//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: New Friends // Story: Equestria Wars Episode XVIII: The Fall of the King // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Arriving at the Jedi Temple, Starshine walked up the stairs until his holocommunicator started to beep as soon as he entered the temple. He answered it to reveal a pegasus Jedi Master. "Padawan--I'm Satele Shan, leader of the Jedi Council." she greeted. "I'd like to speak privately with you before we meet with the others." "You have my full attention, master," Starshine said. "What do you need?" "This isn't a discussion for a comm channel. Come to my meditation room in the temple. We'll talk there." The transmission ended as Starshine made his way inside the temple to find Satele Shan. He asked one of the masters and he pointed to the right direction. Starshine thanked him and walked through the halls of the temple. He found the room and entered to see Satele meditating. She looked up to see Starshine enter and stood up. "Welcome, Starshine. The temple is buzzing with accounts of your heroism in the training grounds. Tempest told me you battled Storm creatures--and a mysterious masked figure with strange powers. This must've been a disturbing confrontation. Are you alright?" "I'm sorry that things ended in violence, but I'm glad to be alive." "Taking a life affects the Living Force--and the one who does the killing. This is why Jedi enter battles calmly, with reason. Emotions like fear and anger lead to the dark side." "I can control my feelings, no matter what I am facing. But this enemy I faced was....different." "As the Jedi Code teaches us, 'There is no emotion, there is peace'. Remember those words when times are darkest. And take this." Satele handed Starshine a datapad containing the verses of the Jedi Code. "The code is the source of strength, but some backup never hurts. I'll see you soon in the council chambers." Starshine then left the room to let Satele continue her meditation before she comes to the chambers of the Jedi Council. He walked up the stairs to the second level of the temple and walked up to the huge doors which lead to the council chambers. The doors opened and he entered. The doors closed behind him as he entered the chambers. The room had a round table with a holoprojector in the center. Tempest was standing before the council as Starshine stood next to her. A blue griffon Jedi Master and one of the members of the council in the room was looking through the archives of the temple on her datapad. She then looked up and stood up to greet Starshine with a bow with respect. "Ah, the Padawan has arrived," Tempest said. "Anything, Master Kiwiks?" "I've searched the temple archives about the figure this other Padawan described," Kiwiks said. "This figure is unknown to us." "Then Charming Thunder has found us," a holo of a bearded unicorn Jedi Master of the council said; worried. "Shouldn't we be ready for him and his forces?" "Calm yourself, Master Braga," the other master said. "We can't be certain that it was one of Charming Thunder's minions, yet." "But we've all sensed a growing darkness since Padawan Starshine's arrival," Kiwiks said. "Perhaps it has finally revealed itself, Orgus." "The enemy I faced wanted to lead the Storm creatures to attack us," Starshine said. "Can't get much darker than that." "Everyone, this is the Padawan who saved our people in the training grounds," Tempest said. "Starshine, this is Master Kiwiks, Master Orgus Din, and Master Tol Braga of the Jedi Council." "It is an honor to meet you all." Starshine bowed to the presence of the Jedi Masters. "It is unfortunate that our numbers are scattered," Kiwiks said. "Indeed," Satele's voice said from behind as she entered and took a seat on her chair. "The temple's safety is unexpectedly threatened. The Storm creatures were disorganized primitives before today." "They carried blasters and work like an army," Starshine said. "We need to find out why and where that mysterious figure I confronted went." "Much of Hippogriffia remains unexplored, and we have a few resources to spare." Orgus stood up from his seat and said, "I'll handle it--with the help of my new Padawan." Kiwiks had a look of worry. "Orgus, you haven't taken a Padawan since the Crystal Empire," Kiwiks said. "The force is strong with him. Stronger than I've seen in months." "I can think of no finer master to complete this Padawan's training," Satele agreed. "I'll complete my final trials once we've dealt with our mysterious enemy and the Storm creatures," Starshine said with a smile. "Where must I go?" "You'll find supplies in my chambers downstairs," Orgus instructed. "Go equip yourself. I'll meet you there." Starshine nodded and left the council chambers. --------------------- At Master Orgus's chambers, Starshine went through the supplies he needed for the final trials as his new master entered. "Blast those council meetings," Orgus said. "I'd die of old age before my colleagues ran out of things to say." Starshine nodded in agreement. "I'd rather do something about problems before discussing them," Starshine said. "Still, there are times when talking is exactly what's needed. This situation has come at you fast. You're braving dangers many Jedi never face. I wouldn't blame you for having questions. This may be the only time to ask them." "I'll make sense of things later. Let's find our mysterious enemy." "I know people who can help. The Hippogriffs have also been fighting the Storm creatures since they returned to live in the surface for months. The Equestrian Empire asked us to aid them. We need their aid also." "Are they equipped to fight to Storm creatures?" "With the Storm King defeated, they petitioned the Equestrian Empire to guard them from any remnants of the Storm King's army. Their settlement is close by. That's your next stop. Establish a base camp and speak to Queen Novo of the Hippogriffs. Find out what they know about the Storm creatures." "I'm ready to get back out there--do some good." "I'll join you soon. May the force be with you." --------------------- On the top of Mount Aris, it housed many Hippogriffs in their bird like form while others lived in the sea. Starshine entered a room where the queen was housed and was stopped by them. "I come in peace," he said. "I came to speak to Queen Novo." The guards then lowered their weapons and allowed Starshine to enter. Novo sat on her throne beside her daughter; Skystar. They noticed him entering as he bowed to them. "Greetings, your highness. Master Orgus Din has sent me to help you fight the Storm creatures." Novo stood up from her throne and slowly approached Starshine. "How noble for a mere Padawan to come to our aid," Novo said. "I am guessing that this has to do with the attack at your training grounds?" "We didn't realize how great a threat the Storm creatures had become." "And now the Jedi has sent more help. My scouts have tracked the Storm creatures for months. Watched them grow in strength. My daughter will share what we've discovered since we are allies to the Equestrian Empire. I must attend to other matters." Novo took her leave with an escort as Skystar walked up to Starshine with a smile. "It is an honor to meet a Padawan in training," Skystar said. "Ever since the Storm creatures got their new weapons and gear, they hunt us like animals. They have a camp in the valley nearby. My mother's scouts say that the Storm creatures store their weapons and other tech in a cave." "Perhaps removing that technology can neutralize the Storm creatures," Starshine suggested. "You could overload the power circuits and plasma coils. Sabotage would thin the Storm creature numbers and eliminate their technological advantage. On the other hand, if you brought the technology here, my people could defend themselves with those weapons." "This area is vulnerable to attack. You need better defenses." "You'll need one of their leader's access keys to get inside the cave. Do what you think is best. Good luck." Starshine then took his leave and made his way to the camp made for the Storm creatures.