ARC 2: Ominous Twilight

3 ABY

More than 25 millennia have passed since the crash of the SS-Berk on the icy planet within the Unknown Regions.

The now ruling authority within the galaxy, the Galactic Empire, had suffered a critical blow three years prior in the Battle of Yavin where their superweapon, the Death star, had been destroyed by the Rebel Alliance which had risen to oppose their regime.

The Rebels are now more determined than ever to strike back as the Empire is busy recovering from their defeat.

It is in this time of turmoil that the Celestials, having sensed something ominous on the horizon, have decided to set their Guardians upon the galaxy.

This is the story of an unlikely group of heroes whose choices will determine the fate of everyone within the galaxy.

Deep within the caverns of the ice planet two giant ice crystals talk amongst themselves. "The disturbance in the Force is growing stronger."

"They are coming." The other crystal stated. "We cannot stall anymore. You know what needs to be done."

"I know, yet I do not want to place such a huge burden on them. They have nothing to do with this. It is us they are after."

"You know as well as I that once they arrive no one will be safe. They will subjugate this galaxy just as they did their own."

"They are but hatchlings!" The crystal stated.

"They are Guardians!" The other loudly proclaimed. "You might have offered the option to them because you did not wish to see them perish of hunger, but they are Guardians now! They are this galaxy's last line of defense! We need them now more than ever."

"You know I'm right." The crystal persisted. "What good did our defection do if we let this galaxy suffer the same fate?!"

"Very well" The crystal stated with a sigh of resignation. "You do know what will happen when we call them forth."

"I know what will happen if we do not." The other said with determination.

The large crystals began shining brightly in the large cavern. The blinding light illuminated all and when it dissipated three individuals stood before the giant crystals. "Greetings Guardians, you are needed to ensure this galaxy's continued survival."

Hiccup, Heather and Fishlegs, now looking older and wearing form-fitting robes, nodded and listened intently to the crystals.

"Darkness is approaching this galaxy." The crystal to the left said. "If it isn't stopped then life will cease to exist."

"It has been many millennia since you three have joined us in the Force and we have more than enjoyed your company but this may be the last time we speak." The crystal to the right now said. "The energy needed to bring you back to this realm has depleted us and we are ready to move on from this plane. So listen well."

The three didn't say anything even if they wanted to. "You young Guardians have been gifted with all the knowledge we Celestials possessed. The galaxy needs you now more than ever. The Beacon is close to being made operational again. If that happens then darkness shall descent. The only way to stop it is with the Spiral Holocron, which unfortunately is not in our possession anymore. Your task will be to retrieve it and stop whoever is trying to activate The Beacon."

"We will do whatever we can." Hiccup told the crystals.

"We swore an oath when becoming Guardians." Heather added. "And we would very much like to repay you for saving us."

"But you already have hatchling." The crystal chuckled. "Now, you must head out or you'll miss your ride off of this planet."

Hiccup, Heather and Fishlegs looked at each other before turning back to the crystals. "You know we'll miss you right." Hiccup mumbled as the others nodded.

"And we you." The crystal said as their light began dimming. "But the Force is a mysterious thing. We might never be too far away watching over you."

"Besides you will still have your bonded crystals to annoy you." The other crystal chuckled. "We wish you luck Guardians. Use your knowledge wisely." Was said and then the crystal added as an afterthought "Hiccup we are sorry about the eye."

Hiccup raised his eyebrow as he had no idea what they meant by that. The light within the giant crystals slowly dimmed until there wasn't any left.

"It's sad" Fishlegs mumbled. "They knew what bringing us back here would cost but they still did it."

"I know Fish." Hiccup told his friend. "It must be truly bad if they resorted to this. They already knew that we made peace with never returning to this plane of existence."

"Then let's find the one responsible for all this trouble and beat the living daylights out of him." Heather suggested.

"That was…. blunt." Fishlegs said.

"I just said what we were all thinking." Heather replied as they walked out of the cavern. It took a while before they reached the entrance. They walked out of the cave to be greeted by the same icy wasteland they had crashed on.

"I wonder what they meant about ride off of this planet?" Fishlegs pondered as he looked around.

"I see nothing." Heather said as the wind whipped her silvery blue robes. She looked to Fishlegs who was looking around nervously and then to Hiccup who covered his head from the icy winds with his black hood.

"Wait. Something is coming this way." Hiccup suddenly says and points to the horizon. Both Fishlegs and Heather looked in that direction and saw a fast approaching dot.

"I don't think they'll be stopping." Fishlegs mumbled as the dot came closer. They could now make out what looked to be a person sitting on a type of hover vehicle.

"We need to draw their attention then." Heather suggested. "But how? There is only ice around us and I doubt whoever is on that thing could hear us shout."

"I might have an idea." Hiccup said as he proceeded to walk into the path the speeder was heading for.

"Oh no…." Both Fishlegs and Heather as well as the crystals around their necks groaned.

"He's going to do something stupid again." Windshear deadpanned.

"Correction, he's doing something stupid now." Heather muttered as she saw the hover vehicle narrowly miss hitting Hiccup, who had managed to jump out of the way at the last second.

The pilot of the vehicle must have hit the brakes hard as the vehicle skidded to a stop while the pilot was thrown off of it. Both Fishlegs and Heather ran to help but saw that the pilot got up and marched to Hiccup who was now on his feet again.

The pilot took off their helmet, revealing a blond young woman who seemed to be about their age. The woman marched up to Hiccup while cursing loudly "SON OF A HALF-TROLL-EATING-MUNCH-BUCKET! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" before she proceeded to punch Hiccup in the eye.

"Well that explains the eye comment." Meatlug hummed as Heather and Fishlegs ran to save their friend from being pulverized by the woman who had just jumped on him with a war cry.

Fishlegs quickly grabbed the angry blond and pulled her away from Hiccup while Heather went to check on her friend.

"Take it easy!" Fishlegs tried to calm down the woman. "I know my friend is crazy but we just wanted you to stop!"

"Let me go! I'm going to pulverize him!" The woman shouted as she tried to kick Fishlegs. "Wait… what are you guys doing in the wasteland?" She suddenly asked while giving them a curious and suspicious look.

"Long story. A very long story." Hiccup groaned as he got up again.

"Well then start talking!" The woman demanded.

"Is there someplace where we can sit down to explain?" Heather asked before indicating to the icy plains. "This place is wel…."

"I get it. I get it." The woman mumbled. "I don't trust you lot but I get it. The mining facility is not far from here."

"What mining facility?" The three asked curiously.

"You're joking right." The woman asked incredulously. "The Empire's old Kyber crystal mining plant."

The woman saw the three glance at each other before looking at her again. "Look my speeder can't carry all of you." She said while indicating to her vehicle "But my boss can come pick you up if I tell him."

"Can you just give us a minute?" Fishlegs quickly asked before the three huddled together. "Are you sure about this? It's been so long how can the empire still stand?"

"Fish we know next to nothing about what went on during these millennia. I'm not even sure it's the same empire she's talking about."

"I have to agree." Heather whispered. "But if it is the Rakatan and she hands us over to them. We'll be in big trouble."

"So what do you suggest we do Heather?" Fishlegs asked.

"How about a hostage?" Hiccup suggested. "One of us goes with her to scope out the place."

"That's probably best." Fishlegs mumbled. "Maybe this empire is friendly?"

They soon turned back to the woman. "We have a suggestion." Heather explained. "Why doesn't one of us go with you? That way your boss wouldn't think you were crazy for suggesting that there are people in need of a ride out here in this wasteland."

The blonde hummed. "You do have a point." She muttered and then pointed to Hiccup. "I'll take the crazy one with me then."

"I'm not crazy!" Hiccup protested only to met by silence from everyone.

"You're crazier than me." Toothless mentally guffawed.

"Really guys!" Hiccup said in exasperation.

"Well I guess introductions are in order." Fishlegs said as he ignored his friend. "I'm Fishlegs, that's Heather and our insane friend is Hiccup."

"You may call me Astrid." The blonde introduced and then jabbed a finger in the direction of her speeder. "Well get on then."

Hiccup awkwardly mounted the speeder once Astrid had taken a seat. "You might want to hold on." She said to Hiccup before revving up the speeder and quickly accelerating.

"Wai- AAAAHHHHH" Hiccup shouted as he he nearly flew off. He quickly clamped his arms around Astrid's waist and held on for dear life.

"WOOOHOOO" Toothless happily shouted as he felt the rush.

"Why are you going so fast?!" Hiccup asked Astrid as the cold wind whipped against his face.

"Fast?" Astrid smirked. "This isn't fast." She said before accelerating further. "Now this is fast!" She felt the arms around her waist tighten.

Meanwhile back with Heather and Fishlegs. They looked at the dot that was supposed to be Hiccup and Astrid and the icy trail of dust they had left behind. "She did that on purpose didn't she?" Fishlegs asked.

"I wouldn't be surprised if she did." Heather smiled. "So…." She said turning to Fishlegs. "We have some free time." Fishlegs proceeded to blush and stammer.

Astrid smirked as she saw the mining plant become visible. She slowed down and guided the speeder into the hangar and parked behind a large vehicle which looked taken apart.

Astrid turned off the speeder and Hiccup let out a relieved breath as he dismounted. Astrid meanwhile looked around cautiously and then grabbed Hiccup by his arm and quickly yanked him into an office.

"Hey what?" Hiccup asked confused as Astrid shushed him.

"Be quiet." She hissed. "I don't want anyone to know you're here. It would cause more problems for me than you know. Just wait here while I get the boss."

"Eh…. Okay." Hiccup said looking unsure.

"And no snooping around like you had planned."

"How did you?"

"I wasn't born yesterday." Astrid huffed. "Now stay."

"Alright. You have my word that I won't leave here." Hiccup said. He decided to trust Astrid. Why else would she go through all the trouble to hide him if she could have apparently just turned him over.

Astrid nodded before closing the door and going back to the hanger. Hiccup looked at the office he was in and noticed a symbol on the wall. "Definitely not Rakatan." He mumbled to himself. He waited for maybe five to ten minutes before the office door was opened again and in walked two men with Astrid behind them. She quickly shut the door and then turned to Hiccup.

"These are Gobber and Finn." She introduced. "They're the main mechanics in this place."

"Nice to meet you." Hiccup said and looked at the two men who were scrutinizing him.

"So what is a lad like you doing all the way out here?" Gobber suddenly asked. "You aren't one of them are you? He then whispered.

"One of what?" Hiccup asked confused.

"You know" Gobber whispered again.

"I'm afraid I don't." Hiccup mumbled.

"Oh just ask him already!" Finn now said annoyed before turning to Hiccup with a suspicious look. "He meant are you a Jedi?"

"A what?" Hiccup now asked confused. "What's a Jedi?"

"Well I haven't heard that question before." Gobber mumbled. "And you know the weird part. I don't believe the lad is lying."

"Who the hell doesn't know what a Jedi is?" Astrid now asked.

"Someone who hasn't been on this plain of existence for millennia." Hiccup stated casually.

"Wait what?" Finn mumbled confused. "I think we might need you to explain a bit more."

"I will but maybe you can answer some of my questions?" Hiccup suggested.

"We'll try." Gobber told him and then mumbled "Lad probably hit his head."

"Alright I have to know, how were the Rakatans defeated, what is this place and which body of government exists now?"

"The Rakatans? Those backwater aliens?" Finn laughed. "Why would we need to fight them? They all hide away in their little holes."

"That can't be right." Hiccup mumbled to himself but the others still heard. "The Rakatans my friends and I remember were a fearsome race. They enslaved many worlds and made them part of their empire."

"Never heard of any Rakatan empire lad." Gobber spoke up and then turned to Finn. "I think I should go pick up his friends. This might be a long discussion."

Finn nodded and then looked at Hiccup again. "In the meantime let's do something about that eye of yours. How did you get that?"

"Astrid hit me." Hiccup mumbled and then blushed in embarrassment as both Gobber and Finn laughed.

"Sounds like the lass alright." Gobber smiled before heading out of the office with Astrid. Finn began rummaging in a drawer and pulled out a cold compress.

"Put this on your eye." He said giving it to Hiccup before taking a good look at him. "You best be careful here. It wouldn't do to get caught by the Empire."

"Why?" Hiccup asked.

"I highly doubt you want to sit in a cell waiting for an unpleasant interrogation. They certainly wouldn't believe what you claim." Finn mumbled. "The only people who would come here are miners and Jedi."

"You mentioned them before. What are Jedi?" Hiccup asked.

"You really don't know do you." Finn muttered as he saw the clueless look in Hiccup's eyes. "They were the peacekeepers in the galaxy for millennia. They served the Republic until they were betrayed and wiped out. Some say that there isn't a Jedi left while other say they went into hiding. I'll go into more detail when your friends get here."

"You're still skeptical" Hiccup surmised.

"Wouldn't you when someone claiming to be from the past suddenly pops up?" Finn asked crossing his arms.

"Touche" Hiccup mumbled.

Hiccup and Finn passed the time in relative silence when after a while the door to the office opened again and Heather and Fishlegs were ushered inside by Gobber and Astrid.

"So why all the secrecy?" Heather now asked.

"Any suspicious contact has to be reported and the individuals handed over for interrogation." Gobber told them. "Be lucky you met us and not some loyal Empire subject."

"You're not loyal?" Fishlegs whispered looking quite nervous.

"Just call us independant contractors." Finn explained. "The Empire is done with stripping this world and hired us to do the rest of the grunt work."

"So why the secrecy?" Heather asked.

"We might be independant but some of the employees here could turn ya in to gain favor from the Empire." Gobber explained. "And we'll also come under fire if they knew we helped ya."

"Then why are you helping us if you guys could get into trouble?"

"Because I have a feeling that you'll be making waves in this galaxy soon." Finn smirked.

"I have my own reasons for keeping this quiet." Astrid mumbled not looking very pleased. "I still don't trust you three but let's hear what you have to say."

Hiccup glanced at his friends before telling them the story of their crash landing, the crystals and the looming threat. All while not trying to give away that they were Force-sensitive and had ancient knowledge which anyone would covet.

In return Finn and Gobber gave the trio a history lesson about the Republic, The Empire, Jedi and what not.

"Something still smells fishy." Astrid stated as she looked Hiccup in the eye. "And I won't trust you until I find out what you're hiding."

"Lass everyone is entitled to their secrets" Gobber stated. "Why, you should know."

"Gobber!" Astrid hissed.

"So if I understand it correctly, you three need to get off Ilum to find some artifact which belonged to some mythical race to stop someone from bringing about the end of this galaxy." Finn surmised.

"Do you even have a destination in mind?" Astrid asked skeptically.

"Well, seeing that the Rakatans were the biggest threat then I'd suggest starting with them. They might know what happened to the artifact."

"I still don't get how you think the Rakatans conquered worlds." Astrid grumbled. "They're a primitive culture. Even the Empire didn't waste any time in conquering their useless planet."

"You know where their planet is?" Hiccup asked.

"Of course. The Republic had it declared a historic site. The Empire found no worth in the planet when they took over so they left it as is." Astrid mumbled. "It isn't even that far from here."

Fishlegs, Heather and Hiccup glanced at each other before looking back at Astrid.

"What?" Astrid now asked annoyed.

"Can you take us there?" Hiccup asked.

"What?!" Astrid nearly shouted. "Why should I?!"

"Because you know the way….." Hiccup sheepishly answered.

"Can't argue with that lass." Gobber laughed.

"It's a shame that Gobber and I are very busy." Finn remarked.

"I should have run you over." Astrid grumbled as she sent a withering glare at Hiccup.

"I still can't believe I got talked into this." Astrid grumbled as she sat behind the controls of an old freighter. It was nighttime on the planet now and less people would see them leave.

"Are you sure about this ship?" Heather asked as she eyed the old and worn seating and the rust on the walls.

"If Gobber says that it will fly then it will." Astrid retorted. "I'm more concerned with getting out of orbit without being spotted."

"The technology has certainly advanced in all this time." Hiccup mumbled as he looked at the various buttons on the ship.

"You're joking right." Astrid muttered. "This ship is a piece of junk."

"Hey! Dontcha talk about my baby like that!" Gobber admonished over the coms.

"Face it Gobber. We wouldn't be able to outrun a Star Destroyer in this." Astrid commented.

"Well then don't get caught lass!" Gobber stated. "Now you best be off. You'll only have a small window of opportunity to go undetected."

Astrid started up the ship and they flew low over the icy plains to avoid radar detection. Astrid flew out of the atmosphere once they were sufficiently far enough away from the mining plant.

Unbeknownst to them a secret message had been sent to the Star Destroyer. "Sir incoming coded message." One of the men announced on the bridge.

"Well what's it about?" The man in charge said.

"It seems to be a message from the surface Captain Thuggory. They reported some unknown individuals and one of their guards boarding a small freighter and leaving the planet's surface. Their destination is unknown at the moment."

The captain huffed. "Probably some rebel scum. Do we know their last known trajectory?"

"Yes captain. The computer is extrapolating their possible exit points now." One of the bridge officers confirmed. "We managed to get a lock on it before they jumped into hyperspace."

"Can we identify any of the individuals on the ship?" The captain now asked.

"Only the guard sir." Someone told him. "The others don't seem to have any known records."

"The guard who is now off duty has worked at the plant for approximately three to four years. The records show her name to be one Astrid Hofferson." The crew member explained while displaying Astrid's ID picture on the screen.

Captain Thuggory sucked in a breath as his eyes widened when he saw Astrid. "Get me their destination now!" He suddenly shouted. "And detain anyone she was close to!"

"Sir?" The officer asked looking worried.

"This is an order. Get me their destination now! This woman must not be allowed to live." He growled before turning back to the screen. "So you were alive after all." Thuggory muttered. "But not for long."

"Sir, from their last known trajectory their destination seems to be Lehon."

"Why would she be going to that backwater planet?" Captain Thuggory muttered to himself before he ordered "Send a platoon of troopers after them."

"Sir isn't that a lot of troopers for some rebel scum?" The officer questioned.

"No not with whom we are dealing with." The captain stated. "I want that woman dead."

"Sir yes sir." The officer saluted before executing the order.

Astrid and the trio had meanwhile come out of hyperspace and were approaching Lehon. There appeared to be wreckage all throughout the space surrounding the planet.

"I wonder what happened?" Fishlegs asked. "It looks like a battle broke out."

"I don't think this was from any recent battle." Hiccup observed. "The planet looks untouched from orbit. Do you know anything about it Astrid?"

"Beats me. I was never much of a history nut." Astrid told them as she navigated her way through the rubble. "No one seems to pay much attention to this place."

She proceeded to land the freighter on a beach and Heather looked outside. "I think Hiccup was right about a battle in the past. Frankly it looks like quite a few battles took place here." She stated while pointing to the wreckage of some crashed spaceships. The hulls were still visible as the tropical jungle grew around it.

"I don't think I like this place much." Fishlegs suddenly shivered while looking wearily around him as they left the ship and walked along the beach. "Never did I think I'd be seeking out the Rakatan."

"Was this empire you claim the Rakatans had really so terrible?" Astrid suddenly asked as she shouldered her bag and looked curiously at the three.

"It wasn't terrible." Heather commented. "It was a nightmare. They attacked worlds and enslaved Force-sensitives."

"Those who displeased their masters were killed or eaten alive." Hiccup added as both Heather and Fishlegs shuddered. "We all escaped to Nortron and from there boarded sleeper ships hoping for a better future."

"Nortron seems like a familiar name." Astrid mumbled before realization hit her. "You're talking about Coruscant!" She suddenly exclaimed.

"We are?" Fishlegs asked curiously.

"I know because I met some Mandelorians a few years back. They mentioned Coruscant once being called Nortron." Astrid told them before she suddenly stilled causing Hiccup to bump into her.

"Astrid what's wrong?" Hiccup asked as Astrid looked around warily.

Suddenly she shouted "TAKE COVER!" and yanked Hiccup and his friends behind a tree before the place that they were standing on exploded.

"What was that?!" Fishlegs shrieked as their ship was blown up next.

"We got company." Astrid growled as a ship landed on the beach and soldiers dressed in white armor ran out.

"Who are those guys?" Hiccup asked.

"Storm troopers. Definitely not friendly." Astrid grumbled as Fishlegs let out a squeak. She frowned as she noticed the large number of troopers gathered on the beach.

"This is my fault." Astrid finally said.

"No it isn't." Hiccup tried to protest.

"Yes it is Hiccup." Astrid persisted. "They wouldn't send such a large number if they just thought we were harmless. They must have finally ID'd me."

"Astrid why would they need so many soldiers just for you?" Heather now asked looking suspicious. "Just who exactly are you?"

"Doesn't matter now." Astrid grumbled as she took something that looked like a blade hilt from her bag. "If they want me then they'll just have to face me. You three stay hidden."

"Astrid we could help." Hiccup suggested.

"No" Astrid ordered. "You stay hidden. I'm not having anyone else involved in my business." She said as she gave the trio a hard look. "I won't lose anyone anymore." She whispered to herself before heading to the beach where the troopers were gathered.

"Looking for me boys?" Astrid asked as she casually walked up to the troopers on the beach. She gripped the hilt in her hand as she glared at the troopers who had now aimed their blasters at her.

"You're going to have to do a lot better than that if you want to kill me." She laughed as the troopers' shots missed her before igniting the hilt she carried, revealing a red plasma blade. "A lot better."

-To be continued-