Shattered World Part one

(AN: This chapter was originally 13k words. I've split it up to keep with the pacing, plus makes it a bit easier on me.)

Tol Skor stepped out of the shadows, his red lightsaber igniting with a crack. His eyes scanned the Republic forces capturing the entrance to the base, and a twisted smile crept across his face.

"You've done well," Tol said, his voice cold. "But it won't matter. You're all going to die here."

Without hesitation, Tol moved into the fray. A clone in front of him fell as Tol's lightsaber sliced through his armor. Another clone fired, but Tol deflected the blaster bolt back, hitting the soldier in the chest. The clone collapsed instantly.

A Jabiimi soldier rushed at Tol, blaster in hand. Tol lifted the man with the Force, dragging him closer. The soldier struggled, feet scraping the ground, before Tol impaled him with his red blade. He tossed the body aside, stepping forward without a glance. More clones fired, but Tol's saber flicked left and right, sending their shots back toward them. Several fell as their own blaster bolts struck them down.

Tol reached out with the Force again, yanking a rifle from one clone's grip. The soldier reached for it but was cut down by Tol's swift strike. Another clone ran, but Tol lifted him off the ground, choking the life out of him. His body convulsed, and Tol's lightsaber sliced through his chest before he hit the dirt.

Captain Orion, seeing Tol massacre his soldiers, couldn't stand by any longer. He charged at Tol, blaster raised, shouting as he fired. Tol extended his hand, and lightning arced from his fingertips, hitting Orion full force. The captain screamed in agony, his body shaking under the surge of power. But he kept moving, pushing through the pain.

"You're brave," Tol said, a mocking edge in his voice. "Foolish, but brave."

Orion pushed closer, but Tol stopped the lightning and swung his lightsaber. Orion rolled under the strike, coming up behind Tol and thrusting with his vibroblade. Tol grabbed Orion's arm, twisted it sharply, and a sickening crack filled the air. Orion's scream echoed through the battlefield. With a swift motion, Tol drove his lightsaber through the captain's chest, watching the life drain from his eyes.

The Jabiimi soldiers roared in rage, seeing their captain fall. They surged forward, ready to fight, but Kass and Zule stepped in front of them, their lightsabers ignited.

"Stop!" Kass yelled. "You'll all be killed! Let us handle him."

Zule nodded, her voice sharp. "Focus on the droids! We'll deal with the Sith."

Reluctantly, the Jabiimi soldiers pulled back, turning their attention to the battle droids still flooding the base. Kass and Zule turned their focus to Tol, stepping forward with their lightsabers at the ready.

Tol chuckled, his red blade humming in the air. "You think two Padawans can stop me? Amusing."

With a sneer, he lunged at them. Kass moved first, her lightsaber aimed at his side. Tol's blade met hers with a sharp clash. He twisted, pushing her back. Zule came in from the other side, her blade slashing toward Tol's head. Tol deflected the strike with ease, spinning to parry another attack from Kass.

Kass darted back, her feet light on the ground as she tried to find an opening. Zule swung her lightsaber in heavy, aggressive strikes, her metal arm adding strength behind each blow. Tol blocked each strike effortlessly, barely moving as he kept them both at bay.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Tol taunted, his red blade sweeping through the air.

Zule pressed forward, her lightsaber coming down in a wide arc. Tol sidestepped, thrusting his blade toward her chest. Zule parried just in time, their lightsabers locking for a moment. Kass jumped in, her blade swinging low, but Tol spun, knocking her strike aside.

Tol grabbed a piece of debris with the Force, hurling it at Zule. She slashed it in half, the debris crashing to the ground on either side of her. But Tol was already on her, his lightsaber cutting down toward her. Zule blocked the strike, but the force behind it nearly knocked her off her feet.

Kass leaped over a fallen droid, her lightsaber aimed at Tol's back. Tol ducked, his lightsaber coming up to meet hers. A sharp clash, then a twist of his wrist, and Kass stumbled back, trying to regain her footing.

"Is that all you've got?" Tol laughed, his voice dripping with contempt.

Zule swung hard, her lightsaber crashing against Tol's. He stepped back, avoiding her follow-up strike, then countered with a quick slash toward her side. Zule blocked it, but the impact made her arm tremble. Kass rushed in again, her lightsaber aimed at Tol's midsection. He deflected her strike without even turning, his focus still on Zule.

Kass growled in frustration, her movements quick and fluid, darting in and out, trying to find an opening. Tol blocked each strike with ease, his red blade flashing through the air as he batted her attacks away. Zule swung at his legs, but Tol jumped back, avoiding the strike.

"You're wasting your time!" Tol shouted, spinning his lightsaber in his hand. "You don't stand a chance."

Tol slashed toward Kass, his red blade aimed at her neck. Kass ducked, spinning low as she tried to sweep his legs. Tol leaped over her, landing gracefully before bringing his lightsaber down toward her head. Kass rolled away just in time, her lightsaber flashing up to meet his.

Zule stepped in, her lightsaber swinging in heavy strikes. Tol blocked each one, pushing her back with every blow. Kass darted in again, her lightsaber aimed at his chest, but Tol grabbed her with the Force, slamming her into the ground. Kass gasped as she hit the dirt, struggling to catch her breath.

"You're nothing!" Tol spat, advancing on Zule. His red lightsaber hummed, the air around them tense. "And now I'll return you to nothing!"

...

Jaden stood in the mud, his eyes fixed on the burning wreckage of the AT-AT behind him. Flames crackled and thick smoke billowed into the air. He didn't linger on it. His focus shifted up the slope where the battle raged. Bodies of clones, droids, and Jabiimi lay scattered, and the blaster fire continued to light up the battlefield. Jaden made his way up the slope, his boots sinking into the wet ground with each step.

As he reached higher, his eyes fell on Master Leska. She was still on her knees, her gaze distant, breathing heavily. The battle around her seemed distant, like it didn't reach her. Jaden's pace quickened.

"Leska, are you okay?" he asked, kneeling beside her. But she didn't respond, her eyes unfocused. Jaden didn't waste any more time. He placed his hands on her shoulder and closed his eyes, focusing. His hands glowed softly as he began to heal her, the warmth spreading through his fingertips. It felt easy, almost too easy, like it always had before. The Force flowed smoothly.

Leska's breathing became steadier. Her eyes blinked, and she began to focus again. She looked around quickly, confusion turning to recognition.

"Jaden," she said, relief washing over her face. She pulled him into a tight hug. "You're here."

Jaden hugged her back for a moment before stepping back. "You couldn't keep me away," he said with a small smile.

Leska held on to him for a moment longer before releasing him. She was about to ask how he got here, but Jaden interrupted, shaking his head. "We can talk about this later. Right now, there's a battle to win."

Before he could leave, Leska grabbed his arm firmly. "No. You need to help Aubrie and Scout. They're going after the weapon. They need you."

Jaden paused, his mind racing. He thought about the chaos of the battlefield, the destruction that was happening all around them. But Aubrie and Scout were at the heart of the mission.

"What about the Sith?" Jaden asked. He could feel the dark presence looming above them, the weight of the Dark Side heavy in the air. It surprised him. He had thought the Sith acolyte perished back in the capital, but clearly, he wasn't so lucky.

"I'll handle him," Leska said, her voice firm. She reached out with the Force, and her lightsaber flew into her hand, igniting with a sharp hiss.

Jaden's eyes lingered on her for a moment, searching her face. He could see her resolve. He gave a small nod, understanding what needed to be done. Without another word, he turned and continued his ascent up the slope, heading toward Aubrie and Scout.

...

Tol swung his lightsaber, the red blade cutting through the air as Kass barely dodged to the side. Zule stepped in at the same moment, her lightsaber crashing against Tol's. The impact sent sparks flying. Tol twisted, using the Force to push Kass back into the dirt, her body skidding along the ground. Zule tried to press the attack, her blue blade swinging down hard, but Tol parried it easily. His lightsaber cut low, aiming for her legs. Zule blocked again, her metal arm straining to hold the strike.

Tol flicked his wrist, sending a wave of Force energy slamming into Zule's chest. She staggered, her feet digging into the dirt to stop herself from falling. Tol followed, raising his hand, lightning crackling from his fingertips. The blue energy struck Zule in the chest, her body convulsing as the electricity surged through her. Kass rushed forward, deflecting the next wave of lightning with her lightsaber, stepping in front of Zule.

Zule coughed, regaining her stance, her lightsaber back in her hand. Kass stood beside her, both of them moving forward in unison. Tol watched, a smirk on his face as they advanced. He moved fast, his red blade flashing left and right as both Kass and Zule swung their lightsabers at him, trying to overwhelm him. The two of them pressed together, their blades clashing with Tol's, moving in rapid strikes, one covering the other as they attacked.

Tol blocked, deflected, and stepped back. His movements fluid, effortless. Zule swung low while Kass aimed high. Tol countered both, his red blade holding steady. Another quick slash from Zule, aiming for his side. Tol stepped to the right, Kass swinging her blade at his head. Tol ducked, a kick to Kass's midsection, sending her stumbling back. Zule tried to step in, but Tol used the Force to yank a piece of debris from the ground, hurling it toward her. The heavy object slammed into Zule, knocking her off balance.

Zule grunted as she recovered, but Kass was already on her feet again. She swung at Tol's legs, her green lightsaber moving fast. Tol leapt back, then reached out, wrapping an invisible grip around Kass's throat. She gasped, her hands clawing at her neck as Tol lifted her into the air. Zule rushed forward, trying to break his concentration, but Tol swung his lightsaber down, meeting her strike with a sharp block.

Kass hit the ground hard as Tol released her, coughing and struggling to breathe. Zule spun, her metal fist aiming for Tol's side, but Tol sidestepped, letting the punch sail past. He kicked her in the back, sending her stumbling forward. Kass moved in again, her lightsaber crashing against Tol's. Zule recovered quickly, both of them attacking together once more.

Tol pressed forward, pushing them back step by step. His red blade moved in a blur, deflecting their strikes with ease. Zule swung her metal arm, aiming for his head, but Tol ducked under the blow. Kass slashed at his midsection, but Tol twisted, his lightsaber deflecting her strike. Zule stepped in, her heavy blows raining down on him, but Tol parried each one, his red blade moving fast.

A chunk of rock lifted from the ground, flying toward Kass. She flipped over it, but Tol was already moving, his lightsaber slashing at her legs. She jumped back, avoiding the strike, but Tol's blade was there again, aiming for her chest. Kass barely blocked it, her feet slipping in the dirt as she was forced back.

Zule stepped in, deflecting Tol's next strike with her prosthetic arm, then swinging her lightsaber toward his head. Tol ducked, grabbing a nearby fallen droid with the Force and sending it crashing into Zule's side. She stumbled but recovered, swinging her lightsaber in a wide arc, trying to break through Tol's defense.

Another wave of lightning burst from Tol's hand, hitting Kass full force. She screamed, her body convulsing as the energy coursed through her. Zule swung at Tol, but he deflected the strike easily, stepping forward to press the attack. Kass struggled to her feet, her lightsaber barely able to block Tol's next strike.

"Pathetic," Tol spat, his red lightsaber locking with Kass's green blade. Zule swung her lightsaber at Tol's side, but he broke the lock and blocked her attack in one swift motion. A kick to Zule's midsection sent her sprawling.

Kass breathed heavily, her face pale, her movements slower. She glanced at Zule, then back at Tol. She could see it now—they couldn't win. Tol was too strong, too fast. But Zule still had a chance. Kass knew what she had to do.

Without a word, Kass stepped forward, her lightsaber raised. Tol swung at her, but Kass didn't move to block. His red blade sliced through her side, the wound deep, but Kass used the last of her strength to grab his wrist, holding him in place.

"Zule... now!" she shouted, her voice strained.

Zule's eyes widened, realizing what Kass had done. Her chest tightened as she watched her friend sacrifice herself. In that moment, something inside Zule snapped. Rage flooded her senses. The air around her seemed to grow thick, the Force responding to her anger. Her lightsaber crackled in her hand, the blade burning brighter.

Tol unleashed a torrent of lightning into Kass, freeing himself from Kass's grip, and Kass fell to the ground, motionless. Zule let out a roar, her lightsaber swinging with brutal force. Tol turned just in time to block the strike however she did manage to cut a deep gash in his shoulder. She then pressed the attack, her metal arm slamming into his ribs. Each of Zule's strikes came heavier, stronger, her movements fast and filled with raw power. Tol blocked, but the impact of each strike sent him back, his feet digging into the dirt. Zule swung again, her lightsaber aimed at his chest. Tol blocked, but the force of the blow nearly knocked the weapon from his hand. He grunted, his red blade barely able to hold against the onslaught. Zule didn't stop. Her anger fueled her, each strike faster, stronger than the last. She swung her metal fist, hitting Tol in the chest and sending him stumbling back. Her lightsaber came down hard, and Tol barely raised his weapon in time to block it.

Tol growled, using the Force to hurl debris at Zule. She roared and a blast of force tore through it with ease, her eyes locked on him. Another strike. Another block. Tol tried to push her back with a wave of energy, but Zule resisted, her body surging forward, her strikes relentless. Her rage overwhelmed her, the dark side pulsing through her veins. She was no longer just fighting Tol—she was punishing him, each blow heavier than the last.

Tol's red blade met Zule's strike, the clash sending sparks flying between them. Their lightsabers locked, both fighters pressing against each other with raw force. Zule's teeth were clenched, her eyes blazing with fury, her metal arm pushing harder into the hilt of her lightsaber. Tol grinned through the pain, a cut on his arm dripping blood, his breath heavy, but his confidence unwavering.

"You're a natural," Tol said, his voice smooth despite the exertion. "This rage, this power... it's exactly what the dark side is made for. Stop pretending to be something you're not." Zule screamed in response, her lightsaber coming down hard. Tol barely deflected it, the force behind her attack making his arm ache. She followed up with a quick slash toward his leg, and Tol stepped back just in time, her blade grazing his thigh. He winced but kept his focus, swinging his red blade toward her side. Zule blocked, and their blades clashed again.

"Kass is dead because of you!" Zule shouted, her voice shaking with rage. Another heavy strike from Zule sent Tol stumbling. She pressed forward, her anger giving her strength. Tol blocked each attack, but his guard was slipping, his body feeling the toll of the fight.

"You can't win!" Tol snarled, his voice desperate now. "You're already one of us. You belong with me. With the dark side." Zule's only response was another savage attack, her lightsaber crashing against his with brute force. Her yellow-tinged eyes glared at him, the darkness inside her growing. Tol growled, stepping back, trying to regain control, but Zule was on him, her strikes unrelenting.

Tol swung wide, aiming for her neck, but Zule ducked and slammed her metal arm into his chest. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he stumbled back, gasping for air. His red blade slashed at her legs, but Zule jumped back, her eyes blazing with fury. Tol tried to push her with the Force, but Zule resisted, pressing forward again with a series of powerful blows.

"You're a fool to resist!" Tol shouted, blocking another strike, but his movements were slower now, the injuries and strain catching up to him. His lightsaber met Zule's again and again, but he couldn't break her rhythm.

Suddenly, Tol's red blade swung wide, and he followed it up with a quick strike toward her midsection. Zule parried it, but the force of the blow sent her stumbling back. Tol pressed the advantage, his lightsaber flashing toward her chest. Zule deflected the strike, but Tol reached out with the Force, shoving her backward with a surge of energy. Zule hit the ground hard, her lightsaber falling from her grasp. She gasped, struggling to catch her breath as she tried to stand. But before Tol could press the attack, a figure stepped behind her.

Master Leska.

Leska wrapped her arms around Zule, pulling her close. "It's okay, Zule," she whispered softly. "It's over. You can stop now."

Zule struggled at first, her body tense, her eyes wild with rage. She even raised her hand, attempting to strike Leska. Her yellow eyes flickered with dark power, her mind clouded by anger. But Leska's voice was calm, soothing, her presence strong and steady.

"Zule, listen to me. It's okay," Leska repeated, holding Zule tight.

Zule's breaths came fast, her mind racing. The image of Kass's lifeless body flashed through her mind again, the pain fresh and raw. But slowly, as she listened to Leska's voice, the rage inside her began to fade. Her body relaxed, the fire in her eyes dimming. Leska loosened her grip as Zule's breathing slowed, her eyes returning to their normal color. She looked up at Master Leska, her face pale, her body trembling from the exertion.

"Good," Leska said softly, releasing her. "There's still much to do, Zule. We can't afford to grieve now."

Zule nodded, her voice weak. "I... I understand."

"Go," Leska ordered, stepping forward, her lightsaber igniting. "I'll handle this scum."

Zule hesitated, her eyes falling on Tol for a moment. The anger inside her flared again as she looked at him, the man responsible for Kass's death. Every fiber of her being wanted to stay, to end him herself. But she knew Leska was right. She turned, her eyes finding Kass's motionless body one last time. A pang of guilt and sorrow shot through her, but she pushed it down. There would be time for grief later. Now, they needed to finish what they had started.

Zule turned and ran, she would need to find the others and help them with the generator.

...

Aubrie and Scout moved through the base quickly, their steps quiet, their senses alert. The ground beneath them trembled slightly, the result of the ongoing quakes. As they rounded the corner of the facility, they saw it — the Mass Shadow Generator.

The structure was massive, a central glass chamber glowing with intense energy. Inside, bolts of crackling power surged and converged, then were directed down into the ground. The machine hummed with an ominous energy, a steady pulse that sent vibrations through the floor.

Aubrie moved closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied it. "Is this it?" she asked, her voice low.

Scout stepped toward the control panel, her fingers brushing the foreign symbols that lit up the interface. She frowned, confusion spreading across her face. "I have no idea how to stop it," she admitted, her voice tense.

Aubrie frowned, glancing between the machine and Scout. "Then we destroy it."

Before she could say another word, a large figure slammed into her from the side, sending her crashing into the machine. Her body hit the cold metal hard, the impact knocking the air out of her lungs. Alto Stratus, wild-eyed and snarling, had charged her like a beast. Aubrie gasped for breath, her body crumpling against the generator.

Scout's lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss, but before she could bring it up, Alto was on her. His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist, and with a sickening crack, her bone shattered. Scout's scream filled the air as her hand went limp, the lightsaber falling to the ground. Alto followed with a brutal kick, his foot connecting with her knee, twisting it inward with a loud snap. Scout fell, collapsing against the side of the generator, her face twisted in pain.

Aubrie, still reeling from the impact, raised her hand. A powerful Force push shot from her palm, sending Alto flying backward. His body slammed into a nearby wall, the metal denting from the force of the impact. He dropped to the ground, momentarily stunned.

Aubrie rushed to Scout's side, her breath ragged. Scout groaned, clutching her broken wrist, but she forced a pained smile. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice trembled.

Aubrie ignited her lightsaber, the blue blade humming in her hand. Her eyes locked on Alto, who had already risen to his feet. He didn't speak — he only roared, a guttural, primal sound that echoed across the base. His eyes wild, his body shaking with fury.

Aubrie charged at him, lightsaber in hand. Alto swung his fist, catching her in the side with a blow that sent her stumbling. She swung her blade toward him, aiming for his torso, but he moved with brutal speed, grabbing her by the arm and slamming her into the ground. Aubrie's head hit the dirt hard, her vision blurring as the world spun around her. Alto's foot came down, stomping toward her face, but she rolled aside just in time, her lightsaber cutting at his leg. The blade grazed his thigh, but the wound only seemed to enrage him further.

Alto grabbed her by the collar, lifting her off the ground with ease, his free hand swinging in a vicious arc. His fist collided with her face, the impact sending her head snapping to the side. Her lip split, blood spraying from the wound as she struggled to stay conscious.

Aubrie gasped, her vision swimming, but she managed to swing her lightsaber toward Alto's arm. He jerked back, avoiding a fatal blow, but the tip of her blade seared his shoulder, burning through flesh. Alto snarled, his hand coming down again, this time striking her in the ribs. The force of the blow knocked her breathless, her body crumpling to the ground once more.

Just as Alto raised his foot to stomp down on her, a figure moved behind him. Zule's blue lightsaber ignited with a sharp hiss, and she drove it forward, the blade piercing through Alto's back. But he had sensed her coming. He twisted at the last moment, causing her blade to stab into his side instead of his heart. Alto roared in pain, his elbow shooting back and connecting with Zule's face. She staggered, her grip on her lightsaber faltering.

Alto spun around, drawing a blaster pistol from his side. He fired several shots, the red bolts searing through the air toward Zule. She raised her metal arm, the blaster shots slamming into it harmlessly, the metal absorbing the impact. She stepped forward, swinging her lightsaber at him. Alto's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and forcing her arm away. His foot then came up, slamming into her chest with a powerful kick.

Zule flew backward, her body crashing a dozen meters away, her back slamming into the side of a building her lightsaber flinging away. She groaned, struggling to get up, but Alto was already charging at her, his body moving with the force of a battering ram. Zule stood, raising her arm as Alto's fist came down. The impact sent a shockwave of pain through her arm, but she didn't back down. Her prosthetic hand swung forward, connecting with Alto's jaw. The blow staggered him, his head snapping to the side. Zule pressed the attack, her fist coming up again, this time hitting his ribs. Alto grunted, his movements slowing as Zule's strikes continued to connect.

But Alto recovered quickly. His hand shot out, grabbing Zule's throat. He slammed her against the wall, his fingers tightening around her neck as she gasped for air. She raised her metal arm, slamming it into his side, but Alto didn't release his grip. Instead, he lifted her off the ground, his eyes filled with a wild rage.

Zule choked, her vision dimming as Alto's grip tightened. She struggled, her legs kicking out in an attempt to free herself, but Alto's strength was too much. His other hand came up, fist clenched, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

A rock flew through the air, smashing into the side of Alto's head. He released Zule, his head snapping to the side as he stumbled backward.

Jaden stood nearby, his arms crossed, a smirk on his face. "Happy to see me?"

(AN: Final confrontation is next chapter, after that we move on into Arc 2.)

Arc 2: Cultists of Coruscant

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