The Kybuck Clan Volume VIII (RWBY X Star Wars)

Chapter Twenty - The Final Word

After what transpired in the pocket dimension. Petro managed to exit the pocket dimension and into Vacuo where the remainder of the Kybuck Clan and Ruby's group were waiting with the refuges. Petro quickly fell to his knees as tears began to fall from his eyes. Gungi and Byph rushed to Petro's side. 

Byph: Petro! Are you all right?! 

Gungi: <What happened back there?! Where's Katooni?>

As Gungi asked about Katooni, Petro looked at Petro with tears in his eyes. He clenched his fists in anger and guilt over what had happened. 

Petro: She...she fell.....

As Petro said that, Gungi and Byph were at a loss of words. Petro was soon overcome with emotion as he began to punch the sands of the Vacuo desert. Gungi and Byph couldn't believe that Katooni was gone. They had known her all their lives. To hear this deeply saddened Gungi and Byph. 

Byph: N...no....it....it can't be true.

Gungi: <Not Katooni! Not Katooni!>

Petro remained silent as feelings of guilt and anger over what had happened. His mind fell to the kiss the two shared before Katooni jumped into the abyss. In a moment of anger and sorrow, Petro lets out a loud scream which echoed across the desert. Suddenly, the group was approached by a horde of Ravagers and Sulfur Fish. Left with no time to process all that has happened, Petro along with Gungi and Byph ignite their Lightsabers. 

Petro: We're not losing any more people!

With that, the three Jedi as well as the other Huntsmen prepared to defend the refuges of Mantle and Altas no matter the cost. Meanwhile in the Atlas Academy, Ironwood had escaped his cell and began making his way to the Vault. When he reaches the Vault, he sees Salem and Cinder speaking to one another. He could see that Cinder had both the Lamp and the Staff. Ironwood hides behind cover as Cinder kneels before Salem. 

Cinder:  I...I failed you again, master. They used the Staff to save thousands. Before our allies fell, Neopolitan...killed Ruby. And before Ruby and her teammates fell, they used the Lamp's final question. I couldn't stop them! I couldn't even stop the Maiden from escaping without putting the Relics in jeopardy. I'm....I'm sorry....

Salem: In pursuit of a new world....No cost is too great. You've done well, Cinder. Our work here is done. 

As Salem and Cinder were about to leave, Ironwood moved to attack. Suddenly, he found himself being choked by an unseen hand. Ironwood turns around to see Darth Jadus holding his hand out. Darth Jadus then throws Ironwood to Salem and Cinder. As Ironwood slowly gets to his feet, he attempts to grab his pistol and shoot Darth Jadus, but the Sith Lord severs Ironwood's mechanical hand. Ironwood screams in pain as Darth Jadus grips him with Force Choke. 

Darth Jadus: General Ironwood. We meet at last. 

Salem: Darth Jadus. What an unexpected surprise. 

Darth Jadus initially remained silent as he glanced over to Cinder, sensing deceit in her. After a moment of silence, Salem speaks with Cinder.

Salem: You said they used the Staff. I assume you rid the world of their creation yet Atlas still stands. 

Darth Jadus: That is my doing. Atlas is too valuable a resource to waste. I used the Force to ensure that Atlas was not destroyed. 

Cinder: Altas belongs to Salem now, Jadus. 

Darth Jadus: Silence, slave. It was I who allowed you this victory. It was I who reduced Mantle to ash.

Salem: Let Jadus have Atlas, Cinder. Consider it a gift for his....loyalty and contribution. Now come, Cinder. We have business to attend to. 

Cinder: Yes, my master. 

With that, Salem and Cinder leave Atlas. When they are gone, Darth Jadus releases Ironwood from his grip. 

Darth Jadus: I must thank you, General Ironwood. Without your contribution, none of this would have been possible. 

Ironwood: What...what are you talking about?

Darth Jadus: Everything that has transpired here has done so according to my design. Did you really think you were beyond my sight? As I said before, I have planted spies all across Remnant from the common slave to those in the highest levels of government, including those within the Atlas Military. I used your fear and your iron will against you. You have been a most invaluable pawn. You have allowed me to not only claim Atlas, but your bomb allowed me to destroy Mantle. You have done well, General Ironwood. Your contributions shall be remembered.

In that moment, Ironwood realized that he had been manipulated by Darth Jadus. Everything that he did unintentionally served Darth Jadus's goals. Mantle was now destroyed. Thousands of people were now dead because of his bomb. The Atlas Military was now under Darth Jadus's control. He finally realized that Katooni and Scourge were right. In that moment, Ironwood was reduced to a broken man. 

Ironwood: What are you waiting for? Finish it. 

Darth Jadus: I am not going to kill you. I still have....other uses for you. But first, you must learn the meaning of pain. 

With that, Darth Jadus unleashes a powerful torrent of Force Lightning on Ironwood. Ironwood screamed as the Sith Lord tortured him with relish. Meanwhile, Dr. Merlot had arrived at Atlas Command where he was escorted by Mordred along with Circe and Mordred. Merlot walked over to the console and gained access to the console and soon gained control of all the Atlesian Droids. Merlot soon contacts Darth Jadus.

Merlot: I am pleased to announce that I have gained access to the Atlesian Droid army. They are now under your control. 

Darth Jadus(Comlink): Very good, Dr. Merlot. Mordred, what is the status of Dr. Watts? 

Mordred: It has been taken care of, my lord. 

Meanwhile, Watts waits in his cell when Adam Taurus walks in with a squadron of White Fang soldiers. It didn't take Watts long to realize what was going on. 

Watts: So this is how it ends? 

Without hesitation, Adam decapitates Watts with his sword. Back at Atlas Command, Darth Jadus is pleased by these developments. 

Darth Jadus: You have all done well. Thanks to your work, we have sown the seeds of fear all across Remnant. But our work is not yet done. Mordred, take your team to Vacuo. 

Mordred: As you wish, Lord Jadus. 

With that, Darth Jadus had made his wishes known. Circe then summoned a portal and teleported herself as well as Mordred and Grendel to one of the many desert plains of Vacuo. A sinister smile soon fell on Mordred's face. 

Mordred: Welcome home. 

With that, Mordred along with Circe and Grendel now set out to fulfill Darth Jadus's will. In that moment, Darth Jadus had achieved a massive victory. The seeds of fear had been planted across Remnant. As all this happened, Katooni awakened on a shore covered in sand and palm trees. In the distance was a a gigantic tree with cloud like green, purple and yellow leaves sitting on a cliff. As Katooni took a moment to catch her breath, she looks down to see her Lightsaber on the sand. Katooni then picks it up and hooks it to her belt. In that moment, Katooni found herself in the unknown. Despite the uncertainty of her fate, Katooni would fate this fate without hesitation and trust in the Force.