And we have a birthday update, yes yes I know I'm a bastard for making y'all wait so long but eh what can I say. Now I know some of yall wanted this updated so here it is. Before the end of the year expect to see one more update cycle.
And remember fuck Vshred, Fuck the rule of Embers and praise be to the great Omnissiah.
Begin.
the force screamed.
Or at least that's what it felt like to the Jedi and any of the force-sensitive beings on the planet itself. Even those within the temple were not immune to the psychic whiplash that circulated across the entirety of the force.
It was akin to that of a million dying spirits screaming and writhing in agony all at once. Some Jedi within the temple who were either too old or too weak simply collapsed, their brains simply overloading from the sheer intensity of it all.
The masters who had accompanied Palpatine were only slightly better. Sweat poured down their faces and their bodies visibly trembled as this conduit of pure force energy pushed its way towards them.
However, as the duo approached the sheer electricity in the air seemed to calm down, the Mandalore had noticed how his sheer presence within the force was affecting those who were force-sensitive and those who were not.
So, the pillar of force energy seemed to relent, its natural current returning somewhat and allowing the force sensitive to relax slightly. However, none could say that they didn't have their hands on their weapons as the Mandalore approached.
Palpatine shakily bowed. Swiftly hiding the burst blood vessels in his eyes. He couldn't allow himself to show fear and anger in front of the Mandalore, that would put the position he worked so hard for at risk.
Naruto lowered his head slightly showing off the Golden wreath that was wrapped around his head just above his ears. It seemed to shine brightly in the sunlight adding yet another symbol to the growing number. He hadn't realised before but his force presence had been practically blanketing the entire fleet in an aura of calming serenity with an effective force of strength. To the Jedi however it was akin to being shown to a bright Star about to enter Supernova, it burned and scalded their bodies and very spirits.
Naruto acknowledged the Jedi council seeing the masters arrayed before him. He knew them all from his time within the temple, he would never forget the faces of the people who signed his warrant for banishment. However, there was a new member to the group of Jedi from the last time he had seen them. The young skywalker close in age to himself stood there with them, glowering at him. He stared back at the so-called chosen one, his eyes piercing into and burning away the man's resolve as he looked away.
Palpatine raised one wrinkly hand, that old grandfatherly smile once again plastered over his face. Naruto could almost taste the simmering emotion beneath the facade, however. The man's hatred for him and everything he stood and strived for made Naruto sick to his stomach. He almost recoiled from the man's mere presence. It was only a calming hand from Bo on his wrist that eased the feeling.
"Welcome back to Coruscant lord Mandalore. It has been quite some time since your last visit. We hadn't heard anything in correspondence to another visit in quite some time so we feared that you may have fallen in conflict with the vile members of the separatists." Palpatines words were careful and honeyed. He knew exactly what to say to get the desired effect.
"Be careful how you speak of some of those former separatists Chancellor. They are members of the Mandalorian Commonwealth now and are esteemed friends despite their former differences. Now why were we summoned here? What is it you wish to discuss?" Naruto's words smashed through any facade of control Palpatine had thought he had maintained.
"We simply wish to settle some of the disturbances between our two political entities. Doing it in person is easier no?" Palpatine responded through gritted teeth. Naruto nodded in acceptance but then he stiffened.
The Jedi and everyone on the deck felt the shift in atmosphere. It was abrupt and dangerous, it rose the hairs on the necks of all those in his range. Bo leaned over to her lover, her eyes narrowed.
"What is it?" she whispered. Naruto didn't answer. His eyes began to glow as his head snapped around searching for something.
then somewhere in the distance a blaster fired. Time slowed down as Naruto's bodyguards rushed to dive in front of him, aiming to shield their lord with their bodies. The Jedi were barely reaching for their weapons.
Almost everyone was too slow to react.
But they didn't need to.
The blaster bolt hovered in the air fighting its containment. The plasma shook as the force froze it in place. Bo, who had been the target had been pulled behind Naruto, his eyes overlooking the blaster bolt and scanning for where it had come from.
Much to their chagrin seven more bolts followed it however much like their predecessor they were all ceased in their movements vibrating wildly as the force contained them. Then they were slowly forced together being forged into a single almost blinding bolt of Tabanna plasma.
His eyes flicked upwards as he saw finally where the shots had originated from, a sniper who was now slowly backing away from his rifle and scope in fear.
They would not escape.
Without moving his body the combined plasma flew back towards its master, and the unstable bolt slammed into the roof. There was a slight pause.
BOOOOOM
The building visibly shook as the bolt slammed into it.
Palpatine stared at him in shock as Naruto slowly turned to face him. A wrathful sneer on his face as his rage slowly bled into the air around them.
"What is the meaning of this." He ground out. His bodyguards quickly surrounded him as did his generals and the rest of his forces.
"I'm not sure Lord Mandalore it seems there are some non-state actors who wish to see you extinguished." Senate guard and Jedi had moved to surround the chancellor and they were about to move back towards the senate chamber. However, the Mandalore maintained his position his eyes glaring.
"So why are there two Republic gunships breaching the perimeter at high speed?" Palpatine's eyes widened as he shook his head. He turned to one of the clone officers who were frantically shouting orders into his comms.
Before anyone could speak the first of the gunships broke the cloud cover, its wing ripped off and its engines smoking. It was barely maintaining lift as it careened towards the landing bay, the gunship hit the bay hard. It skidded against the ground before finally coming to a stop several feet away from the Mandalore and his party.
His bodyguards took up defensive positions with their rifle barrels raised. One of them with a radio set strapped to his back kneeled down and began to shout requests into the machine his requisitions quickly being answered and passed up.
Before any reinforcements could arrive however the doors slammed open and a dozen pirate's rogues and renegades leapt from its stricken hull, weapons drawn, and faces covered. One figure stood out however, he was easily taller than any of the others, his tall crown of horns denoted him as a Zabrak a powerfully built one at that.
His sickly yellow skin and tattoos only proved to exemplify his origin. The sickly yellow eyes however put everyone on guard.
He began to move forwards as the second gunship crash landed and disgorged many more of the trash.
"I AM SAVAGE OPPRESS. AND I CHALLENGE YOU MANDALORE." his voice echoed across the landing bay, it put the jedi on guard immediately, apparently, they had heard of such a beast.
Naruto's guard tensed as they prepared to fight. But they ceased their movements with a single hand. Naruto removed his crimson cloak, giving it to one of the Attaches that accompanied them.
"B2 ensure that none of this rabble get clear of us. Any who get near the republic delegation are to be gunned down. Do not let the Republic delegation interfere either."
One of the droids, painted with red paint which formed the symbol of a captain replied with a loud Roger, the rear ranks turning to face the pirate rabble.
Naruto unhooked a large hilt from his belt, the jedi that watched were intrigued. It was a lightsaber hilt that was for sure, but the emitter was too wide and the handle too long for normal human hands.
Naruto lifted the hilt in a riposte position and activated the lightsaber, a swirl of purple and black crept out from the emitter, unlike the weapons of the other jedi this blade was flat and wide, akin to that of a broadsword. It ended in a sharp tip which seemed to hum with energy and light.
Naruto flicked the blade, his golden armour glowed with the light of the sun, and he began to walk towards his enemy. It was almost like watching a golden knight fight the devil himself. His guards followed one step behind, their halberds held at fighting positions.
The pirates broke out into a fast walk, copying the actions of their enemies. Then both sides tore into a dead sprint as they collided with each other.
It was akin to a force meeting an unmoveable object. The Pirates crashed into the guardians and immediately began to be massacred, halberds flashed and wept with blood as they reaved apart their foes.
Naruto collided with Savage, their lightsabres fizzing and popping as they locked blades. He was easily taller than the Mandalore, however even to their very eyes they could see Savage struggling to overpower the Blonde.
Even though the man looked more physically capable they could see that Naruto seemed almost unphased by the sheer savagery and rage that was being blasted at him. The Mandalore was the first one to break the deadlock, he kicked out catching the Zabrak knee and almost caving it in immediately.
Savage stumbled back, limping slightly. Naruto pursued him not giving him time to try and use the force in some insidious manner.
Savage rushed him again, slower but still showing off that barely contained rage. Naruto moved almost akin to water, flowing between multiple forms. Savage was being overwhelmed, and the jedi watching the fight could only watch on dumbstruck as the Mandalore and his greatsword decimated the enhanced Zabrak.
Naruto punched him and he lost multiple teeth, all flying out like some bastardised buckshot. "You." He punched again. "Threatened." A third punch threatened to rip of the Zabraks head. "MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE." The upper cut sent the larger alien flying shattering the bones of a few pirates as he landed heavily on them.
Then to almost everyone's shock Naruto's arm extended, very similar to the way that some droids could extend their limbs. The arm grabbed the now unconscious berserker and dragged him to where the now gore covered royal guard awaited him, halberds raised.
Naruto dropped him at their feet, Sevetar stepped forwards, his armour dripping with blood as he grabbed the berserker's shoulder.
"Lord Sevetar. Please ensure that any information that can be extracted is done so. I want to know who allowed for this to happen." Sevetar nodded and dragged the Zabrak back, two of the Mandalorians accompanying him.
Naruto turned back to the Republic delegation; his face stormy as his guards reattached his cloak, Palpatine and his delegation approached.
"I'm glad to see that you are okay Lord Mandalore, ill be having my ministers and the Jedi look into how they were able to get so close to our position." Naruto' expression didn't change.
"I don't think I can trust your people anymore. For the duration of my stay, I shall be having the entire building I'm staying in and we shall be investigating this separately." With a single tap of a button on his gauntlet a signal had been sent out.
Palpatine's eyes dropped slightly in sheer annoyance. "Of course, however we must say that the Mandalorian soldiers can only be allowed within that sector." Naruto simply nodded.
The jedi watched on in some trepidation as large gunships with swept wings began to circle the dock, ship after ship landed disgorging numerous squads of Mandalorian regulars. Some let out auxiliaries who immediately began to secure the entire deck.
Naruto waved on "Shall we continue to the debate hall then. Chancellor?" the fake vitriolic smile that he angered Palpatine to the point where he almost dropped his visage and cut the boy down there and then.
"Very well."
3 hours later
Anakin and a squad of clones accompanied Padme and the Dutchess to the large fortress-like compound which had been allocated to the Mandalorian delegation. Far from what had been a small dinky room the last time they had come this building was massive, easily four stories tall with a wide perimeter wall.
Barbed wire and cameras littered the tops of the wall, alongside these Mandalorians in full battle armour acted as security, a mix of what Anakin was slowly recognising as direct Mandalorian clan members who filled the elite echelons. They approached the massive main gate, which was not only a large steel gothic structure but was reinforced by dense shield array which covered the entire they approached Anakin could make out the recessed objects of air defence droids, their multi barrelled arms and missile racks chirped and beeped with every hover car that passed nearby.
They approached the gate and were immediately stopped by four Mandalorians, one of which had a doglike alien by his feet which started growling at them, its dark red eyes and quills pricked as it stared down its prey.
"Halt." The one who seemed to be in charge called, a single palm raised. "State your business With the Mandalorian Commonwealth." He was direct and to the point.
Anakin forwent speaking and allowed the diplomats to do their thing. Padme began. "We are here as a diplomatic embassy from Naboo to the Mandalorian commonwealth to discuss specific business with the Mandalore himself." At the sound of his name, they seemed to straighten up.
"Names and ID now." It wasn't a request.
Anakin took the two diplomats ID's and handed them over to the soldier who snatched them from his grasp, he seemed to gaze at them hotly for a minute or two.
"Entry denied. Former Dutchess Satine Kryze, formerly of House Kryze. You are on the blacklist and are to be arrested if you step foot on Mandalorian soil and put to trial." His voice was dead serious. Anakin heard the clones behind him shift slightly as if uncomfortable with the situation.
Satine's eyes watered but they stayed firm. "I request a direct meeting with the current Mandalore and his equerries." The Mandalorian paused for a moment, almost as if he were listening to a radio.
Then the ray shield fell. And the gate opened.
Satine was the first to recognise the pale grinning face that exited the embassy and it made her spirit fall to the very depths of her stomach. The grinning scarred face and slicked hair, the night blue armour streaked with sparks of lightning and most of all.
The blood red gauntlets.
"How could he let a madman like you out of prison Sevatarion." Satine practically hissed. They could hear the slight sense of fear on her voice.
"The lord Mandalore needed a Justicar. And who better for the role than the one who ensured 3 clans would never turn traitor again." He shrugged as two more squads of Mandalorians filtered out with him.
Satine looked them all over and saw they wore a similar colour scheme to the Justicar. "I see the Lords of the night have popped right back into existence. Murderers and thieves the lot of you." Jago again shrugged, grinning and showing off his slightly elongated fangs.
"the Lord of Night no longer exist. They are members of the Justicarian now. But enough pleasantries, why are you here? You know if you step onto embassy soil we will arrest you." He was as honest as he could be.
"I must see the Man that calls himself the Mandalore. I wish to use my oath right as the still current head of House Kryze." Sevetar looked at her with dead eyes.
The silence seemed to carry before he sighed, "You are no longer the lord of a House, Satine. Your sister was named Lord of House Kryze when you fled from Mandalore in disgrace. You have no control and cannot order anyone to allow you entrance." He broke down her argument, but she still stayed defiant.
"then according to the Clan charters, I still have the ability to request a meeting with the Mandalore and only he can refuse. I use my right as a former lord of the Mandalorian court." Sevetar sighed louder, his annoyance obvious.
Then he paused, Anakin heard the click of an in-ear communicator going off.
Satine looked at Padme as the silence carried for a tense couple of seconds. There was a mutter of "Very well my lord." Then he looked down at the trio and their squad of soldiers.
"He will see you. Your troopers will stay in the courtyard outside. Follow me." He turned and began to walk, the trio and Republic troopers followed behind closely. As they entered the gateway the gate was shut, and the ray shield reactivated.
Anakin looked around as they walked through the embassy, the courtyard alone was filled with dozens of Mandalorians and Mandalorian droids. They were heavily armed and brightly coloured, but all were deadly. There were some armoured vehicles that he had never seen before, and it was intriguing.
However, after a couple of moments of walking they entered the main building of the embassy, walking through the large double doors they were struck with the comfortable and warm atmosphere. People were walking about within the embassy some were civilians hile others were civil members of the Mandalorian military.
They saw members of multiple species all working together, Anakin in particular saw several Pantorans and even some Zyggerians working together. It reminded him to an extent of the Republic.
They continued to walk through the winding corridors moving up numerous flights of stairs, at each junction they got to they saw the Golden armoured warriors that they had seen dominating the pirates. Each one looked similar but differed in either the weapon they used or height. Some used heavy set blaster rifles while others wielded the large halberds. They didn't even look at the trio simply nodding to the Justicar and allowing him through.
Finally after almost 5 minutes of walking they approached a large set of ornate double doors, they were gilded with gold and shots of silver, two particularly large members of the Golden company stood either side of the door, their bloody crimson cloaks barely touched the floor and their high red plumes only seemed to make them stand taller.
These two unlike the others had face guards which seemed to actually simulate a human's face, both were twisted in a form of anguish and rage, and it seemed to raise Anakin's heckles just looking at them for too long. One nodded to Jago and pushed open the door revealing the large office behind.
Jago walked in with them following, they saw Naruto behind a incredibly large semicircular desk, rather than the golden armour he had worn earlier he wore a set of dark blue robes which seemed to show off both his mechanical arm and his normal one. To his left sat the familiar form of the former Pantoran Senator, Riyo chuchi she was dressed in a red tunic with a golden tiara framing her head.
To his right sat Bo Katan, now decked in her armour, all three seemed to be doing paperwork till the Republic delegation had entered the room. Now they sat in silence staring at the three.
"Jago, why is my dear sister not in chains?" Bo asked, her voice low and eyes narrowed.
"She intoned the ancient rites. It would've been unfair to deny her this meeting." He shrugged as he spoke. He was cruel but not unfair.
She sighed in response. Then Naruto spoke, "Why have you come here. What is it you seek to accomplish by meeting me?" he dropped the stylus on the table, one of his aides came over and removed the data slate he was working on.
Satine balled her hands up into fists. "I have seen what you have done to Mandalore and the surrounding systems, you war monger. Not only did you almost die chasing conflict you brought conflict to the rest of the Galaxy. How many civilians have to die before you will just understand my view." She was practically crying as she spoke.
Naruto was stony faced. "I have liberated countless systems. I have saved millions of lives. We did more as 'War mongers' than your pacifist government ever did. When I united the clans dozens more came out of hiding because they feared imprisonment." He paused and stood staring at satine directly.
"Fearing imprisonment from your own people simply because you cherish the ways of your people. Not only that but I have brought innovation where you had stagnation. The Separatist movement only exists in the darkest corners of the galaxy. I have brought peace." Satine wished to say more but Padme interrupted her.
"You do realise that the Republic still wants those criminals who have crossed into your territory. Not to mention we still outnumber you in sheer systems." Naruto seemed to mull over her words.
"Perhaps. But neither you nor your boyfriend could stop us. I could have Naboo reduced to ash without leaving here and they wouldn't know it was us." Padme stiffened and Anakin felt the blood start to pump in his ears.
"Where's my apprentice?" he blundered straight into the conversation.
"Who?" Naruto's question as he sat down only seemed to irritate Anakin more.
"Ahsoka Tano. The Togruta. My Padawan, she left the day you and your… forces. Landed on Coruscant." Naruto paused for a moment, like he was thinking over some grand conspiracy.
"Never heard of her." He grinned. Anakin stepped forwards, fists balling up.
Naruto shifted slightly in his chair.
Padme turned slightly as she heard a dozen or so soft clicks. They hadn't noticed them before, but around the edges of the room the golden soldiers were stepping out of the shadows of the room, halberds drawn and lightly glinting. She looked at Sevatar and even though he still hadn't moved, two thin knuckle blades had appeared on one of his gauntleted hands.
"Anakin." Padme softly uttered, even though he wanted to fight it Anakin backed down with an annoyed huff.
"Please Lord Mandalore. This is a missing Padawan who only disappeared post your original visit. Surely even you can understand that is suspicious." Naruto looked at her with slightly colder eyes.
He leaned forwards and steepled his fingers.
"And what if pray tell, she is within the Mandalorian commonwealth what happens then? Will you charge into Commonwealth space with your warships demanding her return? And what if she doesn't want to come back? What then?" these questions seemed to both stump and anger Anakin further.
"She is a citizen of the Republic and a member of the Jedi order. This is different to both the former masters and the clones that were taken. If it is found, she is being held against her will in one of your facilities there will be war." Padme was direct and heavy handed, a rarity for her.
Satine looked at her in betrayal and horror.
Naruto raised a single eyebrow, he looked at Chuchi with a slight look of disbelief and she shrugged, Naruto then looked at Bo who simply shook her head.
"Is that the official position of the Republic? Can you afford to make enemies so lightly with the people you just wished to pledge peace with? Can you even afford to do so with what happened on Kamino?" his voice was filled with mirth at the supposed threat.
Padme and Anakin both looked at each other with concern. But she answered, nonetheless. "Yes. The incident on Kamino has not lowered our output."
"If you say so." Naruto said flippantly they both knew that at best it was an empty threat. He turned to one of his aides. "Summon Lady Ti and Lady Secura like we discussed." The aide bowed and after only but a moment both women walked in wearing beautiful sets of armour which seemed to only highlight their ferocity and beauty.
And then the door opened a third time.
And Fulgrim walked in.
Hope yall enjoyed the chapter, praise be to Neptune and fuck the rule of embers.