Song: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - MGS Peace Walker Medley - Love Deterrance

Part 1

POV: Lelouch vi Britannia and Shirley Fenette.

The cold, yet warm night was quiet. Lelouch was resting on the bed, comforted by the embracing presence of the orange-haired girl. A blanket would cover them, as they were both wearing casual clothes. They were staying somewhere in a hotel, a few meters relatively near to Ashford. Lelouch would want to spend the night with the woman he had lost, and found again. Touching gently her hair, it reminded him grimacingly of the phantom pains of his future past.

Of her dying. He hated to be reminded of it, but even when she was here, that memory would keep replaying in his mind, like a haunting record embedded into his psyche. A tempting thought of erasing one's memories was whispered in the silent wounds of his consciousness, but Lelouch knew that this type of thought was dangerous. He could still recall, much to his horror, of his time as the infamous Julius Kingsley (*1).

The pain of shouldering memories and sins was far more preferable to Lelouch than to become a monster twisted beyond his own shadow.

As for Shirley...Lelouch had confirmed, based on her own account, that his suspicions were accurate. She came from his future, a future where she died. But how? Through what method? Is it because of that person? Is it related in some way to the darkness? Perhaps it relates to the cosmic phenomenon that was already slowly converging his world and other worlds? He could not think of other plausible explanations.

"How did you find yourself back here?" Lelouch would ask softly, his breath caressing her hair as he kissed it softly, and Shirley responded with a positive, humming response.

"I don't know myself," Shirley would mutter softly, her eyes slightly opened a bit, looking sad. "The very last thing that I remember after dying was...seeing you die, Lulu. It..." Her hands felt cold as they gripped the man's shirt. "I saw it. I saw everything. Up to that very moment. It...hurt, seeing you dying that way. I hated it. I hate how the crowd cheers on your death. I hated all of it."

"Of course, you would say that, not wanting me to die, even indirectly by my own hand," Lelouch mused a bit before turning grim. "Though, I do wonder how this came about. At least for me, I had...a bit of help managing to cross-track (*2) back to this period in time."

"A bit of help?" Shirley looked curious, and concerned as her grip tightened a bit. "...You...You're still planning to fight Britannia, aren't you?"

"If I say yes, what would you do?" Lelouch would ask, caressing her face, holding her chin, showing her loving, beautiful face.

"...I don't like to see you die again," Shirley muttered softly, tears shedding. "But...I know that Lulu wouldn't be resolving to fight again unless there was a good reason. But...please tell me at least, that you won't try to stage your own death again."

"I won't," Lelouch reassured. "And I have no intention of reenacting that time. In fact, the timing of my arrival could not be any better."

"What do you mean?" Shirley asked.

"Shirley, do you remember the massacre at Shinjuku?" Lelouch grimly asked.

Shirley grew silent. She remembered as Lelouch could deduce from her silent, pale face.

"...It hasn't happened yet," Shirley muttered softly.

"No, and I won't let it happen," Lelouch replied firmly. "I and my allies would ensure that."

"Allies?" Shirley would speak with a curious tone. "Do you mean the Black Knights, or something else?"

"While I have them, especially Kallen, in my line of thoughts, I would also confirm the latter," Lelouch spoke softly. "There are others who have a similar predicament that I, and you, have. And...I'm afraid that the threat this time wouldn't just be about my own nation. Something's coming, Shirley, and it's...something worse. The nations of our world would need to unite as one if we are to survive the darkness that's coming."

Yes...The reason why Lelouch came back, why the other two people that he knew, Big Boss and Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi, came back, and accepted that person's proposal. Their worlds and others were in danger against the darkness that was coming. His Zero Requiem, a method that already had a few flaws on the table, was doomed from the start because of this darkness. He could still recall a dark future where his entire world was scorched and terraformed into something else, as tall, giant humanoids with organic, artificially crafted wings of fourfold degrees, flew the skies in short order. And they carried that symbol of infamy, a Great Eye...that symbolized pure evil, and a twisted new world order.

"...Darkness?" Shirley would ask, scrunching her eyebrows as she got a good look at the young man.

"...Hmm, now where to start with this one?" Lelouch spoke softly, being considerate.

And for the rest of the evening, Lelouch would explain to Shirley of what he knew of the darkness.

Shirley listened to every word. Concern grew more for Lelouch at each passing tale, as well as fear, for the man she loved, and for everyone else.

"...How," She muttered softly, finally as Lelouch ended his tale. She looked at him in the eye, desperate and anxious. "How do you intend to fight something like this?"

"...Truth be told," Lelouch would gently caress her hair and face. "Even I'm not sure. My father was one thing, but...against this darkness, even I cannot predict what could happen. But one thing is clear," He looked at her in the eye. "I will keep you safe, no matter what happens."

"Not at the cost of your life," Shirley's expression never wavered, her eyes, that had leaked many tears to the time it dried up, was burning firmly and fiercely. "You say that you won't die again, so mean it, Lelouch vi Britannia."

Lelouch could not help but feel a little awe at her expression, and smiled softly. "I won't. This time, I intend to keep my word, quid pro quo."

"You better," Shirley gently placed her hand towards his face.

Then they softly kissed, taking their sweet time after being separated for so very long. And eventually, they fell into a deep slumber, embracing each other, both promising to never let the other go again.

Part 2

POV: Big Boss.

He was known by many names, in the two centuries that dictated the rigorous and crooked lines of history. Formerly, he carried the name, Naked Snake. But people now called him...Big Boss. The title "Boss" was in reference to another, someone he was very close to, who had passed away peacefully, by his hand.

Of course, that in turn sets him down a path where he would slowly descend into something that the Boss, the name he shared with, would never approve of. It was not her will that he would eventually create something that would have endangered the world, after the many times he prevented its destruction. As everyone around him, and the entire world, kept betraying him, he succumbs to it, twisting him into something he shouldn't become.

It led to a confrontation between himself and...a son. But at the time, he did not acknowledged the latter, the man who would become Solid Snake, as a son. But nevertheless, at the very end, he did. He died, beside the grave of the Boss, and his son would be there in his final moments. Big Boss would be more than content with such a fate, happy that things were finally over.

But...

He was unfortunately very wrong.

Standing on the helipad of the Mother Base, which in the original outcome was sunk by someone with a personal grudge match against him, who bore the name of a skull and of a face that looked like it, he would see the beautiful and sober, orange-tainted horizon, with a grim outlook, as he recognized a few of the gunships that would fly by towards his base.

"Boss, we've got a problem!" His right-hand man, Kazuhira Miller, the man who was still loyal to him, because he had yet to betray him due to an incident that sent a wave of phantoms that wouldn't fully heal, would speak with a concerned tone from the radio chatter. "We've got unidentified aircraft closing in fast!"

"Calm down, Kaz," The man spoke from the comms, with a reassuring tone. "They're friendlies, tell everyone in the base to hold their fire and prepare accordingly, I intend to meet up with them face to face."

"But..."

"Just do it, Kaz," The man was strict and firm.

"...Ugh, alright, Boss."

The man was very understanding of why Kaz was very hesitant. After all, if he didn't have actual context, he would be very suspicious as well on who's coming aboard. Now, in regards to his conflicted scenario, apparently, he has gone back to his prime, younger, and more efficient body. Whatever strain of FOXDIE was injected into him was seemingly gone. Of course, that's because he got mindzapped back in time, with the power of this mysterious Force, that even now still eludes him, through the intervention of that person.

But that was not the only strangest thing. Apparently, the entirety of the Mother Base had been sent into Lelouch's world. That caused, quite a temporary panic for everyone. Not to mention, well, some familiar faces that he never thought he'd see again on his second try. He has the inkling suspicion that person had something to do with this. Getting the entirety of the Militaire Sans Frontieres together again, at their prime and not at their lowest of lows, is quite convenient.

A testament of good will, I suppose. He thought dryly. Or rather, the skills that everyone on this base has is a testament to the seriousness of the situation.

A few moments later, and the gunships were clear as day. As the orange-tinted skies would permeate the heavens, he would see the white, sleek designs of the mobile aircraft, whose open doors would reveal a familiar face. As the gunships make landing, he would note as well that the man was accompanied by armored troopers, carrying more sleeker and advanced black automatic rifles and submachine carbines. They all commonly had orange markings, and some of them had some designs and retrofitted equipment added to their person.

"...Ah, you're a sight for sore eyes," The man with a brown hood and monk clothing spoke, who he would recognize as Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi, walking towards him as he exited one of the gunships, and made a flashing, charming smile. "When I thought of meeting you once again, old friend, I wasn't expecting you to have an entire base of operations set up in the middle of the ocean so soon on this world."

"Believe me," Big Boss replied with a grim and slight exasperation. "This is as much of a surprise for me as anything else, though in a hindsight, I should have expected it from that person. If he could bring old men like us back from the grave, then transporting an entire military base in the middle of an ocean of what may as well be another planet to me, sounds a lot less unbelievable."

Glancing around, he would note the cautious and curious expressions and whispers from many of his MSF soldiers who were nearby.

"Right, something we can both definitely agree on. Oh, and," Obi-Wan would glance at one of the troopers close to him, with orange binoculars. "Big Boss, this is Clone Marshal Commander Cody, Cody, this is Big Boss, a fellow soldier...and a traveller in time."

Commander Cody saluted the man, with a professional expression. "It's an honor to meet you face to face, sir. The General would often speak highly of you from time to time."

"Has he now?" Big Boss grimly spoke. "And I take it, based on what your general says, you're practically one of us."

What Big Boss had indicated was that, in some strange fashion, he, as well as Obi-Wan and Lelouch, were not the only ones who had gone back in time. How did he know this? Well, there's one person on the base, who shouldn't even be on the base, from what he recalls of the current timeframe he landed on, who somehow also had a similar predicament as him. And that's not the only strangest part around here.

"Yes, sir," Cody confirmed, dropping the salute. "Not exactly what I really expected. The last thing I recall was, well, I died alone, in exile from the Empire that I used to "serve". Next thing I knew, I was back in Kamino, with all of my brothers again."

"Your brothers," Big Boss noted. "They're all clones, aren't they?"

"Yes, sir," Cody firmly nodded.

Now isn't that a form of irony on his part, Big Boss would think, as shame and guilt would come back a little. He never really had a good opinion about clones, at least right until the very end of his life. He can recall the utter "betrayal" of Zero by making clones from his own DNA, the Les Enfants Terribles, which was crafted to create soldiers in his own image, maintaining his own image and legacy in some capacity. That was something he believed Zero had taken too far.

On the one hand, he had loathed and disliked on principle one of his clones, his son, Solid Snake. On the other hand, he was in some sense, "proud", of what a man his son had become. And...the latter won out in the end, his heart having revived in those final moments and returning to him, as he would look into the eyes of his son one last time before passing away.

Solid Snake was the best man that he could ever fully be, at least on that point in his life. And he could not have been more proud, especially when, he and many others, who tried to fulfill The Boss's will, didn't fulfill it, except for the one man who never met her, his son.

And now...knowing just what The Boss's will really was, and ultimately given a second chance in life, he would now be reinvigorated to move forward, understanding more about the concept of peace, and how it was something that was definitively worth fighting for. It became even more apparent once he saw a dark future that was in store for everybody if they did not fight to preserve that peace.

Lelouch vi Britannia. The man who died as a villain, but became a martyr.

Big Boss. The man who escaped death a few times, before finally accepting his death, at the hands of his son, through the FOXDIE that was in his system, and dying peacefully in his mentor...and mother's grave.

Obi-Wan Kenobi. The man who had fought a grueling conflict for three years, spent the rest of his days in exile watching over the future, and found inner peace the moment he was ready to die.

Three of them, chosen by that person, for the task that was to come about.

"Oh, didn't expect there to be visitors."

Big Boss's heart grew a little soft as he heard a familiar voice, Glancing to his right, there was a beautiful woman, with a brown jacket that exposed her black bra and the upper corner of her stomach, showing off her smooth white skin, along with a black military belt, brown pants, and black military boots. She had blonde hair that reached to her neck, and blue eyes.

He would recognize her, having met her all those years ago, in Operation Snake Eater, that fateful event that changed everything for him. The woman who would eventually carry his children, because of Les Enfants Terrible, having volunteered for the project. The woman who loved him, even after some forms of betrayal.

In a similar situation to Commander Cody, this woman was also from the future, having recalled her experiences, and...the sons that she once had with him.

In the future, that woman was known as Big Mama, an experienced veteran and leader of a resistance group called the Paradise Lost Army, whose base of operations were located somewhere around Eastern Europe. Like him, she too would have like to fulfill the Boss's will, admiring her as much as Big Boss did. She was loyal to him, up to the very end, even if he didn't appreciate her, or the time when she bore their children in his image. She was the one who was vital to the plan that Ocelot would eventually concoct against Zero's Patriots AI, and...she died, not meeting him again. She died to the very same FOXDIE that he had been given.

Now, at this very moment, she was only Eva. His Eva.

Her hand, placed towards her waist, and making a simple smile, that hid such an ingenious mind and calculative thought, speaking with grace.

"Ah, hello there," Obi-Wan flashed a smile, looking at Big Boss, who never smiled and maintained his professional demeanor.

"Eva, this is High Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi, though I know him as Ben Kenobi. General, this is Eva, she is...someone that I trust," Big Boss explained.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Eva walked towards Obi-Wan and raised her hand, which Obi-Wan took. Obi-Wan noted the tight and firm grip that she had.

"Likewise," Obi-Wan smiled, before looking at Big Boss.

"Before you came along, Big Boss would explain to me about you, and one other person who isn't probably with you," Eva noted.

"Lelouch vi Britannia, yes," Obi-Wan nodded. "He's still back in Area 11. Before I came here, I managed to have a private talk with him. After a few conversations, we agreed that you should meet up with him when I finally managed to locate you."

"Agreed," Big Boss nodded. "Time is of the essence. And we would need to plan out on where we would need to go from here. Your men are more than welcome to stay here in Mother Base, as they and the MSF would be working together from now on."

And so, they would walk towards one of the briefing rooms of the base, located a few floors down. The MSF soldiers in the background would look at each other, speaking whispers about these strange men in white armor and orange markings.

There they would meet a person wearing shades due to his eye condition, with blonde hair, half-Japanese, half-American. He was, in a way, Big Boss's second-in-command, Kazuhira Miller.

"...Boss, do you mind explaining to me just who these people are?" He would ask, looking a little cautious, and some of the MSF soldiers with him shared similar sentiments. Make no mistake, they trusted Big Boss, but they couldn't help but be a little wary of the new people who suddenly showed up out of the blue. And the fact that Big Boss seems to know them, but they don't, is also kind of concerning.

"The man leading these men, Kaz, is an old friend of mine...and it's a rather long story to tell," Big Boss dryly answered.

"A very long, long story, in a time far, far away," Obi-Wan spoke with light humor as a way to defuse the tension.

While Eva made a smirk, Big Boss made a deadpan look and responded. "Really?"

"What? I find that it rhymes quite a bit with our complicated situation, wouldn't you agree?" Obi-Wan smiled with good cheer.

Big Boss sighed as he said. "Can't argue with that. In any case, Kaz, a full explanation of how I know this man would have to wait. We still need to discuss about our current situation regarding this new world that we all found ourselves in."

And as they all headed inside the briefing room, the discussions would go underway.

"Kaz, can you please explain again regarding the situation of our world?" Big Boss asked.

"Right," Kaz, even when looking a little hesitant and suspicious, would try to explain the situation, before bringing up a few photos, records, and even a holographic image and map. "Based on current findings from Ocelot and some of our men, who had been dispatched to a few regions termed "Areas", we have reason to at least conclude that we are definitely not in our universe based on the evidence that we already have, which lines up with what Dr. Emmerich and Dr. Strangelove would explain, regarding this...theory of parallel worlds."

When Kaz mentioned the term "Areas", Big Boss knew that the man was very conflicted, not to mention a little urge of spite, as despite his origins, he had Japanese blood, and the fact that his country, on this Earth at least, had been conquered by this world's equivalent of the Nazis...

Okay maybe calling them Nazis is a bit harsh, Big Boss thought, but it's not exactly wrong either, due to their belief in their so-called superiority. And the Holy Britannian Empire, one of the superpowers who ruled this world, would not hesitate to gun down civilians, those who couldn't really fight back.

"Just like you ordered, Boss, we've managed to get an inkling of just what type of political landscape Area 11 would have. It's controlled by the current viceroy and a member of the Britannian royal family, Clovis la Britannia. On the surface, he has a very good public reception and ratings, known for his charitable and humanitarian works in trying to improve the lives of his citizens and maintain civil order. Unfortunately..."

Bringing up a few images, with disgust and subtle hatred, Kaz would show them of the horrors that had been enacted.

"It seems that Clovis is far from a saint. Secretly, he's been trying to suppress the rights of the Japanese people, who he like every other Britannian higher authority designates as Numbers, some of them who had spoken out in official peace talks were suddenly put "out of commission", for whatever reasons. The Japanese terrorists as he would call the groups of insurgency that were rampant in the country, are essentially resistance fighters."

"Huh," Big Boss muttered softly, crossing his arms as he leaned on his chair as he noted the various resistance fighters present in the photos and holographic imagery. "Reminds me of Peace Walker all over again."

"Unfortunately...that does seem to be the case, especially with what Ocelot found out regarding some, off-the-books, shady human experiments..." Kaz explained.

When Commander Cody was looking at the photos of...human test subjects and operating tables, as well as results from whatever research had been invested into something called 'Geass', found in the scientific papers, he couldn't help but look at this with absolute disgust. This reminded him too much of some of the more extreme actions of the Separatists during the Clone Wars.

Obi-Wan shared the commander's sentiments as he narrowed his eyes at the all too familiar situation of unambiguous experimentation and direct violation of the dignity of the human person, and their right to live.

"That girl in the photos," Obi-Wan would indicate the green-haired girl with strapped clothing. He would recognize her, as well as Big Boss would recognize her. "Do you know who she is?"

"She doesn't have a name, per say, according to the medical records that Ocelot stole," Kaz explained. "But she is vital to whatever Clovis had in mind. Something about, trying to find a way to immortality, and a few reports that would remind me of all of those ESP programs that the CIA and the KGB would do back in our world."

"I recognize her, Kaz," Big Boss replied grimly, drawing everyone's attention. "And General Kenobi would also recognize her as well, because we both know that this woman is important to someone we both know."

"Who might that be, Boss?" Kaz asked.

"His name is Lelouch vi Britannia, the eleventh prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. If there is anyone who knows Britannia from the inside out, and all of its royal family, it would be him," Big Boss explained.

"Currently," Obi-Wan explained. "He's living under an alias, Lelouch Lamperouge, and is attending Ashford Academy, a school that is mostly made up of Britannian students. He lives somewhere in a simple apartment just near the school grounds. Some of my men in the 212th Attack Battalion at this time are currently keeping an eye on that house under my orders."

"Lelouch is currently hiding his identity from the public eye," Big Boss explained. "He and his sister, Nunnally vi Britannia, are presumed dead by the general public and the royal family, so as far as anyone is concerned, they are officially deceased, and Lelouch would want to keep it that way."

"So we don't have to worry too much about learning more about this new superpower that pretty much replaced America and its geopolitical influence," Kaz spoke with interest.

"General Kenobi and I are going to plan on meeting up with him at some point after this debriefing. Since we are in another world, no one would really recognize my face, hence I'm free to move as much as possible. Though..." Big Boss looks dryly at Obi-Wan's monk clothing. "Your clothes are going to attract too much attention, you know."

"Oh, don't worry, I took the liberty of "borrowing" a few clothes in a local store, so I shouldn't have to worry about blending in. Not the first time I've done so on occasion," Obi-Wan smiled.

"In any case, Kaz," Big Boss would look at the man. "I want you to gather all of the men present at Mother Base into the central hall. I would need to fully explain to them regarding our...current visitors, and how we would have to work with them from now on."

"Right," Kaz nodded, looking at Obi-Wan. "I'll spread the word out, though Boss," He looked exasperated. "When are you going to start actually telling me just what's really going on here?"

"Later," Big Boss explained as he glanced at Eva, who gave him a knowing look. "And by the way, Kaz, how's our...new guests? Are they accommodated properly?" He asked.

"Well..." Kaz would reply. "So far, one of them is still asleep and comatose, and the other one who looks oddly similar to Dr. Emmerich has still been staying by his side. The ones we put on duty said that they weren't really doing anything suspicious, and they would give the one awake some food that had been cooked by our kitchen staff."

"Right," Big Boss nodded in satisfaction. "Dismiss."

Kaz nodded as he walked out of the door with a few of the MSF soldiers.

"...Why do I have a good feeling that Ms. Eva is not the only one with temporal problems?" Obi-Wan replied with an inquiring expression.

"Well, you're not wrong," Big Boss replied grimly. "As it turns out...my son and his best friend came along for the ride."

Song: Nazgul Theme x Sauron Theme | EPIC VERSION (The Lord of the Rings Soundtrack)

Part 3

POV: Master Yoda

Master Yoda was amused. He would see his fellow councilors of the Jedi Order looking exasperated regarding one single hot topic and debate that spread throughout the galaxy at this time, in no time.

Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, High Jedi General, with the titles of the Negotiator and the Bringer of Hope, a well-renowned, respected, and successful war veteran who is just as famous as Anakin Skywalker, the Hero with No Fear, had mysteriously vanished without a trace. Along with the entire 7th Sky Corps, on top of that.

Where was he? How can an entire fleet suddenly turn up and vanish to parts unknown? With the disappearance of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the 7th Sky Corps, there had now been official standing orders to try to find them, wherever possible. The Confederacy would of course try to take advantage of this situation, as they pushed on the aggressive on a few worlds.

Find them, they will not. Yoda mused, the urge to shake his head was strong, amidst his solemn, blank expression, where his outside intentions elude the entire council. Grave, their mission is. Another world, they will go. Against the darkness, the first battle would take place, on Earth, the planet would be called.

He opened his eyes as he contemplated the scenes around them. Once, he would find inner peace as he saw the sorrowful and kind face of Luke Skywalker, who had wanted him to stay (*1). He smiled, deeming that last moment the most precious moment of his life, in the years of exile and regret.

Missed young Skywalker, I still do. Hope to see him once more, as a young man, I would. He thought happily. His eyes would turn towards the other Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, who was standing there in the center with a concerned, troubled expression, accompanied by Captain Rex of the 501st Legion, who shares similar sentiments.

Yoda smiled inwardly at Anakin, as he knew that his twins at this time were already born. The council of course still does not know of Anakin's status with a certain Senator. But Yoda, and Obi-Wan, most certainly know. And Master Fay (*2) as well, he supposes. There was really nothing that could ever remain hidden from his old grandmaster.

"It's not like Master Kenobi to simply just disappear off the galactic map with an entire clone corps and Republic fleet," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, in hologram form, would speak with a concerned tone. "And the troubling part is that...he cannot be sensed anywhere."

"If I were to propose an outlandish opinion," Master Shaak Ti, in hologram form, spoke with a concerned tone. "But, we must of course perhaps consider the possibility that Master Kenobi is no longer within our own galaxy, or any galaxy for that matter, hence why we could no longer sense him, nor find him."

The council members would look at each other, troubled.

"That...would make sense," Master Mace Windu spoke softly, with grim features. "The last time something like this happened was the journey that Masters Kenobi and Skywalker, and former Padawan Tano had undergone on the planet Mortis. Perhaps something similar happened again. What say you, young Skywalker?" He asked the man, who looked troubled.

"...I suppose, Master," Anakin shakes his head. "But, the time we spent on Mortis didn't seem to affect the galaxy at large. What we did there were only seconds for the galaxy."

"That is true, this is rather unprecedented," Windu spoke grimly, before turning towards the short, green Grand Master of the Order, who had been oddly silent throughout the entire discussion.

He did note however the way the grand master would look at Skywalker. This wasn't even the first time either. Ever since the beginning of the Clone Wars, Master Yoda had made it a point to spend time with the young Skywalker.

Now, he was spending time with other people like Windu and the other members of the Council certaintly, but the number of times that Master Yoda would check up on Anakin, even in wartime, was quite a novelty.

"And what say you, Master Yoda?" Windu would ask, bringing all of the attention of the council, Anakin, and Rex to look at the grand master, who was silent as he was looking at each one of them.

Silence reigned. Yoda did not speak, only took note of each of their faces.

Mentored all of you, I did, one way or another. Yoda thought fondly, as it descended in deep sadness, which he covered flawlessly. But failed you all, I have. Seeing you all again, brought a renewed sense of joy to my heart.

"Master Kenobi," He finally spoke solemnly, making everyone be attentive, especially Anakin and Rex. Drawing out the silence for a few moments, he spoke again. "Trust in the Force, we all must. Master Kenobi and the clones and the fleet serving under him, an important mission, they would be given."

Everyone looked at each other with a concerned expression.

"What do you mean by that, Master?" Anakin would ask. He wanted to know. And there was a slight suspicion that Yoda may be aware of something.

"Upon us, much darker times we are," Yoda spoke gravely. "The Sith, a constant and elusive danger they are, yes. Their influence throughout the war, feel it always, I do. But, fear as well as I do, darkness there is that exceeds even their tainted influence."

A very bold statement, sparking the whispers of a few masters.

"Master, what do you mean by that?" Jedi Master Depa Billaba would ask with concern.

"A terrible series of visions, I had seen, since the beginnings of the War. Long I have kept from all of you, until the time is right, reveal it in part I would," Yoda's ears lowered as his eyes closed solemnly, disturbing the other Jedi and the clone trooper present. "An entity, older than the Republic, his presence I would feel, ever since the war began. A flame, dark and terrible, never goes out, it would. Desires absolute order, he wants, but consumed by hatred, a being of pure malice he is, that pales the darkness of the Clone Wars, it would even."

"...An entity?" Windu scrunched his eyebrows, looking troubled. "What is this entity that you speak of, Master Yoda?"

"Legion, his names are. A pure spirit for good, he used to be. Wisdom and insight, he does not lack, but terrible, his machinations had borne fruit, of a mind that desires absolute control, twisted from what was once noble. Fell to the darkness and disharmony, he has, once serving a dark master and following his own path within the shadows, he would. A Dark Lord, he has become and is, who haunted a world of long ago (*3), passed away, it has, existing before the beginnings of our known universe, before our galaxy. Passed away, that world has, but he has not. His influence, subtle it is, spread his evil it has, as the Clone Wars raged on, as it shouldn't. Other galaxies, affected by the war, it has, shouldn't be, this is (*4). Not the Dark Side he is from, but Darkness and the Void itself, he is."

Yoda closes his eyes, and recalls a distant memory. He would picture a terrible spirit of great power, corrupted by his own will. A Great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flames, pure, burning forever, cut off from all others, god-like yet bound, desiring to be the master of all. On the center of its eyes was a blackish figure, with silver spikes on its head, terrible silver armor, forming a towering humanoid, taller than even a Kaminoan's long neck, with a terrible, cold expression, painted in black. Sounds of reverberating thunder, that howls with a thousand names.

He opens his eyes grimly. "Obi-Wan and his fleet, on a sacred journey they are, guided by the Force they are, see them again, we will. Now, prepare we must, against the Darkness, try to consume everything, it would, our galaxy, and others besides."

He would stand up solemnly. Taking his cane, he started walking. "Come, come, young Skywalker. Training, you must do."

"Training?" Anakin looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," Yoda nodded. "The darkness that we are facing, terrible it is, the need of the Chosen One, something not taken lightly, we would consider."

"Master Yoda," Master Plo Koon would look at him with a concerned expression. "You still have yet to tell us just who this entity from your visions really is. Who or what is this entity that you speak of?"

Yoda hummed a little, grimacing, closing his eyes as his ears lowered. He didn't really want to mention the actual name, but he supposed that it cannot be helped.

"...Mairon, his name used to be called, before darkness took him, becoming a Dark Lord of the Howling Void." Then his eyes opened grimly. "...Sauron, his name now is."

POV: ?

...And somewhere in the darkness.

Its flames which never die out, would look from beyond. It sees all, and notices all, especially the ones who would call his name.

Soon...the musical notes of the beloved All-Father of creation (*5), the shining stars of the divine eyes of Eru Illuvatar, would know and call to his name. He would bring order to this chaotic waste, and its' innumerable potentialities.

And as its flaming Great Eye burns with a cold, incalculable rage, he oversees his armies, from a terraformed planet, one of many. The Yuuzhan Vong, who's history he had acquired and made use of for his own machinations, to create an army most feared. And he was bidding his time, and still is. He had all of the time he needed. Eternity feels like a passing shadow, as his mind's eye forever watches.

He sees the changed and evolved species, with modified wings that scour the skies, praising his many names, and that now revere his lordship, like the Orcs of old. But they were more useful to him than even the Orcs. Thousands of galaxies now formed a part of his dominion. No longer confined to one mere land. Now, he has the stars at his command.

The Yuuzhan Vong, restless children who he freed from their gods and beliefs, recognize him as their savior, making a Covenant with him, as they will form a part of his army that would strike at the heart of the galaxy and its peoples, and other galaxies that lie ahead. Their ships, made out of evolutionary, organic, coral materials, hardened with advanced capabilities, were larger than most planets.

The Age of the Light and of the Dark is over.

The time of the Void has come.

Men and rational creatures will bow low in the sweat of their brows. The powers that rule with corruptible and incompetent preconceptive intentions would crumble like shifting sands without a sturdy foundation. The various gods of falsity and perversion and idolatry would be thrown and smashed down, destroyed for their chaotic endeavor.

All will finally be one, as it is.

Trivia For Chapter:

Part 1:

(*1) - Reference to the events of Code Geass: Akito the Exiled.

(*2) - Cross-Track is a term referring to the temporal phenomenon that Lelouch, Big Boss, and Obi-Wan Kenobi experiences relating to time travel.

Part 3:

(*1) - Reference to the events of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.

(*2) - Jedi Master Fay is a centuries-old, female near-human with elvish features who is well known for her intensely strong connection with the Force which allowed her to retain her youthful appearance. She was one of several legendary wandering Jedi Masters, whose exploits were known throughout the Jedi Order. Not believing that she was destined to teach, she left the Core and began roaming the Outer Rim worlds. For many centuries Fay allowed the Force to guide her to where she was needed, and as a result, was known to have resolved many conflicts, and even ended entire wars.

In the original timeline, during the Clone Wars, she was killed by Asajj Ventress during a mission involving her and a number of Jedi Masters, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, to recover a vital antidote needed for a deadly new chemical weapon. However, in the current timeline, she is alive, being one of the many minor events that Obi-Wan Kenobi ensured.

(*3) - Yoda was speaking of a pre-universe known as Eä, a universe that existed before their current universe, Skylander, which is the name of the universe where the Galaxy Far Far Away and other galaxies had existed.

(*4) - The Clone Wars, unlike in the original timeline, had spread out to a few couple galaxies, one of the factors that allowed the war to last as long as it shouldn't have.

(*5) - A term relating to the multiverse.