yes, Sensei!"
Shinji moved with a speed like the wind and used his red lightsaber to cut through the right kneecap of the larger alien causing it to go down.
SLASH
"SCRHHHH!"
BOOM!
The massive creature had fallen down like a large redwood tree. But the creature used both hands to try to get back to a vertical base, on one leg. But Shinji cut its left wrist, with Lyaxx following suit focusing her fire on the wounded area.
"This boy is good. Very good." Lyaxx commented
The creature let out another psychic ring attack this time affecting and echoing throughout the chamber causing debris to fall. Asajj caught some of the debris and skillfully hurled it back at the giant monster, striking it in the head.
"Apprentice now! Finish it!" she ordered
Shinji nodded and rushed towards the monster with the speed of the wind, his red lightsaber active. Opening himself to the force, letting it flow through him. The creature used its psychic shrieks once more to disorient the boy.
Shinji stumbled a bit, but used the force on its hand, moving it to break the shriek. That gave Shinji the opening he needed. Using the force he jumped on top of its head and stabbed it with his lightsaber.
"Yah!" yelled Shinji
BZZZZ
"Scrrrrh!" it cried out before it went down dead.
"Huff...Huff...The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Shinji breathed
Before Shinji could finish that sentence the part that served as the head of the large creature, that Shinji stabbed moved.
"What?!"
Like a chick hatching out of its eggshell a small bipedal creature crawled out of what appeared to be a suit, it was a quasi-humanoid shorter than Shinji, It was small, bluish-gray, and it had two long arms and feet with two digits. The rear section of its head was enlarged and its face spouted two large pupil-less reflective eyes.
"What manner of creature is this?" Lyaxx asked pointing her weapon at it
"It's..like a locust," Shinji answered suddenly
"A..locust?" his sensei repeated
"When it attacked my mind, I could see its thoughts, it was part of a moving civilization. Going from planet to planet. After they've consumed every natural resource they move on. This one was a large scout ship, separated from the rest, it's the last of its kind." Shinji explained
"The last? You mean its whole race is..."
"Gone, its whole race wiped out by earth, not my earth but a different earth from a different time. Maybe a different universe." Shinji finished
"Your people destroyed its entire race apprentice?" Asajj questioned
"Apparently, it came here hoping to start again, but it was shot down by Jedi forces and crashed here."
"Wriiich Wriiich." the alien squeaked weakly
Bang Bang!
They both looked to see Lyaxx shooting the creature dead.
"What did you do?"
"Finished what your people started boy," Lyaxx uttered
"Now with that out of the way, let's search for the obelisk," Asajj said outstretching her hand and using the force to locate it
It didn't take long, underneath the wreckage behind the dead creature, the Dathomiran found the Obelisk. Upon touching, Asajj was hit with a vision from the force.
Clone troopers turning on the Jedi
A dark figure marching on the Jedi Temple
A master and apprentice facing off
A new order rising
"What did I just see?" thought Asajj
Shaking her head, she focused her attention back on her apprentice and proceeded to walk out the way they came. But before they could exit all the way
CLICK
A noise caught the pair's ears. Through her peripheral vision, Asajj could see Lyaxx aiming her two blasters at the pair.
"I should have expected this." Asajj hissed being no stranger to betrayal
"Lyaxx what the hell are you doing?" Shinji demanded
"I thank you both for finding the Obelisk. Now hand it over so I can destroy it," Lyaxx said pointing her blasters at the pair
"I'm afraid we can't do that," Asajj said
"In that damned war for that damned pyramid, I lost many friends and family in the conflict. I won't allow it to happen again. I can prevent more needless deaths by destroying obelisks."
Asajj couldn't help but snort, using the force she began to constrict her throat, causing her to drop her blasters, and fall to her knees.
GRIP
Gakk!
"Sensei!" Shinji exclaimed seeing what she was doing
"I knew you were plotting something. But I will not allow you to impede us,"
"Sensei!
Lyaxx struggled to breathe, Asajj glanced at her apprentice who had a pleading look on his face to release her grip on the red woman. Back in the heat of the clone war, she wouldn't have wasted a second in killing an enemy or removing an obstacle. This woman was unarmed and powerless, it would be simple to crush her and move on.
But it would have felt wrong to do so, is what mercy feels like?
Asajj released the hold allowing Lyaxx to catch her breath much to Shinji's relief.
"This is the one and only mercy I am granting you. You best take it, and return to your little village." the woman hissed dangerously
Lyaxx got to her feet, grasping her throat, and without a word, she hurried along.
"Do not read into this apprentice, we must hurry along." Asajj urged
"Yes sensei."
"Just because this was one act of mercy, doesn't mean there will be others. To survive you must be ruthless and focused Shinji. Now let's see where the next Obelisk lies."
Taking out the compass, she used the force with Shinji following suit, the compass began to glow and began pointing southwest. While Laserbeak scanned the cube, filing the data for later use.
"Southwest it's where it's pointing and that's where we'll go."
End chapter
Endnotes: Here is chapter six of Assasin and her pet. The aliens were from Ben 10, Star Trek(Vulcan), and Independence Day. A friend said if you're gonna take aliens, take from the best. And obviously, I named the droid Laserbeak from TF. Maybe an Autobot or Decepticon remains will be in the next chapter, also how'd you like the Rocky-style training Shinji went through? And Independence Day was one of my favorite movies growing up, I didn't care for the sequel honestly it didn't need it. The relationship between Shinji and Asajj will remain teacher and student, for now, things will progress slowly and they did have the same visions as to what they mean, well as Master Yoda said: Always in motion is the future. Now next chapter, Shinji gets a new lightsaber and meets Abigor. Asajj goes up against Serlenna again. To help the next chapter go along a little faster please provide suggestions. Read and review and stay prime.