The reception keeps looking positive. But not many people are fans of Vox Machina. It's understandable.
Now then, onto the chapter!
Knights of Tal'Dorei
II
Mutual Agreement
The sound of fixing echoes in the recently established camp near the Ebon Hawk. Mission was adding the finishing touches in repairing T3-M4's damaged optics. She was fortunate that their latest supply run had many optics that can be easily replaced. "And, done!" She tweaked the droid's optics. "Now, you don't have to worry about any broken sightings anymore."
"Beep-Boop-beep!" T3 Beeped cheerfully as he looked around, Mission was surprised of how much personality T3 was starting to have though this could be due to him not having a memory wipe, but hey she ain't planning on one anytime soon.
"Now you can see as long as Vex or any of her companions try to do anything stupid." The Twi'lek warned him.
"Statement: Oh how much I was in the state of blowing their furry meatbag." HK spoke as he was next in line of being maintained.
And the teenage Twi'lek's face fell. "Too bad you're not willing to be reprogrammed."
Within the main part of the camp, Revan was in a meditative state as he tried to find the source of this Sith lord, only to find nothing. Which was starting to annoy him. He opened his eyes to see Bastila entering his tent. "Still no luck?"
The Former Sith Lord shook his head. "This Sith Lord is hiding very well. Not even the Force can guide me where he's hiding." He turned to his lover and saw something was bothering her. "Something wrong?"
"How did they spot us?" Basila suddenly asked.
Revan was caught off guard by this question. "They did have that armored bear, Trinket from what I heard Vex calling it, might have sniffed us–"
"I mean how did they spotted us?" Basila interrupted. "The bear is their companion. But didn't attack. No one can immediately sense us that night unless…"
"Unless what?" Revan was all to curious
"Unless one of them is–"
"Um, we have a bear coming. Perhaps they want to speak to us…" Mission told the Jedi pair as she stood at the entrance. "Oh, am I interrupting something?"
The two jedis got out of the tent and immediately saw the Bear, Trinket, within their campsite. He was being tended by both Mission, Zalbar,and Carth. Each of them having their hands rubbing the animal's belly. "Ooo, who's a cute grizzly fella!" The Teenage Twi'lek spoke in a baby tone.
"Goaaarr!" Trinket spoke.
"You know, you're like a cuddly bear. Except you're an animal that is friendly." Carth admitted.
"Honest response: This furry meatbag makes up for its aggression and size to be cute. I wonder how fluffier it is? This one or Mistress Vao's one." And Zaalbar took offense to this droid's comment.
The bear's ears perked up as it immediately sensed two people approaching and it stood in all four and greeted Revan and Bastila. The former cupped its left cheek. "Did Vex send you to get us?" He already knew the answer.
The bear just walked ahead and glanced at the group to follow him. Revan proceeded to follow with Bastila behind him along with the other groups. Though, there were a few concerns about leaving their ship. "Do you think it's alright to leave the ship unintended?" Mission asked.
Jolee shot her an assured look. "I see no harm in that. Besides, we'll only be having a chat and after that we'll head back there."
-Scene Change-
GREYSKULL KEEP
In the Keep, everyone was up bright and early. All gathered within the kitchen and ate breakfast. One of the missing members opened the doors before entering. Vines came out as she stepped in, not bothered by two doves passing by her. She let out a cheerful sigh. "Good morning, everybody."
All she got were tired grumbles. All of them didn't have the energy to talk considering last night's event. More so than Vex, who still felt the after effects of being electrocuted by that Aeromaton. "Ugh, why?"
Scanlan can say the same since his beauty sleep has been interrupted. "Why is she yelling?"
Keyleth crossed her arms before looking at the side. There, she saw Vax holding a plate full of porridge with a piece of bread within his mouth. "Oh, good morning, Vax."
"Morning," He tiredly greeted her with a muffle as he made his way to where Grog sat. Pulling the chair back, he was about to sit when…
*POW*
The male of the twin elves gasps before wailing in pain. He clutched where he was hit, which is where his private parts are, along with his food and drink in the process. Grog casually looks at him. "Seven to two."
"I…never agreed on this stupid game." He strongly said, climbing within the table.
"Must you?" Percy asked with annoyance as he munched on his food.
"We can't all be aloof tight-asses, de Rolo." Scanlan reminded him, knowing how diverse their group is.
"I'm simply suggesting you could all benefit from some well-practiced restraints." He saw Trinket entering the kitchen, followed by Revan and his group. The looks of it, it seemed like his entire group was present. "Like how they interacted with us. Aside from that Aeromaton of theirs." He eyed at HK-47 as he remembered his bloodlust tendency.
"Emotions aren't meant to be bottled up." He looked at Vex who moaned at cuddling Trinket in comfort before holding him. "Maybe you should cut loose for a while." She heard a familiar hovering sound and looked to see T3 looking at her with its fixed eye. "Oh hey there, trash compactor. I didn't realise you had your eye fixed."
"Dwe-dwo-beep!" T3 replied as it somehow was threatening Vex with another Zap or something worse. Even Canderous, even though he didn't speak droid, looked at T3 and wondered what crossed the droid's circuits to issue that statement.
Speaking of the Mandalorian, he looked at Vax and saw that he was in pain. "Anyone wants to answer what happened to him?"
Scanlan could happily respond to that. "Oh, we were just playing a bit of Ball-tag. It's this game that we came up with. Whoever has their balls hit are the carrier until they tag another by hitting them in the balls."
"Right…" Canderous said with interest.
Percy thought it would be a good time to resume the conversation from last night before anything happened between T3 and Vex. "So, now that everyone is here. I presume we resume our discussion." He turned his eyes to Revan and Bastila. "Before that, I may ask what those are?" He pointed at their lightsabers.
"They're laser toothpicks, right?" Grog assumed.
"They're lightsabers." Bastila corrected as she took hers off and showed it with its yellow hue coming out from both sides. "They are weapons of the Jedi and the Sith."
Naturally, the members of Vox Machina were taken off guard by those two terms.
"It's complicated. Basically the Jedi are the peacekeepers of the galaxy while the Sith are the opposite, who seek nothing but conquest and destruction of worlds." Jolee bluntly clarified.
"Wait…" Keyleth took a double take before turning her attention to Revan. "When he said about these Jedi being 'Peacekeepers of the Galaxy', does that mean…"
"Answer: Correct. We are from outer space. More specifically, from another Galaxy." HK-47 answered her question.
This was surely a bombshell as Vox machina took this in. All of a sudden, "Alienss…" Grog commented in awe.
Despite this shock, Scanlan couldn't help but make a comment while eying on Mission. "Damn. I gotta say this. Aliens have pretty ladies too." That earned him a well deserved elbow from Percy.
Zaalbar proceeded to make several animal growls, causing Vox Machina to look at the Wookie. "Did anyone catch what he said?" Pike asked.
Keyleth could give an answer. "Oh, he said that she's fourteen."
For obvious reasons, Scanlan regretted what he said. "Okay, I'll take that back about what I said to her! I didn't realise I was being…"
"We know, we know." Vex cut him off before she turned to Revan. As she did so, she felt something weird about him but didn't know the reason why. "You said you came from outer space. I assume you came here due to you and the others being peacekeepers against these Siths."
"I would be lying to you if I said we weren't. We're here because we're… Seeking a Sith Lord out. One who might pose a danger to your world, and if ain't stop could take it for itself, or worse." Revan answered, unsure of how to explain that he had a vision.
"Uh…" Grog looked at his group before speaking up. "Did anyone catch what he was saying?"
"Hang on," Pike felt something off from Revan, Bastila, Jolee and Juhani. "I sense some magical presence within the four of you. Do you… have magic?"
Bastila shook her head in response. "I wouldn't call the Force magic."
"The Force?" Vox Machina spoke in unison.
"What the bloody fuck is that?" Vax wondered what kind of stupid magic is called something. Mission turned to him and wondered what 'fuck' means as Vax began to realize what he said and covered his mouth, wishing Grog gave him another ball tag.
Revan thought he would be the one to explain. "The Force... it is not merely power like your magic. It is life. It is the breath of the galaxy—binding all things, living and inanimate, into a tapestry beyond mortal understanding. It surrounds us, penetrates us, as the Jedi often teach. But more than that, it reflects our choices. Light and dark are not just sides of the Force—they are mirrors of who we are and what we do with our will. To many, the Force is seen as a tool. Something to command, to wield. That is a mistake I once made. I thought I could use the force to use it to control and protect. But I was wrong."
He breathed in before exhaling to continue, "The Force is not ours to dominate. It is a guide—subtle, patient. It speaks in moments of quiet and clarity, not in the roar of battle. The light side nurtures, heals, preserves. The dark tempts, consumes, corrupts. And yet... both are truths within the Force. To truly understand it, one must listen. Not just with ears or even the mind—but with the soul. Only then can you feel its purpose… not yours. Some call it destiny. Others, the will of the Force. I believe it is a choice—our choices—echoed across the stars. That is the Force."
As he explained this, Vex got a sudden hit within her head before holding the side of her head. The way he explained it seemed eerily familiar to her. Trinket notices this but was quickly assured by her. "Don't worry, buddy. It's just the same feeling I had around Kreig."
Back to the conversation, Percy was surely interested in this subject. Still, he was wondering something. "And why are you telling this to all of us? We're…not exactly the type of people you can assist."
"Yeah, we're Vox Machina," Scanlan declared. "We fu-Mess stuff up all the time." He had to stop when he realized a young teen was in the room who could have easily been influenced by their words.
"You are the only contacts we have at the moment." Canderous went straight to the point.
"You all may be idiots, except for her. But you are more familiar with this planet than us." Jolee concluded as he pointed to Keyleth as she gave a little meep.
"Observation: This meatbag is right. We are in a dire state of saving this planet. Though I wish I could study this world and assassinate any Meatbags that could harm this world." HK pointed out.
"HK…" Bastila tiredly said, rubbing her temples. "You can't think about killing anyone who wishes to destroy the world. There are going to be a lot and it will never stop."
"Which is why we are asking for your help," Revan said in a pleading tone.
Vex was in deep thoughts. So they were in their own quest after all. This made her look at Revan and the others. "Give us a moment." Vox Machina grabbed one another and formed a circle to discuss.
"So, what the frick are we meant to do with these guys!?" Scanlan asked. "They're basically aliens and can kill us at any time if we don't adhere to their request."
Grog can see his worry. But he thought of something positive. "But just imagine the reward they can give us!?"
All of their minds had the sound of money clicking. Percy was very keen to look at their technology. "Maybe we can use their technology to our advantage." He was interested in Carth's and Mission's pistols.
"Alright, I'm in!" Vex said with no hesitation.
"I could say the same." Her twin agreed.
"Yeah! I want to try the booze they brought." Grog cheered on.
Keyleth has her own thoughts. "Maybe they can help me with my magic."
After coming to their decision, members of Vox Machina broke the circle up and looked at Revan. Said person was wondering what their response would be. "So, have you given your thoughts?"
"We come to the conclusion that we're going to help you with your problem under two conditions." Percy answered. "One, you are going to have to help us in dealing with the looming threat of what's to come. Second, we are entitled to be rewarded for our work."
"Yeah. Like giving one of those lightsabers to me." Vex said, eying Bastila's lightsaber.
"The lightsabers aren't toys to be messed with. They require a lot of training and discipline." Juhani countered.
"Who cares?!" The elf archer spoke with a groan. "They are basically swords. We're sure we can handle them."
"Real basic swords. Do you know how silly that sounds, young lady? they're different from your swords. You wouldn't last a day without hurting yourself," Jolee responded.
"Then I ain't going to help until you agree I can have your lightsaber as a reward." Vex stubbornly said. Revan just put his hands on his face, he thought the council were stubborn, but these people took the cake.
"Just give her a lightsaber. I'm sure one of us is willing to train her on how to use it." Revan said, as Jolee, Bastila, and Juhani looked at him like he did something so crazy that it toppled off what he did in the past.
"Warning: Master, whatever your companion meatbags may say about the lightsabers we have in storage for the first time, I can agree on them. Having this female pointed ear meatbag with a lightsaber while having a bow and arrow with her is a recipe for disaster. Imagine if she was extremely drunk and-" HK was about to finish when a knock on the door could be heard.
"Hello? Uh, Vox Machina?"
"Shit!" Percy realized who was visiting them while Mission mouth that word as well. "She's here!"
"A Sith Lord? Dark Jedi?" Juhani asked as she reached for her lightsaber.
"Worst… Lady Allura." Percy answered as the rest of Vox machina got to their feet and ran to the door.
Seeing them leave, Revan thought it was going to be a good opportunity to get to meet more people within this world. "Whoa whoa. Wait." Carth stopped him from leaving for the first time speaking up. "Are you sure we can go out there? This Lady Allura will be suspicious of us."
That may be true. But that doesn't apply to him, Carth, Bastila, Canderous and Jolee. "I'm aware." He looked at the others. "HK, T3, Mission, Juhani, and Zaalbar. Stay here and don't cause anything that'll garner attention."
That statement was more towards HK-47 than the other four as Hk-47 partly grumbled under his voice about Revan not being fun anymore. "Acknowledgement: Fine. We'll stay here until you come back." With that, the humans left the room to meet up with the others.
-Scene Change-
Lady Allura wasn't exactly in the mood to come here. But here she was, having to remind the party about what's happening tonight. However, right before she went deep within the hold, she was immediately greeted by the members of Vox Machina.
"Lady Allura. Welcome. Hope you did feel the need to bring a housewarming present." Vax awkwardly greeted her. All of them were fortunate that they managed to meet up with her before she even saw Revan and his group.
"I didn't." She bluntly admitted. "Alas, I am here to remind you that Sovereign Uriel expects you at his dinner."
"Oh shit. That's tonight?" Vex realised.
For once, Percy felt happy that he can participate with something he's more familiar with. "Finally. A proper evening of protocol and civilized conversation."
Allura can see their excitement. Through times like this she had to remind them of the important details. "It's more than a party. Dignitaries from across the realm are here to form a new security pact. We must put our best foot forward." She glazed to the side and saw four unfamiliar faces. "Aren't your five new companions coming as well?"
Vox Machina wondered what she was talking about until they saw people coming to their left and stopping. "Oh…" Percy realised. "Allow me to introduce our five new companions. These are Revan, Bastila, Carth, Canderous, and Jolee. They recently joined us." That was an obvious lie. But he hoped it was enough to convince Allura after all.
The councilwoman looked at them with interest. By the looks of their weapons (well, she didn't know the sticks that were around three of their member's belts) and outfit, they seemed to be adventurers.
"Ah, new members I see. And they don't seem to be your run of the mill adventurers. I cannot wait for the evening to come. Especially you," She eyed Revan. "I've never seen someone so handsome." That comment caused Bastila to have fire coming out of her eyes as she made a glare saying 'My man' underneath her breath.
"But then again, I have a love of my own." Allura said, making Bastila to ease down.
Seeing the awkwardness, Scanlan decided to use this opportunity to ask his teammate out. "Hey, Pike, want to be my date for tonight? I promise to be on my best-worst behaviour."
Said Cleric Gnome just looked away while scratching her left cheek. "Oh, I-I'm okay?" She meekly responded.
All Vax did was give the Council woman an assured smile. "Lady Allura, we appreciate the gravity of the situation and will present ourselves with utmost dignity." Even with that said, he used this opportunity to hit one of Revan's companions, Canderous, within the balls with a really hard punch.
Though, all that did was for the Mandalorian to look at him with disinterest. "Did you think that was going to hurt me?" In retaliation, Canderous gave Vax a knuckle-sandwich to the balls, causing him to wince and drop onto the floor.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" That punch felt like metal! Vax regretted what had just done.
Vox Machina winces just at this punch, causing the males to cover their private parts. Even Revan and Carth did the same motion. "Oh, that's a good one! Four to one!" Grog cheered on.
"Four? Isn't it supposed to be one to three points?" Keyleth remembered the scoring of their "game".
"Oh yeah, that was definitely a four-pointer. You see, the rules of ball tag are as complex as they are beautiful."
"I-I shall brief them on royal etiquette and manners." Percy assured Allura as he took her to the side. You have my word, nothing will go wrong."
"Guys, I think I'm bleeding down there!" The elf cried out, still clutching his balls. Pike immediately went by his side to begin healing him.
Allura didn't respond to him. Instead, she left the keep while glancing at the scene she witnessed. As she did so, Percy's smile was erased as he looked back at his party, who was still hovering over Vax.
Speaking of the group, Bastila was giving words to the Mandalorian who caused this scene. "You really shouldn't have played their "game"." She said with utmost disgust.
All Canderous did was to shrug his shoulders. At her. "Well, one of them had the audacity to hit me down here. So, I decided to play at their game. Though, I didn't realise none of these idiots have been to a war."
Onsai shook his head in disapproval. "This world hasn't fought against the Mandalorians. You are the first of your kind to set foot within."
Though their first meeting with Allura didn't go the way they expected, Revan knew that they could gather more information within that important meeting tonight. "Still, tonight's event can provide us the opportunity to find out more about this world."
"I'm sorry to interrupt." They turned to look at Percy who was pushing his glasses. "But do any of you have any formal outfits to wear?"
"Not really, not unless you count our jedi robes as formal outfits." Jolee answered.
The white haired gunslinger let out a sigh. He pushed his glasses once again. "Very well. Allow me to gather all of you attires that wouldn't garner any attention." This was going to be a long day before tonight's event.
That chapter went as long as I expected.
Now, with Vox Machina now cooperating with Revan's group as long as they're getting their regards (Vex, they won't give you a lightsaber).
Speaking of Vex, something seems off. It's like her headaches keep getting worse.
Now onto our notes.
Crimson Soldat: Next chapter will start the serious point where everything is going to change. What I mean by that is that neither characters are going to be prepared for what's to come.
jojobinks01: And to be clear, when I say won't be prepared like being prepared for an incoming Sith Fleet attacking you if you're playing as the Republic in the Revan's revenge mod.
Next chapter, we're going to laugh our asses off because of one particular scene that involves both Scanlan and Bastila. Remember what I said about how Bastila's not going to be prepared? Well, you're going to find out very soon.
But what do you overall think of this chapter so far?
If you want anything to be seen within this story, or any character interactions, please, feel free to put them down. It would be really interesting to see what you may have for this story.
With that said, we'll see ya all in the next chapter!