Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Eight months prior
If one word could describe the current emotional state of Master Luminara Unduli, it would be irritation. And it was directed at her new Padawan. Luz Noceda.
It has been nearing the end of the second week of young Luz's apprenticeship under her guidance. During those two weeks of Luminara learning about her new Padawan, the Jedi Master found herself and Luz to be quite at odds with how to handle things. When it came to military tactics, civil talks, discussion of cultures, and Force practice, the two would be on the same page and even have long casual conversations. But when it came to lightsaber training, meditation sessions, and political talks was when the two were at odds.
Luminara could tell her new Padawan had not been keeping up with her lightsaber training the same way her former Padawan Barris or other Padawans she had spent time training. Her attack form was still that of form 1: Shii-Cho with a bit more aggressiveness, and it was like watching an adolescent version of Master Fisto taking shape. When it came to her defense, Luz was above those of her rank in blaster defense, having witnessed her defend against five remotes firing gradually at her from three directions but greatly lacking when pitted against other saber users. Luminara assumed Luz's lack of contact with training with other Jedi was why she was out of practice in saber duel and advanced in blaster combat. Thus all the Padawan needed was time and practice.
Though, when discussing politics, the two had different opinions. Being out in the Expanse with the Republic frontier colonies and mingling with the citizens there. Luz believes the Republic is failing its people in the Outer Rim in favoring the ongoing war with the Separatists. Doing so has left the citizens unprotected from pirate raiders and criminal enterprises. The Mirialan Jedi tried to justify the Republic's actions but would not reach the Padawan's ears. Firmly believed that the more the war went on, the more citizens in the outer territories the Republic would abandon due to low war priority. It's how she learned why Luz had her soldiers more focused and geared toward criminal elements in the Expanse.
To show the people they weren't forgotten by the Republic and that they haven't been abandoned by the core worlds. Luz took her man, mostly made from survivors from legions nearly wiped out in the early stages of the war, out to protect them. They would eventually be folded over to other units, but the Padawan did the proper work to get them under her command.
Then when it came to meditation, it was the starting point of her frustration with her Padawan. Luz was like a youngling full of unused energy, and she could not sit still for a meditation longer than half an hour before becoming bored. It baffled Luminara how her Padawan would somehow disappear when she tried to meditate with her. Making the Master worry that her Padawan would not master the third pillar of the Jedi path, self-discipline.
Which led to Luminara's current predicament in finding her Padawan once again. Luz had once again somehow disappeared from their shared meditation sessions without her knowledge. It was as perplexing as it was intriguing how someone so young could mask themselves in the Force from someone like herself.
After getting directions from passing Jedi on her Padawan's whereabouts, she thanked them and moved to her last known location. The temple's starfighter hanger.
Entering said starfighter hanger, she began looking for Luz. Luminara then spots several hired workers, clones, and Jedi, along with Knight Skywalker and Master Kenobi, looking at a suspended ARC-170 with interest. Joining the group, she looked up to see what they were so interested in, only to find her missing Padawan. This only made the Jedi sigh as the younger Jedi performed maintenance on the fighter.
"Oh, Luz..." The knight with no fear, smiled when he heard Luminara approach.
"Your new Padawan I've heard about, Master?" Skywalker commented while his eyes not leaving her Padawan.
"Yes, and Luz had cut out our meditation time together... Again." Her response greatly amused Skywalker.
"I see. Luz has trouble meditating the traditional Jedi way."
"Much how you were, Anakin," Kenobi teased.
"And it seems she found her own way of centering herself."
Skywalker's words seemed to catch the Master's interest, and she took another look at her Padawan. At first glance, Luz was performing maintenance on the starfighter's right engine, a hydro spanner in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. Around her head were a few nuts and pieces of machinery being held up by the Force. Her ears were covered with heavy headphones that animated music. All the while being held aloft by a...
Luminara blinked in confusion as Luz wasn't being held up on any repulser lifts or riggings. It was the bottom hull of the fighter engine Luz was working on, and it was just floating, like it was being suspended with... "Huh?"
"You see it now, Unduli?" Kenobi asked with mild amusement.
"I wished I discovered this kind of training long ago," Skywalker said wishfully. "It would have saved me so much time between my Force training and maintenance."
The Jedi saw Luz using the Force, not on herself, but the mental under her to keep her up. Doing also keeping other small things afloat, a critically important maintenance task, and the distraction of music blaring in her ears. So many distractions, yet Luz performed them in front of her.
"Astounding..."
It was that time that Luz turned her head to check something in the stabilizers, only for her to spot the crowd watching her work. Whatever concentration Luz was using before went away, and she found herself falling with the starfighter piece.
SLAM!
Many in the crowd winced and "oooh" at the Padawan, who fell back first a dozen feet to the pavement. Luckily, Luz braced herself by throwing her hands over her head to avoid head injuries. When she looked at the crowd, she saw a displeased Luminara looming over her. Luz knew she had been caught.
"Hey, Master," Luz said with as much an innocent smile as she could muster.
Luminara had to keep her face as neutral as possible and ignore the amused grins she knew Skywalker and Kenobi were spouting.
{Play Music: Escape (Beat Saber soundtrack trailer)}
The camera zooms in to see a dirty deadeye Luz walking in the rain, passing many dirt mounds with sticks planted in them with brown cloaks of Jedi robes wrapped around them or blaster rifles with clone trooper helmets hanging on them. The smoking aftermath of a battlefield in the background. Photos of Luz with several clones hanging out in a barracks. Luz on a ship's bridge. The backsides of a young Padawan Luz and a human male with short black hair in a Knights robe with thick sideburns and a confident smile. An armored Luz riding on her BARC speeder bike with her lightsaber out with several other clones on speeders following her into a battle.
Luz unknowingly walks through the portal door and falls on her knees. She looks up to see a hand in front of her to take. Looking at the hand's owner, Luz sees a smiling Eda with a happy King on her shoulder. Life is brought back in Luz's eyes, and she smiles back before taking the offered hand.
The door where Hooty was opened as Luz steps outside in her sleeveless yellow vest, with Luz twirling and posing with Eda's staff with one hand and her lightsaber in the other in a low guard. But then Eda took her staff back with an amused grin while Luz gave a sheepish smile. King popped in front with his own pose.
A Boiling Isle mural was seen as Gus, Willow, and Amity are seen briefly before it burns away to show King commanding an army of stuffed toys, which all fall on him. The scene burns away to reveal Luz in front of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, looking at it in sadness. The silhouettes of the Jedi Council, along with other Jedi, stood before disappearing, leaving only their burnt robes and lightsabers on the ground.
Emperor Belos raises his staff as he foreshadows behind his castle as red lighting thunder from the sky. His army of Coven guards, numbering by many at his call, standing ready for a fight.
Now Luz was on her BARC speeder, racing past across the landscape. She zooms down the Boiling Isles passing, Gus waves at her, Willow smiling, and Amity looking surprised before she smiles softly. Passing by several Coven guards as they try to chase her. Then Eda, with King on her shoulder, hopes on behind the Jedi. Then they hang on for dear life as a massive, monstrous worm-like monster, mouth wide open, lunges at them. Everyone screamed in horror as Luz turns the throttle up and guns it.
Then the scene changes back to the Owl House, where it's nighttime with stars twinkle in the sky as the three are on the roof and looking up into the sky. Luz opens her hands to reveal a ball of magic light and let it float to the sky.
Several lights flashed of fire and ice before the title appeared.
Jedi of the Isles
Episode 13: Men in the Jungle
In the woods stood the Owl House. Eda cooked out of a big pot inside the kitchen and sturred its contents. At the table sat King playing with Luz's phone. While the human herself was upstairs in her room.
In said room, Luz was in her Hexside uniform preparing for the day while a nearby crystal ball was on a magical video call with Willow and Gus.
Luz was waving her hand nonchalantly. "Come on, Gus. Now you're just being paranoid."
"Am I?! Ever since the Witches Duel between you and Amity, it's like the bullying in school has dropped to nothing. Even Boscha has been holding back on us." Gus said.
"It is wired. I've noticed that Amity has been going out of her way to avoid me. Turing around the opposite way in the halls to almost running off when crossing paths." Willow told them.
"Maybe they're turning over a new leaf?" Luz said. The look she got in return from the plant witch.
"I doubt it." Her answer did not invoke confidence. "I've known Amity for a long time now, and something's happened to her."
"Maybe it was the Witches Duel she had with Luz." Gus offered.
"Our paths have crossed on more than one occasion since the duel, and they have been civil." Luz worded her response carefully. "I believe I'm having a positive influence on her."
She could see some bad blood between the two for a while. Possibly from Amity when she was the school bully. Due to Luz's improvised Jedi training that Amity started, the abomination summoner was becoming a better person. Even going so far as to openly offer help to other students with problems. Talking things out to avoid conflict, convincing the other bullies to pursue new ideas other than taunting other students, and proposing ideas to Bump for school improvements. If Luz didn't know any better, the Force was leading Amity down the path of the Jedi Consular.
"But if she is doing better as a person and is helping others do the same because of me. Then I deserve a pat on the back for doing such a good thing." To which Luz does.
"Hey, I will not complain if this is how the school will continue from now on. Classes have been going great now that I don't have to watch out for Boscha and her crew." Gus said happily.
"What are they doing these days?" Luz asked. Knowing her student has a hand with this.
"Not too sure there. Heard from Cat in homeroom that they're planning for new Grudgebe plays and a rumor of a new after school club." Willow explained.
"As long as I don't get any more knuckleheads before Grom, then that's fine by me." Gus declared.
Further conversation was interrupted when the alarm rang, signaling it was time for school. "Whelp, time to go. See you at school."
"Later."
"See, yea."
She shuts off the crystal ball and heads down to the kitchen. Grabbing a purple fruit from the bow on the table. "I'm off to school," she says before taking a bite.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Eda said from her pot.
King gets off his chair and hugs the Jedi's legs. Making Luz's heart warm. "Don't forget about me. I mean us!"
Luz smiled sweetly at the demon before picking him up and giving him a hug. "I won't, you silly bean. I won't be gone for long."
Taking leave of the other owl residents, Luz makes her way to school. On the way, she thinks about her training with Amity and where it should lead next. It has been a few weeks, and the Witch has some talent, but the Padawan was out of her depth. Having never expected to train someone nor take on a student so willing to learn. There have been examples of Jedi on extended assignments away from the Temple that found students during their travels. So this was no different other than Luz never made the rank of Knight or Master.
"I can only hope to guide her as best I can down a gentler path," Luz spoke softly. Silently wondering if there are other Jedi that could help her on this path.
The sound of fast flapping wings drew her out of her thoughts. Looking towards the sound, Luz saw a flying...envelope? Yead an envelope with bat wings on the sides stopped in front of her. Thinking it was just another magical thing, she took it and opened it up to see a note inside.
"Dear students," Luz read aloud. "Due to a sudden pixie infestation. Hexside will be close, and classes will be suspended. Do not approach school grounds till the infestation is dealt with. Thank you. From Principal Bump and faculty."
"Pixie's? Does he mean that weird thing that wanted my skin when I first met Eda? Oh well, here goes my day plans."
Luz did an about-face, returned to the Owl House, and walked back through the back door.
"Back already?" Eda asked in confusion.
"You're back!" King said in glee before he climbed up Luz and laid within her arms. "It's not like I missed you, but I'm happy you're back."
"Whatever you say," Luz said with a playful eye roll. "Anyway, got a letter saying the school has an infestation of pixies, so there's no school until they handle it." Luz pulls out the letter and hands it to Eda. "Didn't know those things could be like vermin."
Eda shrugged her shoulders after reading the note, setting it on fire over a trash can and letting the ashes fall in. "You'll find that many things can be pests in this world."
Hooty then stretched his neck in through the back window.
"Case and point," Eda said with a pointed finger.
This made Eda give him a bland look while Luz and King gained disturbed faces, silently wishing and wondering why they couldn't look away. After a few seconds of heaving, Hooty vomited several envelopes and a medium-sized package covered in his saliva.
"The mail!"
Neither disturbed or disgusted, Eda picked up the envelopes and began looking through them.
"Junk, junk, death hex," Eda said as she threw a letter behind her into a small trash can, making it glow before it suddenly crumbled in on itself. "Nothing unusual with that."
"Well, if nothing else, I'll be in my room reviewing some reports." Luz waved off and went upstairs. Not noticing the worried look in Eda's eyes.
Luz walks into her room and grabs a datapad off her nightstand. Punching in the activation codes, Luz watches as the screen lights up and the files pop up. Most were progress reports that the lead training droid was giving her.
She had sent them to Qiilura to start stripping the emergency caches spread along the planet. And not just the supplies in them but the building material that made up the structures holding them. It was slow going but steady due to them not being any construction bots. So they were limited to hand tools to complete the job. Then after every day, closer to night time she would take her speeder out to the Knee to those ruins she saw when Eda took her training. Where they would come through and start setting up shop.
They were setting up a base for if she needed to get her men out and a refuge for any Jedi she would uncover. Many were still out there and no doubt still being hunted. Masters, Knights, Padawans, and Younglings. Luz would find and save all she could. The Jedi Order itself may be gone, but she could still try to save those she could.
The other night she received a burst transmission from Omega that surprised Luz about a last-minute rescue mission.
They had received a mission from Captain Rex, the clone that told them of the chip removal procedure. It involved a defecting clone soldier requesting extraction on a remote world.
"That's interesting. If this clone is voluntarily deserting his post despite the inhibitors. Does that mean the chips are deteriorating after their initial use?" Questions like that sparked the Jedi's interest.
She sent a message to let her know if they needed any help to just ask. They were her allies and had helped her out immensely in freeing her troops.
Thinking about her troops, another message came from Oak about the de-chipping process. They had successfully freed the other half of the first regiment on Qiilura, and all of the second regiment had been released from their control chips. The third and fourth were still being worked on but were confident of getting down within a few weeks.
Another report came from Pit regarding the same success in acquiring ships. This new Empire rising up and hunting Jedi has been trying to mothball all the Republic-made ship designs. And Pit did mean all vessels, from the V-19 starfighters and LAATs to the Venator. So the Captain had been grabbing them left and right, and anything the Empire drops as trash. So far, he's accumulated a small corvette fleet of support ships, ranging from CR-70s and rescue craft to Gozanti class cruisers and fuel hollers. He has even freed the crews of two Acclamator assault craft to aid the fleet.
All the while doing under the base commander's nose.
That was another thing to worry about. Flash and Vultan believe Major Rushton suspects something in the soldiers. With the chips removed and their actions and emotions freed, some clones have been snappy and eager for payback against the base commander. The captains have been switching the more aggressive clones to the ships to keep them from getting into trouble. But it's only a matter of time.
Then she read that a recent order was reported to reinforce the first regiment's soldiers on Kashyyyk. The Wookie inhabitants were not liking the occupation the Empire was bringing and started resisting the clones. Casualties were piling up, and Luz may have to act soon if she wanted to save her soldiers.
Luz saw Commander Faie and Gree were among the list of the dead or missing around the time of Order 66. Green died at the hands of Master Yoda, and Commander Faie was reported missing and presumed dead while pursuing Quinlan Vos into the Shadow Lands. Reports later state that Master Vos was declared dead, but no confirmation of a body being recovered. Hope slowly filled Luz with the possibility that Vos could be alive and fighting with the Wookies.
An idea formed in her head as she looked between the reports over Kashyyyk. One that was risky and could prove disastrous if executed improperly. But it could work.
It was time to get back into the game.
Nearby the Owl House, Luz's friends Willow and Gus approached the wild Witch's home with the intent to see the local Jedi.
The two were out of their school track uniforms as they both received letters from Bump about the Pixie infestation. Willow wore a green sundress and black shoes, while Gus wore a blue tunic and brown pants.
"I don't know, Gus. Would Luz even be okay with going with us to the carnival? Do they even have those in her realm?" Willow asked.
"Then it will be a new experience for her!" Gus said, excited for his human friend to experience something new. "Besides, since Luz started coming to Hexside, we rarely do anything together outside school."
Willow nodded slowly with his counterargument. "True, we haven't hung out much outside of school and not since the moonlight conjuring..."
The two felt a bit worried from remembering that event. The night impacted the three as the events were not what they were supposed to be. The witches hadn't talked to Luz about it. Believing that if she wanted not to tell them about the event, that was her decision. They will support their friend either way.
"Which proves my point. Luz hadn't had the Boiling Isles experience. She should play games and have fun!" Gus envisions all the fun they would have. Willow smiled warmly at her friend.
As the two approach the house and mentally prepare themselves to face Hooty, they aren't ready for an encounter with a certain green-haired witch arguing with a house demon.
"Hooty, I just want to talk with Luz..." Amity gritted her teeth at the annoying bird.
The ever-present vacant expression on the house demon's face didn't change. "If you wish to leave a message for someone, please respond after the hoot..."
The seconds passed, and Amity's irritation rose like her blood pressure. She opened her mouth to speak-
"Hoot!"
Amity's face puffed red as she got angry at the house demon.
"Amity?"
The Witch jumped in surprise before turning around to see Willow and her illusion friend. They stood there watching her argue with Hooty and felt her anger replaced with embarrassment.
"Willow! What are you doing here?" Amity asked with a nervous twitch.
The plant track girl stood her ground. "I could ask you the same. What do you want to want with Luz?"
"I was...umm." Amity stammered. Not sure what to say, she hadn't spoken to anyone about her time with Luz. Unfortunately for her, Hooty spoke up.
"She wanted to hang out with Luz again," the house demon blurted out, making Amity freeze.
"You two hang out?" Gus and Willow look at each other, surprised by this information. "Since when?" Gus asked.
Hooty answered the question before Amity could. "About a week after Eda had to take care of OUCH!" Amity smacked her fist against the door.
"No one asked you!" Amity shouted.
It was then the door opened up, and the Owl Lady appeared.
"Hooty, who's making all that racket?" Eda looked in her yard at the kid's three friends, plant girl, goops, and Miss Perfect. "What are you all doing here?"
Gus answered while he looked at Amity with some suspicion. "We all came here to see Luz... Is she in?"
"Hump... maybe you three can get through to her because I can't." Eda throws her hands up and re-enters her home.
This threw the three young Witches for a loop of confusion. They looked at each other, wondering what was going on as they silently entered the Owl Lady's home. When they walked in and stopped to see their friend and the attire she was wearing.
Her outfit was similar to the other the three seen Luz wear in the past, but this was different. She wore the brown cloak from the witches' duel with Amity and the tan robes and pants. But instead of the brown boots, she wore her black combat boots and wore strange white, yellow, and green armor covering her chest, thighs, shoulders, and forearms. The white utility belt around her waist held an assortment of pouches, a gun holster with a blaster, and her lightsaber clipped to it. Lastly was the white helmet with a black T-visor and painted with a single green stripe over the top with yellow war stripes painted on the face in a way it looked like whiskers.
The Jedi had an annoyed look on her that changed to one of surprise when seeing her friends. "Willow, Amity, Gus... What are you three doing here?"
"They came to see you," Eda said. "Maybe they could tell you this is a bad idea."
"Luz, what is she talking about?" Amity asked.
"And what are you doing?" Willow asked, surprisingly agreeing with her tormentor.
"And where did you get that awesome armor!" Gus said he went close and examined the armor Luz had on.
Luz felt she had been caught flat-footed for a moment before composing herself to explain. "I was prepping to go on a recon mission, hoping to search for a lost friend. Why are you all here?"
"With school being out for the day, Willow and I wanted to invite you to the carnival in town," Gus answered.
"That's today? Huh, didn't think about that," Amity said in surprise before blushing, realizing she hadn't given her reason. "I came over to see if you wanted to train some more."
The feeling of being wanted by her three friends made luz happy, and she couldn't keep the smile from stretching from her face. It felt good to have caring friends.
"Thank you, but I'll have to ask for a rain check on those. A man's life is in danger, and I can't ignore what is happening."
"Who's in danger?" Gus pressed. "And why do they need you?" Amity and Willow wanted to know too.
Luz wilts a bit at their questioning looks. They only know bits and pieces of her past as a Jedi. Amity, who knew what a Jedi is from their training together, did not know Order 66. Realizing her mistake in withholding information from her friends, she was at risk of losing them if she was not careful with what she said.
"Take a seat." The Jedi pointed to the couch. "I realized I haven't explained much about myself to all of you, so allow me to fill in the blanks."
"Whoa there, kid. Are you sure about letting them in on your secret?" Eda cautioned.
"They've stuck around me this long and should know."
"Luz, is it more about you being a Jedi?" Amity asked, gaining Willow and Gus's attention.
"Jedi?" They voiced their confusion.
"It does. I have some time, so might as well get comfy," Luz told them before beginning.
She explained to Willow and Gus what a Jedi is and where they fit in where she came from. What roles they did and played for the galactic community. As well as telling them about the Republic the Jedi served. Even though Amity knew this already from their time training together. Luz then explained the Clone Wars to her three friends. About the years of conflict between the cloned soldiers and emotionless battle droids.
Learning that your new friend was not only a hardened warrior, which was a shock itself, but commanded thousands of soldiers to fight battles among the stars. Plus, said soldiers betrayed the Jedi they followed due to a mind-controlled device.
Then came the tale of Order 66 and the death of the Jedi.
Hearing how Luz lost what was basically her family being murdered by the soldiers she was so willing to save hit them the most
"You want to free them from their controlled state after everything they did?!" Asked Amity.
"It has already begun," Luz admitted. "I've got a few thousand troopers back under their free will and are working silently on freeing more of their brothers. It's only a matter of time before more of them are free. If we are careful, we could spread to other units and do the same."
"And now you are about to go save another Jedi that's being hunted by those with the same controlled chips?" Willow clarified.
"That's right. Master Vos has been hiding as long as I've been here in the Demon Realm, and I need to get him out before it's too late."
The three were silent. Possessing this for themselves. Eda and King knew it was a bitter pill to swallow. Surprisingly it was Gus that stood with a determined look upon him. What he said next surprised everyone.
"Okay, when do we leave?"
"What?!" Eda shouted.
"This guy needs your help, right? So, let's go help him."
"This is not what I wanted to happen!" Eda nearly shouted in the back.
"Wherever Gus goes, I go. Someone needs to watch out for him," Willow teased.
"I'm coming too." Amity stood definitely, much to Eda's dismay. "You'll need someone to watch your back."
King hops on Luz's shoulder. "That's what she has me for!"
The Padawan giggled at the little demon's antics before becoming serious. "I thank you all for volunteering, but I will have to decline." The three Witches rose to protest, but Luz wouldn't hear of it. "It's not that I don't trust you or that you won't be of any help. It's that you all don't know what you are getting yourselves into nor what you will be facing. Things could be messy, and we could face off against a bunch of trained soldiers."
"And going by yourself is any better?" Willow said in a comeback. "We all know you can handle yourself. After all, we'd witnessed that when you beat Amity at the convention. But that doesn't mean you have to go at it alone."
Then Amity stood up next to Willow. "It means you have a better chance of success with us there."
"But-"
"You might as well accept it," Gus said, thumbs over to Amity and Willow. "If these two somehow agree on something, then there's no stopping them."
Luz sighed in acceptance and felt she should have seen something like this coming. Meanwhile, Eda groaned in dismay at the situation. "Twerps, you're supposed to dissuade Luz from going, not join her!"
"Ma'am, why are you against her saving this guy?" Amity asked the Wild Witch.
"First off, don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel old. Second, unlike the other times, I was with this kid doing something illegal, we had a plan for getting in," Eda listened. "We have no way of knowing what we will be facing once we cross that door. More so for the three of you." She points at the three Hexside students.
"Like every major mission I went on," Luz said off-hand. She then turns to her new 'recruits.' "But if you are going to follow me. We have to at least get you three appropriately dressed."
This made the three look down at their clothes and silently think about what was wrong with them.
Luz smiled sweetly at them. Silently wondering if this is what it's like to play dress-up?
"This feels more comfortable than I thought it would."
"I don't know. It feels a little tight around the chest."
"This is so rad!"
Her arms crossed and with a satisfied smile, Luz looked at her trio of friends with an approved look. "Wish I could do more, but this is all I had on hand."
"Are you kidding? This is awesome!" Gus said as he struck a pose. The illusionist sported a set of blue padawan robes with a mesh underlayer for lightweight protection, fingerless gloves, and a cloak to conceal his identity. For additional safety, he had white clone armor plates on his forearms and legs.
Willow walked up next to her friend. "It was very considerate of her, and we should be grateful she's allowing us to wear these." She wore one of Luz's tan Jedi robes with a brown cloak. Willow also wore the clone armor but was hastily painted green with some of King's paint supplies. They cover her legs, arms, and chest. The young Witch even painted a little flower that looked like a lotus.
"It was really considerate of you to lone us these, Luz." Amity appeared next in her gear. Like Willow, she wore one of Luz's tan robes and brown cloak, and Purple-painted clone armor encumbered her legs and chest. "Thank you for looking out for us."
"A leader looks after their people, and I would be a poor leader if I didn't," Luz answered before pulling out three white utility belts that held empty gun holsters on the sides. "Now put these on. I filled the pockets with my emergency supplies of medicine.
There's also a communication device inside just in case of emergency."
The three did before while Luz walked to the other side of the room and pulled out her comms device. "Comms check one. Two. Three." Her voice echoed off the others' belts as they pulled out little white cylinders.
Willow humored the Jedi by pulling hers out and clicking the red button. "We hear you, Luz."
"Good, they work." A green light bleeped on her wrist. "Now, let's head for the portal."
The four went down to be greeted by Eda and King at the portal door to Kashyyyk. Eda even brought in her BARC speeder to ride along with.
"Ready?"
"Let's get this over with." Eda huffed before walking through with King riding on her shoulder. The Jedi followed with three hesitant young Witches.
The first thing Amity, Willow, and Gus's experience when going to another world is excitement, fear, and a bit of wonder. They saw themselves standing under the great worshyr trees the planet was famed for. The Demon Realm natives looked up in awe at the trees. Nothing on the isles of the Titan had plant life nearly this big.
"Wow, this place is so beautiful!" Willow looked around at the majestic trees with wide-eyed happiness like she was in planter paradise.
Gus was almost in the same boat as his friend as he could hardly believe such plant life could exist. Amity felt a humbling feeling through the Force standing under the big trees. As if each one was an elderly witch with their own unique story.
Luz brought her speeder out and parked it to the side while her friends took in their surroundings. Before taking the surroundings herself. It was the exact area where Luz found Owlbert, or she could say the palisman found her. The Jedi smiled at their reactions and could almost laugh at Willow star struck. An idea came to her as she shouted out to the plant girl.
"Hey Willow, come here for a sec!"
The plant witch looked to see her friend below them on some dirt. Following her friend down, she was met with Luz digging under the big root and pulling out a brown seedling before handing it to the Park girl.
"Figure you should get something out of this for helping me out."
Willow looked at the seed and smiled before taking it and storing it in her pocket. "Thank you, Luz."
Their little moment was broken when Eda called them over. "Hey kids, enough playing in the dirt, get over here."
The group rejoined around the portal for their meeting.
"Alright, how are we going to find this guy," said Eda.
"Any open communications will likely be monitored by the Empire. We can listen in on their talks if their frequencies haven't changed but trying to talk to him will be tracked back to us, and we don't want that," Luz explained.
"Um... how does that help us exactly? Gus asked.
"Like with anyone with powers like us, through the Force. I will spread myself out if he's on the planet and hope he's still alive. If I don't feel like he's here, we've wasted our time and can go." Luz said before pulling out a Jedi Holocron and walking to a small clearing. "This may take a few minutes."
Eda rolled her eyes and went to lay back on a big tree root. The other looked at each other awkwardly before Amity broke off to follow Luz. Willow and Gus watch the green hair witch go with their human friend.
"It's so weird seeing Amity so... so." Gus tried to say the right words.
"Normal, subdued, and not like the bully we know?" Willow watched as Luz got down and sat in a cross-legged position. It surprised the plant witch that Amity was going down and doing the same across from her.
"Yeah, it's strange. You think Luz could do this to the other bullies in school?" Gus asked with a hopeful expression.
The idea of Luz pacifying the other bullies to be nicer was a comforting thought, but that's all it was. Willow believed she knew Blight and what she would do. Or at least she thought she did.
Due to her association with the Jedi, Luz had become a victim of circumstance. She was betrayed by people she was close to. A memory of a young Willow and Amity came to mind.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Gus went over to Eda. "Eda, do you know what Luz is doing? Or Amity, for that matter?"
Eda opened her eyes to look at Gus before settling where Luz and Amity sat. "There's a lot I don't know about the things Luz can do. That cult she grew up in trained her to harness those abilities only a select few can tap in. Luz explained that Ms. Perfect has a connection to using the Force and has been coming by regularly to train with Luz. As for what exactly she is doing now, I'm guessing it is similar to Oracle magic and using that thing in her hand the same way a crystal ball is used and tracking down whoever this old weeb is."
Willow and Gus looked at each other in worry. "You don't seem to like the people Luz came from."
"What gave it away?" Eda gave the kids a dark look. "There are some things I'm guilty of, and it doesn't give me much of a right to judge others. But there are some things you don't cross. And they crossed a lot of them and now Luz is a target for them."
Eda sighed as she lay back in her seat. "I'm also worried about what conflict I see happen when Luz and the soldiers she freed meet. I can tell you now, it won't be pretty."
Meanwhile, over by Luz and Amity.
The two Force users joined in a meditation. And searched the out to find Master Vos on the planet. Amity had never practiced this method of Force technique, nor did she know Vos. Realizing the error, Luz just told Amity to focus on the life around them. As they did, Luz used the Holocron as a focal point to look for her target. If master Vos has a Holocron with him like many master's do, then Luz could focus on it and leave a message for him.
As she reached out to search for the missing Jedi, Luz couldn't help but look back at Amity's presence in the Force. Something drew the Padawan to the teenage witch, but she could not put her finger on it. A strange little thing gave her a warm feeling in her chest, similar to when she saw the witch provide a genuine smile. There also was another thing that the Jedi could see that was bothering her.
"You're afraid."
Amity jolted out of meditation to look at her friend. Feeling embarrassed at forgetting you exposed yourself and your emotions when in meditation. Her tongue felt tied for a moment before she could find the words.
"It is fine," Amity responded.
"It's Willow, isn't it?" Amity flinches at the name. "When I saw you open yourself up, I could feel your fear. Willow has told me how you go out of your way to avoid her at all costs in school. You weren't like this when we first met, so why now?" Amity bit her lip, hoping to just put it off. But she knew Luz would just bring it up again later.
"...We used to be best friends," Amity admitted. Luz gave her full attention. "As kids, we did almost everything together. Go hang out at school, play games, sleepovers, carnivals... Then I ruined our friendship by telling her we couldn't be friends. Something that I've come to regret for a long time."
"Why did you do it?"
"I'm a Blight, and as such, we are only supposed to associate with the strong. My parents disapproved of our friendship together; if I didn't end it there... they would hurt Willow's future."
"But what about the bullying you and others did to her? Why did that happen?" Luz pressed to know more.
"They are all kids to my parent's friends. If they told their parents I was still friends with Willow, my parents would find out. I couldn't stop the abuse being done to Willow even if I wanted to. Because if I did? Whatever future Willow would have would be destroyed and would be my fault. Something I could not allow to happen. No matter how much it hurts to see it every day."
"So that's what happened."
Amity flung herself around in surprise to see Willow standing not far behind her. "Willow...? Did you hear that?"
Willow had a solemn look about her. "At your birthday party. You told me I was weak and couldn't do proper magic and that I was too weak to be your friend. Was any of that true?"
Amity shook her head. Shame fell upon her as she could only just meet her old friend's eyes. "No, Willow, it was never that...The truth is... You were never too weak to be my friend. I was too weak to be yours. I'm... I'm sorry."
Willow had difficulty controlling her emotions as her magic lit her eyes up green. "Apologizing isn't going to make everything better."
Amity bowed in sadness, knowing this would happen and accepting it.
"But... It's an important first step. So I... I forgive you."
Amity snapped her head up with eyes of disbelief to see the Willows tear-stricken ones. "Willow..."
Willow offers a hand. "So let's work it out. If you're willing?"
Amity looks at the hand as if afraid to take it but goes for it.
Off to the side, Luz was trying not to break down in tears at the mending friendship between her friends. There is much the two need to unload and mend. Luz quietly stepped away from the two to continue to find her fellow Jedi.
Falling back into a meditative position, Luz searched within the Holocron for a specific function. The subspace communication. It was how Master Kenobi sent his message out to all the Jedi; if she was right, it could lead her to Vos.
Reaching out with the Force through the Holocron was a unique experience as it felt like she was pushing water through a long straw. It took a few minutes for her to spread her link to overshadow the planet, but she came up fruitless as she searched. There was no other Holocron that she could reach on Kashyyyk.
Then Luz felt it. A presence of the light that responded to her in kind. One that could only be that of a Jedi.
"I know where to go!" Luz declared.
Within moments they gathered around the portal to hear what Luz had to say. "He's not close, but not far either, so we'll have to travel to get to him."
"Then how do we get to this guy?" Eda questioned with narrowed eyes.
"It will be rough, especially by magic staff. If we go, we go now before it gets dark." Luz walks over, hops on her speeder bike, and kicks off. "Let's ride!"
They speed off into the thick worshyr jungle. Luz leads the way, with Amity and Gus holding on while Eda flies on Owlbert with King and Willow. It was mostly quiet, but they could see small trails of smoke in the distance when they passed a clearing that gave them a view from afar. This worried the Jedi in the group as Flash message her the Empire was trying to secure the Wookie homeworld and take control of the inhabitants.
They flew for hours and had to avoid Imperial patrols through the jungle. It was a little heartbreaking for Luz whenever they came across an old battleground. Seeing the fallen forms of Wookie Warriors and clone troopers slung over one another was a clear sign they were fighting one another.
Looking at her friends, the journey takes its toll on them. Eda looked bored but still kept a solid eye out for danger, while Willow had a clear look of exhaustion about her with King falling back in Eda's hair to nap. Gus was exhausted and passed out against her while Amity ensured that Gus wouldn't fall off. They and Willow were a little sad and freaked out when they saw the bodies on the battlefield. She had warned them of this, but they chose to follow her. But they were close. Very close...
Seeing the situation, Luz waved Eda down, and they slowed to a stop. This alerted everyone to waking from their rough ride.
"Are we there yet?" Gus moned as lean out to stretch.
Luz shook her head which was concealed by her helmet. "Not quite, but I imagine everyone could use a break from the ride. Eda, could you open the portal back to the Owl House? I think some of us could due with a bathroom break." She suggested.
The Witch nodded and opened the portal, allowing Gus, Willow, and King to walk through. Luz pats Amity's shoulder to go through as well. Amity hesitates for a sec before going through. With everyone on the other side Luz knifes a hand under her helmet, telling Eda to close the portal.
The Witch did so and let the door fold up on itself before disappearing in a flash.
"Something you want to tell me, kid?" Eda approached the teen.
"We're about to be ambushed. Didn't want the others to freak out. So whatever you do, don't retaliate."
As soon as Luz said, over two dozen large furry shapes dropped from above and surrounded the Jedi and Witch. They were tall, hairy, and armed. With weapons ranging from single-edge swords and clubs to DC-15 carbines and Bowcasters. Already to use and point at them.
Eda raised her staff, ready to fight the big hairy beasts. While Luz didn't react to their appearance, instead, she removed her clone helmet and set it on her speeder for the Wookies to see her face.
Luz tilted her head slightly to her magic teacher. "Eda, calm yourself. If they wanted to attack us, they would have done it in the branches above."
One Wookie with detailed shoulder armor and Bowcaster approached them. "Graaaa ahrrra." It growled at them.
"That would be me. I'm Luz Noceda, Jedi Padawan." Luz unhooked her lightsaber out for them to see. "I used the Force to seek out Master Vos. Is he here? Can we speak with him?"
"Aharrra Raa-errra" The lead Wookie pointed at her and Eda.
"What's he saying?" Eda asked.
"He's wondering where the others are as they saw them with us," Luz responded before returning to the Wookie leader. "They are nearby. Want me to get them?" The Wookie nodded.
"Okay, just don't freak out. You are all about to see some Jedi magic unfold. Eda, would you do us the honor?" Luz winked, making Eda smirk smugly at what the kid was hinting at, and she loved it.
"You got it!" Eda motioned with her right hand, creating a big spell circle. The glowing ring surprised the Wookies and made the backup. Then Eda brought the key out and summoned the portal door back. She then stuck her head through the door, much to the confusion of the Wookies. Some Warriors from the side tried to look around the door to see if Eda's head went to the other side. Eda pulled her head out with the rest of her friends and was just as surprised to see the Wookies as they were.
Luz turned back to the Wookie leader as Eda de-summoned the portal. "May we see Master Quinlan Vos, please?"
The Wookie leader nodded and led the way. As they walked, Luz quickly informed the others about what happened.
"Not cool," Gus responded.
Luz gave an apologetic smile to the witch boy. "Sorry. Didn't want you all fighting back on instinct. This planet doesn't need any more plant monsters or abominations popping up. It's got enough of those as is."
They traveled on foot for under half an hour, crossing rugged terrain as they went that was starting to take a toll on some of them. Eventually, they made it to a small village hidden in the branches of the trees, giving it great aerial cover. When the group entered the Wookie settlement, most of their Warriors split off from their group to enter different parts of the village, leaving behind the Wookie leader and one other. As they led them through the settlement, they noted several field hospitals that took care of injured Wookies.
Luz clenched her fists, knowing that some of her troops were responsible for these actions. Admit against their will, but actions nonetheless that Luz will have to make up for the Wookies. Whatever it takes.
Seeing her friend being a bit more emotional at their sad surroundings, Amity placed a comforting hand on Luz's shoulder. The gesture seemed to do the trick, and Luz was silently thankful for the support.
Reaching one end of the village, they approach a cave leading under one worshyr tree. There, a Kiffar appeared out of the darkness of the cave to greet them, making the sad mood Luz turn a 180.
He was tall, standing at six feet, with tanned caramel skin and long black dreadlocks on his head. He was wounded heavily if the burns on his face and arms indicated. His farcical features showed a playful youthfulness that also kept a strength to it. A notable feature was the painted yellow horizontal stripe over his nose and under his eyes.
When he saw the odd group approaching them, his eyes immediately zeros in on Luz, and he smiled brightly at her. "I would not have believed it if I had not felt it myself. Padawan Noceda."
The Padawan rushed forward and put her arms around the master's waist, with Quinlan doing the same.
"I'm so glad you're alive, Master."
"And you, Luz. Seeing you alive and here has definitely been a highlight of my week." Quinlan patted her head softly before they separated before turning to the Padawans compatriots. "Who are your friends? Some of them are dressed like Jedi, but I don't think that's the case."
"No, they wanted to come to help me but didn't have armor to protect them." Luz waved her friends over. "Guys, meet Jedi Master Quinlan Vos of the Order. Master meet my friends, Willow Park, Augustus Porter, and Amity Blight. The woman behind them is one who indirectly saved me, Eda the Owl Lady. The little one on her shoulder is King." She introduced her friends one after the other.
"Hello."
"Hi!"
Greetings."
"...Hey."
King hopped off Eda's shoulder and approached Quinlan. "Oh, Jedi Master! I, the King of Demons, have heard the unjust tragedy that has befallen the fellow brethren. Frat not, for I offer you to join my army and seek justice for those against you and Luz!"
The Master erupted in a fit of laughter while everyone else looked at the demon in amusement. Quinlan crouched down to meet the little guy. "Sounds like a tempting offer, young King. I'm not much of a leader who would fight in open conflict. I prefer to fight in the shadows where the darkness fears me. I'm also recovering from my wounds and would be in no shape to fight regardless."
He rubbed King's skull head before turning to face Eda with a sincere smile. "Luz says you are the one who saved her. If so, I thank you on behalf of her fallen Master and the rest of us." He bowed his head to her, making Eda blush slightly at the man's sincerity.
"It's alright," Eda waved off. "The kid's are a riot to have and have helped me back in a few jams. So helping her rescue a few of her Jedi pals despite the risks was a good way to make it all up." Eda turned to Padawan with a small smile.
"And life as a Jedi would not be boring if you didn't have a few friends by your side. In these dark times we found ourselves in, it's good to have them. They pick us up and remind us there's still good in this world." Quinlan's words made the three witches smile and feel a slight warmth in their hearts.
"By the way, how did you get away, Luz? You look cleaner than you should be for being stranded on Kashyyyk and smell like you've had regular baths. Did you get off world somehow through the orbital blockade?" He questioned the Palawan.
"Funny story there. Would you like to see a magic trick?" Luz said to a stumped Master. "Eda, care to do the honors?" Luz looked over at her magic teacher.
Eda smiled and pulled out the portal door key. Quinlan looked at the key with slight interest before the Witch pressed down on its end and a strange door with a yellow eye folded out of existence. Eda and Luz took great satisfaction in the jaw-dropped expression the Jedi Master had.
"...Cool trick."
The duo shared a laugh. "Come on, let's take this conversation home," Eda said before opening the door and entering the demon realm with King. The others followed one after the other leaving just the Jedi behind. Luz walks up to the door and offers him a hand.
"Watch your step. The first time is a doozie."
Quinlan carefully took the offered hand and followed Luz through the portal. If it weren't for her holding him up when they entered the other side, he would have been on his knees as he tried to center himself.
"Whoa...what a trip." He gasped as he tried to steady his breathing. "I don't think I've ever felt the Force shift like that."
"I know, right? The first time I went through it, I was on the ground for a good minute." She helped stand him up straight to collect himself. "Better?"
"Much." Quinlan took in his surroundings and saw they were in a living area of a well-lived home. "Nice place."
"Thank you. Now, why don't we all take a seat and we can start asking each other some questions? Sure, you got a few." Eda offered as she sat on her couch.
They all took their seats, some on the furniture or the ground in front of them.
"Master, do you know what's happening out in the galaxy?" Luz asked first, making the Kiffar hum.
"Not as much as I would like. During the battle, I led a battalion to strike the Separates' base while they were focused on Master Yoda's forces. On the way there, the clones launched an unprovoked attack on my transport, blowing me up and almost killing me. After that, I was later chased by Commander Faie and his men for several weeks. Last week they grew tired of me picking them off and attacked a Wookie village to draw me out. They succeed..."
"But they failed to kill you since you are still here?" Gus pointed out.
Quinlan laughed. "You got that right! Through the pain and lessons I've endured. I still beat back those clones and dealt with that stuck-up prick, Faie. But as you can see, it did come with a small price." He pointed at his wounds.
He then pointed to the portal door. "And I'm not the only one. Many of the Wookies outside have come from other villages that the clones have sized and raided, killing the village elders and warriors and capturing the younger generations."
"That's horrible!" Willow said in sadness.
"It's not like the clones can control themselves anymore!" Luz said with gritted teeth.
That caught the Master off. "What do you mean by that?"
Luz took a breath to calm herself before answering. "I only found this recently, and they can't help themselves. No matter how hard they try. When the clones were created, they had an implant stuck in their brains that had been dormant since their creation. Until..."
"Order 66," Quinlan said. "Some of the Wookiee defenders of Kachirho told me that during the battle, an old man's voice said that on repeat on all channels. Then they turned on us."
Luz looked down in sadness. "I watched from nearby as they gunned down Master Unduli. Some of the Wookies with me fought them off as we dragged her away from the battle... She handed me her lightsaber before dying in my arms."
Luz's hands clung to the fabric of her robe as she clenched her teeth. "Her last words were for me to trust in the Force... but some days were more challenging than others."
The Witches in the group looked at her with shocked looks as none of them knew this. Eda guessed as much as she saw the Jedi's weapon in her house, as it was placed with the others in her basement. But she didn't know the girl's former mentor had died in the kid's arms. That leaves significant scars, especially on young kids. And from the look on Luz's face, there is one.
"Luz." The Padawan looked up to see Master Vos had approached and crouched to her level. "Have you had a moment to mourn?"
". . ."
"Let it out."
A ripple went through Luz, memories of her teachers dying, innocents being wrongly hurt, betrayal, and frustration. The average Jedi Master would repeat the Code to the grieving Padawan. But Quinlan Vos was not. He was a Maverick among the Jedi and danced with both the light and the dark. Had a sarcastic sense of humor but had his own demons Quinlan faced daily. So when he pulled Luz into a comforting hug and felt dampness through his torn robe, he didn't think any less of her. For Jedi lacked foresight in such things as they just bottle things up. At the end of the day, they were still just children.
The other kids were in similar situations as they couldn't seem to keep their tears in check. Amity's eyes were wide and saddened, with Gus and Willow openly crying. The emotion that the Jedi was showcasing was heart-rending. They became surprised when the Master of the two looked at them with a sad smile and waved them over. Much to her confusion, he pulled Luz off him and directed her to her friends, where she became the center of a group hug by the three of them, and King hugged her leg. It was almost too much for the poor girl as she cried in her friend's embrace.
Vos felt a hand on his shoulder and saw it belonged to the house owner. Eda jerked her head over to the doorway. Seeing the sign to let the kids be for a bit, he followed. They entered the kitchen, where Eda produced a red jar and two mugs from the counter and set one for Vos.
"My thanks." Vos took a swig of his drink. He expected the alcoholic contents and was nearly caught off guard at its syrup-like texture.
"Figure we should give the brats a break to themselves," the witch responded before drinking her apple blood.
"Agreed. Luz should be with others her age; I believe those three will help her heal. By the way, where exactly are we? The Force is quite strange here." He asked as he glanced out the window and saw the red trees and pink sky.
"A parallel realm separate from yours. The portal key I have has magic that allows travel between worlds. Found it years ago in a ruin, don't know who built it, and don't really care." Eda sets her mug down and looks into the master's eyes. "My question to you is that now that you know about it, what will you do?"
"...I sense that you don't like me that much? Have I wronged you in the past or someone you knew?"
"I don't like some of the things your Order does."
"Oh, I will be the first to admit there are a few things wrong with our Order. But tell me anyway?" Quinlan challenge.
"Turning kids into child soldiers and then throwing them into combat before they hit puberty. Taking kids away from their families to be trained in something they have no say in. And expecting them to bottle out their emotions because some old geezers are afraid of emotions. My record isn't clean by a long shot, but I look like a model citizen compared to your Council." Eda venomously spats.
The Jedi in the room narrowed his eyes at Eda. "Careful what you say. I wasn't on Council or had a good reputation with them, but a few were my friends, and most are likely dead by now. I will not have their names spat upon. But I understand where you're going with this. You have not been the first one from the outside to confront a Jedi about this. As for your question concerning this place, I will keep it a secret as for what I do next... I'm still searching for an answer to that myself." He relaxed back.
"For now, I lick my wounds. As safe as this world is, many others are still in danger from the Empire. With Jedi at the top of their list." Eda nodded in agreement with this. "And with what I can sense, Luz seems fond of this world and to you. How you've done so, I will leave it alone. But tell me, what are your interests in Padawan Noceda?" He pressed on.
The question made Eda grind her teeth at the man. "To try to give that girl the everyday life that was robbed by your Order and its war. She's been through too much and has given more pain than any child should." She performed a calming technique of breathing, counting to three, then exhaled. "Luz is a great kid to be around. She has brightened up my sad life and others in the short time she has been around. I don't want to see that go out. The fact she keeps going back to that hellscape to try and save everyone makes me worry that the horrors you all face will follow."
"I understand," Quinlan said before getting up from his seat. "Then I have a request for you. Keep her safe..."
"Huh?"
"Luz has been through enough in my eyes and losing more than one Master can do that. If you can keep her safe, then that is all I ask. I imagine many other Padawans and younglings in hiding don't have that same luxury as her. So, keep her safe. Knowing that at least one of my fellow Jedi finding peace after this catastrophe has given me hope that others are as well." He downs the rest of the apple blood before getting up and leaving the stunned witch.
Quinlan returned to the others and found them recovering from their touching moment. "Padawan Luz Noceda."
In the center, Luz looked over at Quinlan. "Come here."
Luz gulps and approaches the Master as he stands tall over her. "You've done well in finding me and have done well in essentially establishing your own hideaway to hide from the Empire. But the fight is not yet over. Many of our fellow Jedi are still out there and need help. Now here's my question to you. Can this world be a haven for others if brought here?"
Luz nodded with total confidence. "It is. I've even started construction of a base using Republic emergency caches."
Quinlan Vos looked surprised and impressed by the Padawan's ingenuity. "I see... Very well, then my task for you is this. Keep building that base. With this Empire unopposed, their reach will be almost everywhere in known space. And with the Temple on Coruscant under their control, they have archived data to all our Jedi Outposts and sanctuaries. The Survivors need to be warned and relocated."
"Yes, Master. If you hear anything, let me know, and I'll be on standby if you need me." Luz said proudly.
"I'm counting on it." His smile proudly before it went down. "Listen, Luz. The beginning of the Clone Wars showed how the Jedi were unprepared for conflict and how stagnating the Order had become. I saw this years ago but stayed in to help how I could. Only recently, a few months back, I decided that I will start a new life and leave the Jedi for good when this war ends." Luz gasped at that info. "Now may be too late to officially leave the Order, but others may still be alive and set in their ways, too stubborn for change. Change needs to happen if the Jedi is to survive. New rules must be written and old ones to the trash heap."
He goes and places a hand on Luz's shoulder. Her eyes never left his. "And lastly, take this as a chance to live the life you want, not what the Jedi want."
Luz didn't know how much her world could take being rocked so much in one day. She sucked it up and nodded. "Yes, Master."
"Good." He then looks over at her Hexside friends. "Take care, Younglings. Your lives have only started with much ahead of them. So go make them the greatest." He told them before heading for the portal.
"Master, wait." Vos stopped just before the portal and turned back to Luz. "There's something else I want to show you before you go."
Quinlan's eyebrows shot up at the sight before him, stunned by the collection of lightsabers around him. Luz had led him and her friends down to the basement of the Owl House, where Luz took the time to place stands for each of the Jedi weapons they recovered from the temple raid. The Master's head swiveled from side to side as he looked over them all.
"Luz, where did all this come from?" Amity asked. She, Willow, and Gus stood in awe at the number of weapons Luz had in her possession.
"Not long after our duel," Luz responded. "Me, Eda, and King snuck into the Jedi Temple. I had hoped I could sneak in and take as many of the Jedi archives so they could be kept out of the Empire's hands. But the Temple crawled with shock troopers and could only loot a few rooms. Then we found that outside they were going to publicly destroy Jedi Lightsabers. I couldn't let that happen."
"So instead of taking books, you stole weapons. And the archive?" Willow questioned."
"Couldn't get near it. Too many soldiers." Luz looked to the other Jedi in the room and saw him holding one of the lightsabers. This one wasn't that unique compared to the others and had a more unitarian look. His face looked at it with sadness. "Master?"
"This lightsaber belonged to my former Padawan," Quinlan stated and ignited a blue blade. "Aayla was a strong Jedi and lifelong friend. During the battle, I felt her becoming one with the Force."
He turned back with a saddened smile. "Thank you, Luz Noceda. Aayla's and the other's memories were saved by your actions." He bowed, to which Luz bowed in return.
They returned upstairs to the living room, where Eda stood by with Luz's Speeder and helmet on top.
"Hey, Kid. Those walking carpets came over and dropped your stuff off." Eda pointed out her things.
"I'll send them a gift basket as a thank you," Luz responded. She pulled out a code cylinder and handed it to Vos. "This has my contact instructions if you need to message me. Be safe, Master Vos."
"Where's the fun in that?" Quinlan did a two-finger salute before making his way through the portal before it shut itself and folded up.
Omake: Eda I shrunk the clones!
"And you're positive that this will work on anything?"
"For the last time, Luz. I did the potion correctly. I even double-checked in following the instructions in those books Tibbles had."
The two were back on Qiilura and waiting for some of Luz's soldiers to show up. A week ago, Luz and Eda were rummaging through some of Tibbles's effects for anything of use. The Jedi was browsing some books and found a journal containing some business plans the pig created for money. One had a circus act using a potion to shrink animals and put them into a small cage for others' entertainment.
The thought of caged animals didn't feel right to Luz, but the shrinking potion gained her attention. Tibbles even thoughtfully jolted down the book and page number to find the instructions. After seeing it and reading some of the contents, Luz had a theory she wanted to test out.
So she contacted Voltan and Oak to rig an aerial patrol out her way. They relayed back that a LAAT would meet with them. It didn't take long for the drop ship to come to Luz's position. Luz greeted the clone squad, and they at her in seeing their commander alive and well. They exchanged words, and Luz gave the reason for their being here and wanted to experiment with a magic potion that would shrink the ship. The clones looked confused but stepped aside to watch.
"Oh, I sure hope this works!" Luz readied a squirt bottle that contained the potion. Pointing at the drop ship, she sprayed the side facing them before stepping back and seeing the results.
The Witch, Jedi, and clones watched in silence. After a minute of no shrinking, did the clone war vets turn to Eda for an explanation. "Eda?"
The Owl Lady pulled a book of Tibbles notes. That alone confused the clones, wondering just who is this woman and how or why does she keep things in her hair? "I'm looking, hold your rat dogs. Must have missed a concoction or some other thing. You know this thing was made for shrinking living things, not objects."
"I thought those notes in that book said it could shrink large objects too. Look, it says so right here?" Luz walked over and pointed at a page in the notebook.
While Luz and Eda debated if the potion was right or wrong. The pilots walked over to where Luz sprayed the potion.
"You think this stuff will stain the hull?" One asked the other.
The other clone just swiped it off with his hand. Revealing it wouldn't stain the hull. "Does that answer your question?"
The pilot casually flicks the orange liquid at the other. "Hey, be careful with that! We don't know if that stuff actually works."
"Relax, like any of this stuff actually..." A burst of magical smoke appeared over him before the clone disappeared from sight.
"What the...!" More magical smoke appeared over the other clone before he disappeared.
Lucky for them, the other clones saw this and alerted the others. "Commander! Hornet and Dee are gone!"
Luz looked around and saw them no longer there. "Where did they go?"
"They went over to the dropship and poofed into smoke!"
They rushed over but were all quickly engulfed in a yellow magic field. The clones rapidly panicked as they started flying their arms and legs.
"Hold it!"
The Clones and Luz turned to Eda as she walked carefully by them while watching the ground. A few moments later, she reached down and plucked something from below. Only then did she let the former republic servicemen down, and she showed them what she picked up.
"What in the world?"
"Is that?"
"No... Way."
They all stared in disbelief at the two shrunken clone pilots that barely fit in the witch's hand.
"Let this be a lesson to underestimate the power of magic."
None did after that.
This chapter was a bit difficult to write about. I ended up having to rewrite this twice. The first had to many plot holes that it just wouldn't be feasible. The second time I was going to have Luz introduce the Hexsquade to the Bad Batch during the events of rescuing Gerger and seeing the destruction of the cloning facilities on Kemino. But I scraped that due to not being original idea. I ended up having a random thought one day at work about the battle of Kashyyyk and all involved their and finding all the information I could about the last battle that went on there. That's when the idea of Vos came to mind and how he lived Order 66 and eventually went to live though the time of the Empire.
So now we'll see Vos in the future from time to time as he will search for other Jedi servivors and have Luz escort them to the Demon realm.
For all you new and old readers, Follow, Fav, and Review this story.
See you over the web.