Star Wars: Knights of the Celestial Republic

Chapters

Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5:
Chapter 6:
Chapter 7:
Prolougue

Chapter 1:

It started out as a normal smuggling run to Nar Shaddaa. Final Shot, a grey unicorn with a red-and-black mane,was hired to move stolen goods for the huts to the smugglers moon to keep the supplies safe from confiscation. Final dawned her black combat vest and holstered her Blaster pistol that was a prefect duplicate of her cutie mark. Final was used to being rather blunt and up front with her questions and her blaster.. Final had asked why the supplies would need to be moved since Tatooine was controlled by the Hutts but was only answered with a thousand extra credits to keep her mouth shut. Final was used to making runs to Nar Shaddaa by now she had done it a thousand times before but she felt uneasy not knowing why the extremely large shipment of Colto would need to be moved. It was Final herself who had brought the shipment to Tatooine in the first place.

The trip to Nar Shaddaa wouldn’t take her long especially not in her ship the Ebon Hawk. Final had won the ship in a contest for the Hutts. A couple of skilled smugglers were invited to a contest to win the fastest ship in the Galaxy. Final had signed up right away when she heard she was invited to the contest. the contest consisted of stealing a rare gem guarded by fierce Kinrath. Most tried running into the cave guns-a-blazing or trying to slash their way through. Final had the sense to sneak around the Kinrath and take the crystal without them noticing. When she emerged from the cave Crystal in hand the Hutt immediately asked her to smuggle goods for him. Final having nowhere else to go chose to join the Hutt’s Exchange. Ever since she has been making runs for the Hutts. Gorga, the Hutt in charge of her sector told her everything about every mission every detail that would help her. Not getting that detail on this run she knew it must be extremely important.

When she arrived in Nar Shaddaa she was immediately approached by the Pegasus dock master
“You cannot dock here! The place is reserved,” said the Dock Master.
“Yeah for me, you idiot. Now get out of my way.” Final said angrily. Bumping into the dock master as she walked past him. The truth was Final had no idea who had reserved the dock but she had the uncanny ability to make people believe what she said. From the second she left the dock she knew she was being followed. As she rounded the first corner into Nar Shaddaa she heard the heavy hoofbeats of armored ponies. Final walked into the main market, and headed over to the railing over looking the the heavily trafficked speeder highways.
“You got a lot of guts coming here filly” said a deep voiced stallion from behind her startling her slightly. Final spun around instinctively drawing her blaster aiming it at the stallion who spoke. he was flanked on either side by two stallions both with quarterstaffs in their mouths. they both tensed as Final drew her blaster Final had been in enough bad situations to know where this was going to lead.
“ And why is that?” said Final in a calm smooth voice.
“We have no time for your silly games were on official business .” said the stallion
“Then why would you be bothering me I’m a simple Unicorn making a living moving goods for people who pay me too do so.” Said Final still holding her calm composer even though as the seconds ticked away her fear raised.
“because we saw what you did to the dock master, you used the force to persuade him to let you dock even though we told him we would kill him if he let anypony dock there other then a Sith warship” the Stallion said menacingly.
“well he let me dock there and i don’t think i was in a sith warship.” said Final her voice quaking slightly as she spoke
“exactly so now I’m going to let these two take care of you and go finish of that foolish pegasus myself.” said the stallion as he turned and walked away.

The two stallions that were next to him tensed and readied for a fight. Final still had her blaster drawn and quickly fired two shots into the stallion at her right. one struck him in the jaw and the other right below his left shoulder. the stallion crumpled to the floor as his companion charged with his quarterstaff. Seeing the devastating power of her blaster on a pony was a new and Gorey sight. Final never truly needing to have killed sompony with the blaster only incapacitate them. She hesitated staring at the gory sight before re aiming her blaster. The second stallion capitolized on her hesitation. As the stallion raised his head to deliver a powerful killing strick down on her head a sniper shot hit him in the back of the head ripping it apart. The shot continued on its path ending next to Final’s left hoof. Final looked around to find the source of the shot and saw a Maredalorian sniper hefting her rifle on to the holster on her back. She started walking towards Final in a rather casual manner. The Maredalorian wore the normal heavy armor of the Maredalorians with a vibrosword holster on one side of her back with the massive heavy sniper issued to the most skilled Maredalorian snipers on the other side. The armored helmet covering her head blocked any signs of a friendly or aggressive nature.As the Mare approached Final she toke her helmet off. She was a royal blue pegasus with green eyes and a a white mane. She had a kind smile on her face despite the intimidating look her armor gave her.

“There is no need to be scared you know. I saved you didn’t I?” she said. Final without noticing it was quivering with fear from the muscular mare in front of her.Final tried to form words to thank or greet the mare but couldn't think of what to say

“I’m hear to help you know?” the mare said. Final managed a nod of the head to acknowledge the mare

“My names Archangel, can you tell me your name?” Archangel asked

“F-Final S-Shot” Final managed to tell Archangel.

“Alright then Final were gonna go get that Sith who told these goons to attack you before he kills more people.” Archangel told Final. final shook her head again and they trotted off together in the direction the Sith lord toke.

Chapter 2:

The two mares trotted along side each other heading to the docking station where Final had docked her ship and where the Dock master’s office was. As the two mares approached the final corner to the docking platform form Archangel shot up into the air.

“wait where are you going?!” called Final

“ I’ll get a better view with my sniper from the roof of this building.” Archangel called back “ I’ll have your back just go on with an air of caution.” Final didn’t need to be told twice, she moved stealthily onwards towards the docking master’s office, as she rounded the final corner to the platform she saw her ship still docked on the platform and a deceptively calm office.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Final mumbled to herself. She continued her journey to the office. She was moving rather quiet but to her ears each step was like shooting durasteel with a projectile blaster. As she approached the door the deep silence surrounding her made her feel the job was done, that shed only find the dead body of the pegasus dock master. instead as she inched the door open she was meet with a more terrifying sight. The Sith lord stallion had bound and gagged the dock master and was waiting for Final to arrive.the door had only cracked a bit when it suddenly swung open and the Sith lord drew his lightsaber from the holster on his wrist.

“H-how did you know I’d come here?” Final asked her voice quivering with fear.

“ Isn’t it obvious those two goons were a test then I knew if you won the fight you’d come here to help the dock master since its what you goody-two-shoes Jedi do, you interfere with Sith business and then go help pathetic worthless scum like this. And i wanted to see how a young Jedi like you would react to this...” answered the Sith as he raised his saber and swung it down.

Final has instinctively shielded herself even thought there was at least 10 meters in between her and the Sith, but she realized the attack wasn’t meant to harm her in anyway, at least not physically. The Sith brought down his saber on the gagged dock master’s neck. Final flinched in fear as gore splattered the floor between them. Final had never ever met Sith but at that time she wished she never did or never would again. as she opened her eyes to the Gorey scene that played out her head spun. she shut her eyes tight sinking to the ground trying to keep her lunch down and stop the world from spinning so violently.

“Ha-Ha that's all the the Jedi have to offer is a little Filly who can’t even stand the sight of a little gore Ha-Ha this wars is going to be even easier then we first thought.” the Sith bellowed.

From Archangel’s position on the roof she could she the first 5 meters of the room through a window that overlooking the docking station. She had a clear shot when the Sith would move forward to attack Final. What she didn’t expect to see through the window she was watching was a sudden splatter of blood across the floor of the room and she lost sight of Final. Archangel dove off the roof and flew top speed into the window she was watching .

The Sith lord was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a Meredalorian sniper in the office but he regained his composure quickly.

“ So I see the Jedi now need to hire low end mercenaries to save their skins in a pinch” Said the Sith lord seemingly amused. His body language betrayed him however, Archangel quickly noticed he had taken a defensive stance as if scared that the Maredalorian could cause him to burst into flame if she felt like it. Archangel drew her Vibrosword ready for a duel.

“do you really expect to beat a me with that toothpick?” the Sith lord asked in a mockery tone.

“ To put it simple, yes my sword has been tempered to the point where even a lightsaber can’t damage it.” Archangel replied quietly. The Stallion started at the calmness of her voice he couldn’t determine if she was bluffing to tried to get him to leave them alone or if her sword was that strong. It wasn’t impossible for people with a lot of money to purchase such blades from skilled blacksmiths. He decided that she was bluffing to save the filly who was cowering in the corner of the room.

“Well then lets just test the effectiveness of that sword.” He said sarcastically. Instead of replying with words Archangel slashed at the Legs of the Sith lord. Caught off guard by the speed that the slash was executed the Sith lord’s parry was slightly off.However, It was not off enough to inflict injury but enough to send his sword reeling backward. The Sith jumped back to regain his composure.He wanted to test the full strengh of that sword the Mare was carrying The stallion launched itself forward to attack the Maredalorian with the momentum of a full charged. Archangel flicked her blade up to accept the force off the blow and to defend herself. The Sith was astounded at the speed of the swordsmare he was fighting and perhaps more at the fact that a vibrosword could withstand the full powered strike of a lightsaber. He was not surprised that in the first skirmish the blade didn’t break since Vibroswords are extremely tempered normally and can withstand a quick parry from a lightsaber but never a overhead cut with the momentum of a charging stallion behind it.He channeled his ability of the force into a battle meditation. He instintalty saw a possible break in the guard of the skilled swordsmare he was fighting. The sword she carrying weighed a great deal more then a lightsaber and both had about the same power. If he unleashed a series of fast hitting strikes keeping the momentum going striking a different spot each time the Mare would most likely ware out before he did. As the Sith had expected the strikes turned to be more tiring to the Mare then himself. After a long assault the Mare caved and dropped her heavy sword. As the Stallion raised his lightsaber to end Archangels life, a rapid onslaught of blaster shots entered the body of the Sith lord.

Final dropped her blaster and sank to the ground again still tensed and quivering at the sight two dead bodies in front of her. The pegasus in front of her whose life she had just saved stared at her in awe.The two remained there for sometime until Archangel got up.Final got up too, completely willing to follow where ever the royal blue peagasus toke her. Archangel trotted over to the body of the Sith lord and toke his lightsaber. She trotted over to Final and handed her the metal cylinder that produced as deadly red blade when ever necessary.

“Let’s get going Final, we should get as far away from Nar Shadaa as possible” said Archangel grimly. Final nodded her head and started trotting towards her ship, the Ebon Hawk.

Chapter 3:

The two mares sat peacefully even after the events on Nar Shadaa. Both were happy to be off the smugglers moon. After making the jump to hyperspace Final joined Archangel in central hub of the ship.

“We’re on course to Taris, wont be too long until we get there.” Final said as she entered the room.

“Alright final I’d try to get some rest if I were you.” Archangel replied. Final hesitated wanting to talk Archangel about the events on Nar Shadaa. Final decided Archangel was as safe as anyone to talk to right now.

“Archangel?” Final asked

“Yes.” replied Archangel not looking up from the rifle she was modding

“Can I talk to you about something?” Final asked shyly

“Yeah what do you need?” Archangel replied looking up at Final

“Well its just on Nar Shadaa, well i mean, its just that...” stumbled Final

“You’ve never seen a pony die before that have you?” replied Archangel quietly

“Well no not before that...i mean have you ever seen someone die? other then today?” Final asked

“Well yes I have, Final, i served in a war you know?” Archangel said grimly

“Well, no i didn’t, I mean, well I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring that up.” said Final backing away slowly

“Its fine, you didn’t know its just not many people ask about the war, Maredalorians will barely mention that war after what happened I’m just not used to talking about it.” Archangel said calmly. As Final toke a breath to ask Archangel a question the siren went off warning them they were exiting hyperspace.

“Hold that thought Final.” said Archangel trotting into the cockpit. Final trotted after and jumped in the pilot’s chair checking the scanners. All the scans were clear of debris that would damage them exiting hyperspace. However, the scanners also showed no life on the entire planet!

“Umm Archangel i think we may have a problem...” Final said hoping the scanners were just acting up.

“And what would that be?” Archangel asked

“Scans are showing that there is no life on the entire planet of Taris!” Final Said her voice quivering with fear.

“what!? that's impossible isn’t it?” Archangel asked as they exited hyperspace. The sight they were greeted with sided with the scanners and not logic. The planet was split into two burning pieces of molten rock.

“Whats that?”asked Final pointing out a few ships entering hyperspace near the other side of the shattered planet.

“ That's a sith fleet, and just the tail end of it too must have been a huge fleet if those are all command ships there.” Archangel said grimly as the last of the ships entered hyperspace. They stared at the wreckage of a planet.

“Archangel do you think the sith did this?” Final asked. Archangel nodded her head grimly

“The tactic has been used in many wars before, in fact it was used in the war I was in.” Archangel answered. Final knew it was not a time to ask questions about it. Final was thinking of a something to stay to comfort Archangel when the siren of an incoming ship alerted the pair of them.

“whats that?” Archangel asked confused.

“Its the siren for incoming ships, we’re gonna turn on the stealth field and see who else is showing up it may be a strike squad to destroy any ship that sees the wreckage of Taris so they keep the element of surprise.” Final said turning of system after system so the ship was undetectable.
The two mares waited silently for the ship to arrive. as i emerged from hyperspace it only toke a second to aim and fire upon the Ebon Hawk. Final was anxiously holding the controls when the ship exited hyperspace so she had enough time to move aside from the main onslaught of laser blasts. Multiple shots how ever struck the vessel and sent its passengers reeling. Archangel hit her head on the wall and blacked out.
Final got back to the controls and made the jump to hyperspace to the closest planet Onderon. As the small shipping vessel made the jump to hyperspace it was hit by another small volley of blasts sending Final into the wall head first, she crumpled to the floor unconscious.
The small unmanned vessel continued its course to Onderon. However, with nopony at the controls it made no effort to avoid Dxun the largest moon of Onderon.The small ship crashed into the dense jungle of the moon leaving the Two mares on board dying and in a unforgiving jungle.
Final woke up with her hoofs bound tightly. Her ears ringed loudly and her head felt like it was about to explode.she lifted her head and saw the wall of a force cage. She was imprisoned! She racked her brain thinking of what happened. Every event in her mind was a blur as if they happened years ago. She recalled being on her ship the Ebon Hawk. There was somepony with her, Archangel? The name was a blur but she knew somepony was with her on that ship. She recalled with a start, the sith strike squadron that came out of hyperspace and opened fired on the small ship. Was she captured? No that couldn’t be it they made the jump to hyperspace. Or did they? The effort of thinking of an explanation to where she was hurt Final’s head more and more. She gave up and started going through what she did know. She knew she was trapped and she knew she wanted to escape. as she thought of how to do it the shield lowered. her hopes raised as she tried to get up and walk out. However, she wasn't able to move do to the spinning in her head and the fact two heavily armored Maredalorians now guarded her only exit.

Both were unicorns and they easily lifted her aching body off of the ground. They carried her through a dense jungle into a large building that looked like it was made from spare ships. they carried her through a large set of double doors into a grand hall. There were 6 rows of armored Maredalorians on benches lining the hall. there was a desk set high above anything else in the room. Directly in front of the desk was a small table and a bench. The unicorns hovered her over and dropped her heavily onto the bench. Final looked up into the eyes of the pony sitting next to her.
“Hey Final, nice to see you.” The pony said sarcastically.Final examined the pony’s face, it was Archangel! Seeing Archangels face brought back most of Final lost memory.She remembered Archangel getting knocked out on the side of the ship and she had made to jump to hyperspace
“Where are we?” Final asked Archangel
“ A Maredalorian camp on Dxun. we crash landed here and they pulled us out of the wreckage.” Archangel answered.
“Then why do they have us captive, aren't you a Maredalorian? Final asked confused.
“I am a Maredalorian, its just that well that, I’m not exactly on good terms with my sisters.” Archangel answered. As she spoke the final words a door on the other side of the hall opened and a Maredalorian wearing bright red armor walked in. Final stared at the armor wondering if it was painted or just smeared with blood. As the Maredalorian walked in everypony in the room bowed, Archangel even reluctantly bowed gesturing for Final to do the same. Final did as she was told not wanting to offend her captors.
“At ease.” the Maredalorian leader called. “We are called to a court today to deal with the matter of the great war.” There was a mumble of consent from the warriors in the room.
“The sith have offered a truce with us until the republic has been destroyed” The leader announced “I however propose we take on both the sith and the weakened republic and prove to this worthless galaxy that Maredalorians are the ultimate race!” There was a general holler of approval from the armoered mares in the room. The musculare mare next to the leader leaned over and whispered into her eat.
“We also have to deal with the traitor Archangel Skye.” The leader hollered out into the great hall.
“I am no traitor to my sisters.” Archangel interrupted. The Maredalorian leader glared at Archangel menacingly
“Well then shall we list off to you your convictions?. Disobeying orders on a battlefield...”
“I didn’t shot Innocent civilians that you told me to open fire on i had honor in my decision.” Archangel argued.
“Those farmers attacked us, you got three of or soldiers killed by not firing on them.” the leader began
Archangel shock her head sadly, “You went though that planet burning towns, stealing food, and slaughtering Mares so you could take husbands. Those farmers were defending there homes as was I when I didn’t slaughter them.” Tears were forming in Archangels eyes now. “You destroyed my home planet, when they supplied you in your pointless war, they did nothing to help your enemy, but yet you decided to annihilate their planet and my home.”
“The accounts of disobedience still stand and you deserted after that battle.” The leader pressed on
“That was no battle that was a disgrace to our race!” Archangel shouted
“Your accounts are worthy or death and that's what you will receive...” The leader decided
“Then i challenge you to a Warriors Decision Match!” Archangel shouted her voice catching as she spoke. There was a sudden intake of breath from the other mares in the room.
“I accept.” the leader said coldly and she walked out of the room. Final and Archangel were escorted to a two bedded room after the commotion died down in the great hall
“Archangel, whats a warrior's decision match?” Final asked once they were in the safety of the room.
“Its a fight to the death between the Alpha Mare and a Maredalorian whose has been sentenced to death. The fight is sacred its always fought as single combat. Its the only redemption for a Maredalorian outcast like myself. The battle in fought in a Cemetery of sorts, its were all the failures of past warriors decision matches are put to rest.”Archangel explained grimly.
“Who was that mare? the one who you challenged?” Final asked curiosly
“Kex Bloodmane is her name she won the right to be alpha mare 13 years ago. She single handily started the Maredalorian wars.” Archangel said grimly.
“Rest up for tomorrow i know its gonna be a stressful day.” Archangel said as she climbed into bed.

Chapter 4:

Final barely slept that night. The nightmares started right off the bat. At first they were off the events on Nar Shadaa. She kept seeing the battle with the two stallions when she hesitated. The difference in the dream was that she died horrible deaths every time. Archangel never saved her and she always failed. Then she was forced to relive the battle with the sith. Every time she never helped Archangel and they both always died. All the time during her dreams she could never wake up. She tried and tried again but the nightmares continued as they had.

The worst of the nightmares she experienced, was a deep menacing voice that rang through her head and seemed to come from everywhere. The voice ranted on and on about her weakness and how she should be dead. The worst part of it was Final had started to believe every word the voice had said. Its told her of the riches of power she could have if she helped him. In her heart she knew it was a bad idea the wrong choice that bad thing would happen is she helped this voice in any way. Her mind however thought very differently, why not help this voice it speaks sense and is offering to help her. It took all her will to say no to the disembodied voice. As she made her decision the voice called out about war and how every weak being shall die.

The nighmares were finally broken when Archangel shook her awake. Archangel had the same look as if it had been a very long night for her too.Two armored mares escorted them to the armory. They gave Archangel her weapons back along with her armor. Surprisingly they gave Final her gear back two, They must think they can stop a little pony if I tried anything, Final thought to her self. Truth was she was still young. She was technically underage on many planets and she was rather small for her age too. Any of the Maredalorian warriors could squash her with a single hoof. Only the Maredalorian snipers such as Archangel were anywhere near her height. More surprisingly they gave her back the lightsaber that she had acquired on Nar Shadaa.
They walked silently until they were within eyesight of the small clearing the battle would be taking place in.

“If I die, run, just simply run get as far away as you can. If its possible try to get your ship and leave don’t even think about saving me, You hear me?” Archangel said under her breathe. Final nodded her head to acknowledge her. When they came into the clearing they where already surrounded by warriors all thirsting for a bloody battle. They took Archangel to the center of the ring and lead Final to a sectioned off area for her and Kex’s high ranking officers.

Kex came out into the clearing with her bloodstained armor on and with a massive vibrosword in a sheathe on her side. She wore no helmet,as did Archangel for she gave Final her helmet when they left the armory. She stood opposite Archangel at the center of the clearing. The mare next to Final pounded her hoof on the stone. Both the mares drew their vibroswords and bowed to each other. They each backed up slowly wanted to get as much power on their first strike as possible. Kex was fast and started her charge first blade raised to to strike down on Archangel’s neck. Archangel was faster raising her blade to parry to oncoming overhead cut Kex was planing on using at the last second. The speed on Archangels parry and her own weight behind the charge sent her off balance sprawling forward. Kex recovered quickly and raised her blade for another charge.
The quartermaster who stood next to Final during the battle tensed with every clash of the vibroswords. The Mare was obviously used to being in the thick off battle and running through enemies like all Maredalorians do. Archangel with each clash seemed to gain more of an edge over Kex. Being one of the snipers for the Maredalorians no one suspected Archangel to be a good swordsman let alone hold her own against the battlemaster Kex. The battle waged on for the better part of an hour with Kex using just about every sword swipe she knew trying to cut down Archangel. Fear started to creep into the mind of Kex, as she realized her muscles were slowly wearing away and fatigue replaced her strength.

After a powerful desperate charge Archangel made her finishing move, A side cut scraping along side Kex’s body, seemingly perfectly tracing the scar that previously ran across it. Kex doubled over in pain as the wound tore through her side. She was sent spraling into the grass her blood staining the ground beside her.

Final watched with glued eyes as Archangel crippled Kex. Archangel walked over to the prone body of the Maredalorian battlemaster. She raised her blade up directly over the head of Kex. Final realised that the quartermaster had her side and had advanced on Archangel quickly. The warning cry reached Final seconds to late. The quartermaster broke into a gallop yards away from Archangel. The quartermaster drew her sword feet away and drove it into Archangel’s side.

Final’s side burned painfully in the same spot as the sword wound on Archangel. As realization dawned on the both of them the pain flared into a blinding fire. Archangel crumpled to the ground bleeding heavily. Her words echoed in Final’s head. Run! Final however through all those thoughts away. Archangel was the only thing she had in this world and she was not going to loose her. She ran forward to Archangel’s body. The quartermaster had already helped Kex up and the both saw Final running.

“End that filly, will you?” Kex ordered the quartermaster. Final was now feet away so she brought her blade up and rammed the hilt into Final’s temple. The hit knocked her out and she crumpled next to Archangel’s body.

Final awoke with her head screaming as a loud ringing in her ears. She looked around the clearing, all the Maredalorians left once the fight was won. The slight movement of her head sent waves of nausea at her. She closed her eyes willing the planet to not spin violently. She opened her eyes to the sight of heavy blood stains. The nausea restored worse then before she willed her self to look up at Archangel. Her body lay there, the quartermaster’s sword still in her side. Final’s heart crushed as she realized her only friend was dead. Then she moved. Not a large movement but she had moved. Archangel was still breathing.

Final moved over to her body. The sword was deep inside her. Most likely causing irreparable damage to her organs. Final decided to remove it and try to kill the wound. She grabbed the hilt with her teeth and pulled. the sharp blade exited nearly as clean as it entered. Final discarded the sword and stared at the wound. It was bad to say the least. the cut was extremely deep and rather wide. Final felt a sense of hopelessness as she realized there was nothing she could do. She continued staring at the wound willing it to heal wishing she could do more than this to help her friend. Then it happened. At first slowly but then gradually it got better. The wound started to stop bleeding then altogether it stopped. Final at first toke this as Archangel bled out and it was over, but then Archangel shuddered in pain restoring Final’s hope. She continued looking at the wound willing it to heal and gradually it did. However, once the bleeding had stopped she willed it to start closing and healing but she felt it gradually drain her strength as the wound healed. She pushed through trying to get the wound to fully heal over. By the time it returned to a scar and it eventually nearly disappeared Final passed out exhausted and drained.

Chapter 5:

Final snapped awake when she realized somepony was shaking her. It was Archangel and tears where streaming down her face.

“Oh thank God!, I thought they killed you!” Archangel spoke her voice choking. Final was still in a daze she wished she could just go to sleep but she knew that was bad idea. She shacked herself away trying to understand why Archangel though she might have died. Then it came to her they where on Dxun, Archangel had challenged Kex, and Kex had cheated to win.

“I’m fine Archangel,I didn’t get stabbed like you I’m just a little tired is all.” Final lied. Truth was that she felt terrible her head throbbed painfully and even moving her head caused nausea and took a great effort. Tears continued to stream down Archangels face.

“Final thank you so much I still have no idea how you did it but you healed me from that sword wound I woke up after you had passed out and I thought they had killed you.” Archangel said between sobs “We have to get going they think we’re both done for, we should get to they ship before they find out we both are alive let alone able to move.” Final shook her head and stood up ready to head out. Archangel had some trouble standing up since the pain in her side was not removed with the wound and with no adrenaline to ease to pain, She realized just how lucky she was that Final was with her.

They trotted steadily and quietly across they path they came into the clearing on. About 100 yards away from the edge of the camp Archangel stopped dead and gestured for Final to do the same.

“How good of a pilot are you Final?” Archangel asked “Good I can out maneuver a few AA turrets if that’s what your asking.” Final replied “Well I hope so because it seems that Kex have put up somewhere around 20 just in the camp alone.” Archangel responded quietly. “we’ll have to use this hunting trail to get to the ship. The Maredalorians hunt often from what I gathered in that cell, but there will still be plenty of animals to try and bar our way. Are you up to fighting?” Archangel asked. Final shook her head and they started down the narrow path.

Between both mares being extremely fatigued and the thick unforgiving jungle of Dxun Final and Archangel were forced to take frequent breaks. withen the first hundred or so yards the dense jungle and heat had already forced them to stop. Being so weak at the time they were easy targets for any hunting party that was sent after them or any number of creatures that lived in the jungle.They both feared that soon Kex might find out that the clearing was empty of bodies and that she may send out a search party for them.
______

As the two mares worried over the thought, Kex was receiving word of the mysterious disappearance of the bodies. She had sent her quarter master investigate and make sure that they were both very much dead an hour or so before. Now she was back and telling Kex that the bodies were gone with no sign animals had removed them. Kex was beyond furious with her, they left the clearing unattended, certain that the two mares were finished for. Now she was receiving word that both had escaped with no trail of blood or cleared jungle that could suggest where they went. Kex paced back and forth angrily willing herself to not cut down her quartermaster where she stood for this outrage. She breathed deeply trying to clear her anger and form a plan. Like most Maredalorians she had an extremely short temper and the slightest thing could set her off into a blind rage that was great for battle but not when they wanted to form plans. One of the few Maredalorians who seemed to always have control of herself and the situation was the blasted Archangel. She was always able to form plans and use attacks no one expected from a charging Maredalorian.

“Well what the hell are you waiting for set up sentries around their ship and send out search parties!” Kex hollered after she calmed herself down some. The quartermaster bowed and walked out of the room to carry out the tasks she had been given.
__________
Final and Archangel had resumed their trek through the dense forests of Dxun. They had expressed their feeling of danger to each other and decided upon moving with more cation as they got closer to the ship. When they had spotted the ship they both stopped dead.

“I’ll go I have energy and i can move quieter than you anyway.” Final announced. She trotted of the path into the dense jungle encircling the clearing the ship had crashed into. Archangel told her the ship still worked since she heard her guards talking about what the ship would be used for by Kex. She moved silently into a knoll that protected her from the eyes of anyone looking at her. She started in fear as she saw what guarded the ship. A garrison of at least 15 men encircled the ship alone. The tents pitched around suggested that 10 more waited inside Kex had obviously gotten word of them leaving the clearing.

Final trotted silently back to were Archangel waited. Archangel had fallen asleep due to her exhausting day. Final shook her awake making sure to keep a hoof on her mouth in case she screamed. Archangel woke silently with a questioning look in her eyes. 15 men at least guarding the outside alone looks like another 10 on the inside. Archangel chewed her lip thoughtful. If they planned an attack just right they could do it without to much noise and maybe slip away without worry from the AA turrets

“It will be risky but we should attack tonight, Kex always kept the troops in bad order most likely we can do it with only fight half or so of the men stationed there.” Archangel announced

They waited until dark the sounds of the jungle enclosing them. They heard sounds constantly but could never truly pinpoint the origin of the sound every single sound even the occasional crack of twigs seemed to be amplified and then repeated all around them. They camped out in the same knoll Final used to spy. They took turns keeping watch over the ship. Final was watching with well awake eyes when the mass group of guards when to sleep leaving two Maredalorians guarding the entrance to the ship. It didn’t take much to wake Archangel since she was still tensed and on edge from what had happened. They had worked out their plan before dark fell so no words would need to be spoken this close to the camp. They both were to encircle the camp to opposite points. The guard had set up its camp half on one side and half on the other. They slept close together and would be rather easy to take out silently if nessessary. The sentries had already started to drift off, standing alone in the heated jungle with nothing to do toke its toll on their ability to stay awake.

Final moved to the generator the Maredalorians had set up to keep away the beasts of the jungle. She placed a thermal detonator on the back of the generator and primed it to explode. She looked through the darkness over at Archangel and saw the soft glow of the primed explosive on the far side of the field. Archangel was to set off the explosives when Final killed the two sentries guarding the entrance to the ship. They planned to run on board and hide in a smuggler’s safe built into the ship. If everything went to plan, they hoped that the guards on board would go outside to investigate and then the would fly off with the ship. The detonators had a smaller blast radius to make sure the ship was intact when they went to fly off.

Final toke care aiming her blaster at the sentries she had two shots, they had to count. If she missed the whole plan would be destroyed. They had to get on the ship fast so they could set off the explosives. She aimed at the first mare’s head and shot re-aiming at the second and firing again. She burst into a full gallop to get to the ship. The shots had hit their targets now all she had to do was get on the ship with Archangel. As her hoofs hit the ramp she saw Archangel appear next to her. Her teeth were clenched on a detonator and she squeezed.

The explosions ringed in her ear loudly as they entered the Ebon Hawk. They darted straight to the smuggler’s compartment. Final opened the hatch quickly and followed Archangel inside. The compartment was small by any means but Archangel’s bulk made the compartment slightly cramped. The compartment wasn’t made to be hiding people. They heard the rushed hoof stomps of the mares passing by. After what Final and Archangel assumed was 10 sets of hoofs passed they exited the compartment. No guards were left on board so they ran to the cockpit and fired up the engine. Final closed to entrance hatch behind the Mardalorian guards. they banged on the ship furiously. Final toke of from the planet with a great relief. They sailed out of the atmosphere without trouble from the many AA turrets in the camp. Once they were clear Final plotted a course to Coruscant. Archangel and Final had planned to travel to Coruscant to warn the republic leaders of the impending war.

“Hey Archangel what day is it?” Final asked

“Umm I think its the 13th why?” Archangel replied

“Its my birthday then...” Final said realizing the date. A huge Grin spread across Archangel’s face.
“Your turning of age aren’t you Final?” Archangel asked thoughtfully. Final shook her head not knowing where the conversation was leading to. “Well then lets go to a cantina they have plenty on Coruscant besides you look like you could use a good drink!” Archangel said cheerily. Final nodded her head happily.

“No one has ever celebrated my birthday...” Final said sadly she had no friends really not even in the exchange.

“Then we will have to make this one extra special wont we?” Archangel said happily. Final nodded they were both glad to have something to celebrate after their recent endeavors. Final was glad she finally had a friend who at least acted if she cared about her even if she didn’t. Final wasn’t sure on Archangels feeling about her but that could wait she had a birthday to celebrate with a friend.

Chapter 6:

The cantina was loud and bustling. Ponies of all shapes and sizes were mingling idly. There were ponies blasting music from the stage along with many, obviously drunken, ponies dancing wildly. There were hooded ponies selling stims and other drugs outside the entrance. The whole atmosphere was musty and many ponies seemed on the brink of fighting.

“Beautiful isn't it?” Archangel asked. “looks like a lot of fun!” Final replied cheerily. Even being apart of the exchange she had never really been inside cantinas many bar managers let underage ponies in, but due to Final’s naturally small frame she would never have been let in. besides she never really had a purpose to go inside. All the noises were knew to Final and she wanted to hear them all.

The two mares trotted over to the counter.The bar tender immediately questioned Final due to her small frame. Final moved to retrieve her holo-I.D. from her bag but Archangel stopped her.

“She’s with me. she is old enough and don’t question it.” Archangel said calmly to the bar tender. The bar tender looked terrified that he had just crossed a Maredalorian. He knew all to well that it was the last mistake that many people made when dealing with them.

“Extremely sorry miss didn’t mean to upset you.” The bar tender pony said while getting two glasses out for Archangel and Final. Archangel took a seat and motioned for Final to do the same

“So what do you want, its on me.” Archangel said looking over a menu. Final peeked over the side of the menu looking at the choices. She was already very fond of zap apple cider, so hard zap apple cider was a good place to start. Archangel ordered a glass of java juice.

Final toke a sip of her drink. It brought a warm feeling about her and it tasted just as good as Zap apple cider. She looked around the cantina observing the other patrons of the bar. She made note of a group of cloaked figures in the corner of the room. the music filled her ears it was loud but enjoyable. She continued to sip her drink thinking idly of what her and Archangel could do after they talked to the Chancellor about the war. She didn’t realize it at first but she felt at home in dangerous situations and liked the adrenaline they gave.

Final and Archangel trotted over to a corner of the room so they could talk in private. Final had seen a troubled look on Archangel’s face and realized her friend needed to talk about something. At first Final thought it was about the cloaked ponies but quickly realized this was a personal thing that she just needed to get off her chest.

“Listen Final I’ve got something to tell you and its gonna be hard for you to hear and I’m not exactly loving the idea of telling this story, but its time I told you.” Archangel said “Sure anything Archangel.” Final said wondering what her friend was getting at.

“I knew your mother, it was very short and sad but I knew her for a time.” Archangel began. The first sentence had Final hooked on Archangel’s every word “It was back in the Maredalorian wars near the beginning. It was my last battle in that war, If you could even call it a battle. Kex was ordering the destruction of the planet and all of the people on it. I was leader of the Guardian Angel an elite group of Maredalorian snipers.” Archangel explained. Final nodded she had knowledge of the Guardian Angels like most people but wasn’t sure if any of them were still around.

“Kex ordered us to keep watch and kill any one who opposed us. All the other squads started open firing my particular squad however held our fire. We actually cared about who we were killing. Your mom was a jedi Serving with the republic to destroy the Maredalorians. She was on the planet when Kex ordered us to open fire. I had the iconic armor of the leader of the Angels so she went after my squad.” Archangel continued. Final was taken aback by the news of her mother and was now more than ever listening to Archangel’s story fearful of how it could play out Archangel was here and as far as she knew her mother wasn’t.

“My squad never fired a shot but your mom knew if the Maredlorian leaders died the ranks would quickly become confused and disorientated. She had half my quad taken down by the time I had even turned around. She knocked it down to the two of us in a second, she was impossibly fast. She knew of the decision matches of Maredalorians and she requested peacefully for a chance to best me or die. We fought for the better part of an hour, back and forth no one really gaining ground over the other.” Archangel continued. Final was completely engrossed in the story picturing it in her mind as Archangel described it.

“After that long period of time i seemed to be able to, well focus better. I saw her moves coming and deflected them. We were both extremely tired after fighting for so long and i could see it in your mom. After a short time I got a cut in on her side. At this time we had a small crowd of Maredalorians. They knew not to interfere with the match. At that point I sheathed my sword and started walking away.I got a glimpse of Kex moving at the last second. I got my sword in the way of hers at the last second. The match was mine and I decided to spare her and I was not going to let Kex kill her in cold blood and then spread tales that she could kill jedis. I challenged Kex to a match right then and there. Normally if someone challenges the Alpha mare and wins they are declared Alpha mare. No one challenged Kex because she ruled by fear not by example. Many people were taken aback by my challenge, especially you mother.” Archnagel said focusing on the memory. Final nodded, great full for the news that Archangel didn’t kill her mother.

“Kex accepted, she was confident she could win after the battle I just had. However the battle went on the opposite for her. That scare on her eye and the one along side her entire body? They were both caused during that battle. I had Knocked Kex’s sword off the cliff we were on and I held my sword up to her neck. I didn’t however expect her damn quartermaster to interfere, just like she did on Dxun. She bucked me in the ribs and then stomped on my fetlock to make sure i couldn’t stand.Then th-then...” Archangel’s voice trailed off tears forming in her eyes. Final stared at her friend feeling that she was pained by the memory

“You don’t have to finish if you can’t.” Final said trying to calm Archangel “No no. I told you so I’ll tell you. It wouldn’t be fair if I just choked up half-way through. They forced me to watch as they beat you mother within inches of death. Then they toke my sword and ran her through with it. They cleared out as if nothing had happened. I crawled over to your mother when I heard her voice calling to someone. She was calling to me actually. She handed me a holotape and was only able to speak the word “please” before she died.” with the final words Archangel broke into sobs that racked her entire body. Tears were streaming down Final’s face as she hugged her friend

“Thank you for telling me the truth.” Final said into Archangel’s ear. Archangel answered with a nod. The bar tender picked that time to bring a glass of hard zap apple cider to the table “I didn’t order a second drink.” Final said wiping her tear stained face. “Courtesy of the gentleman over there the bar tender said pointing over to the now uncloaked ponies. “Said it looked like you could use it.” the bar tender siad backing away

Final nodded her thanks and took a long draft from the drink. She insistently felt light headed and woozy. The world spun around her and she struggled to kept the contents of her stomach down. She knew that this was a different feeling than being drunk. She was drugged! She looked over at the ponies who sent her the drink just in time to notice the blasters they were pulling out.

Final tackled Archangel to the floor just in time to avoid the onslaught of blaster shots that were being fired from the cloaked men. Final waited to get up until the blasters were done shooting.she drew the lightsaber as she stood up and held it in front of her face. She wavered slightly on her feet as the drug was still taking effect.

“Oh look a drunk filly with a lightsaber! maybe she will barf on us to death.” One of the hooded men laughed “You drugged me.” Final managed. Talking toke a great effort on her part. She took the conversation as time to focus on on of the ponies to stopped the world from spinning. It worked effectively from Final to the point were everything was solid.

“Of course we drugged you we planned on killing you so why not drug you for a little fun?” One of them answered. With that one drew a lightsaber and the other two vibroswords. Archangel was next to Final at this point her vibrosword drawn too. The one with a lightsaber stepped towards Final while the other two walked towards Archangel. The pony danced around Final but Final was focused now ready for a fight. The pony jabbed at her with his weapon and Final blocked it easily. The pony seemed to realize that Final had regained her control and backed away slightly.

Final saw a blue light emanating from the earth ponies head. Then lightning shot out at Final and she intercepted it with the lightsaber she was holding. The electricity coursed throughout the blade as if it was apart of it. Final began to attack gradually with the now deadlier weapon she held. With each blow she landed the pony seemed to weaken. However she felt herself gradually weaken with each strike as it she was holding the lightning in the blade. She felt that she should let the electricity got but she just didn’t know how. As she thought of a way the saber did it for her it shot the lightning from its blade into to three ponies that had attacked her and Archangel. They convulsed heavily and then went rigged and died. Archangel stared at Final in disbelieve and in thanks as the two ponies she was fighting were beginning to were her down gradually hit after hit

“I think its time we paid the chancellor a visit don’t you?” Archangel asked

Chapter 7:

“What do you mean you can’t do anything about it you’re the damn chancellor, Blueblood if you can’t fix it then who will!?” Archangel burst out angrily. Archangel and Final had been in the chancellor’s office for about an hour now, given the news of the impending three way war Blueblood reacted calmly telling them that there was nothing her could possible do to help the situation. Archangel had been yelling and arguing the entire time since and she was ready to go for plenty more.
Blueblood waved dismissively “Nothing is going to help, the republic was doomed the second Celestia and the jedi left us for their selfish reasons.” Blueblood replied to a heated Archangel. She was seething ready to just strike Blueblood down where he stood. Final tapped her with a hoof sensing her friend’s troubles trying to calm her down. Final knew of the short tempered Maredalorians and she didn’t want this to get violent.
Archangel took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth “She must have told you at least a hint of where in the galaxy they went.”
Blueblood sat back this mare was entertaining to him. She was pretty in her own warlike was and he enjoyed messing with her. “Hmmm maybe she did. I might have forgotten over the years.” Blueblood said thoughtfully.
Archangel was at her bursting point even though she had the best temper of any of the Maredalorians. Blueblood smiled to himself as he stared at the seething mare in front of him. Archangel turned on him and he thought the beautiful mare was going to leave. Then, she bucked at the underside of Blueblood’s desk sending it into his face with surprising force. Archangel had wheeled around and already had a hoof on Blueblood’s chest as he tried to get up.
“Did she tell you where the hell they were going or not!?” Archangel yelled into Blueblood’s fear. What had just been a smile across Blueblood’s face was now a look of extreme horror. He knew as everyone else did that when you crossed a Maredalorian it was basically the last thing you did other then scream in pain.
“Yes, yes I seem to recall now master twilight had said something about that. She said to go to Kashyyyk and unlock the shadow.” Blueblood said quickly fearing for his life. Archangel turned and walked out of the room, Final following closely behind her
“What should we do?” Final asked struggling to keep up with the much taller mare’s fast stride. “I think we should go and get some real help for the republic.” Archangel answered.
They arrived on Kashyyyk with little interruption. They weren’t even interrupted by a docking official. They asked around the ship landed near them about the secrets of the shadow. “Well my guess is that would be in the shadowlands down below the trees. I wouldn’t go there If I were you though dangerous place that is, I tell you, dangerous place.” One had answered. They worked their way towards the small wooden lift use as an elevator to the shadowlands. They rode the wooden lift down to the surface of the planet. Both Final and Archangel soon realized why they called them the shadow lands, the area was pitch black and even if you did have a light source with you then the mass of tree blocked your vision from traveling more than a few yards of in any direction
The second their hoofs left the creaking wooden platform it started its journey upwards again back to the relative safety of the tree canapés. The darkness around them enveloped them suffocating them. The area made Final feel claustrophobic as if there was no escape from the grasp of the darkness around them. Final wished for a little light to at least grant them some vision beyond the first few feet ahead of them, but she knew the only reprieve of light would be at noon and that was still hours away.
“Well lets got a move on and find this shadow can’t be too hard right?” said Archangel the venom and sarcasm all too obvious in her voice. They took the direction that had somewhat of a path leading away from the clearing. They traveled nearly 50 meters when a dull fuzzy sound made its presence in Final’s ear. At first Final disregarded it for one of the many sounds erupting around her from various animals and insects. As they progressed the sound deepened and made its self more pronounced in her head. Archangel suggested a rest since even in her muscular state the forest was taking its toll on her. Final gladly accepted and saw an opportunity to announce the sound that had been bothering her for the past half hour.
“Do you hear that Archangel?” Asked Final panting with exhaustion
“No I don’t anything over than that damn buzzing and chirping.” Said Archangel gesturing towards the forest around them. “What is it?”
“It’s a fuzzy noise in my head; it feels like its calling me telling me to come.” Final answered worried for her sanity.
“Can you follow it to its source, were not making any progress this way and we may as well get a heading on where to go.?” Archangel asked with intense calmness in her voice.
Reassured by her friends steady reply Final answered, “Yeah it’s basically painting a line to it so it can’t be that hard to find.” With that the two mares set off Final leading the way. As they neared the source the fuzzy noise intensified in Final’s brain turning into a steady dark voice. Come, yes , venture forth into your tomb. It chanted on and on until it set Final’s teeth on edge. As the voice intensified the darkness around them thickened into a heavy mist blocking sight even further. Final did not falter as the perils around d her intensified she ventured forth without stopping not seconded guessing anything because she knew the troubles it would bring.
After traveling for quite a distance the voice and darkness grew to fever pitch. Final could she no farther than her own hoof and the voices tore at her sanity like a starved rancor. Final muscled tensed with pain as the voice screamed in her head like a creature screaming over its kill. Archangel drew her sword in a second instinctively putting herself in front of Final ready to fight.
“What’s the matter are you hurt?” Archangel asked scanning for danger.
“Just my head this damn thing is screaming my head off.” Final answered rubbing her head with a hoof.
They advanced with caution wary of any creatures. The surrounding forest had fallen silent as if everything had just suddenly died. They came into a clearing were the dark mist was thin and sight was possible all around the clearing. A shadow emerged on the far side of the clearing into the slight area of sight. It roared loudly and the surrounding mist evaporated. On the other side of the clearing a huge mantacore. Final readied to draw her weapon. Death!, despair!, pain!, suffering!, Kill! Kill! I feast! The beast screamed in her head.
“Get out!” Final screamed at the mantacore. The beast simply laughed in return and readied itself to lunge at the two mares.
“Eclipse!” Final shouted as the mantacore began launching itself. The mantacore instantly stopped its attack and bowed painfully
“I am sorry master, I didn’t realize you knew of the words of power and had access to this tomb, not a soul has crossed this threshold in many years.” Spoke the mantacore in a respectful voice. The mantacore stepped around revealing a stab of dark blue stone that held a staircase leading down into the planet. The two mares started down the staircase, curious to learn its secrets. They descended into a large open room made from the same dark blue stone. As they entered a stone slab blocked of the exit to the stairs. Three statues dominated the room, two of them being alicorns and the third being a unicorn. Three ghosts jumped from the statues guarding a triangular black stone in the center of the room. The unicorn’s ghost stepped forward and spoke.
“If this tomb has been accessed then the time has come. You must follow the coordinates in this holocron and not be seen entering the cave. You will be tested upon entering so be ready.” She said. The triangle stone opened splitting down its sides it revealed a simple cub shaped holocron made to house coordinates and coordinates only. Final opened the holocron and read its contents. It simply showed the location of a cave on Tatooine.
“Well it seems were going to Tatooine next.” Final said turning to Archangel
“Let’s get going then no point in waiting.” Archangel said walking out of the tomb.

Prolougue

The galaxy is in ruins, the Celestial Republic barely holds control over the inner rim territories let along the outer rim territories. The galaxy just barely survived the two most recent wars, The Maredalorian Wars and the Celestial Republic Civil War. The Maredalorian wars over 10 years ago still are causing damage to the planets of the outer rim. The Maredalorians waged total war on the republic and lost there home planet Mareachor XII. As a result of losing their home the once brave and honorable warriors turned to mercenary work and Raiding. The outer rim planets succeeded from the republic after the Maredalorian Wars. Tired of never really receiving and standing army or supplies from the Republic or the inner rim planets the outer rim planets were through supporting the Republic, paying their taxes, or supplying them with food or men for wars. The outer rim planets were barricaded out preventing any trade to the inner rim planets. The planets on the outer rim banded together to form and army and they waged war against the republic. After a long and costly war the Republic won. The Republic forced the outer rim planets to re-join under no conditions. After the Jedi suffered extreme loses during the two major wars they refused to work for the Republic. They even abandoned the Jedi temple on Coruscant. With no Jedi to help them and a sith presence in the outer rim will the Republic survive? Or will their be a new ruler in the Galaxy?