AN: The following story is written for fun and is by no means intended to be accurate to actual Star Wars or Adventure Time canon. Also, the same story can be found on my A03 account with the same name and will be updated shortly. Other than that, enjoy!
A tense space battle raged in the cosmos as two opposing fleets exchanged red and green lasers. The one shooting green had their ships triangular-based in design painted gray, while the other was more generic and box-like in design with white and red trimmings.
Prior to this, the two factions known as the Sith and Republic respectively have been at war for five years. The Sith were driven with a desire for power, and they waged a large-scale campaign across the galaxy to take over worlds for their resources and expand their tyrannical influence.
The Republic was the opposite. They were initially an alliance of planetary governments that wanted to rule freely and peacefully without violence. When they started losing countless lives and territories under the constant warfare the Sith waged without provocation, the Republic reluctantly intervened and promptly developed a military coalition whose sole purpose was to counter the Sith and any future threats that would try to take after them.
In short, both sides fought ferociously. The Sith remained relentless in conquering and slaughtering soldiers and civilians alike, while the Republic remained unyielding in defending itself. Eventually as time went on, the Republic fought the Sith to a turning point where the former started retaking planets that were once lost to the Sith. Thanks to the help of a certain young red haired woman from a flame elemental world, Princess Phoebe was able to use her gifted talent of Battle Meditation to guide the Republic into a steady victory. Even though the Sith remained ever so dangerous with its superior weaponry, the Republic was prevailing with implementation of renewed military tactics and strategies.
When the Sith were driven back on their heels, defeat was imminent. They had lost so much control of the planets they conquered, only one-third of their territories remained. And though it seemed hopeless, the acting leader gathered all troops, frigates, and capital ships under his command as a last ditch effort to face off the Republic in one ultimate showdown.
Despite the bulging force being backed into a corner, the leader of the Republic, Chancellor Bubblegum, assembled a strike team of four Jedi Knights and four Republic commandos to carry on a perilous mission that would involve infiltrating the enemy leader's ship, then assassinating him as a means to end the war directly. With Phoebe volunteering to lead the strike with her Battle Meditation and combat prowess, Bubblegum was hopeful that the best swordsmen and commandos that accompanied the fiery heroine would help ensure certain victory.
And so, the last confrontation commenced. Both the Republic and Sith fleet traded shots with their turbo laser cannons, along with the swarm of space fighters they both dispatched. Numerous explosions could be seen in the distance and personnel from both sides scrambled to maintain composure and continue relaying orders.
Despite this, the Sith leader didn't seem troubled. Even though he silently watched and listened to the sounds of his men dying and losing in battle at the observation deck, he remained stoic and steadfast with crossed arms. He anticipated the Republic would be sending its best strike team to neutralize him, but all he did was breathe slowly, waiting for the moment of truth.
In the meantime, Phoebe and her team of eight broke through the enemy lines as they breached the Sith leader's ship hangar. Some of her escort fighters were blown up from the auto defense turrets before they could have a chance to land, but Phoebe and the others pressed forward regardless.
Resistance was heavy as Phoebe's strike team engaged several elite guards and droid sentries. Despite the fact they were outmanned and outgunned, the elemental royal used her yellow lightsaber to block and redirect blaster bolts and she used her fiery powers to wear down the opposition with flaming waved-based attacks. Her enemies fell in twos or threes as a result. Some were shot down by blaster fire, while others were burned or incinerated on the spot.
Slowly but surely, the fighting progressed from one section of the ship into another. Once the hangar was secured, Phoebe's team made their way down several corridors and eliminated any remaining guards and defensive turrets that stood in their way.
"Phoebe, this is Colonel Candy Corn, do you copy?" A male voice radioed.
The elemental answered with her right earpiece, "Go ahead, Colonel." She said as she also slashed another enemy mid conversation.
"Blue squadron reports they have disabled the engines of the leader's capital ship," the officer continued, "He shouldn't be able to escape."
"Understood," Phoebe said as walked over to a nearby terminal and confirmed the leader's whereabouts, "We're making our way to the observation deck now. He's not going anywhere!"
Suddenly another voice joined the conversation, "This is Chancellor Bubblegum, I cannot stress over the importance of this mission. Find the Sith Leader and put an end to this war once and for all!"
Phoebe nodded, "Consider it done, Chancellor. Just make sure you keep our fighters off my team until we've succeeded."
"We'll keep them at bay for as long as we can, but don't dawdle," Bubblegum advised. "Good luck!"
At that, the transmission ended and the strike team took the opportunity to rearm and recover before getting back to the fighting.
Meanwhile at the observation deck, a Sith officer reported to his leader, "Sir, the camera feed has picked up the strike team's location. They're five minutes out nearing our position. Should I dispatch another squad?"
The leader stared at the space battle quietly until he gave a slow nod.
The officer saluted, "I won't fail you, sir!" Then he looked over towards a group of eight guards standing idly with blaster rifles. "On me, for the glory of the Sith Empire!" He rallied as he and his team made a swift exit.
Despite the servile attitude, the leader continued watching through the window as though he didn't hear his subordinate. He kept his breathing leveled as he sensed Phoebe's team drawing near, while the remaining nearby guards took on a defensive stance with their blasters aimed at the only entrance.
Soon enough, the loyal Sith officer was the last member of his team to fall as he lay motionless on his back. Even though he fought a hopeless battle that only lasted seconds, his bravery did not waver as he died with his right hand clutching his silver blade in a death grip.
Phoebe and the others could only sigh in disappointment. They admired their tenacity, but at the same time they were remorseful that their enemy's loyalty was misplaced.
"Fought until the end," one of her teammates commented.
"We'd do the same if the roles were switched," Phoebe stated glumly before shifting back into a hardened expression, "Alright, form up! Get ready to breach and clear the entry."
The team checked their weapons and gear before they all looked at Phoebe expectantly.
She studied them fondly for a long moment. These men and women helped her reach the Sith Leader and there was a strong chance that some if not all of them were going to make it. But despite everyone feeling wary of their own well being, they still braved on and forcefully made their way into the Sith Leader's observation deck.
At that moment, Phoebe's strike team was already facing heavy fire from the volley of blaster bolts that came in their way. Two of the commandos were unable to return fire as they were shot instantly in the head and upper torso, while the third one hastily chucked a frag grenade before getting shot down as well.
Only the fourth commando, the Jedi squad, and Phoebe survived that initial attack. By the time the shooting paused from the grenade's explosion, Phoebe's team pushed on the counter offensive and eliminated the remaining Sith troopers. Their ultimate target was still out of reach however, as a group of five hooded masked men emerged from the shadows up front before their leader.
"Dark Jedi!" The last commando called out.
The five men each drew red single bladed lightsabers on cue, then rushed the team aggressively moments later.
Phoebe's group took a defensive stance on cue, and the last commando instantly switched out his blaster rifle for a long sword. Although lightsabers were known to cut through most objects, the sword the last Republic commando used was made with a cortosis weave to withstand strikes from the weapon in question.
Although it seemed reasonable enough for at least one person in Phoebe's team to slip past the engagement, the Dark Jedi squad leader took it upon himself to fight Phoebe and the commando at the same time. With the ship occasionally rumbling from sustaining damage, the stakes never felt higher for the Republic to seize victory.
As this went on, the Sith leader who was wearing a more distinct hooded robe and mask, finally turned his gaze from the ensuing space battle and spectated the fight with his remaining comrades. His arms were still crossed, but he was still poised as ever as he mentally readied himself to draw out his own blade.
Unlike the other Dark Jedi that Phoebe and the others fought on the way prior, these men were tenacious as they swung their blades ferociously while staying calm and collected. The Republic strike team that started off being bunched together in a group gradually dispersed in the vast observation room.
Based on the constant fighting, it seemed the two sides found themselves at a stalemate. The Republic spent most of their energy just blocking and evading strikes, while the Sith seemed to press forward to tire them out.
Slowly but surely, the last commando was the first to show fatigue. When it seemed like his stamina was giving out, Phoebe tried to save him by being a bit more aggressive to the Dark Jedi.
"Come on, Ramos!" She encouraged as she made her opponent backpedal a few steps, "We can take him!"
"A lot good those words did for your friends!" The Dark Jedi taunted. "You Republic dogs die too easily!"
Ramos gritted his teeth in anger and frustration. He thought about the other commandos he fought beside and the rest of the men who were still out in space dogfighting by the masses. So much blood was spilled to get to this moment, and it invigorated him to inflict vengeance more than ever before.
Although his anger began to cloud his mind, Ramos glanced past the duelist he was with and stared at the Sith Leader who was ultimately responsible. Ramos then gathered the rest of strength and once he waited for the right moment, he shoved past the duelist and made a beeline for the leader directly.
"Ramos, NO!" Phoebe cried out in despair before being forced to defend herself again with the Dark Jedi.
"Gotta love the little guy!" He snarked with a sadistic smile beneath his balaclava. "I'll give him… two minutes tops if my lord is feeling generous today!"
As the commando held his sword upward with two hands like a baseball bat, he gradually winded himself to the right to deliver a left horizontal slash.
Seeing the attack, the Sith Leader leaned and pivoted backwards to evade the strike. He continued to dodge continuously without struggle as Ramos swung wildly before the leader decided to counter attack with a two-handed shove.
Ramos staggered backwards a few steps until he fell on the ground. He still had his weapon in his right hand by keeping an iron grip, but he was momentarily stunned since he hit the back of his head from the fall. His vision was dazed momentarily, then he forced himself to get up quickly until he assumed another combative stance.
At that moment, the Sith Leader finally drew his red lightsaber with one hand as it gave an ominous hiss. He pointed the blade at Ramos in preparation, then he twirled it defensively as he let his opponent push on the offensive.
Ramos grunted and gritted his teeth as he advanced with one saber strike after another. As fast as he tried to be, the Dark Lord easily kept up with him as though the two were sparring. This only frustrated Ramos to no end and he kept lashing out wildly until his opponent eventually stopped him mid swing and knocked him back with a front kick.
Phoebe in the meantime, redirected her distress to save Ramos and focused more on her battle with the Dark Jedi before her. After learning his attack pattern, Phoebe pushed on the offensive for the first time and forced her rival to back track a few steps. She continued her advance by delivering a few more downward diagonal slashes until the Dark Jedi held his ground one more time by locking his blade with hers mid strike.
The power struggle only lasted for a brief moment. Before the Dark Jedi knew it, Phoebe forced his blade to the far right to expose his torso before finding himself fatally wounded shortly after. He clutched his chest in excruciating pain as the laceration went from his heart to the right side of his abs before he finally buckled and collapsed face down with a blank look in his eyes.
As Phoebe felt a sense of relief, her mood improved furthermore when it seemed the rest of her Jedi teammates managed to defeat their own rivals without losing one of her own.
Unfortunately, Phoebe's expression quickly soured in disappointment as she witnessed Ramos being force choked by the Dark Lord himself. The last commando tried to push onward every step of the way, but he eventually fell on one knee at a time until he gasped out the last of his air before dying.
Once the Dark Lord withdrew his left hand from the one-handed choking gesture, he flourished his lightsaber a couple times and stared at Phoebe and her task force pensively as though he were not under pressure.
Phoebe took a few moments to compose herself mentally and she breathed as the rest of the strike team regrouped next to her. Once she saw them recover enough strength, she then pointed at the masked Dark Lord with her free hand and said, "You cannot win… Mertens!"
Instead of making a reply, the former war hero of the Republic twirled his lightsaber downwards to his left then right until he took on a widened defensive stance with both hands angling the lightsaber with the handle upright and the tip facing at the group.
Phoebe recognized the stance all too well. It was the infamous Vapaad form used specifically for fighting aggressively when backed into a corner. With how calm and imposing Mertens acted, Phoebe and her group readjusted their grips on their swords to react accordingly.
Suddenly, the unexpected happened. The Sith capital ship that was behind Mertens in the observational view opened fire with its batteries. Although the window wasn't breached, the ground below the entire group had a massive explosion that effectively knocked everyone off their feet.
Phoebe's ears were ringing and her vision became blurry. The explosion did a great deal of damage to wear out her strength and it was a miracle the blast didn't outright kill her. When she looked at the rest of her team however, she soon discovered grimly they were not so lucky. Many of them succumbed to their wounds as they were covered in shrapnel with pools of blood forming for emphasis.
Then she looked over to the Dark Lord who was seen lying down weakly on his back. His strength had left him and his life was fading from just the brunt of the shockwave. Phoebe then forced herself to stand up on both feet and staggered towards him until she sat beside him on both knees.
Mertens weakly gazed at her before his face slowly turned away. He was completely motionless, seemingly void of life. Still though, Phoebe took it upon herself to remove the mask the Dark Lord was wearing. When she saw his face, it turned out to be a man with peach-like skin and golden blonde hair. She studied him with a frowning expression. This man before her didn't seem like the type to associate himself with evil or to be leader of such a heinous group.
In either case, none of those things mattered anymore as Mertens perished. Instead of dying on the battlefield as he had hoped, he was instead betrayed by one of his own. Before Phoebe or the remaining Republic forces could have a chance to target the treacherous Sith Capital ship in question, it broke from the fight and retreated into hyperspace along with the remaining fleet.
Victory for better or worse was achieved, but Flame Princess knew that the war overall was far from over.