The story may be over, and I hope you all stuck around for the credits. You know, written by Dr. Lovekill. Edited by Dr. Lovekill, based on "Star Wars" Created by George Lucas. Special thanks to Dave Filoni..all that jazz. Now the credits are over, the screen fades back in, and you're all ready to see what comes after. Well here it is. Hold on tight...

Epilogue

Her tall black and brown boots echoed on the floor of the cavern as she walked deeper into the tunnel. Dimly lit by torches and the occasional electric light rod, the uneven stone of the cave walls cast equally uneven shadows across the red and white armored plates on her black flight suit, the stolen SE14r blaster on her side, Her sort, bobbed auburn hair, the smear of blood on her pale cheek. She came to a halt before two armed and armored guards, standing watch at an opening to a larger chamber. They both turned their helmets toward her, their tinted T-visors giving no hint as to their thoughts. She could guess well enough…

"You…may not enter." The mountainous guard on the right stated tersely. She took in his blue and gray armor. House Vizsla. Hardcase.

"I need to see The Armorer." She answered, just as strongly.

"You know the law." The other said. "You have removed your helmet. You are no longer welcome in this covert, Vhen Soorne." The Mandalorian woman gave a sharp sigh.

"I did not remove my helmet. It was taken by the Empire." She explained bitterly. Soorne snarled, baring her teeth. "I have to reoutfit and forge…"

"You…are not gaining entry, Apostate." The blue-armored Mandalorian man declared, a threatening tone in his voice that Vhen could discern, even through his voice amplifier.

"Oh, you know I'll fight you anytime you want, over whatever you want, Viszla." She returned. "But I'm not in the kriffing mood to be playing right now. I demand to see…" The taller armored man threw a punch that Vhen Soorne dodged. Her armored shin impacted his midsection. Viszla grabbed her by her chestplate and pinned her against the wall, and Soorne literally began clubbing the large Mandalorian over the top of his helmet with her fists and forearms. The second guard, wearing a silver helmet and mismatched plates, sighed and simply stood, unmoving, watching the fight boredly.

"That is enough." A female voice stated. Both of the combatants paused in their brawl. "You may release her, House Vizsla." He obeyed, and dropped Vhen to the floor.

"Oof…be glad she stopped me from breaking you in half, sleemo…" She muttered. The newcomer's bronze-colored helmet slowly turned to her.

"I said…that is enough." The Armorer repeated. "Come, Clan Soorne, House Kast. I wish to speak with you." Vhen stood, straightened her armor, and followed her leader into the cavern, sending a smug nod in Vizsla's direction as she walked past. She stepped into the dimly lit room, where sat The Forge, the very heart and soul of her band's identity. The Armorer turned, and gave Vhen Soorne a long, studious, scrutinizing look that made her feel many things, none of them good. "You have removed your helmet."

"I…I didn't." Soorne said back, hating how she sounded almost like a small child defending against a parent's chastisement. "I was…captured…by the Empire. They took my helmet and my weapons." The Armorer was silent a moment.

"And how did you escape?" She asked, genuine curiosity in her voice. Vhen Soorne averted her black-rimmed eyes downward, feeling a little ashamed of what she was about to admit.

"I was…helped." She said in a low voice. "By an Imperial officer. He acted like he was really angry about what happened to our people. He told me how to break out of my binders…and from the Imperial prison ship. He gave me a scalpel blade to use to escape. On the ship, I was able to get free. I killed all three of the guards and the pilot. I crashed the transport on Lannik and stole another ship." She inhaled and sighed. "I've been trying to get back to the Covert for four weeks now."

"And for what reason did you wish to return?" The Mandalorian leader inquired. Soorne's blue eyes darted back and forth.

"This…this is my home." She gushed. "My tribe. I needed to come back! I needed to get a new helmet and more weapons and…"

"You…have had your helmet removed by an enemy, Vhen Soorne." The Armorer advised. "For this, you are no longer Mandalorian." She paused a moment. "This is The Way."

"What?!" Vhen exclaimed. The twenty-nine-year-old woman felt angry…lost…betrayed. "I am a Mandalorian to the crickin' bone! You know why I'm here! You know what…" She felt tears rise in her blue eyes.

"You…are banished from this Covert, Vhen Soorne." The bronze-armored woman declared. "You must live in apostacy. This is The Way."

"No…no…shaz…no…" Soorne keened. She fell to her knees, steadying herself against the cold stone floor with her hands. "Please…please…" The Armorer watched the young woman's breakdown stoically. "Please! Idn't there something…dank farric…anything…I can do?!"

"Nothing." Came the reply. "Save from bathing in the Living Waters beneath Mandalore." Soorne let out a pained sound.

"Mandalore…was destroyed…" She wept. "I was there…back then...it's gone…"

"This is The Way…" The Armorer repeated again. Soorne let out an agonized cry of anguish. She felt like her heart was blowing to pieces. "You must go." The dishonored Mandalorian warrior shot a defiant glower upward at the other woman.

"Then…" She panted. "By the void…at least…as my blood…do me one favor."

"What is your request?"

"Give me a helmet." Soorne growled. "I may not be a Mandalorian…but for my clan...for my dishonor...I'm going to go kill every kriffing Imp I can find." She shakily got to her feet. "Do me that, my blood." The Armorer regarded Soorne for a long, quiet minute before she finally spoke.

"Very well. I shall gift you a helmet for your journey. May it protect you in battle against the enemy of Mandalore, and of many peoples in the galaxy." Vhen understood the latter remark. The leader of The Covert was making it clear that she was no longer counted among the Mandalorians, but the Empire was the enemy nonetheless. In that, they were at least allies. Soorne sniffed, and gave a nod.

"Thank you." She said. The Armorer was already examining a short row of beskar helmets on a shelf nearby. Her head canted ever so slightly.

"You are welcome." She replied, and lifted a helmet from the rack. Unadorned and unpainted, the piece was still silver in color, with the traditional owl's eye visor of a female member of the Mandalorian people. The Armorer reached the helmet to Soorne, who took it in her hands, and stared longingly at it for a moment. She finally brought her eyes back up to the dark lens of the bronze helmet before her.

"I will die with this helmet on." Vhen oathed in a whisper. The Armorer's head dipped slightly.

"This…is The Way."

"This is The Way."

Tarkin's Teeth! Does this mean that Soorne will be returning for the sequel? Are we getting a goth Mandalorian woman on the payroll now? And what does this mean for our other beloved characters? And what will they be doing? Will I stop asking questions about my own written works? I will start posting the sequel as soon as I get at least a couple-dozen chapters of it written. Give me about a month or two and you get to see Drakken and Freya once again!

This has been an AMAZING experience. I can't believe the love and the sheer number of readers this story has attracted, and I'm so overcome with joy that I have been able to deliver a fanfiction you enjoy so much. I look forward to writing the sequel and submitting it to my loyal readers on here, you people who I am so thankful for. I will leave you with that, friends. Do not despair, for I shall return in a month or two with the sequel. Until then my loyal readers, I bid you all a fond and heartfelt Cheerio! -Drake