Author's Note: Happy New Year, everyone! Let's kick things off with an epic conclusion to the first holiday special! If you'd be so kind and really enjoyed the special, I'd love to hear from you at the end of the chapter.

Happy New Year and Long Live Imagination!

GOLDENHEART STORIES PRESENTS

THE FROZEN FORCE HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Chapter: 48 (It's a Wonderful Life Day Part 2)

"Never underestimate the ties of family, blood-bound and beyond."

Life Day festivities have begun! As celebrations ensue across the galaxy, so to does a perilous threat. While enroute to Coruscant with supplies for the homeless, Hoff VIca and his team have been attacked by Separatist forces. After being overwhelmed, they found themselves captured by the twisted General Grievous. Now at his mercy, the prisoners can only wait as the general's plan unfolds...

The Vica Foundation Shelter was bustling with new arrivals. Its tireless doors slid open and beckoned a fresh wave of those in need to enter. While worry prodded at her from within, Datya refused to let it show. Whether it was in the realm of business or among the homeless, Datya understood that whatever energy she radiated would affect everyone. While she couldn't be impenetrable, she couldn't bend at every moment either. Datya remained hopefully optimistic and kept herself calm through slowed breathing. The presence of her daughter and so many Jedi helped to temporarily fill the void of Hoff's absence. She looked over an empty storage closet and let the reality of their situation sink in. With a bold huff and spring in her step, Datya returned to greet the newcomers.

"Welcome! Welcome!" she called. "And a very Happy Life Day to you all. There's plenty of room for everyone on both floors." Datya started to guide the group when a tired Ithorian raised his trembling hand.

His faulty vocoder crackled as he asked. "May I please have something to eat?"

Datya's smile started to falter while others looked to her with curious eyes. The Pantoran had grown used to the pressure of many stares, but it didn't make the situation hurt any less. Thinking quickly, she placed a calming hand around the elder's hunched back. "But of course," she assured the Ithorian. "We've got something cooking right now. Why don't we get you settled in first?" The Ithorian obliged while Datya cautiously scurried to the kitchen.

A set of snowy white locks emerged amidst the crowd of entering citizens. Master Yelena's thick braids swayed from her shoulders as she looked around. The hectic scene was made complete by an infant's ear-splitting wails. Yelena followed the sound to a young Umbaran cradling a child. Stress consumed the teen as she desperately tried to calm her baby boy. Several pale strands dangled from her forehead and tickled his nose. Yelena softly smiled as the sniffling baby started to cackle. His mother rejoiced in his happiness and finally let herself relax. She permitted the tears to roll down her cheeks with each deep breath. When the teen noticed Yelena, she rushed to swiftly compose herself. Her tranquil grin became a deepening glower and she held her son close. She averted her gaze from Yelena and said, "Have you come to judge me too, Master Jedi? For those who have committed crime in my skin? For the age of my motherhood?"

There was a long pause as Yelena shook her head. Her lips parted for several responses as she struggled to find the proper wisdom. Instead her old eyes focused on the infant. "Your son is beautiful," Yelena finally said.

The teen peered down at her baby and held his tiny hand. "He is," she replied. "And he deserves so much more than this." Her teary eyes gestured to the shelter around them. "He doesn't deserve a father who couldn't care less and a city who loathes him for the way he looks."

"But he does deserve you," Yelena said. "And you are enough."

"How can you possibly say that?" the teen asked. "Look where we are."

"I understand this might not be the life you hoped for," Yelena replied and knelt in front of her. "But sometimes we have to simplify our visions and focus on the present." The Umbaran's brows furrowed as Yelena continued. "I mean it. We look to our past for answers and fear the future because of it. But where do we make time for the present?" The teen thought on her words as Yelena formulated a plan. "Maybe we can try something?" The mother appeared nervous. "Humor me," Yelena suggested and held out her hand. The teen took it as Yelena asked. "What is your name?"

"Sahira," she replied.

"Well Sahira," Yelena said and closed her eyes. "You and every living being is connected through the Force."

"Do you actually believe in all that?" Sahira inquired.

Yelena softly opened her eyes and looked into Sahira's. "Yes," she answered. "Because while I cannot always see it, I can feel it. The Force thrives in all of us through a ceaseless, powerful energy field. Close your eyes and we can feel it together." Sahira gulped and looked to her child. "I promise it will be alright," Yelena assured and the Umbaran obliged. They closed their eyes as Yelena reached out with the Force. "Try to focus on where we are," she said.

"Because that's so pleasant," Sahira griped.

"Pleasant or not, it is where we are." Yelena intoned. "And we must accept it."

Sahira's eyes tightened while her son squirmed in her arms. "How can I accept what is my fault? I lost my job. The eviction-"

"Sahira," Yelena whispered. "Do not let your past hold dominion. Let those thoughts pass."

"How?" she pleaded while her son whimpered.

"By accepting what was," Yelena said. "Stay with me in this moment and don't go any further. Let the pains of your past fade by like any other thought. What's done is done and you are here now."

"But I'm scared," Sahira confessed.

"That's okay," Yelena said. "You can be scared amidst this turmoil."

Sahira's grip on Yelena's palm loosened. Her posture straightened and brows relaxed as she uttered, "Wait. Everyone feels so...vibrant."

"We're connecting with them," Yelena assured. As Sahira calmed down, so too did her baby. The infant gently rested his head against her chest and smiled. "No matter the situation, you are here. Never alone and fully capable. Now focus on your child, Sahira. Listen to his heartbeat and stay in the moment. Look no further than where we sit right now and let the rest simply...flow." Sahira exhaled and opened her eyes. "Feel better?" Yelena asked.

"A little," the Umbaran admitted. "Thank you."

"Master?" someone called from behind Yelena. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Elsa setting a container down.

"Padawan," Yelena rejoiced. "Happy Life Day. It's so nice to see you."

"Happy Life Day," Elsa answered. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to find you," Yelena confessed. "I didn't want you to be alone today."

"I'm far from alone," Elsa assured and gestured to those in the shelter.

Yelena sighed. "Well then...I-" Elsa leaned in and raised her brows. "I just-" Even Sahira was curious about what she'd say. "I really wanted to be with you, Elsa. Senatorial assistant or not, you're still my apprentice and..." Yelena struggled to finish her sentence. "-and I've missed you."

Elsa smiled softly. "I've missed you too. It's nice to see y-"

Their moment was cut short as a bright blaze emanated from the kitchen. "By the Force," Yelena uttered.

"Oh no," Elsa groaned. "Come on." She and Yelena rushed towards the source of the commotion. They entered through a side door and Elsa asked, "How's the nerf roast?"

"Damn it all!" Hans growled from behind the oven. He tried to steady several pans with the Force while a volunteer wiped off excess grease. Chunks of poorly chopped meat sizzled into fatty, unapettizing heaps.

"No no no," Datya scolded him. "Bring those burners down at least four degrees before you torch the whole thing. And properly season those filets!" Datya rushed to prepare what nerf meat they could salvage and muttered, "This won't be enough for the whole shelter."

The door slid open as Buthri bumped into Elsa and Yelena. "Madam Vica!" he blurted and panic filled his eyes. "Madam Vica!"

"Not now, Buthri." Datya told her assistant. "This meal's a disaster and we need to save what we can."

Buthri swallowed hard and the Jedi sensed his anxiety. "There's a transmission for you," he said.

Datya huffed. "Unless it's from my tardy husband, I don't want to hear it."

"It...is," Buthri answered and his tone had Datya turning.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"I think it's best if we view this in your office," Buthri said and his eyes swayed across the room. "I think the Jedi should come too."

A vast assortment of thoughts prodded at Datya's mind. She wondered what could be so urgent and secretive about Hoff's trip. Hoping for the best, she imagined that he had some sort of surprise planned for her. It wouldn't have been the first time Hoff had used Buthri to hide a surprise. As Datya and the Jedi entered her office, Buthri dimmed the lights while activating a desk-mounted holocom. Two blue-hued images materialized and went beyond anything Datya's could've imagined.

The first figure was that of her husband on his knees. He hung his head until a skeletal, armored hand clenched the back of his neck. Datya gasped as General Grievous forced Hoff forward. "Greetings, Mrs. Vica," the general taunted. "A very Happy Life Day to you." Elsa's eyes widened as she thought back to the temple briefing she'd attended. Nearly a month ago, Grievous had captured Master Eeth Koth in a similar fashion. Now Elsa and the others were forced to relive the horrid sight as Grievous gripped Hoff. She stepped forward until Yelena pulled her back.

"Stay out of the holocom's range," her master whispered. "Don't let him know we're here."

"Release him!" Datya yelled impulsively.

"This might be uncommon for you-" Grievous said. "But you're in an unsuitable position to give orders from. Your vessel and its crew are mine. So if you'd like to keep life in Life Day, you're going to do exactly as I say."

Datya slowed her breathing and asked, "What do you want?"

Grievous pressed a metal digit to his masked temple. "That brilliant mind of yours, of course. You Vicas are game-changers in the world of innovation. I had expected to capture the so-called 'inseparable' couple in one attack. But it appears names aren't all they are made out to be. Are you truly as selfless as they say?" Datya's brows furrowed as he continued. "You will take a ship to my coordinates and surrender yourself to me."

"Don't do it!" Hoff immediately pleaded.

Grievous tightened his grip on him and forced him back to the floor. "Come alone," Grievous said. "Show any evidence to the contrary and there will be consequences."

"If I follow your rules-" Datya said. "-will you release the captured crew and our supply freighter?"

Grievous paused and eerily craned his neck. "Yes," he hissed. "But the amount of crew members depends on your punctuality and behavior. It will take you four hours to reach the Sujimis Sector by hyperspace from now." The hologram transitioned to show five crew members held at gunpoint. "For each passing hour after that, I will execute one of your staff. I know you're not a stranger to putting things in your name, but what about the deaths of your personnel? Is this blood you're willing to bear?"

Elsa scoured over the holographic captives. A set of flickering antlers caught her attention as she examined a Cevrian. "Sven?" she uttered and noticed the young man beside him. "Kristoff?" she gasped until Yelena shushed her.

Datya pursed her lips and braced, hoping Grievous hadn't heard anyone else in the room. The cyborg folded his arms behind his hunched back. "I would hate to think others were listening in on our conversation," he threatened. "Your freighter is now packing enough explosives to level a district of Coruscant. If I so much as glimpse a Republic escort, your ship will be destroyed in seconds. And don't think about having any stowaways either. I will scan for lifeforms."

"Just leave me, dear." Hoff grumbled. "Don't give in."

"Quiet!" Grievous growled and struck him across the back of his head. The sight and sound had Datya gasping as Grievous glared up at her. "The clock is ticking, Mrs. Vica. The Separatist Alliance awaits you and your husband's recruitment with great anticipation."

The transmission ended and the dark room fell silent. Only then did Datya hang her head and permit tears to flow. With a quick sniffle, she wiped her cheeks and regained her composure. "I have to go alone," she said and the Jedi refuted.

"You can't be serious, Mom!" Tori snapped.

"General Grievous is a coward," Yelena sneered. "You cannot expect him to play fair by any means."

"Well that coward has my husband!" Datya countered. "How can I possibly stay here after a situation like that?"

"Inaction isn't necessarily the alternative," Yelena assured. "Perhaps we can coordinate a rescue strike with the 213th."

"And completely disregard Grievous' warning?" Hans scoffed. "He'll blast that freighter and axe the crew the moment he sees a Venator."

"We need to act quickly with so many lives on the line," Elsa said.

"That's if Grievous is true to his word," Hans considered. "For all we know, he's already executed the crew and knows Datya will take the bait."

Elsa noticed the madam's rising anxieties and nudged Hans. "That's enough inferring," she said. "If you aren't sure, please keep it to yourself."

Hans rolled his eyes at her. "Like you're sure of anything," he jeered. "Look around you, Padawan. This whole situation is up to chance. It's a blasted game of cat and mouse. Even if Mrs. Vica here met with Grievous, there'd be no way to sneak aboard the captured freighter and disable the explosives."

While she'd remained quietly observant throughout the situation, Meliz finally stepped forward. "Datya," she said. "I know how someone can get aboard the freighter undetected."

All heads turned to her as Yelena asked, "What are you proposing, Master Sumar?"

"It won't be easy-" Meliz admitted. "-but it may be our only hope for success. I just need to make a call." She approached the desk and set the holofrequency for Tipoca City, Kamino.

The Hammerhead cruiser rocketed out of hyperspace and had its crew cheering. "Holy Kriff!" Anna yelled. "That actually worked. The hyperspikes held!"

Blazer slowly stopped death-gripping his armrests. "Despite some turbulence-" he muttered. "That wasn't bad for a first flight."

"Let's celebrate when we land, yes?" Mattias mumbled.

"Hang on, everyone!" Sparx hollered and piloted the ship into Kamino's atmosphere. Its rickety hull shook amidst the explosive echoes of thunder. "Big Stormy," Sparx remarked. "It feels like we were born here just yesterday."

Heavy winds shook the ship and had Mattias groaning. "Make sure we level out or you'll die today," the master blurted. Lightning flashed across the bridge's viewport and Anna mildly shuddered. A pair of sleek, long-nosed starfighters glided into view. Their engines roared like the surrounding thunder as they flanked the Hammerhead.

"I've never seen those ships before," Speedy remarked.

"Comms," Rapunzel mentioned and Sparx raised a brow. "Comms!" she asserted.

Sparx gasped and powered up the Hammerhead's communicator. "Unmarked starship," a clone pilot called in. "Identify yourself immediately."

The lieutenant cleared his throat. "This is CT-9189. I'm hear with Jedi Master Mattias, Knight Crin, and Padawan Dellian. Requesting permission to land."

There was a momentary pause before the pilot answered, "Landing pad 6. We'll guide you in."

Sparx smiled softly and maneuvered the Hammerhead towards a soaked platform. Rain bombarded its silvery surface as the ship touched down. While the lieutenant's voice had checked out, this didn't stop the Kaminoans from taking the necessary precautions. A squad of clone troopers stood armed and ready for anything as the Old Republic cruiser's ramp dropped. A pair of proud montrals emerged amidst the lines of helmeted troopers. "Have you ever seen anything like it, ma'am?" a clone asked.

Jedi Master Shaak Ti's dark eyes narrowed on the craft. "Not in my lifetime, trooper," she admitted. She was doubly astonished to see Mattias and Anna descending from the ramp. "You two truly are full of surprises," Ti said. "Welcome back to Kamino."

"Thank you, Master Ti." Mattias said as he and Anna bowed.

"Happy Life Day," Anna added.

"But surely there is more to your visit than the holiday season," Ti inquired. She glanced beyond their shoulders to see Rapunzel and the clones. When her eyes returned to Mattias, it was as if they'd read each other's minds. Or perhaps the duo had set a plan in motion long before their journey to Ilum. "I take it the mission of redemption was a success?" Ti asked and Mattias nodded. "Then you've come for the final test."

With Anna's suspicions confirmed, she chose to speak up. "You both clearly know something that I don't, so what must I do?"

"This way," Ti said and beckoned the group indoors. "Preparations will be made at once."

Upon entering the nearby facility, Shaak Ti split off with Master Mattias. Anna was left to wait alongside Rapunzel and the clones. While waiting for the masters to return, the Padawan let her boots squeak across the polished flooring. Blazer leaned beside her and observed the armored clones on guard. She caught him looking and asked, "So about that ARF trooper position...think you'll take it? They could really use you."

Blazer huffed. "They could, but I'd only accept it on one condition." He glanced down at her and smirked. "I'd want to be stationed with you. You're the one who got my head on straight. I wouldn't want to go anywhere without you or my brothers." He winced and eyed the nearby knight. "No offense, Rapunzel."

"None taken," she chuckled.

"Working together would depend on my master," Anna explained. "Since I'm a Padawan, I don't exactly have a full say in my wartime involvement."

"So graduate," Blazer intoned. "If I can become an ARF trooper, you can become a Jedi Knight."

"After all you've been through-" Rapunzel added. "-you might be eligible for greater criteria in your Jedi Trials."

Anna considered her and Blazer's words. "For the longest time, I imagined what it would be like to serve in the Grand Army of the Republic. The title of 'general' was something to aspire to. But now becoming involved in the war seems like an even greater possibility. I can't help but wonder if I'd be able to handle it. If I could be trusted to lead and make the right decisions."

"With the right allies at your side, you'd accomplish that and more." Blazer said. "I think I can speak for all of my brothers here when I say we'd happily serve under you."

"Damn right," Speedy affirmed while Sparx nodded.

Anna faintly smiled. "You know, Sarge. I haven't been able to get something out of my head since we pulled you out of that bar." Blazer raised a brow as she continued. "You said that 'death's just chasing all of us'. I've had enough close calls to believe that and maybe you have too. But what if we flipped the script?" Anna asked. "What if we were the ones chasing death? Fearlessly clashing with whatever the galaxy threw at us?"

A chime sounded as Shaak Ti and Mattias returned. "Anna," her master said. "It's time."

His Padawan cautiously accompanied him as Blazer rubbed her back. "In darkness, you found strength." Shaak Ti said. "With that strength, you reforged your future. From our first meeting, I've found myself impressed with your abilities. Now you must rely on all you have learned to conquer your fears." The flicker of nearby lightning left Anna concealing her nerves. The three of them stepped out into the storm while something broke the ocean's surface. A pair of shiny, leathery-skinned fins flapped atop the waves. The dark eyes and snorting snout of a flying sea creature came into view. As it landed beside the Jedi, Anna got a closer look at its saddle and the Kaminoan straddled atop it. He dismounted and extended the reins directly towards Anna. "Conquer the storm," Shaak Ti said. "Fly this aiwha through its eye and return to us. Only then will this mission be completed."

Anna's gaze darted between Mattias and Shaak Ti before fixating on the Kaminoan. His dark, piercing stare was as ominous as it was focused. She peered down at the reins in his skinny digits and dared to clasp them. With a deep breath, Anna straddled herself atop the aiwha and looked into the storm clouds. She let the rain patter against her face and clenched the taut reins. "May the Force be with you!" Ti shouted over the winds.

Riding her newfound strength and freedom, Anna grit her teeth. The Force needs me, she told herself and spurred the aiwha upward. Its high-pitched bleats echoed across the platform as it launched towards the clouds. While another Jedi might've sensed a bond through the Force, Anna remained disconnected. She viewed the aiwha as a means of flight and saw no way to relate to such a dull creature. Harsh winds and a profuse downpour had Anna quivering. She tightened her core and squeezed her thighs against the aiwha's saddle. I just need to make it to the eye, she thought. It'll be calmest there. I can-

As she flew through an inky cloud, a lightning bolt streaked above her. The bright and jagged flash made her yelp and forced the aiwha downward. The wind blasted against her face as she clung to the reins. While Anna hadn't bonded with the creature, it certainly had connected with her. It sensed her anxiety as they plummeted through the stormy sky. Lightning flashed around them as if they were trapped in its electric ensnarement. As Anna braced herself, she thought about her journey. Unlike the other times where her trauma was limited to the experience, she could see past it. When Anna relived Dooku's Force lightning or Metora's stun baton, she saw something else beyond all suffering. She relived her time on Ilum where she'd accepted herself as she was. The electrifying powers of the cave titan couldn't stop her and neither would this storm.

I have fallen more times than I can count, Anna thought and closed her eyes. She recalled rising from the dojo floors of the Jedi Temple. She felt the sting on her back as she stood in Coronet Arena. Even when she was physically beaten down in Dooku's palace, Anna had found the strength to rise. With a deep breath, Anna opened her eyes and yanked the aiwha's reins back.

The creature shrieked as Anna regained altitude. With a ferocious fire to her stare, she forced her mount higher. The ensuing lightning only made her stiffen instead of flinch. "Come on!" Anna roared and spurred the aiwha. "We've got this! I haven't given up after everything so don't you dare quit on me!" The aiwha surged forward and pierced the clouds. While a brief gust tussled Anna's hair, she and the creature were met by a sudden calmness. Thunder became a distant rumble while lightning zipped across Anna's peripherals. The aiwha leveled out amidst the rising calmness and Anna assessed their surroundings. After all of the turmoil endured, they had reached the eye of the storm.

While thick clouds swirled around them, Anna could see the clear night sky above. She clasped the aiwha's neck for balance and cautiously glanced down. Kamino's vast, rough seas could be seen from their daunting altitude. "Holy kriff," Anna panted and a smile crept across her lips. The aiwha bleated as if agreeing with her awestruck expression. Basking in the moment, Anna let go of the reins and spread her arms like wings. She literally threw caution to the wind and screamed her heart out. Her bold shouts rose and fell with the aiwha's flight patterns. "Hello, galaxy!" Anna boldly declared. "I'm back!" The winds carried her voice across the stormy clouds. Her words echoed amidst the darkness as her silhouette darted between lightning strikes. The downpour showered over and cleansed her smiling self. It was a moment Anna never wanted to leave, yet knew she had to. With a reignited heart of fire, Anna seized the aiwha's reins and launched headfirst into the storm.

Rapunzel and the clones waved to her as she glided back towards the platform. "No beast too wild!" Blazer hollered.

"Nor storm too great for our sister!" Sparx added.

Anna soared over and slid across the soaked landing pad. "You never cease to amaze, Dellian." Rapunzel said.

Anna's smile was short-lived as she examined the platform. "Where are the masters?" she asked. In that instant, a bright interior illuminated their path and a Kaminoan approached. Anna recognized her as Taun We from her previous visit.

"All of you are requested in the grand observatory effective immediately," Taun We said.

Anna tilted her head with intrigue as Rapunzel explained. "Shortly after you took off, Shaak Ti received an urgent transmission from Coruscant. It wasn't long before Mattias joined her." Rapunzel noticed Anna's unease and rubbed her back. "Whether they saw you or not, you still passed your test."

"You're right," Anna affirmed. "It wasn't for them. It was for me."

The group followed Taun We into an elevator and reached the grand observatory. A wide expanse of datascreens circled around a central holoprojector. Mattias and Shaak Ti could be seen in the company of multiple holograms. Amidst the assortment of familiar and unfamiliar faces, the Padawan locked eyes with her sister.

"Elsa?" she called.

"Anna," the eldest Dellian answered and observed her toned appearance.

"Good to see you've made it, my apprentice." Mattias interrupted. "There was never a doubt."

"What's going on?" Anna asked.

"A hostage situation," Shaak Ti explained. "Madam Vica's husband and his crew are being held captive by General Grievous."

"Vica," Anna realized and glanced at Tori's hologram. "As in-" Her peer hastily nodded and redirected focus to the task at hand.

"He's demanding for Datya to surrender herself to him," Ti said. "Any sign of reinforcements will result in prisoner executions and the explosive termination of her supply freighter."

"Unless someone can sneak aboard undetected," Meliz suggested. "That is precisely why I've placed this call in the first place. Master Shaak Ti, is Tipoca City still in possession of the IPV-2C?" The Togruta's eyes narrowed as Meliz continued. "It may be our only chance to get that close without raising any suspicions."

"Piloting a stealth corvette comes with risks," Shaak Ti insisted.

"Much like anything," Meliz quipped. "All I need to know is if it's still there."

Ti nodded. "What are you considering?"

"We'll divide our forces into two teams," Meliz said. "Datya will seemingly play by Grievous' rules while we move in to assist. He wants the Vicas alive, so that's one less risk we'll have to consider. As Datya gives herself up, a crew will fly the stealth ship and board the captured freighter. This team will sneak through to disable the bombs and rescue the hostages. Then we can move in."

"But how can we even be with Datya?" Yelena asked. "You heard Grievous. His droids will be scanning for lifeforms."

Meliz glanced at the nerf storage Gaston had sent. She raised a brow and Hans gulped. "Oh no," he scoffed. "Carbon freeze? Have you lost your mind?"

"On the contrary," Elsa considered. "Master Sumar's plan just might be wild enough to work. And we can avoid carbon sickness if we exit our chambers soon enough."

"And how do we plan on doing that?" Hans griped. While Anna appreciated the knight's dedication to the briefing, she was taken aback by his lack of acknowledgement for her. "Datya will be taken into Grievous' custody," Hans lectured. "Which would leave no one to unfreeze us."

"Not true," Elsa interrupted as all eyes fell on her. "Sir Porgen can do it."

"Sir who-gen?" Hans inquired as Elsa removed a tiny droid from her satchel.

She finished him, Anna rejoiced within.

"While I won't be able to remote control him from carbon freeze-" Elsa began. "-I can program Sir Porgen to free us when Datya gives the word."

"Elsa," Tori said. "I like to think I'd accept any of your creations with an open heart. But now that it's my parent-" Tori looked at Shaak Ti and sighed. "With Mr. and Mrs. Vica in danger, can we really put so much trust in that little metal porg?"

Elsa rubbed her droid's domed head. "I know Sir Porgen can do this," she said. "He's a great listener."

"Padawan," Yelena asserted and Elsa braced for the worst. Her master garnered everyone's attention as she cleared her throat.

As Elsa braced herself for the worst, Yelena placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "If you trust him, I trust him."

Elsa was genuinely surprised to see Yelena take her side. She bit back an astonished gasp while Porgen hopped to Elsa's shoulder. Anna was happy to see her sister's droid finally in working order. "Then it's decided," Meliz said. "Shaak Ti will send a team through the stealth ship while we avoid detection via carbon freeze."

"Sure thing," Hans mumbled. "Let's just hop in the carbon-freezing chamber. I think there's one right next to the refresher. We can grab the keys to the city on our way in."

"Though he's asking for a slap-" Tori growled. "I have to agree with Hans. Where are we going to find a carbon-freezing chamber on such short notice?"

"When you keep up with the latest happenings, you'll never fall behind." Meliz assured. "Republic Venators have recently had chambers installed in them. It's going to help with food preservation over the course of long voyages and campaigns. Or in our case, it'll be our ticket to a safe infiltration. Anyone have a Star Destroyer to recommend?"

Elsa and Yelena nodded to each other before the Padawan answered, "I do."

"Then let's get in contact and prepare to move within the hour," Meliz affirmed. "Our times must be synchronized for this to work. Master Shaak Ti, how quickly can you get a team assembled for the stealth ship?"

Ti felt like she didn't have to formulate and answer. One look at Anna Dellian's eager face was all she needed. "Something you'd like to say?" Ti jested.

"I've been waiting far too long to get back in the fight," Anna said. "I'm ready."

"As are we," Blazer asserted and spoke on behalf of his brothers. "Although...I'm gonna need some armor. ARF trooper armor."

Realizing he'd accepted his position, Shaak Ti nodded and said, "So be it."

Anna, Mattias and Rapunzel were guided through the facility's bustling hangar. While standard gunships were processed, Anna glimpsed the same sleek fighters from their arrival. "Do you like them, Jedi?" a man asked. Two Mandalorian pilots walked over and removed their helmets. "Z-95s," he said. "The latest in Republic innovation."

"Fenn Rau," Mattias recognized. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon."

"Such is life in service of the Republic," Rau replied. "We've been training pilots to fly these Z-95s for about a month now. It's only a matter of time before they hit the frontlines."

"What brings you to the hangar?" Hex, his fellow pilot, asked.

"At the moment, a rescue mission." Mattias entailed. "We're here to commandeer the IPV-2C."

Rau's eyes widened. "Really? This must be some covert operation." He nodded to Hex and she typed away on her datapad. Within moments, she deactivated the cloaking projectors on an elongated craft. The needle-shaped corvette morphed into view as Anna marveled over it. "Here it is," Rau boasted. "From Iego to Christophsis, this prototype vessel has made quite a name for itself."

"Under the command of General Skywalker, it was capable of defeating Separatist Admiral Trench," Hex added. The Mandalorian glared at the Jedi and smirked. "Think you have what it takes to fly it?"

"Not without these 'deathchasers' they don't!" A bold voice called. All spun to see Blazer standing alongside Sparx and Speedy. Unlike his brothers' standard helmets, Blazer's was more curvaceous and possessed a visor. A scarlet kama swayed at his hips as he stood ready for action. "Sergeant Blazer, ARF trooper, reporting for duty!" he declared with a salute.

"All hands on deck, Sarge." Mattias told him. "This stealth ship's going to need everyone to pull together."

"If we could resurrect that old Hammerhead, this needle will be easy," Speedy jested.

"Speaking of that relic-" Rau recalled. "Shaak Ti's insisted the Kaminoans make proper repairs to the craft. It'll be in much better shape when you return from your mission."

"We'll be looking forward to it," Mattias assured as his group boarded the stealth ship. Its cramped interior was accompanied by a series of red-hued lights. Sparx and Rapunzel sat at the controls while Mattias and Anna buckled up behind them. Speedy and Blazer saw to a set of terminals located towards the corvette's central chamber. While one screen displayed readouts of the ship's cloaking status, the other monitored power levels.

"All set back here!" Blazer hollered.

"Take us up," Mattias ordered and Sparx manned the helm. "Set coordinates for the Sujimis Sector and prepare for hyperspace jump."

As Anna buckled herself in, she thought about how Blazer had introduced himself. "Hey Sarge!" she hollered. "What'd you call yourselves? Deathchasers?"

"It just kinda stuck," Blazer jested.

"Well I like it!" Anna admitted.

"Kind of ominous," Rapunzel worried.

"For our enemies," Speedy quipped. The stealth corvette pierced Kamino's atmosphere and departed into deep space.

Having gathered those undertaking the mission, the Deliverance soared out of Coruscant with Datya's private vessel. Admiral Taka surveyed the clone officers on her bridge and said, "Make the jump to these coordinates. We want to be close to the Sujimis Sector, but not enough to be detected."

"Yes, admiral!" an officer saluted.

In the Venator's storage level, the Jedi strike team stared down a daunting carbon-freezing chamber. "I can't be the only one having second thoughts," Hans muttered.

"Just shut up," Tori growled while concealing her own worries.

"This really is the only way, isn't it?" Datya asked.

Elsa noticed her trembling hand and answered her soothingly. "Yes, but it will all work out. You'll see. The Jedi Order is with you, Mrs. Vica. As is the Force."

"Thank you, Elsa." Datya said and held on to her porg droid. "I'll take good care of him."

As Elsa moved into position, Yelena placed a hand on her. "You did well," the master said. "We can all sense how frightened she is."

"Can you sense how frightened I am?" Elsa chuckled nervously. "But if there's one thing life is continuously reminding me of...it's that being brave is all about being scared. It's about being terrified over what you're going to do..."

"And doing it anyway," Yelena concluded. The master and apprentice smiled to one another before standing on their designated platforms.

Tori and Meliz stood beside each other as the Pantoran posed a question. "Master," she began. "How did you know about the stealth ship?"

Meliz sighed as if the question was inevitable. "Because I once flew it," she confessed.

Tori's eyes widened. "Wait. Were you with Master Skywalker at the Battle of Christophsis? It all makes sense now-"

"No," Meliz chuckled. "No no no." Her tone lowered as she recalled a different memory. "Skywalker's victory over Admiral Trench was that prototype's maiden voyage. It's reputation would inevitably find us taking it on a relief mission to Iego."

"Us?" Tori questioned until she was struck with realization. She remembered what the Senate Commando had said at the innovations expo.

"Master Sumar. Apologies. I didn't realize you'd taken an apprentice again."

"Your apprentice?" Tori inquired and Meliz slowly nodded.

"Kor Mabel," her master said. "Such a fine young man. Always making sure everyone's voice was heard in a room. We were sent to Iego to transport supplies to its struggling inhabitants. The stealth ship was our only option because pirates had been plaguing the territory. Entire fleets of those marauders were wandering Iego's thousands of moons. And we'd almost made it through cloaked too."

"Almost?" Tori worried.

Meliz huffed. "An unexpected asteroid field threw us off course. It battered the ship and damaged multiple cloaking projectors. With our invisibility removed, we became an instant target for nearby pirates. Knowing the ship wasn't equipped for prolonged combat, Kor put on an enviro-suit and went out to manually repair the projectors. I wanted to go, but we both knew where our skills resided. I piloted the vessel to evade pirates while he raced to make repairs." Meliz's eyes raced as she recalled the memory. "We had to get that supplies to Iego. Its people were counting on us. But there were too many lasers and a heavy blast sent Kor flying off of the vessel. Amidst the chaos...through all of the laserfire...he spun into the darkness of space." Meliz shut her eyes tightly. "I remember screaming for him to answer his comlink, but the signal was lost. My only solace was in the fact that he'd managed to repair the projectors. As I cloaked the ship and continued to Iego, I became numbed. Disillusioned with the thoughts of what Jedi duties entailed and where to draw the line with attachments."

"Master," Tori lamented. "I'm so sorry."

"It is sad to say-" Meliz admitted. "-but sometimes the worst situations in your life can help make you a better person. After I lost Kor, I lost myself in sabersmithing. I could never make enough of the blasted things and found comfort in serving others. Because no matter what happened, I never wanted to stop helping people. And then...you came along." Meliz smiled at her. "Like a shining comet out of nowhere." She glanced at the keychain linked to one of Tori's sabers. "And all I could think was 'By the Force, let me help her.' and maybe that'll be enough. Maybe Kor would understand. When I heard about Krell disowning you, I felt it was right to step in."

"It was," Tori affirmed. "And I'll never stop being grateful for you, master."

They exchanged a bow as a pair of clone troopers leaned over the nearby balcony. "You weren't kidding, Rip." Doubles said. "The commander really is going to freeze them!"

"And we got the best seats," Rip snickered. "Oh look at the stinkface on that one," he remarked and pointed down at Hans.

The knight snarled from his platform and glared at the clones. "I will literally obliterate you," he threatened.

"Oh yeah?" Rip countered while Doubles held him back. "Well-"

"That's enough!" the 213th's commander shouted. Frost stepped up to a nearby panel and observed the standing Jedi. While his faceless helmet swayed across the group, Elsa could sense him focusing on her. "Is everyone sure they wish to proceed?"

Still looking out for me, Elsa thought to herself. "We'll be alright, Frost," she spoke. "Just be ready to back us up. We'll likely need a quick escape."

"Always," Frost replied and saluted. "Engaging carbon freeze...now." He flipped a switch and the Jedi descended from each platform. Datya stood beside Frost and watched tibanna gas clouds puff from each pit.

There was an eerie silence until Datya's curiosity got the best of her. "This process should be safe for them," she said to reassure herself. "Right?"

Frost sighed and gingerly activated the conveyor claws. An assortment of mechanized grips dropped into each pit and removed thin, solid blocks of carbonite. Frost's heart sank at the sight of Elsa's face frozen in the substance. He was at least comforted by the vital readouts on his monitor. "They're alive," he reported and Datya sighed in relief. Rip was too busy cackling at Hans' perpetual scowl frozen in carbonite.

"Let's get them loaded on your ship," Frost told Datya. He then called in to the Deliverance's command bridge. "Admiral Taka, we are clear to make the jump. Time is of the essence."

General Grievous' warship remained stationary in the Sujimis Sector. Hoff Vica's relief freighter was tethered beneath it and teeming with battle droids on the prowl. While B1s secured more explosives in the hold, a squad of commando droids kept the hostages guarded. Kristoff sat beside Sven and peered outside the viewport. He observed the stagnant void of stars until Vivi scoffed. "What's the matter?" she jeered. "Out of remarks?" Kristoff averted his eyes and tried to ignore her. The violet Twi'lek just leaned closer and said, "Come on, Mr. High and Mighty. Tell us you were right. That our plan was futile and that we should've just trusted your Republic."

"Vivi," Crujik groaned.

"No," she retaliated. "My turn to talk down to him. He needs to learn that the Republic doesn't give a damn about any of us?"

"You don't know that," Kristoff mumbled.

"Then where are they?" Vivi snapped.

As their argument escalated, Patoni hugged himself tighter. The Rodian's eyes and antennae twitched as he tried to stay calm. "Enough," Crujik interrupted. "Don't either of you get it? We're bait. Leverage. It's the only reason we're still alive. This is no different than what the Separatists did to our people on Ryloth."

Vivi huffed and realized he was right. "Either way, we're still nothing," she said. "Just expendable pawns."

"I refuse to believe that," Kristoff said. "If you deem that of yourself, so be it. But we are what we say we are."

"Open your eyes!" Patoni snapped and his snout quivered. "We are expendable!" His outburst caused the commando droids to turn towards him.

"Patoni," Crujik urged. "You need to calm down."

"That's what happens to us," the Rodian panted. "Especially the aliens. That's what happened to my buddy Darv and that's what...that's what-"

The droids stepped closer and Vivi became aggressive. "Patoni," she growled. "Shut the kriff up or they're gonna kill you!"

"Kill me? No no no!" the maddening Rodian blurted and stood up.

"Wait!" Kristoff warned and Sven grunted.

"You'll never take me!" Patoni panicked and made a run for it. One of the commando droids fired a laser into his leg and let him tumble.

"Take him to the general," it ordered.

"Roger roger," said a pair of B1s before dragging the wounded Rodian away. Patoni's hapless, desperate screams echoed down the corridor and left Kristoff shuddering.

Hoff Vica remained cuffed and on his knees in Grievous' command bridge. The Pantoran's heart thundered when he heard Patoni shrieking from the doors behind him. "What have we here?" General Grievous asked.

"He tried to escape, sir," a B1 explained.

Patoni's struggle lessened as the cyborg towered over him. "Is that so?" Grievous inquired and seized the Rodian by his throat. Hoff trembled at the sound of Patoni's choking. The continuos struggle became too much for him to withstand and he couldn't hold back any longer.

With clenched fists and a strident voice, Hoff dared to yell, "Leave him alone!"

Grievous was surprised by the elder Pantoran's courage. "I see the Vica ego remains intact," he remarked. "But it appears that you have forgotten a lesson I'd thought was ingrained." With a swift thrust of his wrist, Grievous snapped Patoni's neck. "You can't save everyone." He dropped the Rodian's limp corpse in front of the astonished Pantoran. The general's sinister stare was only broken by the sound of an incoming vessel.

"No," Hoff uttered, realizing his wife had actually arrived.

Datya's personal ship glided into view as Grievous pointed to one of his pilots. "Scan that vessel," he commanded.

"Scanners show one lifeform aboard," the droid responded.

"This is Datya Vica," a transmission crackled through. "Requesting permission to land."

"No!" Hoff cried out.

"Yes," Grievous hissed and relished in his anguish. "Make your way to the hangar, Datya. My droids will be waiting for you." Hoff looked down at Patoni's corpse and imagined his wife in that position.

A distant rumble sounded and a brief blip emerged on the scanners. A droid pilot craned its neck towards the monitor and gave it a tap. "Strange," it said. "There was a marker...but now there isn't."

"Maybe your photoreceptors need maintenance," another pilot suggested. "Focus on the Vica craft."

Mattias and his crew held their breath as the stealth ship hovered through the the Sujimis Sector. "Did it work?" Anna asked. "Did we cloak quick enough after exiting hyperspace?"

"Well they aren't shooting at us," Blazer said. "So that's a good sign."

"It looks like Datya's ship is moving into position," Rapunzel observed. "Our window's small, so we need to get to the freighter now."

"Stick to the plan, everyone." Mattias said. "Speedy and Rapunzel will temporarily cut power to the dreadnought. Anna, Blazer and I will take the freighter. Sparx, the ship's all yours."

"Just try not to have too much fun without me," Sparx joked while flying them in close. "Here we go." He tilted the stealth ship as its crew prepared to disembark. He hovered alongside the tether linking the dreadnought to the Vica's freighter. "Deploying entry seal," Sparx declared as an uncloaked extension clanged against the tether. "Now hurry before someone notices."

Rapunzel activated her yellow lightsaber and sliced through the tether. The group entered and split towards their designated ships. Sparx would be forced to keep the ship absolutely still to minimize suspicions.

"So about these explosives," Blazer whispered as they traversed the freighter's halls. "How do we go about disarming them?"

"We'll need to find how they're linked," Mattias replied. The sound of stomping feet forced the trio to take cover.

Blazer steadied the Onasi pistol in his hands. "I've waited too long to test this on clankers."

"Not yet, sergeant." Mattias warned. "Until Rapunzel and Speedy initiate phase one, we must keep things stealthy. Let them pass."

Blazer groaned while a wave of B1s marched by. "We're clear," Anna whispered and crept forward. "If you were gonna blast a ship to bits, where would you stow the explosives?" She rounded the corner and froze. "Nevermind." Multiple rows of blinking bombs lined the cargo hold's walls.

"Karabast," Blazer muttered. "That's a lot of hardware."

Mattias examined one of the devices and scowled. "They're uni-linked," he said and pointed towards a flashing antenna. "This is typically activated and deactivated through a datapad. The trick will be finding it."

"He's dead!" a woman yelled and the trio ducked.

"We don't know that," someone said in an attempt to comfort her. Anna crawled forward until her eyes lit up with discovery. "I think I found the hostages," she whispered. Anna observed two Twi'leks, a Cevrian, and a young man who had his back to her. Disheveled blonde locks obscured his face while he hunched over.

"Commando droids," Blazer groused. "I hate these things."

"But look," Mattias said and discreetly pointed. Aside from all of the others in its squad, one commando possessed a brightly-lit datapad. "I'd wager that's the uni-link for the bombs. We need to get to him."

"But what about waiting on Rapunzel's signal?" Anna asked.

"If we keep things quiet, we can still be ready to act." Mattias assured. "Blazer, flank left. Anna, see if you can get the drop on that droid from above."

Mattias kept the hostages in view as Blazer snuck around. The sergeant truly felt like an ARF trooper while creeping through enemy lines. With a gentle knock, he was able to get a patrolling B1's attention. The droid checked behind the crates and was immediately pulled into a headlock. With a rapid tug, Blazer snapped the droid's frail neck and set it down.

"B1-421?" a commando droid inquired. "B1-421, why aren't you at your post?"

"Damn it," Blazer grunted as the commando came to investigate.

Meanwhile, Anna climbed up to the rafters and crawled across each beam. She kept the uni-link in her sights, but her extreme focus got the best of her. Anna lost her footing and slipped on the next beam. She caught the ledge by her fingertips and dangled over the area. Kristoff heard the clamor first, glanced up, and gasped. Anna's attire and holstered lightsaber instantly brightened his spirits. They locked eyes for a brief moment and she brought a finger to her mouth. He nodded in silent compliance until one of the commandos came to investigate. Realizing she'd be spotted, Kristoff chose to nudge the droid. "You won't get away with this!" he retaliated. The commando easily kicked Kristoff to the floor and threatened to shoot him.

Sven tried to protect him while Crujik blurted, "Have you lost your mind as well?"

Anna continued undetected and Kristoff faintly smiled. "Maybe," he answered as memories of who Anna was returned to him. "Or maybe I just have a little faith."

Two B1s guarded an isolated section of their dreadnought's power generator. Suddenly, one of them started to tremble repeatedly. Its nasally wails frightened the other droid as it asked, "What's happening to you?"

"I...don't...kn-" Its slim head crunched under an unseen power as Rapunzel's hand emerged from the shadows.

"A Jedi!" was all the B1 could say before Speedy's cybernetic foot kicked its head clean off.

"Not bad," Rapunzel admired while Speedy stretched his leg. "Let's get to work."

"Are you sure we can't just scrap this whole generator?" the clone asked.

"It would arouse too much suspicion," Rapunzel said. "That's not a risk we can take until all positions are covered." She pried open the generator's panel and observed a set of wires. "Temporary blackout in three..."

"Two..." Speedy said.

Rapunzel removed a power cortex and waited several seconds before putting it back. The corridors darkened and vents stopped circulating air. "It'll take time for this to reboot," Rapunzel said. "It's up to the others now."

Grievous waited in his command bridge until every panel suddenly shut off. "Status report!" he demanded.

"There's a power outage, sir," one of the pilots stated the obvious.

"Why?" Grievous growled impatiently.

"We don't know!" the droid panicked. "But emergency readouts show all cortexes are in place. The system should reboot!"

Grievous' fists were clenched with rage. "I want Datya Vica alive. Get the power back online now!"

Datya landed her ship in the hangar just as a blackout confused the droids. "That's the signal," she told Sir Porgen. "Go quickly while their scanners are down!" She nudged the droid off of her shoulder and motioned him towards the hold. "Good luck," she said and exited with her hands raised. "It appears your ship has some faulty wiring," Datya told the battle droids. They ignored her comment and followed their programming through the darkness.

"Take her to the general," a super battle droid said. "Jettison her vessel and destroy it."

"Wait, what?" Datya gasped. She tried to turn, but a B1 shoved her forward. All she could do was glance back at her private ship.

So many lives rested on the tiny, bolted wings of Sir Porgen. The little droid waddled into the hold and scanned over each carbonite slab. Because his mental processor was so small, Elsa didn't want to overwhelm him. Rather than input orders to unfreeze everyone, she merely programmed him to find her. He strutted between slabs in search of his frozen creator. Meanwhile, several super battle droids manually pushed the ship towards the hangar's rayshields. "With the turbolasers down during the blackout, we'll have to use our wristrockets," one of the supers said. Its fellow brutes laughed in deep, monotone voices.

Their pushing caused the carbonite slabs to dislodge from their holders. Porgen fell forward and struggled to stand upright. When he did, his bulbous photoreceptors honed in on Elsa's face. He chirped robotically and flapped his metal wings in response. His feet pattered against the grated flooring until he reached Elsa's capsule. With a proud peck, he initiated the unfreezing process and watched her figure redden. The carbonite misted as Elsa's fingers regained their mobility. She sat upright and stretched her neck. "Porgen!" she rejoiced. "I knew you could do it." Her relief was temporary as she felt the ship being pushed into space.

Acting quickly, Elsa rushed to unfreeze her friends. Porgen sprung to her shoulder as she unfroze Yelena, Tori, Meliz, and-

"Hans," Elsa gasped while her companions slowly awakened. "Where's-" The ship trembled and Hans' slab shifted further down the corridor. The ship's tilted angle was only making matters worse.

"Elsa?" Yelena groaned. "What's going on?"

"Something's moving the ship," the Padawan warned. "Stop it and I'll go for Hans!"

The super battle droids continued to push until the ship's ramp fell forward. "What the?" a super asked as several lightsabers ignited. Tori, Yelena, and Meliz sprung into action. The super battle droids raised their wrist-mounted blasters only to have them sliced away. Yelena Force-pushed dismembered arms into a droid while Meliz bisected another. Tori drove her spinning shotos into the final super, but it managed to launch a wrist rocket into Datya's ship.

"No!" Tori gasped.

"Elsa, get out of there!" Yelena warned. As the explosion echoed down the dreadnought's halls, Datya worried that her friends had met a dreadful end.

The rocket's blast threw Elsa off of her feet, but she managed to grab Hans' slab. She hastily recovered as Porgen screeched from her shoulder. Flames engulfed the ships interior as Elsa leapt for the ramp. Using a Force-push to boost herself, she rode Hans' carbonite block into the hangar. They crashed against its scraped flooring as she accidentally hit the unfreeze button. Hans' body glowed, unthawed...and was immediately squished facefirst into the floor.

Hans angrily shoved the slab's remnants off of him and stumbled across the hangar. He observed the fiery scrapheap and decimated droids before uttering, "Wait...did we win?"

"Come on," Tori urged and rolled her eyes. "We need to find my parents."

The other Jedi rushed forward as Hans stumbled behind them. "Hold on a second," he panted. "Just...let me...catch my breath."

Blazer hid behind another crate as the commando droid searched for him. It paused to examine a skid mark from his boot. As it knelt down, Blazer attempted the same takedown he'd used on the B1. Using its superior programming, the commando elbowed Blazer in the helmet and a scuffled ensued. "Damn it, Blazer." Mattias whispered.

The commando threw its clone adversary into a crate and called in through its transmitter. "General, we-" The droid paused. "General? Communications are down!" it exclaimed.

"That's as good a signal as any," Mattias said. "Anna, now!"

Anna sprung from the rafters and sliced her target's head off. She carefully recovered the uni-link datapad while other droids moved in. "Finally!" Blazer cheered. "Let's get loud!" He twirled the Onasi blaster and fired a powerful blast into his foes' chest. A gaping, sizzling hole had the commando collapsing as Blazer advanced. "For the Republic!" he roared. Mattias ignited his lightsaber and moved in from the opposite side. The droids were cornered from all ends as the heroic trio closed in.

Anna felt stronger than ever as she scrapped foes by the scores. Her new blade and training had finally paid off, making her a formidable opponent. One of the commandos unsheathed a vibrosword and swung it at her. Anna easily rolled under the attack and drove her green lightsaber into its back. Her enemy collapsed as she witnessed another commando taking aim. While she could've easily blocked the attack, she was surprised when Kristoff tackled the droid.

Unprepared to fight it hand to hand, Kristoff endured several jabs before the droid kneed him into submission. "Hold on!" Anna hollered and leapt off a crate. Crujik and Vivi took cover while Sven rammed his antlers into B1s. The commando was about to stomp on Kristoff when Anna impaled it. His enemy's scorched body collapsed beside him and he looked up at Anna. Her bright blue eyes were all too familiar to him as she extended a hand. "Are you crazy?" she asked. "Taking on a commando droid like that?"

"I was just trying to help," Kristoff assured. "It's you," he realized.

"Me?" Anna inquired while blocking laserfire.

"Elsa's sister...Um...Annie? No! Anna!"

"That's me!" Anna confirmed and batted a laser into a droid's torso. "Who the heck are you?"

Kristoff inferred she was probably too traumatized to see him at the time. "A friend of Elsa's," he said. "We helped rescue you from that compound. You look so much better and-"

Having moved on from her experiences, Anna focused on the moment. "Yeah yeah," she said. "Hey, can you use one of these?" She handed him the downed commando's rifle. "It'll work a lot better than your fists." Kristoff graciously accepted the firearm and blasted the last of the droids. "Master!" Anna hollered and handed Mattias the datapad.

"Brilliant," he said and swiped through it. Upon deactivating the uni-link, the explosive devices powered down. "There goes Grievous' leverage. Let's regroup with the others."

"What about us?" Kristoff asked. "Sven and I can help."

Mattias stroked his beard and thought it over. "Can you fly this freighter?" he asked and Kristoff nodded. "Detach as soon as we disembark. Land it in the dreadnought's hangar and keep the engines running for our getaway."

"You got it," Kristoff eagerly replied. "Good luck, Anna." She offered him a salute before jogging away with the others.

"Hey kid," Vivi called and Kristoff braced himself. "We're with you," she said while holding Crujik's hand.

"Really?" Kristoff asked.

"I never would've thought the Republic would care about us for a second. They never have before, yet here they are. Plus-" Vivi scavenged a B1's blaster. "Someone has to make sure you don't screw this up." Sven groaned at her remark while they walked alongside him.

Kristoff felt Crujik's hand grip his shoulder. "Don't ever get bitter like us, okay?" he told him. "Keep that light of yours glowing."

With a sudden boost in the circuitry, the dreadnought's power was restored. The corridor lights returned just in time for patrolling droids to see a Jedi strike team rushing them at full force. "Open fire!" a B1 captain ordered. All of their scarlet lasers were blocked as Yelena and Meliz led the charge. Yelena sliced through the first wave while Meliz watched her back.

"How about a boost, Elsa?" Tori asked. The eldest Dellian Force-pushed her friend over the battle to help her flank. Once around, Tori, spun her guard shotos and minced the B1s to pieces. While she understood the emergency, Elsa still grieved the droids lost in the carnage.

With power returned, General Grievous could fully see the captive entering his bridge. "Datya," Hoff worried. "You should've stayed away."

"You would've done the same had I been taken," Datya told him.

Grievous stepped between the couple while MagnaGuards flanked Datya. "Finally," he said. "How I've waited for this moment."

"Grievous," Datya said. "Still no stranger to having others do the work for you. Even as a general, you remain a pawn to the Separatist war machine."

"Pawns do not command," Grievous countered. "And you are still in no position to give orders."

"Then let us be done with this," Hoff said. "You have us. You have the brilliant minds you've longed for so haul us away. We'll create whatever you want. Just leave us be." Datya simpered, knowing Hoff was just trying to protect them. He had no idea of their plan nor did she know if it was working. Hoff was just trying to keep them alive, which seemed all the more confusing as Grievous laughed. The general's cackle was profuse and disturbing. It persisted until he busted into a coughing fit.

"You fools," he murmured. "Did you honestly believe you could contribute anything to the Separatist Alliance?" Datya's brows furrowed while Hoff's eyes widened. "We already possess the greatest technologies needed to win the war against your feeble Republic." Grievous shook his head. "How much you two have forgotten. How ignorant the privileged can be when it isn't them on a deathbed." Grievous noticed the Vicas' shortening breaths. "Yes," he hissed. "It's all coming back to you now. How your wealth and status gives you a false sense of security. Enough to make you think you can decide who lives and who dies. Tell me, do you think I asked for these...enhancements?" The Vicas remained silent. "On my homeworld of Kalee, it was said that dreams could liberate you from your pains. I wouldn't know this, given how I can never sleep. When I do, it isn't truly slumber at all. The life I live is one of toil and ceaseless strife."

"It is the result of your actions," Hoff asserted.

"My actions?" Grievous muttered and punched Hoff in the gut. His cybernetic knuckles sent the elder Pantoran buckling forward and Datya screamed. She tried to go to her husband, but the MagnaGuards held her back. "The assassins who shot down my shuttle left me for dead, and your foundation's inaction created this." Grievous gestured to his plated and ailing body. "You had the most advanced technology. You could've given me a stable body."

"You were Qymaen jai Sheelal!" Datya refuted. "Warlord and butcher of Kalee. No matter how many threats your people sent to our foundation, we could never help you."

"And so despite the threats, the charitable and kindly Vicas chose to let me die." Grievous said.

"You will not make yourself out to be a saint," Datya said while observing her wheezing husband.

"I'm no saint," Grievous assured. "I'm a martyr. Back from the dead to purge this galaxy of its hypocritical saviors. The only thing separating you from the Jedi is that you personally sought to defy me." One of the MagnaGuards zapped Datya with its electrostaff and brought her to her knees. "Your husband was only a means to an end. I know you're really the creator and he's your spokesperson. An inseparable duo...until now." Grievous ignited a blue lightsaber.

Tears swelled in Datya's eyes as she struggled to catch her breath. A lump formed in her throat while she begged, "Please don't do this. Spare him and take me."

"It's time to learn the same lesson your husband has," Grievous said.

"My dear," Hoff uttered as a tear fled his eye. "I love you. I will always love you."

Grievous raised the blade over Hoff's head and said, "You can't save everyone."

"No!" Datya screamed.

"Happy Life Day, Datya." Grievous taunted and swung the blade downward. As he did so, the bridge doors opened and a blue shoto came spiraling through.

The short saber deflected Grievous' strike and Hoff gasped in alarm. All eyes followed the shoto as it returned to its user's palm. "Get the hell away from them, you freak!" Tori asserted.

"Pathetic child," Grievous mocked. "Do you truly think you can take me alone?"

"Who said anything about being alone?" Tori fired back.

Grievous' reptilian eyes listed as multiple lightsabers emerged from behind her. Elsa and Yelena formed up on her right while Hans and Meliz took the left. The bold hums of their blades echoed across the room as Grievous backed up.

"Incoming!" Anna hollered as she, Mattias and Blazer slid into the room.

"Anna!" Elsa rejoiced.

"Good to see ya, sis," the youngest Dellian remarked. "Hans," she greeted as he remained surprised at her appearance.

"Hey," Blazer joked to Tori. "I don't suppose I could borrow one of those lightsabers. I'm feeling kinda left out."

His comment went ignored while a squad of Grievous' MagnaGuards formed a protective circle around him. They charged up their electrostaffs and the sight only infuriated Anna. "I can't wait to scrap those terrible things," she murmured.

General Grievous cackled and split each of his arms. All four of his insidious appendages activated a lightsaber. He flourished the green and blue blades at his sides and asked, "Who's first?"

"Attack!" Hans roared and assumed command. He charged straight in and frontflipped over the MagnaGuards. From the moment he did so, he immediately deflected all four of Grievous' sabers at once. The impact sent him flying across the bridge and slamming into a dashboard. His body went limp and an awkward silence ensued.

"Okay then," Mattias said. "Attack!" The Jedi rushed forward while Blazer fired from the sidelines. Electrostaffs and lightsabers crackled throughout the bridge, sending sparks flying everywhere. Hues of blue and green illuminated everyone's silhouettes across the walls. Datya and Hoff took cover while the intense duels carried on.

Yelena rolled under a MagnaGuard's swing and bisected it at the waist. "Elsa!" she shouted. "Get the Vica's out of here!"

"On it," Elsa assured and searched for them.

Yelena was about to engage another target when the upper half of the MagnaGuard grabbed her leg. Mattias impaled it and went back to back with her. "Long time no see, old friend." he said.

Meliz and Tori fended off MagnaGuards before engaging Grievous himself. He jabbed with two sabers while rapidly spinning the other pair. Tori and Anna tried to get an angle on him, so they kicked off the nearby wall. Through a spinning maneuver, Grievous grabbed each of them with his taloned feet and flung the Jedi across the bridge. While Tori tumble into a wall, Anna crashed into the stirring Hans.

"Watch it," Hans groaned.

"It's nice to see you too, babe." Anna whispered and helped him up. "Come on! They need our help!" A MagnaGuard jabbed its staff at Anna and enraged her. "You kriffing pile of scrap!" she yelled and sliced it in three pieces.

"General!" a pilot droid called. "I've signaled for reinforcements just like you want-" Grievous picked the droid up with his foot and threw it at the Jedi. Meliz sliced through it and pressed forward. She, Yelena, and Mattias moved in as Grievous went for a spinning maneuver. His wild blades were as effective as they were intimidating. The general noticed how Mattias was struggling to keep up and focused heavy hits against his saber. After enduring enough strikes, Mattias' spinal cybernetic began to give out. Grievous capitalized on his weakness and kicked Mattias into a wall. The master collapsed and Yelena rushed to his aid. Meliz spun her blue saber alongside Tori's shotos to keep Grievous at bay.

"Come on! Come on!" Blazer grunted while aiming at the rapidly moving general. "I just need a good shot." When his pistol finally aligned with Grievous' head, a MagnaGuard landed in front of him. "Seriously?" Blazer scoffed and fired anyway. He blasted the droid's head off and was horrified when it kept advancing. "Oh that's just cheating," Blazer muttered and backed up.

More MagnaGuards emerged to separate Grievous from the Jedi. As the general spaced himself out, he overheard Elsa conversing with the Vicas. "We're going to make a run for the hangar," the Padawan said. "This way!"

"You think you can escape this?" Grievous screeched and stomped after them.

"Anna!" Meliz warned while fighting droids.

"We see him!" Anna replied as she and Hans gave chase. Grievous kicked a fallen panel towards Anna and made her lose her footing. Hans managed to get in close and took a swing at the general. Grievous easily evaded the attack and struck Hans with the bottom of his saber hilt. The cyborg's hit sent Hans spinning straight into a low-hanging monitor. The screen cracked against Hans' head and he was knocked unconscious on impact.

"Keep running!" Elsa told the Vicas as Grievous' stomps echoed behind them. They rounded a corner only to find that they'd reached a dead end. Hoff and Vica backed against the wall as Grievous laughed.

"You're only delaying the inevitable," he said.

While her heart was beating out of control, Elsa chose to activate her lightsaber. She dipped the light blue blade in a Form VI stance, but Grievous noticed her trembling. "Not another step," she warned in an effort to buy time. Although Elsa was terrified, she stepped towards Grievous to put space between him and the Vicas.

"Such a nice hilt you have," Grievous lauded as gunk oozed from his inquisitive eyes. "That arcetron piece will make a fine addition to my collection." He gestured to the other hilts holstered to him. His predatory glare fixated on her Padawan braid. "I'll enjoy ripping that trophy off your pretty corpse's head."

"Stay calm," Elsa's inner wraith, Evara, spoke. "You cannot give in to fear. Focus on your fundamentals. You know what you're doing and can defeat this monster."

Grievous surged forward and forced Elsa on the defensive. He was stronger than anyone she'd ever faced and made Barbossa look like a training droid. Grievous' blades jabbed towards her as she rushed to parry them. Within two heavy strikes, Grievous had made her lose her footing. The Padawan fell back as her horrifying foe lurched forward. Thinking quickly, Elsa called one of his spare lightsabers to her with the Force. She activated the green blade and held it next to her blue one. Using her remaining strength, Elsa held back all four of Grievous' lightsabers. She gritted her teeth as his masked visage closed in on her. While keeping her pinned, Grievous relished over her rising exhaustion. "Such a strong Padawan," he taunted. "But not strong enough."

Elsa's gasped as one of Grievous' lightsaber deactivated. One of his hands ventured behind his back and withdrew a concealed blaster pistol. Unable to move, Elsa could only watch from a persistent block while Grievous aimed at her torso. A bold scream and saber swing suddenly forced Grievous to turn around. Anna Dellian performed a leaping slash as Grievous raised his blades to defend. He tried to surprise Anna with his pistol, but Elsa swiped down with one of her sabers. Grievous roared as Elsa severed one of his mechanical limbs. Enraged, Grievous deflected Anna's attacks and kicked Elsa across the face. His taloned foot left the Padawan in a dreadful daze. Elsa's ears were ringing as Hoff and Datya helped drag her to safety.

"Leave my sister alone!" Anna yelled and batted away Grievous' sabers. Something chimed on the general's communicator and he chose to run instead. "Get back here, you coward!" Anna yelled and gave chase.

"Anna?" Elsa worried from her dizzied state. Blood trickled from her bruised nose and one her eyes struggled to stay open. The sight of her sister chasing after a foe brought her back to those horrid moments on Scarif. "No!" Elsa blurted and forced herself to stand. "I have to...She-...Hold on!"

As Anna ran, she heard someone else catching up to her. "I'm with you, best duelist." Tori teased.

"Let's get this monster," Anna told her as they quickened their pace.

Elsa forced herself to hobble down the dreadnought's corridors. Her hearing was slowly returning but a throbbing headache was coming on. "I thought you said...I could defeat him," she spoke aloud to Evara.

"You needed to believe you could hold your own and you did. What I said was true from a certain point of view. You could not give in to fear."

Grievous skidded to a halt as Anna and Tori cut him off. "Nowhere left to run," the Pantoran said.

Grievous noticed her facial markings and squinted. "Another member of the Vica line," he declared. "And a Jedi of all things."

"You never should've messed with my parents," Tori threatened.

The general scoffed and steadied his lightsabers. "What better way to exact my revenge than to end the Vicas' precious child?" He dug his blades into the seal behind him. Only then did Anna realize Grievous had been standing behind an airlock.

"Run!" Anna warned as Grievous sliced through the seal. He let himself get sucked into the vacuum of space while the Padawans fled. They lost their footing and would've been sucked out until an invisible force took hold of them. Anna glanced over to see Elsa pulling them back with the Force. Despite her injuries, her big sister fought to keep her footing from afar. Still, the vacuum of space was pulling her down as well.

Grievous glided through space as a second dreadnought emerged to pick him up. He fired a grappling hook into its hangar and was immediately greeted by a tactical droid. "What are your orders, sir?" it asked.

"All batteries, fire on that ship!" he ordered relentlessly.

Elsa's left eye was closing up and her arms trembled under pressure. "I can't...hold you both!" she grunted.

"I'm with you!" Rapunzel shouted from the corridor's end. She reached out with the Force to help guide Anna and Tori back up. "Speedy! Take the shot!"

Speedy used his cybernetics to remain grounded and fired at the emergency rayshields. The airlock resealed and gravity returned to normal. Elsa caught her breath and was quickly embraced by Anna. "Thanks for the save," her little sister said. "Are you alright?"

"I'll live," Elsa huffed as her left eye swelled. "So...new lightsaber?"

"Yeah I-" The dreadnought suddenly endured a ferocious laser barrage. "Talk later?" Anna suggested.

"Later," Elsa agreed and they fled together.

"Everyone get to the hangar!" Rapunzel hollered. Mattias and Yelena regrouped with them while Meliz fell behind. She carried an unconscious Hans on her back as they bolted for the hangar. Blazer held open the faulty doors until everyone made it through. Explosions shook the ship around them as Grievous' new dreadnought unleashed a ferocious bombardment.

"Hurry!" Vivi shouted from the Vica's freighter. "Move! Move!" While the group ran aboard, Sparx detached the stealth ship from the tether and decloaked. "We're all aboard, Kristoff!" Vivi called. "Punch it!"

Kristoff maximized the thrusters and flew alongside the stealth ship. The dreadnought broke apart behind them while Grievous' new ship gave chase. "Get the wounded to the crew quarters," Hoff said.

"Can't this thing go any faster?" Anna asked.

"We're already at maximum speed," Kristoff replied.

"Grievous is gaining!" Blazer warned while observing the scanners.

In that instant, the Deliverance soared in from hyperspace. "All turbolasers-" Admiral Taka declared. "FIRE!"

"I took the liberty of hailing Taka once all hell broke loose," Sparx called in.

"Lieutenant," Blazer called back. "I love you, brother!"

Kristoff and Sparx piloted their respective ships into the Deliverance before it made the jump to lightspeed.

Chip the camera droid zoomed in on his owner as she began her next broadcast. "This is Belle O'Har with an urgent news bulletin. The sight of a Venator-class Star Destroyer over our beloved city is common during wartime. But on this special day, Coruscanti get to see them in entirely new ways. The Deliverance, positioned behind me, is hovering directly over the Vica Foundation Shelter. Having helped escort tons of supplies for those in need, the clones of the 213th are-"

Rip suddenly jumped into the camera frame and yelled, "Hi mom!"

Doubles was quick to pull him back. "Good grief, you're embarrassing," he smacked his brother upside the head while Belle watched on. "We don't have a mother, genius. Who are you shouting out? A test tube?"

"...maybe," Rip grumbled.

Festivities were well underway inside the shelter as everyone involved in the rescue gathered around to celebrate. Meliz and Tori finished hoisting up a Life Day tree and watched its decorations glow. Mattias grabbed a much-needed mug of caf and sat beside Yelena. "In all of my years-" he mumbled between sips. "Never have I ever had a Life Day as crazy as this."

"You're telling me," Yelena chuckled. "But amidst it all, we managed to pull off what some would consider to be impossible. Honestly, old friend...Anna looks great. How did you do it?"

"Patience," Mattias answered. "I just had to speak her language in order to reach her."

"We're asking the wrong questions here," Admiral Taka said from across the table. She stirred her caf and leaned forward. "Let me get this straight. You found a downed starship from the Old Republic. But not just any starship...the legendary Carth Onasi's?"

"And we flew it all the way to Kamino," Mattias jested.

"Lies," Taka scoffed. "I'm calling banthacrap."

"Then you'll have to see it when it's fully repaired!" Mattias countered.

"I want to see who'll fly it," Taka muttered.

Mattias' brows furrowed as an idea sparked within. "I think I might know actually," he said.

The kitchen doors opened as Hoff Vica emerged with a platter. His chef's apron was stained from his rigorous efforts. "Who wants grilled nerf?" he asked. "Get it while it's hot!"

"Oh Dad," Tori snickered at his overly-energetic proclamation. "So much for not being able to roast a tip-yip."

"Losing that baking show was the best thing that ever happened to him," Datya told her daughter. "Your father bought every cookbook in the galaxy after that to keep improving. In case you haven't noticed, Vica's always fight the good fight."

"What were you thinking?" Frost asked. "Taking Grievous head-on like that?" He pressed a bacta-laced swab to Elsa's face wounds and carefully stuck a bandage across her nose.

"Probably the same thing you were thinking when you asked a giant wampa to eat you," Elsa quipped. "I'm alright, Frost." He sighed while swabbing her bruised eye and found comfort in the reduced swelling. Elsa looked over his shoulder and noticed Anna standing behind him.

"Hey sis," she said. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I took a giant metal foot to the face," the eldest Dellian joked.

"You must be starving," Frost considered. "Sit tight and I'll get you a plate of something." He departed and left Anna to sit beside her sister.

"He's a dedicated one, I'll give him that." Elsa said.

"Well, he's got a good role model." Anna replied and bit her lip. "Hey...about our conversation after the temple briefing-"

"Oh Anna," Elsa sighed. "It's old news."

"However, I haven't stopped thinking about it since I've seen you again. I'm sorry for my behavior."

"You were going through some serious trauma, Anna. I'm sorry that I couldn't reach you in the ways that you needed someone to."

"But-" Anna huffed. "You reached me in one of the most important ways. You found me, Elsa. You didn't give up your search and I can't imagine any of this has been easy on you either. I know we disagreed with each other on Scarif. We'll undoubtedly disagree again! But we're sisters and we'll always have each other's backs in the end. What I truly want to say is...thank you, Elsa. Thanks for not giving up on me."

In that instant, Elsa pulled Anna into an embrace. "I'll never give up on you, little sister." she said. The glimmer of holiday decorations shined down upon them. "Happy Life Day," she whispered.

"Happy Life Day, Elsa. I'm sorry I didn't get you a gift."

"When we're together, my favorite gift is you." Elsa said until something chirped from her shoulder. Sir Porgen poked his head up and the sisters giggled.

Suddenly, the shelter's speakers blared with a rocking tune. Homeless patrons, clones, and Jedi alike gathered around to discover the source of the commotion. "Oh no," Datya realized while laughing uncontrollably. "They've uncovered the old karaoke machine."

Anna raised a brow and looked to Elsa. "Um...who's they?" The crowd spread enough for the sisters to catch a glimpse and Anna's jaw dropped. "Oh...my-"

While Sparx and Speedy helped hype others up, Blazer and Rapunzel took centerstage. "Good evening, Vica Shelter!" Blazer yelled and grabbed a mic.

"Are you ready to party?" Rapunzel asked while twirling her own mic. What ensued was a mixture of Rapunzel's harmonious voice and Blazer's...attempt at singing. They went back to back and alternated singing each line along the way.

"Candles burnin' low!" Rapunzel sang.

"Lightsabers aglow," Blazer roared into the mic and had viewers laughing.

"Lots of snow and ice"
"Everywhere we go"
"Clone troopers are waving"
"Right outside my door"

"All these things and more"

Rapunzel and Blazer went head to head and sang together, "That's what Life Day means to me, my love!"

The crowd cheered as a dance party broke out across the shelter. "Come on, Elsa!" Anna urged. "We gotta get in on this. Even just to see if Blazer falls on his butt."

"I don't dance," Elsa laughed nervously. "But you go have fun! I'll watch."

"Suit yourself!" Anna slid towards the dancefloor to cheer on her friends. Speedy had started his very own kickline and the Vicas had never seen things so lively. Sahira even stood at the edge of the dancefloor and bounced her merry baby.

Frost was on his way back with food for Elsa when Rip and Doubles grabbed him. "Come on, Commander!" Rip asserted. "Show us your moves!"

"Brothers, I don't dance. I-" He looked at Elsa, who quietly urged him to indulge the troops. Elsa chuckled while watching Frost try to dance, knowing she'd struggle just the same. While she did so, Kristoff and Sven observed the party from an upper balcony.

"You're okay, kid." Vivi said and punched Kristoff's arm.

"Enjoy the party," Crujik teased.

"Are you sure you two don't want to stay?" Kristoff asked.

"We're lucky enough that the Vicas didn't press charges," Crujik said. "We can't just abandon the Outcasts, but this place...these people...might be your style."

Vivi nudged Sven. "Take care of this human, will you? He's a troublemaker."

"Oh look who's talking!" Kristoff snapped.

"Safe travels," Crujik told him. "But before we go, allow me to bestow a piece of wisdom." Kristoff raised a brow as the blue Twi'lek pointed over the balcony. "Tell her." Kristoff followed his finger to Elsa on the level below.

Kristoff shrugged. "What are you-"

"Kid, you're giving that young lady the same looks I first gave my Vivi. It's Life Day and we just escaped a Separatist general. Life is short. What's so bad about taking another risk?" As the Twi'leks departed, Kristoff was left with a heaviness in his chest. He glanced over at Sven, who was playfully shoving him towards the stairwell.

Elsa continued to watch the festivities as Kristoff slowly approached. He nervously cleared his throat until her turn ended up startling him. "Oh Kristoff!" Elsa greeted. "Nice to see you again."

"It's um...nice to see you too, Elsa." Kristoff answered. "I'm sorry about your-"

"Oh it'll heal," Elsa assured and gestured to her face. "If I knew letting you escape from that street racing situation was going to get you captured by Grievous, maybe I would've reconsidered." Kristoff chuckled as she continued. "But I suppose that's just another mystery of the Force. No one knows where they're going to end up. It's rather interesting how we just keep running into each other."

"Yeah," Kristoff sighed. "It's like it's...fate or something." His heart pounded as he struggled to keep speaking. "Elsa-" he said. "What if it is some sort of fate?"

"What do you mean?" Elsa curiously inquired.

Kristoff took a deep breath. "From the moment I met you, I felt-"

Suddenly, the Ortolan child Elsa had rescued came scurrying over to her lap. "Hold that thought, Kristoff." Elsa said. "Hey, little friend! Are you having fun?" The Ortolan proceeded to sign and Elsa looked to Kristoff. "I don't suppose you know sign language, do you?"

Kristoff relinquished his feelings and shook his head. "No," he sighed.

"Maybe one of the masters does," Elsa said and took the child's hand. "Come on, little one."

"I'm gonna miss that boy," Crujik said while reminiscing on Kristoff. He paused only after noticing Vivi's rigid body. "You alright, babe?"

Vivi pointed across the shelter as Hans emerged from one of the beds. Every traumatic memory of being threatened and choked by him returned to the Twi'leks. "That sleemo's here?" Vivi uttered.

"I thought I saw him being dragged in during the escape," Crujik recalled.

"We should report him to the Jedi. None in their Order should act as he does."

"While nothing would please me more-" Crujik said. "We find ourselves at an impasse. To reveal him is to reveal our own criminal history and be linked back to the Corellian Cup incident. We're fortunate that he was unconscious during the escape and that Hoff was willing to drop charges. Our best move is to leave and hope justice finds its way to him."

The Twi'leks departed as Hans stumbled onto the dancefloor. "My aching head," he grumbled.

"Hans!" Anna yelled in his ear. "You're just in time for the party! How are you feeling?"

The knight rubbed his temples and glared at her. "I've seen better days," he admitted until an idea came to mind. "But I'll tell you what. Amidst this crowd, how about you and I-" He leaned in and whispered into Anna's ear. Each word only made her eyes and smile widen further. The two dashed through the crowd and Hans bumped into Kristoff. "Watch it!" the knight scolded. Kristoff was left to observe Anna and Hans as they fled down a corridor. As soon as they left the main room, Elsa walked by with the very case-crucial Ortolan they'd been searching for.

Once they were out of sight and the music was a faded blur, the pair couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Anna giggled as Hans scooped her into his arms and planted kisses on her neck. He sealed the door to the shelter's storage closet and Anna was already tugging him back by the tabards. She yanked him into a tender, passionate kiss as they lost themselves in the darkness. "Happy Life Day," Hans could barely say as Anna pulled him into another kiss.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading the first ever "FROZEN FORCE HOLIDAY SPECIAL!" and I look forward to future editions. We've come so far in this season and I want to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you. Starting this story last year is one of the best decisions I've ever made and I'm so glad I get to share it with you all. So thank you for joining me. I do hope you're enjoying Season 2!

Your reviews are very much appreciated and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the first Holiday Special! Did you enjoy the characters and experience? How do you like everything unfolding? I hope you're having fun!

Long Live Imagination, Happy New Year and May the Force be with You!

~ Michael