Italics are flashbacks or another language.
The Devastator came out of hyperspace, as did two other star destroyers. One was called the Ultimatum, and the second was the Accuser. After giving Raith Sienar the information he'd need to help find Mizuki, Bumi returned to the group. Before getting on the shuttle that would take them to the Devastator, Boba Fett went over to Darth Vader.
"My lord, I think it would be best if I continued the hunt for Bane," Fett said to the Sith Lord.
"We will be returning the captives we rescued to Elementia," Vader replied. "Then, take the Slave One and continue the hunt."
"I will find out what I can," the Mandalorian affirmed. Vader, the bounty hunters, the five Benders, and Baatar then got on the shuttle, which swiftly took them to the Devastator. Standing at attention were a mix of Stormtroopers, Imperial Navy troopers, officers, and crewmen, TIE Pilots, and a detachment of the EUA led by Kuvira. Looking closer, Kya saw the young woman named Sabine and the young man named Ezra standing there with their helmets off as well. It still bothered Katara that the EUA wore helmets evocative of Vader but chrome with green lenses instead of black with red lenses.
"Lord Vader, I thought it best that I lead my men in their first time in an offworld operation," Kuvira said.
"Indeed," the Sith said. Before anyone else could speak up, an Imperial officer came up to Vader. "What is it, Commodore Corsin?"
"The Emperor wants you to contact him, my lord," the ship's captain revealed. With that, Vader stormed off into the ship to speak to his master privately, while the other Imperials returned to their duties. Corsin turned to the five benders and the bounty hunters, along with Kuvira and Baatar. His eyes briefly met Bumi's, both of them agitated in recognition, before returning to the task at hand. "We have received new intelligence about the forces we will encounter, at T'Surr. Several star destroyers will be necessary for this. Thankfully, since this is a raid instead of an invasion, you won't require too much support." He then walked back toward the ship's bridge while the EUA got settled in by Kuvira.
"What was that?" Kya asked her brother, noticing how he and Corsin had reacted to each other.
"The last time I saw his face, he was flying Vader's shuttle," Bumi revealed. "Right before he shot me down along with Appa."
"And that doesn't matter," Kuvira arrogantly dismissed, shocking the five Benders. "All that matters is that Corsin's untouchable, like all Imperials, and if you want to get your son back, you'll need him."
"We're well aware of the situation," Katara said, a hint of anger at the young woman. "It doesn't mean we should forget what they've done. And no one asked for your opinion."
"Well, you're going to get it," Kuvira boasted, angry at the old woman acting like her superior. "I am done with the 'shut up, you peasant' I've gotten from people like you my whole life. I am in command of the Earth Nation, not some stupid noble clinging to tradition."
"Let's calm down, Kuvira," Suyin spoke up, placing a hand on her adoptive daughter as well as on Katara. "We all want to rescue Iroh and help our planet in this new time. Let's look over this new information." As they sat down for the briefing, Kuvira kissed Baatar, drawing a smile from Suyin despite the confrontation she'd just defused.
Darth Vader entered his private chamber and knelt on the holopad. "What is your bidding, master?" Vader asked the hologram of Darth Sidious.
"I am somewhat surprised by your excursion to Tatooine," Palpatine said. "I thought you had learned to leave the past behind."
"I learned the past wasn't as dead as I thought," Vader told his master.
"Yes," Palpatine replied. "It seems that your child didn't die with Amidala, like we originally thought. Kenobi has been grooming him to be the 'ideal' Jedi. He could be quite dangerous to us."
"He's still a child," Vader said, a hint of worry. "He can be made to see through the Jedi's lies."
"Yes, he could," Sidious said. "But I sense that this boy isn't the only thing bothering you."
"Master, Bail Organa has been opposing us even before you declared the Empire," Vader noted. "Shortly after Yoda attempted to assassinate you, his ship lifted off, without explanation or destination, according to the agent I sent to investigate. And then, he arrived on Naboo for...the funeral."
"Indeed," Palpatine said in realization. "And shortly afterward, he adopted a newborn girl. And upon reflection, she does resemble Padme Amidala in more ways than one." For a moment, Palpatine pondered what to say. "Rescue the Elementals, this will reinforce the protective image we are building," the Emperor ordered. "I will contact you afterward with information about Leia Organa's whereabouts."
"Thank you, my master," Vader bowed as the image flickered out.
By the time they returned to Mos Eisley, Luke's tears had dried. He decided to sell his speeder to take his mind off the loss. After doing so, they went to where the Stinger Mantis was docked. Cal nodded his head in sympathy when he realized Luke's family was now dead. After lifting off, Mizuki saw that Greez's top right arm was mechanical.
"A souvenir from an Imperial Inquisitor," the Latero revealed. "I take it prosthetics are a rarity on your world."
"A little but I've seen plenty," Mizuki replied, thinking of her father and grandfather's artificial legs. As the ship lifted off, Obi-Wan asked where they were going.
"About five years ago, we were on the frontier world of Koboh," Cal said. "The Empire took it over shortly after. But we found a great secret: Tanalorr." He went on to explain how, around two hundred years ago, some Jedi had discovered a paradise hidden within the nebula called the Koboh Abyss. They had begun building a temple there, when a pirate army called the Nihil wreaked havoc in that part of the galaxy, leading to Tanalorr being abandoned, and largely forgotten by the time the Nihil were finally defeated. "But the droid companion of one of those masters was buried underground on Koboh, and I reactivated her, starting us on the trail to finding Tanalorr." Cal then looked rather sad, as did Greez. "Though the price of getting there, was steep."
"Which is why we've turned it into a sanctuary," Greez revealed. "A bunch of people fleeing the Empire had nowhere to go. But we are the only ones with the Jedi compass which navigates our way through the Abyss."
"I get the feeling, as too many of my ancestors had the same problem," Mizuki said, twiddling her fingers on a small set of beads connected to a medallion with the Air Nation symbol. Cal noticed and asked if he could hold it. She agreed and gave it to him.
Cal saw himself at this grand stone temple with three towers. Around him were a large number of people of all ages wearing similar orange and brown clothes. The adults had blue arrows tattooed on their foreheads, with most of the men and boys having shaved heads. In the distance, he saw a group of flying, furry animals with six legs and a large, flat tail. One of the teachers began to speak.
"Take a good look, children," she said. "The Great Comet is about to arrive. This only happens once in a hundred years." All the children smiled upon hearing that, and the comet began to pass the atmosphere. Soon the sky turned red, and everyone looked up in awe. Then, a massive explosion happened close by, knocking many people back, including the young boy with the medallion that Mizuki now had. Looking up, there was fire everywhere. A massive number of Firebenders, wearing spiked helmets, black and red armor, and metal masks resembling skulls charged into the Temple, indiscriminate in their attack. Looking closer, he saw an older man in somewhat ornate robes, with a golden flame symbol attached to his topknot.
"Kill them all!" the leader commanded after blasting several adults. To which one of the squads attacked the group of children, engulfing them in flames.
"Whoa, where has that thing been?" Greez asked Mizuki as he took the medallion out of Cal's hand.
"What happened with Cal?" Luke questioned. "It looked like he was having a nightmare."
"It is a power called psychometry," Obi-Wan explained. "For those who can use it, it allows them to see the past which the object in question has been through. Though, the only people I know to possess the ability are Kiffar."
"I don't know if I have any ancestors from Kiffex," Cal clarified, before looking at Mizuki, who'd been shocked to learn what had just happened in front of her. "Where did you get that?"
"It was a gift from my uncle when I was six," Mizuki revealed. "A relic he'd found as a child. He left it in a collection of old scrolls and amulets until he gave it to me." Luke decided to ask more about Tanalorr.
"We've made it rather comfortable," Greez said.
"That's good to hear," Obi-Wan replied, before turning to Mizuki. "But I think that, before we learn anything about how Bending is seen in the wider galaxy, you should tell us more about your homeworld."
"I guess so," she agreed as the Mantis jumped to hyperspace. "Originally, there were the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. And once, every generation, there was a chosen one." She noticed how Obi-Wan seemed to shift in discomfort at that but said nothing. "The Avatar, the only one in all the world who can use all four elements. When an Avatar dies, the spirits empower someone born into the next nation in line." Cal and Obi-Wan looked at each other, unsure what to make of this. "The Avatar kept the world in balance and at peace," she continued. "The cycle has been ongoing for so long no one remembers when it didn't. Even traces of the time before have largely vanished."
"What changed?" Greez asked.
"Around three hundred years ago, Roku of the Fire Nation became the Avatar," she answered. "His best friend was Sozin, the Crown Prince. But as time went on, Sozin began to look beyond his own borders, to Roku's concern. Eventually, they had a fight, which Roku won before warning Sozin not to overstep his bounds, though he was allowed to stay on as Fire Lord. A couple of decades later, there was a volcanic eruption on Roku's home island."
"Roku had an island?" Luke asked in surprise.
"The Fire Nation is an archipelago," Mizuki explained. "Sozin came to help in the evacuation, and then Roku was injured. Sozin decided to leave Roku to die, so his plans could happen." She went on to explain how, for the next decade, Sozin prepared for war, waiting until a comet passed by the planet's atmosphere, in which the Firebenders would be greatly energized when it did." Cal's eyes had lit up in shock upon hearing that. "Since the new Avatar would be an Air Nomad, Sozin began his conquest, with their extermination." The two Jedi and Greez were unsurprised, while Luke was horrified.
"But, he failed, right?" Luke asked.
"One, Aang, accidently froze himself, having been caught in a storm with his sky bison only two days before," Mizuki said. "If there were any others who escaped Sozin's Slaughter, they were killed in only a few years. The war raged for many years, while Aang and his sky bison Appa slept within the iceberg." She went on to explain how the Fire Nation slowly but steadily conquered more and more of the Earth Kingdom, while also severely damaging the Southern Water Tribe and effectively isolating the North from the world. "By the hundredth year, there were only two notable Earthbender cities that hadn't been conquered, and the Southern Tribe was reduced to a series of scattered villages, with only a single Waterbender who hadn't been captured or killed. One day, Katara the Waterbender and her brother Sokka went fishing, as their mother was dead and their father had left with most of the grownups to fight. And they found Aang." After a moment, Luke realized that Mizuki had mentioned she had a Waterbending Grandmother and a Airbending Grandfather.
"So, Aang is your granddad, and Katara is your grandma!" he realized.
"Yes, Avatar Aang is my paternal grandfather," she confirmed. Noticing how interested they had gotten, she prepared to tell them more of them, and her maternal grandfather.
As they went into the briefing room, Suyin was introduced to Captain Piett, who'd recently taken command of the Accuser. "Captain, Bolin and Opal told me of you," she said, shaking his hand. "If it wasn't for you, they would have died and no one would have known where Kuvira and Baatar had been taken."
"I was doing my duty, Lady Beifong," he politely stated. "And like most Axxilans my age, I too was subject to nonhuman oppression." Bossk growled slightly at that, so Kya latched onto something the captain said.
"So, you're from Axxila?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered, rolling up his right sleeve, showing a wound that looked like a stab. "Krayn put me in a spice factory when I was twelve. This is the impact of a misfired rivet gun." He then rolled up his left sleeve, showing scars from a deep cut. "Rashtah didn't like how I broke that equipment, so the Wookiee dug his claws into my other arm. The only reason I survived was because of a Jedi apprentice only a few years older than me." As Darth Vader entered the room, Piett unrolled his sleeves. "I'm looking forward to dealing with the T'Surr, as well as rescuing their prisoners." As everyone made for their seats, Bumi noticed another Imperial officer, a dark-skinned woman with her hair in a bun.
"A pleasure to work for you again, my lord," the woman said to Vader.
"Indeed, Rae Sloane," he said. "Serve me well, and you will get the promotion Vidian lied to you about." As the various people took their seats, Vader opened a holographic display. It showed a planet, alongside six capital ships above it. One was a Recusant, two others were Munificents, as the Benders heard the class was called, one was an Interceptor frigate, and the fifth was CR90 corvette, the civilian equivalent to the CR92 they had previously ridden. The last ship looked like a partially-eaten donut with a giant sphere in the middle. "The Lucrehulk and the fighters onboard is the extent of T'Surr's planetary defenses," Vader said, gesturing to the circular ship. He then turned toward the other vessels. "These are the ships of the Rebels who hope to train themselves against Benders. The Devastator and Ultimatum will engage the enemy fleet, providing cover for the Bender assault force to attack here," Vader zoomed in on a large dome and the cages around it on the planet below. "This is where the Benders are being held."
"My lord, what shall the Accuser be doing?" Piett asked.
"Protecting this," Vader revealed, opening a new image. Despite having a similar shape, it was far smaller than a star destroyer. Looking closer, it also had a flatter bridge closer to the hull than on a star destroyer, and four large bulbs in its hull. "Grand Moff Tarkin has seen fit to send the prototype for the Immobilizer 418-class to join our task force."
"A new type of Interdictor, my lord?" Sloane asked.
"Yes," Vader confirmed, though none of the Elementals understood what this was, except Baatar. "Rear Admiral Titus has been assigned to test it." The other Imperials looked nervous upon hearing that, indicating Titus was looked down upon by his peers. "He isn't up to the task of battle command, and the Interdictor doesn't have the firepower against anything bigger than a CR90. The Accuser must protect it. As for the Lucrehulk, I will handle it, personally." He then turned to the bounty hunters, Baatar, and the Benders. "I will join you on the surface as soon as I am able. But until then, Kuvira and Baatar will be the ones who shall disable the cranial explosives within Iroh and the others. Afterward, you will take them to your shuttles and fly them back to Axxila, where a troopship will be waiting to return them to Elementia." Vader then stormed out of the room and made for his TIE Fighter, as he would be coming out of hyperspace before the rest of the taskforce.
"What's an Interdictor?" asked Kya as they made their way back to where the rest of the troops were.
"You saw those bulbs on the ship?" Baatar asked. "They are called Gravity Well Generators. They create an anomaly, which makes it impossible to jump to hyperspace within the radius and drag out those at lightspeed out of it."
"The technology has been around for a while," Boba stated. "The main problem is fitting it onto a ship and sustaining the field it projects. A close second is making it large enough that the ships in question can't easily flee outside the radius."
"Why is it being brought here?" Katara asked, puzzled as to its purpose.
"To make sure the bad guys can't run away," Kuvira stated, surprised Katara hadn't seen the purpose. "That's the main purpose of the design. The second is to drag ships out of hyperspace for a surprise customs stop." At that moment, Boba spotted Sabine Wren.
"Wren!" he shouted, getting the attention of the other Mandalorian. "We're going to be fighting together. How much Mand'oa does your boyfriend know?"
"Ezra knows a reasonable amount, Fett," she answered, looking a little puzzled even wearing her helmet. "Though, I'm not sure why you're asking."
"We need at least three people for the Dha Werda Verda, don't we?" Boba stated, surprising Sabine.
"Uh, yes," she said. "I'll tell him he needs to come over." As Boba and Sabine walked into a disused storage room, the Benders looked at each other in confusion. Even Kuvira and Baatar weren't sure what happened.
"It's a ritual dance Mandalorians perform before battle," Bossk explained. "Since Boba's had...trouble with other Mandalorians, he's decided to prove his own familiarity to Sabine so she will trust him entirely on the mission."
"Isn't she already with someone?" a surprised Zuko asked. "And I'm guessing she's a little young for him."
"It's not a courtship dance," Bossk answered. "It is reciting a series of words in the Mandalorian language as they juggle blades while making fighting poses. It is basically a theatrical version of the oldest and most famous poem in the galaxy, or at least one segment of it: the Dha Werda Verda, or Rage Of The Shadow Warriors."
"Pretty intense name," an unnerved Kya mentioned, while the others save Kuvira and Baatar were also somewhat disturbed.
"Well, it's a fitting name," Bossk said. "The war in question happened after a volcanic eruption darkened much of the world it was fought on." As Kuvira and Baatar went to brief their men, Katara looked to Suyin.
"She must be quite the leader," the elder Waterbender mentioned. "I'm surprised at how much of her army is willing to accept the new status quo."
"Apart from how the Avatar backs her up, and how Vader saved her and so many others, they had made a discovery a while before they were taken into space," Suyin said. She then pulled out a recorder and played it. After a moment, Bumi and the others recognized one of the main voices. It was Hou-Ting, and she was plotting out how to kill her brother, who was the Earth King at the time, along with his direct heirs.
"Your highness, even if we do succeed, what of the Avatar?" a different voice asked.
"The Airbender's a weakling," Hou-Ting dismissed. "He won't challenge my claim if there are no alternatives. As long as we end Kuei's line, everything will be fine."
"Bolin found this in a hidden vault," Suyin revealed. "He found this before their abduction by the Besadis, so there is no chance it is fake. Kuvira's of the opinion that Hou-Ting made it to keep her coconspirators in line and after becoming queen, she considered herself above any and all concerns of 'lessers' and ultimately forgot about it."
"Forgot about massively incriminating evidence?" an unbelieving Zuko asked.
"Hou-Ting thought she was invincible," Bumi noted. "When we found the Airbenders, she confronted us with about thirty Dai Li at her back, demanding we leave them enslaved. And when Korra made it clear that she wouldn't leave without them, she acted as if she was overwhelmingly powerful and that we should beg her forgiveness. She then commanded we be arrested or killed, including Korra, after we defeated her forces and escaped Ba Sing Se with the Airbenders."
"And then, there is her death," Suyin noted. "There are three witnesses to her assassination, and they all have the same story. She let four people she believed were skilled assassins into her throne room with only twelve guards with her. While she didn't know they were the Red Lotus, she did believe they were dangerous enough to send against the Avatar and actually win. She quickly began acting superior and demanding, to the point that Zaheer lost his temper and attacked. After her protectors were easily dispatched, she didn't run, hide, or even pick up a weapon. She just stood proud and proclaimed they wouldn't dare attack a queen. And we all know how Zaheer reacted to that."
"Boba, his dad, me, even Darth Vader, have gone up against petty little tyrants who think they are invincible, many times," Bossk mentioned upon hearing the story, thinking of his own experiences. "They are always shocked when it turns out we don't care and can do pretty much whatever we want to them."
"Okay, I can believe Hou-Ting was dumb enough to keep something like that around," Katara replied. "I'm more concerned with your daughter's behavior."
"Kuvira has a hard time trusting people," Suyin noted. "In addition to that, she has met many jerks I was forced to put up with who looked down on her for being a peasant I adopted instead of a noblewoman by birth. They usually couched their language in respect for tradition, and such. Whenever a stranger tells her to be quiet, that is what she sees. She's trying to get better at it, but Kuvira refuses to stay quiet when she sees something she disagrees with. And she wasn't wrong when she noted that Corsin was beyond our reach."
"Something we are all well aware of," Zuko noted. "But it almost seems as if Kuvira is reveling in the power she wields. She reminds me of my sister when she was younger."
"Korra reminded me of Azula, as well, sometimes," Katara noted. "But she never lost sight of what is right. I don't see why we should assume the worst of Kuvira, either." They all nodded and looked at their datapads with the attack plan. Zuko, Katara, Bossk, and Bumi would be joining the half of the EUA detachment on the Ultimatum, led by Baatar. Suyin, Kya, Boba, and Sabine, along with Ezra, would stay on the Devastator in the detachment commanded by Kuvira. They would deploy as fast as possible, shortly after dropping out of hyperspace, and fly for Goron's dome as fast as possible while Vader and the star destroyers engage the fleet above. Hopefully, they would be able to rescue Iroh and the other captives as fast as possible.
Kuvira walked into the conference room, alongside Baatar. Commodore Corsin was standing within, while Captains Sloane and Piett, and Darth Vader were present via hologram, as they were back on their own ships. Soon they were joined by the final face: Rear Admiral Brom Titus.
"We have all received our orders," Corsin said. "Before we jump-""I question this plan, Commodore," Titus spoke up, flaunting how he was technically Corsin's superior. "Why are you in command, as I am the highest ranking-""Because Lord Vader decided he should be in charge," Kuvira cut off the pompous admiral.
"Ah, yes, the little girl who declared herself a general on her unknown homeworld," Titus talked down to Kuvira. "You may be queen on your primitive planet but here, I am-"he started grasping at his throat as something cut him off. His face started turning blue, as Kuvira made a choking gesture as his eyes bulged. Soon, he fell to his knees, looking to Vader for help, who remained indifferent. After several long seconds, he apologized, addressing Kuvira as general.
"That's much better," Kuvira replied, releasing her grip. "We all have our assignments, and Lord Vader decided this based on your strengths, such as they are. If you ignore it, you could be a casualty of the battle like Admiral Tion or Admiral Tower."
"Understood," Titus said more fearfully, remembering the fate of the two admirals in question, before turning to Darth Vader. "I will stay in the auxiliary position you have designated and cut off the enemy escape. Hopefully, Captain Piett will be able to protect my ship."
"Indeed," Vader said. "After the space has been cleared, we will deal with T'Surr, once and for all, like we did Kor Besadi and Ylesia." Kuvira smirked upon hearing how they would destroy another world of slavers, while Baatar's feelings were more mixed. He knew the T'Surr had to be dealt with, but having felt the mass death on Nar Shaddaa, he was less enthusiastic as he thought he would be.
"With pleasure, my lord," Piett smiled. "After the space is secure, the Accuser will be ready to join the Devastator and Ultimatum for Base Delta Zero."
"Actually, it will be akin to what I did to Kalarba," Vader revealed. "Though this time, I will have to dislodge the moon the hard way." The assorted Imperials were interested by what the Sith had revealed, and affirmed they would do their duty. As the various holograms blinked out and Corsin left the room, understanding his master wanted to talk to his two apostles alone.
"You seem troubled, Baatar," Vader noted.
"I have experienced mass death through the Force, master," he admitted. "But I understand this is our duty. It is the only way to truly stop the T'Surr from going back to their old tricks."
"Yes, it is a painful but necessary task," Vader said. "But that isn't what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Your children, master?" Kuvira asked, having learned of the discovery made on Polis Massa.
"Yes," Vader confirmed. "I will soon have the location of one of them. I want your help retrieving her."
"Of course, master," Baatar affirmed to the man he thought of as a second father. "What shall we do when we retrieve her?"
"We will take her back to Elementia, where she can't run from the truth, and we will be able to free her from the lies she was raised on," Vader said. "But that is for the future. We must get to our posts, now." The two bowed as Vader's hologram vanished and headed back to the landing bay. Kuvira kissed her boyfriend as they rode the elevator, to his delight, and they prepared for battle.
Iroh had woken up in a strange place, alongside many of the abducted. The assorted Benders were still utterly baffled to see that aliens existed and that they had been taken to another world, as evidenced by the sky with a brown moon.
"Ahh, you skugs are awake," a blue-skinned, four-eyed muscular giant taunted. He then pressed a button on a remote he was holding, and both Iroh and the other captives felt a giant sting from inside their heads, accompanied by a loud ringing. "That's the effect of your little surgery: if one of us presses this button, you'll get that ringing back. Oh, and here's a skug we've used up." He brought in what looked like a man with walrus tusks and tossed him past a sign. Soon, the creature's head exploded into red bits. "That's what awaits you if you try to run."
"What do you want from us?" a terrified Airbender asked.
"To watch you fight," the being, Iroh thought he was called a T'Surr, stated. "And our guests want to test themselves against you. After all, Benders have made many enemies in the wider galaxy, and they want to know how to fight back." One of the farmers was confused by what he said, but that disappeared as soon as the giant grabbed Iroh and lifted him up by his collar, the T'Surr's crab arms snapping in his face, though the Fire Prince did his best not to show fear. He then attached a strange armband on Iroh's left arm. "I hear you're a general, so you're up first!" the blue giant boasted, tossing Iroh through a gate behind them. Looking up, Iroh saw a group of various aliens, and a few humans, holding blasters, clubs, and blades of various size. The bell was rung, and the fight commenced.
I realized I needed another chapter to set things up. I figured that Sozin's Slaughter would leave impacts on the Force even over a century later. And that Cal's power had become more impressive at this point.
I've transplanted what happened in Jedi Quest from Nar Shaddaa to Axilla. And yes, I took inspiration from ESB by having Bossk annoyed at Piett. I wanted to hint at the disdain for nonhumans in the Empire, though Piett and a few others have more reason than most. Since Boba will be working with another Mandalorian, he's decided to reassure her by demonstrating his familiarity with their culture.
Suyin realized how close she came to losing both her daughters and oldest son, so she is far more proactive in taking their side. Next chapter, the rescue on T'Surr, Mizuki learns more about the wider galaxy, and the Empire pulls a surprise on Katara and the others. Please read and review.