GOLDENHEART STORIES PRESENTS...
A Michael J. Pineda Production
THE FROZEN FORCE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL II
Chapter: 86 Shadow Sister (Part I)
"Survival is instinctual. Understanding is a choice."
Rising deceptions! The Inner Rim and Core Worlds teem with unease after a mass breakout on Coruscant. As a result, faith in both the Republic and the Jedi Order continues to crumble. As many pieces shuffle across the vast boards of war, darker forces linger in the shadows. On a world much too close for comfort, a Dark Side practitioner acts on his own interests...
When spacers thought of the planet Naboo, the same illustrious images often came to mind. They envisioned the scenic, lush plains that stretched on for miles. Tremendous waterfalls would cascade in the distance while wild nunas scampered about. The most exotic birds known to most of the Mid Rim would flutter from the high trees. Their joyous songs would echo beyond the forests and through the paved streets of iconic cities. All of which were ruled by a benevolent queen, just as they had been for generations. At least, these were the vistas that kept tourists and dreamers coming to Naboo. No one ever wanted to imagine a thunderstorm so heinous.
Lightning crackled over the plains and sent nunas squealing in a panic. A torrential downpour had the citizens of Moenia City scurrying for cover. Rivers bubbled and elevated from the surrounding swamplands. Even the thickest foliage toppled over under copious amounts of rain. And yet while the denizens of Moenia fled indoors, a single swamp dweller stood idly by. He let the rain bombard and dampen his hood. Every patter brought him closer to peering up at the darkened clouds above. With a deep breath, he removed his hood and let the waters refresh his tired visage. He winced as the heavy droplets struck his dark complexion. A single lightning bolt streaked across the sky and illuminated Facilier's grinning face. "Perfect," he whispered as if admiring the weather conditions. Facilier uncapped a flask and collected a sample of rainwater before delving deeper into the swamp.
His boots sunk into the rising muck as he approached a mossy cave entrance. Peeling back a veil of hanging leaves, Facilier crept inside amidst a green glow. The storm's chill subsided to a brewing warmth within. Archaic texts and mammalian carcasses lined the jagged walls beside a cauldron. Facilier ran his fingers alongside the cauldron's battered edge. His vividly violet eyes narrowed as he examined the container's swirling, misty contents. Upon pouring a the rainwater flask inside, he listened for a peculiar hiss within the cauldron. Thunder and lightning boomed from within, as if the storm's essence had been gathered for his needs.
"Is it time?" Facilier questioned himself and hummed in deep thought. "Is it time?" He unfolded a stack of ebony-colored cards as a green mist encompassed them. His brows furrowed as each card emerged blank from the stack. Uncertainty swirled within, yet impatience got the best of him. I should've known better than to strike a deal with Clayton, Facilier thought. That hunter undoubtedly underestimated the Dellian girl. But perhaps...I'm underestimating myself now. Facilier clasped a dusty vial and stared into its bundled contents. Maybe I'm stronger than I believe, he told himself. Who needs a body? He observed the lock of platinum blonde hair nestled inside.
Casting his blank cards aside, Facilier dared to act on his aspirations. The elements raged outside of the cave as he tossed multiple ingredients into his cauldron. His fingers convulsed as dark magic pulsed around them. Serving as a vessel for such an unnatural ability, Facilier threw his head back to endure the transfer. He twitched and quivered as every surge of magic set his cauldron aglow. Its mists swirled uncontrollably as Facilier uncapped his vial. With widened eyes and a sinister grin, he added the final ingredient to his concoction. The innocent and pure lock of hair plummeted in and immediately set the cauldron ablaze. The emerald flames intensified so much, that Facilier was forced to back away.
"Yes," he uttered before raising his voice to the flames. "YES!" His exhilarated heart raced as a bony set of fingers emerged and clacked against the cauldron's edge. A second skeletal hand pried itself out. "Welcome to transformation central!" he jeered maniacally, overjoyed that his creation had worked. As the bony being pulled itself up, the flames wrapped around its body to form a layer of flesh. "Reformation central!" Enchanted cloth spun from the cauldron's misty depths and wrapped around the being's slender figure. "Transmogrification!" Facilier decreed as his creation collapsed out of the cauldron.
The flames extinguished and the mist receded. Light fixtures powered down, leaving Facilier standing in the dark with the entity. The figure was on her knees, clasping at the gravely ground as if she was feeling for the first time. The first sound to come to her ears was that of heavy rain. The downpour was as oddly calming as it was bewildering. A clap of thunder made her shudder and Facilier's voice had her pausing.
"That's it," he whispered. "Breathe," he instructed and stepped towards her. She exhaled and slowly relaxed her palms against the gravel. "Good," Facilier said. His gentle, accomplished chuckle filled the cave. "Beautiful," he remarked. "Absolutely beautiful." She observed his boot tips as they stopped in front of her. "Now rise, my creation." Facilier commanded. "Rise and take my side as-" In a single swift motion, she jabbed her arm forward and siezed Facilier's neck. His eyes widened as he hurriedly tried to pry her off. Yet her pale grip tightened as she indeed rose from the ground. Facilier's feet dangled as she held him amidst the roar of thunder. "I...command you...to put me down!" Facilier wheezed. He wriggled in her grasp as lightning streaked outside. The ensuing bolt illuminated her stern gaze as she squeezed even more. "Put me down!" Facilier demanded. His creation flung him across the cave and sent him crashing into a bookshelf. As Facilier recovered with a groan, he found himself alone in the cave. He raced to its entrance and quickly peered outside. By the time he found his creation's footprints, the rain had already obscured them in mud.
Her heavy stomps sent loamy soil splattering in every direction. Her gaze was frantic as she tried to make sense of where she was. Lightning crackled overhead as she bumped into multiple trees. Every squeal, bleat, and chitter from a swamp creature had her turning her head. Seeking to flee it all, she eyed a unique set of lights in the distance and dashed towards them. Sediment subsided to bricked pathways as she stumbled into Moenia City. Rain drenched her body while she leaned against a bizarre street light. Her fingers rubbed against its smooth metals as she tried to understand what it was. The light suddenly switched from red to green and made her back up into an open intersection. Landspeeder headlights darted towards her as she narrowly avoided being struck.
"Watch where you're walking, you lunatic!" a Naboo driver yelled amidst the rain.
Rather than respond with words, she loosed an animalistic screech and stumbled towards the nearest sidewalk. The rain never seemed to end as she shrouded her face with the robes on her back. As she tugged at her makeshift hood, the being heard haughty laughter coming from a nearby eatery. The heavy scent of warm meals surpassed the rainfall and drew the being in closer.
Deep-fried nuna legs were served in heaping platters as Naboo gathered to feast. The storm was good for business as the restaurant's elderly owner smiled at his copious customers. "Hey Sal!" a burly woman bellowed from her table. She tapped on her mug of ale and said, "Another!"
"How about you finish the onein your hand first, Rina," the old man chuckled.
"Yeah yeah," Rina scoffed. She took another swig of her beverage and chomped away at her nuna legs. As she did so, the hooded being stumbled into the eatery and loomed behind her. Rina glanced over her shoulder with raised brows. The bar's special nuna sauce still dripped down the corner of her lip as she spoke with her mouth full. "What are you looking at?" Rina's glower deepened when the being didn't answer. "What's the matter, princess? Boyfriend stand you up? Daddy forget to call you a cab?" Her comments heralded a cacophony of laughs from her fellow drunkards. The being simply stepped away and tried to comprehend her surroundings. Rina was about to crack another joke when the woman tripped on her own soaked robes. She stumbled against the table and spilled Rina's ale before carrying on. "Hey!" the patron barked.
"Rina," Sal warned as if it wasn't his customer's first altercation.
She ignored him entirely and chased down the being. "Hey I'm talking to you!" Without warning, she punched the stranger in the back of the head and sent her colliding with a wall. Several patrons gasped while Rina's intoxicated groupies cheered. "Come here, you little brat." Rina growled and yanked the being up by her robes. She pinned her against the wall and stared her down. Rina was close enough for the reeking stench of alcohol to have her victim wrinkling her nose.
"Enough, Rina!" Sal asserted. "Take it outside!"
"Shut up and stay out of this!" the drunk growled. "Pretty girl wants to start stuff? Thinks she's tough? You're nothing, you-" Rina paused as her victim's eyes briefly pulsed with bright green energy. "Huh?" was all she could utter before the being jabbed her arms forward. Gasps erupted across the eatery as she thrust her thumbs into Rina's eyes and squeezed. The amount of pressure was surreal as the hefty patron screamed and flailed. Most of her entourage was frozen in shock while cries erupted from other tables.
"Karabast!" Sal yelled as the being slammed Rina down on his bar counter. Gone was the drunk's bravado as she writhed under the slender woman's grip. Her agonizing screams filled the restaurant as the being dug her thumbs in even deeper. One of Rina's friends grabbed a chair and rallied to her aid. He smashed the steel furniture against the being's back, and was horrified when she didn't budge. Instead, the woman entrenched her thumbs so deeply in Rina's skull, that she solidified a grip tight enough to twist her entire head. A terrifying series of cracks sounded from Rina's neck as her body fell beside the counter. Her death sent patrons fleeing for their lives as the woman set her sights on the chair-swinger. He dared to throw a hapless punch, but she snatched his entire arm.
Old Sal tried to flee the establishment as quickly as he could. His customers were practically toppling over each other as they funneled out of the eatery. As Sal made it to the door, a Naboo policeman came rushing in. His mahogany uniform and prominent cap brought relief to Sal's face. "What's going on?" the officer asked.
"There!" Sal panicked and pointed back towards the counter. "There!"
The officer drew his S-5 heavy blaster and entered the premises. His eyes widened at the sight of a woman repeatedly stomping on Rina's friend's body. "Freeze!" he ordered and took aim. "Put your hands up, right now!" His light blonde stubble trembled atop his quivering chin. The young woman turned and kicked away her kill's corpse. Green hues repeatedly flashed across her dark eyes as she stepped towards the officer. Her glare was as furious as it was curious. As if she'd never seen a blaster before. He sternly clenched its wooden grip and shouted, "I said freeze! Stop or I will shoot!" Whether she was a murderer or not, the last thing the budding officer wanted to do was blast a young woman. "Don't throw your life away!" he warned as his grip on the S-5 tightened. It was as if his words meant nothing as she closed in on him. "No!" he cried out when she quickened her pace.
A blastershot rang out and had the fleeing patrons ducking for cover. Back inside, the officer's regret was quickly replaced by sheer disbelief. He nervously clenched his smoking blaster and observed the woman before him. Naboo's crime rate was particularly low given how much of a deterrent the S-5 was. The heavy blaster was known to put down its targets in a single hit, yet this woman remained standing. Even more bewildering, the officer was staring directly through a clean blaster hole in her chest. He briefly saw the other side of the bar before a green essence shrouded all. The officer's jaw dropped as her once scorched flesh regenerated as if no shot had been fired. His heart sank when the woman proceeded towards him. Acting out of shock and instinct, the officer repeatedly fired.
His silhouette flickered across the restaurant walls. With each hopeless blaster bolt, his attacker's figure grew closer and closer. An empty, overheated click from his weapon heralded a blood-curdling scream. The officer was slammed into the restaurant's doorframe and before falling limp. A flash of lightning revealed a blood puddle at the back of his skull.
As the woman exited the ravaged restaurant, she found herself faced with another bizarre sound. A repulsorlift-powered transport zipped down the rainy street. The emblem of the Galactic Republic was barely visible betwixt the darkness of the storm. Frightened Naboo directed those aboard the transport to the perpetrator as a detachment of clone troopers emerged. The rain pattered against their plastoid armor as they took up formation around the woman.
"Get down on the ground!" a trooper yelled over the thunder. "Now!" Enraged by all she'd endured in the restaurant, the woman screeched and charged straight at them. "Open fire!"
Thunder boomed overhead as laserfire and lightning lit up the street. Plastoid cracked and crunched while clone commands were barely audible. The citizens of Moenia were left screaming in horror as clone trooper wails filled the night. As the chaos carried on, a street camera loomed over the ongoing massacre.
In space, no one can hear you snore. While Elsa didn't consider herself to be a loud sleeper, she'd caught herself snoring from time to time. But her secret was still safe. She'd always given Anna flak for sounding like a napping rancor when they were younglings. The last thing she needed was for her sister to catch her snoring. As Elsa awakened aboard the Deliverance, she rejoiced in the shadowy silence of her quarters. The massive Venator's engines were calming as the vessel glided through space. Her enjoyed silence was short-lived as Elsa's mind started wandering to unwanted places. The death of Obi-wan Kenobi was still fresh and any closure about his killer had been cruelly stripped away. According to the recent HoloNews reports, a massive breakout had occurred on Coruscant. While many of the prisoners had been either killed or recaptured, a vast assortment remained at large. Among those missing were Kenobi's killer: Rako Hardeen...and Dia Veritaz.
Despite all the former senator had put her through, Elsa had still held out hope for Dia. She'd tried to see past her misdoings and hoped the Corellian would just commit to serving her time. Wishful thinking I suppose, Elsa thought to herself. Now Dia was on the loose all over again and the reports just kept getting worse. Neither Clayton nor the space pirate Barbossa were accounted for either. The thought of their prolonged crimes had Elsa shaking her head in disgust. Unwilling to be left alone to her thoughts, she powered up her porg droid and watched him chirp awake.
"Morning, Sir Porgen," she sighed. "Or is it night? I've lost track of everything out here. What day is it even?" Porgen waddled over and nuzzled against her shoulder. Elsa simpered and patted his metallic head. "It's good to see you too," she whispered. "We'll get through all of this," she assured more so for herself.
As Elsa rose from her bed with a yawn, she rubbed her eyes and headed to her personal refresher. After turning on the shower, Elsa activated a personal oil bath for Porgen. The little droid plopped in and chimed with delight. Elsa giggled at his response while preparing herself to bathe as well. The steaming shower was just what she needed to cleanse her mind. The steady flow of water dampened her unbraided, platinum blonde tresses as they cascaded down her pale back. She sought to soften her thoughts while shampooing her hair. Yet no matter how much she cleaned her body, nothing could undo the scars across her skin. Still, she gently slathered soap against the wounds of her past. The thin and slanted scar from Barbossa's vibrosword had slightly paled against her upper arm. As for the self-cauterized scar on her torso, Elsa would be lying if it still didn't give her nightmares. She cleaned them nonetheless, for they were a part of her body and therefore part of who she was.
Elsa and Porgen emerged from their respective baths feeling revitalized. Ready to start her rounds, Elsa beckoned the porg droid to her shoulder as one would a pet convore. He squawked and eagerly waddled up her arm. "Let's see what the Force wills of us today," she told him as his photoreceptors blinked curiously.
Elsa emerged from her quarters to a particularly vacant corridor. She raised a brow, for there would typically be at least one trooper on duty to patrol the corners. She placed a call over her comlink and said, "Commander Frost, it's Elsa. I'm making my rounds if you'd like to join me." She pursed her lips when her call went unanswered. "Commander Frost...respond please." The ongoing silence had her glancing at Porgen on her shoulder. Elsa double-checked to see if her comlink was operational and sighed confusedly. "Where could he be? In fact..." Elsa rounded the corner and found another vacant hall. "Where's anyone?"
Each additionally empty corridor became all the more unsettling. "Hello?" Elsa called into the spacious void. Her droid emitted a frantic chirp and nuzzled her cheek. "Don't be scared, Porgen," she assured. "We'll figure this out."
With her quarters being closest to the hangar, Elsa figured she'd at least find someone operating equipment there. Her brows raised as she entered a spacious platform. The hangar's support lights had been completely turned off. Every gunship and starfighter had been eerily suspended in the shadows above her. "Strange," Elsa whispered and gently shut her eyes. As she called upon the Force to sense through her environment, Elsa was suddenly overwhelmed with the auras of multiple lifeforms. By the time she came to comprehend them all, the hangar's overhead lights flashed on.
The majority of the 213th was assembled before her. Even with their helmets removed, Elsa could sense the uniqueness across each trooper's cheery face. With wide grins and bold voices the clones exclaimed, "Happy Birthday!"
Their cheer was followed by Rip, who was late to join the group. "I thought we were going after the count of three!" he griped before Doubles smacked him upside the head.
Elsa was still coming to terms with the joyous sight before her. The recent days had been so distressing that she'd completely lost track of them. "Wait," she uttered and looked down at Porgen. "It's my-...It-" Her eyes widened as the date caught up with her. "By the Force!"
Commander Frost and Donz approached with a decorated plate. Elsa tilted her head as a sparkler flickered atop a bizarrely-crafted pastry. While half of its icing desperately tried to stay atop the stack, the rest was forming its own crumby landslide. "Now as a disclaimer-" Donz mumbled while staring at the culinary disaster. "-all of this was the commander's idea."
Elsa's giggle was as sudden as it was natural. "I...figured," she said and teasingly stared him down.
Frost nervously scratched at the back of his head and set the plate on a nearby stand. "There isn't a hint of culinary training in our genetic coding," he admitted. "But the HoloNet had some tips. I know it's-" Frost winced at his own so-called cake. "-well...something. And you don't have to eat it if you don't-"
"Frost," Elsa assured and placed a hand on his shoulder. Her gentle smile brought a calmness to him as she said, "It's great. Really." He was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she added, "But...you have to try it with me."
Frost swallowed hard as he peered down at the birthday pastry. "Right," he chuckled. "Of course."
"Good soldiers follow orders," Donz teased and eagerly watched as Frost obliged. Together, he and Elsa pierced the spongy...crusty cake. Each was just as quirky as they were cautious, but ultimately took their first bite. Donz couldn't help but snicker as both Elsa and Frost winced. Neither wanted to back down as they challenged themselves to stomach the poorly-baked cake. After a pair of painful gulps, they looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"Well...I tried," Frost chuckled.
"At least you remembered my birthday," Elsa remarked and rubbed her temples. "That's one step ahead of me!"
"You've been so preoccupied as of late," the commander replied. "I can understand things catching up with you. But that's what we're here for. It wasn't easy to coordinate this surprise after learning your birthdate from Master Yelena."
"Yelena," Elsa whispered as a grin crept across her face. While most memories from her childhood were a blur, she imagined Yelena spending time with her parents. She wondered what the legendary Agnarr and Iduna must've been like in person. While neither of them could be present for her twenty-second birthday, Elsa found solace in Yelena's thoughtfulness. This bliss transcended beyond her thoughts when Admiral Taka's voice echoed over the Deliverance's intercom.
"Incoming Republic vessel," she sternly declared. "Prepare for boarding process."
While Elsa expected another birthday wish, she still figured there was more to Taka's announcement. She smirked at Frost and said, "Oh...we're being boarded now, are we? I wonder who it could be." Her coyness faded when Frost seemed genuinely concerned. "Is...everything alright?"
Frost kept a cool head while trying to comprehend the situation. The second, Venator-class star destroyer glided beyond the hangar's ray-shielded port. "Elsa," he confessed. "If this is part of your birthday surprise, it has nothing to do with us." Elsa raised a cautious brow as a shuttle ominously hovered towards their hangar. "Fall in!" Frost hurriedly ordered as the men re-equiped their helmets. They formed up in orderly lines while Elsa and Frost stood at the center. They watched as the shuttle folded its wings and descended before them.
A squad of unmarked, heavily-armed clones descended from the ramp. They flanked a uniformed man whose rank bar matched that of Admiral Taka's. Not a single strand was out of place atop his dark, auburn head. His gray-blue gaze seemed to pass judgement over all, but mostly focused on Elsa.
"I don't think he's here for the cake," Rip whispered to Doubles as they stood at attention.
The stern-faced official advanced and let the stomp of his polished boots fill the dreadful silence. Frost greeted the admiral with a salute while Elsa bowed respectfully. While the man favored Frost's greeting, he continued to leer at Elsa. Glancing at his rank bar, Elsa spoke up. "To what do we owe this visit, Admiral-"
"Tarkin," the man quickly responded. His voice was sharp and left no room for second guessing. He scoffed at the half-eaten cake behind them and said, "Quite a clever ruse you've put up here, young Jedi."
"Pardon me?" Elsa inquired as Tarkin's clones stepped around her and Frost. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"You may not know who I am, Jedi-" Every time Tarkin spoke of who she was, he did so with disgust in his tone. "-but I am well aware of your identity, Elsa Dellian. And too often do the practitioners of your religion think they can step beyond the Republic's boundaries. Be it for defacement or debauchery."
Elsa's brows furrowed as she shook her head at Tarkin. "What are you saying?"
"Spare us your naivety and mind games. For no amount of your trust in 'the Force' will deny solid evidence to the contrary." Elsa remained baffled until Tarkin held up a datapad. "This was taken from the Naboo city of Moenia." She and Frost leaned towards it as he proceeded to play security footage. The muffled screams of clone troopers echoed through the speakers as blaster shots rang out. One of the troopers was even sent spiraling through the air and out of frame. Elsa gasped as a single figure massacred each soldier and Tarkin froze the frame on its face.
"Th-that's impossible," Elsa stammered. "There must be another explanation. I-"
"Knight Elsa Dellian," Tarkin declared without the slightest hint of emotion. "I'm placing you under arrest for treason against the Galactic Republic."
"What?" Frost blurted before Elsa could. In that instant, Tarkin's troops trained their weapons on her. "No!" Frost refuted. "Elsa would never kill troopers! She didn't do this!"
"Do you have proof as I hold evidence to the contrary?" Tarkin said.
"She's been on the Deliverance!" Frost yelled. His outburst prompted Tarkin's men to aim at him as well.
"Would you prefer another explanation?" Tarkin inquired. "A logical explanation? Then name the suspect!" The admiral was able to raise his voice without hardly changing his expression. "Precisely," he said amidst Frost's silence. "You only say what you do out of obligation. You were bred to protect and serve. It's admirable, but you must accept the fact."
"Kriff that!" Rip cursed as he and many clones from the 213th broke formation. "You want Elsa, you have to go through me!"
"And me!" Doubles added. "But Rip first!"
The rising outburst prompted one of Tarkin's clones to call for reinforcements. Blasters waved through the air and brothers shook fists at one another. The sight distressed Elsa until she turned to Frost. "Commander," she intoned. "Tell them to stand down."
"But," he huffed. "This is wrong and you know it! Someone is trying to frame you!"
Elsa's eyes widened as the commander started reaching for his rifle. "Frost," she intoned. His head snapped towards her as he hyperventilated. "No."
"I-" Frost's hand trembled as he battled his instinctual frustration. "I can't just let them take you. This isn't right."
"Escalating this conflict isn't right either," Elsa said calmly. "I can handle myself, but if you or any of the boys get into more trouble...you'll never uncover the truth." Frost took in the Jedi's words and started slowing his breathing. Elsa sighed in relief as Frost reluctantly dropped his hand.
"Stand down," he hesitantly told the 213th and looked at Elsa.
She nodded to him as Tarkin's clones closed in. Sir Porgen worriedly scurried off of her and chirped. "I'll be okay," she assured the little droid. "Take care of Frost." The droid nodded and nuzzled the commander's ankle.
Frost angrily clenched a fist as one of the troopers snapped a pair of binders on Elsa's wrists. Tarkin coldly led the departure as Elsa was guided up a ramp. No matter how much it pained him to watch, Frost kept his eyes on Elsa in cuffs. He watched her disappear into the shuttle and take one final glance at him.
"Commander?" Doubles asked as Tarkin's shuttle flew off. "What do we do?" Commander?"
"Whatever it takes," Frost murmured and dashed towards the command bridge. He barged in as officers on deck swiveled their heads over. "Admiral Taka," he beckoned. "What's the meaning of all this?"
"I heard everything over hangar comms," Taka replied. "I'm as surprised as you are. Admiral Tarkin didn't say a word. He only presented upper tier clearance with his boarding request. He probably believed we were her accomplices."
"Don't even say that!" Frost impulsively snapped as Porgen flapped on his shoulder.. "Accomplices? Don't tell me that you actually believe Elsa of all people killed those troopers."
"Of course I don't," Taka affirmed. She sighed and made her way to the nearest viewport. "But I also can't explain otherwise," she said while observing the starry void. "You saw the footage. What did you see?"
Frost hung his head and huffed. "Her," he murmured. "It just doesn't make any sense. Elsa might've been willing to go peacefully, but it's up to us to find the truth."
"We'd best act quickly," Taka said. "If what I've heard about Admiral Tarkin is true, his views have seldom favored the Jedi Order. With news of General Krell and public trust in the Jedi continuing to fall, things won't fare well for Elsa. Especially if she's been charged with treason."
Porgen worriedly chirped for his creator and leaned against Frost. As the droid did so, Frost heard something clunk in his metallic torso. While Porgen came off as concerned, it looked as though he wanted to give him something. "What is it?" Frost inquired. Porgen chimed and raised his wings. As he did so, an arcetron hilt slid out from a secret compartment on his torso. "Elsa's lightsaber," Frost said as he clasped the sacred weapon. "She snuck it to you?" Porgen nodded and Frost approached Taka. "Open up comm channels," he told her. "Patch me in to General Anna Dellian."
Anna needed more eyes to observe every sight in the Galactic City Super Mall. "Leave it to me," she muttered grumpily while scouring the outlets. "Leave it to me to save birthday shopping until the last minute."
"I tried reminding you all week," Speedy insisted as he and the other Deathchasers flanked her. "But you kept saying that you'd do it later."
"Trooper," Anna snipped. "An 'I told you so' speech isn't what I need right now. What I need is the perfect gift for Elsa."
"Well, what does she like?" Speedy asked.
"How about dresses?" Blazer considered and gestured to an outfitter.
"Sergeant, how often do you see Jedi wearing gowns like those?" Sparx snarked.
"Hey," Blazer scoffed. "At least I'm trying. I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas."
In that instant, Anna's holocomm started chiming. "Great," she groaned and rolled her eyes. "That's probably Yelena and Mattias right now. I bet they're all set back at the temple to-" Anna paused as a clone's helmeted face projected instead. "Commander Frost?" Anna queried. "You shouldn't be calling. Isn't Elsa with you? You could spoil the surprise trip!"
"I'm not gonna be able to get her back to Coruscant," Frost lamented.
"Wait what?" Anna questioned. "Why? Did she catch on? Does she not want a birthday celebration? But-"
"General," Frost intoned and quickly steadied himself. "Respectfully...Elsa is no longer aboard the Deliverance. She's been arrested by Republic forces under accusations of treason."
Anna's blood ran cold as she processed Frost's explanation. She looked at the Deathchasers in disbelief and shook her head. "There has to be some sort of mistake. My sister would never betray the Republic."
"I know," Frost assured and held up Elsa's lightsaber. "Which is why I need your help to uncover the truth. She's been accused of attacking and killing clone troopers in the Naboo city of Moenia. Do you know it?"
"Can't say I do," Anna confessed. "But Watcher might. The party'll have to wait. My team and I will get to Moenia as quickly as we can. I'll also see what other help I can find."
"Thank you," Frost said. "I'll reach out to Masters Yelena and Mattias on the matter as well. Stay safe."
As the call ended, Anna started making her way towards the nearest mall exit. "Sarge," she called to Blazer. "Place a call to Watcher. I know she's decoding that Hutt datapad, but see what she can dig up on Moenia. Sparx, get in touch with Admiral Shang. Tell him that we're gonna need a lift ASAP."
"Where are you going?" Speedy asked as she rushed off.
"I um..." Anna tugged at one of her auburn locks. "I need to make a call of my own."
A silenced holocomm buzzed against a rickety, brew-stained nightstand. After going unanswered multiple times, the caller tried reaching out via comlink. The ensuing chimes were irksome against Hans Westgard's ears. He groggily rolled over amidst a plethora of bulky sheets and clasped the comlink. His pupils were wide and eyes were reddened from the amount of death sticks pumping through his veins. With a brief shake of his head, Hans sluggishly answered the call. "Yeah?" he mumbled.
"Hans," Anna said. "Would it kill you to answer your holocomm?"
"I-...it must be broken or something," he murmured. "Didn't hear a thing."
"Are you alright?" Anna asked. "You sound...sick."
"I'm fine," Hans insisted. "Just sleepy."
"Well I need you to wake up. There's trouble."
"Hm?" Hans inquired with a barely raised brow.
"Elsa's been wrongfully arrested and accused of treason. I could use a Sentinel on my side to figure this out."
"Oh now you need me," Hans grumbled.
"Excuse me?"
"Now you call me out of desperation," Hans croaked. "Not when you were catching Cad Bane though. Because why would you want to share that kind of glory, hm? I thought you cared about me."
There was a long pause as Anna came to terms with his comments. "Hans, what the hell are you going on about? I was assigned to rescue Tori while Cad Bane happened to be there. But that's beside the point."
"Because Bane broke out of prison anyway," Hans snarked. "Good job."
"Would you stop?" Anna snapped. "This isn't about me. Elsa's in trouble and I need as much help as I can get to find the truth."
"Oh of course...you'd say it isn't about you," Hans concluded, as it was all he took away from her words. "You don't give a damn about me because all you think about is yourself. Look at you, thinking you're Coruscant's glory girl."
"Babe..." Anna spoke concernedly. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I'm not thinking of myself here. I was willing to overlook the fact that you didn't want to come to Elsa's birthday surprise, but I didn't do anything to deserve the way you're talking to me. Now are you gonna help me or not?"
Hans scoffed and leaned into his comlink. "You were smart enough to catch Cad Bane without me. I'm sure you can figure this out just the same."
"Hans-"
He hung up on her just as the refresher doors opened beside him. A Twi'lek's pale and curvaceous silhouette emerged betwixt her shady apartment. "Who was that, hun?" Celenia asked while adjusting her nightgown.
Hans took a deep breath and switched the comlink off. "No one," he said and forced a smile. The world swayed as he lifted his head too quickly. Celenia's distorted hands shifted in his double vision until they found their way to his shoulders.
"You sounded pretty stressed for you to be talking to 'no one', handsome." Celenia ran her fingers towards his chin and caressed his cheeks.
"Just another Jedi who thinks they know me better than me," Hans groused. "I bust my back for the Order...and I'm still completely overlooked and underappreciated. No one gives a damn about a truly talented Jedi like me."
"My dear," Celenia sighed and rubbed his shoulders. "It's all about control with you, isn't it?" He tilted his head as she continued. "You think you can control what everyone else thinks of you, when the only opinion that should matter is your own. You don't think I get judged for my dancing profession at the club? But none of those jabbering sleemos pay my rent." Celenia leaned in until her lips were nearly touching Hans'. "You're never in control," she whispered seductively. "So just take a breath and focus on the people who do appreciate you."
She barely had time to gesture to herself as Hans wrapped his arms around her. He pulled the Twi'lek into a firm and passionate kiss as she straddled his lap. Celenia's lekku swished as she threw her head back with delight. She cooed as Hans left a trail of kisses along her neck and worked his way up to her cheek. Her longing for him grew as she cupped his face in her hands and pulled him close. As she puckered up for another joyous kiss, Hans suddenly set her hands down.
He delighted in seeing her so confused as he rose from the bed. "You see?" he said and took his hands off of her waist. "I am in control. Goodbye Celenia," he asserted and made for the door.
While initially astonished, Celenia flashed a devious smirk. "Alright then," she agreed and sprawled herself out across the bed. "Have a nice day. I'll just be here...all alone..." Hans was about to exit her apartment when she added, "For a whole extra hour."
Hans paused and then stepped away from the door. With a heavy huff, he cursed in surrender, "Damn it." That would be his only utterance as he spun and charged towards the bed. Celenia giggled with delight as he scooped her in his arms and disappeared beneath the sheets. Amidst their amorous affair, Hans' vambrace briefly flashed with a texted message from Anna.
Sorry if I was harsh. Still new to apologizing and I'm just worried about Elsa. Maybe we can do a secret date night when all of this is over?
Anna's message was shrouded as Hans flung his discarded robes over the nightstand.
Every master seated in the council spire could sense Yelena and Mattias' anxieties. "Most of you know Elsa Dellian," Yelena pleaded. "You've seen what she is capable of and know how much she's sacrificed for the good of the Republic. My old student would never commit such a heinous act against its people."
"While believe your testimony, we do-" Master Yoda began. "-an uphill climb, young Elsa faces."
"They have footage of her allegedly committing the act," Master Windu lamented. "If she is innocent, the odds are not in her favor."
Yelena choked. She struggled to comprehend the masters' statements while trying to formulate her own. Noticing how distraught she was, Mattias spoke up in her place. "With all due respect," he said. "Do you hear yourselves?"
"Master Mattias," Ki-Adi-Mundi intoned.
Mattias glared at his former master and shook his head in disbelief. "I'm sorry," he said. "But sacred Jedi text tells us that the council and its members are supposed to serve as symbols of balance. Yet all I see here is disorder. How can you say you believe the testimony and then doubtfully bring up the found footage?"
"Destin," Yelena mumbled in an effort to silence him.
"No," he asserted. "Elsa Dellian is one of the most giving Jedi to ever grace these ancient halls. I dare say she surpasses many of us, and yet you dare say 'If she is innocent.' What is that?"
"Master Mattias," Mace stated sternly. "Are you quite finished?" Mattias reluctantly silenced as Mace carried on. "If she's accused of treason, Elsa will have to stand trial before the Supreme Chancellor and Republic courts."
"Then we can at least be there with her," Mattias intoned and looked to Yelena. "We can stand in solidarity."
"Master Mattias," Mundi asserted. "Surely I've taught you better than this. We must consider the ramifications of all actions and observe before acting."
Mattias' jaw dropped before the council. "Y-...you think she might've done it, don't you? It doesn't matter how long you've known her nor how much she's done. It really is meaningless. Unbelievable."
"That's enough," Mace declared. "Your emotions are clouding your better judgement, Mattias."
"By the Force," Mattias uttered. "I hope no one in this room finds themselves in Elsa Dellian's place." He scoffed amid the silence. "Good to know where you all stand." Yelena briefly bowed to the council before chasing after Mattias out of the spire.
"Hey," she called to him. "Wait up!"
"They're supposed to be who we can turn to," Mattias said once they were alone. "Are they truly willing to turn their backs so quickly?"
"They're taking the Republic into consideration," Yelena placated.
"No," Mattias growled and waved a finger. "They're playing politics and your former student is in the crossfire. Don't let whatever promotion they promised blind you, Yelena. They basically just told you that none of them will stand with Elsa if she goes to court." Yelena was about to offer a rebuttal, but Mattias' truth made bitter sense. He slowly nodded as she came to the grim realization. "I held them in such high esteem, but at this point...It looked as though they could've expelled her with more so-called information. We're on our own in this. If we want to give Elsa a chance, the truth must be uncovered."
"Anna said she was heading to Naboo to investigate," Yelena said. "I'm going to call Miss Belle O'Har. If word gets out about Elsa's accusation, perhaps the Coruscant Rose can slow the spread of misinformation."
"If only Master Kenobi were here," Mattias sighed. "I believe he would've sided with us." As he turned his back to Yelena, she cringed over his hopeful words.
The Legacy rocketed out of hyperspace and entered the Chommell Sector. Naboo's lush surface came into full view as Admiral Shang oversaw landing procedures. "For once it's nice to be seeing to a problem in Republic territory," Shang mumbled. "The Legacy's taken enough hull damage as of late."
While the Hammerhead glided downward, Anna and her squad stood over the holotable for a briefing from Watcher. "What've you found?" Anna asked.
"The datapad you recovered from Padawan Vica is teeming with encrypted files," Watcher said. "Although I'm sure you're not asking about that." Several holograms of a Naboo city projected in front of the Deathchasers. "You'll be dropping into Moenia," Watcher explained. "Nearly as bustling as the planet's capital, Theed. Just replace royals with credit-spewing tourists and that's what you're looking at. Aside from scenic waterways, the city is surrounded by expansive swamplands that stretch on for miles. A persistent mist emanates from these marshes, shrouding the city and almost making it difficult to tell whether it's day or night."
"Fantastic," Anna quipped.
"According to the recovered security footage, your so-called sister fled into the eastern marshes after massacring that detachment."
"Well it's obviously not her," the youngest Dellian snarked. "So just dispatch us into those marshes and we'll fry whatever wannabe is out there."
"Now hold on," Watcher clarified. "I may have intel, but you don't have the proper lay of the land from ground level. The last thing I'm doing is sending an elite squad into a kill zone."
"She called us elite," Speedy whispered giddily until Sparx shushed him.
"So what's the plan?" Anna asked impatiently.
"You are to land at Moenia's Republic outpost," Watcher said. "From there, you will link up with Colonel Semaj Roze." An image of the outpost's cheery leader projected as Anna examined him.
"A non-clone superior?" she inquired. "And he's not a Jedi?"
"Is that a problem?" Watcher asked.
"Of course not," Anna assured. "It's just...different."
"You'll find that many of the Republic's colonels are servicemen and women from all walks of life," Watcher said as the Legacy entered Naboo's atmosphere. "Good luck, Deathchasers. I'll be your eyes in the sky. To help prove your sister's innocence, Admiral Shang and I have worked to outfit your troopers with helmet recorders." The Deathchasers each equipped the cylindrical lenses to their helmets. "Everything those gadgets capture will be transmitted to my screens on the Guardian."
Misty air was an understatement as their frigate travelled over Moenia City. The fog was so thick, that it was difficult to distinguish between the buildings and swamplands at times. The prominent platforms of a Republic outpost were most welcome as the Legacy touched down. As Anna and her ARF troopers disembarked, they were initially alarmed to hear sirens ringing out.
"No need to fret!" a benevolent voice hollered from across the platform. "Those alerts are for Moenia's citizens. I've placed them under a curfew. Having them indoors by sundown will make things safer until this situation is resolved."
Anna peered across the misty land and cityscape. "How can you even tell it's sundown?" she asked.
A grin formed on the uniformed man's dark lips. "It takes practice," he confessed. "But being stationed here so long will do that to you. They want me to go to Coruscant, but at least being here lets me stay closer to my family. I've got a wife and daughter back in Theed."
Anna squinted at the man's cheery disposition. "You're a spitting image of your record profile, colonel," she complimented.
"Oh goodness," he huffed. "Where are my manners, Master Jedi?" He saluted and extended a hand to her. "Colonel Semaj Roze."
"General Anna Dellian," she replied. "These are my squadmates, Sergeant Blazer, Lieutenant Sparx, and Speedy."
"An honor to have you here and thanks for coming to help us out," Semaj said while guiding them indoors. "It's been chaos since it happened and word's reached me about the arrest. I don't believe it's your sister though."
"Why's that?" Anna asked.
"Because the outpost scanners have no record of a ship leaving this area. But it appears they've jumped to conclusions in an an effort to grab potential suspects. One thing is for sure-" Semaj approached a broad table filled with damaged equipment. "We're dealing with someone or something powerful."
Anna raised her brows in bewilderment and examined the evidence table. "Holy kriff," she whispered and picked up a clone's smashed helmet. "The visor's totaled."
"It looks like someone punched right through it," Blazer commented.
"According to the footage, someone did." Semaj confirmed. He ran his fingers over a blaster rifle that had been cleanly snapped in two.
"All of this damage seems to be dealt with blunt force," Sparx deduced. "The killer would have to get in close. Did any of the troopers manage to shoot them?"
"The being was incredibly fast," Semaj explained. "If it was shot, it was blasted out of the camera's view."
"Whatever this thing is, I'm told that it was last seen fleeing east." Anna said. "If we want to catch it, it's now or never."
"I've had a squad prepared to join you," the colonel said and gestured across the evidence room. Anna and her Deathchasers watched as four blue-armored clones marched over. While three stood at attention, one trooper removed his helmet. The clone's calm gaze fell upon Anna while she noted the dyed, blue hair atop his head. "This is Captain Zephyr of Cobalt Company."
"Standing by," Zephyr said. "If something's out there killing our brothers, we'll blast it in their name." He motioned towards the trio of clones at his sides. They each took their helmets off as he introduced them. "This here's Slater, Bogey, and Jolly."
Blazer winced at Jolly's deep and prominent glower. "You don't seem very jolly," he said.
"I am on the inside," the clone grumbled without changing his facial expression.
Colonel Roze activated a holomap from his handheld projector. "I'll transmit these coordinates to Admiral Nuri so she can track you from above."
Anna was almost confused for a moment. "Oh, she prefers Watcher."
"I want a cool nickname too," the colonel quipped but obliged. "Watcher will have these eastern marsh coordinates. Captain Zephyr, I trust you can lead our guests here?"
"We know the swamps," the captain assured as they charged their weapons and made for the lower levels.
A mound of limp nunas lay piled atop one another in the swamp's darkened mists. Bite marks lined their featherless bodies while a single nuna's legs dangled in the air. Its predator pulled the hapless creature closer and feasted on it raw. A streak of blood trickled down her chin and plummeted into the swamp water below. The bizarre ripple was enough to make the robed being pause. She flung the nuna aside and peered down at the bloody cloud streaking across the water. Amidst such a reddened and murky surface, she became startled by another sight. It was enough to have her gasping until she realized the reflection was mimicking her motions. Curious over the sight, she leaned closer and uttered a curious whimper. Tilting her head, she was astonished to see the reflection do the same. Despite seeing herself for the first time...she had no idea what she was. Any hope...any curiosity over the subject fled her mind as something suddenly struck her leg.
The woman shuddered, more so out of surprise than any pain. She spun her head downward towards a swamp serpent. The mucky snake had clamped its fanged jaws down on her calf. Infuriated at the sight, she growled and angrily siezed it by the head. Using her surreal strength, she was able to pry it off of her and snap its neck with one crunch. As she stared at the serpent's limp corpse in her hand, the bite marks on her calf swiftly faded away. "This way," a clone captain echoed in the distance. His words made the woman snarl and dash off into the mist. Captain Zephyr guided both Cobalt Company and the Deathchasers deeper into the marsh.
Anna grimaced and gagged. "I never thought I'd be jealous of your helmets," she confessed. "What the hell is that smell?"
"Death," Jolly reported while aiming his rifle at a dead nuna.
"Someone was snacking," Bogey remarked. "We get wild bursas out on these routes."
Blazer and Anna knelt beside one of the dead nunas. He shined his helmet-mounted spotlight on the corpses while Anna got a closer look. "Do bursas have tiny teeth marks?"
"If the cubs are out," Zephyr said and knelt to take a look for himself. "But those...those aren't bursa fang punctures."
"They look almost...human," Anna quivered at the teethmarks.
"Got a crushed snake over here," Speedy reported and nudged the serpent. He shook his head at its obliterated vertebrae.
Suddenly, a ghastly whimper echoed across the mist and the clones raised their weapons. Anna ignited her lightsaber and swayed it through the shadows. Its proud hum filled the silence until she asked, "What the kriff was that?"
The whimper progressed as the clones aimed elsewhere. "There it is again!" Blazer exclaimed.
"Quiet," Zephyr ordered calmly. "You'll scare it off." He discreetly reached for his helmet comms and said, "Colonel Roze, we have a possible fix on the target or a victim. Mist is thick, but we can proceed."
"I'll take my boys left," Anna said. "You hang right and we can sandwich this thing in the center." Everyone twitched when the bushes rustled in a different location.
"It's moving," Zephyr said. "We can't flank what we can't see. Can't you use the Force to find it?"
Anna shrouded her embarrassment behind a sturdy glower. "Different Jedi have...different abilities," she sugarcoated her lack of attuned senses.
"So no," the captain griped. "We're losing ground so our best bet is to split up and regroup."
"Have you lost your mind?" Anna snapped. "We are not breaking formation to cover more ground, captain. That's an order."
Zephyr shook his head and called in as tree branches rattled. "We have to chance it," he told Colonel Roze. "We know these swamps, sir. Trust me."
There was a brief pause before the colonel came back online. "Chance it," he said. "I trust you, captain. But the second you engage the enemy or encounter an issue, I want both squads to regroup."
"We're not spreading out," Anna refuted and nodded to her men.
Watcher's voice came crackling through comms. "I'm getting movement on Lieutenant Sparx's recorder. Top left." Together, the Deathchasers formed up and followed her directions. While the ARF troopers aimed their weapons, Anna led the way with her saber. She raised the green blade and discovered a yapping nuna.
"Negative," Anna replied. "False alarm. Just a dumb swamp turkey."
A set of scurrying footsteps echoed past Zephyr's peripherals. "It's on the move!" He shouted. "Cobalt Company! For our brothers!"
"Wait!" was all Anna could say before the blue-armored clones delved into the mist. "Damn it!" she cursed and looked at the Deathchasers. "No one else moves! Form a circle and watch each other's backs!" The mist thickened as Blazer, Sparx, and Speedy formed up. They kept their heads swiveling while Watcher attentively observed their live footage.
Cobalt Company spread further into the swamp. "Anything, brothers?" Captain Zephyr called over comms while rushing forward.
Jolly hurdled over a toppled trunk and replied, "Negative. Mist is heavy. Should've brought a blasted motion tracker."
Bogey and Slater reduced their speed to a light jog as they went knee-deep into swamp water. They paused when a series of ripples shifted across the surface in front of them. Whatever was moving had travelled behind a collection of low-lying mangroves. With a swift flick of his wrist, Slater sent Bogey to the opposite side. "Meet you around," he said in an effort to flank their target.
Bogey nodded and readied his blaster. As he rounded the mangroves, he took a moment to aim upward and check their hanging branches. He flinched when a heavy droplet splattered against his armored shoulder. The mucky swamp gunk oozed down his plastoid as he traced it to a broken branch. Its mossy bark was still bending as a figure took shape among the foliage. A bulky, yet dirtied cloak lay juxtaposed against the greenery and Bogey took aim. "Contact!" was all he could shout before the woman lunged at him.
The ensuing blastershot echoed throughout the swamp. "Shot fired!" Captain Zephyr called. "Bogey! Respond!" Only the clone's muffled screams managed to crackle over comms.
"Mangroves!" Slater declared. "Form up on my flare!" He withdrew his secondary pistol and launched a droid attack flare through the mist. As he did so, the ignition briefly illuminated Bogey's silhouette. Slater shuttered as the unknown figure appeared to squeeze its palms against his head. Bogey's screams gave way to an ear-splitting crunching as his helmet caved in. By the time Slater fired into the mist, both silhouettes were gone. "I need backup!" he growled.
"Inbound!" Jolly reported.
"Inbound!" Zephyr confirmed as well. "Hold on, Slater!"
"Deathchasers," Watcher ordered. "Follow that flare and move in."
While staying close to her clones, Anna searched the darkened skies above the mist. "I warned them not to spread out," she muttered under her breath.
"There!" Blazer shouted and pointed towards a distant flicker just above the treeline.
As the Deathchasers traversed the swamp, Jolly and Zephyr neared the mangroves. In a state of hysteria, Slater fired at the shadows. His vibrant blaster bolts barely missed the target and highlighted her insidious silhouette each time. She was incredibly fast and forced Slater to keep spinning. He shot at anything that looked remotely like a person. Mangroves became riddled with blaster bolts until an actual figure approached. Slater took aim and heard the one sound a soldier never wanted to. The empty click of his rifle had his heart sinking. Out of charges and breath, Slater braced himself as the figure made itself known.
A wave of relief passed over him as Jolly approached. "You scared the hell out of me," he panted and tried to catch his breath. "You both alright?"
"It got Bogey," Slater explained until a daunting realization came upon him. "Wait... what do you mean both?"
Jolly's heart raced as he asked, "Then who's that behind you?"
Slater's body stiffened as he cautiously turned through the mist. At first glance, her hardly recognized anything beyond the cloudy veil. Suddenly, he noticed a hunched figure lurking closer to the water's surface. He couldn't even get a gasp in before she thrust her arms forward.
"No!" Jolly roared as the woman snatched Slater into the mist. He charged in after them just as Zephyr arrived. The captain showed up just in time to have Jolly flung into him. A pulsing, green vortex of energy spiraled around his body. It emanated from their foe's hand as she advanced towards them. She stomped heavily over Slater's corpse as Zephyr gave his command.
"Light her up!" the captain yelled. "Now!"
He and Jolly unloaded every blaster charge they had as the woman kept advancing. Their steaming blue bolts seared through her flesh, yet proved barely effective. The shots only enraged her further as she snatched Jolly by the leg. All while still taking shots from Zephyr, the woman proceeded to smash Jolly into a watery grave. Her head snapped towards Zephyr before she lunged with disturbing ferocity. As she did so, the captain fired a high-powered shot directly into her face.
The flare faded as Anna and the Deathchasers lunged into action. "This way!" she asserted and leapt toward a mossy mound. She and her troopers turned towards a horrific sight. Zephyr's dented helmet quaked beneath the mysterious woman's boot. The captain's body lay limp in her savage grip as she finished wringing his neck. Before he'd been killed, Zephyr's blaster shot had obliterated his attacker's hood and entire facial structure. Anna and the Deathchasers watched with mouths agape as the latter started to regenerate.
"By the stars," Watcher uttered while watching the footage from her Venator. Even officers on her command bridge halted their duties to approach her monitor in disbelief.
All eyes were on the being as dark green magic swirled around her exposed skull. Every surging wave of energy was suddenly bound together. Bone tethered into muscle...and muscle molded into outer flesh. Bright blue eyes gelled into place against a pale-skinned visage.
"What the...kriff," Anna involuntarily whispered. Had it not been for the spiky black hair protruding from her head, the woman appeared to be an exact replica of Elsa Dellian.
"General..." Blazer murmured. "What's the play?"
Anna's gaze alternated between the fallen members of Cobalt Company and her sister's nearly identical mimic. As her clone's looked to her for answers, Anna firmly declared, "Attack."
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading Part I of the second annual Halloween Special! I'm so excited to share a new installment each week and I appreciate your support. I'll see you next Friday for "Shadow Sister: Part II!"
Long Live Imagination and May the Force Be with You!
~ Michael