Star Wars: Rebel Dogs

Chapter l: Death In Rebirth

"How could this have happened?"

This was not how things were supposed to go. The Jedi with their clone army had come to the planet Dar'Or with word of a Separatist presence. The fight was hard but quick with little resistance against the Jedi forces. In retrospect, it was almost too easy, and the Separatist didn't seem to have any real business on the planet. Perhaps they were growing more desperate after the demise of Count Dooku. At this point, the only thing keeping this war going was the survival of General Grievous, but hopefully, his defeat will come soon. However, until then that was not important to the clone troopers. They wished to celebrate the day's victory, and admittedly so did some of the younger Jedi. But little did they know the day would end in disaster. Before any of the Jedi could react, the clones turned their blasters on them without warning. Sadly only a small amount of Jedi were able to escape into the wilderness as the barrage of blaster fire slaughtered their fellow knights.

"Do not fret on what has happened my former apprentice, for we have more pressing matters ahead."

"Forgive me," the one who spoke first moved back into the cave that was his hiding spot. Within it he was faced with an old anthropomorphic wolf in Jedi robes sitting against the cave wall, "I should know better to question your wisdom Master Nava."

"I understand your frustration, but you must calm yourself," Nava warned his former student as he rested against the cave. Wincing in pain as he attempted to soothe the scorch mark on his ribs left by a blaster bolt. The two of them may have escaped, but not without the old wolf suffering an injury in the process, "Lingering on such emotions can lead one to the dark side."

"But I can't help it master," the Jedi's former apprentice paced around the cave, "They killed them. Master Poof, Yaddle, Rancisis, their Padawans. By the spirits, some of them were so young. After fighting alongside them for so long; why would the clones just turn on us?"

"I believe we of the Jedi council may be responsible," said Nava.

"What do you mean master?"

"Not too long ago the council had uncovered some disturbing secrets of the clones," the old wolf attempted to make himself comfortable against the cave wall, so to recount his tale, "We had learned that every clone had an inhibitor chip implanted into their brains before being sent out into battle. After finding out, we were told that it was all for the clone's benefit. It helped them in battle we were told. Kept them calm in the face of danger and stress. We were made to believe this when a clone forcefully removed his and began acting erratically. That was not the end of things though. In investigating the death of another Jedi master we had ended up learning the man who acquisition for the creation of the clones, Tyrannus, was an alias for Count Dooku."

The old wolf fell silent when the sound of rustling leaves could be heard outside of the cave. The apprentice quickly ran to the entrance to find its source. Lightsaber gripped tensely in his hands. Ready to strike down if it turned out to be their clone pursuers. By sheer luck, it all turned out to be just the local wildlife running about. The apprentice calmed himself when feeling the paw of his former master rest on his shoulder.

"Forgive me, my brother," Nava said before staggering back to the nearest wall with his paw continually holding his ribs, "We should've seen that the Sith had a hand in manipulating this war from both sides. That the clones were implanted with that chip to turn on us when the time was right. We should've known using them, and this whole war was a trap. But at the height of our hubris, we ended up engineering our own demise."

"Master you're hurt," the apprentice helped to ease his master to the ground, "You need to rest if we're going to make it out of here."

"You should not fret over me," the old wolf said, "I feel that I'm not long for this world."

"Do not say that. I'm still in need of your guidance."

"You haven't needed mine for years now my apprentice," Nava placed a paw on the shoulder of his former student, "I have watched over you since you first arrived at the temple as a pup. I have taught you everything I know from the day I asked master Yoda to assign you to me, and I must say you have exceeded my expectations. You have grown to be a fine Jedi Knight, Balto."

Balto smirked at his master's complement as he reminisced about the old days. The anthropomorphic wolfdog's days of being in the Jedi order had been quite the rewarding experience. From his arrival to the Order, he was one of the lucky few younglings to have bid his mother farewell before being sent to the Jedi temple on Coruscant. There he and others his age would receive tutelage from master Yoda. Balto would train under the imp sized Jedi until his turn into adolescence; when he was assigned to be trained under master Nava. Nava's training regiment was centered around to better home the young wolfdog's spiritual connection with the Force. There would be occasional training when it came to wielding a lightsaber, but the old wolf felt it was more important to focus ones strength through spiritual balance. Believing that mastery over it would benefit one's self in the long run; even with one's abilities in other fields. Fighter piloting, lightsaber construction, and conquering one's enemies Nava believed would be made easier pending on someone's connection with the Force. Even combat training with lightsabers was just an extension of seeing just how much Balto had grown in trusting the Force to guild him. To allow the Force to be his greatest ally.

However, not all things could last forever as it were. Such is true of the role of master and student. For not long after the Clone Wars began, Balto was one of few first to be knighted during this time of crisis. With each battle growing harder every day caused the Jedi Knights to be spread thin throughout the galaxy. If nothing were done, then the Jedi would quickly find themselves shorthanded. Because of this, the trail of becoming a knight were changed from being overseen by the council to action overtaken during these troubled times. Balto was seen as worthy of being knighted after a skirmish with a Separatist frigate. The commander of the frigate had mistakenly taken a relief vessel believing it was on route to aid Republic troops in their attacks. Nava and Balto volunteered to lead the rescue mission. Once boarding the ship, both Jedi and their clone troopers stormed through the corridors to find the crew of the relief vessel. The two Jedi being separated from one another as they made their way through a legion of battle droids. Balto was, however, able to find where the crew was being held with the ship's commander holding them hostage at blaster point. But to the surprise of Nava was once he caught up with his Padawan, the commander had already surrendered without any sign of a fight ever had occurred. There were zero casualties onboard the frigate. What made things more interesting was that the commander offered to aid in the relief efforts before turning himself in.

News of this victory had spread throughout the other Republic fleets. Many attempted to downplay the achievement as Balto merely using a Jedi mind trick, but he denied doing such a thing. Either way, the Jedi Council took notice of his accomplishment and deemed him worthy for the title of knight. Balto wore it proudly as he went forth to aid his fellow Jedi with the war. Many of which were happy to have the wolfdog by their side. He and his troopers, specially trained by Balto, were always available to help others get out of a pinch. They had made a name for themselves as some of the best in reinforcements that this war had ever seen. The wolfdog became a recognized figured from both sides of this conflict almost rivaling that of Anakin Skywalker. With Republic troops calling explicitly for his aid in a mission, and Separatist attempting to sabotage any if not all of his efforts. They've also been known to send a few bounty hunters after his head. No matter what they sent after him, Balto was always able to make it in time to help whoever had called for him. His achievements have rung through the halls of the Jedi Temple that even his old master Nava joked that the wolfdog would one day take his place on the council. Said joke was made only a few days before they were both deployed to Dar'Or, and this is where we all ended up.

"We can't stay here for long," Balto said nervously, "It won't be too long until Patch finds us. Starting to question why I trained that clone so well."

"Do not blame yourself Balto, nor blame Patch for this situation." Nava attempted to calm him, "Either of you two could've foreseen these events. It was noble of you to try and befriend your fellow soldiers. Besides if it weren't for Chancellor Palpatine using those chips to overwrite their brains, Patch would never commit these atrocities against us."

"Palpatine?"

"Who else could it have been?" Nava asked rhetorically, "That man has tried in vain to sway the council's decision many of times. He has total control over the Senate and our military. He knew exactly where we would all be stationed. It only stands to reason that either he had dealings in this charade if not orchestrated the whole thing. Either way, he ends up benefiting from this puppet show we have been forced to perform."

"Master please you must rest," Balto said anxiously, "You'll need your strength if we are to escape this planet."

"I told you to stop fretting over me, and focus on the bigger picture." Nava retorted, "It won't be enough to just escape the planet. We need to escape to a place no army would dare follow. Somewhere that could hold Palpatine at bay."

"Animaria!" Balto answered with the name of his home planet, "Palpatine would never attack it. Not unless he wants to risk his fleet."

Nava nodded his head in agreement, "Yes. But as war criminals, we would have a hard time getting through regardless. Perhaps if you knew someone who could smuggle us on the planet." Balto scratched the back of his neck; clearly nervous of what was being implied, "Balto I know about Jenna."

Balto felt like a pup who has just been caught with his paw in a cookie jar, "How long have you known?"

"Since the day you both met."

"Yet you allowed me to stay in the order, and to be knighted. Why?"

"It did cross my mind a few times." Nava answered with a grin, "But as I slept on it, the Force gave me a vision. I don't fully understand what it all means, but what I saw was the both of you on Animaria. That something grown from your union would shape the fate of our home world." Nava only silenced himself when the burn in his ribs intensified once more, "Still it matters not what will come to past. The fact that you both have married only strengthen my resolve that you should not be fretting over me. There is someone more important than I who deserves it."

Though his reasoning was sound, Balto was still unable to leave his master to die. He tended to Nava as he waits for an opening to escape. As nightfall enveloped the region, the anthropomorphic wolfdog believed it was time to make their retreat. Balto gently lifted his master up to lean over his shoulder as they both exited the cave. Occasionally Nava would urge Balto to go without him. That he was slowing him down, but Balto was having none of it. He had lost too many this day and wasn't willing to add one more to that. Their trek through lush forest lasted for several miles before coming across a small creek. They soon began to cross it before a blaster bolt hit close to their feet.

"Halt Jedi!"

The two Anthro canines turned to see a squad of clone troopers exit from the forest. Balto growled when he laid eyes on them. Each of the troopers was not decked out with the standard white armor, but instead, they bore colors that were used for winter camouflage. The other thing that stood out is the decal on their helmets painted to appear that of a wolf. This was Balto's squad, and they were out in full force just to catch the two of them. The one leading the charge was dawned with Phase ll ARC trooper armor, brown highlights layout around his armor, and bore a red paw mark on his left breastplate. There was no mistaking it. This was Balto's second in command and former friend leading the charge against him, Captain Patch.

"You've run far enough, Jedi scum." the clone captain announced with his blaster trained on the two Jedi.

"Definitely trained him too well." Balto mumbled trying to find some humor in his eventual demise.

Nava though was not willing to let this happen, "This is as far as I can go." the old wolf pushed himself off of Balto before brandishing his blue-colored lightsaber to block incoming blaster fire. Balto was ready to pull his only to be sent flying to the other end of the creek. Looking up he could see that Nava's paw was fully extended in his direction; indicating that the wolf had Force pushed Balto away, "There is no way for the both of us to make it out of here alive. You must make the rest of this journey alone!" Balto was ready to word his protest and join his master in fending off the clone's blasters, "Do not waste your effort. Do your old master proud and leave me! Leave this place and fulfill your destiny I have foreseen!"

Balto hesitated as he witnessed Nava deflecting more blaster fire coming their way. More and more clones were entering the immediate area to add to the onslaught. In no time both Jedi would soon find themselves overwhelmed by the advancing army. Balto wanted so desperately to jump into the fray with his master, but his mind turned elsewhere. They turned to Jenna, or at least what his death would do to her. His death would leave the love of his life a widow among other things. However, here was Nava, his former teacher and brother in arms, willing to sacrifice himself just so that the two lovers could have a prosperous future together. It would be foolish to allow such a sacrifice go to waste. So, in one of the hardest decisions Balto has ever made he ran deep into the wilderness behind him; not able to stomach looking back to see his master he had left to die.

Nava gave a weak smile as he caught a glimpse of Balto running off. Thus the old wolf felt that he had served his purpose, in not only safeguarding the Jedi legacy but also gave his homeworld the hope it needed. The best he could do now was hold out long enough for Balto to get the head start he needed. The wolf held through better than The trooper had expected. Without the element of surprise, Nava was better prepared to defend himself. He had even managed to redirected some blaster fire back at some of the advancing troops. The issue though was that Nava was old; practically reaching the end of his prime. Even with the Force by his side, his age was starting to show. Nava also planned on stepping down from the council and allow his former Padawan to fill his seat once the war ended, and stick to mentoring the younger generation that resided in the temple. That and the injury he was suffering from earlier as well as the growing troop support meant that he could only go on for so long. It was just inevitable that one bolt passes his defensive and hit the wolf's leg. Soon another shot hit him in the shoulder, one in the arm, and one through his knee before the clones stopped firing. These shot made to disable rather than kill, but to an old wolf, he might as well be as good as dead now that he was crippled from the assault.

"Your efforts are in vain, Jedi," Patch mocked as he stepped forth with his blaster in hand, "Balto will not get far before we find him, and after that, we will wipe the rest of you treacherous Jedi from the face of the galaxy."

Nava coughed in agony before he could respond to the clone's threat, "You can kill me, but you will never destroy the legacy of the Jedi."

"We will see." Patch pressed the barrel of his blaster between Nava's eyes; his index finger ready to clench around the trigger.

"There's only one thing I have to say to you Patch."

While this exchange was happening, Balto continued running for his life through the forest. But he stopped when a disturbance was felt through the Force. Nava was dead. His presence snuffed out like candle light. The wolfdog fell to his knees almost succumbing to the emotions of losing yet another friend to this senseless massacre. Balto wanted to bury his face in his paws, and sob in despair. No, there's no time for that. Grieving would have to come later if he planned to escape; if he wished to honor Nava's sacrifice. Balto regained his composure and made his long trek to escape this planet. Sure, many of the ports would be heavily guarded, and all troops would be on high alert for him. But that mattered not. Balto was a skilled Jedi Knight with many tricks up his sleeves. No matter how hard or long he had to work. What painful trails he must suffer through, Balto knew only one thing. No matter what happens from this day forward he was not going to allow his master's death to be in vain.

He will survive.

Takodana

15 years later

Cantinas, they were not known to accommodate the most savory of characters. So, it was the perfect place for a Jedi to hide in plain sight. Here is where Balto had found himself. Sitting at a table after another mission gone wrong. Though he would feel better off if he didn't have to be in such places, this particular cantina always housed the best in smugglers, bounty hunters, the occasional Imperial officer, and many others from each walk of life. Balto kept his ears opened around the Imperials. Surely some of them must possess the information that he was looking for. Plus the owner, Maz, was a good friend of his.

Such a fascinating creature she was. A 'Pirate Queen' Balto heard she once went by, but it hardly seemed true given her short stature. Though Balto had encountered other oddities throughout his lifespan, so he couldn't judge too much. Whatever criminal background she may have under her name mattered not. Balto owed his life to this small orange woman for getting him off of that planet, Dar'Or all those years ago. If she wasn't Force-sensitive, she might have seen him as some lowly scavenger who lived in the forest, but because short alien sensed he was a Jedi she allowed him safe passage on her ship as well as a stay in her castle of a cantina. From there she helped establish communications with Jenna so that he could seek refuge on their home planet of Animaria. Now, however, she'd been the source of him being better equipped to venture through the galaxy, and a place for him to relax after such adventures turned up fruitless.

"You know you're not going to get anything from them," the short orange alien dissuaded him from listening in on the officers as she set a drink on his table, "If those Imperial dogs knew what you were looking for do you think they'd be allowed in a place where they'd be chatting it up?"

"What can I say? I'm optimistic." Balto took in a whiff of the alcoholic drink in front of him, "You know I don't drink this stuff."

"Yes, but it would help make it look like you're here for something other than pointing your ears at officers," Maz gestured to Balto's left ear which was listening in on the Imperials. The wolfdog immediately straightened it before anyone else could take notice, "You know how I feel about someone coming in here looking for trouble. Don't think that just because you don't dress like a monk anymore doesn't mean you can't still draw attention to yourself."

Balto gave an understanding nod. It had been fifteen years since he last dawned his Jedi robes. He had them burned soon after Maz saved him from Dar'Or, and dawned a new attire to better matched his new life outside the Empire's laws. Currently, he wore a beige shirt that had certainly seen better days. A pair of brown baggy pants that reached just above the hock of his leg, and were beginning to tear around the knee. A leather strap went over his right shoulder and connected to his belt to better holster his DL-18 blaster pistol. The blaster being hoisted snugly against his right chest plate for easy access. To top off this ensemble was a dirt green jacket that had one or two scorch marks left from being shot at. To better remedy this, Balto had both the shoulder and back area lined with plated battle armor as much as precautionary purpose than anything else. Though the jacket was lined with pockets over his chest and shoulders; there was one that remained hidden from prying eyes. Inside the left side of the jacket was a pocket that held his lightsaber, so that it was out of sight but always close for Balto to draw if the situation demanded it. However, with Maz's strict policy against violence in her castle; it rarely called for such things even with Imperials around. Either way, Balto made sure that he presented himself as a no-good dirty scoundrel of a smuggler. Seemed to be working well for the time being.

"It's not like I'm the only Anthro who walks through your doors," Balto gestured over to a counter in the center of the room which was shared by an almost drunken bear and a green hoodie-wearing fox, "Please tell me you didn't come see me just to insult my fashion choice."

Maz looked over the wolfdog to note his dour demeanor, "The job didn't go so well?"

Balto sighed to himself, "Just another bad lead."

"Well, there is one thing you can do." Balto could sense what Maz was alluding to, but he shook his head in disagreement, "Fine. Don't take my advice. In that case, there is a message waiting for you." Maz took out an old looking object and tossed it across the table.

Balto caught the device, and on closer inspection saw it was an old holo-communicator from the days of the Republic. Only one person would be trying to reach him through this, "Thanks Maz. I owe you one." he got up from his seat to find someplace private.

"One? That's funny."

Balto went deeper and deeper into the castle depths until he was sure he was away from prying eyes. What was to be transmitted from this communicator was not something to risk Imperials or any low-lives in this place to see. Once activating the device, Balto was greeted by a young Togruta woman who bore some old Jedi temple armor and possessed two lightsabers hanging from her belt.

"Ahsoka?" though curious of the nature of the call, Balto was just delighted to see such a familiar face, "I see that you shed your Fulcrum disguise. What's the occasion?"

"Greeting Balto. I'm sorry to hear that your mission hasn't yet been successful," Balto looked away after being reminded of his last failed job, "However, I'm contacting you for a proposition. You have heard the message from Lothal have you not." Balto answered her with the shake of his head. It was impossible to not have heard of it. The message of a young boy known by Ezra Bridger who highjacked a transmission tower, and spoke out against the Empire's rule on his planet. Such an action was courageous for someone so young, "The rebellion has been steadily growing ever since, but we can still use some extra hands. I was hoping to call on your assistance."

"What can I do?"

"I'm glad you asked," Ahsoka was quite pleased by how easily he was willing to help, "You remember a little ship called the Ghost?"

Balto smirked when he heard that name. Sure, he wanted to go back out there, and finish what he had started so many years ago. But wolves were, by nature, social animals who thrived living in packs. The prospect of getting to work in a more significant group dynamic again excited him. Also, with them working together against the Empire meant that both his and their interest would in time coincide with one another, and Balto could sense that Ahsoka knew this. It would be foolish not to accept the offer in more ways than one. Besides, it could be fun to meet up with a few old friends.

"Where can I find them?"

End of Chapter l

A/N: Well here the start of a whole new story. Just for context sake, the events that follow take place in-between season one and two of Star Wars Rebels. This story comes at the request of one of my reader for an anthro-related crossover, and even though it was not one of the ones he suggested I just couldn't get this out of my head. Anyway, hopefully, you all enjoy enough to review. Till next time.