Arani Jakal was not ready to be stranded on an unfamiliar planet, causing her whole life to change. But in the chaos, a friend or two popped up - seemingly from nowhere - wishing to help. Ari gladly accepted and quickly became part of a small town...
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IF DIN THOUGHT TWO DROIDS were bad, then seeing a third one was the end of the line for him. The bits inched closer to them and no one knew what to do. They dared not fire at them for they were unsure what destruction could ensue.
Then the sound of an engine from above was heard. Looking up he found a semi-large starship overhead. It flew past them then circled back lower, and it fired upon the droids. It took one out before the other two put up shields, blocking the assault.
The ship, having realized it was doing little to aid them, flew off, disappearing behind a row of buildings. Din couldn't help but curse the ship and its pilot. The people of Freetown were now alone again with less protection than they had started with.
The closest droid fired non-stop at them and the group dispersed before the vehicle exploded. The only two remaining were Fett and himself, unharmed and untouched due to their armour.
Eventually, the two got separated and not having any other plan, Din led one of the droids through the streets, so that it did not follow the yells of the others.
He ran around a corner, dodging blasts when a carriage rolled up to him. It was pulled by a droid and a woman sat in front, when she spoke, he knew immediately who it was.
"Mando! Ha! We found you! I got a surprise for you." She was about to get out but his warning made her pause.
"Turn around!"
"What?"
"Turn around!"
"Can't hear you!" The gun droid revealed itself and Peli understood. "Turn around!"
Din jumped onto the back, still shooting at the bot. "Can this thing go any faster?"
"Go faster, you bucket of bolts." She threw a hammer at the bot and it finally sped up. "Hey, Mando! Look who's here." She pulled back a blanket, showing him the one thing he did not expect.
It was the Kid. He looked up at him and cooed, saying a hundred different things.
Din had to do a double take. "What? Hey, what are you doing here?" The Kid leapt into his arms, hugging him as tightly as he could. "Okay, little guy. I'm happy to see you too. I didn't know when I'd see you again. Yeah. I missed you too, buddy."
The Kid said something and glanced down, pointing.
Din looked at what had caught his attention. It was Ari's scarf peeking out from his pocket. "She's not here, Kid. I'm sorry."
He tilted his head, the idea that his mom was not with Din confused him.
"We're in a bit of a bind here right now. You be careful. You keep your head down. Stay hidden until the fight's over." He placed Grogu back on the seat and saw something peaking from his collar. "Hey, that's the shirt. You got the shirt." Din was only allowed a moment to smile when the Droid started to shoot at them again, having caught up.
"Save your tender moment. We've got a Scorpenek droid chasing us," said Peli, turning in her seat, blaster gun in hand.
"What is he doing here?" Din asked as they aimed at the droid.
"The Force works in mysterious ways."
The driver droid then short-circuited and the carriage rolled, making its passenger fly through the air. Din grabbed Grogu and they landed on the ground, the Kid completely protected. Not wishing to get shot, they jumped back up, ready to defend themselves once again when a roar was heard.
From the roof of a nearby building, Fett's Rancor revealed itself and Boba aimed at the droid. The creator clamoured down, coming to stand before the droid, clawing at its shield.
Din placed the Din down in the doorway behind him and ran off to help Fett. Using the Darksaber to finally break through the shield. But he only managed to slice off one of its guns before it tossed him off. The thing towered over him, ready to strike but at the last second, it crumpled. Din got away from it, finding his way back to Peli and the Kid.
Fett had come back, the Rancor having recovered from its wound and ripped the droid clean in half. But it was not the end, there was still one more.
The Rancor found the other one attacking Fett's troops. It knocked the droid into a building, stone crumbling on it. But it still managed to escape being damaged. No matter how many hits it took, the droid did not stop. Eventually, the Rancor got the upper hand and ripped it apart.
Yet, the Pykes remained. The people of Freetown emerged from the cover and took off after the Pykes, leaving Fett alone to face Cad Vane. The man was a coward, hiding until it was only necessary to fight.
Fire from Vane's vambrace was sent the creature's way and, not being able to tolerate it, retreated, knocking Fett off its back. He stood, keeping one hand on his gun as he told Vane to clear out.
"I've known you a long time, Boba. One thing I can't figure: What's your angle?"
"This is my city. These are my people. I will not abandon them."
"Like the Tuskens."
"Don't toy with me. I'm not a little boy any longer, and you are an old man."
Vane did not blink. "I'm still faster than you."
"That may be, but I have armour."
"Let's find out." He moved his coat aside, showing his blaster. They stared at each other and then both fired, Vane's shot hitting its mark. "Now's about the time you jet off to your bacta tank."
"This is my city!" Fett sat up, shooting flames at him but he rolled out of the way, unharmed. vane stood up and fired his blaster, Fett falling back to the ground once more.
"You gave it a shot. You've tried to go straight. But you've got your father's blood pumping through your veins. You're a killer." He kicked him and stepped on his arm, pinning him down. "This isn't the first time ai beat out on a job. There's no shame in it." He bent over and pulled Fett's helmet off. "Consider this my final lesson. Look out for yourself. Anything else is weakness." He aimed his blaster and when he pulled the trigger nothing happened.
A distant bang sounded and Vane shouted, dropping his weapon. Someone had shot his hand. he turned to find the culprit, distracted. Another shot rang out, this time striking his leg. Fett took the opportunity and knocked him off his feet by the gaderffii he kept strung on his back. vane drew his other gun out but that too was struck out of his hand.
"I knew you were a killer."
Not wanting to hear him anymore, Fett stabbed him. He stepped back but kept his sight on Vane just to make sure he was truly dead. When he was sure, he glanced at a nearby building and smiled.
"I know you're there."
A laugh sounded. "There's no hiding from you." From the shadows, someone emerged, a rifle gun slung over their shoulder. "I would've killed him but I figured you needed the win."
He nodded. He did. "Thank you. It's good to see you, Ari."
The brunette paused in her pursuit, flashing that beautiful smile he came to adore. She looked good - healthy - but the smile did not reach her eyes. "Likewise. Now, let's find your beast."
