On the planet Lothal, Serena Patel navigated the facilities, analyzing the blood sample she had obtained from Spider-Man. After weeks of research, she identified the genetic marker and sought samples from various animals across the galaxy to explore different outcomes. Entering her home, she was greeted by the sound of a broadcast playing on a loop and sighed, knowing all too well who was tuned in.
In her bedroom sat a young girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, intently listening to a broadcast the Rebels had managed to release before the destruction of the communication tower. This girl was Gwen Stacy, the daughter of George and Helen Stacy. Her mother, Helen, had been killed during the last days of the Clone Wars when Gwen was still very young.
George endeavored to raise Gwen on his own during the nascent days of the Empire, a task that was far from easy. Gwen, influenced by her father's tales of the time before the Empire, grew up yearning for a brighter future for the galaxy. As a child, she was captivated by painting, a passion she channeled into creating anti-Empire graffiti on Coruscant, her home planet. Her life took a turn when she was moved to Lothal due to her stepmother, Serena Patel. George had remarried, believing Gwen would benefit from a maternal figure to guide her through life's complexities. Tragically, not long after, he passed away from a heart attack.
"We have been called criminals, but we are not. We are rebels, fighting for the people, fighting for you. I'm not that old, but I remember a time when things were better on Lothal. Maybe not great, but never like this. See what the Empire has done to your lives, your families, and your freedom? It's only gonna get worse…unless we stand up and fight back. It won't be easy. There will be-"
"What are you doing, listening to that?" Serena asked, causing Gwen to jump and shut down her holo-pad.
"Sorry, I just...wanted to get a feeling for these guys," Gwen explained and placed her pad down.
Gwen placed her pad down on her nightstand next to an oozing substance kept in a container. This was one of Serena's experiments using Spider-Man's DNA to isolate the deadliest aspects of it to create a creature capable of distilled aggression. But sadly she deemed the experiment a failure when it didn't seem to work. It was supposed to work with Stormtrooper armor to give them living armor infused with Spider-Man powers. However, the experiment was unsuccessful and was deemed a failure. But Gwen thought it looked nice, so Serena decided to give it to her as a decorative display.
Serena sighed, walking over to the table to set her case down. She opened it, revealing various animals and several vials of Spider-Man's blood. Gwen observed a baby Wyyyschokk encased in a vial, along with a sample of Mudhorn blood. She knew how Gwen felt about the Empire, and saw there was no chance of changing her mind but still tried to raise her as best she could as George's last wish.
"What's that for?" Gwen asks, noticing the vials.
"Mostly classified information, but I can say we've been experimenting with other animals to see if we can replicate what happened to Spider-Man," Serena explained and sighed. She then got a call from her communicator, getting her to look worried. "I gotta take this."
"Fine." Gwen sighed and walked away.
Serena then activated it and saw that it was Agent Kallus. "Agent Kallus."
"We have secured you some subjects. You have what was promised?" Kallus asks.
Serena used one of her arms to reach up and grab a vial in the container. "It took weeks of figuring it out, studying the DNA, and a few failures with Weapon I-X, but now I think I finally figured it out. Weapon XI will be ready by daylight. I just needed to drop some things off and pick it up."
"Then we better hurry, because I believe Lord Vader is growing tired of waiting," Kallus warned her.
"When Lord Vader sees this, he will see his patience was well spent," Serena stated as she placed the vial into the case. "Soon we will have an army of super soldiers."
Serena then shut off the communication with him and was about to leave the room. Although she was confident in her work, she knew better than to test Vader's patience. As she made her way towards the door, she had forgotten the Wyyyschokk on the table. However, as she left and the door closed the vial slipped from the table and fell to the ground. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the room as the Wyyyschokk spilled onto the floor.
Unaware of what had just happened, Gwen lay on her bed, listening to music through her headphones and looking out of the window. The tiny creature began to crawl its way around the room, its movements unnoticed by Gwen.
Suddenly, Gwen noticed an odd spider scuttling across her windowsill. Startled, she tried to brush it off but grimaced when it bit her. As its fangs pierced her arm, she winced in pain. Unbeknownst to her, this was the same spider Serena had accidentally left home, and she just dismissed it as just another creature from Lothal.
However, as she succumbed to sleep, an extraordinary transformation began within her. She started to develop powers akin to those of a previous hero. Her bones grew denser, her senses sharpened, and she was on the cusp of entering a much weirder world.
FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DEATH STAR:
Peter was currently on their home ship and being looked over for the hundredth time by the medical droid on the ship. Hank Pym while not being a doctor has been with soldiers during his time in S.H.I.E.L.D. and was a father, so he wanted to give his input. The rest of the Ghost crew were on a supply mission with a few Avengers and were supposed to be on their way back soon.
"So, what do we say, doc? Am I clear for battle?" Peter asked the droid.
"You seem to be in peak physical health, Mr. Parker." 2-1B replied.
"I still say that you should take some more time off," Hank commented. "After what you went through."
"I've had plenty of time off," Peter replied. "I'm ready to get back out and help."
"Don't know if that's brave or stupid," Bucky commented as he walked into the room. "Steve would have liked you, kid. You're much alike in that regard."
"Really?" Peter was amazed to hear that.
"I always thought it was terrible, but then again, he's literally the symbol of America right now," Bucky said as he walked over.
"Anything we can do for you, Sargent?" Hank wonders.
"Just wanted to let the kid know the Ghost made contact, they'll be docking soon," Bucky explained. "Figured you wanna know and tell them yourself if you'd be rejoining the fight."
Peter nodded as a grin grew on his face as he thought of his family and the certain Mandalorian among the crew. "Thanks." He then webbed his bag and made his way off. "See ya later!"
Sam and Scott made their way around when he saw Peter running out of the room and almost ran into them on his way out. Sam chuckled as he walked into the medical room and saw the adults around.
"Just got news his girlfriend was coming home?" Sam asked with a chuckle.
"Think she's his first girlfriend," Bucky replied.
"From what I've been hearing around, he's only going out with one other girl," Scott commented as he walked around and noticed Hank studying Peter's reports. "I still don't feel right sending a kid into battle."
"Hey, I don't like it either, but these are desperate times," Sam replied. "I've seen soldiers who never came out the same after suffering from what he'd been through."
"It's a miracle he's even alive," Hank stated. "What he'd endured would kill about ten well-built men."
"Look, if it helps, we should...send someone to keep eyes on him." Sam offered. "We could keep eyes on him to make sure he's doing well."
"I'd run that by Captain Hera first." Bucky chuckled. "That woman is protective of the kid as much as we are."
On Lothal, Serena was now placing the vial of Mudhorn DNA mixed with Spider-Man's DNA into the subject before her. She has had minimal success with previous subjects, and they have all turned into abominations after abominations.
"Dr. Patel here with the recent subject of the Mudhorn experiment." Serena was documenting her research. "After a few experiments going array using Rancor and Nexus DNA, I believe I found out why they were failing. The DNA must accept that of the host. That's what gave Spider-Man his powers. Whatever that spider he was born from saw him as a perfect match. And I found the perfect subject for the Mudhorn. Isn't that right, Mr. O'Hirn?"
"I'm ready to get back at that freak." Alex O'Hirn proclaimed.
Serena nodded and then immediately got to work as she injected the vial into the contraption. The vial made its way through the room and into the arm of O'Hirn. When it made it into O'Hirn, he immediately started to change.
Serena observed as O'Hirn's arm began to morph, his skin taking on the texture of a Mudhorn. He let out a scream, tearing himself away from the chair and its restraints. In his frantic attempt to escape the room, his fist enlarged, and his nails became longer and more pointed. As he increased in size, Serena gasped, a smile spreading across her face as she saw a horn burst forth from O'Hirn's head.
"SPIDER-MAN!"
As the Ghost docked with the ship, Peter was the first to welcome Hera, Ezra, Kanan, and Zeb as they disembarked. BD, perched on Ezra's shoulder, chirped excitedly upon spotting Peter and swiftly jumped to him. Peter laughed, catching the droid and pulling him into a close embrace.
"Missed you too, BD." Peter chuckled and looked to the crew. "Hey, guys."
"Look who's here." Ezra chuckled.
"You come bearing good news?" Zeb wonders.
"Well, I've been cleared for duty," Peter told them.
"You have?" Hera smiled and grabbed Peter comfortably. "You sure you're up for it?"
"Definitely. Being cooped up on Tattoone and now this ship, I'm ready to get out there and help." Peter stated when he got zapped, causing him to yip and turn to see Chopper. "Seriously?!"
Chopper bleeped, earning a look from Peter.
"You were waiting for that?" Peter snarled as Chopper ran off. "I'll get you for that."
"Wait, you can understand Chopper?" Kanan was surprised to see.
"Bits. Sabine's been teaching me Binary." Peter explained and noticed she'd absent. "Speaking of which."
"She's in her room." Ezra immediately got out of the way.
Peter nodded and made his way past Ezra and into the ship. BD knew better than to follow and jumped off of him, back onto Ezra.
Peter made his way through the ship and came across the rooms and found Sabine's room. Well, you could call it their room, at least that's what Sabine has been calling it. Since Peter's been basically sleeping on the couch, Sabine offered her room ever since what happened on Tatooine.
What happened? Private information.
Peter knocked on the door and Sabine immediately opened it. She smiled when she saw who it was and pulled him inside and closed the door. When she did, Peter was slammed against it and Sabine removed her helmet.
"Hey, you." Sabine greeted as she leaned in to kiss him.
"Hey, yourself," Peter said as he then kissed back. "How'd you do?"
"Blew up a few Imperial ships, stole some cargo, blew some other things up, the usual," Sabine recalled the mission. "How about you? You going to be joining us on the next mission?"
"Just got cleared for duty," Peter confirmed.
"Well, we've got some time before our next mission," Sabine said with a smile, caressing Peter's chest. "You got anyone waiting for you?"
"About an hour before they notice," Peter commented.
Sabine smiled and grabbed his shirt. "Good."
Sabine then went to kiss Peter again as Peter opened his eyes and looked behind her. He gasped in shock when he saw Mara jade in their room.
Mara Jade then looked and noticed Peter, causing him to look confused. "What? How...how are you here?"
Peter froze as Sabine noticed something was wrong.
"What is it?" Sabine asked.
Peter looked over to Sabine and back to Mara Jade, noticing she was still there. Mara Jade immediately tried to use the Force, but nothing happened. Peter gasped and expected to be choked or have his kind probed or something.
"What?" Sabine asks again.
Peter was confused when he looked to Sabine and over to Mara Jade. "Can you not see that?"
Sabine looked over to Mara Jade and didn't see anything. "See what?"
"How is this happening?" Mara Jade asked as she looked around her surroundings. "Can you see my surroundings? I can't see yours."
"She's right there," Peter exclaimed.
"You can't be doing this, the effort to accomplish this would need a strong commitment to the Force, and you can't have that so soon." Mara Jade commented as she looked around. "Sounds like the Mandalorian actually returned your affection. That'll be fun to take away from you."
"You're not going to touch her," Peter promised, stepping closer towards Mara Jade and leaning Sabine confused by this. "You won't get near any of them."
"Peter?" Sabine was getting a little nervous. "There's nobody there."
"Something is doing this to us." Mara Jade commented as she looked around. "But why?"
"Peter!" Sabine called out.
Peter was spooked by her shouting and turned around to see her look of terror. When he looked back towards Mara Jade, expecting to see her there, she was gone.
Across the galaxy:
Mara Jade was in her room, trying to close her mind off from the world. She has been getting these visions of Peter Parker's life, and she's been trying to make them stop.
But when she opened her eyes, she saw Peter Parker standing right in her room, she jumped in shock and saw he didn't even notice her. She watched as he opened his eyes, apparently, he was paying attention to something that she couldn't see.
When he looked over, he gasped as if he didn't expect to see her.
"What? How...how are you here?" Peter asked her.
"What is it?" She heard a voice, giving her the impression it was the Mandalorian girl.
Peter looked over to something and back to Mara Jade as if he was expecting her not to be there.
Mara Jade then acted on instinct and immediately tried to use the Force, but nothing happened. Peter gasped as he was expecting something to happen.
"What?" The Mandalorian girl asked.
Peter was confused when he looked to Sabine and over to Mara Jade. "Can you not see that?"
"See what?"
"How is this possible?" Mara Jade wondered aloud, scanning her familiar environment. Everything appeared normal, yet Peter's presence, who should have been miles away, suggested otherwise. "Are you able to see where I am? Because I can't see your surroundings at all."
"She's right there," Peter exclaimed.
"You can't be doing this; the effort required would necessitate a strong commitment to the Force, which you can't have acquired so quickly," Mara Jade remarked, glancing back at him. "It seems the Mandalorian actually reciprocated your affection. Taking that away from you will be interesting."
"You're not going to touch her," Peter promised, stepping closer towards Mara Jade. "You won't get near any of them."
"Peter?" Sabine was getting a little nervous. "There's nobody there."
"Something is doing this to us." Mara Jade commented as she looked around. "But why?"
"Peter!" Sabine called out.
Mara Jade watched in shock and confusion as Peter disappeared. Touching her face, she realized she could still sense his presence, no matter where he was. Unsure of what this meant, she knew that her attempt to probe his mind aboard Tarkin's Destroyer had more profound consequences than she initially thought.
Meanwhile, Peter, unsure of his state, went to see the ship's doctor, one of the few professionals yet to be replaced by machines. Upon entering the lab, he observed the doctor intently studying something through a microscope, with a melody echoing in the background. The doctor hummed to the tune as Peter stepped into his office.
"Dr. McCoy?" Peter called out to the professional.
Hank McCoy turned to see Peter standing there and nodded. "Ah, Mr. Parker. What brings you here? I thought it would be a while before we see you again."
"Yeah, I thought so too, but...could you do another test on me?" Peter asked. "I...I just feel like I need it."
"Any specific reason?" McCoy wonders as he removes his glasses, which is a rarity to see in this dimension.
Peter wondered about telling him what he saw and sighed. "I saw the Inquisitor that captured me in my room." He sighed and wondered if this was going to be an issue. "It was so real, it was like she was standing there. I just need to be sure this isn't some sort of mental thing."
McCoy became curious and gestured for Peter to take a seat. "Alright then. Where should we begin?"
Back on the Rebel's ship, Commander Sato engaged in conversation with the Rebels and a few Avengers present among them. A few of their friends were with other Rebel cells and working out some other missions with friends, especially with Cassian and Jyn right now on a mission with Nick Fury and Maria Hill. They were scouting areas for a base, as they need an official base off of the eyes of the Empire.
"You and your crew have proven invaluable to our fleet, Captain Syndulla," Sato tells them. "The fuel acquired in your convoy attacks has helped keep us one step ahead of Imperial patrols.'
"Thank you, Commander Sato," Hera said. "I'm just sorry our intel about shield generators being on that shipment was wrong."
"Perhaps with your next attack, Hera." Ahsoka offered some support.
"You'd think after we blew up their moon station, the Empire would maybe step up their game," Kate commented. "Not that I am complaining."
"It sounds like you are, Kate Bishop," Yelena replied.
"Okay, you really gotta stop with that whole full name thing," Kate replied with a sigh.
Then all of a sudden, Chopper came rolling into the room and got everyone's attention.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sato asks.
"An incoming transmission," Kanan said, sitting on the stairway. "Who from, Chop? Ah, why don't you just play it?"
Hera looked over to Kanan and cleared her throat to get his attention. "Uh, Chop, cloak us with a one-way transmission."
Chopper then activated the transmission and they saw it was coming from Old Jho from Lothal. "Hey, it's Old Jho!" Ezra commented.
"I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends," Jho tells them. "Time is short, and there's someone here desperate to speak with you. I told her I couldn't find you, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. She says she needs your help."
"We're always ready to help someone in need," Kanan commented.
"Yeah, well, this one's different," Jho said as he then exited the frame and who came next was Minister Tua of Lothal. The pain in their side every time they had visited Lothal.
"Minister Tua? Aw, we can't trust her." Zeb groaned. "She's an Imperial."
"Please, I beg you." Tua pleaded with fear. "Listen to my request."
"End transmission now, Chop," Kanan demanded.
"Wait! Minister, what do you want?" Hera wanted to hear her out.
"My life is in danger," Tua tells them. "I need you to give me safe passage off Lothal."
"You're not really considering this." Zeb scoffed.
"Quiet!" Yelena demanded the big man.
"I assure you, my intentions are sincere," Tua tells them. "To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information."
"You're defecting from the Empire?" Kate was surprised to hear an Imperial wanting out.
"Yes, I am," Tua confirmed.
"She's telling the truth." Ezra was surprised to say. "I can sense her fear."
"Yeah, but of what?" Kanan wondered.
"So what have you got to trade?" Hera wonders.
"A list Of rebel sympathizers on Lothal And other nearby systems," Tua tells them.
"How come these sympathizers have not been arrested?" Sato wonders.
"Some have powerful friends in the Senate," Tua admitted. "Imperial command watches them but can do nothing. I know you need allies. Get me off Lothal, and I will give you the list."
"We shouldn't even consider this." Zeb scoffed.
"It is sounding like a trap," Sam admitted.
"There's something else," Tua tells them in fear. "I've discovered the true reason the Empire came to Lothal."
"We know that one," Hera stated. "The Empire has a factory, and they're stripping the planet's resources to fuel it."
"No," Tua replied. "There is another reason known only to a few and ordered by the Emperor himself. And there are now...experiments being run here."
The news piqued their curiosity since they were aware that the Emperor seldom acts without a purpose. Their intrigue only deepened upon learning that experiments were currently being conducted on Lothal.
"We have to do this," Ezra stated.
"I agree." Bucky sighed.
"So do I," Kana confirmed.
"All right, if Commander Sato approves the mission," Hera said, looking toward Sato.
"I believe it could be worth the risk," Sato confirmed.
"Minister, we'll get you out," Ezra promised. "Send us your coordinates."
"Thank you," Tua said as she cut the transmission.
"Well, I guess we're on our way back to Lothal," Ezra commented.
"I guess we are," Kanan said as he left the room.
Hera was quick to follow him as they passed a few soldiers in the hall. "Hey! What's with you? Do you have any idea how inappropriate that was?"
"Actually, no, I don't," Kanan replied.
"You can't just tell Chopper to project a hologram in a secret debriefing without authorization," Hera tells him.
"Authorization! Procedure! That's what's bothering me." Kanan admitted in anger.
"All right, talk to me." Hera tried to calm him down.
Kanan sighed and calmed down. "After this mission, I want us to go back on our own. Fighting alongside soldiers isn't what I signed up for."
"You seem to be forgetting these soldiers helped save you and Peter." Hera reminded him.
"And I'm grateful," Kanan replied. "But that doesn't mean I want to join their little army. When you and I started together, it was, "Rob from the Empire, give to the needy.
" A noble cause. Now we're getting drawn into some kind of military thing. I don't like it."
"We are fighting a bigger fight, but it's still the right fight," Hera assured him.
"I survived one war." Kanan sighed. "I'm not ready for another one. I saw what it did."
"To the Jedi?" Hera tried to comfort him.
"To everyone," Kanan replied.
Peter was getting a final scan from McCoy as he was searching to be sure that there was nothing wrong with Peter. "Well, Mr. Parker, I can see you are indeed in great health."
"So, what? Am I crazy?" Peter wonders.
"If you want my professional opinion?" McCoy offered as he tapped the side of his forehead. "I think it is up here. Maybe you should take some more time off."
"No, doc, I can't do that," Peter stated as he stood up. "I mean, maybe it was just a one-time thing. I haven't seen her or anything like that since then, right?"
"Well, that is a small possibility," McCoy confirmed.
There was a knock on the door and Sabine was standing there. "Hey, Peter, you all good?"
"Yeah, I am alright," Peter replied. "What's up?"
"We've got an assignment," Sabine explained. "We're heading to Lothal. You in?"
"I'll be there," Peter promised.
Sabine then walked off as McCoy gave the young man a look. "Well, if you are going to insist on this, then may I at least suggest you get an escort to go with you?"
"I'll have you know, Doc, I have a girlfriend." Peter quipped.
McCoy couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, I should have seen that coming. But seriously, I suppose we can see how this mission goes, but we need to inform someone about these hallucinations."
Peter thought of the crew and knew two people he could trust not to tell anyone. "I know just the people."
The Ghost crew was en route to a transport ship, awaiting Peter's arrival. Bucky was set to join the mission as a lookout, ready to assist if the situation deteriorated. To their surprise, Peter had arrived with Yelena and Kate in tow. BD chirped and leaped onto Peter's shoulder.
"Hey guys, Kate and Yelena would like to join us. Is that alright?" asked Peter.
"I don't see why not." Hera shrugged.
"So, we're not taking the Ghost, and we're letting Chopper drive?" Zeb asked as he noticed Chopper was the droid driving.
"After our stunt on Mustafar, there's a good chance the Empire will be able to track it," Hera explained why.
"Great mission so far." Zeb sighed.
They then departed, entering Hyperspace to make their way toward Lothal.
"So what's the plan?" Kate asked, checking the arrows she packed.
"Okay, so Minister Tua is scheduled to visit Governor Tarkin tomorrow," Ezra tells them the plan. "She leaves Lothal via shuttle at 1800. We wait at the hangar, steal the shuttle, and take her to safety."
"Ezra, I hope you're sure about this," Sabine said with worry.
"After all the trouble she's made for us, why should we help her?" Zeb wonders.
"Because that's what we do." Ezra reminded him. "Help those who can't help themselves."
"Plus, her list will help us out," Yelena said as she laid her legs on another seat's headrest.
They then exited Hyperspace and were now approaching Lothal. "Shuttle 593, this is Lothal Control. You are cleared to land."
"I didn't think I'd miss it, but I..." Ezra suddenly felt something.
"What is it?" Kanan asks.
"Do you feel that? I-I feel so cold." Ezra commented.
Peter, however, was experiencing a different sensation; he felt fear. Glancing down, he noticed his hands trembling. Initially, he wondered if it was related to the mission, akin to his hallucinations, but this felt distinct.
Kate was sitting near him and noticed he was looking at his hands. "You okay?"
"I feel something," Peter explained to her. "I feel...afraid."
"Afraid?" Kate was confused.
"The last time I felt like this it was..." Peter was afraid to admit it.
"When?" Kate wonders.
"Titan," Peter admitted. "Right before Thanos snapped us."
Upon overhearing that, Yelena swiftly prepared her Widow Bites, switching them from stun to lethal mode. If there was anything here reminiscent of Thanos, then things were unlikely to go in their favor.
When they landed on Lothal, they saw there were so many Destroyers in the air. "I've never seen so many Star Destroyers here," Ezra commented. "It's gotten worse."
"All right, Zeb, BD, Chopper, stay with the shuttle in case we need a quick exit," Hera tells them. "Barnes, you take a position where you can see everything."
"Copy that." Barnes readied his rifle.
"Tua's leaving from Bay 23," Kanan informed Barnes. "Let's go."
As they stealthily navigated the city, they encountered several peculiar murals that had not been there previously. Sabine approached one depicting an AT-ST under siege, exploding as a figure swung away.
"Huh, I don't remember these being here," Sabine commented.
"Karen, you got anything about this?" Peter wondered.
"Searching." Karen was using her new knowledge of Imperial and common data transferring to get information on this painting. "It seems to be the work of someone the civilians of Lothal have nicknamed Ghost-Spider."
"Ghost-Spider?" Peter questioned. "Should I lawer up?"
"Some kind of spectral guardian of Lothal," Karen observed, highlighting the diverse art scattered across the city. Many works depicted the silhouettes of the Ghost Crew or the Rebels. "It doesn't appear to do much in the public eye," she pondered. "Prefers to lurk in the shadows. Not often seen by the public."
"Hm, seemed we left an influence on someone," Sabine commented as they snuck to join the others.
They spotted the departure point where Tua was expected to leave and noticed a handful of Stormtroopers on guard. They realized they would need to devise a strategy to stealthily bypass them.
"Huh. We'll need a distraction." Hera commented.
Peter then looked over where he spotted two stormtroopers walking away. "A distraction huh? I'll be right back."
Sabine watches Peter walk off and is confused about what he's planning. "Wait, where are you going?"
"Let's just say I'm gonna make a few friends." Peter shrugged, retracting his suit to look like a casual. "When Tua arrives, I'll keep busy while you all drop into the hangar from above."
"Make a few friends?" Kate couldn't wait to see how this went.
Peter walks towards the stormtrooper. "Excuse me, buddy. Didn't see the movie called "The Conjuring 2"?" He asked as he bumped the trooper. "It was super scarier than the first."
Stormtrooper was confused by what he was saying. "The what?"
Peter swiftly incapacitates the stormtrooper, leaving the onlookers in shock. He then hauls him into the alleyway and promptly uses Karen to replicate the uniform. Moments later, he emerges, clad in the trooper's armor and wielding the blaster.
"That was clever." Yelena chuckled.
Sabine rolled her eyes under the helmet. "Pete's gone bucket head."
Hera scoffed. "I don't believe it."
Kanan was a little confused. "But, isn't he a little short for a Stormtrooper?"
Ezra couldn't help but smile. "I'm kinda jealous. I only have the helmet."
Everyone was getting into position while Bucky aimed at the area, ready for a quick escape or to create a diversion. He spotted a speeder approaching and swiftly alerted everyone.
"Guys, I got eyes on Tua." Bucky tells them, noticing the driver. "but she's not alone."
"Huh?" Kanan asked as he used a pair of binoculars to see. "Oh, great, it's Kallus."
"Wow, that dude just has it out for you, doesn't he?" Yelena chuckled. "He's like everywhere you guys go."
"Thank you, Agent Kallus, but there, there was no need for an escort," Tua said, seeing Kallus might mess things up by being here.
"Lord Vader asked me to make sure you reached your shuttle safely," Kallus said although he had bigger things in mind.
"I see," Tua said as they made their way towards the hanger.
"We can't be too careful about security these days," Kallus said as a camera droid followed.
"Yes, I suppose so," Tua said.
Sabine then jumped down to improvise a distraction. "Hey!"
The troopers opened fire on Sabine as she ducked for cover and Bucky then opened fire, shooting a few of the troopers from a distance.
"Minister, take cover!" Kallus said as they ran into the hangar.
Peter then made his way into the hanger, shutting the doors before using the blaster to crush the controls. Then he turned towards Kallus and activated the mechanical arms from the suit.
"Surprise," Peter called as he shot a web toward Kallus, getting him to duck for cover.
"Rebels!" Kallus called in anger.
Then the crew jumped down as they took cover behind some crates. "Minister, get to the shuttle! We'll be right behind you." Ezra tells her.
"Right," Tua said as she raced towards the shuttle.
Peter's senses however caused him to freeze and turn towards the shuttle. "Minister!"
Peter leaped and tackled the Minister just as she was about to board the shuttle. At that moment, the shuttle exploded, prompting Peter to quickly use his mechanical arms to grab nearby crates, using them as a shield for both of them.
"Peter!" Kate called as she drew an arrow and caused a smoke screen to appear.
Sabine ran over to the crates to see if they were okay. "Peter?"
"I'm good," Peter said as he removed the crates and showed he and Tua were okay. "You okay, Minister?"
"I-I am alright," Tua said as she looked over and saw the exploded shuttle. "They...they tried to kill me."
"Zeb, we need a pickup." Hera called in. "Now!"
"We're on our way," Zeb called out.
Yelena shot out a few more Widow Bites, taking down a few troopers while Kallus was upset to see their plan had failed. It didn't take long for Zeb and Chopper to meet up with them and start to lay down some cover fire for them to escape on.
"Come on! Come on." Zeb called out.
Peter grabbed Tua and looked up. "Hang on."
Peter sprang into action to secure Tua's safety as the shuttle descended. Once everyone was on board, they took off, intending to meet up with Barnes and flee Lothal. However, their escape was interrupted by an unforeseen force charging through the streets. They observed in shock as it burst through the buildings and vaulted into the air, striking the shuttle and causing it to spiral out of control and start crashing. The impact inflicted severe damage, rendering their current ship incapable of taking flight again.
Sabine opened the door and gestured for them to follow. "Let's go! Move it! Move it!"
All fled for their lives as the inhabitants of Lothal watched their desperate flight. Once they had escaped, the Mudhorn creature struck the shuttle once more, triggering a massive explosion. Amid the turmoil, a figure on the side of a building observed the crash. She seemed to take no further action, merely slipping through a window and closing it after herself.
The chest bore a spider symbol that seemed smudged, giving it a spray-painted appearance. The suit was primarily dirty white, with blue sections on the shoulders and legs. The individual also donned a hood, which they lowered to take off their mask, revealing Gwen Stacy. Witnessing the crash, she contemplated whether she could assist the Rebels in escaping.
As she contemplated her next move, the botched experiment on her dresser began to stir more vigorously. Gwen observed it struggling to escape its confines, which led her to wonder if the creature had an awareness of its origins. Having been engineered from Spider-Man's DNA, could it be seeking a reunion with its genetic template?
The rebels were hiding in Ezra's former residence. They observed that the Imperial forces continued their pursuit, despite the failure of their trap. Tua was advised to discard her Imperial uniform, as it would hinder their progress. Meanwhile, Yelena had stealthily acquired some clothes and was returning to the Bridger homestead, where Chopper kept watch. Bucky managed to reunite with them even though he was still separated and seemed the Empire on Lothal didn't know him yet.
"They wanted you to contact us," Hera told Tua. "They knew you would lead us back to Lothal and hoped to trap us."
"They kinda still have us trapped," Kate muttered.
"I have made it out of worse scenarios than this," Yelena commented.
"I highly doubt that." Kate retorted.
"You would be surprised what the United States will throw at you when you sneak into Area 51," Yelena replied.
"That thing," Peter muttered, getting their attention. "What was that?"
"One of the Doctor's experiments," Tua realized, capturing their attention. "When they took your blood, Spider-Man, they discovered its potential. They've been utilizing your blood to engineer something unprecedented—a new lifeform derived from your altered DNA."
"Mutants." Peter started to realize. "That thing we fought was a mutant?"
"That was nothing unlike anything we have seen. Outside of the Hulk." Bucky commented. "And that sentence alone could mean trouble for us."
"So, we gotta get out of here." Yelena got them back on track. "And to manage that, we are going to need a ship."
"I might know a way." Tua offered sheepishly. "It might be risky, though."
"It is always risky," Peter stated.
"Uh, do any of you have a map of the city?" Tua asks.
BD chirped and used his hologram to activate a map.
Tua then pointed off towards the Imperial facility. "Here."
"The heart of the Imperial Complex?" Hera asks.
"I know, I said it was risky. But if the troops are looking for you in the Capital, then that could leave the complex unmanned enough to slip by."
"She does have a point," Sabine commented. "Deploying troops to block every city exit has spread the garrison thin. Sounds crazy, but the area with the least troops will be in the facilities. The best chance to find a shuttle."
"I already have myself a disguise," Peter said as he activated the cloaking mechanism so his suit looked like one of a trooper's outfits.
As they approached the facility with stealth, Peter and Ezra, once again donning a cadet's uniform, moved cautiously. BD, perched atop the crates, mimicked an Imperial droid, primarily by standing still and surveying the area. They advanced, carrying crates that concealed their friends within. Nearing the doors, their progress was halted by a guard.
"What's this?" The guard troop asks.
"Power cells in need of recharging for the rebel pursuit," Peter answered.
Ezra went to push them further in when he was stopped. "Hold it right there, Cadet. We have to check inside."
"I got this," Ezra promised and tried to Mind Trick him. "No, you don't have to check inside."
"Did you just try to give me an order, Cadet?" The trooper asked, pushing Ezra and holding him by the uniform.
"No," Peter said as he stepped in and had Karen prepare an electric shock in his palm. "He just said, "You don't have to check inside!"
Peter swiftly grabbed the trooper with one hand and delivered an electric shock with the other. He then moved him against the wall and used his webbing to secure him in an upright position, making it appear as though he was still standing.
"I wish that worked for me," Ezra said as he pushed the crate inside.
"Hey, it's not like that was exactly the most subtle way." Peter shrugged.
They stepped into a closet filled with trooper uniforms and started to open the crates. Inside the first two, they found Kate and Yelena, followed by Bucky and Kanan, Tua and Sabine made their exit. Zeb was the last to emerge, gasping for breath.
"Zeb, will you be quiet?" Hera asked as she got out.
"What? I need to breathe." Zeb stated. "Have you smelled me?"
"I have been telling you for a while. Need some conditioner, buddy." Peter said with a chuckle.
"Don't think it matters if you're noisy," Sabine said from the doorway.
"There's nobody around," Sabine commented. "This was a good plan."
"This way." Tua gave them an exit strategy.
Then they heard Chopper grunting and couldn't escape the crate he was in. "Somebody get Chopper," Hera tells them.
"You think we'll find them this time?" A trooper asked as they patrolled the halls.
"We better." He replied, running into Peter.
"Found me," Peter declared, swiftly capturing them, slamming them against the walls, and securing them with webs. "Let's keep going."
They made it to the shuttle grounds and started to search for a shuttle. It didn't take long as they noticed there was indeed a shuttle.
"There's a shuttle," Kate called out,
"What'd I tell you?" Tua was happy to be right.
"You did good." Kanan complimented her.
They made their way towards the shuttle when Sabine spotted something. "Hera, over here."
Hera looked and was surprised to see shield generators. "Shield generators.
"Military grade," Sabine said.
"Zeb, Ezra, grab all we can carry," Hera tells them. "The fleet could sure use them."
Seizing the generators, they headed for the shuttle where Tua, Barnes, Yelena, and Kate were already aboard, making launch preparations. Ezra, on the other hand, was paralyzed by fear upon sensing something.
Ezra asked, "Do you feel that?"
"The cold," Kanan confirmed he felt it too.
They turned their gaze to the pathway leading into the area and noticed a figure standing at its center. The sound of his breathing reminded some of the Earth heroes of scuba gear, a sound they were familiar with. Suddenly, he activated a red lightsaber, leading them to believe he was another Dark Side user, akin to Mara Jade and the Grand Inquisitor.
Peter was scared, yet determined not to back down, understanding the need for action. In the previous instance he retreated, he endured torture and his friends faced peril. "I've got this guy!" he declared. Sprinting forward, he activated his mechanical arms, transitioning into his familiar Iron Spider suit. "Head for the shuttle!"
"Peter, no!" Kanan tried to stop him.
Peter however wasn't listening as he leaped into the air, feeling he knew what he was doing. He went in to strike the Dark Side Weider and didn't even manage to get close. Because he had already turned his blade, faster than even Peter could have foreseen, and stabbed right through him. Peter froze in fear as he looked down to his left hip and saw the blade sticking through him.
Mara Jade was roaming the corridors of the Destroyer when a sudden, sharp pain struck her hip. She gasped, dropping to one knee, and glanced down, only to find nothing there. However, upon lifting her shirt, she discovered a mark resembling that of a lightsaber wound on her side. At that moment, she gasped again, catching the attention of some troopers who hurried over to assist her.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" One asked.
Mara Jade wasn't sure what was wrong, but she felt...afraid. No, she felt she was dying.
Vader gazed into Spider-Man's eye lenses while he struggled for breath. All of Peter's friends were shocked and horrified, witnessing an injured Peter being held by the Dark Lord of the Sith himself.
"No!" Sabine called in fear.
"I expected more from you," Vader said as he then used the Force to throw Peter aside.
Peter lay there, observing his wound's futile attempts to heal. The saber's heat only exacerbated the injury, and each effort to mend itself resulted in Peter losing more blood, leaving him bleeding out even more.
"K-Karen?" Peter tried to call out to the AI, but it seemed his entire system was rebooting. He watched as troopers entered the vicinity and opened fire on his friends. "Help..."