TAKING PLACE RIGHT 1 MONTH BEFORE BATTLE OF ERATHROPIA
I heard voices in my head and felt something cold, tired, sadness, so much anger. A presence I've not felt since the battle of Erathropia. Clementine!
John ran into the room, "shadow company's forces are on all sides of the base!"
I grabbed my saber and followed John and I saw Airships flying above the base. "Bring all guns to bear and bring down their ships!" I ordered. "Scrambling our fighters, bay doors open!"
"Close them!"
"Wait it's too late! MISSILE!"
A missile struck the hangar causing the floor to collapse. I coughed and saw most the hangar engulf in flames. Rey pulled me from the burning area. "Pull out of the base!"
More explosions shook the building. We started to evacuate the base into the open. I felt the presence get stronger and stronger. She was alive!
Clementine was Alive!
We entered outside the base and started for Raccoon City. Then I felt a pull from behind me. One of my men screaming. "Help me!" Then he was killed. There she was. Standing next to her was the dark soldier I fought before.
I saw her face and she saw mine. I wanted to go to her. "You believe your sith? There's your chance destroy him my apprentice!"
"Clementine it's me Bell! Remember me!"
She ignited her blade. "Bell!"
Rey called out to me, I walked towards her. "This isn't you"
"Go on"
She swung her saber at me then I ignited mine and blocked it. She swung down then back up. I blocked all her attacks then started to fight back. "Clem! It's me!"
We regarded each other's faces for a moment. "You've allowed this dark soldier to corrupt your mind! You don't know what your doing!"
She pushed me back away then Tannis joined the fight. I couldn't concentrate on his moves and Clem's at the same time. "You did this!"
I shoved Clem out of the way and started dueling with Tannis. His fighting technique was altered but still flawed. "I told you Bell, shadow company will take over"
We were locked on to each other's sabers.
"Not if I had something to say about it"
We dueled, he swung up I blocked it then felt Clementine come from behind. I leaped into the air and blocked her attack then swung her saber away and lifted her up with the force. "You know me!"
Tannis threw his saber at me and I felt the saber hit me scraping my stomach. I fell to the ground. Clementine looked at me for a second then went for the kill. I used the force to shove her to the side then Tannis leaped into the air about to gut me. I rolled over and ignited my saber. I hurt from my wound. "Your fighting a losing battle Bell"
"But we're winning the war!"
I duel with him again then Clem threw me to the ground. "No!" Rey and Ben joined the fight dueling with Clem. She wasn't trained good enough. "Your apprentice Tannis, requires more training"
"She has one last task for you!"
We dueled and I swatted his armor away grazing his arm. He drove his saber towards my stomach but I blocked it. I clashed with his blade watching sparks fly off our swords as we clashed. Then he kicked my wound then flipped over me I felt his blade scrap my back. I screamed in pain. I fell to my knees and felt his blade pierce my chest. I shook with intense pain and couldn't breathe. "Nooo!" Ben dueled with him knocking his saber out of his hand then swinging at his side. Tannis got on one knee then choked Ben. I then tossed Debris at him saving Ben. Rey and Clem were still dueling. Ben came to my side. "I can't move! Leave me Ben!"
"I'm not going anywhere you just hold on!" He told me. "Revenge is mine!" Tannis threw a jab at Ben knocking him to the ground. "I'll spill your blood for you to feel every last drop" he threatened me. Then I felt anger surge through me, I lifted myself and my saber from the dirt. Then opened my eyes. "The darkside surrounds you Bell, this isn't what you are"
"Let me show you!" I yelled my battle cry. I swung back and forth multiple times then high and low quick as I could. I was dueling hardcore style. This surge of power wanted me to end him once and for all. I pushed him back and used my lightning to stun him. Then I flung him around and unleashed the power I've kept inside of me. Knocking out all of shadow companies forces.
I fell to my knees and realized that I was drained and that the darkness in me was strong. Alive and here. I couldn't hide it no more. Ben Rey and John came to my side. I looked at Clementine who tried to stand. "We need her" I told Them.
Shadow companies forces retreated including Tannis without Clem.
I woke up in medical bay, Rey and Ben sat beside me. "Rey, tell me I didn't do it"
"You did but you didn't let it overcome you"
"Clementine"
"Sedated, Bell isn't she the sole survivor from-"
"Yes, it's her"
I stood up and entered the room. She was obviously asleep but as soon as I stepped closer, her eyes snapped opened. "Where am I? Where's Tannis?"
"Always wondered if he had a name, not here at the moment"
"You" she eyed me with much Hate.
I sensed my masters worry and gestured for them to give us space. "Well would you like for me to tell you what you need to know or untie every lie Tannis has told you about"
"He told me enough, that your the reason I turned, he sensed my powers took me in where you failed to train me"
She spat as she clenched her teeth together.
"Well then, you certainly have spirit, but that isn't why I couldn't train you, I sensed you falling to the dark side then you seeked revenge for the destruction of your home and your people"
She closed her eyes and focused her attention on her rage and hatred towards me. "I didn't kill your family, shadow company framed 318 forcing me to exile"
"Like a coward" she hissed. "Because I wasn't strong enough to bare the failure" I yelled. "You want to kill me, i get it, congratulations get in line, I'm over it"
I told her then she was standing in front of me with my saber in her hand. She ignited it across my face. "Go ahead, do me a favor though after you kill me, promise me you'll leave Shadow Company" Her eyes widened and she looked confused. "Do it, you have every right to"
I told her. She was about to strike but felt conflicted. "Your giving up to easy, stop this!" She yelled. "I'll do it for you then" I pulled her saber to me and ignited it. "NO!" She blocked it and sent me flying into the wall. "You don't get to choose your end because I can't" she stood above me. "When I'm done With you, I'll Rest In Peace and join my family again" she held the saber to my neck. "Fine" I spoke getting up. She sat on the floor meditating and I walked out leaving her alone. "I hope the dark side bids you more clemency than the light" I told her. Something in my head whispered back.
Ohh that it will, she replied in my head.
I walked out of the room to attend my wounds and sensed a presence nearby. Cat Valentine was standing in my Quarters. "Let me help you" I shrugged her off. "Don't get all touchy with me now, you know we're not on good terms" I told her. "You still cling to this fight after all these years of so called fighting amongst ourselves, I want what we had back Bell" she placed her hand on my chest. "Cat I want that too believe me, but you chose politics over me, so in return I let you go"
I told her the truth and felt her anger. "Beware the path of the dark side Cat, it's not for you"
I told her and that did it. "How can you reject me when I only want to set things right?!" She was spazzing out. "The damn War has brought the worse in you and you don't see that at all! Don't give me that shit! I know what the dark side leads too! It calls to you, has been for some time, you no different from Clem or her master!" She overdid it. I tried to keep my composure and but instead found myself clenching my fists. "Have I done nothing during this relentless time of War?! EVERYTHING TO SEE IT END!" I stopped when I heard her choke and call to me. I let go immediately and held her. She coughed and pulled away from me. "You can't control the war nor me, maybe it's you everyone should be afraid of , destined to bring balance more like destroy it! Your no different from Tannis" she said walking out of my quarters. That hurt a lot, what did I do? What have I become. I buried my face in my hands. A wave of Depression and anxiety washed over me.
What have I done?
CAT'S POV
I left his chamber and felt hot tears bleeding from my eyes and wanted them to come. No, I couldn't, i mustn't linger on here. I wanted to get back to the Capitol but felt my mind screamed in pain. "STAY OUT OF MY HEAD BELL!" I screeched.
'Now that's rude', the voice spoke to me.
It wasn't Bells, it was Clementine. "How are you doing this?!" I spoke back.
'Everyone here is too opened minded, kinda hard not too hear', she replied.
"You heard huh?" I asked walking towards her cell.
'I heard enough to know you two are broken and that he is holding you back from what you could have been' , some Words you just twisted there. 'I'd like to speak with you for a moment if your body guards will allow it' she asked.
"I'd like to speak with her" I asked as two soldiers stood aside and opened the door. She opened her eyes and looked up at me. "What could you want from me?"
"Nothing I suppose, but you must know that your strong with the force but have no will to use it, why?"
How did she? Does it matter?
"My thoughts are speaking more loudly than I can control I guess"
"So let your ambitions speak, the Jedi teach only what they can to Him but not any full knowledge of the force, I could be of assistance but it's not my place"
"Your sith, I'd never train with you to begin with" I hated myself for the way I've been blowing steam off. Not just her but Bell as well.
"You wouldn't be trained by me but I can help you complete your training, give you steps the Jedi don't give" she pressed on. "So ever manipulating, only a Sith deals in manipulation, I'm not you and will never go to the dark side!" I yelled. "I can feel your anger touch these very walls of this room, this place" she closed her eyes. "Powerful you are Valentine but training as a Jedi won't unlock your full potential" she was persistent. "I'll never betray my countrymen or Erathropia" I whispered. "Lying to yourself are we now, I can see why you joined politics, making more people hate you then listen to you, yes, even Bell senses your darkness and yet you still cling to this absurd idea of the light!" She was trying to manipulate me. "I'll never turn!" I gritted my teeth. "Perhaps you won't but do you believe that? How long before your own republic throws you out of office before he hurts you again before your friends turn your back on you?! And for what so you'd feel pain all over again" She was lying to me, I won't bend to her will.
"Oh I won't force you to do anything, I'm only telling you how it is" I couldn't take it! I reached out and ignited my saber and held it to her neck. "Extraordinary, yet you've wasted your time and presence with the force in the light but in your blood calls for freedom and purpose" I lifted the saber up and was about to swing but I realize this is what she wanted. "Stay Out Of My head" I told her turning off my saber. "How long Cat Valentine? How long before you come running to me?! How long?"
I just stared at her, she clings for closure but I can't give her that. It's not my place. "Stay out"
I told her and I left like that. I shuddered, that's two people i royally pissed off.
I went to find my Dad, he would give me the wisdom I needed.
After leaving Raccoon City, I found him in my old house. He was going through old things. "Dad?"
He turned to me and I ran into his arms hugging him. "Ohh you've grown up so much, you still have the same hair color" I smiled at the fact that I barely change it. "Going through memory lane?" I asked him. "No I thought I tightened the place up a bit and see where it goes from there" he told me. "I'll help you" I told him. "I'm sure you have other responsibilities than help a dead beat" I hated that he lived liked that. "My family is my responsibility, I came to asked you something" he sat out two chairs and we sat. "I know you don't want to talk about this subject but what was it like? When Alice was your enemy? What was it like?"
His face turned from a peaceful expression to a fearful one. "Yearning, the desire and thrill to win, as if I had an actual task at hand given by the lord himself, I felt broken and cheated. Hated of course but it was hate that kept me going to see that I'd put an end to her, but at what cost, I had nothing, was nothing and yet I'm still nothing but a..." he tried to finish it. "Clone?" I did. He turned to me, "what troubles you Cat?"
"My training and knowledge of the force, today we captured the sith's apprentice, she told me I'm being held back from what Bell or his masters are not telling me, the apprentice felt my anger, my rage, my hate and wanted me to confide to the dark side"
"Don't become like me Cat, if anything continue being yourself, be better than me I beg of you" he held my hand. "Should I talk with Bell?" He offered, I chuckled, "your the last person he'd be afraid of" I chuckled. He laughed with me. "Perhaps but never forget that you can always come to me, if you feel trapped, I'm right here"
He hugged me and I hugged him back. This was my Father that I knew.
Clementine's POV
"She didn't yield master, she's too much in the light" I called out to him. "They never do those that are within the light, well done my apprentice, proceed with the plan and everything shall flow in time"
I bowed, "what is your bidding my master?"
"Reach out with Your feelings and force her, give her a reason to follow, turn their hope into a storm of Chaos"
I nodded, "If you are in any trouble don't hesitate to contact me, our spies are ready on your orders"
"Yes my Master"
He disappeared and I remember the plan and nodded to the spy outside the door. He nodded back posing as one of their soldiers of 318.
This was my masters plan. I should have expected more but as ever I'm always caught off guard. Never focused never on mission, never where I should be. Then the idea came to my head. That's how I'll get her to come with me. How I'll get him to follow where I want him. "Do they pay you to stand there in that tight fit looking so damn pathetic with that armor?" I tempted the guard. "Well it pays lady so quite it down"
"You don't like this armor I'm going to get a new one" he hesitated at first. "I ... I don't like this armor I'm going to get a new one"
"And I'll unlock the door and your restraints"
"And I'll unlock the door and your restraints"
He obeyed and did so. "Thank Your training master"
I was accompanied by the spy who had acquired the Leverage I needed. "Keep the Engines running and disable tracking"
I told him. "Right away"
I went back for what was mine. My lightsaber. Good thing I was in 318 uniform. The tricky part is getting it from him. I crawled through the vents and saw men and women working in various areas of the base. Then I sensed the hum of the crystal. Found it on his desk but he was no where in site. Damn I cursed.
I reached for my saber and acquired it. Now where to find Mrs. Valentine. I crawled through the vents searching for a security room.
Ah! Bingo. I opened the hatch and disposed the guard. Quick work. I started searching the cameras. Where ever you are, your certainty hard to find. The camera feed beeped and there she was. "Here little fishy come to my hook" I chuckled.
After crawling through more of those dusty vents I went ahead and armed a gas Grenade so she'd be unconscious. I only have limited time before they knew I was gone. She slept peacefully in her bed and so I dropped the Grenade making her more unconscious. Putting on my mask I leapt into the room and carried her out. Then the alarm started to sound. Time to go!
Running towards the hangar. I sensed him nearby. "Prepare for take off" I ordered the pilot and strapped her to the seat. I looked out towards the doors and there he came sprinting with his pathetic band of worms. His rage was everything I needed. "Little partying gift for you" I held a detonator and blew the hangar.
"Where to Ma'am?"
"Make for Stratton Island and nice work out there Colonel Kraven" I congratulated him. "It's my Duty to Stratton to terrorize those traitors" he spoke of the men he once lead that betrayed him. "Killing her seems a bit much, you'll have all of 318 on us"
He looked at her. She slumbered nicely. "Ohh I'm not going to kill her, I'm going to turn her like my Master did me" I smiled remembering I was set free from my broken chains.
BELLS POV
I awoke in the care of my Masters and John. "She's gone" I whispered. "Not gone-taken"
Ben told me. "She tricked me all this time"
I felt cheated and unfocused.
"We can still find, we can still avert disaster"
"Do you know where they've taken her?" I asked. "They cut off the tracking device, they could be anywhere" Rey told me. I shook with anger and sadness. "This isn't your fault"
John patted my shoulder. "There has to be a way to find her" I whispered. "Perhaps I can help" a sturdy voice spoke. I turned and saw Isaacs. It had been a few years since I last seen him. "The Red Queen can locate anyone"
He activated her and she appeared.
"Calculating... I've found her location but there is a small problem, Cat Valentine is on Stratton Island"
"Why would Shadow Company go there?" Rey asked. "Because it's where it all started, over the years, the company has been recolonizing other cities around the globe, Stratton is there main HQ" I remembered the first days of the war pouring onto Erathropian Soil. Then realization hit me, they're using Cat as leverage to get me to turn. "If she doesn't turn they'll force me too, they've seen it and they want to try again, I must go alone, but you will be her way out"
They all shared looks with each other. John stepped up. "In my absence John you'll be in command"
"I don't like this idea"
"It's not mine it's theirs, I'm going alone"
"No your not" a female voice, one that I haven't heard since.
"You" I stared at her features, she was shorter than I assumed her to be. "Been a long time since I came across you all" Sierra Lee Williams.
"Sierra I must do this"
"Sure you do but we're not debating, I take it your my contact on the inside" Ben asked.
"I'm at your service Master Jedi" she bowed.
Rey and I shared a look.
'Who is she' she asked me in my mind.
'My brothers supposedly dead first wife' I answered.
"To answer your question Master Jedi, when you entered the atmosphere i sensed your arrival and felt the connection you both have, congratulations are in order" Sierra felt them too. "Can we get this show on the road" I asked them.
I entered my ship and started my engines. Rey stared with disapproval.
'Trust me you'd done the same' I spoke through her mind.
'I already have' she replied.
I lifted off and flew for Stratton Island.
To save Cat.
Cat's POV
I woke up at the sound of a banging. My vision was blurry, I squinted and saw two figures in front of me. Their voice muffled, my senses were coming back to me slowly, first taste, then touch, then my hearing and last my vision.
"Finally awake" It was Tannis.
"What? Impossible!" I struggled for dear life. "Stop struggling Valentine, we're not going to kill you" Clementine stood staring at me. "My Dear, we finally meet"
"Pity Bell didn't cut through your neck"
His face hardened at the setback, "Cute but that won't help you now let's talk about the future" he started to probe my mind. I jerked in pain. "Let's see if he can feel this"
I groaned in pain and tried to resist. "Colossus will never bow to you!" I screamed. "Then you will all cease to exist"
I screamed in pain at the top on my lungs.
Bells POV
I'm flying over the sea and feel pain like no other vibrating in my head. I yell out in pain.
Sierras POV
I grab my head and feel Bell and Cat being tortured. I enter both of their minds and remove the obstacles penetrating them.
"You'll leave them alone!" I screamed.
Myka and Dee came by my side.
Rey and Ben felt it as much as I did.
"What's happening?"
"Tannis, he's prying their minds apart, Cat and Bell, they are so connected, he can feel her pain, they are just like you, a dyad!" Immense pain struck me as The dark side tried to force its way through their heads.
"LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
'ILL KILL YOU!'
Bell screamed at the top of his lungs.
I needed to save them both, protect the dyad.
Bells POV
I walked out of my ship onto the soil of Stratton and Ignited my blazing Saber.
She was close.
I entered a dark chamber that looked like it housed the sith. Evil lived here, born here No bred here.
Soon I would be in their presence destroying them both.
Anger and rage overtook me. This is what they wanted so I'll deliver.
I entered a arena and they we're waiting for me.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" I yelled. Tannis stepped to the side revealing Cat in a Stasis Pod. She was unconscious. "She'll never turn and neither will I" I pointed my saber to both of them.
"So be it Jedi" Tannis threw off his Cape and he and Clementine ignited their sabers.
"I am no Jedi!" I ignited the other end of my cross-guard and we dueled.
Letting the Force guild me as I fought with so much ferocity. Withstanding both of them was beginning to feel as if I could take on a battalion of soldiers. Though I have before in the past but they didn't use the force nor a lightsaber.
I blocked Tannis blow from above and stretched my hand out to stop Clementine from advancing. I couldn't take another attack so I pulled Clem towards Tannis Saber as he struck her accidentally wounding her face. She let out a scream that pierced the sound of our sabers clashing. "Jane!" Tannis Yelled out. Tannis glared at mad with so much hate. "Your next" I threatened. He used the force to shove me back. I got on one knee and dodged his attacks and reached out to nearby objects to slow his attacks. Rocks, Cars, benches whatever was nearby. Cutting through everything. He leap up swinging down but I blocked his attack. "I'll always hate you!" He spat. "Get used to it because it's the only thing keeping you Alive!"
I yelled then swiped left breaking his contact with my saber then swinging through his stomach leaving a deadly gash. He screamed in pain and held his stomach and couldn't fight. "Go ahead, finish it End the Saber Wars once and for all" he offered me a chance to end the war. It would leave only Clementine. She wouldn't be fit to rule Shadow Company. Then I looked at Cat and remember her words.
'Your no different from Tannis'
I saw my reflection, this is what the sith wanted. "After all people you've killed you will answer for your crimes againsts colossus" I deactivated my saber. I turned and walked towards Cat. Clementine stood holding her saber. "Jane! End this, use your hatred your pain!"
She looked at me then back at Tannis. "But master-" she couldn't do it. I opened the container and held Cat in my arms. She stirred and looked at me. "Bralin..." she whispered. "I got you Cat, your going to be ok" i turned and began walking. Only to see a Saber thrown to me. I threw Cat out of the way but it was to late for me. I felt the heat of the blade hit my left eye. "Ahhh!" I grunted in pain. I got on one knee. Teeth clenched and fists balled. I could barely see. "You should have killed me when you had the chance!"
I couldn't see very well, my vision is damaged. "Bralin no!" I felt Cat tugging at me. "You need only to stand aside, you want to end the war Valentine with your speeches or create a treaty of peace"
I felt her Anger, "ILL NEVER SIGN A TREATY WITH SITH!"
She yelled. "Then you both can die together" he walked around in circles. I could hear his footsteps. His breathing, his wound featuring. I urged Cat to stay behind me. "Ahh, still the fighting spirit you are just like your brother" then that's when it hit me. This War is because of what my brother and Tannis did all those decades ago. He ignited my blade. Cat stood behind me cautions to stand in front of me. Then Tannis tried to swing a death blow. I caught his hand and kicked at his wound making him stumble back then stabbed him with his own saber. He shuddered. Cat only pushed further into his chest making sure he'd stay dead this time. "May the force grant you a better afterlife"
"Master!" Clementine reached for her saber. Tannis looked at her. "Avenge us!" Then Cat swung a deathly blow killing Tannis. I felt her Anger and hatred and took it away from her. "No...no" Clementine stood staring at her fallen master. "You killed him!"
Clem advanced on Cat but She blocked Clem's attack. "I HATE YOU!" She screamed. My sight started to return to me. Cat and Clem were in a standoff but Clem couldn't hold her no longer as Cat deactivated her Saber dodging Clems then swinging my saber upward through Clem's back causing Clem to go unconscious. Cat breathed and shook. I wanted to comfort her. "I'm alright, ohh Bell your eye" she put her hand on my cheek. "I'll be fine" I told her. Clem had awoken and crawled to Tannis' lifeless body. "What about her?" I looked at her. "Let the force decide her fate". I took Tannis' Lightsaber and we began to leave Stratton to it's dying Fate. The War is over.
We made it to my ship and watched a missile obliterate the island sinking it in the sea. Shadow company was completely defeated. My wound was treated by Cat. "I'll be ok Cat I promise" she held my hand and looked me in the eyes. "I'm sorry Bell"
"No this isn't your fault-" I tried to say but she cut me off.
"No, I'm sorry" she and I held hands. She was sorry. My eyes started to water and it hurt. She put her hand on my cheek and tried to restore my vision. I felt her warmth, her spirit, her love and compassion. I saw out of my eyes, she did the best she could and exhaled. "It's ok, I'll heal" I told her. She leaned towards me and we embraced each other with a hug and I kissed her. The kiss was long and igniting and she kissed back. She gasped heavily, remembering what it used to be like. "Dinner first?" she asked. "Yes ma'am" I said in my Texan accent. She giggled.
CAT'S POV
Did he kiss me after all these years of fighting? Yes he did. It felt good, I really did miss this. He never stopped loving me. Never.
We returned to base and I quickly grasped his hand not wanting to be separated again. He held tight.
'Don't let me go' I spoke In his head.
'Never' he told me.
We walked off the ramp of his ship and into a crowd of people. Journalists and newspaper officials. This was starting to make me nervous.
Bell reminded me that he was still here for me. "Yes I'll take your questions" I spoke. "Miss Valentine what was your abduction like?"
"Cold foreign and never ending but I'll have you know myself and the general went through a great leap only to tell you the war is over"
"Miss Valentine with the recent developments of this turning point does this mean Colossus is now free"
"Yes" i answered. "Miss Valentine with this being the end of the war What can we hope for Stratton refugees?"
"Hope, granting them homes and change, a new change"
"Miss Valentine do you plan to honor this union with Stratton now that their island is off the charts"
I shuddered then inhaled. "With every fiber within me"
"And how will you seal this Union?"
I turned and looked towards Bell who stared down at me. "By...by being with my husband, together we'll create a future for everyone here or anywhere in this galaxy, this is the start of Eras Republic"
The cameras started flashing, applause and cheers began to fill the air. Bell and I guided ourselves to a nearby Limo. We sat together and held hands. It was finally over. We returned to our old house where everyone waited. I stepped out of the car first. Bell was hesitant because of his eye. I guided him and we held hands. He stood behind me and stared at the neighborhood. Home i thought. Tomorrow is going to be a big day to make amends but that would have to wait. I'm going to spend the rest of my forever with my husband even if it kills us both.
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