Chapter 21: Capture

The House in Haven, 19:00 pm…

Even before Nathan saw Yang crying, he had already guessed Raven had something to do with the 'problem' Captain Blaze had told him and Blake about.

The door leading into the house swung open, and the sombre mood struck Nathan like a wrecking ball.

Weiss had answered the door, her expression grim, but happy to see Nathan and Blake, as evidenced when she hugged both of them.

"It's good to see you." Weiss said simply.

Nathan nodded. "Where's Yang and Ruby?"

Weiss wordlessly led Nathan and Blake through the house and up the stairs, to where Yang and Kanan's room was situated.

Qrow was stood outside the room, as if standing guard. His expression was even more grim than Weiss' had been.

His eyes met Nathan's as they came up, and he faced the Jedi turned Huntsman.

"I'm guessing Raven's either been killed or captured to warrant all this." Nathan said.

Qrow wordlessly nodded. "We received a distress call a few hours ago from her camp. It was under heavy Imperial attack and they needed reinforcements." Sighing, the older Huntsman added: "By the time we got there… camp was ransacked… and everyone who'd lived in the camp… was dead."

Nathan sighed. "Qrow… I… I'm…"

"If you're going to give me your condolences, don't." Qrow said sharply. "Cause Raven's alive. Vernal too."

"How are you certain?" Blake asked. "You just said everyone in the camp was dead."

"Yeah… But I never said they were among the dead." Qrow elaborated. "Plus… Raven's my twin sister. I… I just have this feeling she's alive."

Nathan nodded. "Then we should consider her to either have escaped with Vernal or the Empire's captured them both. If not just Raven. Where are Jason, Ahsoka, Rex and Ghost?"

"Still out there, seeing if they can find anything that might lead us to the Imperial camp." Qrow responded.

Nathan nodded again. "Well… if it's all okay with you… I'm going inside. Blake too. Yang deserves all the support right now."

Qrow nodded approval, and Nathan led Blake inside. Yang needed them right now. And he wasn't going to refuse one of his best friends.

Imperial Encampment, at the same time…

The screams were the worst thing for Raven.

Yet here she was, helplessly trapped in a cell whilst Baron Maleficus savagely forced himself upon Vernal; the closest she had to a daughter besides Yang personally.

Sure, she could break out and stop this madness right now, but with the presence of Cinder Fall lurking around the camp; she wasn't sure she could take on both a powerful Sith warrior and the Fall Maiden all by herself, powerful though she was.

Against Cinder, she had a chance. Against the Baron, who according to what Yang had told her about the event had beaten Nathan to a bloody pulp without seemingly breaking a single sweat during the Fall of Beacon… Raven figured she would be wise to leave that sort of thing to Nathan or Jason; the older Jedi.

So there she was, listening to the sounds of her adopted daughter being raped by the most depraved, disgusting man she had ever met. And Raven had known quite a few like that.

She was so deep in thought that she failed to realise the noises had stopped.

Which was when Vernal was tossed into the room like a used tampon was tossed into the trash, utterly useless.

Raven immediately checked on Vernal, heart sinking as she did.

Vernal had a horrific shiner forming over her right eye, a split lip, a red welt across her left cheek, likely from where Maleficus had struck her, and red bruises around her neck, indicating she'd been choked.

Her clothes were torn in certain places as well; one of her breasts was visible, the clothing covering it torn off violently, and the crotch of her trousers had been torn away too, baring her vagina, from which semen and blood was oozing out.

Raven took comfort in knowing that besides that, Vernal wasn't more seriously hurt. She'd worried Maleficus would torture her as well.

"Comfortable?"

Raven's heart filled with fury as she looked up to see the man himself.

A satisfied grin crossed the depraved former Jedi's face as Raven got up and walked towards him.

A tense staredown ensued before Raven finally snarled:

"You are by far the most disgusting, depraved son of a bitch I have ever had the misfortune of meeting."

The Baron responded with a snorting chuckle. "I appreciate the compliment. She was a little old for me, though. But I'll take what I can get."

Raven shook her head in disgust. "Spare me the details of your depravity." She fired back.

Maleficus folded his arms. "And here I'd think you'd want to know what fate awaits your daughter when she joins us."

A red mist descended over Raven as she charged the cell barrier, screaming: "If you touch a single fucking hair on my daughter, I will make it my mission to send you STRAIGHT TO HELL!"

"You won't have the chance." Maleficus said sadistically. "I know not what it is that Cinder wishes you to do for her… but mark my words… should you fail… I will make you watch as I do far worse to your daughter than I did to your friend. And perhaps her younger sister, too. That'll be fun." Stepping away, Maleficus turned to someone out of Raven's view, saying: "Set a trap for the daughter near the remnants of the camp. If she's as impulsive as I've heard, she'll take the bait like a shark to blood in the water."

Raven sank to her knees, then against the wall of the cell, feeling tears start falling. If Yang took that bait… she had failed as a mother.

The House in Haven, 20:00 pm…

"So from what we gathered from the tibanna gas residue, we're thinking the Imperial camp is somewhere north of Haven." Jason said, gesturing to the north section of Anima.

Nathan nodded. "Ren, Nora; you two know Anima better than most of us. Any places where the Empire could have set up shop?"

"There were some abandoned villages, but me and Nora tended to avoid them." Ren commented.

"Too much likelihood of Grimm." Nora said gently.

"But it is a possibility." Ahsoka said. "One we shouldn't rule out."

"I'm with Ahsoka on this." Rex commented. "Villages negate the need for tents and they'll provide better cover in the event of an assault on the camp."

"But also provide good cover for anyone trying to sneak in." Ghost declared. "Shouldn't be too difficult for a small team to slip into the camp, find Raven and Vernal, free them, then get the hell out of there."

"Sounds like a plan." Nathan said, looking to Qrow. "Qrow; your ability to shift into a crow will be paramount here. I want you to recon the entire area here in search of an Imperial encampment. The moment you find it; come back and report what you find. We only get one shot at this before the Empire gets wise and starts stepping shit up, so gather every little detail you can find: Possible entry points, exfil points; possible places we can plant explosives to slow battle preparation as much as we can… anything would be a tremendous help. And better than being cooped up here drinking your sorrows away like a bitter old man."

"Um; you do know he's both of those things, right?" Jason joked.

The two male Jedi snorted with laughter until a chuckling Qrow said:

"That'll do, gentlemen." Getting up, he made to leave, when Yang suddenly burst into the room, grinning ear to ear.

Everyone looked to her, at which she excitedly said:

"Mom just messaged me! She and Vernal are okay! They've just been hiding at a different spot until they knew they were safe from Imperial forces!"

"Where?" Kanan asked, walking over to Yang from his position around the table.

"A small abandoned village about thirty minutes away from where their new camp was!" Yang replied happily. "It's about an hour away on my bike, we need to get there, ASAP."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…" Nathan said, stepping over. "Let's not get too hasty here. For all we know, this could be an Imperial trap."

"I agree with Nathan there." Qrow said. "I've seen it happen plenty of times."

Yang's cheerful expression turned sour, as she asked: "So we're just gonna leave them there and wait for the Empire to find them again?"

"No-one wants that, Yang." Nathan said. "But we also don't want to risk losing you to an Imperial trap."

"Why are you so sure it's an Imperial trap?!" Yang snapped, her anger growing. "This is exactly how my mom operates!"

"Exactly! The Empire might know that too!" Nathan responded.

"FUCK THE EMPIRE!" Yang shouted, eyes turning red with anger. "This is my mom we're talking about!" Stepping away from Nathan, Yang looked around at the rest of the gang. "Anyone gonna step up and help?"

"You got me, Yang. That's for certain." Kanan said, standing with Yang.

Yang gave her boyfriend a smile before addressing everyone. "Anyone else?"

"Yang…" Blake said worriedly. "We all want your mother safe as much as you. But going out there when there could be a trap waiting for you? It's not worth the risk."

Yang's anger returned, as well as tears as she looked to Weiss, who sadly shook her head.

"As your friend and teammate… I'd err on the side of caution, Yang." She said. "If it is the Empire… they'll have someone more than ready to ensure you're captured."

Yang's fists clenched, as her gaze turned to Ruby.

Her little sister refused to meet her gaze, but it told Yang everything.

"FINE! I'LL DO IT MYSELF!" Yang yelled, storming out with Kanan in tow.

Everyone stayed silent until they heard the door slam shut with considerable force.

Nathan looked up and looked to Ghost. "Ghost… go after them." He said. "Make sure they get back okay if it does turn out to be a trap."

Ghost wordlessly nodded, and took his leave.

The specified location, 21:15 pm…

"This is it."

Kanan looked as Yang rode the motorbike to a slow stop, climbing off of it, followed suit by him. Checking the coordinates, it showed they were pretty much right where Raven's message had told them to come to.

"Weird they haven't come out by now." Kanan mused.

"They're not going to hide right on the outskirts of the village, Kanan." Yang responded. "We need to go deeper inside if we're going to find them."

"Just like I'll be going deep inside with you later on, then." Kanan replied, lightly smacking Yang on her bottom.

Yang responded with a look that told Kanan he was certainly in for it when they returned to Haven, before looking around. "Mom? Mom, where are you?!"

"Raven?" Kanan called out, momentarily stopping. "Vernal?! It's Yang and Kanan! We got your message!"

Seeing Yang about to go too far on, Kanan rushed after her, joining her just as Yang once more called out:

"MOM! IT'S YANG!"

Lowering her hands, Yang took a deep breath.

Kanan noticed Yang looking disheartened, and stepped closer, pulling her close. "Don't worry, Yang… they'll be fine. We just need to keep searching."

"Yeah…" Yang said. "We'll give it another few minutes, then go back. I'm starting to think Nathan might have been right."

"Well; you'd think the Empire might have made sure they were in position if a hypothetical ambush were to take place." Kanan pointed out.

Yang nodded. "Fair point. But still…"

"YANG!"

The sound of Vernal's voice drew Yang's attention to it like a moth to a flame, as both she and Kanan spun on their heels to find Vernal approaching them.

Kanan's elation turned to sudden horror when he realised the state Vernal was in.

Bloodied, battered, with a hellish shiner over her right eye, a bloody lip, and a hefty bruise on the left side of her face. Her clothes were torn, baring her breast and vagina, but most of all; her hands were clasped over her abdomen, and through her fingers seeped blood.

"Vernal!" Yang called out, rushing over to her mother's chief lieutenant.

Kanan followed shortly thereafter, just in time for Vernal to collapse in Yang's arms.

"Yang…" Vernal groaned.

"Don't talk Vernal; just rest." Yang told her.

"Move your hands, buddy." Kanan asked Vernal, lightly moving her hands from over the wound, at which his heart sank.

It was a severe stab wound, one that appeared to go straight through Vernal's torso. They'd be hard pressed to get her back to Haven before she passed away.

Sharing a glance with Yang, Kanan could see her heart sink as well as the realisation set in that Vernal was dying.

"Yang…" Vernal once again groaned.

"Vernal, don't talk, just rest." Kanan asked, until suddenly, Vernal grabbed Kanan's right arm like a vice, drawing his attention to her.

"It's… it's…" Vernal struggled to say, her strength beginning to fail her. "It's a trap."

At that, Vernal's grip on Kanan's arm slackened, and she slumped backwards, going limp in Yang's arms.

Kanan sighed. "She's gone." He said.

Yang nodded. "We need to-" She made to say.

Until something struck her across the face, sending her flying backwards.

"YANG!" Kanan shouted, just in time for whatever had attacked her to do the same to him, sending him sprawling.

Scrambling to his feet, drawing the Claws, Kanan finally beheld their attackers:

Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, and behind them…

Behind them was a literal giant, standing at easily eight feet tall, broad shouldered with muscles that filled out his attire well.

He had short brown hair, a matching beard, and hazel-coloured eyes. His hairy forearms had numerous scars running up them, a warning in their own right that this man was not to be messed with.

He was dressed in a two-tone olive-green coat over a black 3/4 sleeve shirt, and a large belt. His pants were black, with a pouch strapped to each pants leg, and his boots were brown with white fronts.

"Guess my father finally has some competition." Kanan mused to Yang.

"I've been waiting for this, Xiao Long." Mercury called out to Yang. "You owe me for what happened at Beacon."

"That wouldn't have happened if you'd not decided to be a sore loser and attack me from behind." Yang fired back. "And besides… doubt you've learned anything new since we last fought."

"Oh, I've learned plenty." Mercury fired back. "Mainly what'll happen if I fail!" At this, he dashed forwards.

Only for a missile to strike him mid-air, sending him crashing down next to Emerald and the giant.

"Mercury!" Emerald called out.

Kanan and Yang looked to see a familiar black armoured warrior land next to them.

Ghost regarded the two, saying: "Nathan told me to say he told you so."

"Yeah; I'm sure he did." Yang said. "But we can discuss it later. Get out of this, first."

"I've got Emerald." Kanan said.

"Fine by me." Yang replied. "Ghost; you've got the big guy."

"Why me?" Ghost asked.

"Because you've been good against them in the past." Yang said, dashing forward. "Now let's get it on!"

Kanan glanced over to Ghost and shrugged. "You do realise she has a point, right?" Before he himself charged Emerald, their blades flashing as they began to clash.

The Mandalorian warrior shook his head. "Fucking hell…" He muttered as he looked ahead towards the giant he had been tasked with battling. Why had he agreed to this?

"You shouldn't have come…" The giant warned as Ghost approached him.

"There's a lot of things I shouldn't have done." Ghost responded. "You're just the latest." With that, he drew his pistol and snapped off several shots towards the big man.

Who shrugged them all off like it was no big deal.

Scowling, Ghost reached out with his flamethrower and let out a torrent of flame at his towering foe.

Once again; besides the burning clothes, the man shrugged them off.

"Is that the best you can do?" The giant asked before dashing forward at surprising speed, rearing back for a right hook.

Gunning his jetpack, Ghost flew back a few feet, using his pistol to snap off well placed shots to his foe's shoulders and kneecaps.

As expected, the giant shrugged these off. "My turn." He said, tearing off a random chunk of house from one nearby and hurling it at Ghost.

Ghost rolled forwards to avoid it, only to realise his mistake too late as the giant barrelled into him, sending Ghost flying.

Ghost tried to get to his feet, only for the man to grab him by the throat, beginning to slam him into the floor again and again.

Feeling darkness threatening to close in on him, Ghost reached up with his flamethrower, loosing a jet of fire straight into the tall man's face, blasting the giant with fire in an effort to break free.

This only seemed to enrage the giant, who pinned Ghost's arm to the floor and used the extra space to piston fist after fist into Ghost's face.

This time, darkness really did start to close in, too quickly for Ghost to stop.

As the consciousness began to drain from his skull, Ghost prayed that Kanan and Yang would make it out alright.

With Kanan…

"Ghost is down!" Yang called out as she blocked an attack from Mercury, kicking him away.

Kanan looked, and his heart sank as he saw the giant turning to them. Knowing that the giant would end both he and Yang with ease, Kanan found himself with a choice.

One he made in a heartbeat as he looked to Yang. "Get out of here. Take Bumblebee and get back to the others. I'll hold them off."

"No; we get out of here together!" Yang said firmly.

"We won't make it!" Kanan argued back. "You're the one they're after! And I won't let them take you!"

"I won't leave you!" Yang shouted back, tears beginning to fall down her face.

"You have to." Kanan responded gently. "I'm not gonna watch the woman I love be a victim like Vernal was."

Yang clenched her fists, looking like she was about to punch Kanan's lights out.

But instead, she kissed him.

The kiss seemed to last forever before Yang broke it, eyes wet with tears. "Be careful, tiger." She said, before turning and rushing off.

Kanan noticed the big man turn to chase her, and dashed towards him, putting all of his power and strength into tackling the giant to the floor.

A quick one-two stopped the giant for a moment, allowing Kanan to focus on a now angry Emerald and Mercury.

"We needed that bimbo, freak." Mercury snarled.

"Too bad, asshole." Kanan fired back. "You want her? You gotta go through me."

The roar of a motorbike speeding away filled him with relief in that moment. Yang had escaped.

Now all that remained was to ensure she got away without being followed.

Mercury was the first to attack, lashing out with a rapid series of kicks.

Blocking all of them, Kanan countered with a leg sweep, preparing to stomp on Mercury's face, when he was peppered with oncoming fire.

Turning to face Emerald, Kanan connected the Claws into its sword-staff form, spinning it around before swinging it at her.

To Emerald's credit, she ducked the first swing, but not the next, which swept her feet out from under her.

A quick crack over the young girl's head from Kanan took her out momentarily, and he turned.

Only to be sent crashing through house after house, until he finally struck a wall and sank to the floor, aura all but broken.

Kanan tried to get up, but dropped down, badly weakened from the fight as the giant, Emerald and Mercury approached.

With Emerald, Hazel and Mercury…

"These two were not the ones we were sent to capture…" Hazel mused as he, Mercury and Emerald placed Kanan next to Ghost. "The Baron will not be pleased."

Emerald was inclined to agree. The threat of what he had planned to do to her if she failed him again rang through her ears like a warning bell; but it was deafened by Mercury's scoff.

"Fuck the Baron." Mercury said. "We got two equally important prisoners. Ghost being down means our enemies no longer have one of their best warriors. And Kanan… his capture means we got a tool we can use to force the White Fang out of the fight. Plus… I'm pretty sure Adam will be happy we snagged him."

Emerald frowned as she heard Mercury's response. While it was true… it still wasn't who they were meant to capture.

Meaning that even though they hadn't returned empty handed like last time… There was every possibility that Maleficus would still count it as a failure.

Yeah... not good.

Never said it would be all sunshine and rainbows after Nathan and Blake reunited. Now they have this to deal with. And a lot more to follow.

Let's answer some reviews, shall we?

Sharnorasian Empire: Well; now you can see what's happening now. As for Ruby and Weiss; assume they're also enjoying their recent reunion the only way lovers tend to.

That said; thank you all so much for reading this chapter. If you liked it; y'all know what to do.

I shall see you tomorrow with the next chapter, which sees Nathan do something about the current situation.

T-Rock14