Several brutal months later.
Exterior: Felucia, jungle, daytime.
After his fleet completely obliterated an Imperial blockade, Starkiller descended into the skies above Felucia's surface, riding his basilisk, and tore through waves of enemy fighters.
At the same time, squadrons of bombers and tactical support ships split into smaller formations and provided air support for ground forces in various sectors, destroying legions upon legions of imperial clankers and soldiers in addition to their bases, artillery, and other defences.
The 107th, 99th, and a division of Mandalorians arrived to reinforce and assist Republic forces.
Over comlink, Starkiller heard Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and Ahsoka converse.
"About six clicks east, Master." informed Ahsoka, wearing blue Mandalorian battle gear and a customised orange helmet bearing her facial markings, "We've engaged the enemy and we've got them on the run."
"Gunships are here to extract us, we're leaving." replied Qui-Gon, from inside his gunship.
While deflecting blaster bolts, Ahsoka asked, "What? But they're retreating."
Deciding to chime in, Starkiller quipped, "Not fast enough to escape my wrath,"
"Don't you dare do anything reckless!
There's too many of them for even you to take alone!" shouted Obi-Wan, over comms.
"Who said I was alone?" asked Starkiller who ended the call, and leapt off of his mechanical steed which continued to provide air support.
Over every frequency and com channel, the Vode An played, both as a morale booster for the Republic troops, and a source of dread for the Imperials.
After doing the Thor in Wakanda entrance in the middle of a massive legion of Imperials, 3 million strong, using the darksabers infused with lightning, the young warrior was joined by a battalion of Mandalorian, many of whom were mounted upon basilisk war droids.
Several Mandos called out, "For Mandalore!"
Leading his troops, Visas, Asajj and Etain, Starkiller fully strengthened the resolve, will and morale of the instantly re-energized and healed Jedi, Felucians, and Republic soldiers using battle meditation, who decimated legion after legion of the enemy who'd lost every ounce of resolve.
A strong disembodied voice recited, "Every soldier knows that war is more than arms and armour.
Every warrior carries an image of impending victory in his heart.
When the image shatters, to be replaced by defeat, he is beaten.
But sometimes a warrior receives assistance from an unexpected source.
An in-rush of light, blasting away his fear and despair, releasing new inner strength!
And sometimes, as dawn throws back the night, victory is given… by the light!"
All across the planet, Imperial forces were suddenly overwhelmed and annihilated by the seemingly unstoppable Jedi, Mandalorian, Felucian and Republic forces.
As the area was suddenly clear of hostiles, Ahsoka sighed in relief as they were victorious, "Okay, that was a close one," before gunships landed in front of her troops who stopped.
Disembarking with Anakin, Obi-Wan looked at his apprentice, "What're you doing here?"
"Rescuing you, of course,"
"I thought you were aiding Kit on Manaan."
"I sent a division with Commander Versio and Bardan to aid him."
"Thanks for the assist, Star," said Ahsoka who kissed Galen after removing his helmet, "But don't overdo it, love."
Wrecker innocently asked, "Do we all get one of those, Commander?"
Ahsoka chuckled, "No, but you get one of these," and hugged the giant clone.
"Yay! Hugs!"
Curious, Ahsoka turned to Galen, "So, Star, my total was 500, what was yours?"
"Over 3 million, not that I was really keeping count," answered Marek, making the present company's eyes widen in shock.
As their jaws dropped, Ahsoka and Rex gasped, "No way!"
"Show-off," chuckled Anakin.
"You're one to talk, Ani," pointed out Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan implored his apprentice, "I lost a brother when I lost your father, and I don't want to lose you as well.
Please, be more careful."
"Because you were always a Paragon of responsibility and maturity, back in the day?" jokingly asked Galen, hoping to lighten Kenobi's mood.
"Touché," chuckled Obi-Wan, "I'm sure Master Yoda and Qui-Gon can tell you about my rebellious youth."
"Rebellious like pulling a Bindo?"
"Oh, no, even I dare not be that bold," lied Obi-Wan, earning laughter despite only the Jedi knowing what that meant.
Wrapping his arms around his Padawan, Skywalker admitted, "You had me worried since your patrol was about to be overrun by millions of Imperials.
I was terrified of losing you, Snips."
"Awww, thanks, Skyguy.
And I didn't mean to scare any of you."
Rex warmly hugged Tano, "You're safe and sound, lil 'un.
That's all that matters."
"Thank goodness you're still with us, Ahsoka," sighed Obi-Wan who protectively hugged her whilst a tear ran down his cheek, "Oh, thank the Force, you're safe and sound."
"I love all of you too." softly said Tano, warming everyone's hearts.
As several Mandos looked at Galen, Silas asked them, "So, how'd Mand'alor perform?"
"Impressive, most impressive." answered one of the Mandos.
Another Mando commented, "I'm glad we're on the same side."
One of the Mandos admitted, "Seeing him and his Mandalorian Knights in action was magnificent."
Kal chuckled to Marek, "Ha-ha, I'll be taking that image to my grave."
"I'm glad you're impressed, Ba'vodu Kal."
Turning to Visas, Anakin asked, "And who are you supposed to be?"
"My name is Visas, I serve Galen as his slave. He is my Master." transparently answered the young Miraluka.
Meeting Galen's uncomfortable gaze, Anakin raised an eyebrow and clenched a fist.
"Please do not be angry with him, Walker of the skies." implored Visas, "I gave him an ultimatum of accepting my allegiance and obedience or killing me, after I failed to assassinate him on behalf of the darkness in which all life dies."
"He failed to mention this to me."
"He believed telling you he had a personal slave girl would be… awkward, to say the least."
"He's not wrong."
"I apologise for any tension this causes between the two of you."
"I'll have to get over it, these are strange times."
"I have to admit, that is a more mature reaction than what I'd expected." admitted Visas who casually mentioned, "My former Sith Master believed you to be little more than an angry, whining, weak-minded, and insecure child using the Force to throw louder tantrums." making some of the present company erupt into laughter.
Skywalker slapped himself in the chest, just over his heart, "Ouch, not even the Council have told me that to my face."
Later.
Interior: Jedi Temple, council chambers, evening.
"Archive security, your next assignment is, Ahsoka." said Yoda, "peace and quiet, do you some good, it will."
"Guard duty of a library?" asked Ahsoka who inquired, "for how long?"
"A punishment, this is not, Ahsoka." assured Yoda, "The guarding and preservation of knowledge, a great responsibility, is.
Lest into the wrong hands it falls."
Tano nodded, "Of course, forgive me, Master."
"Done nothing wrong, you have.
See not the importance of it, I did, my first time undertaking the task."
Galen turned to Ahsoka, "I'll keep you company so you don't get too bored, cyare."
As her smile returned, Ahsoka kissed Galen's cheek, "Thanks, Starguy,"
Noticing the way Mace was looking at them and looking ready to explode, Galen asked, "What?"
"You, Marek, are blatantly breaking the code! Again!
You're not even trying to hide or deny it!
You're completely disregarding the Jedi way, again!"
Ever the optimist, Kit grinned, "Relax, Mace. This is a beautiful development.
Nothing's more in tune with the light side than love.
I say let such a beautiful and fulfilling connection flourish."
"I don't give a kriff what you think, Fisto!" snapped Windu, shocking and disappointing his peers.
"That was quite unnecessary and rude," quietly thought Visas, who'd gone mostly unnoticed by the Council.
"This delinquent has no regard for our sacred code or our ancient traditions," snarled Windu as he pointed to Galen, "he doesn't understand the Jedi way."
"Says the General who claims to be a peacekeeper, not a soldier, and uses child soldiers without considering the consequences or repercussions." pointed out Galen, "whilst hypocritically contradicting himself as always."
"Excuse me?"
"Ahsoka and I share a connection pure, good and in tune with the light.
Connection and compassion are the Jetii way. I understand that.
You, on the other hand, just have a double bladed saber pike shoved up your dogmatic shebs."
SkySnips, Qui-Gon, Dume and the Council exchanged looks of shock while some of them failed to keep a straight face and laughed whilst covering their mouths.
Trying to hold back visible anger, Mace clenched a fist, "We're done here… now get out!"
"Bet you get that a lot," countered Galen.
Yoda turned to Mace, "Been burned, you have." causing everyone, except Oppo, Seasee, Mace and Ki-Adi, to laugh.
Kit laughed the most, knowing the Council meeting was on record.
Calm, Galen stated, "Connections and bonds formed by love and compassion are stronger and more in tune with the light side than anything from the dark side.
I'm merely accepting and embracing that.
There's no compassion and empathy without connection and love."
Luminara agreed, "His personal connections, bonds, and love for others are why many of us are still here."
Oppo chimed in, "That is what concerns me more than his continual disregard for our rules.
What would happen if he no longer felt such things?
He's as passionate as he is compassionate, but lacks the discipline to draw the line.
Giving into the passions of love."
Taking a page out of Jolee Bindo's book, Galen countered, "Love doesn't lead to the dark side.
Passion's not the same thing as love.
Controlling our passions while being in love.
That's what you should teach us to beware.
But love itself will save you… not condemn you."
"Much evidence to support this, there is." admitted Yoda.
Oppo conceded, "With the wisdom of Master Bindo, I cannot argue."
"Agreed," chimed in Skywalker, Luminara, Depa, Shaak, Plo, Kit and Caleb.
Turning his attention to Visas, Yoda greeted, "Master Yoda, I am, and you are?"
Stepping into view of the Council, Visas shyly answered, "I am Visas."
"How, meet Galen, did you?"
"I wish for that to remain private, Master Jedi."
"Respect your privacy, we will."
Ki-Adi observed, "This Miraluka has the taint of the dark side within her, she may be a threat to us."
Shaak Ti pointed out, "So does Master Windu, to a much deeper extent, yet you don't believe him to be a threat when he could easily be in several ways."
"A non-Jedi Force adept tainted by the dark side is something to be careful of with the return of the Sith, and I-"
"You're assuming a Force adept who isn't a Jedi is an enemy, and that is not the Jedi way."
"You're right, Master Ti," conceded Ki-Adi who looked at Visas, "I apologise, young one, if I offended you."
"You are wise to be careful in times of war, and no offence is taken."
A few hours later.
Interior: Jedi temple, halls, morning.
StarSnips was escorted by Anakin.
Placing a hand on his Padawan's shoulder, Anakin asked, "Are you ok, Snips?"
"I guess, Skyguy… but the Council, or rather Windu, only looked at what he thinks I did wrong.
He's an di'kutla schutta."
"How about I take you to Dex's later?
I'll pay the bill, and let you badmouth him as much as you like."
"Can I get a rain check?"
Interior: Jedi temple, archives, library.
As they found the librarian, Anakin said, "Madame Jocasta Nu, this is Ahsoka Tano.
She's to be your new security officer.
I'm sure you remember Galen Marek, our resident Mandalorian maverick.
And this is Visas, an associate of Galen's."
Jocasta smiled, "Welcome, young ones," before Anakin left and the Padawans were given the tour, then Galen, Visas and Ahsoka added Proxy, R7, T7, T3 and the HKs to security duty.
Whilst wandering the library, Galen asked, "Do you feel that?"
Nodding, Ahsoka asked, "What's up?"
He sighed, "A Duros Bounty Hunter called Cad Bane's going to try breaking into the temple with the help of his droid, T0-D0.
And a Clawdite called Cato."
"Anything I should know about Bane?"
"Not to underestimate him.
He's killed Jetii, and he uses Mandalorian vambraces.
Make sure to disable them.
He'll likely try tasering you after faking a defeat, he tried it on me once.
And watch out for his stun cuffs, they're custom made for use against Force adepts."
"Noted."
Galen, via comlink, said, "T3, T7, R7, Proxy, monitor all internal comms.
And inform the Council and security personnel that the bounty hunters Cad Bane, T0-D0 and Cato are the ones who'll break into the temple."
From the comms centre, Proxy acknowledged, "Yes, Master."
Later.
As she approached Ord Enisence, Ahsoka said, "Good afternoon, Master Enisence."
"Ehm, good afternoon… young one."
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
As he started walking away, Ord dismissed, "No… ahem, no thank you, my dear. I wouldn't want to bother you."
Noticing something off, Visas whispered to Tano, "Do not let him out of your sight without verifying his identity, this may be the changeling the Master spoke of."
After a nod, Ahsoka followed Ord, "Wait," then stopped in front of him.
Ord grumbled, "What?"
Ahsoka began, "By the light of Lothal's moons-"
Pointing at her, Ord snapped, "Look, youngling! I said I was fine.
Now let me go about my business." before a stun bolt hit him in the back and he fell to the floor with a thud.
As Galen twirled his pistol, he finished the code phrase, "Cometh the Loth-Wolves of Dume."
As she came rushing over to see Galen standing over a body with a drawn blaster, Jocasta asked, "What's the meaning of this?"
As he quickly cuffed the changeling and took her earpiece, Galen answered, "Meet Cato Parasitti, a bounty hunter.
I know her from the Bounty Guild"
Jocasta said, "We must call security. And question our guest."
Ahsoka looked left, right, and behind herself, "Speaking of security: where are the temple guards? Taking a day off?"
"Lurking in the shadows, perhaps?" suggested the blind seer.
As Cato woke up cuffed to a chair, Jocasta asked, "Why're you here? Where's Bane?"
Ahsoka asked, "Who're you working for?"
As Marek removed his helmet and set it down on a nearby desk, he glared at Cato whilst making eye contact, and she told them all she knew.
Jocasta and Ahsoka exchanged looks of shock.
Later.
Interior: Imperial light cruiser, hangar.
Fighting through Imperial clankers and bucket heads, Anakin, Visas, Ahsoka, Starkiller, and several clone troopers found Bane.
As the Jedi and clones fought against Bane and his Imperial allies, Starkiller cut down 36 Sith troopers.
As Bane ran away, Ahsoka chased him, with Starkiller and Ani not far behind, then the blast doors closed before the Mandalorian ripped it open with the Force.
Racing down a corridor like a streak of energy, Starkiller stopped as he saw Ahsoka standing over an unconscious Bane who was handcuffed with his vambraces in pieces.
Later.
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, interrogation room.
As he joined Obi-Wan, Mace, Anakin, Ahsoka and Plo in an interrogation room with Bane, Marek hissed, "Leave us."
Mace raised an eyebrow, "You have 5 minutes."
As his fellow Jedi cleared out, Marek cast a low voltage of electricity at Bane, "Why do the Sith want the holocron?"
Grunting in pain, Bane said, "I don't fear you like I fear them, boy."
"No, you will fear me more," growled Marek who forced his way into Bane's mind, shattering his mental defences, "show me everything," and used psychometry to vibe off him.
When he was finished, Marek stepped back from the scum, "Windu, I have the information."
As he entered, Mace was briefed by Marek who left the room.
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, corridor.
Obi-Wan pulled his Padawan aside and asked, "What'd you do, exactly?"
"Just used my psychometry and a bit more mind touch than you'd find appropriate." answered Galen.
"I sense you have something else to say."
As he held out an old hilt, Galen quoted, "Try not to lose it again.
This weapon is your life."
Taking back the saber he'd lost on Naboo, a surprised Obi-Wan chuckled, "Well played," then held aloft and ignited its blue blade for the first time in over a decade, "how long have you had this?"
Galen merely winked at the Jedi Master.
"No! You haven't had it all these years?"
"You said it, not me."
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, meditation chamber.
Galen closed his eyes and meditated whilst individual pieces, a white focusing crystal, a Krayt Dragon's pearl and a white kyber crystal joined formed a hilt similar to the Darksabers.
(begin vision.)
Interior: Citadel, Coliseum, Amphitheatre, throne room.
As he stood in darkness with only lightning providing light, Galen saw a carven throne with claw-like stone spikes, obelisks and pillars surrounding it.
He saw the corpses of friends, family, and other Jedi lying around.
A Dark Knight knelt before the throne.
Its armour was ebony black with a cape, the lenses of its mask were crimson red, and mechanical breathing echoed from a respirator.
The Knight slowly removed his vacuum sealed helmet and mask, revealing, to Galen's horror, Anakin's face with bright yellow eyes.
As Dark Anakin looked to the Emperor, who sat upon the throne, he asked, "What is thy bidding, my Emperor?"
(end vision.)
As his eyes shot open, he stood up whilst igniting his new saber's pure white blade, and shouted, "Noooo!" as his heart beat rapidly and he breathed heavily whilst everything else in the room crashed into the walls which became dented.
As Mace, Ahsoka, Ani, Yoda, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan rushed in, the latter asked, "What happened?"
Turning off the saber he'd dubbed the "starsaber," and adding it to his belt, Galen breathed slowly, "I had a vision of the Throne of the Sith.
And who was on it."
Kenobi placed a hand on Galen's shoulder, "The Council's going to need a full report on this."
"I've never left out details before, why start now?"
"Summarise it, would you please?" asked Yoda.
"I saw who I can only assume is Emperor Vitiate sitting upon the Dark Throne of Dromund Kaas, or maybe Exegol.
The corpses of dead Jetii lay at his feet.
And a Shadow, with Anakin's face, was kneeling before them."
The present company's eyes widened.
Sensing Windu's thoughts, Galen warned, "Don't even think about it, di'kut," and clarified, "It wasn't Anakin.
At least not yet, anyway."
"I'll keep that in mind…" said Mace who asked, "What do you mean by 'not yet,'?"
"The future's not set in stone, and be mindful of your surroundings."
"What do you mean?"
"Palpatine has several Sith artefacts in his office, hiding in plain sight.
And the one time I was there, I could hear kyber crystals in two of the vases.
They were screaming in pain."
Later.
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, council chamber.
After giving his report, Marek asked, "Anything else before I go?"
"A new lightsaber, you have built.
Wish to see it, I do." requested Yoda.
Holding aloft the hilt, Galen ignited the pure white blade.
Studying the saber, Depa observed, "White blades are incredibly rare, Galen.
The last Jedi to wield one was Meetra Surik."
"Nice."
Mando'a translations.
Mand'alor - sole ruler of the Mandalorians.
Ba'vodu - Uncle.
Jetii - Jedi.
Di'kutla - idiotic.
di'kut - idiot.