Author's Note: I've been checking videos on YouTube based on Star Wars Legends and I have to say JJ Edits' videos on Kreia narrating about the figures of the Old Republic are awesome! Including the video of Darth Revan VS Darth Vader by Imagivotion!
I don't own Star Wars or its characters, but Nadia Aomori and my other OCs I own only.
Enjoy!
Fire of the Rebellion
Chapter 26: Odessen
Inside the Arcturus, Nadia took another sip of her hot brew black caf as Zachary and Gwendolyn checked information on a data pad.
"Mother."Zachary spoke up, earning Nadia's attention."What planet is Iokath exactly?"
Nadia shook her head.
"Iokath is not a planet, Zack. It was a massive artificial sphere constructed sometime before the Manderon Period by a mysterious species that originated in the Unknown Regions and was unknown to the larger galaxy."Nadia exclaimed."Its society composed of scientists and engineers, the species build a highly advanced civilisation with technology far exceeding its contemporaries. Focused on creating the greatest weapons in the galaxy, the species spend hundreds of years and countless design cycles designing and developing super weapons which they then tested on unsuspecting worlds throughout the Unknown Regions, gathering feedback data to further perfect their weaponry."
"Super weapons?"Gwendolyn questioned in confusion.
"The species of weapon designers created many technological wonders such as the Gravestone, the Eternal Fleet, the GEMINI droids, SCORPIO and the Old Gods, using their super weapons on dozens of different worlds for live testing."Nadia declared with a hint of disgust."When a civil war broke on Iokath, both sides began using their super weapons against each other which led the engineers to drive many of their creations into Wild Spacewith their memory cores locked."
Nadia handed her empty mug to RG-G1.
"However, that did not save them, as the Six Gods were unleashed on Iokath, eradicating all organic life on it and leaving a single self-aware droid known as ARIES to reshape the world in his image."Nadia continued."Few visitors that found Iokath over the centuries were all killed by ARIES in brutal tests until many new arrivals came to Iokath around in the middle of the war against Zakuul."
A scoff escaped from Zachary's mouth.
"They really did tests on innocent visitors that came to visit their massive artificial sphere?"Zachary retorted.
"That's disgusting."Gwendolyn scowled.
"I know."Nadia responded with a nod."Though Sith Empress Acina attempted to seize the super weapon, the Alliance forces eventually confronted the Six Gods directly, destroying them before they could wreak havoc on the galaxy once again."
Ferus then arrived into the cockpit of the Arcturus, earning his family's attention.
"Sorry to interrupt the history lesson."Ferus apologised as he went to sit on the co-pilot seat."But an alert from Maybelline came by."
RG-G1 beeped in agreement before showing holo-images of the Fifth Brother and the Seventh Sister.
"Vader has brought two more of his dogs to hunt us and the remaining Jedi."Ferus stated.
"Fantastic."Nadia muttered in disapproval.
Zachary and Gwendolyn looked at the holo-images of the two Inquisitors.
"The Fifth Brother appears to be from the planet Artemesium and the Seventh Sister seems to be an Mirialan."
"Exactly like the Sixth Sister formerly known as Barriss Offee."Nadia commented, her voice tone mixed with disapproval."Anyway, two more Inquisitors means doubling our troubles."
Gwendolyn glanced at Nadia and Ferus.
"Mum, dad, Inquisitors are mainly Jedi who turned to the dark side, right?"Gwendolyn assumed."So does that mean Darth Vader had been a Jedi before?"
Both Nadia and Ferus became silent at their daughter's question.
"Yes, sweetheart. But neither you or Zack must not reveal this to anyone."Ferus instructed."Do you both understand?"
Zachary and Gwendolyn nodded at Ferus.
"Yes, father/dad."Zachary and Gwendolyn answered in unison.
Nadia smiled approval before she started pressing a few buttons and the Arcturus jumped into hyperspace.
A few hours later, the Arcturus arrived to a bluish green planet that appeared to be remote and located in the Wild Space, close to the Unknown Regions, that had a strong connection to the Force.
Zachary and Gwendolyn glanced at Ferus and Nadia.
"Mother, father, do you feel that?"Zachary asked curiously.
"What is this planet?"Gwendolyn questioned.
"Odessen."Nadia answered."Remote, unsettled...and strong in the Force. But unlike Korriban or Tython, Odessen is altogether balanced."
"On this remote planet, light and dark exist in perfect balance, forming a nexus in the Force."Ferus stated.
The Arcturus came to Odessen's atmosphere before landing into one of its forests.
A world with significant oceans and mountainous continents, Odessen had a mild climate and a variety of wildlife among its forested terrain.
The part of the forest which the Arcturus landed was near an old camp that had various artefacts and writings: about the Jedi, the Sith, the Force and the Knights of Zakuul.
When the ramp of the ship lowered, Nadia stepped out with her family and RG-G1.
Ferus, Nadia, Zachary and Gwendolyn went over to the camp to look at the artefacts in it.
"It's seems like someone has been here already."
"Yes."Ferus agreed with a nod."But that someone was here many years ago."
A small smile of admiration appeared on Nadia's face.
"Can't believe her things are still here after such a long time."Nadia remarked.
"Who are you talking about, mum?"Gwendolyn asked.
"Satele Shan."Nadia admitted."This unsettled and unimportant world was the place of her exile following the Grand Master's failure to defend the Galactic Republic from the Eternal Empire conquest."
"Cool."Gwendolyn praised.
Zachary went over to paper writings, only to see a design of a mask that appeared to be Mandalorian, but had a red and grey colour.
"This must be Darth Revan's mask, right?"Zachary assumed.
"Grand Master Satele Shan must've drawn this to remind of herself of her ancestor that walked in both the path of the Jedi and the Sith."Nadia commented.
RG-G1 let out a beep.
Ferus glanced at Zachary and Gwendolyn.
"Though we've come here to give you both more training, Zack and Gwen."Ferus declared."Now that you both have your own lightsabers. You two will need to put what we taught you to the test."
Nadia pointed to outside the old camp of Grand Master Satele Shan.
"Out there somewhere in Odessen lays a treasure."Nadia informed."A treasure that no one had been able to find. But here in this perfect balanced planet are creatures such as Cave jurgoran, Makrin creeper, Shade stalker and Steel-tailed stalker lurking about that won't hesitate to attack. So both of you be on guard and use your blades to defend yourselves."
Gwendolyn nodded. "Okay, mum."
"We won't let you and dad down."Zachary assured.
"May the Force be with you two."Ferus stated.
Both Zachary and Gwendolyn nodded at their parents before heading off to the forest.
Ferus glanced at Nadia.
"Something on your mind, Dia?"Ferus asked.
A small frown appeared on Nadia's face.
"Now that I think about it."Nadia admitted."Revan never fell, but knowingly sacrificed himself to the dark side to save the galaxy from a greater horror. Though my ancestor Darth Nihilus was not just a Sith Lord. He was the Grim Reaper of the galaxy and…a dark mirror of the Exile, showing what the Exile would have become if they hadn't cut themselves off from the Force after Malachor."
Ferus placed his arms around Nadia's waist to hug her from behind.
"Just let it all out."Ferus instructed.
"Ferus. I…I am still trapped in my past."Nadia declared, her hands twitching a bit."I could still hear my parents, my older brother and my sister-in-law calling out my name. Telling me to save myself while they burned to ashes."
Tears slowly fell down from Nadia's ruby red eyes.
"I want to still know the truth of the fire that killed my family."Nadia stated with a hint of guilt."My family background is not perfect. My ancestors had a lot of red in their ledger and neither of them didn't attend to ever wipe it out. Not even my maternal grandmother, Alcina Aomori. I am biologically someone that come from a long line of criminals and psychopaths."
Ferus gave Nadia a tight yet comfort embrace.
"But if you find the truth, you are scared to suffer even more?"Ferus assumed.
A scoff escaped from Nadia's mouth.
"Yes, hun."Nadia replied honestly."I am."
"Then just so you know I will be by your side no matter what."Ferus declared.
Nadia gave a bittersweet smile and placed her hands on Ferus'.
"Thank you."Nadia answered.
Zachary and Gwendolyn raced against each other in the forest of Odessen.
The Olin twins were running in the same fast pace, so it was difficult to see who was ahead of who.
"It seems you're slowing down, Gwen!"Zachary sneered.
"Quit trying to fool me, Zack!"Gwendolyn snapped."It won't work for a second time!"
Both Zachary and Gwendolyn immediately stopped running when they caught sight of several Steel-tailed stalkers crawling around the trees above them.
The Olin twins stood back to back as both of them eyed the carnivores and bought their lightsabers out.
"Ready, sis?"Zachary asked.
Gwendolyn smirked. "As if you have to ask."
Ferus and Nadia sat down together to meditate in a circle of stones next to Grand Master Satele Shan's camp.
"Exactly what is this treasure you send our kids to find, Dia?"Ferus questioned curiously.
"I can only tell you two things about it, Ferus."Nadia stated."It's old, but important."
"Something from the Old Republic?"Ferus suggested.
Nadia gave Ferus a smug smile.
"Sorry. Can't tell anymore."Nadia answered with a wink."You'll learn what it is once Zack and Gwen bring it to us."
Ferus smirked. "Whatever you say, love."
Nadia watched as Ferus closed his eyes to meditate causing her to do the same thing.
As the raven haired woman focused on connecting with the balance of the Force within Odessen.
She felt it.
The light and dark existing in perfect balance.
It reminded her of herself.
A part of her was Jedi's blood running in her veins while the other part of her was the blood of an ancient Sith Lord.
But she was neither Jedi or Sith.
Only herself.
Zachary and Gwendolyn worked together to slash down the Steel-tailed stalkers.
Both of them gripped their lightsabers tightly and got each other's backs, so that neither of the carnivores could land a scratch on them.
Nadia opened her eyes and found herself in what appeared to be a city within Kashyyyk.
But it appeared to be an invasion.
The destruction was massive; the ships came in never ending waves.
Even the powerful Wookiees seemed to be overrun.
The trees were on fire.
The homes burned charcoal and the dead lay in the street.
Nadia was horrified at what was she witnessing before she became alarmed at the sight of the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle arriving to the scene.
When the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle landed and the ramp lowered before Dartb Vader to step out of it.
"Kashyyyk doesn't need to suffer more, Anakin!"Nadia snapped.
Nadia immediately activated her lightsabers and attempted to attack the Sith Lord, only for her former friend to walk through her.
A stunned look appeared on Nadia's face.
This was the battle of Kashyyyk that happened 14 years ago.
But why was she seeing this?
Nadia snapped out of her thoughts when a a nervous Imperial Commander went up to Darth Vader.
"Lord Vader, we were ambushed upon arrival, but I have the situation well in-"the Imperial Commander started.
Darth Vader began Force choking the Imperial Commander.
"I have no interest in your failures, Commander."Darth Vader retorted."I am here on a mission of my own."
Darth Vader then dropped the Imperial Commander down, sparring his life before heading towards the Wookiee village.
Seeing no other way, Nadia started following the Sith Lord.
While the main Imperial force engaged the Wookiees in a brutal frontal assault, Vader infiltrated the enemy base with a small escort of stormtroopers from Triton Squad.
Marching through the Wookiee village where the resistance was centered from, the Sith Lord struck down every Wookiee warrior that stood in his path, thus crushing the resistance and clearing a path for the Imperials along the way.
The Wookiees attempted to swarm Darth Vader at a network of bridges that led to a hut.
At least one TIE fighter was shot down and crashed into a bridge as the Sith Lord drew closer to his objective.
Although the fierce Wookiees rushed at the Sith Lord in an attempt to halt his advance, Darth Vader killed every last one of them until he finally reached his destination.
Nadia slowly followed despite being sickened at seeing innocent Wookiees being slaughtered, but knew she couldn't change what happened.
Suddenly, a man that appeared to be a reclusive hermit emerged from the hut with two Wookiee guards at his side.
A stunned look appeared on Nadia's when she recognised who the man was.
It was Kento Marek.
"Dark Lord!"Kento shouted angrily."Whatever you want, you won't find it here. Turn back!"
"You cannot disguise yourself from me…Jedi."Darth Vader snarled.
Nadia felt butterflies in her stomach, knowing Kento was forced to confront Darth Vader in a fight to the death.
"Turn back!"Kento demanded.
Kento send a powerful telekinetic blast, succeeding in neutralising Darth Vader's stormtrooper escort.
Kento activated his light blue lightsaber causing Darth Vader to activate his blood red lightsaber.
Nadia watched helplessly as Kento duelled Darth Vader.
Recognising Vader's superior skills with the lightsaber, Marek used the Force to catch several TIE fighters in the sky and hurled them at Vader.
Despite his valiant efforts, the former Jedi Knight was ultimately no match against the Sith Lord's greater skills and strength in the Force.
Darth Vader then easily disarmed the Jedi of his weapon, seized him with the Force and sent him crashing through the front entrance of Kento's own hut.
Nadia quickly went into the hut to check on Kento, seeing he was struggling to get up.
"Kento, please don't-"Nadia started.
Upon entering the hut, Darth Vader used the Force to levitate and trap Kento in mid air, shocking Nadia.
"No! Anakin!"Nadia sobbed, struggling not to cry."Stop it!"
Kento struggled to breath as Darth Vader strangled him.
Yet his hand was stayed for a moment before delivering the killing blow due to the extremely powerful presence that Darth Vader suddenly felt in the Force.
Nadia became confused upon feeling someone unusually strong in the Force.
Was Kento protecting another Jedi survivor?
"I sense someone more powerful nearby."Darth Vader stated."Where is your master?"
"The Dark Side clouded your mind!"Kento snapped."You killed my master years ago!"
"And now you will share his fate."Darth Vader informed grimly.
Nadia paled at seeing a frustrated Vader raised his blade to strike the Jedi down in anger.
Before he even realized it, his own weapon was snatched out of his hand, causing him to turn around in surprise.
To Darth Vader's utter shock and astonishment, he found his lightsaber in the small hands of a very young boy.
The boy had dark brown hair and matching brown eyes as Kento's. He wore a greyish shirt and trousers with short black armour on it and brown boots.
"A son."Darth Vader said gently.
A stunned look appeared on Nadia's face.
"What?"Nadia whispered in disbelief."Kento and Mallie had a son?"
"RUN!"Kento yelled out.
Darth Vader then immediately strangled Kento to death, dropping his lifeless body on the ground.
"NO!"Nadia cried out.
Nadia immediately went to protect the boy from Darth Vader despite knowing she wasn't even in this moment.
To her surprise, Darth Vader just observed the frightened child in front of him which confused Nadia.
The Dark Lord was instantly impressed by the boy's unique potential in the Force—a potential that rivalled powers of Emperor Palpatine himself.
But just as he started to cautiously approach the boy so as to not alarm him, the Imperial Commander and three stormtroopers arrived on the scene.
"Lord Vader-"the Imperial Commander started.
Believing that the child was threatening the Sith Lord with his own weapon, the Commander directed the troops to execute the boy.
Nadia became nervous, fearing she will see Kento's son die.
"No."Nadia murmured nervously."Please don't."
But after a mere moment of indecision, Darth Vader telekinetically took his lightsaber back and defended the boy from the troopers' blaster shots.
As the boy looked on in horror and confusion, the Sith Lord slaughtered the commander and the stormtroopers without hesitation.
Nadia was stunned.
She couldn't believe what she just witnessed.
Darth Vader actually saved Kento's son?
The boy watched as the Sith Lord went up to him.
"Come with me."Darth Vader ordered."More will be here soon."
After killing all of the witnesses who knew of the boy's existence, Darth Vader took his new charge away from the hut before Imperial reinforcements could arrive on the scene.
"Dia?"
Nadia snapped out of her meditation and saw Ferus looking at her with a concerned look.
"Are you okay?"Ferus questioned."You just looked like you saw something horrifying?"
Nadia looked at her surroundings and saw she was back in the camp.
"Sorry, Ferus."Nadia apologised, slowly getting over her shock."I just saw a vision which was an event of the past."
"The past?"Ferus questioned
Before Nadia could explain what she saw, Zachary and Gwendolyn returned back to her and Ferus.
"Mum! Dad!"Gwendolyn greeted happily."We're back!"
Nadia and Ferus stood up from where they were as RG-G1 beeped to go up to the Olin twins.
"Well done, kids."Ferus praised proudly."So did you find the treasure that your mother was talking about?"
Zachary and Gwendolyn shared a smirk with each other.
"We sure did."Zachary answered."Check it out."
Gwendolyn then presented a holocron to Ferus and Nadia.
The holocron consisted of two bronze and gold octahedrons joined together by a silver ring.
An impressed smile appeared on Nadia's face.
"Whoa."Nadia murmured."You two really found it."
A confused look appeared on Ferus' face.
"A holocron was the treasure you were talking about, Dia?"Ferus asked.
"This is no simple holocron, Ferus."Nadia remarked."This is Jedi Master Satele Shan's Holocron."
Surprised looks appeared on Zachary and Gwendolyn's faces while Ferus chuckled in respond.
"That explains why you are excited on seeing it."Ferus complemented.
"No way."Gwendolyn whispered.
"Does that mean if we activate this holocron, Master Satele will talk to us?"Zachary suggested.
"Depends on the Knight's behaviour."Nadia answered."Her holocron can also serve as a 'come back to the light side' device."
RG-G1 let out a beep, making Nadia frown at him.
"Yes, G-G. We'll be heading back home now."Nadia replied."It's not like I need to feed you a bottle of oil or anything like that."
Gwendolyn covered her mouth to giggle, making RG-G1 let out a grumpy beep.
"I say we had enough excitement for one day."Ferus stated with a smile."How about we head home now?"
"Well, I am kind of hungry."Gwendolyn admitted."Can we have nerfburgers for lunch? With hubba chips?"
A look of disapproval appeared on Zachary's face.
"No junk food for me."Zachary insisted."I only want a mongo beefhead patty."
Zachary and Gwendolyn headed back inside the Arcturus with RG-G1 following them from behind while Ferus and Nadia smirked at their twin children.
"Our kids sure bring back memories in our time in the Clone Wars."Ferus stated.
Nadia's smile shrunk a bit.
"They definitely do."Nadia agreed.
Ferus headed inside the Arcturus as Nadia looked at the old camp one more time before joining her family inside the ship.
When it's ramp went back up, the Arcturus began to fly away from Odessen while the sun went down in the background.
See you all in the next chapter and have a wonderful day!