As the rain began to fall in earnest, the Clones, Celestia, Luna, and Kyris marched on through the rocky terrain towards the mountain peak that was their target. The Clones glanced at one another with an uncertain air, as they had first fought Commando Droids and blaster-armed Griffons, then the modified B2 Supers.

To the Clones, it seemed that whatever came next to face them would not be an easy fight at all, judging from previous experiences.

However, the presence of not one, but three Jedi in the front reassured them, and Commander Gale kept the troopers moving forward. A few Clones took this time to top off their blaster gas cartridges or give new ones to the Clones who were in need of them. Others lifted their helmets slightly to take a bite of a ration stick, or get a drink of water from an offered canteen.

"Kyris...you seem unsettled." Luna observed the Jedi Master breathing heavily, his brow furrowed. "Is something wrong?"

"I sensed a disturbance in the Force, a little before you arrived to aid us," he replied. "I saw a pair of piercing red eyes...that burned deep into my soul. I don't know how else to describe them."

Celestia and Luna's eyebrows flared up, and Kyris immediately knew they were familiar with what he had seen. He wanted to press further, but he realized now was not the time to talk about it. As silence once again permeated through the area, Kyris breathed deeply, trying to dispel the image from his mind.

"Whatever it may be...I will face it, with all I have." he thought as they reached the cavern entrance that led to the interior of the mountain. Kyris stepped back as two Clones moved to take point, and the others entered the tunnel as one group.

As the Clones in front activated their floodlights, Luna turned to Celestia and Kyris.

"I have a bad feeling about this…" she whispered.

"As do I." Kyris replied, growing slightly. "Someone or something here is expecting us, it is likely that this is a trap."

"Then make yourselves ready." Celestia replied, and the Clones nodded to her command. However, as they approached the tunnel exit, Kyris sucked in a breath and shuddered in trepidation.

====

"My lord."

The Cloaked One turned to see his second in command approach, a stocky, dark-feathered griffon armed with an E5 Blaster rifle. The blaster was modified for claws instead of the mechanical fingers of a Battle Droid, and it had a wooden stock attached to it.

"The Jedi and their troops are quickly approaching. Shall we go out to face them?" the Griffon asked.

"No." the Cloaked One replied, taking a small, lengthy object off of a belt he wore, and turned to face the entrance, where several Griffons, a few Super Battle Droids, and five Commando Droids were waiting in ambush positions. A pair of turrets, manned by two B1 Battle Droids, had their sights locked on the entrance.

The cloaked one laughed, and turned back to his lieutenant to speak again.

"I will deal with them myself this time. Take your troops back to our main base. I will follow shortly after."

"Yes, my lord."

The Griffon departed into another tunnel that was not illuminated, leaving him to disappear into the dark. As the sound of the Clones' light footsteps could be heard coming closer, the Cloaked One strode to the front of the line and revealed what it was he carried.

Attached to a hilt-like device and contained by a metallic clamp and glass cylinder was a blood-red, jagged horn, a horn that previously belonged to the Tyrant King Sombra. The Cloaked One activated his lightsaber, and a dark red blade with a black core began to pulse in midair, barely contained by the hilt.

As the Clones appeared, their blasters held ready, Celestia, Luna, and Kyris Marchen drew and ignited their own lightsabers, taking up ready stances. For a moment, there was no action on either side, until the cloaked one came forward.

"So...we meet again, at long last" he said darkly. "It has been some time, Celestia, since our last personal meeting."

"It hasn't been that long, King Sombra." Celestia retorted, causing the cloaked one to laugh evilly, and drawing out a raised eyebrow from the Solar Princess.

"You may find it surprising to hear...that I am not King Sombra. Not yet." was the reply as the Cloaked one drew his hood back. An Equestrian unicorn stood there, though he was certainly not like one that Kyris had seen before in terms of appearance.

His coat was once a golden color, but now it was mottled with graying scars and marks. His face bore blood-red eyes faintly mixed with green, and his mane was filthy and tangled. His teeth had grown sharp and jagged, and Kyris could see blood coming from his lips where they met his jaw. A jagged horn rested on his head.

"I don't believe we have met." Celestia replied cautiously, not recognizing who this pony was.

"We certainly have." the pony replied angrily. "After all, you once had me in the highest ranks of your Guards...I was exalted, praised by my peers...until you cast me down like a stone over a waterfall. Those were my exact words to you, I believe."

At that, Celestia's eyes flared open in surprise, shock, and fear. Luna and Kyris were equally startled to see the normally resolute alicorn pale in fright.

"Impossible." she breathed. "...Golden Plume?"

"I hold that name no longer!" he roared in response, striking the ground with his saber. "Now...I am Regulus, and intend to finish what I started years ago!"

He snarled loudly, and swung out his lightsaber to point it at Celestia, and the Clones immediately readied their weapons and picked their targets. Gale swung his Z6 and spun it up, and for a brief moment, all was silent.

A cry of "Kill them all!" sounded, and Regulus charged as a volley of blaster fire came from both sides. As Celestia, Luna, and Kyris charged at the shadowy unicorn, lightsabers at the ready, Regulus moved to counter with his own weapon.

Author's Note

So, this took a while. But I'm happy with it, and I also apologize for it being late, as I meant to post this on Star Wars Day.

Well, better late than never.

Next time - Celestia reveals old history to the Elements, Kyris, and Gale, Regulus moves to establish his early goals, and on Tatooine, a lone Jedi receives some unexpected guests...