Salecumi

Fort Nexu

"Following the empire's flight from saleucami imperial forces redirected a vast majority of their fleets to Lothal, led by a coalition of admirals we've lost contact with Lothal's capital, black wolf moon is holding out but the last transmissions staged imperial forces are on the ground." Caliban said in a hologram "There's been no word from Warlord Bloodwolf or any of his officers." Lord Caliban said in a hologram in the center of a large round table, there were multiple holograms of warlords, sitting at the table, General Gerrera, Lord Kleeve, Admiral Trench, a few others

Lord Asimov sat alongside Admiral Tuuk, all across the militia Caliban was transmitting the update on The empire's new front against Lothal, "An unfortunate development, how do we plan to proceed?" Tuuk asked.

"With the success we had on Jabiim, and the steady amount of ore shipped to our secret droid foundries we can reinforce our various warlords across the galaxy, Asimov, you've been conscripting troops from the various worlds you liberated, yes?"

Asimov nodded "Mykapo has proven a fertile recruitment ground and Serenno had promise before the empire drove us from the system."

"The droids can only do so much, Imperial forces will deteriorate into a war of attrition before it ends." Caliban added. The rest of the Warlords present looked around one another, "The Union is calling a meeting all Warlords must attend." Caliban said.

"Can we really afford to go, if we leave our fleets the Empire could strike our worlds." Steela pointed out "The General, Freeman wants us all there." Caliban told them.

Another one of them snickered, it was Kleeve "So he's finally going to get into this fight?" Kleeve asked.

"We will go." Lord Asimov said standing, "Lothal may not be the most popular among us, but they are still part of the Militia and we must remain united." Lord Asimov declared the rest of the Warlords glanced at one another "Agreed, I will prepare my shuttle to depart and leave my second in command to attend to securing Saleucami." Admiral Tuuk said in agreement showing his support for Asimov's agreement to the meeting. Gererra stood and disappeared from sight of the holomonitor, Kleeve did the same before Trench looked over at them nodding at Asimov without a word.

Caliban disconnected and it was just Tuuk and Asimov, "Do you suspect that General Freeman will have a plan?" Tuuk asked his wiry voice curious as he and Asimov walked over to the window looking out at Saleucami, the fires had started to die down and there wasn't any more cannon fire in the distance, the second battle of Salecumi had ended in hollow victory for the Militia. "We will know soon enough, but will the factions go along with it?"

"The Merchant Alliance has appointed me head of their military committee, as leader of Sovereign Destiny, you will do what is best for the Jedi in your care, I will do the same for mine." Tuuk replied.

Tuuk looked down at his base's airfield and saw the Ghost still lying in wait, "These rebel guests of ours, could they prove… useful?"

"Indeed-" Asimov cut off looking up to see the Revenant descending to the base's airfield "Excuse me." Lord Asimov said

Outside the tower, the Revenant landed the ramp lowering. Turok ran up to it as Ahkilleon walked out, he was standing upright but walking sluggishly his lightsabers clipped at his chest helmet under in his hand, "Lad." Turok said walking up to him, Ahkilleon walked forward and wobbled before Turok caught him "You damn stupid lad I ought to kill you." Turok snapped, hugging him tight like he'd never let go. Ahkilleon gasped trying to fill his lungs before Turok let go, "If you ever do anything like that again I'll-" "I'm sorry Turok, I've been a real jerk lately." Ahkilleon said.

Turok scoffed and spat, "I broke my pipe because of you— you know?" Turok growled holding back his emotions but he was smiling, or trying to hide it. Thundering footsteps came from the Ghost, Ahkilleon looked up to see the Specters coming out and when they saw him he shared a smile, Hera, Zeb, Kanan and Chopper rolled out followed by Sabine, the rest of them walked up to him. "Welcome back." Hera said with a soft smile, Kanan shared a hand on her shoulder, "Took down the Inquisitors?" Zeb asked.

"What, I'd like to know if we have anymore red blades in our future" Zeb asked them, Ahkilleon nodded "At least for now, none that I see." Ahkilleon said.

"Haha Karabast, way to go junior." Zeb punched Ahkilleon in the gut with a playful punch and he winced almost keeling over "Ow… think I broke a rib or two?" Ahkilleon asked.

Zeb shrugged "Sorry."

Sabine stood behind Zeb arms crossed, "Hehe… guess you all got my messages, huh?" Ahkilleon asked.

"Yeah, really heartfelt." Hera said patting him on the head even though he was taller than her, "Well I wasn't sure I was coming back." Ahkilleon said when he noticed Sabine, their eyes met and he looked past her to see Ezra holding onto the top of the ships ramp looking at him with unsure eyes, his previous message to them had been one of an apology of being angry, confused, words that were meant for a final goodbye.

Ahkilleon saw the two and he smiled but that soured "How's Ezra?"

"The attack on Lothal came to all of us as a surprise, we new the Empire would try to take it back eventually but… nothing of this scale." Kanan replied glancing back "Is it that bad?" Ahkilleon asked.

"Five Imperial fleets, all attacking from a different direction, from what Turok told us the Militia forces there were overwhelmed before they knew what was happening?" Hera said, folding her arms against her chest.

"What happens now?" Ahkilleon asked.

"We return to Raxus padawan, that's what." Lord Asimov said walking up to them, he passed by Sabine and Ahkilleon stood up straight helmet under his arm as much as a soldier he could be, Ahkilleon bowed, "Master."

Lord Asimov stood in front of him, "Padawan."

There was a moment of tension that hung in the air, "You were successful on Ruusan?"

"… I was." Ahkilleon said.

Lord Asimov exhaled under his helmet "We will discuss this later, for now see yourself to the medical tent and prepare for our journey to Raxus, Captain Syndulla?" Lord Asimov turned to Hera.

"The Militia has called a meeting of the Union, all our Warlords will be there, would you and your crew be willing to accompany us as my guests?" Lord Asimov asked.

Zeb and Sabine looked puzzled at how formal Lord Asimov had been "Why?" Hera asked also skeptical, Lord Asimov sighed "Captain, I know I have done nothing to earn your trust, I wish to make amends we have a common enemy in the Empire, and a common ally." He said looking to his apprentice "Please, allow me to make amends and offer you the hospitality of the Militia." He said bowing to her in a respectful apology.

Zeb scratched the back of his fur "Could use another break." Zeb confessed "You always want to take a vacation."

"Of course I do, I'm roommates with Ezra, we just got rid of another batch of Inquisitors, my fur is turning gray Sabine." Zeb said pulling at his fur and Kanan smirked at Hera, who melted at that "What kind of guarantee can you give this isn't a trap?" Hera asked Asimov who was still bowing "I will give the Rebellion another dreadnought."

Zeb's jaw nearly hit the floor hearing Zeb, "Wait you can just give us a dreadnought?" Zeb asked.

"I am Warlord of the Jedi, there is little I cannot do."

Hera thought it over "We'll go. On another condition, Ahkilleon rides with us."

Lord Asimov stood up and grumbled "Very well, but you will have to stay at my Temple."

"Temple?" Kanan asked, Ahkilleon cleared his throat "Lord Asimov has built a Temple from his estate on Raxus, an enclave in a manner of speaking for Jedi on Raxus."

Kanan scratched his beard "I guess it's alright." Kanan muttered.

"Very well, we will leave with in the hour." Lord Asimov said turning to go he stopped bowing and looked to his padawan "We will talk later." Asimov said before Hera called out "Oh and we want to link up with Phoenix Squadron so Captain Rex can come!" Lord Asimov stopped and sighed "I feel like I've made a mistake- As you wish!" He yelled back after muttering to himself.

Ahkilleon watched him go, "Do you think he's upset? Ahkilleon asked Kanan.

"You're asking me, not that long ago he wanted to thrash us now he's inviting us to dinner even with jedi senses I can't figure out that guy?" Kanan said to him, "Come on we'll contact Sato and Rex about our next adventure." Hera said to Kanan and Zeb, knowing that Sabine probably wanted to talk to him alone.

"Sato ain't going to be happy about us working with the Militia, you know after… well." Zeb held up both his paws and they got the message "Maybe not, but he'll want to know about what's going on in the Militia, this will give us a look inside their world." Hera said.

Kanan smirked, "That's why you're the smart one." Kanan said walking into the ship with the others, Ezra was leaning on the wall still having refused to come out, "So, you going to welcome him back?" Kanan asked, stopping beside him.

Ezra said nothing, and Kanan didn't pry.

Back on the tarmac Ahkilleon and Sabine looked at one another, Sabine's eyes locked on him like two freaking sniper scopes, "Sabine I- huh?" Sabine ran at him and Ahkilleon thought he was about to get a very strong Mandalorian hug but then he saw Sabine draw back her foot-

Just then Corto, Jay and Rulf came running around the corner "Ahkilleon we heard you were back- Ahkilleon?" Corto asked seeing Ahkilleon on the ground on his knees face touching the pavement hands holding onto his future descendants with Sabine storming off toward the Ghost, whatever had caused such a massacre to Ahkilleons nether regions had happened so fast Rulf and Jay were speechless. Corto however just squatted down as Ahkilleon rolled over onto his back still clutching his ground "There is no way I'm putting my hands there to heal you."

"Just heal my other wounds… oh stars she got all three, and in beskar armor…"

Corto sat down smugly looking at him "Hmm no, I'm just as upset as your girlfriend is with you."

"I think I have some broken ribs… I'm literally dying, Corto." Ahkilleon moaned as Corto shrugged "We're Jedi, death doesn't exist remember." He said as Ahkilleon started to grow pale. Both Rolf and Jay looked at one another curious if not mortified that Corto was actually going to let Ahkilleon lie there in pain.

"You ass." Ahkilleon groaned looking up at him "Curse my desire to heal even the dumb ones…" Corto said as he helped him up, Jay helped him up too "Running off to fight an evil Sith Lord on a long forgotten planet, feels like you Jedi do that all the time." Jay said as he leaned on the two boys. Rulf came up to take him "Yeah but how many of them come back to get a beskar boot to the boys." Ahkilleon asked the three of them.

Far off, Commander Sigma was standing by the Endeavour with Lord Asimov, approaching him Commander Sigma watched Ahkilleon speaking to the other Cadets and Corto, he had his helmet under his arm and was next to Lord Asimov ``Why are we letting the Rebels stay with us sir?" He asked.

"I invited them, Commander."

"Why?" Sigma asked the clone turning to face his lordship, "I thought we hated them?" Sigma asked.

Lord Asimov was silent, hands behind his back "I sense they will have a part to play in the future, for now they are a means to an end. And my apprentice is close to them, he will need allies in the coming days." Lord Asimov explained.

"My Padawan has been through a lot recently, he should rest and be with friends." Lord Asimov said to him, "Kid needs to toughen up."

Lord Asimov looked at him "Hmm, reminds me of you when we first met Commander."

"If you say so sir." Sigma said glaring at the rebels, "Oh and that old Clone Captain will be joining us, be nice." Sigma didn't say anything, he just followed him into the fort.

Later, Ahkilleon walked out of the medical tent although it was with a slight limp from Sabine's merciless assault on his area which marked his gender specifically, he would live. Corto followed him and both Jay and Rulf had to leave for other duties "So that all happened, the fight with the Inquisitors, Jerec and you becoming a… that thing?" Corto asked him.

Ahkilleon nodded "I still can't really believe it."

"Yeah, and you just— what gave it all up, all that power?" Corto asked him.

"Just felt wrong, all those souls, all those lives trapped in limbo forever and what Qu told me, a world between worlds you ever hear of anything like that?" Ahkilleon asked.

Corto shrugged "Hmm no, but my mom and dad always said Qu was eccentric, but I'll do some digging."

Walking up to them in full Militia body armor with his bucket hat over his head with his sniper rifle was Lt. Breacher smoking his cigar, "Welcome back Captain, heard you went hunting bag anything?" Breacher said huffing on his cigar.

"Four red blades, and a kick in the nuts." Ahkilleon said as Breacher chewed the cigar with a grin, "It's been quite the womp rat shoot here, Empire was in such a hurry to get to Lothal they left behind stragglers, Lord Asimov was kind enough to let me weed em out." Breacher said as he looked Ahkilleon over, "Doc patch you up?" He asked, looking at Corto.

Corto sighed, "That's why I'm here."

"Good thing to, his Lordship sent me to find you, wants a word, Captain." Breacher said to Ahkilleon, "Before we go to Raxus, you coming with us Lt?" Ahkilleon asked the mutton chopped man, "We'll see Cap." Breacher said.

Ahkilleon headed to the Fort's main building, he walked in saluted on both sides by the B5 droids that were guarding it, he noticed that most if not all Tuuk's forces were droids, with sentient commanders, mostly neimoidians, a few humans, and Quarren, all Separatist races from the clone wars. The interior of the fortress main tower was dark metal with blue markings on the wall to indicate directions, he headed up a flight of stairs and into an elevator that rose to an upper level, coming out he saw Lord Asimov sitting back to him in the middle of an officer's quarters meditating. Ahkilleon walked in and stood there in silence, as the seconds grew to minutes Ahkilleon sensed Lord Asimov was in deep meditation "… Master?" Ahkilleon asked.

At first he said nothing, "Sit. What you did was foolish, Ahkilleon, running off like that."

Ahkilleon sat down and Lord Asimov kept his back to him in contempt, "Do you disagree?" Asimov asked when Ahkilleon said nothing, "I do."

"You thought you were sparing everyone else the risk, by taking it upon yourself to go alone?" Lord Asimov asked, "I thought if I was the only one to die, it would spare the galaxy losing the rest of us sir." Ahkilleon replied as Asimov's back tightened hearing it, "And how, pray tell, did you come to find out the location of Ruusan when our own efforts failed?" Asimov asked.

Ahkilleon didn't answer at first, "Speak." Asimov ordered "It was… given to me by Grand Admiral Thrawn."

Slowly rising Asimov walked to his window in silence, "I had no idea he was planning to attack Lothal Master I-" "Played your part." Lord Asimov said.

"What, I don't understand?" Ahkilleon asked.

Asimov slowly turned hands behind his back "The Inquisitors have near unchecked power in the Empire, or they did, but above them are the Generals, Admirals and Moffs with the Inquisitors removed from the board, Grand Admiral Thrawn grows more powerful he used our focus on Ruusan and the Inquisitors to draw our attention away, and in our blindness he struck." Lord Asimov said.

"He used me?" Ahkilleon asked.

"No, the attack on Lothal would have happened eventually the Empire has a vested interest in the planet as we already know." Lord Asimov said "The Jedi Temple?" Ahkilleon asked.

"As well as the planet's vast resources, the years of industrial planning, and the embarrassment of the Militia taking the planet to start the war." Lord Asimov said listing off the other reasons, "But with Jerec and his acolytes defeated, that has to count for something."

Lord Asimov turned toward him "You want me to pack you on the back, say you did a good job, you could have died Ahkilleon, you could have been captured or worse embraced the dark side in its entirety." Lord Asimov scolded "But… but you told me to use my inner darkness?" Ahkilleon asked.

"I told you to channel it, not embrace it, control, focus, discipline. These are what I teach you to do the same with your light, so it doesn't numb you and…" Asimov signed, calming down "You have done that." Lord Asimov said disgruntled "So… you're not upset?"

Lord Asimov grunted "I am disappointed you ran off on your own, that you did not consider if this was a trap or not."

"I did consider it, it was worth the risk." Ahkilleon said.

Lord Asimov crossed his arms "Risk or not, I've indulged your antics running off without warning for too long. Perhaps being around these rebels has caused you to slip back into your ideas that this is the rebellion and not an army where you are under my command."

"I haven't forgotten I… I'm sorry Master." Ahkilleon said not want to fight.

Lord Asimov slammed his fist into a wall "Don't Apologize, you chose to go yes?" Lord Asimov asked.

"Yes?" Ahkilleon asked confused, "You were victorious weren't you?"

"Yes?" Ahkilleon answered and Asimov removed his fist from the wall "Then you do not apologize, a warrior, a man knows when he makes a choice and he stands by it, my disappointment is mine to bear not yours."

Ahkilleon thought on it and started to realize why Asimov was being so contrarian, "Not everyone will agree I made the right choice, but either way I succeeded and stopped Jerec? So I should stand by my actions and accept the consequences like a kick in the nuts."

Lord Asimov's face was hidden behind his helmet's visor, "Not in those exact words… but yes." There was a long pause between them but the message was clear, Lord Asimov was angered at Ahkilleon for leaving without letting him come with him, but he was proud his apprentice triumphed over the darkness of the Sith and his own, "Report to the Ghost, we will leave for Raxus soon."

"Yes Master." Ahkilleon said bowing before he left.

Ahkilleon left the Forts tower and headed to the exit, after he left the tower behind, he looked up to see a pair of Hawks flying in a Lambda-Class Shuttle with blue stripes, Ahkilleon sensed a familiar presence on the ship and when it landed, Ahkilleon saw Captain Rex come out. Hera and Kanan were waiting for him, they exchanged a few words then Rex noticed Ahkilleon, sighing that Ahkilleon knew that he had another apology he had to make. Hera patted Rex on the arm and they headed toward the Ghost where no doubt the rest of the crew was waiting. Ahkilleon approached Rex and the old clone captain stood there hands on his hips with a disgruntled look on his face "Hera told me what happened, we're going to Raxus soon, and that little thing on Ruusan."

"I wouldn't exactly call it little." Ahkilleon said "Oh really, I called that a pretty average day for me and your mom back in the day." Ahkilleon stared at him.

Ahkilleon gaped then shut his mouth, "I… wonder what she would think of me now probably a disappointed"

Folding his arms over his chest "Commander Tano, your mother, wasn't always the stoic woman you knew. She made her mistakes, she learned from them, she got better, that's all we can do." Rex said.

"Rex I'm sor-" "Stop." Rex said holding his hands up "I was a little too hard on you when we were in that old Separatist battleship, Ezra helped me see that the past was opening up old wounds and I took it out on you all, especially you." Rex told him apologizing "You're making your own way Ahkilleon, like your mother did after she left the Order, sure I wish she'd stayed, a lot of us did but we make our choices, we move forward as men." Rex said, patting him on the shoulder and heading to the Ghost. "Besides, I've got an old acquaintance I'd like to see."

Ahkilleon followed Rex aboard the Ghost, and walked in to see Zeb speaking to Ezra in a hushed tone, when they noticed they were there, Ezrza turned to leave. Zeb reached out for him but dropped his arm seeing there was no point trying to get to him.

"Ezra and you still not talking?" Rex asked him, Ahkilleon sighed "We talked for ab it, then we tried to kill each other before Sabine shot at us." Ahkilleon replied.

Rex smirked, "Like I said, just like the old days."

The Ghost started to take off from Fort Nexu with the Revenant, and the two ships flew into the heavens over Saleucami as dark storm clouds rolled into starting to douse the many fires that had been burning in the forests.

HYPERSPACE

Enroute to Raxus

"Be about twenty minutes till we get there." Hera said in the pilot seat, Ezra sat down in the gunner seat stamping his foot, Ahkilleon stood in the doorway "So anybody got anything they wanted to get off their chest?" Hera asked, looking down at Ezra "No." He said curtly.

"I'm good." Zeb said looking at Ahkilleon, who also was silent, he just walked out of the ship and headed to not sure since they were all confined on the ship, he spotted Sabine tinkering in the Phantom II. Sighing he knew he had another rough conversation ahead, walking up to the doorway he asked "Need any help?"

Sabine was on her back head and upper chest inside the ship's walls working on the shuttle's hyperdrive, "Got something for me to fix? If not, space off." She asked not to come out, Ahkilleon walked in and sat down pressing a button on the door to shut it.

"... I'm sorry." He replied, "You've been saying that lot, think it makes it better?" She asked.

Ahkilleon "I know it doesn't." He replied apologetically.

"So did you really think you weren't coming back" Sabine asked him, still under the engine fixing it.

Ahkilleon sat there beside her legs, "No, but I wanted to." Leaning up against the ship's wall.

"Why?" Sabine asked, peeking out from under the engine but still working.

"You know why?" Ahkilleon told her as he stood up, Sabine put her hands behind her back not looking at him "I need to hear it."

Ahkilleon felt abashed and turned away, "Because… because when I'm with you I forget, I forget all the bad we've been through Sabine, all the darkness around us, in me, it all melts away when I was on Ruusan I felt it, the darkness. It's been creeping into me and I've let it but when I'm with you, it's like I'm holding onto a warm flame that keeps me alive. I didn't want to die anymore, I wanted to live…. With you by my side."

Sabine dropped her tools, no she through them and slid out from under the place she was working on, sitting up she had a scowl on her face "Damn you Ahkilleon." He looked at her eyes wide like a puppy and she melted into the green eyes to kiss him, they kissed long and hard before pressing their foreheads "If we're doing this, we… we do it like you said, by each other's side." She cupped his cheek and he pressed his hand on hers "Wouldn't have it any other way Rainbow."

The two of them held onto one another arms wrapped around one another as they held on tight.

RAXUS SECUNDUS

Raxus was located in the heart of the Foundry, and the public face of the Militia, saw the Ghost and the Revenant drop out of hyperspace, together as they approached Zeb came up to the cockpit of the Ghost "Whoa." Guarding the Militia capital was an entire armada of Militia Dreadnoughts and frigates surrounding the planet on high guard. "I've never seen so many ships that size?" Ezra said from his seat.

"Lord Asimov said all the Warlords who could make it were coming, some are still in combat with the Empire, others will just be holograms, but with the situation on Lothal the other planets we've taken aren't going to leave it up to chance." Ahkilleon said in the doorway.

"Hmph." Ezra gruntem.

The Ghost flew down to the planet and followed the Revenant over the city of Raxaul, Sabine and Ezra looked over the capital with the Militia Hex and a large airfield with Dreadnoughts, and more. "We still have a day before the other Warlord arrives for the meeting, follow me to the Temple."

Rex tensed up, "Spent a long time wondering if I'd ever come here, expected it to be with your mother and General Skywalker to accept the Separatists surrender." Rex muttered to Ahkilleon.

"Now look at it, the best hope for a free Outer Rim." Ahkilleon said as they flew over the city and surrounding it was an entire city of tents, shacks and ships.

"What are those?" Zeb asked.

"Refugees, all trying to escape the Empire." Ahkilleon said as they flew over, a Munificent-class frigate hovering over it like a dark iron cloud, "And the frigate?" Hera asked.

Ahkilleon sighed "Look it's not the best option, but My master told me that spies have been trying to get in, others are opportunist criminals, but that'll change."

"That's where we still differ, the Rebellion is fighting for everyone to be free." Ezra said down in the gunner seat.

"Be nice to you too." Hera said.

The two ships flew out of the city's airspace and toward Lord Asimov's estate, which had begun construction on the Temple grounds it would become and had come to fruition. The former Bonteri estate of the main house had tripled in size with high walls around the estate on the hill, additional buildings had been constructed with metal walls and ceilings that matched the architecture of Bastion Temple, "That's supposed to be a Jedi Temple?" Ezra said "Looks more like the fortress on Saleucami?"

Ahkilleon nodded "Lord Asimov has sworn that no army will ever march on the Jedi again without a fight, Ezra." Rex soured hearing that knowing he was referring to Order 66.

The Ghost landed on one of the three brand new landing pads that extended out of the main compound, a group of Sentinel Guards stood at the landing pad waiting for them, the white painted droids with brown cloaks carrying shock staff stood behind a single Jedi. Master Emesa was standing there when the golden masked and brown robed Jedi Master saw them come out, he nodded at Lord Asimov who was followed by Turok, Corto, Jay, Tai and her padawan Yumi "Master Emesa, this is a surprise." Lord Asimov said seeing him the two jedi with their faces hidden acknowledged one another.

"I wanted to see my Sentinel Droids personally, I've given you two dozen of them to protect this enclave, I've set up a direct line to Bastion Temple, encrypted beyond anything the Empire or the Militia could do to hack it." Emesa explained to him "There's more, the Council sensed a disturbance?"

Lord Asimov sighed "Yes, I will explain it please show me to the transmitter and we'll get it all sorted out." He said as Emesa turned over to notice the rebels walking out of their ship "You've gathered quite the collection of strays Asimov?"

His lordship leaned in "Unlike you Emesa, I prefer people to droids. Do you have what I asked for." he looked at Ahkilleon, Beetoo Ahkilleons blue and yellow astro droid rolled up to Asimov "Yes, schematics of the renovations." Emesa held up a data disk and gave it to the astro droid who took the device inserting it into his port and beeped when the download was finished. "Padawan, your droid will show you guests to their rooms."

"Rooms, you mean I get a room of my own again." Zeb said with a smile sneering at Ezra, but the young man was still in a mood so Zeb frowned.

"We'll stay aboard the Ghost if you don't mind." Hera refused the hospitality, "We should at least take a tour?" Kanan whispered.

Hera sighed seeing he was being diplomatic, "Fine, lead the way Beetoo was it?" She asked glowering at the droid, still not forgetting what happened when the droid and his former pilot shot the Ghost out of the sky. Ahkilleon walked forward following Beetoo up the stairs to the former Bonteri estate, the staircase had been widened for more people to move, there were two Sentinel Droids standing guard with their laser pyke staffs and beige robes, their chassis resembled that of the Temple Guard of the old order and they stomped their staffs opening the door. Beetoo lead the way down the hallways of the main Temple, it had been stripped of it's finery and replaced with bare metal and New Jedi Order markings, the old symbol of the order was a winged saber, this one was similar but the spark of the saber coming from the emitter was stretched out and yellow with the colors of Lord Asimov, teal, yellow, and steel gray.

"So, Temple Asimov, what's it look like?" Kanan asked Ezra.

"... Like Asimov." he muttered.

Ahkilleon overheard them "If we get the clearance you should come to Bastion Temple on Arcadia, you two would love it and we could even visit Jeditown."

"Jeditown?" Kanan asked.

"It's where Corto and Yumi's parents live, along with all the other families whose kids are students at the Temple." Ahkilleon explained, "But the code-" "Isn't the same anymore Kanan, the New Jedi aren't afraid of attachments, we embrace them, they make us stronger, new and old." He said looking at Ezra who just scowled.

"Can we just go to the rooms?" He grunted looking at the droid Beetoo, "That droid, where's Nemo?" Hera asked.

Ahkilleon's face darkened and Beetoo beeped at her, Hera looked abashed at the inconsiderate remark "Oh… well he was a hell of a pilot." Hera said.

"What did he say?" Zeb asked not to be versed in binary.

"Nemo went down over Serenno, Beetoo and I have been stuck together ever since." Ahkilleon patted the droid on hush ead and Beetroo cooked in a few happy beeps till they came to the back of the house leading into the courtyard which had changed the garden had been expanded with jedi statues one of Lord Asimov and across from him one of Ventus, Terro and Ahkilleon? "Well that's not egotistical at all?" Ezra said as Ahkilleon blushed "I um… didn't know about this.'' The four statues surrounded the training grounds at the center of the temple where it was currently occupied, Ventus and Terro were watching Fatima train with Kraggen, the Quarren and recent padawan of the two bodyguards of Asimov.

"What are they doing?" Hera asked while watching the training "Friendly sparring match." Ahkilleon said

"Harder Kraggen!" Terro shouted, Kraggen wielding his green lightsaber, even for the quarrens great size he moved swiftly his muscles flexing from his ripped of sleeves, his white robe had his hood over his squid head a half metal mask over his face with his tentacles out as Fatima backed up, her robe having a few singe marks. Kraggen scored a strike on Fatima's arm, ripping her robe and burning the dark brown fabric, Fatima yelped, dropping her saber "Looks anything but friendly." Hera said as Kraggen stopped just above her head.

"Dead." Terro barked, walking over to Fatima and pointing a leather glove at her "Or worse maybe captured by the Empire, interrogated, tortured and then if you're lucky they kill you." Terro said picking up her lightsaber.

Ezra grumbled "These two again."

Ventus walked over and patted Terro on the shoulder "She gets the point, brother." Ventus said, "Then she won't drop her guard next time." Terro tossed her lightsaber away and Fatima rose to her feet, Ventus summoned the lightsaber back and handed it to her "He's right, you have to fight back padawan."

"I know Master…. I will." Fatima took the lightsaber "Go see to your wounds, I sense Corto has returned."

"Not only Corto." Fatima said as the New Jedi noticed Ahkilleon and company, "What are they doing here!" Terro barked storming toward them and his saber still clipped to his belt.

Ahkilleon walked forward and held out "Guests of Lord Asimov, in 'his' Temple." Ahkilleon told him.

"Lord Asimov's Temple is for Jedi only, real jedi." Terro barked, pointing an accusing finger at Kanan and Ezra, "You don't like it Terro takes it up with his Lordship." Ahkilleon said not backing down in front of him, Terro looked over at Ventus who stood there hands behind his back beside Fatima, who stood close by him almost behind the other masked War Jedi.

Terro growled and stormed off "Padawan, follow!" Kraggen sheathed his lightsaber and followed Terro, indicating both Fatima and Kraggen had their own Masters now.

"You were assigned a Master Fatima?" Ahkilleon asked Fatima who walked forward holding her arm, "Um no, Kraggen pledged himself to both Sir Terro and Sir Ventus, I thought a long time about it and I did the same the two decided to train us each separately, Kraggen to Terro and me to Master Ventus."

"Pledged?" Kanan asked.

Ventus approached hands behind his back, looking closer it was clear Terro and Ventus had begun to alter their armor slightly. Terro had his armor over his robes tucking the thick leather bracers over his sleeves and the tunic cut short, Ventus wore his robes over the armor and they went down past his knees, where he wore leather boots "The New Jedi's charter allows for Padawans to pledge themselves to a Knight if he wished a padawan, Fatima has pledged herself to me as Kraggen has to Terro."

"Just like you Ahkilleon, though I didn't think any other student would be crazy enough to pledge to Asimov, oh sorry Master." Fatima siad behind her veil.

"No, his lordship would take it as a compliment." Ventus replied, Kanan gawked "But the Council assigns the Masters?" he objected.

"They still do, but the Congress of Knights take their 'recommendations' into consideration." Ventus explained, "Come padawan, let's get that arm looked at, excuse us." Ventus said, leading Fatima up the stairs walking instead of stomping like Ventus.

Ahkilleon looked back "Sorry about them, Terro has been through a lot, so has Kraggen."

"Oh I'm sure we won't see any red lightsabers from them soon." Ezra said, "Ezra." Hera snapped.

"What you heard from him, and Kanan you could feel the anger coming off him it was like bad breath." Ezra added, "Ezra I know things are bad right now, with Lothal and-" "OH I was used to Lothal being invaded, torn apart by war. It seems like a pretty typical thing with you, New Jedi, doesn't it." Ezra barked at Ahkilleon.

Ahkilleon's lips turned into a thin line "We've been over this Ezra, we have to fight."

"Oh I know, that's all you want to do Ahkilleon, want to finish what started earlier?" Ezra asked hand on his lightsaber.

Zeb sighed "Looks like we're doing this."

Ahkilleon inhaled and grabbed his lightsabers and took them off his hilts and walked to the center of the sparring ring, "Ezra no, this isn't the way." Hera snapped as Ezra walked to the sparring ring.

"Ezra-" "No, they have to sort this out." Kanan said, grabbing Hera by the arm "What you're letting this happen?" Hera asked him looking at the rest of the crew, Chopper cheered the two of them on or maybe just Ezra as Beetoo growled at him. "You're not helping Chop." Sabine said.

"Sabine knocks some sense into them." Hera ordered she shrugged back "I tried, better to just let them get this out of their system." Sabine sighed.

"And you're okay with this Zeb?" Hera asked, the big Lasat shrugged as the two young men faced off against one another, Ezra took up his lightsaber and turned it on the green blade humming as Ahkilleon held him up and he….

He…

Dropped them?

Ezra growled "What are you doing?"

"I'm done fighting you Ezra, I don't want to anymore." Ahkilleon said, brow lowered, "You want to attack me, go ahead, I won't fight back."

Ezra gritted his teeth "I broke the oath Ezra." Ahkilleon reached up to his neck and pulled out the claw of the Nexu he wore around his neck, he tore it off and held it up "I broke the oath, I didn't deserve to wear this." he said tossing it to Ezra it landed between his feet and Ezra snarled "Fight me."

"No, you were- you are my friend."

Ezra's hands shook on his lightsaber and he lowered it, turning it off, "Ahkilleon…" Erza dropped his lightsaber and Hera breathed a sigh of relief, Ahkilleon smiled looking hopeful as Ezra walked toward him "Ahkilleon…" he was picking up speed "AHKILLEON!" Ezra shouted running at him and drawing back his fist, Ahkilleon closed his eyes with an annoyed expression but took a left hook from Ezra. Ahkilleon staggered back and his head snapped back "RIGHT!" and Ahkilleon hurled a right hook

"I knew it, you did want to fight, you jerk!" Ezra punched him again "You call that a punch?" Ahkilleon punched Ezra back but Ezra hit him again "You want a punch, try this on for size princess." Ezra snapped, smacking Ahkilleon with his other fist.

Ahkilleon spat out some blood "I've been hit harder by Chopper." Ahkilleon punched Ezra back, both boys throwing fists and insults at one another but no defense.

"Know it all!"

"Spoiled brat!"

"Teenage Angst Machine!"

"Clown!"

"Scruffy looking Nerfherder!"

"Moof Milker!"

Every insult was followed by a punch from the other boy to the next, the sun starting to set on Raxus and soon both of them were standing their bloodied, faces swollen and purple with bruises and out of breath, their arms at their side "You.. should look… at your face…" Ezra gasped.

"You should thank me…." Ahkilleon spat some blood "It's an improvement." Ahkilleon sat back on the sparring floor, Ezra chuckled "Ha… I…. I won."

"Tell yourself that at night Ezra." Ahkilleon grumbled snickering as Ezra fell back onto his butt, leaning on his hands as Ahkilleon sat forward on his knees "No, no…. you sat down first I'm tougher…."

"You're idiots, both of you." Sabine said arms folded, Ahkilleon and Ezra looked at one another "Hehe…" Ezra snickered, Ahkilleon snickered too then both of them looked at their swollen battered faces and pointed at one another laughing, "Ugh boys." Sabine groaned as she walked off, Hera face palmed herself as Kanan smirked, shaking his head as Zeb put his hands on his hips "Well, that's one way to patch things up."

"NO WAY IN HELL AM I HEALING YOU TWO MORONS!" Corto shouted from the upper balcony of the walkway, apparently, Corto, Yumi, Kraggen, Ralf and Jay had watched the whole thing "What are we a side show?" Ezra asked getting up and offering his hand to Ahkilleon who took it "Well have you seen yourself lately, all that orange?"

"Oh and you, dark blue, you really like to change it up." Ezra said as he walked over to where he'd dropped his lightsaber, instead of picking it up he tossed Ahkilleon the fang, he caught it "So Ezra…. Are we good?"

Ezra picked his lightsaber up and clipped it to his hand "Not entirely… but it's a start."

"I'll take it." Ahkilleon said