Chapter Fourteen: Tides of War
Fluttershy was sitting on a world gathering plant and soil samples. She was trying to keep on the downlow as her meeting with Tor Vizsla shook her badly. The remainder of the True Mandalorians were never too far away, Eva and Jann had instructed her to always inform them of her location when she was off of her normal planet. They didn’t know where she lived but wanted to know her position after hearing about the confrontation with Tor.
A blaster shot zoomed by her head as a figure came charging towards her, the Mandalorian armor revealing it to be Tor. Fluttershy jumped back, sealing the jar and shoving it into her bag as she backed away. She turned around and began to run through the woods. She pressed the panic button on her wrist as she began to focus on turning into her pegasi form. She was holding off until she was out of sight.
"I don't think so." Tor exclaimed as he carefully aimed his blaster, firing it towards Fluttershy's wing. The shot penetrated the center of her right wing as Tor started moving closer in. She fell down, her breath caught in her throat. She only managed a whimper as she brought her wing in close, shaking slightly. She backed away hitting a tree, she realized that the signal was being jammed.
Tor aimed once more and fired again, this time aiming for the head. Two figures emerged from behind the tree wielding lightsabers, one green and the other blue as the green one deflected the shot. Fluttershy peers out from behind her veil. A young woman knelt by her side asking. “Are you alright?”
Fluttershy couldn’t respond; she could only curl further into herself as if to hide herself. The young woman checked her over for injuries but kept her eye on Tor and the two Jedi.
Tor growled as he backed away saying. "The pacifist and her Jedi lapdogs getting in the way of my prey?! Not only do you shame Mandalore in the way of pacifism, but you ally with our enemies!"
“A child is not your prey, Tor.” the woman said, climbing to her feet. “You have brought so much harm not only to the citizens of the galaxy but to Mandalorians as well. What will you do when our people are all but dead because you seek blood and violence?”
"All that fall are not of Mandalore! You blasphemous cur deserve nothing more than what's coming to you!" Tor answered loudly as he fled the scene. The Jedi deactivated their lightsabers as they turned around to face the woman.
"Lady Satine." The older Jedi who yielded the green lightsaber spoke. "We shouldn't linger here long incase of reinforcements." The younger Jedi stood calmly as he almost shyly eyed the woman. Fluttershy saw the softness in Satine’s eyes as she acknowledged the younger Jedi. Then it dawned on her, these were the two Jedi she had found on Illum. She struggled to her feet before starting to back into the forest. Satine had heard the movement and turned around as Fluttershy took off again leaving behind blood and feathers. She had almost vanished into the shadows as Satine addressed the Jedi. “She was wounded. We need to find her.”
"I agree, it's also clear that the enemy is looking for her, whatever reason it may be." The older man spoke with a gentle look. Satine picked up one of the feathers, examining it carefully. What she had thought to be decorative wings turned out to be real.
Fluttershy collapsed the trees groaning around her, their bows bending as if to protect her. Her form began to fluctuate before it began to grow smaller. Once she was in her pegasi form she crawled her way behind a rock. Rustling could be heard nearby, someone or something was looking for her. Fluttershy tried to make herself smaller as the grass and flowers around her grew to hide her.
The rustling grew louder as a gentle voice called out. "It's okay, I do not mean you any harm. I am Qui-Gon Jinn of the Jedi Order."
Fluttershy kept her wings close before poking her head through the grass to see where he was. She let out a small whimper feeling the pain in her wing and shrunk back. Qui-Gon revealed himself to her as he knelt down to examine her. "You seem to be a changeling, but not like one I've seen."
“Ch-Changeling?” the panic began to rise in Fluttershy wanting to just hide behind her wings. She didn’t even know if he could understand her. “There are Ch-changelings here?”
"Sorry, it was just a curious observation. Now hold still." Qui-Gon urged as he attempted to grab the injured wing. Fluttershy backed away slightly before hearing more footsteps. She closed her eyes allowing herself to take her humanoid form knowing that it would be easier to explain. She held out her wing, wincing again at the pain as she removed her veil knowing there wasn’t much else to do.
"I know that it hurts but I only want to help you." Qui-Gon said with a soft tone as he inched closer. Fluttershy nodded her head as she kept the wing held out. She saw Satine and Obi-Wan, wondering in the back of her mind how she was going to answer the questions this time. She was also worried about the True Mandalorians that had been waiting around. Qui-Gon held onto the wing and started to spray some kind of canister at it.
“Are you alright?” Satine asked, kneeling down in front of Fluttershy who actually managed to give a small nod of her head as she whispered. “I hope I’m not causing too much trouble.”
Satine blinked in surprise looking at the two Jedi. "Not at all, we just want to help." The younger Jedi said with a smile. Fluttershy returned the smile before hearing faint blaster fire in the distance.
"We need to move." Qui-Gon quickly said towards Satine. Satine nodded her head knowing that the situation was about to go downhill. That was when Eva came barrelling through the trees fighting a member of Death Watch. She was yelling something in Mando'a that had Satine trying to cover Fluttershy’s ears. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reactivated their lightsabers as they proceeded to assist Eva. Eva managed to push the Death Watch member off of her as she slid back.
“Hut’uun! Traitor!” the Death Watch Mandalorian shouted seeing the two Jedi. Eva snarled as she moved to charge towards him a hidden dagger sliding out. Qui-Gon used a Force Push on the Death Watch Mandalorian towards Obi-Wan who followed up with slashing at his jetpack causing him to spiral out of control and crash in the distance. Eva looked at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan saying. “Thanks. Give me a moment, I need to report in.” Qui-Gon nodded as he kept a lookout for anyone else.
Satine knelt down just to make sure that Fluttershy was alright once again. Fluttershy just studied her before smiling and putting the veil back on before turning around to watch Eva walk up with Qui-Gon Jinn.
“Lady Kryze.” Eva said, giving them a bow before looking at the two Jedi. “Master Jedi, it is an honor. Thank you for saving my little sister.”
Fluttershy blushed, Eva had considered her as a sister since Galidraan. Even using the Mandalorian term on several occasions. She was referred to as sister so much that Sila had begun to call her Auntie.
"Only doing our duty as protectors." Qui-Gon said with a bow towards Eva. Eva took off her helmet letting her light hair spilling over her shoulder. “Glad that you’re on our side for once.”
Qui-Gon smiled with a nod as his attention turned to Satine. "What do you wish we do now?"
“We should check on the fallen member of Death Watch, then see what we can do to calm the two sides down.” Satine said looking at Eva who was staring at her with a strange look on her face. “Do you have any complaints?”
“No ma’am, just wondering if you two are related.” Eva laughed waving to Fluttershy who just blinked like an owl. Obi-Wan still couldn't keep his gaze away from Satine, something was on his mind but it was more like he wanted Satine to say something. Satine glanced at Obi-Wan as Eva chatted with Qui-Gon. Fluttershy was kept in the middle next to Satine.
“Is everything alright?” Satine asked quietly as Eva laughed loudly.
"Yes, everything is alright. I just wondered when we're done here if we will ever see eachother again." Obi-Wan replied just as quietly. Satine offered him a kind and loving smile as she said. “I hope so, but I know that we both have our duties.” Obi-Wan nodded as he looked at his Master, and then back to Satine with an equal smile. Fluttershy was smiling under the veil just as they came upon the battlefield and began to look around for any sign of where Sila was hiding. Even when told that she wasn’t allowed to come the little girl would always find herself close to where her parents were. Spotting the patch of red hair Fluttershy moved quickly hiding next to the younger girl. Satine had followed and her eyes widened at the sight of the younger child who had a wide grin on her face. She looked at the battle as Sila walked up and Satine picked her up just as Jann tackled a Death Watch Mandalorian close by. Sila was cheering for her father as Satine took a deep breath before shouting. “Enough! All of you! Why do you choose to fight each other while our people suffer? We have lost so much due to our endless fighting including our home! Now you fight with children watching, putting our future at risk. I implore you, lay your weapons down and give peace a chance.”
Jann looked down at the Mandalorian he had pinned before disarming him. Many of the other surviving members of the True Mandalorians did the same. Despite their smaller numbers and lack of leaders the group had stood their ground. Many of the members of Death Watch refused to listen and were knocked unconscious before they could even harm Satine. A male member of the True Mandalorians, Fluttershy recognized him as Davon, and bowed his head saying. “Lady Kryze, you have your father’s temperament and passion. I am glad to see that you are alright, we here are all that is left of the True Mandalorians. Despite our few numbers we will aid you in ending this fighting and once it is done we will lay down our arms and accept whatever consequences will be laid upon us.”
Davon knelt before her as Eva approached. “We will follow you as the leader of the Mandalorians. We cannot accept you as Manda’lore for that title lies with our chief as he has proven his strength. We shall watch my lady and we will serve until the day where we are called to protect our home once again.”
Satine felt herself relax slightly as Sila gave her a big hug. Jann glanced up seeing a Death Watch Mandalorian sneaking up to shoot them. He pushed Satine out of the way and fired his grapple, yanking the warrior towards him and slammed his fist into the other’s face. Fluttershy winced knowing that it was one of the heavier punches. Sila’s cheers filled the air before she noticed Fluttershy calling out. “Auntie! Auntie!”
Fluttershy smiled as she patted the four year old on the head before saying quietly. “I’m going to finish up the soil samples in this area.”
“Don’t move off too far.” Eva told her and Fluttershy smiled before hanging around the perimeter gathering the much needed soil samples. She hummed a tune under her breath keeping her wings tucked behind her as she completed the task that she had started. She knew that the two Jedi were being cautious around them, but had a feeling that curiosity was getting the better of them.
"Hello there, I'm Obi-Wan." The young Padawan said to Eva as he walked towards her with a wave. Fluttershy smiled at him before realizing that she needed to introduce herself. “Oh, I’m… I’m called the Caretaker.” Obi-Wan's gaze turned away from Eva to Fluttershy as he gave a confused look.
“It is safer that many do not know my real name. I’m afraid Tor Vizsla has shown a keen interest in hunting me down.” Fluttershy explained it was the reason she had given herself during the Civil War and her previous meeting with the leader of Death Watch.
"Er, no not that. I was saying hello to your friend here but pleased to meet you nonetheless!" Obi-Wan replied with a motion to Eva. Eva waved back to the both of them as Sila, who had now been set down was running her way around the battlefield jumping on the downed members of the Death Watch. Fluttershy chuckled slightly, though glanced back at Eva who just shrugged her shoulders and went back to rounding up the restrained enemies.
“Eva has been a lot of help since the fall of the True Mandalorians on Galidraan and once I told her about my situation with Tor Vizsla she has made sure that I was never alone.” Fluttershy explained as she put the sealed container into her bag. She felt her hidden tail twitch against her skin, she had always kept it curled around either her waist or down her leg since her conversation with Zenith. Her wings were always difficult to disguise so she tried to keep their movement as stiff and mechanical as she possibly could.
“Why do you hide what you are again?” Obi-Wan asked curiously, sensing what was going on. Fluttershy looked at him before answering honestly. “The Republic is not ready to know of me and I don’t want to change events that are to come. So for now I will help those who need help and keep to the shadows away from prying eyes.”
“Not quite sure I understand but everyone has their reasons.” Obi-Wan nodded respectfully as he sat down next to where Fluttershy was. Fluttershy nodded her head as she began to take plant samples saying. “Everything that will come to pass has been set in motion. I’m afraid I must be forgotten by you and your master unless you keep this a secret from the Jedi Council.”
Qui-Gon overheard the conversation and walked over to confront Fluttershy. “If that is your wish for the Jedi Council to not know of you, you have my word that your secret will be kept.”
“Thank you.” Fluttershy told him as she climbed to her feet. “I am sure that Tor truly has left this planet and I must return to my home. Thank you for your help.”
Qui-Gon nodded who looked at his Padawan as if expecting something but Obi-Wan just shook his head with a smile. "This time I won't question your decision."
Eva patted one of her fellow Mandalorians on the arm and walked over asking. “Did she go home?”
Fluttershy sat in the ship as she prepared it for take off. She looked around the interior smiling at the decorations on the bridge. Each person she had helped wanted to give her something in return no matter how many times Fluttershy didn’t want anything. So they chose to liven up the ship, stuffed animals were in the spare seats, further back there was a section to grow plants while travelling, garlands were hanging with flowers hanging down. Fluttershy accepted it as she didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but she was glad that it was there. It reminded her of how many people she had helped. The ship lifted off as she began to set a course for Tython. As she began to take off, another ship set a lock on her from behind….