Avengers: Infinite Wars

by free man writer

The Clone Wars are in full swing with the galaxy divided. The Jedi lead the clone army against the infinite droid army of the Separatists. Yet a wild card enters the fray. The Avengers. From there, newer, more sinister and deadlier threats emerge and The Galaxy, no, the universe, shall never be the same again. Co-written by Jebest4781 and BulletStormX. Now in Season 4.

95. Padawan Found

And here we are at the end of Padawan Lost and the second arc done in the final five arc saga of the season 3 finale.

First, a shoutout to Nimbus for his top ten list and encouraging words. Guys like you are the reason we write these fics and we're glad to deliver and hope to continue to do so.

One of the things he mentioned in his top ten lists is something I am SO happy he did and that's us not wrapping the war up in a neat little bow. War is a complicated, bloody, grudge-filled mess that doesn't have any proper endings because it is something that seldom ever finishes cleanly cause only bodies and more deep seeded resentment is left in its wake. War can never just end on a dime like that.

Also the title of this story is Infinite Wars. Wouldn't really live up to a title like that if there is no war to begin with.

But I digress. I beg of you, for those on FFN, check out my DeviantArt for some new Infinite Wars artwork cause I recently posted the Pietro Maximoff and Riyo Chuchi couple art piece and it is GLORIOUS.

Quickly now, run along to appreciate visual art before returning here for the verbal art.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.

Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 95: Padawan Found

Within the interior vine tree that served as their makeshift base, the five Padawans sat on one side of the fire as their newly identified sixth party member had revealed himself to be far more than a simple captive like the rest of them.

His red within red eyes was far more striking now in comparison to his sharp blue skin that clashed with his irises.

A few days have passed since Mitth'raw'nuruodo, or Thrawn as he called himself, made his reveal to the padawans.

They had found themselves in this sort of situation every night since with them looking at him with a measure of distrust and curiosity.

He had been parading himself around as one who is only just beginning to grasp the concept of Basic only to turn things around and speak it fluently. All after Ahsoka showed the ability to reactivate the Trandoshan's guns so that they could now use them against their hunters.

When they heard him speak, they demanded some form of an answer and Thrawn coolly replied with "I wasn't certain I could trust you, to be frank. I wished to observe and see just who I was working with."

That didn't really do much in endearing them to the Chiss but Ahsoka soon squashed any form of descent.

Much as they wanted to grill the blue-skinned man on just who he was and all that jazz, Tano understood that such questions needed to be asked after they survived and got off this planet. It wouldn't do any good prior to their departure.

Right now, they needed a plan of some kind.

Be it to attack their pursuers head-on or trick them, commandeer a ship and hightail it out of the system.

"They're aware of what we've been up to by now." Jinx said. "The Ultron drones have been accompanying them since Thrawn and Ahsoka killed two of their own and they've been trying to track us down. We can barely leave the vicinity without them flying by."

"They'll be coming after us in here." Kalifa dejectedly said, knees propped up for her to rest her arms on. "It's only a matter of time."

Ahsoka dwelled on this eventuality, knowing that her fellow Padawan was right. They could only stay hidden for so long, mud or not.

The Trandoshans will eventually find them and take them out so they need a plan of action now.

As a last resort, as initially planned since Tano first accessed the pilfered weapons, use a lot of the converted bombs to destroy their compound -with the Trandoshans and Ultron drones inside- and rendezvous elsewhere.

But the issue was the enemy hideout was up in the sky, out of their reach.

Taking their weapons was one thing but they knew that if they commandeer one of their platforms, the Ultron drones patrolling the area would be on them in an instant. The padawans' use in the Force was nonexistent, only limiting them to their natural skills.

Ahsoka had taken it upon herself in that time to show a few moves and pointers the rest of the Padawans could utilize for the time being.

Thrawn, also, showed himself to be adept at hand-to-hand, even with some weaponry such as wielding an impromptu bo-staff and escrima sticks; converted from a number of dismantled rifles and blasters with sturdy branches and rocks.

They had been managing to survive for the most part but Ahsoka was now restless, wanting to get back to her friends and loved ones and get these damnable collars off.

"I'm getting sick of just sitting around, watching those scaly sleemos and metal bastards fly around all the time hunting us while picking off whoever is left." Ahsoka growled in frustration. "We need to do something."

"So are the rest of us, but we've grown used to it during our time here." Kass mildly argued.

"We're all going to die here. It's only a matter of time." O-Mer said, defeat being heard in his voice.

"It's only a matter of time till we die. I say we go down with a fight." Tano stated with resolute conviction.

"Even if we now have the blasters available to use, it's suicide." Said Kalifa, holding up one of said blasters. "They still outnumber us ten to one."

"There will always be a risk with chances." Thrawn said eyes focused on the fire. "You just need to know how to work the variables."

"What do you propose?" Kass asks the Chiss, sensing something more. "Seems like you have an idea."

Thrawn was silent for a time, contemplating for a few moments before nodding. "Recall how we all arrived here. Every couple of days, same place around the same time, our captors drop off new prey on the beach. Some perish, some survive but it is there that we have an opportunity. A dangerous one but one nonetheless. We come in and attack when they least expect it. They have strength in numbers so let us see if we can change it."

The other Padawans pondered on this, half hesitant and half considering this idea.

"An old classic, but it sometimes works." Said O-mer.

"One such drop-off is mere hours from now." Ahsoka stated. "You guys said there's a pattern to it, right? So we have our shot later this evening."

"Will be hard, given we can't access the Force." Jinx pointed out, looking down at his hand in annoyance.

Thrawn continues. "True, but I believe you have the ingenuity to come up with something. After all, you've spent all this time not using it. You're bound to figure out an alternative on your own."

Whilst the other Padawans appeared insulted at this, they knew that he was rather on point given they held a slightly defeatist attitude after their capture.

Ahsoka, on the other hand, was fresh and took it in stride.

"And you do?" She inquired intently.

The Chiss nodded. "I have."

"Is it worth a shot?" Said the Twi'lek.

"Better trying than not doing anything." The Togruta firmly declared.

"What else do we have to lose?" Kalifa asks sarcastically.

Ahsoka held up a hand at Jinx who had opened his mouth. "We're well aware of it by now, Jinx, no need to tack on with the bad news."

The Padawan clamped his mouth shut, cleared his throat and nodded.

"Ok Thrawn." The Twi'lek looked at the Chiss skeptically. "Since this is your idea, let's hear your plan."

Thrawn went into a brief elaboration of the plan, using a stick to make markings on the ground to show where they could strike and when would be the ample moment to do so. He made sure that all were split into pairs and had an optimal surprise as they would be able to attack in three directions.

Once the planning was done and an agreement on said plan was made, they broke off into their pairs to ready themselves for their attack.

Ahsoka was busy checking over the bombs that she had engineered, powering each one up briefly to make sure they were operational before shutting them down.

Morai fluttered down, perching on Ahsoka's shoulder. The Togruta briefly acknowledged her, petting her slightly as shifted her focus onto the pilfered weapons.

In the middle of her work, she heard footsteps next to her and she only glanced up briefly to see that it was Thrawn standing next to her.

"Something I can help you with?" She expectantly asked.

"Just sating my curiosity as we prepare." Thrawn airily said, adjusting his own rifle that already showed a greater degree of distinction from all the rest that had been acquired. The Chiss had taken apart several blasters, taking key components and attaching them to his own blaster.

He had gotten quite proficient in that manner after seeing Ahsoka take apart the rifles to reactivate them, showing the group how to do it.

"Sating curiosity?" The Padawan parroted. "What kind?"

"The kind revolving around this Ultron you spoke of." Thrawn remarked, holding up his rifle and nodding at his work. "Ever since I've come beyond my home space, I have heard much of what he has done to the greater galaxy and have bore witness to the destruction he has wrought. But I have never met someone who seems to be far more familiar with him than she lets on."

"Like I said before, I have good relations with the Avengers. They're the ones who really know him. The only interactions I've had with that clanker is seeing him kill many of our troopers and my Jedi kin. And then there was what he did to Peter…" Ahsoka clenched her eyes shut momentarily at the memory of Jabiim. "I only know so much. The Avengers are the one's you're gonna need to ask when you meet them."

"Perhaps that might be the case." Thrawn mused. "Depends on the perception. Since you hold a clear relationship that sounds more of a friendship than a mutually beneficial partnership; through close association, Ultron would consider you a bit more important."

Ahsoka paused in her work, turning to him. "How so?"

"There can be a myriad of reasons to look for but I believe one, in particular, should be addressed." Thrawn pointed to her hand. "Recall how you defeated that one Trandoshan. You did something that should be impossible with that collar around your neck. You managed to repel him with the Force, something that clearly disoriented the Trandoshan and caught him off guard."

"Th-That was…" Ahsoka adopted a contemplative expression. "I don't know what that was."

The Chiss cocked his head slightly. "Was it not the Force?"

The Togruta shook her head. "No, at least… it didn't feel like the Force."

Thrawn's expression hardly changed. Him being unfamiliar with the concept to some capacity, only knowing through certain facts and comparisons.

The Chiss' eyes glinted with obvious intrigue. "How did it feel like, exactly?"

Ahsoka contemplated the question, thinking back to when that power came up. It was so brief and sudden that at the time, she really didn't dwell on it as she had more pressing matters to attend to being that they need to get the hell out of there before more Trandoshans, or worse, Ultron drones came down upon them.

Now that she had this moment to think about it, she tried recalling the moment that power came out and described it to the best of her ability.

"I guess… you could say it was… Stronger. Primal, I think. Hard to really describe." She exhales a sigh. "I can't exactly tap into it very well, after what happened. It just did and… I dunno, that was something new. This was the first time that ever happened. It… felt like the Force but at the same time something else entirely. Like… like I could tell there was an ocean right in front of me but kept my eyes on the shore. Does that make any sense?"

"Perhaps." Was the Chiss' vague response. "Could be something innate you've never considered finding before."

The Padawan shrugged. "Wouldn't know where it came from, even if I could tell you."

The Trandoshan bird rubbed her head against Ahsoka's, letting out a small hoot with the Togruta shooting it a small smile, scratching the side of her face.

A hum escaped Thrawn's throat while checking the weapons a bit more.

"If I may, Ahsoka Tano, regale you with an adage from an old tome from my people."

Seeing no harm, she ushered him to begin.

"One is born with a unique set of talents and abilities. One must choose which of those talents to nurture, which to set for a time, and which to ignore completely. Sometimes the choice is obvious. Other times, the hints and prodding's are more obscure. Then, one may need to undergo several regimens of training and sample different professions before determining where one's strongest talent lies. This is the driving force behind many life-path alterations. There are a few sets of skills that match only one specific job. More often they are adaptable to many different professions. Sometimes, one can plan such a change. Other times, the change appears without warning. In both instances, one must be alert and carefully consider all options. Not every change is a step forward."

A sense of pondering encompassed Ahsoka for some moments.

"Even what you say is true, I doubt I'll make a repeat of that by miraculously using whatever innate power I possess at some desperate moment. Highly doubt it'll come more freely while facing these Trandoshans. Such a thing takes much time to work on, which we don't exactly have."

"Time will come afterward." Thrawn assured. "Once we make our escape from this world, you'll have all the time you need to explore this newfound power."

Ahsoka released a mirthful snort, shaking her head. "I don't know if you forgot but there is a genocidal clanker we first have to deal with."

"One step at a time." Thrawn countered and at that, the Padawan openly laughed.

-Scene Cut-

It was time for the drop-off. The plan was gone over several times now, cementing what needed to be done.

At the forest's edge, the group awaited the Trandoshan carrier to arrive.

Thrawn and Ahsoka are in the middle, O-Mer and Kass on the right and Kalifa and Jinx on the left. They all stayed low, either hiding behind or beneath the root-like trees of the jungle.

All were silent, keeping each other within eyesight. It was tense, to say the least, as all waited with tense breaths. Several were really doubting their plan in coming here but knew that by this point, they couldn't really opt out or complain. They were here so they needed to commit.

If only the ambient silence mixed with the sound of the jungle in the background didn't set them on edge.

Moments later, the group heard it.

The sound of a ship coming in from on high.

"Get ready. We'll have to be swift." Ahsoka said aloud over the noise, knowing that the ship's descent would drown out their voices enough that only they could hear each other within the area.

"Our window is fast approaching." Thrawn muttered, getting up to one knee.

"The drop point isn't far."

"But our markers will be."

Seeing the lights in the distance, the time had finally come.

"Now." Ahsoka said aloud, chopping her arm forward as the go ahead.

Running out of their cover, the sets of pairs went to their assigned markers.

The aforementioned markers were large bones of some unknown beast to pieces of debris sticking out of the sand.

With makeshift grapples on hand, Ahsoka and Kass ran up their markers and leaped off their highest points. They threw the grapples as hard as they could soon after, having them connect and snag against some part of the ship's hull as the two padawans dropped. Both jerked from the connections before seeing their comrades leaping, snagging the ropes and making the climb.

By the time Ahsoka and Kass made their way up to the ship, they saw the others get into positions.

Just in time too as the Trandoshan ship lowered itself to the ground to release their fresh batch of "prey" to hunt.

Before either of the cybernetic Trandoshans flipped the switches, they saw something appear on the windows.

"What the-" One of the brown-scaled Trandoshans

The one piloting the ship used his cybernetic eyes to spot the individuals attacking them. "It's one of those blasted Jedi whelps."

"How'd they get up here?"

One of the Trandoshans soon saw one of them pull out one of the rifles and began firing at the windows.

That was certainly a shock for the hunters who actually jolted back at this.

"Better yet, how'd they get them to work!?"

Once this was said, the windows broke open as Ahsoka and Kass dived at them.

"Kill those creti-GURK." A blaster bolt struck the Trandoshan pilot in the neck and he slumped off the chair, the ship angling downward. One of the other Trandoshans on the ship hastily managed to grasp onto the controls, jerking the ship back up.

Just as he was about to fire back at the Padawans assaulting the ship, from the back of the cockpit, an explosion went off, causing further confusion.

Outside of the ship's hull, Kalifa and Thrawn had set off the power pack charges, destroying the lock mechanism. Opening the hatch, they went inside as O-Mer and Jinx stayed outside to watch for incoming assailants.

Back inside the cockpit, the fighting went on with Thrawn and Kalifa joining Kass and Ahsoka that had gotten inside as well.

"Get the prey out!" One of the Trandoshans hissed out, running at the Chiss male who ducked beneath a swinging arm.

Putting all his effort into a rising strike, Thrawn grabbed hold of the Trandoshans robotic arm and with all his might had his shoulder crack the appendage in two. His scaly foe reared back in shock, letting out a scream of pain.

This was certainly a surprise for the Chiss to hear but he discarded that thought. Pulling out a blaster pistol, Thrawn shot the Trandoshan point blank in the head, watching him fall to the ground.

With Kalifa, she was hoisted up into the air by her throat. She tried blasting her opponent, but her weapon was smacked out of the way, making her resort to punching the Trandoshan's arm as much as possible. Just when the human padawan was smacked against the wall, Kass grappled the cybernetic Trandoshan from behind and began shooting his head. Several shots didn't go in right away, but the continued amount had him finally collapse and die in the process.

As for Ahsoka, the Togruta was dealing with the final Trandoshan. She weaved through the assault with his sloppy punches to when she had to back away when his arms converted into shotgun blasters.

'What is that ting- move left and duck.'

Ahsoka did just that, just in time for several shotgun bolts to sail over her.

'Right and backflip.'

She moved again out of instinct. Actions that were hard for her to tell at this time. But for some onlookers, they were more acrobatic. And Ahsoka didn't have time to dwell on what was occurring 'cause she needed to survive at this very moment.

Shots continued to go all over, making things difficult for the others, who sought to properly commandeer the carrier.

Before long, Ahsoka landed right up and close to the last Trandoshan. A welling pulse came through her arms and sought their release. Going through the motions, the Togruta padawan thrusted forward, delivering a double punch right at her opponent. The force of the blow sent him flying out of the broken window.

"The consoles!"

Focusing back on her surroundings, Ahsoka saw sparks jump and fly all over, courtesy of the blaster shots severely damaging the equipment.

"Oh this ain't good."

Outside, Jinx and O-Mer were doing their best to hang on as the carrier was spinning and turning, due to the fight in the cockpit. Both were forced to jump off and make their landing on the sandy beach below.

Coming out of their recovery landings, the two male padawans saw the carrier was sparking with some explosions going off.

"What is going on in there?" Jinx muttered out loud.

"I don't know, but they've gotta leave or else…" Said O-mer.

Back inside the ship, the three female Padawans and Thrawn were trying to salvage what they could of the transport, but it was no use.

"Time to go." Kass hurriedly said.

"But the prisoners, they'll die." Ahsoka reminded her.

"Hit the release. Hurry!" Kalifa shouted, pointing to the sparking controls.

Rather than rush over to it, Ahsoka picked up some metal and threw it at the controls, hitting the release button.

"Ha-WA!" Her small self-celebration was cut short by Kass grabbing her and yanking her back towards the open floor hatch that they all dived into.

Everyone jumped out of the ship, making their own landing strategies. Some were alright, others weren't.

Regardless, they were all out in time to see their plan go up in flames.

Literally.

In the end, they saw the exploding carrier crash into the beach.

"That could've gone better." Jinx flatly said.

"We lost a ship," Kalifa murmured dejectedly.

"A shame, really." Thrawn said passively, with a mild bit of frustration in his voice. "We'll find another way, I suppose."

"If those drones don't hunt us down." O-Mer reminded, holding his blaster up in case any of those drones opted to come in.

He was a bit surprised and weary that none of them had. Their attack nor the crashing and exploding ship was anything but subtle.

"Any survivors?" Kass inquired, looking at the crashed site and feeling a pit in her stomach forming. She may have seen Ahsoka hit the release button there wasn't exactly a guarantee of any of the freshly captured individuals having made it out of the ship in time.

But no sooner did she think that did they soon hear a gruntled roar coming from the wreckage.

"What was that?" Kalifa warily asked.

Followed by another warble, Ahsoka's eyes narrowed, finding the sound to be familiar.

"Sounded like… a Wookiee." She surmised.

"One of the prisoners, I bet." Jinx said, a tilt of hope entering his tone.

Coming to the wreckage, they saw the survivor walk out.

This was a tall fellow. A head taller than Thrawn.

A discernible feature about him was the bandolier worn across his chest. When some moonlight shined upon the Wookiee, the light shows the belt was emptied of its original contents.

It saw them and immediately growled at the sight of them when Ahsoka raised her arms in a placating manner.

"Hey there, we mean you no harm." She quickly said. "We're Jedi Padawans and we've been captured like you by the Trandoshans. We came here in hopes of saving any recent captures by them and found you."

"If you wanna live, you gotta come with us now." Kalifa insisted.

As much as they wanted to converse on the beach with the survivor, they all needed to vacate the premises or else more Trandoshans and drones will appear. Neither of them would want that anytime soon.

Back at the tree base…

Once settled, the Wookie began speaking with Ahsoka and Kass having to translate.

"Your name is Chewbacca?" Ahsoka asked to make sure, the Wookiee nodding at her.

"Chewbacca, does anyone even know you were taken?" O-Mer asked intently.

Hearing more grunts and growls, Kass gave the response.

"Not yet, but he says his homeworld is very close."

Jinx let out a scoff. "That's great, but it might as well be Coruscant, as far as I'm concerned. We've got no ship."

"But he said not yet." Thrawn pointed out. "There is a likelihood that the Wookiee tribe he is a part of will be coming after him."

"But how will they know where to look?" Kalifa asked and everyone turned to Chewbacca… who instead had his eyes set on the Trandoshan bird huddled up next to Ahsoka.

The avian merely looked back at the Wookiee, cocking her head in confusion.

Eyes shifted back to Chewbacca… who licked his lips.

Seeing this, Ahsoka placed a protective hand around her Convor and nudged the bird closer to her and wagged her finger at the Wookiee. "Now, Chewbacca, Morai ain't food. She's a friend."

Chewie only warbled out, complaining about being hungry and in spite of their situation, Kass giggled slightly.

Thrawn cleared his throat, facing the Wookiee with a piercing gaze.

"If you would, Chewbacca, care to elaborate on this confidence you possess in your tribe coming for you." The Chiss gestured and Chewie chuffed in smugness.

All Chewbacca responded with was holding up his arm, pulling back some of his fur to reveal a bracelet with something attached to it. He plucked it off and held it up for all to see.

"What's that?" Kalifa asked.

"A marble?" Jinx surmised. "How is a marble supposed to help us?"

All the others could only look at this small orb in confusion. All but the Togruta Jedi who stared at it in deep concentration.

"Wait… is that… is that a… I know that thing… it's a…" Ahsoka was snapping her fingers, straining her memory to remember just where she had seen that until it finally came to her. "That's a Kimoyo Bead, right?"

Chewbacca let out a bark of surprise, inquiring how she knew what this was supposed to be.

She now had a wide grin, a giddy feeling now growing within her.

"I know that because I know the people who gave that to you." She said. "You're part of the tribe sworn to Prince T'Challa of Wakanda, aren't you?"

Chewie's jaw dropped before letting out a happy warble, nodding vigorously.

Hearing some of this, some of the others got rather curious.

Thrawn cocked a brow, voicing an inquiry. "What is a Kimoyo Bead?"

"Prince T'Challa?" Kass muttered, squinting her eyes until they widened in remembrance. "The Black Panther? From the Avengers."

"The very same and he gave us our ticket outta here." Ahsoka says, fiddling around with it from memory until she squeezed it in a specific way. Seeing it light up and give out a small, rhythmic pulse, she practically lept in joy.

"I knew it! We're being tracked at this very moment! Help is on the way!" She exclaimed, clenching her fist around the bead in victory.

The rest of the Padawans all shot up from their seats in disbelief whereas Thrawn looked at the item curiously.

"What?!"

"Are you serious?!"

"How can you tell?"

All she gave was a smile, telling her compatriots the details.

Their luck is just about to change.

-Scene Cut-

The sun began shining on this undisclosed jungle planet.

At the beach, the Trandoshans were combing the wreckage. And suffice to say, none of them were happy.

"Ah, it's the younglings that did this. They're getting bold."

"The Jedi?" The Head Trandoshan remarked with a hiss. "But how is this possible? I see multiple scorch marks here. Ones that came from outside the ship."

"I don't know."

"What about survivors?" The gray-scaled Trandoshan asked.

"None of our men who piloted the carrier made it. And the only prisoner we had was a Wookiee. And he's missing."

Their leader snarled at this, lips curling upward.

"Troublesome."

"What should we do?"

Before any answer could be made, thrusters were heard from above.

The Trandoshans all looked up to see Ultron Drones flying down to them with one having shifted the eyes and mouth into a glowing red.

Landing before the hunters, the lead Trandoshan walked forward, bowing his head slightly.

"Ultron."

The red-eyed drone surveyed the destroyed ship with a metallic hum. "You guys have surely been busy with your quarry. What happened here? Haven't really bothered checking up on you folks with this experiment of mine. Just feel out of the loop after a while and I come to see you're down a ship."

Looking back towards the wreckage, Ultron gave a comment. "Seems something interesting happened. Mind filling in the blanks?"

The gray Trandoshan flicked his tongue irritably. "The younglings are organized, bold and they've got a Wookiee in their midst."

The sadistic AI gave out a hum as he scanned parts of the crashed ship. "Anything else?"

"We've noticed blaster marks that came from outside the ship," The Trandoshan went on, his expression shifting into one of thought. "I… am unsure as to how but if those are indeed scorch marks that have struck the ship from the outside… then there is a possibility that the younglings have now gotten their hands on weapons. Our weapons and they somehow may have found a way to reactivate them."

"Did they now?" Ultron was now intrigued. "Well now, clever little Jedi you have here."

"All the more gratifying when we skin their hides for the hunt."

Ultron couldn't help but shake his head. And he thought he was sadistic. Even when altered, fleshlings still manage to surprise him with their bloodlust.

"Just so long as my experiment-"

Focus soon shifted away from the beach to the forest.

"This is strange. That shouldn't be possible." Narrowing his sensors, Ultron cocked his head. "Is that… It is…"

"What is it?" The gray Trandoshan asked, perturbed by the AI's shift in demeanor.

"Vibranium. A small amount, but I detect it." Ultron narrowed his eyes. "And it's sending out a signal."

That caused several Trandoshans nearby to halt in their actions and turn to the drone being controlled by the AI.

"A signal?"

"Expect company within the hour."

The Trandoshans on the beach looked at each other with various reactions. Some appeared worried, others seemed to like the fresh change of prey due to their arrogance.

"What should we do now?"

"Now you can either vacate and move somewhere else, or you could stay and kill the rescue party and whoever else is left on this Gilligan's island of yours."

Ultron didn't need to hack these Trandoshans to know which option they preferred at this very moment. Right now, it was time to join in on the hunt.

At the forest hideout, the survivors were keeping a lookout.

Help was on its way, at least that's what Ahsoka assured, same as Chewie. But that didn't mean they should be lax in keeping themselves vigilant for any threats. After what happened last night, the Trandoshans will surely be combing the forest more thoroughly than before.

As they waited for aid to come, the Chiss of their group had been given the vibranium bead to get a better look at it.

"So this small orb is able to transmit a relay to this Prince T'Challa you speak of." Thrawn mused, carefully examining the orb himself. "How is this possible?"

Ahsoka only shrugged. "I'm no tech expert like some of the Avengers or my master but it's made of Vibranium and it's possibly the strongest metal in the universe with what I've seen. And really versatile from what T'Challa has told me. He's told me about his sister who could do all sorts of stuff with it."

"Quite the proclamation."

"Thought so as well. Rivals Beskar, from what we've noticed, due to it withstanding lightsabers easily, among other factors."

Thrawn hummed to himself, holding out the bead in the direction of Chewbacca, the Wookiee grunting in thanks as it was returned to him.

"So how long do you figure we will have to wait for help to arrive?" Kalifa inquired, adding some wood to the fire.

"Hopefully soon." Ahsoka said, knowing this to be true but the estimated time remained uncertain. "But they are coming. They'll be here guns blazing most likely."

"Good, 'cause I'm getting antsy on the wait."

"What about getting these collars off?" Jinx bemoaned, rubbing around his neck. "I'm starting to get cramps and aches."

"Just a bit longer." Kass assured. "When the Avengers come with the Republic, we can get these off."

As the others conversed, Ahsoka felt a strange shift from her point of view. There was a thrumming ring in her ears, her vision shaking yet somehow remaining focused.

Slowly, she felt a tingle crawl down the back of her neck, creeping into her head. It was unsettling. It was different.

It was alien.

It was as if she was sensing-

Eyes widened. She screamed a split moment later.

"EVERYONE OUT, NOW!"

Before questioning the sudden yell, they all heard the rushed whistling filling the air.

They all shot up just as the roof of their tree base was bombarded by ordinance, the top being set ablaze.

"Run, run, we have to move!" Ahsoka shouted and they all bolted from the burning tree, taking the weapons that they could and jumping out of the tree.

The large vine entrance served as their slide, all of them sliding down to the ground, looking back to see Ultron Drones that had surrounded the tree now chasing after them.

Reaching the bottom of the vine, they all stumbled as they collided with each other yet the adrenaline pumping in their veins made them shoot back up and sprint off just as the drones came down upon them.

"How'd they find us? We've been so careful!" Kalifa shouted over the commotion.

Thrawn was quick to respond. "We can ask later. Now we flee."

They all did as the Chiss stated.

Running through the jungle, they did all they could to buy themselves time. On occasion of their escape, they fired back with their own weapons. Shots were hit and miss as they ran, jumped, and slid. For some bits of distraction and cover, they threw some explosive power packs and shot at them, using the explosions to hopefully take out a good chunk of their adversaries to using the smoke screens to cover their movements.

While it was effective against the modified Trandoshans, it didn't exactly work against the drones. They appeared to be far more resilient if not outright dementedly determined in getting to them.

In order to get the people out of hiding, the drones and Trandoshans began burning the forest.

"What is with these drones?" Jinx asked aloud. "They weren't like this before."

"A clear change has occurred." Thrawn surmised, spinning around to shoot two drones down before having to roll away from an explosive missile. "One that we can only guess."

"Probably a response to our attack last night." O-Mer grunted out, ducking from a drone nearly tackling him.

"Doesn't matter, we keep moving." Kass shouted, throwing an explosive in her wake, catching a Trandoshan with several other Ultron Drones.

Some close calls happened when the enemies came in too close for comfort. Each survivor had to look out for each other's back. Shooting anything that came within their perception, keeping them away. Didn't help with the fire's growing more and more, making things difficult of their potential routes being blocked off.

One drone surveyed the forest, flying about to track down any of the survivors. It came to a halt when spotting a particular individual. Recognizing them, the drone notified its creator, who promptly took over.

"Ahsoka Tano."

The Togruta whirled when hearing her name being called out by a metallic voice.

The drone slowly lowered itself, landing on the ground with a light thud. "Interesting to find you here of all places."

Ahsoka's eyes zeroed in on the Drone with the red glow, the bot standing atop the destroyed remains of some trees. The fires blazing around them from the recent scorched earth tactic.

It didn't take long for her to realize just who it was she was looking at, unable to stave off the cold shiver running down her spine.

"Ultron." She whispered in dread, the AI chuckling maliciously.

There was a metallic chuckle that emanated from the drone. "Oh good, you remembered me."

Ahsoka nearly snarled, one of her sharpened teeth being seen by the AI. "Hard not to after Jabiim."

"I did quite the number on your Spider-pal and spotted you with him behind enemy lines." He saw her seize up. "Yeah, spotted you on Raxus, short stack. Not as inconspicuous as you and your friends would like to think you are."

The Padawan's fists clenched tightly, the cold sweat she had only intensified.

"I say, I find it funny seeing you here on this literal backwater planet. But at least you're taking part in my experiment."

That made Ahsoka pause worriedly. "Experiment?"

"Seeing how long you Force sensitives handle not using your well-known gifts before your inevitable demise in harsh environments. With them taken away, you're forced to change and adapt. Not just this, but forcing you to step down from your highrise and stand alongside many who you look down on."

"Look down on? We don't do that! Our job as Jedi is to help people!" She fiercely rebuked.

"But do you? Do you really?" Ultron shook his head. "Well not you, in particular, but so many of your colleagues. Both Sith and Jedi. Your arrogance with your power blinds you, thinking you're better than the normies. Making it all so unfair as you abuse your power on anyone you deem lesser. But once your connection with the Force is blocked, you would realize how insignificant you are. I mean, ask yourself this, what are you Jedi hypocrites without the Force?"

That actually made Ahsoka freeze up and genuinely contemplate on that question.

If the Order up and lost the Force suddenly… who were they?

"Teachings, philosophies and influence only go so far. No one really pays attention to them if they don't have a special package with them to really sell it."

Ahsoka shook her head and glared defiantly at the AI.

"Yeah, you know what, you're probably right about us." She gritted out. "Without the Force, we really don't have much… but I've come to learn that I don't need to have power to do what's right, to help and protect those who can't do it themselves. I have the Force, I have this power and I will use it for the sake of others at every chance I get. It's my Responsibility."

If Ultron was in his advanced body, his optics would have narrowed right now and he would have sneered at her.

"Typical." He said in disgust. "That sounds like Avengers rhetoric bullshit. Worse than the Jedi. You have the bark, but do you have the bite?"

With that said, the drone zoomed right towards her, prompting her to immediately shoot right at it.

Her senses tingled and flared, making her leap over the drone and quickly land on it. She began doing everything she can to take it out as best she can while taking on a crazy ride.

"I'll show you bite." She said, jamming the blaster into an opening in the drone's head and firing.

With the head wrecked, the drone lost control and proceeded to crash. Ahsoka lept off and landed in a recovery roll some distance away before obtaining any significant damage.

'Great, Thrawn was right.' She thought before realizing she was near one of her fellow survivors.

"Ahsoka, come on." Kass said, holding her hand out which Tano immediately grabbed onto.

She was hefted up off the ground, Thrawn having ran up to help cover their blind spots.

"We need to keep moving." He urged. "Into the thicker parts of the jungle, we may be able to lose them."

They heard a loud roar, turning around in time to see Chewbacca grabbing a Trandoshan, lifting him up off the ground. A moment later, the Wookiee swung and slammed the age-old enemy of his species into a nearby tree, a sickening crack being heard followed by the Trandoshan falling to the ground dead.

"More drones incoming." O-Mer shouted, his rifle having run out of shots and he now used it as a blunt weapon.

"We have to get out of here now." Jinx yelled.

They all began sprinting away again, the drones and Trandoshans pursuing them.

Using what bombs they had left on hand, they tossed them all back sporadically, creating explosions that served as distractions and cover to help keep the distance from them. It worked for the most part but their pursuers had the numbers advantage.

Any that were taken out by an explosion were replaced immediately with more flying in.

"When will they end?"

"When we're dead."

"Great Jinx, real motivating."

"Guys." Ahsoka admonished. "Not now."

They wanted to apologize but it was a bit of a hard thing to do with their lives on the line.

So they could only keep on running.

Chewbacca suddenly roared, pointing ahead of them.

In the direction the Wookiee was gesturing to, they saw a thick brush ahead, the spaces to get in small enough for them and not for their hunters.

"Quick!" Ahsoka shouted, hoping they can speed up. "Through there!"

They all felt the strain on their legs but pushed through the pain, forcing themselves to run faster.

Just as they were about to reach the thicket, Kalifa felt a cold shiver down her spine.

Glancing back, the lone human padawan saw some drones closing in on them and they were about to pounce on her comrades in front of her.

At the last second, Kalifa lunged forward and shoved Kass and Jinx back with all her might just as two Drones came down on her.

The young Jedi released a cry of pain and struggled against them and the others saw her plight.

"Kalifa!" Ahsoka shouted, turning around to run for her. "Hang on!"

"No, Ahsoka, wait!" Thrawn yelled out to her just as more drones came down to intercept the Togruta.

Chewbacca let out a savage roar, rapidly firing his weapon at the drones, taking out some whilst evading the receiving shots.

Kalifa was flailing, trying to free herself but the two drones holding her produced tendrils that quickly bound her arms and legs and one grabbed her head, wrenching it back.

"N-No, please." Kalifa said in pure fear and desperation.

Deactivating the collar around Kalifa's neck, the Ultron Drone pried it off and tossed it aside. Coming out from a hand compartment was a tampered Kyber crystal. Ultron's voice was soon heard from it.

"Time to join the horde."

With one swift movement, the drone thrusted its hand into Kalifa's chest and implanted the crystal. Kalifa inhaled sharply, pain running up and down her body, touching on every cell. The last thing she was able to do in her life was release an ear-splitting scream that rattled the eardrums of the others.

The padawans, Chiss and Wookiee could only look on in horrified disturbance of the mechanized horror before them. Of the human padawan screaming and becoming something not of her nature.

Even with their collars hampering their connection to the Force, the Padawans were all able to feel the abject deformity in the Force. O-Mer visibly paled whilst Jinx's skin color became almost ashen blue and Kass was close to feeling sick.

For Ahsoka, she could only relate this experience to what Barriss and the others told her. This was practically worse in comparison.

Thrawn's eyes were wide, unable to fully comprehend the horrific sight that was playing out, watching the poor human writhe in agony as she slowly transformed into one of Ultron's puppets.

As for Chewbacca, he only gave out a gruntled warble before charging forward, clobbering a Trandoshan or two along the way.

Once let go, the body of Kalifa landed on her feet. Before the Wookiee could get close, the converted Padawan used Force Push to send him away.

"K-Kalifa." Jinx whispered, eyes now watering at the sight of the changed Jedi.

The formerly human girl looked down at her hands, her now red eyes glowing brighter as they looked up at the horrified group.

"Oh, there was so much hope left in her. You gave that to her, you know. You should feel proud, Ahsoka Tano. So much hope that she was willing to die for it. But now," The changed Kalifa held up her arms in a grand fashion. "Look at what your delusional hope achieved. The same fate you'll all be sharing shortly."

"You…" Kass trembled. "You BASTARD!"

Her attempt of attack was halted, hoisted upward by Ultron using Kalifa's body to Force Choke her.

"Ah~ Kass. Poor Kass. Your friends from Jabiim will be most delighted to see you again."

"H-how-" Kass choked out. "How can you use-"

"The Force?" Ultron's newly possessed puppet's eyes gleamed. "Simple really. Kyber crystals, force sensitivity and just keeping enough of her alive to do so. I actually figured it out recently if you can believe that. You should hear her right now," He tapped the side of his head. "Oh, she is in pure agony but that's the price to pay for the next step in li-"

He was unable to finish his monologue as he had been tackled by Ahsoka.

His reflexes were immediate, spinning around on the ground and pinning the Togruta to the floor.

"Let her go!" Ahsoka nearly yelled, tears streaming down her eyes.

Ultron hummed. "Nah~"

All this got was Ahsoka punching him in response.

"GIVE HER BACK!"

With this happening, the Trandoshans and drones began attacking the others present. Blaster and repulsor fire went all over.

There was sadly nowhere left to run now. Things were coming to an end now.

Might as well go out in a blaze of apparent glory.

Ahsoka felt the wind get knocked out of her from Ultron's fist digging into her stomach. She coughed aloud only to choke on her breath as her neck was grabbed in spite of the collar in the way.

"You all just can't accept your own futility." Kalifa's metal hand was hovering over Ahsoka's heart smiling manically at the fear he saw in her eyes. "This is evolution. A primitive mind like yours can't even begin to comprehend just what is in store for this galaxy."

"GRAAAAH!"

Ultron looked up in time to see the butt of a rifle headed right for his face.

Glancing up, Ahsoka saw the Wookiee loom over her. "Thanks, Chewie."

Chewbacca let out a small warble.

"Sorry on the name butcher."

Kalifa fell to the ground, whirling her head around with her eyes now normal, looking up at the Twi'lek and Cerean Jedi.

"Jinx, O-Mer, it's me." The metallic voice was gone momentarily.

There was some hesitation as this was done.

A malicious smile soon took place.

"PSYCH!"

Ultron expunged a small Force shockwave that sent them hurtling back.

"Oh~ I love this." The Ultron-possessed body shimmied about. "I guess this is as close as I'll get to my original Vision. Who knows, with these Kyber crystals, maybe I can surpass it."

She strolled forward with the fighting seemingly coming to a halt.

"You will have nothing. Your privilege could be the dirt. But I'd rather use you for resources." Ultron stated with his smirk. "The freedom you seek, will only come through the war I'll wage-"

Spark flew at the side of the possessed head, courtesy of Thrawn shooting at the metallic parts. More shots hit their mark before the Chiss was knocked down by a Trandoshan. Soon the pair began fighting against each other.

As this happened, the possessed human began to spasm, holding onto their head. A screech emanate from the throat.

"E-Everyone!" Kalifa's voice suddenly broke through, her red eyes flickering. They saw a desperate look of a plea, a lone tear of blood falling from her eye. "Everyone please, you have to ki-GRAH Looks like some kinks are still needed to be ironed out. Human will is so annoying."

"Kalifa!" Kass exclaimed, her heart feeling like it was being stabbed at the sight of her friend trying to break free.

"Little fleshling." Ultron growled, appearing to actually be struggling to regain proper control. "KNOW YOUR PLACE!"

The body of Kalifa spazzed about, the red eyes constantly flickering.

"Please." Kalifa managed out again. "Everyone PLEASE, YOU MUST-ENOUGH!"

With a metallic hand, he plunged it into the chest of his newly acquired Padawan and crushed the heart.

Whatever remained of Kalifa died then and there and despite them being cut off from the Force, the Padawans felt it in their hearts and souls.

Ultron faltered in the body and frowned, rolling his shoulders as more of the Jedi's skin was reformed into metal. Most of the flesh he had was now replaced with circuitry, wires and metal plating.

"Typical." He said, flexing his bloody hand. The AI grimaced at his actions, cursing at the Padawan he had possessed. "And like that, The Force is gone. You know you guys really know how to ruin a good thing, right? I mean, that is as close as I'll-"

"RAAAAH!"

The AI was abruptly blown back by a blue shockwave that emanated from one distraught and enraged Togruta Padawan.

In the midst of his chatter, Ahsoka had sensed the fire that was Kalifa's will to live fighting with all its might against this deformed possession. It had been going from flickering embers to a roaring fire, adamant on resisting what had happened to her.

But the moment she saw Ultron destroy her heart, there was a snap within Ahsoka's mind followed by a ringing sound that deafened her.

Whatever she felt in between that paled to the explosion of emotions roaring from within. That power, that unidentifiable ability that she had felt days ago came rushing out of her like a dam being blown open and it was now coursing around her body.

Ahsoka went on the offensive, using her rage to surface her innate power, cleaving through whatever forces were in her way to Ultron, who presently occupied Kalifa's body. Power blasts went left and right before diving right at the former padawan and tearing right in at her.

Using the former padawan's body, Ultron eyed the Force dampening collar that was on Ahsoka's neck and is still active. Thus he blinked in surprise and curiosity as he registered the Togruta had a slight glowing shimmer appear around her.

"Now that is interesting." Was all he said left in the mortal shell before it finally ceased to function.

The body slumped down, the eyes changing back to normal. Jinx, O-Mer and Kass looked.

Breathing heavily, Ahsoka did her best to calm down. She briefly regarded her surroundings, spotting the surprised and curious reactions from the others of what she just did.

This quickly ended with what Ahsoka heard next.

"Incoming!" Kass shouted and everyone saw even more Ultron Drones coming from the Trandoshan's hovering stronghold, the base itself actually lowering itself towards them.

"You've gotta be kidding me." Jinx said, teeth clenched tightly.

"It appears the fight is not over just yet." Thrawn grimly said, readying his weapon with Chewbacca roaring aloud defiantly.

Ahsoka slumped, feeling utterly spent by what she just did.

She wanted to get back up and fight. But whatever she used quickly exhausted her. It literally felt like weights were now dragging her down.

Eventually, she registered someone hoisting her up onto her feet and dragging her away. Turning, she saw it was O-Mer. She barely gave him a brief nod of thanks before zoning out slightly. Focusing once more, she saw the others had to fall back.

That was when blurs blindsided the oncoming enemies, multiple explosions going off in the air.

Everyone froze when seeing the hovering stronghold being attacked.

"Look!" Kass pointed up in the sky and all saw a Venator in the atmosphere.

"They've come!" Jinx cried out, almost not believing what he was looking at.

LAAT Gunships were headed straight towards them with Arc-Wings, V-Wings and V-19s all backing them up.

A number of them broke off, focusing on the battle on the jungle island.

"Of course they would come." Ultron muttered to himself from the current drone he was utilizing.

Knowing his one task here was basically over, he began to pull out but grunted in annoyance as he sensed his drones being picked off one at a time.

It was then that he saw several individuals jumping out from the gunships down into the jungle and he couldn't help the rage that came up within him.

"Leave none for the scrap heap!" Anakin Skywalker shouted at the top of his lungs, landing with Rex, Domino squad and the best of the 501st.

Ant-man and Wasp flew on down, getting right to work in taking out the drones and Trandoshans with an electrified nun-chuck being thrown that returned to the hand of Daredevil.

Then came a Vibranium shockwave courtesy of a superhero landing from the Black Panther.

Lastly, two young teens began tearing through Ultron's forces with no measure of mercy.

The Padawans, Wookiee and Chiss could only marvel at the rescue force that came for them.

But for Ahsoka, she couldn't even properly respond to this. Her emotions almost overwhelmed her at the sight of all those closest to her being here right now.

Her Master, Captain Rex, Domino Squad, Scott, Hope, T'Challa, Matt and even Deliah Blue were in the middle of it all. Amongst their numbers were a number of Wookiees.

Chewbacca released a grateful roar which many of the others of his tribe reciprocated.

Above all else, the minute Ahsoka saw Peter and Barriss, it took everything in her power not to pounce at them.

Luckily for her, the pair was quick to spot her and made a b-line directly towards her.

"We can take care of her from here." Peter said to O-mer.

"Get over for cover." Barriss added in.

The Cerean padawan nodded, handed Ahsoka over as he did as instructed.

It was from here that the Togruta felt their warmth.

"Ahsoka, it's alright. You're safe now." She heard Peter say and had it not been for the situation, she would have kissed him and Barriss at this moment.

Happiness welled and surfaced when seeing them. She clearly wanted to embrace them, but had to withhold such actions until their present situation came to an end.

Not to mention she was too tired to really move properly. All she could do was smile.

And such an action spread further when she heard an all too familiar voice with said owner coming right towards her.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin exclaimed and didn't hesitate in hugging her, making her tearfully laugh as she awkwardly hugged him back.

"Commander." The relieved shouted of Domino squad and others from the 501st were heard, all gathering around her.

"See, ya had nothing to worry about Rexy."

"Are you telling me that or yourself, Blue?"

"Both."

The Togruta overheard this and just smiled brightly in Captain Rex's direction, seeing the man's glossy eyed smile, coming up to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"It's good to see you're alright, Commander."

"Thanks for coming for me, Rex." She softly said, surprising him with a hug of her own, which he returned after a few seconds.

"Such a touching reunion."

Others whirled when hearing the metallic voice. Looking over, they saw one of the wrecked up Ultron Drones nearby.

Anakin's eyes blazed with fury, a sentiment shared with his legion. "You have some nerve-"

"Save the speech. I've grown tired of it." Ultron boredly said. "I know when I'm beat. You may have won this encounter, but I don't consider it a loss at all. I found this experiment… enlightening."

He shifted his gaze in Ahsoka's direction, Peter and Barriss immediately stepping in front of her protectively.

Others soon heard thrusters in the air. Looking to the source, they saw a ship taking off from what remained of the Trandoshan hovering stronghold and immediately going into hyperspace.

"So you turn tail and run?" Skywalker groused out, holding out his lightsaber in Ultron's direction.

"Call it a tactical retreat. Got much more to plan out with recent events."

"Your days are numbered." Spider-man shouted, wearing his black suit with his lens narrowing.

"Is it? Is it really?" Was the condescending response. "I've got much in store for you all." Said Ultron, his one drone body lying there, dismantled. "Armies will shatter. Worlds will burn. Eventually, everything, everyone, shall be… metal. Shall be me."

Immediately, Skywalker used the Force to crush the drone to silence him.

There was a beat of silence despite the sound of battle being heard in the distance.

The Trandoshan base had fallen and the rest of the Ultron drones and Trandoshans that remained were all being picked off.

"Let's get out of here." Anakin declared.

-Scene Cut-

Leaving the jungle planet and the sector it resided within the mid-rim, the Republic craft was making its way back to Coruscant. It'll be a number of hours before their return.

Until then, there was much to discuss and prepare for.

"How are they?" Asked Rogers, standing on the ship's bridge.

"Shaken up, relieved. Though they're still not entirely there." Said Natasha.

"They've been kept there for months." Said Matthew. "Longer, even. Seeing so many die while mostly being helpless."

"This is just getting to… it's too much." Hope Van Dyne murmured, rubbing her temples, eyes closed. "What Ultron is doing…"

"How in the hell did he convince those mini lizards to change themselves?" Scott asked in disbelief.

"If we only knew." T'challa commented.

Walking through the hallways, Anakin was leaving the temporary arrangements his padawan resided in. He talked with her, seeing how she was doing.

Obviously he vented out his worries to her. How he should've joined her on Onderon with the others. She responded by telling him it wasn't his fault or the others. She just didn't expect there to be poachers who would've taken her when her guard was down.

His response was simply that he's gonna worry about her regardless.

That caused a small smile to appear and she embraced her master at that, thanking him for his concern and for his training.

"If it wasn't for what you've taught me, I wouldn't have made it this far."

"Don't forget to thank the others."

"You know I will."

He ran his hand through his hair. Bits of worried exhaustion soon leaving him.

'Can't wait to tell Padme.' He reminded himself. 'She was worried nearly as much as I was. She'll be thrilled.'

When he got some corridors away from the ship's bridge, he spotted one of the jungle planet's survivors.

Meeting Thrawn again, Skywalker saw he was cleaned up once hitting the showers and wearing a fresh set of clothes. He presented himself like a disciplined military officer.

"Would've thought you'd be resting." Said Anakin, gaining Thrawn's attention.

When he turned, Anakin got a better look at the few scrapes on his face covered by some bandages.

"I can do so later." Said the Chiss. "I do not wish to lose what I have in mind until conversing."

"Usually one functions better with a clearer mind."

"Everyone functions differently." Thrawn replied, the Jedi humming at that, nodding slightly.

"We haven't seen any Chiss in quite some time." Said Skywalker, while not mentioning the one Acolyte under Dooku's command.

"My people rarely leave our home space."

"So we've heard."

"Mitth'raw'nuruodo." The Chiss introduced himself, offering his hand. "You may call me by my Core name, Thrawn. And you?"

The Jedi Knight grasped the hand, shaking it firmly. "I'm Ahsoka's Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker."

A small bit of surprise and curiosity marred Thrawn's features.

"Skywalker…"

Anakin raised a brow. "You've heard of me?"

The Chiss shook his head. "Forgive me, but no. I merely find the name 'Skywalker'... peculiar."

If one could pick up on Thrawn's voice, they could've noticed the sense of recognition or familiarity to it. How it would be, no one would really know unless asking.

"Others thought so as well."

"Anakin are you in-Oh, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt." Said Captain Rogers who had walked in with the rest of the team.

The blue-skinned humanoid immediately turned to them, eyes glinting with intrigue. Taking note of their respective presence and attire, soon recognizing who they were.

"So, you must be the rest of these fabled Avengers young Ahsoka Tano has spoken of during our time together." The male Chiss remarked, holding out his hand. "Thrawn."

"Captain Steve Rogers."

The two shared a firm handshake.

"And who are the rest of your teammates here?" Thrawn inquired, gazing at the others present.

"Yeah, this is Natasha, Scott, Hope, Matt and T'Challa." Cap said, the Avengers he introduced all nodding or shaking the Chiss' hand. "The others are back at Coruscant and our home planet."

"A pleasure. I have heard a great deal about you from the Padawans, especially from Ahsoka. She sings the praises of all of you."

"And none about me?" Said Anakin, wearing a mock pout. "I feel insulted."

"She spoke of you, naturally. She just never referred to your last name." Thrawn smoothly said. "Of how many times the two of you nearly perished had it not been for you… what was she called them again? Hair-brained schemes?"

"She what?!" Anakin squawked out, the Avengers all chortling at this. "Hair-brained? Oh, like she's any better."

The Avengers all chuckled at this reaction while the Chiss didn't give much of a reaction, only turning his attention onto Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

"I've seen you and your people gather up the drones and what dead Trandoshans back from the jungle planet." Thrawn commented. "For what purpose? You wish to study them, perhaps?"

"Once we purged the systems, yes." Hope revealed, nodding at him.

"What are you hoping to find?"

"Trying to figure out possible next steps Ultron has planned." Rogers said. "He's been busy building up his forces from what we've seen lately and how he's going about it. He hasn't done anything "drastic" that doesn't involve orbital bombardment of a planet or those twisted experiments he's been conducting."

While the latter was understandable, given what he's seen firsthand earlier that day, Thrawn voiced a comment. "That's rather specific on the former."

"Cuz that's what happened recently." Nat grimly revealed. "The planet of Cato Neimoidia was bombarded. Several cities were razed to the ground. And Geonosis is practically glassed."

Thrawn's brows creased together, a deep frown marrying his features as he absorbed this knowledge.

"I have heard of these unsavory rumors but… to know that they are true," Thrawn shook his head. "It appears that the galaxy is in far more dire straits than I led myself into believing."

"What you've probably heard has been the watered down version." Lang wryly said. "It's way worse than we last thought with the bases we've been locating."

This only served to further unsettle the Chiss, his frown deepening, thinking about this "fact", so to speak, about the current state of the galaxy.

Things appeared far worse than he initially led himself to believe.

"From what Ahsoka Tano told me, there is a ceasefire going on with Ultron's presence. Even an open draft."

Steve raised a brow, his eyes gauging the man. "You wish to enlist?"

"Offering my services." The Chiss corrected. "I believe that I may be of assistance to the galaxy at large.

"Seems like an odd thing to do." Natasha pointed out, crossing her arms. "You just got rescued and now you want to enlist? Offer your service? For what?"

"I've been told by Ahsoka Tano that the recruitment into the army at this time is a bit more unorthodox than how one is drafted into the military service."

"That's putting it mildly." Anakin remarked, shaking his head at how his newest engineer came about in joining the 501st.

"But you just joining up suddenly feels a bit abrupt." Hope pointed out, squinting her eyes at him. "Don't get us wrong here, we know that you've helped in keeping those kids alive, Ahsoka included. We appreciate that, we do but… do ya see what we're dealing with here?"

Thrawn nodded. "I do. A major threat to the galaxy. I feel it is imperative that I must insist on taking part in Ultron's downfall."

"No, no, it's not that, it's, well, it is about Ultron but we don't really know you. We just met you."

"Understandable and a commending argumentative detail. You may speak with the padawans of what they think of me personally for some additional support."

"We'll keep that in mind."

"And what would you offer, exactly?" Said Matt, humoring the Chiss a little.

"Knowledge, tactics, battle prowess." Thrawn listed off. "I state again I do believe I can be of use to the galaxy."

The Avengers and Jedi were silent with their blind lawyer being the one to listen to the Chiss speak.

Matt had concentrated on the man's pulse, breath, overall demeanor and air and while he detected that there was more to what the Chiss was letting on, he found the man to be telling the truth and his intentions genuine.

He could feel Cap's eyes on him and he made a small head gesture of "let's give him the benefit of doubt".

Nodding at this, Steve looked over at Anakin, the Jedi getting the silent message.

"We can discuss things further when we get back to Coruscant." Skywalker stated. "This is sudden and all but we'll see what we can do on our end if what you're offering is legit."

"Naturally." Thrawn said with a gracious bow of his head. "I'll see to it that I'll meet your expectations."

-Scene Cut-

At her assigned quarters, Ahsoka was lying on the bed situated between Barriss and Peter.

She was just physically and emotionally drained after everything. She sought comfort from her lovers, which they easily reciprocated; due to them just being so happy to have her back.

They were like this after Anakin and the others left, due to practically everyone wanting to check up on her and the other padawans.

Not that she could blame them.

As soon as they were alone, both her lovers received, desperate, loving and frantic kisses that left them all breathless.

A moment later, Ahsoka was clinging onto both of them and sobbed. Nothing was said in return, the pair simply holding their lover tightly. They shared the grief, whispering sweet nothings to her in hopes of calming her down. Her boyfriend and girlfriend were just relieved to have her back to them after so long.

Even Simby the symbiote joined in slightly in their own way. He detached himself from Peter and rubbed his face against her cheek, warbled, wiggling whines and large white eyes curved in an adorably sad/relieved conveyance of emotion. She cooed at him, apologizing for making it worry and Simby only bumped his head against her nose several times as his sort of "revenge" for making them worry so much.

It ended with her just asking to lay down and she had them on both sides of her.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity for Ahsoka, she felt content, safe and warm. Being between Peter and Barriss was like a dream for her and without the Force dampening collar around her neck, she basked in the presence both of them possessed despite the void Peter still had. Yet now that she had taken a moment to concentrate on the Force surrounding Peter and the void he created… it was different now since she thought about it.

The Force had changed around Peter and… well, it wasn't just him.

Everything around her with how she perceived the Force was different now.

She knows Mortis was the catalyst to this change but after Onderon and especially with what she had experienced recently, it has only grown.

Several thoughts came to an abrupt halt when-

*Hoot Hoot*

The trio heard something within the resting arrangements. Peter's head lifted up slightly, looking around the room.

"What was that?" He blearily asked.

*Hoot Hoot*

They then looked towards the nightstand, spotting the green and white plumaged Trandoshan bird.

"Uh… when did we get Hedwig?" Peter inquired, thrown off by the Convor seated upon the nightstand, looking at the three of them intently.

"A Convor?" Barriss murmured. "Though the feather coloring is… unique."

From between the Mirialan and human, their Togruta girlfriend got out from their embrace, getting onto her knees to be at eye level with the Convor.

"How'd you get in here?" Ahsoka said in clear surprise, reaching her hand forward only for the bird to nibble on her finger affectionately.

"Who's this, Snips?" Peter asked, now sitting on the bed with Barriss, watching the interaction with curiosity. "New pet?"

"Morai." Ahsoka answered, stroking the feathers of the Convor. "A new friend I made."

"She's gorgeous." Comments Barriss.

The avian thrilled a little on the compliment, hopping from the nightstand into Barriss' lap, nuzzling her stomach.

Offee giggled at this, rubbing the top of Morai's head.

"Yes, you are quite a sight, aren't you?"

"My little companion while I was away. Keeping me company while I was down in the dumps."

"Little companion, huh?" Peter reached his hand out and Morai looked at it inquisitively before nibbling on it in the same manner as she did with Ahsoka's.

The New Yorker chuckled, feeling tickled by the motion as Morai now jumped into his lap.

"Well, can't deny you're adorable."

Morai hooted happily upon hearing that, loving the scratches she was getting on her chin.

"Thanks for bein' Snips' companion." Peter said, the Convor preening at the compliment, hopping into the arms of Ahsoka. "She means a lot to us."

"Now we'll need to know how to take care of her properly."

"Isn't she a bird?" Peter inquired. "Can't she take care of herself?"

"She seems intent on following us back to Coruscant." Ahsoka noted, holding the Convor to her chest now. "I don't want her to go flying about in a place like that, dive bombing and stealing food."

"She seems to be more intelligent than we may think." Barriss commented, noting the way the Convor reacted to them all. How Morai paused, considered their actions and seemed to enjoy the compliments given to her.

"Actually, I wanna know how she got in here in the first place." Peter spoke up. "Cause I'm pretty sure we're in Hyperspace right now and I don't think Anakin's boys would miss something like Morai flying into the hangar bay."

"Let alone the fact it snuck into the ship undetected before taking off."

Ahsoka looked down at the Convor in her arms and saw Morai look right back at her.

Without the Force dampening collar on her, Ahsoka now felt something stranger, yet more familiar with the Trandoshan bird.

This bird… it had the Force.

A powerful tether to it that she was unable to detect it before.

The Force was calling to her.

Be it through this Convor or through something else, she felt a pull from the Force.

And she had a hunch that she possibly wasn't alone.

"Barriss… you feel it, don't you?"

Both of Ahsoka's lovers looked at her quizzically. The Togruta said nothing, instead locking eyes with Mirialan and silently conveyed to her what she meant.

Frowning, Barriss slowly turned her head down in deep thought.

Having had time to ponder on it now.

"Something… different than I'm used to. But I feel the Force, but something else included." She quietly murmured. "Is this… have you been feeling the same thing Ahsoka?"

Her girlfriend nodded. "For a while now. If I can pinpoint it… it started on Mortis."

Tano saw Peter shifting in his seat at the mention of this Force Nexus in the galaxy.

When he heard Ahsoka bring that place up, he felt Simby tremble slightly at the memory at the place, something he could sympathize with and he…

And he…

He…

What in the-

"What is that?" Peter abruptly blurted out, getting both his girlfriends to look at him.

"Huh/Peter?"

"I know you guys are having a Force thing but…" Peter scrunched his face up in uncertainty. "I've been feelin' kinda weird myself lately. There's been this weird nudging I keep feeling in the back of my head and it gets a lot stronger when I'm with the two of you."

Barriss and Ahsoka shared a look which broke when they heard Morai hoot, flapping her wings slightly to get out from the latter's arms. The Convor flew up, perching herself on Peter's shoulder and nudging her head against his.

"What?" He said in bewilderment. "What is it? If you're asking for more petting, you could just say so."

Ahsoka frowned in thought, curious about this odd gesture from Morai.

What was the bird trying to tell them?

For the Togruta Padawan, it was rather easy to assume that this bird likely possessed a higher degree of intelligence compared to most in her species.

Maybe she was reacting to what Peter just said.

Or maybe it was something else.

"Peter… what, hmmm, how would you describe this feeling you've been experiencing?" Ahsoka asked slowly.

The boy paused to contemplate on how he could best describe this sensation. He was silent for a few moments until beginning to form some kind of response.

"Something that's more… alien to me. Like my tingle sensation is heightened and-"

"A tingle sensation? Your sixth sense?"

He shook his head. "No, no, not that. I can't properly explain it. Just that it really amplifies when you two are with me." Peter frowned and looked at the Convor still on his shoulder. "Actually, this little guy is making it even stronger."

Several questions merely formed in their minds as a result.

"Something else to explore, aside from our relationship." Barriss merely voiced, a sense of pondering taking hold of her.

Peter rolled his eyes. "You make it sound so weird when you say that."

The Mirialan gave the human a look. "What?"

"Exploring our relationship. You make it sound like homework." Peter quipped, making Barriss jerk back a bit.

"I do not." She rebuked.

"Yes you do."

"No I don't!"

Their playful argument was briefly ignored by Ahsoka, who seemed to focus on other matters.

Thrawn's discussions with her echoing in her mind. Not just his, but with Chirrut's back on Onderon. Explorations on her gifts. Paths. And others about her innate abilities she tapped into back on the jungle planet. How they arose at such moments of great turmoil.

Many thoughts crossed her mind. When they soon ceased, she then came to a decision.

"Time to get into training again." Ahsoka voiced, earning confusion from Peter and Barriss.

"Huh?"

-Insert Song: Sharks Don't Sleep-

-The following scenes are to be viewed as separate, intersplicing and constantly cutting scenes and screenshots. Note that these will not be done in exact detail on what'll be used for future entries.-

Coruscant is devastated by Ultron's first attack.

The start of the war at the first battle of Geonosis.

The invasion of New York in 2012 by the Chitauri.

The fall of Jabiim and the Clone War's escalation by Ultron.

Sokovia's destruction.

The Citadels true purpose revealed.

"When we first got here, we didn't realize what we would be bringing with us or what we would be getting ourselves into." Captain America's voice was heard over these scenes. "That we would be entering into a conflict that now shows no signs of slowing down and no real end in sight. Be it by our own hands… or threats of the past that none would have ever even considered."

He stood at the front of the Jedi temple, the sun setting in the background as he held Aayla Secura in his arms, the pair trying to comfort each other.

Iron Man stood in front of a large Venator with Shuri, Hank, Peter and many other gifted minds as large ants with machines strapped to their backs worked tirelessly on modifying this warship.

The new Avengers from Earth all walked within the Jedi Temple in awe and wonder.

Clones stood in front of conscripts, all giving them scrutinizing glares with Jedi Master Rahm Kota glaring right back at them.

On the bridge of the Negotiator, Thrawn was overseeing many plans alongside Obi-wan Kenobi, Colonel Rhodes, Commander Cody and Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin.

"Nothing has ever been the same since the raid on that HYDRA base. Now we have another galaxy involved in our mess."

Ultron stood over the bodies of Jedi, Clones and innocent civilians, facing the Avengers who were with their allies, holding another Clone in his hand before he tossed him to the ground, grinning maniacally at them.

The Guardians of the Galaxy were with their Mandalorian friends, standing on a snowy mountain, looking down at an ancient structure, the Mythosaur skull carved on top of it.

"When I created him… it was to be a suit of armor around the world."

Standing strong, Tony stared defiantly against Ultron. They weren't near, in fact they were quite far. But they could still feel each other's direct gaze. The synthetic challenged his creator with his arms raised. The Iron Avenger could only see a massive army rise in response.

"Now, my ego and belief have led to this."

Multiple warships engage each other, the Avengers fighting in between them all, gunning for the ship led by Ultron.

Spiderman, wearing his symbiote suit, was wrecking many Ultron-controlled forces alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Shang Chi was whipping his Ten Rings around as Wanda Maximoff had three lightsabers around her, slicing apart Ultron Drones left, right and center.

Hawkeye stood next to the Bad Batch, shooting Crosshairs a look as he took out a dozen enemies with a single arrow without even looking at them.

Anakin and Obi-Wan ran through a hangar bay with Captain America and Iron Man, the four men decimating everything coming their way.

Back to back, Ahsoka and Barriss were cleaving through the synthetic hive mind, doing their best to protect the wounded. Not just using their lightsabers, but unconventionally having to use blasters.

Vision flies in, shooting cosmic blasts from his forehead before rocketing towards Ultron, who turns his head at the last possible moment.

Everything fades to black as a battle seemingly ends.

"While one evil falls, another takes its place."

Within the Jedi Temple, the Order stood in horror as an army of red lightsabers was ignited within their halls.

Standing in front of them as the vanguard of the strike force was a black-haired human wielding a double-sided blue saber, a Sith symbol imprinted on his forehead.

"Just when things were getting back on track, this happens."

The Jedi Council stood around a holo-projection of ships belonging to the Sith attacking multiple worlds as panic ensues in the galaxy.

"It is as I said," Vision was solemn as he looked over at Anakin and Ahsoka. "Catastrophe."

Ancient Sith Lords descended upon the galaxy, a dark cloud coming over the stars.

"The old shall clash with the new. Which shall prevail?"

At the senate building, Sheev Palpatine hotly glares at the man in his office. Whipping out a pair of lightsabers from his robes ignites them and leaps right at him. The man only smiled, hardly moving an inch as the blades came closer.

"We brought Ultron to your galaxy and without your help, we wouldn't have been able to take him down." Steve raised his arm to Windu. "Your problems are our problems and we'll take these bastards out with you."

Captain America clashed with the Sith Lord known to history as Tulak Hord, vibranium holding back a crimson red blade with both combatants locking eyes. He pushed the Sith Lord back and Bucky Barnes rushed in, the pair teaming up to double team this Sith Lord, Mace Windu coming in to join the pair shortly after.

Grandmaster Yoda stood defiantly against the many Sith that were running straight for him, the aged Jedi simply ignited his emerald blade and got into his stance.

"It's hard for the past to die. For we're literally facing it here and now."

Darth Nihilus raised his head, his robes flowing in the wind as he faced Dr. Strange, Wong, Shang Chi, Black Panther, Celeste Morne, Kit Fisto, Depa Billaba, T'ra Saa and Quinlan Vos.

Momin held two red sabers, his red glowing eyes boring into the Avengers, Clones and Jedi that all stood against him.

"FOR THE REPUBLIC!" Captain Rex shouted at the top of his lungs, leading the 501st against the resurgent Sith within a snowy jungle, the men all roaring as they engaged the enemy.

Gethzerion cackled with glee, fighting against Wanda who had three lightsabers floating around her with the blue of Quicksilver coming at the Nightsister with a lightsaber of his own. Appearing within the bout, Ventress came crashing in, form eyes glowing with lightsabers flaring to assist the Maximoff twins.

The jungles of Yavin 4 burned as a fierce battle raged on, ships flying about in the air.

Thor unleashed his lightning against The Son's own, the two powerful beings roaring at the top of their lungs as they let lose all the power they had.

"Are we fighting to save the galaxy? Or just because that's all we know what to do now?" Kenobi asked quietly, hanging his head with Satine placing a hand on his back.

Peter writhed in pain, screaming in pure agony as both his arms and legs were bound, Ahsoka and Barriss also restrained and crying in anguish at the sight of their boyfriend's torture. The Sith surrounding him with the Son all held out their hands, unleashing torrents of red Sith Lightning, the Symbiote barely able to withstand such pain in protecting its host.

"I've never seen such raw strength before. I'm afraid to see how it becomes once refined."

A glowing and desperate Ahsoka releases a Force Scream, shattering her binds and sending everyone away. Others weren't so lucky, for they disintegrated.

The power behind it all destroyed the entire complex.

Barriss looked at her hand in astonishment, seeing the Force flowing around her hand in a manner she had never seen before.

Anakin Skywalker felt a deep connection with the men of the 501st as he fought at the head of the charge, feeling a link between him and his men as they fought on.

Plo Koon raised his arms, bright blue Force Lightning dancing around them.

Yoda placed his three-clawed hand on a door, closing his eyes and unleashing a Force Pulse that turned the door into dust.

"Even when we think there's an out, the universe course corrects what we believe."

The Guardians of the Galaxy were assisting the people of Ryloth as the world around them fell apart.

Clones with their new brothers and sisters in the army all yelled in defiance, throwing their fists and weapons into the air as the many famed Commanders and Captains rallied them.

"We were made for this. Trained for it. But this is far beyond our pay grade."

Captain Rex ran with the 501st on a darkened planet with War Machine and Falcon flying overhead.

He then was stepping up to a Besalisk Jedi Master, the two glaring at each other with the rest of the 501st backing their Captain.

"Things are only getting worse."

Thrawn was on the bridge of a ship, barking out orders with everyone in a mad scramble to take on the oncoming enemy forces.

"The galaxy is barely being held together."

Padme wept, clinging onto Anakin who held a solemn gaze, feeling the loss his wife was experiencing.

From a private chamber, Maul stood, arms crossed with several others, watching Savage Oppress struggling to get adjusted to his new power and armor.

"Ashla and Bogan. Dark and Light. Good and Evil." The Zabrak listed off. "Those are just concepts for those too short-sighted to see a greater picture. A greater purpose."

Next to him, Freedon Nadd gave him a scrutinizing glare.

"And what is this greater purpose you speak of."

"Balance."

Across the galaxy, multiple radios were going off, all calling in a panic as a new enemy was attacking, one they couldn't identify. A great darkness descending upon the closed-off galactic society, the likes no one has ever seen before.

"We just need that spark in the darkness. Just one. And Hope will grow and burn like wildfire."

Standing proud, grasping the hands of her master and lover, respectively, Ahsoka began to glow as the Oneness flowed through the three.

"There will be stories about this. Let's live long enough to hear them."

The Hutts were all in deep discussion before they heard the sound of heavy footsteps. The room went quiet as from a dark hallway came a sole human male, garbed only in black with a white skull on his chest.

"Got a lot of cleaning up to do." Were Frank Castle's only words, hefting two guns up and unloading everything they had.

Anakin stood in front of Freedon Nadd, his azure blade in one hand and a crimson red in the other all while the ancient Sith Lord cackled maniacally.

Iron Man narrowed his eyes behind his helmet, staring intently at Maul who spun his double sides red lightsaber.

"Avengers." Steve quietly said into their comms, speaking to the entire team who were fighting on multiple ends, looking worn and battle damaged. "I know we're at our lowest point. So I need you to do something for me. I need you to assemble because everyone is counting on us. To fight the battles no one else could. To guarantee that we will give them a tomorrow. So please, let's show everyone why we're Earth's Mightiest Heroes."

Avengers: Infinite Wars Season Four

AN

With this, Season 3 is nearing its end. Season 4 is on the horizon folks.

We're almost at the end.

And every end is the start of a new beginning and that is the anticipated season four. But first, a great many things to address that Jeb has hammered out.

Jebest4781: The Ahsoka and Indiana Jones trailers came out recently and they look gorgeous. I'm hyped to see how they'll go on them respectively. Not to mention other bits of news being dropped.

With Ahsoka, it appears we'll be getting an adaptation of the original Thrawn trilogy with "Heir of the Empire". Not everything would be used, given certain characters won't be making an appearance like Mara Jade, who made her debut here. Figured as much, given we didn't get any references of her in the Sequel Films and the comics/books that were made canon. But a lot will be filled in by using characters from SW Rebels and so forth. Just so long as the show turns out great, I won't complain at all.

Most of all, we get the live action adaptation of Thrawn and it's portrayed by none other than Lars Mikkelsen! And for those who don't exactly know, he's the same voice actor who portrayed the character in Rebels.

With Indiana Jones, this will pretty much be the last one Harrison Ford portrays before retiring from the role. Hopefully it'll be a good send off, unlike the odd film we got with Crystal Skull. Though I wonder if they'll make some references from said aforementioned film, given Shia LeBeouf won't come back for his one role as Indiana's son, Henry Jones the third.

Tales of the Jedi Season 2 is confirmed and by the looks of it, it'll be released either late 2023 or sometime in 2024. And like everyone else, they'll wonder who will be focused on for those episodes. Hell, people are already wondering if there will be a Tales of the Sith show at some point… which would be awesome.

Few other Jedi films are more or less confirmed, one of them being with Rey from the Sequel Trilogy. Iffy on that, given how things went. Even with Dave Filoni taking charge of the project -along with several others- I'll still see the film just to give my unbiased opinion of it so I may feel better immersed. Might change leading up to it, given the whole touchy subject on the character. I don't blame the actress at all, just the writers.

The Second Jedi Fallen Order game is right around the corner and it's gonna be interesting to see how that'll go.

FMW: And also, we saw the Super Mario Bros movie. The critics are a bunch of morons cause I loved that movie. Yes it had flaws but it was a celebration of Mario and frankly, a good time that brought a lot of joy to the audiences that have watched it.

Jeb: Sensory overload with the easter eggs for that one. No doubt we'd be needing to see the film again… and again to hopefully catch them all. Or just go through the lazy route and see some video breakdowns on what was spotted.

FMW: But yeah, that about covers it. The Padawan lost arc is done and the next arc is gonna be a doozy, to be sure. Hope you guys like history.

And before we close things out.

*Omake*

*Once more, the voice of Chancellor Palpatine will be voiced by Seth Macfarlane and the scenes are meant to be portrayed in the style of Robot Chicken.*

Stepping out of a transport alongside many other passengers, Sheev was grumbling to himself.

Soon approached by the Vice Chair of the Galactic Republic, Palpatine continued walking as the Chagrian spoke.

"How was the flight, Chancellor?"

"It was a fucking nightmare, Mas Amedda. My stupid tray table broke, having a gallon of coffee burn my crotch and some dipshit Wookiee that kept shedding with all its fur on my soaked robes. I swear, this is the last time I ride public transport."

Palpatine would've gone through a private flight, but his ship was going under sudden maintenance. Needing to return to Coruscant in a hasty manner, he was forced to go through public transportation after so many years.

And now, he had to endure the ordeal of waiting for his luggage to come out like the rest of the common folk with Amedda standing beside him.

"Is that your-"

"No it's not. For the last time, it's the same stupid black bag with the white stripe. Mine doesn't have that. It's like that stripey bag is mocking me." Sheev hatefully glared at the bag, flipping at it with disdain. "Fuck you, stripey bag."

"It could be at another baggage claim-"

"Nope, it's been sacrificed to the airport gods. Force knows what actually came of it. And it'll take forever to get my actual robes flown in." Palpatine balked. "Fuck. I just remembered, I put my lightsabers in there."

When taking his private flights, security wouldn't need to search him and his personal effects. He would keep his lightsabers hidden inside of his robes as a result. But with public transport, he was forced to hide them in his luggage.

Now he's lost them.

And boy if someone searched through them…

But before that, something caught Palpatine's eyes as it moved right by him.

A modified surfboard made for pod racing.

"Wow, for real?" He couldn't help but say in an impressed tone upon seeing this.

Now at the Senate building, Sheev needed to take care of some things at his office. He expected to deal with it right away before focusing on other matters.

Easier said than done.

"What do you mean the elevator is broken?" Palpatine asks aloud irritably.

"It's going under maintenance, Chancellor." A Clone with a construction helmet stated.

"Then fix it. Fix it now."

"We are doing it right now." The Clone said, thumbing to the elevator where other Clones were currently working.

"...Is there another one-"

"Down the hall, Chancellor." Said a nearby Senate Guard.

"Urgh, at least some good news."

He made his way over to where the direction of the other elevator was supposed to be and made it just in time to see a Clone Trooper from the 187th legion entering the lift.

"Wait, hold on. Hold the elevator!" He called out to the Trooper who began pressing the door close button on the elevator.

Practically seeing the doors closing, the secret Sith Lord seethed. "I'll remember this, Trooper. What's your ID number!?"

"It's 1142-Eat my ass!" Was the last thing the Chancellor heard as the door closed on him.

Angry but also exhausted of all options, he must-

*Ding!*

Oh, maybe luck was on his side as there was a second elevator…

And it was filled to the brim with Quarren.

Yeah, he'd rather not have his newly furnished robes smelling like filet fish from a fast food joint. He already had the hot drink stain on his robes, he didn't want the caked smell too.

They can be offended all they like, they just needed to let it go.

Now he has to undergo something he dreads taking…

The escalator.

Exhaling a sigh, Sheev dealt with the long, annoying wait to reach his level.

He released a sigh as he stepped on the escalator, shaking his head at this predicament.

"Chancellor."

"Clone Trooper." The Secret Sith Lord said in respect.

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Master Jedi."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Senator."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Jedi."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Senator."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Yup."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Uh, huh."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"You."

…

"Chancellor."

"Mhmm."

…

…

…

"Chancellor."

Palpatine let out a groan. "Clone Trooper."

…

"Chancellor."

"Jedi."

…

"Chancellor."

"Clone Trooper."

…

"Chancellor."

"Senator."

…

"Chance-"

"Clone Trooper." Palpatine began interrupting, his patience beginning to run out now.

"Chancell-"

"Jedi."

"Chancellor-"

"Clone Trooper. Senator. Jedi. Blah~ Blah~ Blah~ Blah~"

He was alone again, going up the escalator until…

…

…

…

"Chancellor-"

"Ywek."

…

…

"Chancellor."

"Go fuck yourself."

…

"Chancellor-"

"Go fuck yourself."

…

"Chancellor-"

"Go fuck yourself."

…

"Chancellor-"

"Go fuck yourself!"

…

"Chancellor-"

"GO FUCK YOURSELVES! ALL OF YOU!"

Finally getting into his office, he just wanted to just focus on any backup work before going home for the day.

"Actually, why am I here in the first place? I should be resting, not going back to work."

Yet here he was. Might as well get things over with.

And the first thing he did was realize that something was off within his office.

Primarily where he was seated.

"Seems the chair is new. Didn't expect that." He scooched himself further into the seat. "Rather comfy." Looking at the armrest, he saw a button. "What's this do?"

With his curiosity quickly taking hold, he pressed the simple button and felt the chair vibrate.

"Oh~ a massage chair. Me likey." Palpatine moaned out. "Why I never thought of getting one brought in is beyond me."

At least there was some good-

"What the-" Palpatine then spun around without prompting his chair to do so.

The chair began to twist and turn erratically.

"What the hell is up with this rotating chair?" He complained aloud, trying to get his seat under control. "Who the hell gave me an automatic chair?"

More twists and turns occurred, making him hold onto dear life.

"Can't believe I'm saying this, but I need a Jedi and a padawan."

He began whipping about, almost flying off and slamming into the office window or his desk a few times over.

"The Dark Side compels you to cease! The power of the Force compels you!"

The chair finally stopped spinning about and Palpatine leaned forward.

"Ok, great, now I'm sick."

Then came a phone call and subconsciously, Palpatine slapped his hand down to answer it.

"What?!"

"Had a fun ride?"

"...You gave me the chair, didn't you?" Sidious growled in pure aggravation.

"That I did." Replied the smug synthetic voice.

"I don't know who you are, but I will track you down and have you executed!"

"I'd like to see you try, Sidious."

Sheev froze, finally recognizing that electronic voice.

"...Fucking dammit! Enough with the holo-calls and tampering with the electronics, Ultron! Leave me alone!"

"Hmmm~ Nah. Also, thanks for the lightsabers. I'll be sure to use them."

"...YOU FUCKING NERF-HERDER! IT WAS YOU THE WHOLE TIME!"

*static screen change*

It has been a long, strenuous day being Chancellor of the Republic and secret Dark Lord of the Sith. He felt exhausted but had a little pep to his step as he made it to his private residence here at Coruscant.

One may wonder why he seemed a bit giddy due to a scheduled arrangement.

Because today, or rather tonight, was gonna be a very special night.

At his private home on Coruscant, Sheev was planning on getting down and busy with his one aide, Sly Moore.

For years, she has faithfully served him. Working as his body double by posing as his Sith identity while he did his previous Senator and now Chancellor duties, just to throw off suspicion. Not just that, but she helped get his rocks off on occasion, due to how oddly obsessed she was with him.

Meh, don't waste a good opportunity.

With all the stress going on, he really needs a way to relieve himself of such things outside of the Force.

After all, a man such as him has needs too, you know. Not just for galactic power, but to get some pleasurable release.

Now that he was here, he could sense Sly getting closer so now was the time.

With a flick of the wrist and some Force manipulation, the lights dimmed to an appropriate setting and some music turned on.

Cheesy, space jazz was playing in the background, setting the mood for what Sheev and Sly would get into very soon.

Moments later, in walked Sly Moore, the Umbaran giving him a coy look as he smirked at her appearance.

"Sly, my muse, my mistress, so glad of you to finally join me."

"But of course Chancellor." Moore sensually said, removing her robes to show off the lingerie she wore beneath.

"Hot Mama, you brought the goods tonight."

"Only for you."

Sheev could practically feel a lot of blood rushing through him. Primarily towards his lower half.

"Oh yeah~ Come to your lord and master." He said, quickly disrobing as he's now in a mere speedo. He lied on the bed, posing for his aid while eyeing the young and succulent piece of ass it's owner was slightly shaking. "I've been dying to ride you all night long."

Sensually walking towards him, Sly was about to get in close and begin tonight's embrace-

*BAM*

Then Spider-man, of all people, landed on his window. "Hey Chancellor, I got a message for ya from Anak-Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt, Chancellor."

"What the-Parker?! Get out of here, ya menace! What the hell are ya even-"

"Message, message from Anakin and the Jedi." Peter quickly replied, hands over his eyes as he held up a paper letter of all things. "Here, take it, bye."

And Peter swung off at breakneck speeds, needing to get home and scrub his eyes out with alcohol and probably bleach his brain as he now knew the wrinkly old man still got busy and with that creepy Moore woman of all people.

Palpatine exhaled through his nose, eyes briefly flashing his acidic yellow hue before they returned to normal and he looked back to his muse with an awkward smile.

"So… Sly, baby-"

But she was already putting her robes back on. "Sorry, my lord, but the moment is ruined. We'll have to pick this up another time."

Palpatine could only stand as still as a statue, hands outstretched and mouth open in disbelief as Sly gave him a bow and departed.

'No. No. No no nononononono! I am not getting blue balled here!' Were Sidious' desperate thoughts just as the door to his residence closed. Whipping his head back to the window, Sheev looked towards the retreating form of Spider-man in the distance.

"CURSE YOU SPIDERMAN!" He bellowed out loud.

And like that, ladies and gentlemen were how Spiderman inadvertently saved the future from the Sequel Trilogy. Don't ask how or why, just roll with it.

Yeah, if we haven't made our deep seated hatred for the Sequels clear enough already.

Anywho, till next time my fellow readers.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.