Zer0: (Sips coffee, staring outside the window as some idiots light a dumpster on fire.) Ah…..What a beautiful day it is (Fire rains down from the sky). Oh look, I can see that nice Donut Shop from here. (BioshockerN7: How long before somebody lights that on fire for no real reason?) Well, better get back to writing. Since there is still technically a pandemic going on. Stay home, wash your hands, stop licking shit.

BioshockerN7: But we're not here to talk about people not following the rules of quarantine. That's real world shit, and as we all have seen, real world shit (particularly those of this day and age) and Star Wars don't mix.

Zer0: Welcome everyone back to Star Wars, let's just get into the reviews.

Bloodline 69: Thank you. Don't worry, we will.

Canadiangunner11: Yes, yes it does. Poe getting into fights is going to be a running gag, not too much, but enough to be funny. Someone might have the high ground, but it won't be enough. No one can master the High Ground like Kenobi did.

Hellfire45: Thanks my guy.

SupremeSongLeader: Huzzah! We live! (STOMP, STOMP). Ah thanks man, whenever I work on a story it is always amazing, when Bio works on his story that are awesome (Whenever he gets to them), but when we perform a fusion, it is a masterpiece. Stroking one's ego aside, everything just goes to shit for the good guys. Yeah, the brawl scene wasn't really trying to make the Resistance to be bad guys, but everyone is on edge as we have pointed out in the chapter they have been on a losing streak. As much as I enjoy all these questions, we will save those questions for the commentary after the story. Tho I think Bio agrees that Arthon could beat the shit out of Zeb. (BioshockerN7: Honestly, never really crossed my mind that much. I didn't have many problems with Zeb.) All the questions you have will be answered, my questions is what were you gonna say for Damien and the Hero's Journey, but I want you to save that for later. Seriously, write all that down on Doc, save that and leave it on the final chapter for the commentary (BioshockerN7: In other words, we'll save explaining what led to our decisions and characters for when we finish this story). I don't believe droids can see Force Ghost, I don't remember if R2 ever reacted. Yes, I have settled the harem, but that is like the least focused thing in my story. I am glad you like Rey, it only gets better. Plus I want your thoughts on Damien. Did you mean Commander Pyre, or General Pryde? Let's not shit on Creator, he isn't a bad guy, we just didn't agree with what he said. That other guy who thought Bio was fake tho, I don't get his reason.

Gwb620: Thank you.

Bob the Kraken: LOL. (BioshockerN7: Damn, he cracked the code.) Thank's Bob, you made our day. Yeah, we'll go deep with the characters in the commentary, but Hux was one of the many fun ones to write, the Vornskr was my favorite addition to his character, and another bit that will be shown in Eight. Another character we based Hux on, and we both didn't voice it until we realized it, was Lord Cutler Beckett from Pirates of the Caribbean. Thanks again, Bob.

Guest: Damn, I can't stop laughing at this review. Not because it is bad, but because you stated a problem, that is the point. Damien, the main character who has the Force, is literally topped by the others around him. If I had him instantly take the Lightsaber, not much internal conflict. Not to mention I did blatantly write that he is pathetic. I'll go more into it in the commentary after the story.

1stHorseman: Thanks man. Well I can't confirm nor deny if you are right.

Ajj6327044: Thank you, I am glad you are enjoying the story. We appreciate the idea, but we do have something in mind. Thank you.

SaiyatonianSage: Thanks! Yeah when me and Bio were working on characters, we didn't know who to have Hux be inspired by. (Bio: We certainly weren't gonna make him the bumbling moron the films made him out to be). So then we thought of one character: Thrawn! We also didn't even realize it, but he also reminded us of Lord Beckett from Pirates of the Caribbean. You will get more on that stuff of Thrawn later, but to simply answer, no. Thrawn is dead…...I think. Rebels is coming back, maybe that will answer. (We'll definitely go more in-depth with our decisions with Hux in the commentary chapter once we finish the story. As for Arthon, thanks. That was one of the biggest factors when it came to Arthon's place in the story. He's bitter, resentful, and as of the moment, he doesn't give a damn what becomes of the galaxy. So that's what led to the moment of him breaking his life debt.). Yeah, that was a fun part for me to write, a girl can only handle so much from a ragtag group of cynical people. Yes. We are so close to the booty clap. So close and yet so far. Yeah I did like how Peach lady explained it, but I felt like there was a bit more in depth if it was Leia….Ya know, the one who has trained in both EU and DU (Disney's is crap, but at least they did it). Oh don't worry we won't leave things left in the dust, especially why Leia separated her path as a Jedi. MMMMMMMM, yes, good luck with that. Thanks, I actually went back and changed it. In fact, Bio had the idea of using line breaks. Do you guys want us to use them? We'll probably use a few every chapter to show the next scene, what do you guys think?

I believe that shall be all for now. Bio, if you'll please read the disclaimer.

BioshockerN7: We own nothing here but our OCs and our love for this series. If we did own it, you could bet your ass that what happened in the Sequel Trilogy would've been handled a lot more professionally. Might not be perfect, but again, anything's better than what we sadly got.

Zer0: That was beautiful. And with that, Ladies and Gents. We present you.

Zer0/Bio: STAR WARS!

"My brothers and sisters, children of the First Order! We stand here today to mark the day of reckoning. The day of rebirth. The day of Ascension. Forty Eight years in the making, we stand on the very foundation of the First Order, on the last gift of our forerunners, the Galactic Empire! The New Republic believed us to be nothing but a bunch of fanatics and a remnant of the Empire! Their hubris will be their greatest downfall, for systems away the New Republic lies to the Galaxy within their precious Hosnian System. We are real, we are the First Order, reborn from ashes of the Empire to make anew! A new order upon this machine that we stand on, on which you have poured your blood and sweat for! The First Order will bring true justice to this Galaxy! We will be the anchor for this chaotic galaxy, and no one, not the New Republic, not the feeble Resistance, no Skywalker, no Jedi, will stand in our way! Let this be the day, my brothers and sisters, let this be the last day of discord, the last day of the Senate, of their pathetic army! LET THIS BE REMEMBERED AS THE LAST DAY OF THE REPUBLIC! LET THIS BE THE DAY OF ORDER! THE DAY OF ASCENSION!" Hux boomed, and every single Stormtrooper took one step and turned around, saluting to the mighty General. Within the command center several officers activated several engines and charged the core, targets locked onto the Hosnian System. Within the center of the planet, the large chasm glowed with dark energy, the Dark Side flowed through it, anything within the chasm was reduced to nothing.

"FIRE!"

The world cried in anguish, before Hell was unleashed. From within the chasm, red energy formed and like a volcano, exploded into a beam of red energy consumed within the dark side. The beam could be felt across the planet, unleashing a blast of wind, shaking the base to it's very core. Hux stared at the beam with a small smile, watching as the wrath of the First Order was unleashed, to be seen across the Galaxy. His coat fluttered against the wind but he stood strong, as all did as they stared at the large beam. From above the surface on one of the Flagships, a being in black and red armor stared at the beam, his face covered with a black visor over his eyes, a double bladed sword on his back. He watched, the Dark side was strong at this very moment, as the beam of energy fired across space.

Across the Galaxy, all of those who had just witnessed the message from General Hux, would look up to the sky and those farthest would see it, a small beam tearing across space at Lightspeed. From the world of Naboo, six warriors who had just finished burning an ancient temple to the ground looked up feeling the dark side spread across the Galaxy. Systems away, a woman covered in armor finished electrocuting several men while a large saurian like figure severed a man's head from his body. Both turned to the sky, seeing the beam of the dark side. On a desert world sitting near a campfire was a being covered in tattered robes. Their head shot up and stared up towards the sky, clutching their heart as the red beam raced onward. On a forest world, a being with a skull helmet crouched on the branches with a smaller figure next to him ready to catch their prey. However, the beast looked up and roared in fear, the figures followed it's direction and saw it through the branches as the beam raced across the Galaxy.

The red beam of dark side energy raced past several systems and stars, it's path roared like a wound in the Force, before slowly splitting into several beams. At this very moment, on Hosnian Prime, Mothma turned from her chair and slowly walked towards the large window staring up at the sky. The clouds parted as the red beam blasted towards them. Mothma closed her eyes as the world around her screamed, the people all over the world cried in horror. Systems away, Leia clutched her chest as Han caught her from falling.

"Leia…...forgive me." Mothma whispered as her world became white.

Void.

(D'Qar)

"So that's it, huh?" Rhasar asked, his helmet in his hands. "We just go our separate ways?" He asked. The group stood at the landing dock of the ship, Karine standing in front of Rhasar with IG behind her, Arthon leaning against the ship with his back to them, and Finn next to Rhasar. Karine sighed, she hated goodbyes, but simply shrugged her shoulders.

"We both knew this day would be coming, sooner or later…...I don't like it as much as you do. All we have been through, and even now I still want to leave." Karine said before crossing her arms. "But if we leave, Rhasar, we would be leaving the Galaxy in a worst position as it is."

"And what makes you think any of us can make it better?" Rhasar asked. "We're not exactly the hero types. Heroes offer the hand of forgiveness, I kill who I'm paid to kill." He said. Karine simply shook her head, reaching for the Mando's shoulder.

"My Brother once told me these words, the words my mother told him when he was little. 'Always remember: Never accept the Galaxy as it appears to be. Dare to see it for what it could be'. If we can, we could make this Galaxy a better place, maybe you don't want to admit it, but you can't tell me a small part of you wouldn't want a Galaxy at peace?" Karine asked, placing a hand to Rhasar's cheek. Arthon looked over his shoulder, letting out a small growl, but said nothing. Rhasar sighed, closing his eyes before taking Karine's hand and pulling it off his cheek.

"Better place ain't the sort of stuff I worry about, Tails. That just isn't who I am. Honestly, I don't know what I want, but I doubt I'd find it here." He said. Karine frowned as she pulled her hand away, turning away from Rhasar.

"So, I guess this is goodbye?" Karine asked.

"I guess so." Rhasar said. "You stay here, and try to be a 'hero'." He said, throwing air quotes at the last word. Karine turned back to him, holding her hand out.

"Stay out there, and wait for the next big buck until you die." Karine said. Rhasar said nothing, simply taking her hand and they both shook.

"It's what I'm good at, Tails." He said. Karine turned to Finn, simply offering him a small smile.

"Goodbye, Finn. I hope you make a good life out there." Karine said, Finn merely nodded his head in return. Karine merely walked towards Arthon, the Trandoshan said nothing as the Twi'lek reached out to him, she stopped however and merely pulled away. Karine walked away from Arthon, before he let out a low snarl.

"Don't let the flesh bag die. He seems intent on an early demise." He growled. Karine turned back, giving him a small smile seeing that was the best anyone got as care from Arthon. Karine started walking away, before stopping as she noticed there was no clanking behind her. She turned back to see IG still standing there, its attention elsewhere.

"IG?" Karine asked walking up to the droid, its head looking up. "IG, what are you doing?"

"I detect a powerful wave of energy traversing across the sky at Lightspeed." IG stated.

"What?" Finn asked as the four followed IG's direction and stared up at the sky. Rhasar heard commotion behind them, turning around to see dozens of Resistance Fighters drop all that they were doing and look up.

"What the hell's going on?" He asked himself.

"There!" Karine exclaimed as she pointed towards the sky, Rhasar and the others followed and there they saw it. A red beam of energy flew across the sky, tearing through space at Lightspeed.

"Where….where is it going?" Karine asked, Arthon narrowed his eyes seeing the trajectory as the beams split apart.

"The Hosnian System. The capital of the New Republic." He said. Karine gasped in shock, covering her mouth as even Rhasar was shocked as several planets were destroyed instantly. Arthon jaw tightened in rage while IG merely stared, its optics zooming in.

"They did it." All eyes turned to Finn, whose eyes were wide with horror. "They actually did it." He repeated, his voice shaken with fear.

"Did what? Who did what, Finn?" Karine asked.

"The First Order...I told you the rumors I heard of what they've been doing. I only knew one to be true. A weapon to surpass the Death Star. One the Empire began constructing long ago...the Rebellion thought that their projects had ended." He shook his head. "The First Order picked up where they left off. With one shot, an entire system can be reduced to nothing. That was the First Order's greatest weapon...Starkiller Base." He said. The smugglers looked back at the destruction of an entire system, in one shot the anchor of the Galaxy was destroyed. They heard the Resistance Fighters cursing and some possibly even crying. But all fell deaf as they heard footsteps behind him, Rhasar and the group turned to see Poe slowly walk up to them, not far away from them was Han and the others. They could see the look of defeat on his face, the man looked like he was about to let out a cry of anger.

"We'd best get going." Arthon said to Rhasar, who had just slipped on his helmet. Not far from them, Han and Leia stared at the destruction of the New Republic.

"After all we have worked for, after everything we have done, it's over." Han said with a sigh of defeat. Leia merely looked at her husband, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Not yet, we are still fighting…..and Luke is still out there." Leia said.

"But where, Leia? We haven't found him in six years, no one has." Han said.

"No. There is someone." Han turned to his wife. "Someone we both lost the night our…...the night he turned towards Snoke…..but I feel he has returned, Han. Our hope has returned, our s-!"

BOOM!

(Play Star Wars: The First Order March x Imperial March EPIC Version)

Han and Leia's head shot up, their eyes widening in shock while Chewbacca let out a roar of anger. Rhasar and the other's heads shot up and Karine gasped again, seeing the large First Order Star Destroyer hover above them. Fear was etched onto the faces of every Resistance fighter there, even Rhasar was surprised by the sudden appearances of the ship.

"H-How?" Poe asked. "How could they have found us?!"

(Outer Rim, Finalizer)

Kylo Ren watched as the beam of dark side energy blasted from the cannon of Starkiller Base, his helmet hid his expression from view. He had no care for this weapon, it was nothing more than the ego of the First Order. It was next to nothing compared to the power of the Force, he felt and heard the cries of horror from the beam as it destroyed it's target. The New Republic was gone, and now all that remained was the Resistance.

And Skywalker.

"Lord Ren." Kylo looked over his shoulder to see a captain and Stormtrooper commander, Tierny and Pyre he believed, walk towards him. He turned his attention to them, feeling fear creep up the captain, it was almost an amusing sight.

"You have something to report, Captain?" Kylo asked as Tierny pulled out a datapad.

"General Hux has deduced that the Resistance is on D'Qar." Kylo said nothing, so Tierny continued. "He has reported that the Resistance is in the possession of the map to Skywalker." Kylo head perked up at that. He realized if they had the map, they would have Skywalker.

They have him.

"Commander, prepare the forces, Captain, prepare to jump." Kylo ordered, Pyre merely saluted and walked towards his post while Tierny started barking orders towards other officers. Kylo turned back to the large window, his mind raced to what he would find.

"I have finally found you, and I will finally finish what we started." Kylo said as the stars turned white and they flew towards their destination.

(D'Qar)

"You know, I've always dreamed of being on an adventure. Going across the Galaxy, looking for answers." Damien said, resting his chin on his hand as they stared out towards the sea, Rey sitting beside him while BB rolled beside her. "When the smuggler found me, he told me stories of the vast regions unexplored, of the Jedi and the Force. All I ever wanted was the answers of who I am…...but..."

"But?" Rey asked.

"But the moment I felt the cold, the dark…..it was unlike anything I have ever felt. I have felt pain and death from Arthon, but when I….felt the Dark Side it was cold….empty. I was afraid, Rey, afraid of what would have happened. I guess I have been a smuggler for so long, I wasn't ready as I thought I was…...nor do I think I'll ever be." Damien said, reaching for a rock and letting it float in his hand. Rey could understand Damien's fear, being forced into this whole situation was quite scary, and yet she was glad she was forced off that sand ball. She only knew what was waiting there for her, or at least what she was waiting for. At least that is what she wants to believe.

"I'm not exactly one to give advice, you and your friends are the first people who have been kind to me. I have been alone on that planet ever since I was a child." Rey said. "Had we not met I would be stuck on Jakku until the day I die….waiting for them. If I had the choice to stay there or go with you, before I would have stayed home…...but now. Now I wish to see more of the Galaxy, then I would go back and find my parents." Damien smiled at Rey, seeing her determination. He looked back at the forest line, feeling his friends through the force, and knew the mistake he made. He was being selfish, he was being an idiot. He didn't know if should accept Leia's offer, the cold creeping up on him, but he knew he had to go back to his friends.

"Rey, I think it is time we hea-GAH!" Damien screamed in pain, groaning as he laid on the ground.

"Damien?!" Rey exclaimed in concern, before stopping in her tracks, gasping for air as if gravity around them became heavier. The two sat on the grass simply shocked as Damien clutched his head, Rey held her chest as she simply gasped. They felt it, a void, death, cold, the Dark Side. It was quick, a flash but they saw and felt it all. Flashes of faces, snippets of memories, laughter echoed, and the sweet scent of a newborn's flesh, undergoing a greasy transformation. Thousand upon thousands, millions upon millions of lives flashed through the two like a star going supernova. Light turned into Dark, life turned into death, the world turned into void, and flesh into wound.

As soon as it was there, it was gone, a hollow shock that blasted through them. Damien slowly pushed himself up, reaching towards Rey to make sure she was okay.

"Rey? Are you okay?" Damien asked, helping Rey to her knees holding onto her as she controlled her breathing. All she could do was nod as Damien helped her to their feet, the scavenger holding onto Damien for support. This has been the second time she has felt this cold feeling, the dread she felt on Jakku.

"What….was th-!"

BOOM!

Both looked up to the sky, eyes widened in horror seeing the mighty Star Destroyer above orbit, slowly descending towards the planet. Damien felt Rey's grip tighten in his as the ship entered the lower atmosphere.

"H-How did they find us?" Damien thought out loud, he couldn't understand how the hell they found them. He looked at Rey and saw the fear in her eyes, looking down he saw BB hiding behind his feet. He knew now was not the time to be afraid, he needed to bring them back to base.

"Come on, we need to get you and BB to safety." Damien said, pulling her along as BB rolled behind him. He couldn't admit it to Rey, but he was afraid too, but for her sake he needed to be strong. Maybe he should bring her back to Rhasar and the others, she would be safer with them than with him. His mind flashed back to the vision in the snow, where Rhasar's helmet was broken, but what scared him most was the destroyed staff inches away. The roar of TIE Fighters and First Order Drop Ships echoed across the forest as they flew towards their objective: The Resistance Base.

(Resistance Base)

"All units, prepare for battle!" Ackbar bellowed as soldiers all around him scurried for their blasters and quickly moved boxes around like barricades. IG stood in front of Karine as his main protocol ordered it to protect her, while Rhasar, Arthon, Poe, and Finn watched the TIE Fighters get closer to the base. Poe looked back towards the base, knowing the hangar was on the other side.

"We can't let those bucketheads get to the hangar or they'll toast our fighters! Then this'll be over real quick for us!" Poe said. He pointed to a couple of crates. "You guys get to cover!" He said, before he ran off.

"He expects us to fight? What are we gonna do against TIEs? I doubt these guys are equipped to deal with them without the use of a fighter." Finn said. They saw one of the Tie Fighters start blasting, the bolts running across the field and heading towards them. Rhasar tackled Karine as IG grabbed Finn and pulled him aside, Arthon jumping away when the blasters hit their ship. Chewbacca covered Han and Leia for protection as the ship went up in fire and hot metal.

"Great! There goes our credits!" Rhasar said, a slight growl of annoyance from Arthon sharing in his frustration.

"And the ship." Finn muttered, before more TIEs fired. The group stood back up and started running towards the base for cover.

"What do we do?" Karine asked, hiding behind a crate with Rhasar. Leia and Han walked over to a nearby console checking the readings, seeing a dozen ships heading towards them.

"You're asking me that question?!" Rhasar asked, blasters in hand. Leia took a deep breath, feeling the Force guide her, only to realize.

"Where is Damien?!" Leia asked, as Rhasar turned to her, only for Arthon to answer.

"We thought he was with you!" He said, irritated that he left his cannon on the Falcon. Leia frowned, if Damien wasn't with them, he must be close by. However she sensed that Stormtroopers were gonna land any minute now, they needed Damien, but right now they needed someone who could wield it. She looked over at Rhasar, her eyes widening in realization.

"Rhasar, come with me." Leia ordered, turning and leaving into another direction.

"Where is she going?" Lando asked, watching the Senator leave, Han shook his head wondering what his wife had in mind.

"I don't know, but we won't find out standing around. Come on, Mando." Han said following after Leia. Rhasar watched in confusion, wondering why she wanted him, but knew he wasn't gonna get an answer at the moment, standing up, he holstered his blasters and ran after them.

"What are we gonna do?" Karine asked, looking at Arthon for answers.

"Perhaps we shall use these." IG stated, handing Karine a blaster.

"IG, where the hell did you get these?" Karine asked.

"I found them in a crate nearby." IG said handing Finn and Arthon a blaster. Arthon snarled, looking around and saw all the Resistance fighters on their knees hiding behind makeshift barricades. He saw in the distance on the hill several drop ships open, dozens of Stormtroopers charged firing across the field. He sighed in annoyance before clicking his blaster, looking at Karine.

"What do we do? Simple. We fight." Arthon said. The Trandoshan roared as he started shooting back, hitting a few Stormtroopers, while the Resistance soldiers followed. Karine took a deep breath before looking out of the corner and started shooting, IG hit every shot, but the only one who had yet to fire was Finn. Once more, he found himself hesitant to shoot at his own brothers and sisters.

"Finn?!" Karine yelled as she pulled the ex-stormtrooper down, a bolt nearly missing his head. "Finn, if you don't shoot back, they are going to kill you!"

"Having second thoughts, Stormtrooper?! They definitely don't share your hesitation!" Arthon said.

"I grew up with them! I don't wanna kill them!" Finn said. "They're just like me, stolen from lives they'll never know!"

"At this very moment, they don't care. We're standing between them and the Resistance's. You don't have a choice right now, Finn!" Karine said, grabbing his blaster and pressing it against his chest before she continued shooting. Finn could only look up as several Stormtroopers were shot down, followed by Resistance soldiers. He pondered what was the point of it all? Was he just destined to die? His eyes wandered until they landed on someone he was very familiar with, his brother in arms, the golden armor shimmered from the sunlight.

"Commander Pyre." Finn said, awe in his voice. Across the battlefield, Commander Pyre watched as his troopers charged out of the shuttles and opened fire. He scanned the battlefield, baffled at the sight of the Resistance, their last base of operations. He also searched for another, FN-2187, but saw no sign of him.

"All troopers, shoot to kill, report if you have located the traitor FN-2187." Pyre said, tilting his head and dodging a bolt before making his way towards the base. "All TIE Bombers, hit the main command center." Pyre ordered. Above the Commander the TIE Bombers roared past the trees, the pilots taking aim before firing.

"BOMBERS!" Finn said, grabbing Karine and forcing the two of them behind cover. Arthon roared as he tackled IG and tried best to cover them, Chewie and Lando ran and hid behind a crate as several troops tried to run but it was too late. The bombs hit, destroying several main consoles and the fire ripped into the sky, sending dozens of Resistance troops flying. The last thing anyone saw were flames, before darkness took them.

(Resistance Base)

Leia guided Rhasar, and Han through several corridors, the ceiling above them shook from the explosions above but Leia paid them no mind as she guided the two. Rhasar was surprised by the speed of the older woman, she was surely on a mission and wasn't going to wait for them.

"I've had this for ages, I wanted to give this to Damien, but we are out of options." Leia said as she unlocked her door to her quarters. Leia walked over and unlocked the box, reaching inside and pulling out the object. Rhasar's eyes narrowed as Leia turned around, confused by the object in her hand. Han, however, was shocked as he stared at something he hadn't seen in years.

"Leia, where did you get that?" Han asked as Leia made her way towards them.

"An old friend...the one who made all this possible." Leia said, "I will explain later, right now I need you to take this, find Damien and bring it to him. He has to." Leia said, offering the object towards the Mandalorian.

"That's not just any common trinket. You want me to take it?" Rhasar asked.

"This might be our key to survival, and Damien is the answer. Take it." Leia said holding it out to him. Rhasar frowned, not sure if he really should as it seemed almost familiar, however Leia wasn't relenting. He slowly reached for the object, taking it in his hand, testing it in his grip. It felt so light, yet something burned beneath.

KA-BOOM!

The three held their balance as the base shook, Leia looking up, the force around her screamed in pain.

"We need to leave, now!" Leia said, the two didn't need to be told twice as they ran out of the room and outside, only to be rocked by a sudden explosion.

(Forest)

"Come on!" Damien said as he dragged Rey behind him, pushing branches out of his way, BB rolled behind them as they made their way back to base.

"Damien, slow down!" Rey said, trying to keep herself from tripping but it fell on deaf ears. Damien gasped and grunted as he nearly tripped and fell. But he kept running as fast as his feet could take him, he felt the pain of the Resistance and it hurt his chest. He tried to feel for his friends, but it was so hard to concentrate, he pushed a branch out of his way before stopping in his tracks at the sight before him.

The Resistance base was destroyed, or at least nearly. The landing pad was decimated, the base within was up in smoke with craters all around it. Stormtroopers and Resistance soldiers were hiding behind boulders shooting at one another. The Star Destroyer flew above the base as TIE Fighters fired in hoping to kill any Resistance. Damien fell to his knees as the base burned before him, he balled his fist in anger, how could he have let this happen. Maybe he didn't know it was going to happen, but it pained him nonetheless. He heard the roaring of a shuttle, and watched as a First Class Imperial Shuttle landed nearby. He felt a chill crawl up his back, shivering in fear as he didn't need to sense him to know who it was.

Kylo Ren

He was here, the dark side user was here and Damien felt so powerless, never has he felt it on this level before. The man wasn't even out of the ship and Damien felt his hands shaking. Rey noticed the smuggler's feared expression, and she couldn't blame him. Her heart nearly stopped beating as she felt a cold presence from the ship nearby. All she could do was reach for Damien's shoulder

"FN-4176, hold position." Damien and Rey's heads shot over to a nearby Stormtrooper scanning the forest. Rey reached for her blaster and aimed at the Stormtrooper, right eye opened and aimed down sight, just like Rhasar told her.

CLICK!

Her eyes widened hearing the gun click but no blast, until she realized the safety was on.

"OH KRIFF!" The stormtrooper's head jerked towards them and took aim as did Rey but only one was faster. The stormtrooper fired, Rey cried in pain as the blaster was shot out of her hand. The Stormtrooper fired again, Rey ducked under the blaster. A final blast was followed and all was silent, looking up she saw the stormtrooper dead, the blaster in Damien's hand.

"I...I thought you couldn't use a blaster?" Rey asked.

"I can use one, I just don't like using blasters, it's uncivilized." Damien said, only to duck under several blasts. He saw Stormtroopers near the Resistance base, he quickly grabbed Rey and ran back into the forest, and once they were out of sight he placed her behind a rock. He knew he couldn't leave, where was there to go? He needed to protect Rey and keep BB away from the Stormtroopers.

"Stay here, once the coast is clear get BB far away from the base as possible. I'm gonna draw their attention." Damien said, standing up and ready to leave. Rey was shocked that he was thinking about leaving her, she instantly reached out for his hand.

"No, Damien! Please don't." Damien stared down at Rey, seeing the pleading look and fear in her eyes. He took a deep breath, he knew he couldn't let them find her, so he reached for her hand and made her let go.

"I'll come back, I promise." With that Damien stood up and ran far from her, he saw the Stormtroopers running over the hill.

"Hey Bucketheads!" He fired a few shots hitting them but he knew it would agitate the Stormtroopers as they immediately fired back as the Smuggler ran deeper into the forest. Rey held onto BB as the Stormtroopers ran past her and chased after Damien. Once the coast was clear, Rey stood up and scanned the forest for any Stormtroopers.

"Come on, BB." The droid rolled behind her as the two walked in the opposite direction of the base, hoping to get as far away as possible. Back at the base, the imperial shuttle landing platform opened up, steam poured out as blasters bounced off the ship. Kylo Ren slowly walked out of the ship, two Sith Troopers standing behind him. The dark side user scanned the world before him, blasters flew past his hood.

"Locate the droid, kill all of them." Kylo ordered, the Sith Troopers walked past him and started firing and killing Resistance troopers left and right. Kylo Ren looked around the destroyed base, but he soon sensed it. The boy was near, he turned his head towards the forest and sensed the fear, but he also sensed the power.

"First Order bastard!" Kylo Ren didn't even register the man who fired at him, the blaster bolt stopped midair, before it flew back at the Resistance soldier, killing him. Kylo Ren paid no one any attention, his focus was on the forest, on the boy he heard so much about was so close, and this time he will not escape.

(Resistance Base)

"Has anyone seen Rhasar?!" Karine yelled from behind a pillar with Chewie. After the explosion of the base, they were able to sneak out and hide for more cover as blasters fired from all around them. IG hid behind a rock with Arthon, Lando nearby but no one had seen Finn. She fired at the Stormtroopers, killing two, before grunting in pain as a bolt grazed her shoulder.

"I would worry more about yourself right now, kid." Lando said ducking under a blast.

"We haven't heard from him since he went with Solo and the Senator!" Arthon growled, before grabbing a thermal detonator and throwing it at a pair of troopers. "What did they need him for?!" He asked Lando.

"Whatever it is, it better turn the tide!" Lando said, as not even he knew what Leia wanted the Mando for.

Elsewhere, Rhasar pushed debris out of the way before pulling out one of his blasters and shooting down two Stormtroopers. Han followed behind him and shot down more while Leia finally walked out.

"I'll go find the others, don't get yourself killed!" Han said, running past the Mandalorian and elsewhere in the base. Rhasar turned to look at Leia.

"You gonna be alright?" He asked, noticing she didn't have a weapon on her person.

"Don't worry about me, go! Find Damien, he needs you." Leia ordered. Rhasar reached down to his other pistol, and tossed it to her.

"I'll be needing that back when this is over." He said. He looked around, seeing the destruction. "How the hell is Damien gonna help?! He needs a weapon!"

"You have it!" Leia exclaimed, grabbing his hand where the object was. Rhasar looked at the object in hand, noticing a button on the side. He slowly reached for the button and pressed his thumb against it.

BZZ

A dark blue blade extended from the object, confirming Rhasar's suspicions as the blue blade reflected off his visor.

What Leia had given him...was a Lightsaber. An ancient weapon of the Jedi. Leia watched the Mandalorian stare at the weapon, she did too, however she noticed something was different about the Lightsaber. When Luke held it, the blade was smooth and calm, with Rhasar the blade was like a flame with no control. She made note of this and would wonder for another time when she pushed Rhasar towards the forest.

"Go!" Rhasar nodded his head, before slowly making his way through the debris.

"KRIFF!"

Elsewhere, Karine cursed as her blaster ran empty and two Stormtroopers were moving towards her. Looking for another gun she only saw one nearby: Chewie's Bowcaster.

"Hey, Chewie?" The Wookiee turned to her, "Mind if I use that for a second?" The Wookiee let out a low growl before handing her the bowcaster. Karine took the blaster, unprepared for its weight, and aimed it at the stormtroopers. She nearly fell backwards, thanks to Chewie catching her, as the bolt sent the stormtroopers flying. Her eyes widened in shock before smiling, firing another blast that sent a stormtrooper through a pillar. She turned to Chewie, glee in her eyes as she held the bowcaster close.

"You got a spare?"

"You guys okay?!" Han yelled as he shot a stormtrooper, joining with Lando. "Lando, Leia is gonna need cover, I'll help these three get back with their friends."

"Try not to die." Lando said before making his way back to where Han came from.

"Alright you three, let's get you to Rhasar, we need to find Damien and win this fight." Han said as he guided the four, when Karine noticed something was wrong.

"Where's Finn?"

In another part of the destroyed base, Finn awoke with a gasp, standing back up and quickly dusting himself off. He looked around for a weapon, seeing a blaster on the ground he quickly grabbed it, he tried to find Karine and the others but saw no sign of them.

"Don't move, traitor." Finn eyes widened at the voice, a low growl like an enraged animal, before slowly turning around to come face to face with Pyre.

"Pyre...it's been a while." Finn said.

"Too long, last time I saw you, you wore the pauldron like a badge of honor. And what did you trade it for? A coat? Disloyalty?" Pyre said, walking closer and closer to Finn. "You're a disgrace, FN-2187, how could you betray the First Order? How could you betray your brothers? Me?" Finn sighed, he could hear the anger, but also the betrayal in Pyre's voice. He and Pyre were once brothers in arms, perhaps maybe they still were, but he needed to tell Pyre the truth.

"I woke up, Pyre. I saw the First Order...saw us for what we really are. An expendable resource. You really think they care about us? When we took Jakku, we didn't even give our fallen a proper burial. They just had us shoot innocent civilians and leave. We're only important to them so long as we're of use...they stole us from families we'll never know. They stole choice away from us...so I took my choice back. I chose my own path in life." He said, before his eyes shined with a fire in them.

"Then tell me, how many brothers and sisters did it cost for you to make this choice?" Pyre said, grabbing Finn by his coat and pulling him close. "You think this is about choice? Wake up FN-2187! This is war, we don't have time to mourn, this is about restoring true order to the Galaxy…..even if that cost the lives of innocence. If the First Order is to win, we need to make choices. I've made mine and it helps the First Order one step closer to victory." He let go of Finn and stepped back. Even as blaster bolts fired around them, the two only focused on each other. "The weak die, FN-2187, and the strong survive. That is the only way to win, and you know this. You know it is pointless to fight, look around you!" Pyre gestured to the destruction and chaos around them. "Is this truly worth fighting for? A fallen cause for a broken system."

"And you think the First Order is any better?" Finn asked. "We were robbed of our freedom! Trained to fight in a war we never had any part in! You honestly think we would be here if the First Order hadn't stolen us from our families as children?!" He asked.

"Our freedom was robbed before we were even born, when the Rebellion won!" Pyre stated. "You had the choice to follow orders and become one of the greatest soldiers in history. Now….." Pyre was silent, gripping his blaster in anger. "You made your choice, traitor. You are under arrest, FN-2187, and are sentenced to immediate death." Pyre said, slowly stepping back.

"Finn."

"...What?" Pyre asked.

"My name...is Finn." The former Stormtrooper said. When Poe first gave him the name, he didn't quite know what to make of it apart from finding it bearable to use at the time of their escape. Now, after all he's been through, he sees it as the first step in forging his path, to become the man he wants to be, and he finally accepts it as he stares at the man who remained on the path that he left. "And at least I'll die knowing I made a choice. But you, Pyre...you'll forever be a slave to the First Order." He said.

"You made the wrong choice." Pyre stated. The two stood apart from each other, blasters at their side, almost like a standoff. Neither moved, sweat beading down Finn's brow while the sun shined off Pyre's armor. Both pulled their blasters up and fired, both screaming in pain as it hit their hands making their blasters go flying.

"RAH!" Pyre cried as he reached for his weapon, activating his laser-axe, and charging towards Finn. Finn was forced to keep his distance as Pyre swung the staff with ferocity and power, cutting through debris like butter, that if Finn wasn't trained with Pyre he would not be prepared. However, both of them trained in the same squad and knew each other's move. Once he had an opening, Finn right hooked Pyre's helmet, ignoring the pain he reached for Pyre's axe and tried to rip it out of the Commander's hand. The two had a tug of war for the weapon, Finn kneeing Pyre in the ribs but the armor protected Pyre's side for most of the attack. Pyre headbutted Finn, sending him sprawling back on his ass.

Finn quickly regained cover slowly backing away as Pyre slammed the ground in front of Finn missing him. Finn knew he was gonna lose ground fast and needed a weapon, and as if some form of entity was listening his hand landed on a handle. Not caring what it was he pulled above his head as Pyre swung down, sparks flew as the axe collided with a stormtrooper's stun baton. Finn kicked Pyre away from him and quickly stood back up, he swung the baton a few times to test the grip before charging at Pyre now that it was a fair fight. The two warriors clashed as sparks flew, Pyre kept his balance as Finn slammed the baton against his handle. He blocked several side step attacks and kept on his toes trying to keep control of the fight. Finn took advantage of Pyre's long swing and landed a blow against Pyre's side sending him colliding with a wall. Pyre groaned in pain as his armor was dented but he kept his stance as he jumped in the air and thrust his axe to surprise Finn.

"You'd be surprised what I learned, FN-2187." Pyre said as he swung the axe against the baton, both pushing against each other. "This isn't like the Academy days."

"Yeah...we all knew I was the best." Finn said, before pushing Pyre's weapon out of blocking distance and with a spin, swung his baton into the back of Pyre's right knee. Pyre roared in pain as he was forced to his knee, his armor dented. Finn stood above Pyre, a man he once considered a brother now enemy, before bringing his baton back for the final blow. However, Pyre surprised Finn by quickly regaining his footing and bashing his helmet against Finn's chin. With a kick he sent Finn rolling back, the Commander standing back up, grunting in pain as his knee still felt sore from the blow it took.

"You also underestimated your opponents, and that was your fatal mistake." Pyre said, slowly making his way towards Finn. Finn rubbed his chin in pain before seeing Pyre above him, he tried to reach for the baton but Pyre slammed his axe against it, destroying the handle. Pyre stood above Finn, beneath his helmet was a look of regret, before he slowly lifted his axe up.

"Farewell, FN-2187." Pyre said as he swung down.

"FINN!"

BANG!

Finn's eyes widened watching as Commander's body was sent flying into a pillar, not getting back up. Karine ran over to the injured ex-stormtrooper with Chewie behind her. After clearing out some stormtroopers she went searching for the rogue, lucky to find him in the nick of time.

"Are you okay?!" The Twi'lek asked, slowly helping Finn up.

"I'm fine. Had worse back in my Academy days." He said, though his face winced as he stood up.

"You are terrible at lying." Karine said, handing him a blaster, "You can still fight?" He nodded. "Good, let's go find Rhasar and the others." Once they left, they missed the sound of groaning as Pyre slowly pulled himself back up, his metal chest plate singed from the blast. He was silently thankful that his armor was made in the same material as Phasma's, but that didn't stop the pain.

"Sir, Lord Ren was reported heading into the forest." A Trooper said walking over to Pyre. "Shall I send a squad to follow?"

"No. Send only two troops, whatever's in there, Lord Ren wants it personally. Locate the traitor and bring his allies to me." Pyre ordered as the soldier handed him a blaster before they made their way through the battlefield.

Across the base, a stormtrooper shot down a Resistance soldier, about to cheer in victory before hearing a strange sound. Turning around he was shocked as a strange energy blade pierced his chest. Rhasar pulled the Lightsaber out of the dead stormtrooper's chest, before making his way towards the forest. He didn't know how Damien was gonna change the tide of this fight, or even this war, but he knew he had to at least give the kid this thing…..at least he hoped this would work. He didn't think Damien was something special, the kid couldn't go two feet without getting into fights, but he did have something special. He could care less about this war, hell he could care less for the one back home, but Damien wanted this so who was he to stop him? The kid wanted to get himself killed? Who was he to stop him. He couldn't deny it though, Damien was one of the rarest kinds you would find in the outer rim as a smuggler. He was kind, his head often stuck in the sky, but Rhasar couldn't deny that Damien had become something as…..a very good acquaintance. Maybe even….a friend. He shook his head of such thoughts, he needed to get this damn thing to Damien, wondering what it would change. As he ran he heard the sound of a man screaming while followed by a loud buzzing noise. Once he passed some rubble he came across a shocking sight, murdering several Resistance soldiers was a red stormtrooper wielding an electrostaff. By the color and weaponry he assumed was a Sith Trooper. The Sith trooper jumped into the air and stabbed a soldier killing him, before slowly turning to Rhasar. He reached for his comm and spoke into it, staring at Rhasar.

"ST-3261, I have located a Mandalorian with a Lightsaber. Repeat, I have located a Manda-!"

"Think they heard ya the first time!" Rhasar said, having charged in, swinging the saber at the Sith Trooper. The Sith Trooper blocked the attack and quickly followed with a jab at Rhasar's side, the Mando grunted, but quickly continued his assault. The Sith Trooper kept his guard up as Rhasar swung, but every strike was met with a block followed by a very quick jab to his sides. Rhasar growled in annoyance as he recognized the attack: Vornskr Sting, made by an ancient Mandalorian during the Old Republic Era. It was a simple but effective attack, and Rhasar knew the exact counter to this move.

The Sith Trooper blocked another strike and quickly went for another jab from the other end, only to be surprised when Rhasar leaned forward and reached for the handle. Rhasar smiled under his mask as he swung down on the Sith Trooper, but the soldier was quick to let go and hold the lightsaber at bay. Both warriors pushed against each other and kept the weapons at bay. The Sith Trooper kneed Rhasar in the chest, the Mando grunting in pain before being pushed back and falling on his ass. The Lightsaber rolled out of his hand as the Sith Trooper held the electro staff at his neck.

"The Jedi, where is he?" The Sith Trooper growled, inching the staff closer.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Rhasar asked. Rhasar fired a hook line from his wrist, the rope wrapping around the Sith Trooper's feet, the soldier trying to keep his balance. Rhasar pushed his hands against the ground and kicked into the Sith Trooper's chest, sending him to the ground. The electro staff gone, the Sith Trooper reached into his kamas and pulled out a vibro-knife and cut the rope, before swinging it at Rhasar's chestplate. Rhasar backed away as the Sith trooper swung, only to be met with another vibro-knife courtesy of Rhasar, holding it in a reverse grip. The two clashed, throwing a punch or a kick denting their armor. Rhasar quickly activated his flamethrower and shot out at the Sith Trooper, who jumped out of the way dodging the pillar of fire. He flipped his knife and threw it towards Rhasar's gauntlet making some flames fly in Rhasar's helmet.

The Mando grunted from the intense flames, deactivating his flamethrower, only to be tackled by the Sith Trooper. Once he was on the ground, the Sith Trooper started punching Rhasar in the face with left and right hooks, to the point where his helmet was knocked off. Rhasar blocked a blow and delivered a right hook surprising the Sith Trooper but he kept his hold until he wrapped his hands around Rhasar's throat, squeezing it. Rhasar gasped for air as he reached for anything to force the soldier to let go, one hand trying to pull his arm away. Fortunately for him, his free hand found something to grab.

"Say goodbye, Mandalorian scum." Rhasar gasped as he took hold of it and activated the Lightsaber, stabbing it in the Sith Troopers chest killing him instantly. Once he was dead, Rhasar pushed him off his chest and rubbed his neck.

"Okay...goodbye." He said, before he forced himself up, grabbing his helmet nearby.

"Don't move." Rhasar stopped, feeling the barrel of a blaster at his neck, looking out of the corner of his eye he saw another Sith Trooper.

"Drop the weapon." The barrel at his neck made Rhasar drop the Lightsaber, the object dropping in the dirt. "Now give me a reason I shouldn't shoot yo-GAH!" Rhasar turned around to see the Sith Trooper sent flying, dead from impact.

"And here I was ready to give a moving speech about why you shouldn't kill me." Rhasar said, before slipping his helmet back on.

"Rhasar!" Karine cried as the others followed behind her, Chewie's bowcaster in hand. "You have got to try one of these things!"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Tails. Thanks for asking." Rhasar said, reaching down to pick up the Lightsaber.

"Is that what I think it is?" Arthon asked.

"Yep. Been real helpful in killing these bucketheads." Rhasar said, wiping some dirt off the handle.

"Come on, Mando. We need to get this thing to Damien." Han said, patting his shoulder plate. "Hopefully Leia is right about this one."

"Right about what?" Karine asked, stopping Han. "What exactly does Leia know that we don't?"

"Karine." IG stated.

"Not now, scrap bucket!" Arthon said. "We find the flesh bags first, then we'll sort through this mess!" He said.

"Karine." IG stated again.

"I'm kinda wondering that myself." Rhasar said. "I know Damien's got Force powers, but what makes you think he'll turn the tide of your war?" He asked Han.

"Listen, kid. We don't have time for this, your friend needs that damn thing. I trust Leia, and you should to-!"

"We don't know you people! We had no part in this until your little droid rolled into our ship!" Rhasar said. "We've had our business and careers practically thrown out the airlock because of this whole thing! Now you're saying we gotta get this weapon to Damien! Well, pardon me for not being a fan of being left in the dark, Solo, but I'd like to know why!" Rhasar said. Han finally had enough and holstered his blaster before walking towards Rhasar until he was face to helmet.

"Karine." IG stated once again.

"Alright, Mandalorian. You want to get into this, let's get into. Let's get one thing straight: You are involved, no matter how much you don't want to admit it, no matter how much you want to run away. You can't. You became involved the minute you got involved with Damien."

"Karine."

"Not now, IG!"

"I know you're type: Big ol' renegade type who doesn't care about anyone but himself. Someone who tries to push everyone away because they got their own problems. Well I got news for you, Mando, you're not the only one! My wife and I have lost so much, but we ain't losing Luke, and I know this has something to do with Damien." Han said, pressing a finger against Rhasar's chest. "What it is, I don't know! But Leia knows that he is connected to Luke, to u-!"

"Karine."

"WHAT?!" Karine yelled, before they heard the clicking of blasters. Everyone looked around to see a dozen stormtroopers aiming blasters at them.

"Drop your weapons."

"I was going to say that we are surrounded." IG stated, as everyone dropped their weapons and held their hands up. "Was it bad timing?"

"You are the worst droid. Ever...of all time." Arthon said. Finn's eyes widened as he watched Pyre walk between soldiers and walked over to him.

"I told you, FN-2187. You chose the wrong side." Pyre said as troopers around them picked up their weapons.

"Any ideas, guys?" Karine asked, the guns aimed on their heads. They heard shuffling and all watched as Leia and Lando were guided to the group, Leia huffed in annoyance. She wasn't surprised that she got captured, but was hoping Han and the others wouldn't be, guess how well that turned out?

"Orders, Sir?" A stormtrooper asked as Pyre stared at the rag tag group. He stared at each and every one of them before turning his back to them.

"No prisoners." Was all Pyre said, walking past the soldier, shocking the group before the guns clicked more.

"Karine." IG stated.

"What is it, IG?" Karine asked.

"Would you like good news or bad news?" IG asked.

"Does it matter? Just say it." Rhasar said.

"Very well. Bad news: It is very likely we will not survive."

"Gee, coulda said that myself." Rhasar said.

"Good news: Help has arrived." IG stated.

"What?" Finn asked.

(Play Star Wars: Resistance Theme: Epic Resistance ANTHEM by Samuel Kim)

IG pointed towards the water, everyone including the stormtroopers as several dots appeared from the mist above the water.

"Commander, we got several targets moving towards us!" A soldier informed, with Pyre turning back.

"All squads, head to cover and prepare to fire." Pyre ordered as dozens of Stormtroopers made their way to several rubble. "I want TIE Fighters out here, now!"

"Poe." Han said with a smirk, Leia followed suit, as the group watched as the Resistance X-Wings flew towards them. Led by Poe, he narrowed his eyes at the large battalion of Stormtroopers. It took some time, and he was lucky that the First Order couldn't find the hangar, but he had managed to gather up some pilots and took to the skies to repel the First Order troops. Unfortunately, he couldn't find BB anywhere, so he would just have to fly solo for now.

"Orders, Poe?" One of the pilots, Tallie, asked over the comm. Poe smirked as the X-Wing's S-foils extended into the familiar X formation.

"What else? Go straight at them! Don't let the bucketheads scare you!"

"Copy that."

"We're with you, Poe." The X-Wings flew a tight formation, a large squadron of TIE Fighters flying towards them. The sky roared as blaster bolts flew everywhere, Poe flipping over a TIE before blasting another one into molten scrap. He looked down and saw the others surrounded by Stormtroopers and immediately flipped around, shooting a TIE in the process, before unleashing a barrage of blaster bolts towards the ground. A blast sent some of the Stormtroopers flying, the one holding the Lightsaber let go of it letting the handle roll to the ground. Rhasar quickly grabbed it and went for his blaster on the ground and started shooting.

"Quick!" He said tossing Han's blaster back at the general, followed by the rest who quickly gathered their blasters and went behind cover. Finn ducked under a blast and saw Pyre and his men shooting at him, before an explosion cut them off.

"Fall back!" Pyre growled, watching as a single X-Wing were shooting down his men and fighters with excellent skills that made him realize who it was: Poe Dameron. Seeing no choice he quickly made his way so his men could regroup and retake what remains of the Resistance. Finn watched his old comrade leave, before his sights turned to see Poe spin while firing destroying TIE Fighters left and right. He must admit he had never seen such an amazing pilot before, the only one he could see being a threat to Poe was Baron Vonreg.

"Damn…..he's not that bad of a pilot." Finn muttered.

"I've seen better." Arthon said after a growl.

"Aw, thanks Arthon." Karine said ducking behind a pillar.

"I was referring to me."

"My readings determine that Dameron is a better pilot than both of you."

"Shut it, scrap bucket."

(Forest)

Rey let out small gasps as she hid behind another rock, checking her surroundings for any signs of those Stormtroopers. BB let out a small beep, indicating that the coast was clear; Rey quickly ran through some bushes. She needed to get out of here, she needed a ship, the problem is that she has no idea where she was. BB informed her that she was getting farther away from the base, the echoes of explosion were getting distant as she ran. She didn't want to leave, but what can she do? She was just a scavenger from a desert planet in the middle of no named space. She wasn't like the others, she had no formal combat training, couldn't even fly a ship.

She damned Unkarr for never allowing her near the ships, what she wouldn't give to fly right now and fly away all of this: All of them. Rhasar, Karine, Arthon, Poe, Finn.

Damien.

So many people she has met in such a short time, maybe once she would have wished she never met them. But after all she has been through, the places she has seen, she is glad that she met them. She doesn't regret what she said to Arthon, but maybe should apologize to him. After all they have been she realizes now that they are just like her: Lost. Without a purpose, and now here she was taking every step away from them, away from Damien the first being she considers a friend.

FWOOM

Rey stopped in her tracks, feeling a chill run down her spine making her shiver, her heartbeat was fast as she looked around for the source but saw nobody there. She sensed it, she didn't know how but someone was near, not coming for her but it was going somewhere. She felt so many things: Pain, anger, cold, darkness. She couldn't explain it, but she felt…Rhasar? She felt him fighting with a strange blade, Karine and the others shooting stormtroopers and Poe on a starfighter. She heard voices, some belonged to IG, Finn and all of them. It was so painful, and annoying as she dropped her staff and clutched her head.

"You deny your daughter her destiny? You cannot protect her forever, old man." A male voice spoke, filtered and deep like they wore a mask.

"I won't let you take her! You will not corrupt her, Ren!" The voice of her father rang, echoing around her, strained with pain.

"Her fate lies with me."

"NEVER!"

"STOP!" Rey roared, a powerful blast sent everything flying, even BB was caught by surprise and sent flying as several trees shook. Nearby, Kylo Ren stopped in his tracks looking over his shoulder from the powerful surge, but no sooner did it arrive it was gone. He would make note of that as he continued his trek through the forest. Rey collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as beads of sweat rolled down her face. She looked up and the air around her felt colder than before, her hands felt weird, like something burned beneath them. She stood back up as BB rolled back over to her, shaking the dirt off its head, as Rey grabbed her staff. She looked around one last time as everything seemed to relax, looking down at the droid.

"Let's go BB." Rey said slowly walking down the trek. However, Rey stopped in her tracks as she felt the cold once again, this time she felt another….feeling. She knew who it was as she turned in one direction where he ran.

"Damien."

Damien ran through the forest as fast as his feet could take him, sliding to his knees and hiding behind a rock with his blaster. He scanned the entire area for anything that was in white armor but saw nothing. He sighed in relief realizing he must have lost the stormtroopers, slowly lowering his blaster. He looked up hearing the explosions nearby, he sensed the others were fine but…..he feared what would happen if they stayed here any longer. He slowly leaned against the rock alone with his thoughts, realizing he made a mistake in how he treated Arthon.

"I….I shouldn't have left like that." Damien thought, staring up at the sky. "I rely on them so much, it's shocking they even stick with me." Damien knew he was practically worthless without them, always having to rely on Rhasar to get him out of confrontations if the force didn't work, which was most of the time. He…...needed them. He was so alone in this Galaxy, without them he only had his thoughts and no answers to his past. He knows he needs to set things right.

"I need to go back…...I have to let it all go." Damien muttered, he knew what he had to do. He had to let go of the answers he seeked, maybe he needed to get them out of here.

BZZ

Damien's head shot up, hearing the distant sound of, well something. He felt like he heard it before, but he can't remember, as the sound got closer. He pulled out his blaster and scanned the forest but saw nothing as the sounds got closer. He slowly backed up into a trench, slowly backing up with one hand trying to guide him while his eyes focused on anything that moved. That's when he felt it, a deep cold building inside his body, making him shiver.

BZZ

His heart nearly stopped at the sight of the red energy blade, crackling with dark energy, but it was the user that truly terrified him. Covered in dark robes holding all that raw power, his face covered by a durasteel helmet with a linear visor, a hood over it. The being Damien hoped he would never see, at least not face to face. A being that Poe spoke of in fear, Finn described him as the pinnacle power of the First Order, the dark side surrounded him like a maelstrom.

Kylo Ren.

"AAH!" Damien screamed as he instinctively pulled the trigger, Kylo's hand moved so fast Damien didn't see the bolt hit a tree until it was too late. He kept firing more shots all while trying to get farther away from the man, while Kylo ever so slowly walked towards him. Every shot directed at him was easily deflected to the point that he didn't even need to block as three shots just flew right past him. Damien quickly ran up the side of the trench to escape the man, shooting at Kylo, and yet he knew deep down it was futile. Kylo sensed the fear as he walked up to meet Damien deflecting one last blast. He casually held his hand out, and before Damien knew it his arm was forcefully pulled back and he couldn't move a single inch. He grunted as he tried so desperately to move against the force but to no avail as Kylo walked up to him.

"Finally, after so long we meet at last, the boy that can use the Force. " Kylo said, his voice filtered by the helmet, as he slowly walked up to Damien. He studied the smuggler, he wasn't expecting much, but he could feel the raw potential within the boy and yet he sensed…..familiarity. He couldn't explain why, but he felt something about this boy, another time perhaps.

"I've been waiting for this moment a long time. You know why I am here." Kylo said walking past the smuggler, Damien said nothing, however his eyes widened as the red energy blade inched closer to his neck, the heat of the blade caused sweat to bead down his neck. "The droid, where is it?"

Damien said nothing, his jaw tightening as Kylo slowly pulled the blade away, deactivating it. Damien knew this man was strong, but he had never felt such a powerful being before, then again he had never met a Force user as far as he could remember.

"The map...you've seen it." Damien's eyes turned to Kylo as he slowly walked around Damien, studying him. "You think you are strong, resisting until the end, but you are only delaying the inevitable." Kylo finished slowly lifting his hand up. Nearby, Rey pushed some branches out of her way, after running and trying to find Damien. Her eyes widened, spotting him and he was not alone, and she could only summarize that was Kylo Ren. She quickly turned to BB who was following after her, trying his best to get past a rock.

"BB, go hide!" Rey whispered harshly, if Kylo found BB it would all be for nothing. BB chirped cautiously before rolling back down the hill, Rey turned back to Damien and Kylo and held her staff tight.

"You cannot hide it forever. I sense it, somewhere in there." Kylo said, inching closer to Damien with his hand up. He didn't know why but Damien felt a grip within his mind, like Kylo was just pulling information out like he was a datapad. Kylo on the other hand, saw nothing, all of it was just people he had never seen before but assumed they were part of Damien's crew.

"I sense…...a block." Kylo muttered, Damien grunting in pain as Kylo probed his mind. "Your mind is blocked by pain, or perhaps fear. I sense….I sense….you have lost your memories." Kylo said, taken aback by this new information. He has never met a force wielder with memory loss, he was unsure what to do.

"RAH!" Damien's eyes widen hearing the battle cry of Rey.

"Rey! No!" Kylo turned around to see a girl in ragged clothing charging at him with a staff. Pitiful fool. Kylo simply held two fingers out and like she was lighter than air, Rey was sent flying. Rey was shocked by the sudden blast of an invisible force, screaming before she crashed against a rock.

"NO!" Damien cried, watching as Rey's body crumpled against the rock, and his heart dropped when she didn't get back up.

"Foolish girl." Kylo muttered turning back to Damien. "Now, you will show me the….map." Kylo muttered staring in awe as a dark force soon swallowed them both. Damien slowly turned to Kylo, teeth grinding in anger as he felt something burn deep within him, never before has he felt such anger. Kylo watched with slight interest as Damien broke from his hold, noticing one hand cackled with flames.

"RAGH!" Damien let out a cry of anguish as he held out his hand, a pillar of fire exploded from the palm and towards the dark user. The fire consumed Kylo and everything in its path.

Back at the base everyone stopped in their tracks from the sudden explosion. The earth beneath them shook and Leia nearly collapsed but thanks to Han she kept her balance. She felt rage, a rage she hasn't felt since her brother on the Death Star during the battle of Endor. Everyone turned to the forest, eyes widened in shock at the large pillar of fire as big as a mountain consumed the forest line. Once the fire died, Rhasar slowly looked down at the lightsaber, before looking back up as Arthon muttered a name all could think of.

"Damien."

Damien gasped for air, wiping the sweat from his brow as he tried to keep his balance. His eyes widened at the destruction he caused, no doubt the flames went on for miles. His hand burned but nothing too severe, sighing in relief as he realized he had just killed Kylo Ren, perhaps things were turning around.

"Brave."

Before he could react, he found himself being lifted off the ground and coming face-to-face with Kylo, who looked like his attack hadn't even touched him.

"But foolish." Kylo said, his black visor seemingly glaring into his soul. "I am curious, you have an ability not used since the Old Masters during the Clone Wars." Damien struggled against his hold, he was nothing but a ragdoll to Kylo. "Now shall we continue where we…..left...off." Kylo's attention was turned to the dangling object around Damien's neck. It was a droid's power spark, one to be precise, as he held it in his hand.

"Impossible." Kylo muttered, loud enough that Damien heard him. Before Damien could protest, Kylo grabbed Damien's shirt and lifted it up enough to his stomach. Kylo stared at the wound, his shocked expression was hidden beneath the helmet as he stared at the scar. He let go of the shirt as he stared at Damien face to helmet, almost like a staring contest.

"It can't be." Kylo said.

"Lord Ren." Kylo looked over his shoulder, two stormtroopers standing a few feet from him. "We have nearly destroyed the Resistance, Tierny has ordered a full blast from the star des-!"

"Pull back." Kylo ordered, cutting the soldier off. Both stormtroopers were confused, so Kylo pulled out his communicator as the hologram of Tierny appeared.

"Ah, Lord Ren. I am ordering the gunners to begin firing on the ba-!"

"Captain, order your men to retreat. I have what I need." Kylo said, looking at Damien as he said it. Tierny was taken aback from the order, the Resistance was at their boots and now Lord Ren wants a full retreat?

"R-Retreat, Sir? At our moment of vict-Grrk!" Tierny coughed and gagged as an unknown force choked her. Her feet left the ground as the officers looked in shock.

"A full retreat. Now."

"R-Right away, Lord Ren." Tierny gagged, the hold on her neck disappeared as she gasped for air. Kylo turned off his communicator, he turned to the troopers.

"Inform Pyre to prepare my ship." Kylo ordered as he waved his hand, Damien felt his world go dark before Kylo grabbed him and slowly set to the ground. "Take him, cuff him, but no harm will come to him."

"Yes, Sir!" The troopers said in sync as they walked past Kylo and grabbed Damien by the arms, dragging him behind as they followed Kylo. The dark lord could care less about the Resistance, all he wanted was the map, and he knew Damien knows where it is. He knows more than he realizes. Once they were out of sight, BB slowly rolled from some bushes, slowly scanning the area until he saw Rey, quickly rolling towards her. BB scanned Rey's body and saw she was still alive, albeit bruised and in pain. He couldn't wait for her to wake up so he quickly started pushing her arm and beeped as loud as he could. After sometime, Rey groaned and muttered a few words, agonizingly opened her eyes to see a few shapes. She covered her eyes from the sun before feeling something warm trail down her head. Touching it she was shocked to see her own blood but it was nothing to the pain in her back. It hurt immensely, but she could still get up, until she realized what had happened: Kylo, the power, Damien!

"D-Damien?" Rey groaned, until her eyes widened at the destruction of the forest. She started looking around but saw no sign of the smuggler. "Damien? Damien?!" She started running around trying to look for Damien, but saw or sensed any sign of him. That's when she began to fear for the worse, taking short gasps of air as she felt pain and loneliness. She realized she couldn't do anything, but she needed to let someone know. As soon as she realized it she grabbed her staff and quickly bolted as fast as her legs could take her towards the forest, with BB rolling behind her.

(Resistance Base)

Pyre and his soldiers watched in surprise as the Resistance started to push back against his battalion, the traitor and his friends slowly making their way towards him. His comm beeped and he pressed it, Tierny voice echoing from the other side.

"Commander Pyre, Lord Ren has ordered a full retreat." Pyre was shocked by the order, however he was not going to disobey it, especially from Lord Ren.

"Understood, Captain." Pyre said as he deactivated the comm from Tierny, to his soldiers across the field. "All forces retreat to the shuttles. Full retreat, repeat full retreat." Pyre said running towards one of the shuttles as his men followed him. Rhasar cut one last stormtrooper down with the Lightsaber before he and the others watched as the stormtroopers started to run into their shuttles.

"What the hell?" Karine asked out loud. "Why are they retreating?"

"Has to be a trick. No way they'd abandon an advantage over us." Arthon said.

"They got what they came for. Or whatever Ren wanted." Finn said. Seeing Sith Troopers on the ground lead him to the conclusion that Kylo Ren was somewhere in this battlefield. Rhasar looked around, watching as shuttles slowly left around them, the Resistance soldiers cheered but he knew something was wrong.

"RHASAR!" The Mando's head twisted to the voice. "RHASAR!" He took a step forward and saw her, a scavenger running towards them from the forest.

"Rey." He said. He started walking over to her as she quickly jumped over some rocks, his eyes widened seeing blood down her face and her pieces of her clothes scorched.

"Rhasar!" Rey cried as she nearly tackled the Mandalorian, hugging onto his chest and arm. The Mandalorian felt tears fall on his clothes as her shoulders shook, clearly scared. That's when he realized something was wrong. That someone was missing.

"What happened? Where's Damien?" He asked. Rey looked up at him, tears rolled down her cheeks.

"They….they've taken him!" Rhasar's eyes widened behind his helmet. Karine covered her mouth in shock muttering no, while Han and the others could only stare in shock. Arthon however was the one without a reaction, his eyes widened and his fingers clenched the blaster.

"Look!" Finn's voice said, causing everyone to look at the last shuttle, which was the biggest of them all. But it was who was down there that caught their attention.

Kylo Ren with two Stormtroopers dragging Damien into the shuttle.

Rhasar's fists clenched...before he took off running towards the shuttle. Despite the world around him being reduced to rubble, he didn't miss a step as he tried to reach the shuttle. However, it was in vain as it began takeoff not even halfway through his run. Seeing no other option, he reached for his remaining pistol and screamed as he shot at the retreating shuttle, firing until his weapon overheated.

"NOOOOO!" He shouted, as the Star Destroyer took off into hyperspace. The others caught up as Karine slowly walked up to Rhasar, Finn stood on his other side. IG stood behind them not stating a thing, and Arthon stood off to the side, clenching the blaster in hand...before he threw the blaster to the ground with a loud, rage-filled roar. Leia, Han, Lando, and Chewie slowly walked up to them keeping their distance to let the group grieve. Leia looked up to the sky, her heart felt dread and darkness take the Galaxy. She didn't want to admit it, but deep in her heart she knew.

"We've lost."

Zer0:...Holy shit.

Bio: Yeah. That was a doozy.

Zer0: Damn right. Whew, that was a lot to take in; Pyre and Finn face off, a bit of fun with Rhasar and the Sith Trooper, and Damien finally meets the Primary Antagonist: Kylo Ren. Goddamn does this story get more intense, and we're not even done.

Bio: Couple more chapters, then we'll be finished with Episode VII.

Zer0: And we still got so much more left for this story, questions to be answered, with even more questions to be asked. Honestly it has been a blast writing this, as we have already said, and we hope you guys are still enjoying it. The fight scenes might be a little quick but there wasn't much to write, don't worry, the fights get longer as the series progresses.

Bio: And the characters develop more as we go on...like how things should be in a story.

Zer0: Agreed. Hmm, what else, what else...Oh, some more on Rey, eh? That was fun, what could it mean?! Oh, the theory videos, oh how fun.

Bio: Should be interesting to see the speculation for what was happening there. Unlike some folks though, we won't outright state that your theories suck. Still the most bizarre move I've seen from someone in Star Wars.

Zer0: Just because we're not writing paragraphs, doesn't mean we won't throw some pot shots. Now I think that should be all, unless you got something else Bio?

Bio: That's about it. Stay tuned for the next chapter, which will begin the third act of the Episode.

Zer0: And with that I say: May the Force be with you, my fellow fans/readers/writers.

Bio: Always.