Enlisting
The Battle of Hypori was a massacre. Not even Captain America, Steve Rogers, could turn the tide. An estimated ninety nine percent of all who were sent were killed. Afterwards, the Sith would make their move. And to understand these heroes’ impact with understanding that of the Sith’s would be absolute ignorance. For they would prove to be one of the greatest foes they would ever face.
-An excerpt from The Fight for Justice, by Luke Skywalker
Fordo examined the unit of ARC Troopers in front of him, as their Gunship flew through the skies of Hypori. They all prepared for the fight ahead of them, loading their blaster and such. The armored Avenger was also accompanying them. Upon hearing that someone who was neither a Clone or Jedi was with the survivors on the Separatist stronghold, suspecting that this individual was one of his team mates, he immediately volunteered.
Rhodey loaded the power cell into the rotary gun he’d been given. He had exhausted all of bullets and missiles in the fight with Durge. So the Clones had gifted him this blaster. His armor had also been charged to a satisfactory amount. Though he would need to use it sparingly, as he was currently without an arc reactor, and his energy was limited.
The Avenger stared at the alien planet’s surface through the holes in the doors. A part of him really hoped that one of his friends was down there. But another part wished that they weren’t. He had learned from the intel he was given that 99% of the Republic’s forces were killed in this battle. And he didn’t want any of his friends caught in a thing like that.
“Commander, approaching target!” the Pilot announced.
That was another thing. Fordo had been promoted to a Commander after his work on Muunilinst.
“Begin jamming signals!” the Commander ordered.
The gunship now flew just above the ground, as it was approaching its target. Fordo ordered that doors be opened as they passed a wrecked ship.
“Approaching Droid perimeter! We are undetected!”
“Gun it!”
“Sir!” The pilot pushed the lever to maximum speed.
As they got closer to their destination, Rhodey's eyes widened beneath his helmet. That was a lot of Droids.
The Gunship dropped several bombs as they flew over the Separatist army. The B2 battle droids stared at the bombs for a few moments before firing at the Republic vehicle in sync. It dodged the attack and managed to fly out of sight as they neared the wrecked Accalamator. The Gunship fired two missiles at the downed ship and flew through the newly made hole. They landed inside and the rescue team began to hop down to the ground.
“Four life signs! One in the rubble! One in the rafters!” The Commander pointed to said positions. One ARC ran to the rubble, and another fired a cable to the rafters.”Everyone else, with me! Move out!” Fordo led the rest of his men in the direction of the two other life signs.
Rhodey hopped down, his rotary gun at the ready. The last ARC joined him, whipping out an eight barreled repeating blaster.
The Gunship rose up, and hovered before the hole it entered in. The Pilot could see the Droids marching in their direction. Knowing that they could not be allowed to enter the ship, he opened fire on the incoming threat. The Droids were torn apart as they walked into the blaster bolts and missiles.
Meanwhile, the rescue team spread out, taking different vantage points across the debris. They did not know what they expected to see, but it certainly wasn’t the sight before them.
A man wearing a colorful suit and wielding a shield stood over a defenseless Ki Adi Mundi. The Jedi had been knocked on his back, and his lightsaber swotted away. The Avenger was blocking the strikes of the cyborg but couldn’t last much longer. The pair stopped fighting as they saw the new arrivals.
The ARC’s and War Machine fired upon the Droid General. Grievous ran behind a pile of scraps that took the blows of the blaster fire. One ARC fired a grenade at the pile, destroying the cyborg’s cover.
The General then proceeded to run up the wall and onto the ceiling. Blaster bolts landed just behind him at every step.
“Shoot him down! Shoot him down!” Mundi ordered.
Grievous then dropped from the ceiling and landed in front of his adversaries. He retaliated to their assault, and cut down three of the Clones in two seconds.
“Backup! Now!” Fordo shouted into his communicator.
There was an explosion and the Gunship flew through the wall. Grievous turned his focus to this new threat. The vehicle shot at the General as he ran away.
“Cap!” Rhodey shouted as he ran to his tried and wounded comrade. “Are you okay?”
Steve groaned as he tried to get up. “I’ve been better.”
“Here, let me help ya,” his fellow Avenger said as rapped his arm around his shoulder, and lifted him up.
“Everyone out!” Fordo ordered. Everyone proceeded towards the Gunship.
“No!” the Cerean Jedi shouted as he ran in the cyborg’s direction.”We must pursue!”
Fordo grabbed his arm. “General, we can’t! The survivors will die! We have no time!”
Listening to reason, Mundi hopped on to the Gunship. They took off, some Cone’s still firing at the General.
The Council member turned to see two of his fellow Jedi lying down on beds and hooked up to what would pass as IV machines in this galaxy.
“Aayla…Shaak Ti…”
“They’re stabilized, sir. They just might make it.”
“And the others?” the star spangled Avenger questioned from his own bed.
“They are all dead, sir.”
Steve frowned at that. Both in sadness and anger. These people had helped him survive the Droids just as he had helped them. He hadn’t known these people long, but he had gotten friendly with them. And that monster killed them so horrifically. That thing was ruthless. He fought them with such ease that it made him miss the Red Skull. Granted, Steve wasn;t at his best in that moment, but he still lost. And people died because of it. As the Captain fell into unconsciousness, he vowed that he wouldn’t let this happen again. He vowed that before he returned home, if he even could, that he would put an end to General Grievous.
As they flew away, with the bombs going off, and clearing a path for their escape, the very subject of Steve’s thoughts picked up K’Kruhk’s lightsaber, and placed it on his belt. Grievous walked through the smoke, and gazed at the fleeing ship with a chuckle.
“Run Jedi, run. You have prolonged the inevitable.”
On the planet of Coruscant, capital of the Galactic Republic, in the highest tower of the Jedi Temple, the High Jedi Council were discussing recent events. The members being Grandmaster Yoda, and Masters Mace Windu, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto, Adi Gallia, Eeth Koth, Even Piel, Depa Billaba, Shaak Ti, Oppo Rancisis, Seasee Tiin, and the one currently speaking, Ki Adi Mundi. In the background stood Obi Wan Kenobi, who had just given his report on the events of Muunilinst.
“We may have been exhausted, but when was the last time one stood up to fiveJedi, and held his own?! This must be dealt with!”
“I agree,” spoke Windu. “This General Grievous is changing the shape of the war.”
“Our numbers were dwindling before, and now this,” Even Piel complained
“Yes. We need more Knights,” Shaak Ti stated.
“I know this will generate debate,” Kenobi said as he walked to the center of the chamber. “But I suggest in this time of war, we forgo the Trials and promote my Padawan, Anakin, to Jedi Knight.”
“This is preposterous!” said Oppo Rancisis, immediately shooting it down. “We can’t set aside our most followed traditions!”
“In this time of need, why do we hold back the Chosen One?” asked Ki Adi Mundi.
“Whether or not he is the Chosen One is still to be determined,” Mace Windu commented. Skepticism written on his face just as much now, as the day he met the young Skywalker.
Master Piel hummed. “Palpatine has been requesting this for months now.”
“Politicians have no voice in Jedi matters.” (Can you believe this hypocrite?)
“Well, he is a cunning warrior. And our best pilot,” Fisto argued with an optimistic smile.
“But he is reckless with his gifts,” Adi Gallia said.
“Sometimes in the past, yes,” Obi Wan admitted. “But regardless, Anakin has been through things more difficult than the trials.Surely he passed a trial of skill when he defeated that Dark Assassin on the Fourth Moon of Yavin. And he endured an atrocious trial of the flesh, at the hands of Count Dooku.” Yoda groaned at the mention of his old student. “And he continued to pass every test of courage this war has dealt him.”
“It would seem he would have but one trial left to face,” Eeth Koth noted.
“Testing the spirit…” began Shaak Ti.
“...Facing the mirror,” finished Even Piel.
“And that is what concerns me,” Rancisis said, pointing at Piel. “To walk the path of the Jedi, one’s spirit must be strong. And that requires discipline.” The centuries old Master pointed to Kenobi. “And he has often disobeyed you, has he not, Knight Kenobi?”
Obi Wan frowned at this. Things were not going as well as he’d hoped they would. But then, Master Yoda came to his aid.
“Did you not disobey me from time to time in your youth, Master Rancisis?” The Thisspiasian Jedi smiled sheepishly. Yoda closed his eyes for a moment and hummed. “A just debate this is. But in these days of war, need all the Knights we can. Unorthodox young Skywalker’s career has been. So too will be his trials. Trust in the Force, I do. A Knight he shall be!”
“Very well then, Master Yoda. But let us move on to our next topic. These Avengers,” Depa Billaba said.
The Council recalled their meeting with these individuals. It was strange to say the least.
Flashback:
In the Communications Room aboard the Negotiator, Obi Wan Kenobi’s flagship, a meeting that would cause a great shift in Galactic history, was taking place. Within the room stood Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi, Padawan Anakin Skywalker, Master Ki Adi Mundi, Master Mace Windu, a now awake Shaak Ti, and the rest of the Jedi Council, who were present by hologram. Also present was Senator Padme Amidala and Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, the latter by hologram. As for the subjects of this gathering, Pietro Maximoff, Sam Wilson, and James Rhodes stood before the large group.
Palpatine was the first to speak. “Well, I do believe introductions are in order. You three have been very helpful towards the Republic in the past day or so, yet we hardly know anything about you.”
“My name is Colonel James Rhodes. War Machine.”
“Pietro Maximoff. Quicksilver.”
“Lieutenant Sam Wilson. Falcon. There’s also Steve Rogers. Captain America. But he’s in intensive care right now.”
“How serious are his injuries?” Anakin asked with a sympathetic look.
Sam sighed, “Not good. They say he’s lost a lot of blood, and he fought way longer than ever he should’ve. His leg is also infected. He needs better medical attention than what’s on this ship.”
Hearing this, Padme gave her fellow Nubian a pleading look. The Chancellor responded with a nod. “When you arrive on Coruscant, bring him to the executive building. I’ll ensure that he gets the best doctors the Republic can provide.”
The Avengers looked at each other. They would be accepting help from a government they may not want to be tied to. However, Steve’s condition was getting worse by the minute. He needed advanced medical care, and he needed it fast.
“We’ll take it,” Sam said reluctantly.
“To further answer your questions, we’re the Avengers. We’re a team dedicated to protecting our planet from World Ending Threats.”
“Are there more members of this team?” asked Mace Windu.
“Besides the four of us, there’s my sister, Wanda Maximoff. Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow. And Vision. He’s a really advanced android.”
“We don’t know where they are right now. And we need to find them,” Sam said earnestly.
“We will do what we can to help you,” Padme said with determination. “Mr. Maximoff came to my aid on Ilum. Lieutenant Wilson saved the lives of countless men on Dantooine. Colonel Rhodes was instrumental on Muunilinst. The very least we could do is help them find their comrades and home planet.”
The Jedi and Chancellor nodded in agreement with the Senator.
“Where is your planet?” asked Shaak Ti.
“We don’t know exactly. All we know is that our home is in a galaxy orbiting this one.”
That caught the Jedi and Politicians by surprise. They knew that life beyond the Galaxy was possible, and star maps in the Jedi Temple showed that there were minor galaxies orbiting their own, but to meet people from there was still shocking to say the least.
“How did you even arrive here so soon? Lightspeed would have taken days at least,” a wide eyed Anakin asked.
The present Avengers began to recount the events that transpired at Damage Control. About the makeshift Bifrost that sent them to this galaxy by accident.
“A literal beam of light transported all of you. Technology like that is perhaps thousands of years ahead,” spoke a dumbfounded Kenobi. The Council murmured in agreement.
“That technology is not from Earth. It’s Asgardian. They’re an advanced civilization of human-like beings with great power. One of the team’s founding members, Thor, is one of them. Maybe you’ve heard of him?” Pietro asked.
Everyone present shook their heads. Everyone except Yoda. “Hmmmm…Asgardian…”
“Master Yoda?” asked Palpatine.
“Deep in the Jedi archives, a story there is of warriors known as Asgardians. Came to the Galaxy they did, long ago. Know more, Jocasta Nu would.”
“We have to speak with her,” Sam said. “A link with Asgard could be the link to getting us home.”
“Arrange an audience I will. Permitted to stay at the Jedi Temple you are.”
“Thank you,” Rhodey said. “We’ll accept your offer. However, even though we’ve helped you guys so far, we have no intention of joining a war we know nothing about.”
“Understandable. But if you choose otherwise, the Republic would be more than happy to accept your aid. Your skills alone give you a pass,” the Chancellor offered.
Rhodey looked to Pietro and Sam, they weren’t sure what to do. “We’ll have to think about it.”
“Now then,” Palpatine said, lacing his fingers, “What more can you tell us about your team?”
End of Flashback
The Council had mixed feelings about the Avengers. Some saw an opportunity for a strong and beneficial alliance. But others found their unexpected arrival and very presence most disturbing.
“These Avengers have helped us so far, and they rival even us on the battlefield, but they are not part of the Republic. We cannot force them to fight for us,” Plo Koon pointed out.
“That is exactly what frightens me,” said Windu. “The Maximoffs alone are a threat. One can move at speeds faster than any Jedi. And the other is an adult, who based on her powers, is practically Force Sensitive. What if they were to side with the Separatists? With the Sith?”
“Side with the Sith the Avengers would not,” Yoda said, his eyes closed as he reached out into the Force. “Selfless they are. A threat to the Republic they are not. Moves the Dark Side does. Anxious the Sith are. Act soon they will. No more I can see.”
Dooku stood in the Bridge of the Separatists’ newest weapon, the Malevolence. It was still under construction, but it would be ready in a matter of weeks.
The secret Sith Lord looked at his surroundings, at the droids, at the red lightsaber hanging on his belt, and wondered how he got here. He was once a Master of the Jedi Order. He had friends and even family that he could rely on. And he was happy. Truly happy. Where did it all go wrong? Then he remembered. He remembered when he realized how corrupt the Senate was with members like Dagonet and Larik. He remembered how he lost his Padawan, his son in all but blood. That pushed him over the edge, and into the arms of the Sith. He was now one himself, and the leader of the C.I.S. But was it all worth it? Sifo Dias. Kamino. Dagobah. Dromuund Kaas. Rakata Prime. The Clones. Yaddle…Jenza…My own sister. That last one weighed on him the most. Just last year, Dooku had ordered Ventress to kill her right in front of him. Under his Master’s command. Then there was all the death that had been caused in this war, and more was yet to come. It filled him with rage. Rage at both himself and his Master. And he would use that rage to do what was necessary to build a better Galaxy. With or without him.
Speaking of the Devil, Dooku looked to the terminal before him, and saw that his Master was calling. Dropping down to one knee, he answered the transmission.
The hologram of Darth Sidious stood before the Count. “What is the progress of the Malevolence’s construction, my Apprentice?”
“It will soon be ready, my Master.”
“Good. With the deployment of this superweapon, the Senate will have no choice but to increase the size of the Republic Navy. Kuat Drive Yards stands at the ready, to construct more of these Imperial-Class Star Destroyers. With this vessel, we shall create a powerful navy that will bring peace and order across our Galactic Empire.”
“Yes, my Master. But that is not the true purpose of this meeting, is it?”
“No. It is not.” Sidious frowned deeply. “There is now a rogue element in the Galaxy. A new threat to our plans.”
Dooku nodded. He knew who his Master was speaking of. Reports from his forces across the Galaxy spoke of individuals that could rival Jedi. “Who are they?”
“They call themselves the Avengers.” The Sith Lord showed him a series of images of different individuals. One was a well built man in a red, white, and blue suit, holding a similarly colored shield. Another was a young man with platinum hair in a blue suite. There was a man in a red and black suit with metal wings. A man in a black and silver armored suit. A red haired woman in a black jumpsuit. A young brunette woman in black and scarlet clothing. And a droid with very strong resemblance to a man. Sidious began a long explanation on who they were and what their powers are. Dooku was amazed by all this. He didn’t voice it, but the young woman intrigued him the most. Her powers bear a strong resemblance to the ones of the Force. If he could turn her…
“What must be done? Shall we turn them to our cause?”
“...No.” Sidious said, much to the Count’s surprise. “Selflessness pours off them like heat from a star. They will never join us. But we have other uses for them. One of my personal doctors has just treated Captain Rogers to a full recovery. He has already benefited us without even knowing it. What I want from you is this, issue a statement. Brand the Avengers as a threat to the C.I.S. All of them. They will be forced to join the Republic. Then we must ensure that the war escalates. Tire them. Then when they are weak enough, we shall eliminate them. Tell me, what is the status of Grievous and Ventress?”
“Grievous now has a permanent cough, and a hunch in his back, but he is still very dangerous. And Ventress survived her duel with Skywalker.”
“Good. Increase their training we need their skills now more than ever.”
“Yes, my Master.”
The present Avengers were all seated in the Jedi Temple Library, reading up on Galactic History.
“Jesus,” Rhodey said. “It’s just one war after another. The Jedi-Zygerrian Conflict. The Tionese War. The Seventeen Alsakan Conflicts. The Duinuogwuin Contention. The Hutt Cataclysms. The Aqualish Civil War. The Aqualish-Republic War. The Cremlevian War. The Thirty-Four Pius Dea Crusades. The Battle between the Kumauri Empire and the Republic. The Meri-Teltior War. The Waymancy Storm. The Unification War. The Hundred Year Darkness. The Medriaas Revolution. The Unification Wars. The Great Hyperspace War. The Mandalorian Crusades. The Pre-Great Sith War Conflicts. The Freedon Nadd Uprising. The Krath Holy Crusade. The Great Sith War. The Great Hunt. The Post-Great Sith War. The Kanz Disorders. The Mandalorian Wars. The Jedi Civil War. The Post-Jedi Civil War Conflicts. The Post-Old Sith Wars. The Great Galactic War. The Cold War between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire. The Galactic War. The War Against Zakuul. The Order of Zildrog Campaign. The Third Galactic War. The New Sith Wars. A few minor conflicts after this Ruusan Reformation. And now the Clone Wars.” (I did not make any of these up. That’s how many wars are in Star Wars)
“Who the hell are these Sith?” asked Pietro. “They’re in a lot of those wars.”
“Evil Jedi,” Sam said simply.
“Great,” the speedster said sarcastically. “Why do I have a feeling we’re gonna meet those guys?”
“Let’s not worry about that right now,” Steve said. “Let’s focus on how to get home. Have you guys found anything on Earth?”
They all shook their heads. Steve sighed. He knew that the chance of finding Earth was slim, but he had a little hope that they would. And they needed to get back. Who knows what was happening while they were gone. He knew Clint and Tony would cover for them, but they were just two people.
While Cap was musing on the situation, an elderly woman walked up to them. “Excuse me. But Master Yoda said I could be of service to you.”
It took a few moments, then they remembered that Yoda offered them the help of the Chief Librarian.
“Wait,” Sam realized. “Are you Jocasta Nu?”
“I am.”
“Great! Cause we could really use your help.”
“How may I be of assistance?”
The four then explained how they were from a planet outside of the Galaxy. How it was populated by humans. And how they knew of this race called Asgardians.
“Hmm…your planet is populated by humans, yet it exists beyond the Galaxy.”
“In one of the Satellite Galaxies,” Rhodey explained.
“Fascinating. Truly fascinating.” The Librarian was practically giddy with this information. “I have a theory but I need more. Tell me, how old are the oldest human fossils on your planet?”
“Let’s see, FRIDAY?”
Oh yeah, Rhodey’s helmet was placed on the table and hooked up to a terminal, so that FRIDAY could gather information from the Holonet.
“The Earliest Human Fossils date back to at least 40,000 years ago.”
“What was that?”
“Oh, that was FRIDAY. She’s our A.I. She’s like a really droid. But her capabilities include controlling multiple devices at once, and being a well of knowledge.”
The Jedi Master was left speechless. Such a thing was unheard of in the Galaxy. After recovering from the shock, she asked for clarification, “How many years was that?”
“At least 40.000 years.”
“This is incredible! This proves my theory to be correct!”
“What is your theory,” Steve asked in anticipation.
“It is commonly believed that Humans originated on Coruscant. That is not true, as the native species of this planet were the Taung. Before they were removed by human colonists.”
“So where did they come from?” asked Sam.
“I believe it was your planet.”
“But how can you be so sure?” War Machine questioned.
“Because human fossils on your planet predate our history by almost 15,000 years.”
“Okay then, so how do we find our planet?” Pietro asked.
“That will be difficult. No one knows where it went after it was moved from the Known Galaxy.”
There was a pause.
“...Excuse me?” Steve asked.
“What do you mean moved?” Sam asked.
“Well, the legend says that there was a mobile space station capable of moving entire planets with its tractor beam.”
“...Okay…what did this galaxy call Earth?” Cap questioned.
“Urthha.”
“...Urthha?”
“Yes. Urthha,” the Jedi said with amusement written on her face.
“How the hell do we have such a similar name?!” Rhodey exclaimed.
“Hey, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Earth was fucking moved!” Pietro complained.
“Any ideas on how to find Earth?” Steve asked.
“It would seem that finding this Space Station is your best solution. Though any record of its current whereabouts have been lost.”
“We’ve faced worse odds. Haven't we Cap?” Maximoff asked.
Steve nodded. It was a long shot, but it was one worth taking. “What about Asgardians? Can you tell us anything about them?”
“Oh, yes. I have read eye witness accounts that tell of a human-like race known as Asgardians. They possess great strength and long life. They aided the Old Republic at the Battle of Rakata Prime. At the End of the Jedi Civil War.”
“Huh, we’ll have to ask Thor about that next time we see him.”
“Thor…is he the one you said was a god?”
“Yes. But he’s not a true god. He just has powers that made our ancestors think he was one.”
“But I presume that he never denied the title?”
“No he did not.”
“The texts spoke of two god-like beings in the battle of Rakata Prime. I thought they were mere exaggerations until now.”
“Who are all these busts of?” Sam asked the Librarian.
“Ah. They are the Lost Twenty. Jedi Masters who left the Order.” Jocasta stared at one bust in particular. She walked up to it, and looked at it longingly.
Curious, Pietro walked up to her. The bust was of an elderly human male with a beard.
Jocasta sighed with a smile, “He has a very powerful face doesn’t he?”
“You knew him?”
“He was one of the most brilliant Jedi I’ve had the privilege of knowing,” she praised.
“Why did he quit?”
“Well, one might say he was always a bit out of step with the decisions of the Council. He was quite the maverick.”
“Really?” Pietro asked, intrigued.
“Oh yes, he was a very individual thinker. An idealist. In the end I think he left because he lost faith in the Republic. He disappeared for nine of ten years and turned up recently as head of the Separatist Movement.”
“Wait,” Rhodey cut in. “You’re saying that the C.I.S. is led by a former Jedi?”
“Yes. And so many of us admired him. Now imagine our surprise when we all learned that he had joined the Sith.”
“Wait, so the Separatists are controlled by these Sith?” Cap asked with narrowed eyes.
“It would appear so. That’s why the Jedi joined the War in the first place. It’s too similar to the Old Sith Wars.”
“I don’t think so.”
To their surprise, it was Pietro who spoke.
“How so?”
“I’ve been reading on how this war started, and you can’t just cast the whole thing off as another war with the Sith. There’s more to it than that. From what I can tell, the Separatists aren’t wrong for wanting to leave the Republic.”
The other Avengers were silent. They’d been reading on the setup of the War, and they’d reached the same conclusion. The Republic wasn’t doing anything to help those planets, and didn’t seem to have any interest in doing so, unless it was to gain their resources. And when they did help, they let greedy corporations take those resources. While the Core Worlds were prospering, the Outer Rim was getting poorer and poorer. So the Avengers didn’t blame the Separatists for seceding.
However, that wasn’t to say they supported them. The C.I.S. Droid Army had committed many war crimes. They casually killed civilians and killed their prisoners. And the very same corporations that those worlds hated, practically ran the C.I.S.
So it was a mixed bag for the Avengers.
Jocasta sighed, “Yes, this war is a complicated mess.”
“Avengers.”
Everyone turned to Rhodey’s helmet.
“Count Dooku just broadcasted this statement across the Holonet. It’s about you and the others.”
“Play it,” Cap ordered.
FRIDAY activated a holo terminal and played the video. A hologram of Count Dooku was shown.
“The institution of corrupt swine that dares call itself the Galactic Republic, has gained new allies. Dangerous ones. A team of elite fighters that rival Jedi. They are known as the Avengers.” Images of each member of the team appeared.
The Avengers sucked in a breath. Not only were they shown, but so were Nat, Wanda, and Vision. “These men and women are enemies of the C.I.S., and they must be treated as such. I hereby offer a reward for their capture…or termination.” The hologram shut down as the video ended.
“Shit!”
“Fuck!”
“What do we do?!”
All three turned to Cap. He sighed and bowed his head. “We have no choice now. We have to join the War.”
The others nodded, knowing that it was their only option. Their friends and family were now in far worse danger. Not only were they lost in an unknown galaxy, but now a very dangerous faction was hunting them. There was nothing else they could do.
The Avengers had to join the Republic.
Anakin was very annoyed. He was in the middle of meeting with his secret wife when his Master called him here. While he loved Obi Wan like a brother, but he loved Padme more. And wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. The War made their moments together rare with his duty on the battlefield, and her’s in the Senate. He longed to be with the women he loved freely and in public, but the Council would expel him.
As he walked down the hall towards the Council Chamber, he saw his Master staring out a large window.
Obi Wan turned to him, displeasure written on his face. “Anakin, you’re late.”
Anakin groaned, knowing one of Obi Wan’s lectures was coming.
“When the Council requests your presence, it is always of great importance.”
The Padawan walked past his Master, and stopped before the window. He lowered his hood and stared at the cityscape.
“If I’m late for another scolding, does it really matter?”
“Scolding? You’re not a little boy anymore, but as long as you are my student, you will heed my wisdom.”
“You’re right. I’m not a little boy.” Anakin turned to face Kenobi. “And as far as your wisdom goes, you’re no Qui Gon Jinn!” Skywalker spat.
The older Jedi’s stern expression changed to a hurt one. He knew he wasn’t perfect but he’d done his best to guide Anakin since Qui Gon’s death.
Regret immediately filled Anakin as he bowed his head in shame. “Master-forgive me-I-I didn’t mean-”
He was interrupted by Obi Wan gently placing his hand on Anakin’s shoulder. His Master gave him an understanding smile. “I know. I miss him too. Not a day goes by that I don’t look to his wisdom for guidance. I’ve done my best to pass his teaching to you. And in our time together, you have proved you are capable of all he believed you would be.”
Anakin smiled softly. He was happy Obi Wan forgave him. And truly was grateful for everything he’d done for him. But what his Master said next surprised him.
“And now we must leave our roles as Master and Student. It is time we became…brothers.”
Before Anakin could question his Master on this, he saw four individuals heading their way. Obi Wan noticed the look on his face, and turned around to see the Avengers.
“Avengers. What brings you here?”
Steve spoke first. “The four of us and our missing friends are now wanted by the C.I.S.”
Kenobi and Skywalker frowned in sympathy.
“Staying in the Temple won’t do them any good. So we’ve unanimously decided that we will help you fight this war.”
The Jedi were stunned. They both knew what these men were capable of, and their help would be invaluable to the Republic.
“However,” Rhodey began, “we have a few conditions that you guys have to agree to.”
“What are they?” Anakin asked.
“For starters, we get to decide where we go to fight. We won’t help occupy Separatist planets, but will with defending and liberating Republic ones,” Pietro explained.
“We’ll also help with patrols, rescue missions, intercepting invasions, or destroying foundries and military bases,” Sam added.
“I’ll inform the Council soon enough, right now we have something important to do.”
Kenobi then walked into the Council chamber. The room was dark as the lights weren’t on. Anakin followed his Master in. The door closed behind him.
Sam looked to his teammates and asked, “Are we really not gonna talk about how that Windu guy totally looks like Fury?”
Meanwhile in the Council Chamber, Anakin stood surrounded by all the Masters, their lightsabers filling the room with light. He glanced at Obi Wan to see him smiling softly with pride.
“Step forward, Padawan!” Yoda commanded from the seat he was standing on.
Anakin kneeled before the Grandmaster. The other Council Members lowered their sabers as Yoda raised his.
Yoda moved his green blade above his right shoulder, “Anakin Skywalker! By the right of the Council.” Then his left, “By the will of the Force!” Then back to his right. “Dub thee I do, Jedi!” With one swift swing, Yoda cut off Skywalker’s Padawan braid. “Knight of the Republic!”
The new Jedi Knight stood tall, his training now complete.
Bonus Koori IV was home to the largest production of battle droids in the Mid Rim. A battle here was inevitable, so Separatist General Oro Dassyne had fortified the planet with a gigantic amount of defensive guns protected by massive ray shields.
Dassyne smiled as he boasted his defenses. “I wonder how many they’ll send. We’ve got so much firepower in here, these walls are ray shielded. They can’t take this fort. It’ll probably be, uh, fifty Jedi. They’ll need at least that many. Huh, maybe a hundred Jedi! They’ll never take this base with less. Ha, they’ll need an army of Jedi!”
“I see Jedi,” a droid scout said as it looked through its binoculars.
“What?! How many?! A thousand?”
“No, less.”
“A hundred?!”
“No.”
“Fifty? Come on!”
“Three.”
“What?! Give me those!” Dassyne ripped the binoculars out of the droid’s hands and looked to see three figures riding on some animals in the distance. He lowered them utterly confused, with his left eye twitching.
Then a silver blur ran through the shield and any drops in its path. The blur suddenly held the General in a headlock. The Separatist saw that the blur was in fact a young man with platinum hair, a blue suit, and a smug grin.
“What? Didn’t see that coming? Oh, and I took care of your ray shield.”
Two figures, one armored and one winged, dove down from above, shooting at the cannons, destroying them.
With the area now covered in smoke, the three figures from before jumped over the walls, and landed with two drawing lightsabers, and the other dawning a shield. They made short work of the droids around them, cutting them to bits.
The smoke cleared to reveal the entire group: Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, James Rhodes, and Pietro Maximoff. This was the moment the Avengers and Jedi would fight together for the first time in the many years ahead.
Mid Credits Scene:
Natasha felt hot. Very hot. She opened her eyes and instantly regretted it. The Black Widow found two suns blinding her.
She closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. When she was done, she saw that she was lying in the middle of a desert.
A desert with two suns. Definitely not Earth.
Nat soon stood up to see some sort of desert palace in the distance. Knowing that she’d need shelter, she started walking in that direction.
After Credits Scene:
In the Medical Wing of the Republic Executive building, a Doctor in the Republic Science Corps was carefully placing vials of blood in a briefcase. After putting them all in for safe transport, the man sealed the case and left the room.