Princess Celestia sucked in a heavy breath as her lightsaber’s blade clashed with that of her opponent. The crimson blade, most likely due to it being powered by the horn of King Sombra rather than a Kyber Crystal, was heavier than usual, and more powerful than a typical lightsaber.

That was not what concerned her, though, as her connection to the Force supplemented her considerable abilities, which allowed her to counter and dodge easily. Golden Plume was once considered the finest Solar Guard Captain in Equestrian history, and he had the skills to uphold such a reputation. A lifetime of training in both mind, blade, and body meant that Celestia was worried about her prospects, along with those of her sister and General Marchen.

Princess Luna attempted to slash at Regulus’s side, only he easily maneuvered away, deflecting the Lunar Alicorn’s weapon. Kyris thrusted from the left, and he countered this attack seamlessly.

“You’ve changed, Plume.” Celestia replied, as their blades locked in a clash. “How did this happen?”

“I became what I am because of you!” Regulus replied with fury, and Kyris could sense the Dark Side of the Force radiating off of him. “You betrayed me, Celestia! I gave everything for your vision of the future. Once I destroy you and your sister, I shall take what is rightfully mine!”

Celestia growled and forced him back, attacking her opponent with a rapid barrage of cuts from the top and side.

“Not while we still draw breath!” She retorted. “I still remember that day, Plume. The day you slaughtered countless innocents in a mad crusade for your twisted view of justice! The day I had to judge you for your crimes, and your exile! Do not assume it did not cause me pain!”

“Do not call me by that name!” Regulus screamed, turning to an offensive stance. “I lost everything because of you! Now, you both will be forgotten, lost in oblivion. I will take everything I desire…starting with your lives!”

His slashes, thrusts, and parries became far more aggressive, and as he pushed the Royal Sisters back, Kyris force-leaped behind him and slashed at his back. Regulus easily swung his lightsaber to his back, deflecting the blow, but that was exactly what Kyris had hoped he would do.

“Commander!” Kyris called out to Gale and his men, who had just finished scrapping the remaining Droids. “Engage!”

“Blast ‘em!” Gale ordered, and the Clones, firing as one, unleashed a volley of blue bolts at Regulus. In order to save himself, Regulus threw up a magical barrier as a shield. Upon doing this, he was forced to divert his attention to the Clones and his energy in keeping his shield up.

In an instant, Celestia, Luna, and Kyris charged, lightsabers ready. The Clones ceased fire, and again, Regulus was caught off-guard. As he locked his blade against his opponents, he scowled and sent a tidal wave of magical energy towards them, akin to a Force Push.

The three Jedi were sent flying back, and once the Clones resumed firing, Regulus knew he had to retreat. His magic reserve was running low, and he needed what remained to escape.

“We shall meet another time!” He roared, leaping up onto a ledge and sheathing his lightsaber. “But you should know this, Celestia, our duel is far from over.”

As he summoned the last of his magic and teleported away, the Clones ceased fire. Kyris turned to Celestia and Luna, who sighed as all three sheathed their lightsabers.

“You have some explaining to do.” He said simply, as Gale and the other Clone squad leaders approached.

“Indeed I do.” Celestia replied. ‘Now is not the time. We must return to Ponyville. The Elements of Harmony must also hear what I have to say.”

Kryis nodded, and turned to Commander Gale, who lowered his Z-6 and stood at the ready, awaiting orders.

“Search the area for any important information you can find.” He said. “Be careful, as there may still be droids lurking about, and report in with whatever you find.”

“Yes, sir!” Gale spoke, and barked “You heard the General, get to it lads!” at the other Clones, who began searching through the cave complex. As Kyris and Gale radioed the other Clones at their Base Camp, alerting them of the situation, Princess Luna walked forward.

“What is our plan of action?” She asked.

“I am not sure. Perhaps we will have some idea after we hear what your sister has to say.” Kyris replied, attaching his lightsaber to his belt. “What do you know about this “Golden Plume” she mentioned during our duel?”

“He was a Solar Guard Captain, years ago.” Luna replied. “Once considered the pinnacle of what every Guardspony should aspire to. His dedication turned to zealotry, then to fanaticism. Thus, after a terrible incident, he was exiled. That was all Celestia told me previously, as I was in exile during these events.”

“I see. We’ll get the full story later, I suppose” Kyris nodded, as the Clones started to file back in, some carrying datapads or others with backpacks filled with captured assets. “Troopers, are we all set?”

“Yes, sir!” A Clone Sergeant replied. “We’ve acquired plenty of intel, and schematics for the droids we fought. There wasn’t anything else of value.”

“Understood. Then set charges, and destroy this place.” Kyris replied. “Make sure our enemy has nothing to return to. We must prepare for his next move.”

Gale nodded, and directed two Clone Troopers towards the camp’s power generator, where they attached Thermal Detonators onto it. After the Clones did a final sweep of the cave compound, Kyris called for extraction.

In only a few moments, their gunships arrived, and once everyone was aboard, Kyris nodded to Gale, who sat down on the ledge of the ship’s crew cabin and clicked the detonator. The resulting explosion destroyed the compound, and sealed off the entrance tunnels with rocks and debris.

“What happens now?” Luna asked, as she hooked her lightsaber back to his resting place beneath her left wing.

“Now, I suppose I must tell you what history I share with our new enemy, Regulus, or Golden Plume.” Celestia replied. “Then, we prepare for his return.”

“I agree, however, there are too many unknowns here.” Kyris mused. “He used Separatist droids and weapons against us. That means we’re not the first ones from our Galaxy to come here.”

“We also don’t know what they might’ve brought with them.” Gale added, standing back up. “And seeing as the Empire has taken over the Republic, we won’t be getting any reinforcements of any kind. The odds are not on our side, General.”

“A good observation.” Kyris nodded. “Celestia, I think it is time your Royal Guard learned how the Clones fight, and how they win. We have plenty of munitions to spare, and plenty more capable Troopers ready to teach.”

“Very well.” Celestia nodded. “I’ll summon all available Solar and Lunar Guard units, and I can also alert my niece, Princess Cadance, and her husband that we require any Crystal Guards they can spare.”

“Then it is decided. Commander, choose your men.” Kyris said to Gale, who nodded and began speaking to the Dispatch center aboard the Sentinel. “Also, see if we can bring down our two Acclamator transports. The ordinance aboard will be useful to us in the long run.”

“Already on it.” Gale replied. “We’ll take care of it, General. Whatever comes next, we’ll be ready.”

The rest of the flight back to the base camp near Ponyville was quiet, as Celestia thought of her former Guard Captain turned recently-revealed nemesis, and his possible intentions. She knew Plume well, as she had raised him like a son until he enlisted in the Royal Guards. Whatever she knew about him, he knew just as much about her in return.

“Then I must make my course clear.” She thought to herself as the gunships landed. “If we are to stand a chance against him, I know what I have to do.”

Author's Note

My belated Star Wars Day 2022 gift for you all. Enjoy!