//------------------------------// // Jabba’s Palace // Story: Cinematic Adventures: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// The vast regions of space, calm and quiet, showed little-to-no activity between the Rebellion and the Empire for some time. Luke Skywalker and the Equestrian crew returned to Tatooine in an attempt to rescue their friend Han Solo from the clutches of the vile gangster, Jabba the Hutt. Little did they know was that the Galactic Empire had secretly begun construction on a new armored space station, one more powerful than the first. When completed, this ultimate weapon would spell certain doom for the small band of Rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy… Currently, a monstrous half-completed Death Star floated in the darkest section of space, its massive superstructure curling away from the completed section like the arms of a giant octopus. Beyond, in benevolent contrasted, floated the tiny, green moon of Endor. An Imperial Star Destroyer moved overhead toward the massive-armored space station, followed by two zipping TIE fighters. A small Imperial shuttle rocketed from the main bay of the ship, hustling toward the Death Star. The shuttle captain proceeded to contact the Death Star. “Command station, this is ST 321. Code Clearance Blue. We’re starting our approach. Deactivate the security shield.” “The security deflector shield will be deactivated when we have confirmation of your code transmission,” The Death Star Controller spoke, through intercom. “Stand by… you are clear to proceed.” “We’re starting our approach.” The operators moved among the control panels. A Shield Operator hit the switch beside a large screen, on which shown a display of the Death Star, the Endor moon, and a bright web delineating the invisible deflector shield. A control officer rushed over to the shield operator. “Inform the commander that Lord Vader’s shuttle has arrived.” “Yes, sir.” The control officer moved to a view port, watching the Imperial shuttle land in the massive docking bay. A squad of Imperial stormtroopers moved in formation before the craft. The Death Star Commander, Moff Jerjerrod, a tall, confident technocrat, strode through the assembled troops to the base of the shuttle ramp. The troops snaped to attention; many uneasy over the new arrival. But the Death Star commander stood arrogantly tall. The exit hatch of the shuttle opened with a *WHOOSH!*, revealing only darkness. Then heavy footsteps and mechanical breathing. From the black void appeared Darth Vader and Darth Seraphina, who now only wore her hood over her head and no mask. Vader looked toward the assemblage, as he walked down the ramp. “Lord Vader, Lady Seraphina,” Jerjerrod greeted. “This is an unexpected pleasure. We’re honored by your presence.” “You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander,” Vader spoke, businesslike. “I’m here to put you back on schedule.” “The Emperor wants this battle station ready,” Seraphina added. “If not, you can be assured there will be deadly consequences.” The commander turned ashen, starting to tremble. “I assure you my lords, my men are working as fast as they can.” “Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them,” Vader suggested. “I tell you; this station will be operational as planned,” Jerjerrod assured. “The Emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal, Commander,” Seraphina replied. “But he asks the impossible. I need more men.” “Then perhaps you can tell him when he arrives,” Vader spoke. “The Emperor’s coming here?” Jerjerrod asked, aghast. “That is correct, Commander. And he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.” “We shall double our efforts.” “I hope so, Commander, for your sake,” Vader warned. “The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.” “Nor I,” Seraphina added. Vader then turned toward her. “What is your plan going forward?” “I escort Grievous, Demitria, and the Inquisitors for Tatooine immediately,” Seraphina responded. “I’ve a personal score to settle.” Vader merely gave a small nod of approval, as Seraphina turned heel and worked her way towards the hanger bay. <> Within the twisted confines of the subconscious of one Sunset Shimmer, the fiery haired girl stood staring toward the endless frozen landscape of the void. The poor girl had been trapped inside her mind for the longest time and not it was truly taking a toll on her. The landscape had been crumbling around her, little by little, every day. Her being became weaker as the days continued onward. This worried her greatly, knowing the longer she remained trapped in her mind, the faster she became one with the darkness. The feeling of a hand upon her shoulder caused her to look behind her as Revan stood there with a smile on his face.. The former Jedi-turned-Sith-turned-Jedi once more came alongside her, gazing along the landscape with her. Without his mask, Sunset was able to truly get a good look at his features. Long slicked-back black hair, a matching five o’clock shadow over an otherwise handsome face. “Thousands of years ago, I’d have given anything to look upon the void,” He said. “Now all I wish to do is destroy the very creature who created it.” Hearing him say this made Sunset close her eyes in consideration. “You really think I’m the one prophesized to bring down the greatest evil this world has ever known?” She asked curiously. Revan turned his head toward the girl in question, before facing the void again. “Honestly, I do not know,” He shook his head. “The Emperor’s lifespan has spread across millennia. Many tried and many failed to put an end to him. The only one who ever came close was Valora. It was her who saved me from myself, all those many years ago.” This made Sunset look up at Revan with a cocked eyebrow. “Really?” “Indeed,” Revan nodded. “I’ll never forget how she and her crew risked their lives on the plant Rishi, determined to pen end to my schemes when I was lost. I was so consumed with destroying the Emperor, I allowed myself to be twisted by the darkness. Only when they confronted me at the Emperor’s temple did I finally join the light side of my conscience and realized what I’ve done.” It was at this moment Satele Shan, Darth Marr, and Valora Synn made their way to stand beside Sunset and Revan. “Revan had once been consumed by the dark side of the force thanks to the Emperor’s corruption,” Satele added. “Both him and Darth Malak were prominent members of the Jedi Order until Vitiate bent them to his will. Thankfully, we found Revan and reintegrated him to the order.” “It went to show that anyone could be saved from corruption,” Valora spoke. “However, so long as the Emperor remains, there’ll always be corruption in the galaxy,” Marr warned. “That’s why we turn to you, Sunset Shimmer. You alone must be the one to end him, once and for all.” Before Sunset could even comprehend what they were saying, the very ground beneath them shook violently. “What’s going on?!” Sunset yelled. “The Emperor comes,” Satele answered. A sickening evil laugh echoed through the depths of the void, as a bright purple light blinded their vision. When it began to fade, they took notice of a figure standing before them with an evil grin. The man in question was a red-skinned Sith pure blood, his dark hair pulled back in a bun. He wore some form of ancient golden armor that helped showcase the strange symbols upon his skin. His pitch black eyes stared right toward Sunset; his sickening smile grew wider. “Pretender,” He spoke. “Toying with forces beyond your kin.” Marr, Satele, Revan, and Valora all simultaneously drew their lightsabers as they stood at Sunset’s side. The fiery haired girl just stared toward the figure in confusion. “Ooh… kay… I’ve met Valkorian, and Vitiate… who are you?” Sunset asked. “Mortals beg for answers they cannot have,” The figure spoke mockingly. “Words often hurled into the darkness. Once they were mine, they are all lies. Know me, know what you’ve pretended to be. Exalt to the Emperor… the will that is Tenebrae!” <> A lonely, windswept road meandered through the desolate Tatooine terrain. A familiar beeping could be heard as R2-D2 and C-3PO made their way along the road towards the ominous palace of Jabba the Hutt himself. Alongside the two droids, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack followed closely behind wearing rough skin tunics and hoods concealing their identities. “What if they discover who we truly are?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” “Don’t y’all worry now Fluttershy,” Applejack assured. “We gotta keep ‘em distracted long enough fer the others tah sneak on in and find Han. It’ll be a piece ah cake.” “I do hope you’re right darling,” Rarity spoke uncertainly. “From what Luke told us, it seems these Hutts don’t exactly keep the most pleasant company around.” “Don’t you worry bout that Hutt or his goons. Anything goes down, just remember… trust the force.” “I sure hope that’ll be enough,” Fluttershy shook. “3PO, are you as worried as I am?” Rarity asked the droid. “Of course, I’m worried,” 3PO replied. “Lando Calrissian and poor Chewbacca never returned from this awful place.” R2-D2 whistled timidly. “Don’t be so sure,” 3PO spoke. “If I told you half the things I’ve heard about this Jabba the Hutt, you’d probably short-circuit.” “I’m just hoping we never even have to hear a fraction,” Fluttershy replied. Soon the droids and the girls fearfully approached the massive gate of the palace. “Are you sure this is the right place?” 3PO asked the girls. “They matched the coordinates Lando sent out finding this place,” Rarity observed. “Makes sense given how far from civilization it is. If I were one of those dirty ruffians, and I’m glad not to be, this is where I’d go.” “I better knock, I suppose,” 3PO assumed. 3PO looked around for some signaling device, then timidly knocked on the iron door. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone there,” 3PO spoke instantly. “Let’s go back and tell Master Luke, Master Storm, and Princess Twilight…” “And Spike… and Marek…” Rarity corrected. “They’re part of the team too…” Suddenly, a small hatch in the center of the door opened before them. A spidery mechanical arm, with a large electronic eyeball at the end, popped out and inspected the two droids. “Tee chuta hhat yudd!” The voice spoke. “Ooh… my!” Fluttershy gasped timidly. 3PO pointed toward R2, then himself. “Artoo Detoowha bo Seethreepiowha eye toota odd mischka Jabba du Hutt,” 3PO spoke. The eye looked from one robot to the other, then turned toward the three hooded girls… it seemed to squint with suspicion. “And… guests?” Applejack added, smiling awkwardly. The eye looked at the group for a moment, then laughed as it zipped back through the door. The hatch slammed shut and R2 beeped his concern. “I don’t think they’re going to let us in,” 3PO informed the group. “Hmph! And I thought some of the Canterlot elite were rude,” Rarity frowned. “Maybe we’d better go,” Fluttershy suggested. “And maybe try again… in a week?” R2 beeped his reluctance, as 3PO and Fluttershy turned to leave. Suddenly, the massive door started to rise with a horrific metal screech. The robots and girls turned back, facing an endless black cavity. Fluttershy and Rarity stared nervously toward one another, afraid to enter. R2 started forward through the gloom. 3PO rushed after his stubby companion, the girls close behind. The door slowly lowered noisily behind them. “R2, wait!” 3PO called out. “Oh, dear!” “Be careful R2!” Applejack called out. “We can’t go rushin’ into things!” R2 continued down the corridor, with 3PO and the others following. “Oh, R2!” 3PO called out. “R2, wait for me!” “And us!!!” Rarity added. The frightened robots and girls soon met two giant, green Gamorrean guards, who fell in behind them. 3PO glanced quickly back at the two lumbering brutes, then back to R2. One guard grunted an order, to which made R2 beep nervously. “Just you deliver Master Luke’s message and get us out of here!” 3PO ordered. “Uh… guys?” Fluttershy pointed timidly. *WHAM!!!* The door slammed shut with a loud crash, echoing throughout the dark passageway. “Oh no…” Rarity moaned. Suddenly, walking toward them from the darkness was Bib Fortuna, a humanlike alien with long tentacles protruding from his skull. “Die Wanna Wanga!” Bib spoke, in his tongue. “Oh, my! Die Wanna Wauaga,” 3PO replied. “We—we bring a message to your master, Jabba the Hutt.” “Die Jabba Wanga?” Bib asked. R2 let out a series of quick beeps. “… And a gift,” 3PO continued, facing R2. “Gift? What gift?” “No one’s told us,” Applejack shrugged. Bib shook his head negatively. “Nee Jabba no badd. Me chaade su goodie.” Bib held out his hand toward R2, the tiny droid backed up a bit releasing some protesting array of squeaks. 3PO turned toward the strange-looking alien. “He says that our instructions are to give it only to Jabbia himself,” 3PO translated. Bib pondered this for a moment or two. “We’re mighty sorry about our little friend,” Applejack apologized. “He’s a might stubborn about these sort of things.” “Takes one to know one,” Rarity muttered to Fluttershy. Applejack briefly turned toward Rarity with a glare then turned back as Bib gestured for them to follow. “Nudd Chaa!” The droids and their friends followed the tall, tentacled alien into the darkness, trailed by the two guards. “Everyone, I have a bad feeling about this,” 3PO replied worriedly. “I have it almost every day of my entire life…” Fluttershy concurred. “Chin up everyone,” Rarity spoke. “Least the hard part’s over… I hope.” <> The throne room itself was filled with the vilest, most grotesque creatures ever conceived in the universe. R2, 3PO, and even the girls felt small as they crept along the doorway to the dimly lit chamber. Light shafts partially illuminated the drunken courtiers as Bib Fortuna crossed the room to the platform upon which rested the leader of this nauseating crowd: Jabba the Hutt. The monarch of the galactic underworld, a repulsive blob of bloated fat with a maniacal grin. Chained to the horrible creature was the beautiful alien female dancer named ‘Oola’. At the foot of the dais sat an obnoxious birdlike creature, Salacious Crumb. Bib whispered something in the slobbering degenerate’s ear. Jabba laughed horribly toward the two terrified droids, and the trio of equally intimidated women, before him. “Good morning,” 3PO bowed politely. “Bo Shuda!” Jabba shouted. The robots and girls jumped forward, as they stood before the repulsive, loose-skinned villain. “The message, R2!” 3PO urged. “The message!” R2 whistled, as a beam of light projected from his domed head. The like of which created a hologram of Luke and Twilight on the floor. The image grew to over ten feet tall, as the two young Jedi towered over the space gangsters. “Greetings, Exalted One,” Luke began. “Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and friend to Captain Solo.” “And I am Twilight Sparkle, honorary Jedi Knight and representative of Equestria,” Twilight bowed politely. “We know you are powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger with Solo must be equally powerful,” Luke continued. “We seek an audience with Your Greatness to bargain for Solo’s life.” “With your wisdom, I’m certain we can work out an arrangement which will be mutually beneficial and enable us to avoid any ‘unpleasant’ confrontation,” Twilight added. “As a token of our goodwill, we present to you a gift: These two droids.” 3PO was startled by this announcement, but not as much as the three Equestrians. “What did she say?” 3PO asked. “That weren’t part of the plan!” Applejack whispered to Rarity. “It must be a mistake,” Rarity assumed quietly. “Twilight would ‘never’ up these droids… would she?” “… Both are hardworking and will serve you well,” Luke concluded. “This can’t be!” Fluttershy gasped, in shock. “R2, you’re playing the wrong message!” 3PO scolded. But it was too late. The hologram disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Jabba merely laughed, while Bib spoke to him in Huttese. “There will be no bargain,” Jabba declared, in Huttese. “We’re doomed!” 3PO moaned. “I will not give up my favorite decoration. I like Captain Solo where he is.” Jabba laughed hideously, looking toward an alcove beside the throne. Hanging high, flat against the wall, exactly as their friends last saw of him, a carbonized Han Solo. “HAN!” Fluttershy gasped, in horror. “Everyone, look!” 3PO pointed. “Captain Solo, and he’s still frozen in carbonite.” “We can see that!” Applejack muttered, through her teeth. Before long, the group found themselves surrounded by the nasty gathering that made up Jabba’s crew. The girls looked around each side nervously, feeling the immense tension in the room. “Help…” Rarity squeaked fearfully. <> One of Jabba’s Gamorrean guards marched R2 and 3PO down a dank, shadowy passageway lined with holding cells. Celestia only knows what Jabba would do to the girls, but right now the droids faced a precarious situation. The cries of unspeakable creatures bounced off the cold stone walls. Occasionally, a repulsive arm or tentacle grabbed through the bars at the hapless droids. R2 beeped rather pitifully. “What could possibly have come over Master Luke and Princess Twilight?” 3PO questioned. “Is it something I did? They never expressed any unhappiness with my work. Oh! Oh! Hold it! OHH!” A large tentacle wrapped around 3PO’s neck. He managed to break free, and they moved through a door at the end of the corridor. The door slid open, revealing a room filled with steam and noisy machinery. The guard motioned them into the boiler room, where they are met by a tall, thin humanlike robot named EV-9D9 (EVEN-NINEDENINE). Behind the robot was a torture rack pulling the legs off a screaming baby work droid. A second power droid was upside down. As smoking branding irons pressed into its feet, the stubby robot released an agonized electronic scream. R2 and 3PO cringed while the guard grunted toward EV-9D9. “Ah, good!” 9D9 observed. “New acquisitions. You are a protocol droid, are you not?” “I am C-3PO, human-cy…” 3PO introduced himself. “Yes or no will do.” “Oh. Well, yes.” “How many languages do you speak?” 9D9 asked. “I am fluent in over six million forms of communication, and can readily…” “Splendid! We have been without an interpreter since our master got angry with our last protocol droid and disintegrated him.” “Disintegrated?” 3PO repeated. “Guard!” 9D9 called the Gamorrean guard. “This protocol droid might be useful. Fit him with a restraining bolt and take him back to His Excellency’s main audience chamber.” The guard shoved 3PO toward the door. “R2, don’t leave me!” 3PO cried out. “Oh!” As he watched helplessly as 3PO disappeared, R2 released a plaintive cry as the door closed. He beeped angrily. “You’re a feisty little one,” 9D9 observed. “But you’ll soon learn some respect. I have need for you on the master’s Sail Barge. And I think you’ll fit in nicely.” The poor work droid in the background released another tortured electronic scream. <> The court of Jabba the Hutt was in the midst of a drunken, raucous party. The three Equestrian girls found themselves amongst the sloppy, smelly monsters as they cheered and made rude noises toward Oola and a fat, six-breasted female dancer performing in front of Jabba’s throne. Jabba’s alien band played a wildly rhythmic tune on reeds, drums, and other exotic instruments. The Hutt rocked and swung in time with the music, toying with Oola’s leash. Some of the girls couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Eventually, the song concluded, and the audience erupted in applause. “Ah!Do that again!” While the band prepared themselves, the girls found themselves looking around the area trying to get their bearings. “Girls… when’s the part when we’re supposed to actually ‘do’ the distraction?” Fluttershy asked nervously. “If the idea were to get their attention on us, we done somethin’ right,” Applejack looked around, uncomfortably. “Something tells me we didn’t think this through,” Rarity sighed. “Celestia knows what else could possibly happen?” “CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE?!?!?!!?!” The girls quickly looked back to the stage in shock as a familiar face arrived with a band of alien singers. To their surprise, it was none other than Pinkie Pie, decked out in some flashy rock n’ roll style outfit, so colorful and glittery that all the lights shining over her made her outfit sparkle. And there was no mistake for the girls, there she stood with the alien singers consisting of singer Sy Snootles, back-ups Rystall, Greeata, and Lyn Me, along with Joh Yowza, another member of the band. “You ready to hear some more rock n’ roll?!?!?!” Pinkie called out. Though a slight confused, all the aliens in the audience roared with cheers gesturing for Pinkie and the group to perform. “Pinkie Pie?!” Applejack gasped. “What is she doing?!” Rarity questioned. “All right ladies! Let’s give ‘em a show!” Pinkie gestured. “A one, and a two, and a ‘you know what to do’!” Soon the music swelled and erupted with a rocking beat, and the girls were made to watch as Pinkie Pie started performing a little diddy with the alien band. Sy Snootles (Sings): Cha tung ee-ma chay-choo raun ta-nee-ee-choo Back-Ups (Sings): e-ma chay-choo raun Sy Snootles (Sings): Ko-nee nan-kee chong noy khan chay-chee-kum Pinkie Pie (Sings): Chee ka koo-ja oo pa-pa chee-ka-nang kee hey Back-Ups (Sings): Chee-ka nang kee he Pinkie Pie (Sings): You bang ris-pa ka may wang pee-ya nay, yea! Joh Yowza (Sings): Oo-la-wang choo koo-chee-pa-tie tan-ga ris-pa ta ya lee oh Yo, ahh, yal-lie Oola and the fat female dancer performed as Pinkie Pie and the alien band rocked out. While the girls watched, Fluttershy briefly turned and spotted another familiar face: Boba Fett, the bounty hunter from Cloud City… the one who brought the carbonized Han Solo to Jabba. She turned away just as quickly so as not to risk getting caught. Just then, Jabba leered at the dancers and with a lustful gleam in his eye beckoned Oola to come sit with him. She stopped dancing mid-way during the song, backing herself way and shaking her head while shouting out in her native tongue. All the while Pinkie and the group kept up with their song. Sy Snootles (Sings): Ee-ma ta-ka-moo nan-kee Pinkie Pie (Sings): Say yal-lee oo ya see Back-Ups (Sings): Na-too pa Sy Snootles (Sings): Chun-kee sal-la ma-na na-too pa Back-Ups (Sings): Zai ya la Joh Yowza (Sings): Hay koo-ma zai ya la Back-Ups (Sings): Do koo chee Sy Snootles & Pinkie Pie (Sings): Hoy hat-chi doo-k… At some point, between all these lyrics, Jabba grew angry and pointed to the spot next to him. Oola continued to protest, tugging back against the tout leash. “Da Eitha!” Jabba shouted. The lovely alien shook her head again, screaming! “Na Chuba negatorie Na!” Oola shouted. “Na! Natoota…” “We really should do something!” Rarity uttered, through her teeth. “Steady!” Applejack held her hand. Jabba furiously pulled her toward him, tugging on the chain. “Boscka!” All of a sudden, he pushed a button and, before the dancer could flee, a trap door in the floor sprung open and swallowed her up. Pinkie Pie and the group looked down in shock. “Oh, ooh!” Sy Snootles spoke. “Took the words right out of my mouth, sister,” Pinkie replied, eyes widen. “Uh… take five girls!” Jabba and his monstrous friends laughed hysterically, as several revelers hurried over to watch her fate through a grate. Poor Oola tumbled down a chute and sprawl on the floor of a cage where littered corpses and bones remained. Suddenly, a screech caused her to turn as a giant metal door slowly rose open. A muffled growl was heard behind the door, as Oola cringed with fear and then… a hideous scream was the last they heard of her. 3PO and the girls cringed, the former glancing wistfully toward the carbonite form of Han Solo. Pinkie Pie had just stepped off the stage for a breather when the other girls saw their chance and approached Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie!” Applejack muttered. “What’re you doin’ here?!” “Oh, hi girls!” Pinkie greeted aloud. Applejack quickly covered her mouth, shushing her harshly so no one else could hear. “Didn’t think you’d show up soon,” Pinkie continued quietly. “You know will not believe how even the nastiest batch of baddies could have such wicked taste in music!” “Wait a minute!” Rarity interrupted. “I thought the deal was that ‘we’ were the ones providing the distraction!” “That’s exactly the reason why I’m here,” Pinkie smiled. “And what better way than music to provide a distraction? And to think, this was just the warm-up piece.” “Girls… a dancer was turned into some monster’s meal in front of our eyes,” Fluttershy spoke slowly. “And we’re in an argument about who is providing the distraction?” *BAM! BAM!* Suddenly, gunshots from offscreen caused the group to turn. An unnatural silence swept the boisterous gathering. On the far side of the room, the crowd of debauchers moved aside allowing the approach of two guards followed by Boushh, an oddly cloaked bounty hunter, leading his captive, Han Solo’s copilot, Chewbacca the Wookiee. And close behind Boushh, another cloaked bounty hunter stood by carrying a staff in its arms. Bib took his place next to his disgusting master, whispering into his ear, pointing at Chewbacca and the bounty hunters. Jabba listened intently, then the bounty hunters bowed before the ganger and Boushh spoke a greeting in a strange, electronically processed tongue (In which case, Ubese). “I have come for the bounty on this Wookiee,” Boushh spoke, in Ubese. “Oh no! Chewie!” Fluttershy gasped, in horror. “At last we have the mighty Chewbacca,” Jabba spoke, in Huttese. Jabba released a loud, long, blood-curdling laugh and turned toward 3PO, waving him closer. The reluctant droid obeyed. “Oh, uh, yes, uh, I am here, Your Worshipfulness,” 3PO spoke. “Uh… yes!” Jabba continued speaking, as 3PO nervously translated. Boushh listened, while the other bounty hunter gazed around the room as if studying all the dangerous creatures around the room. They noticed Boba Fett standing near the door. “Oh… the illustrious Jabba bids you welcome,” 3PO translated. “And will gladly pay you the reward of twenty-five thousand.” “We want fifty thousand,” Boushh demanded. “No less.” “Fifty thousand, no less,” 3PO translated to Jabba. Jabba immediately flew into a rage, knocking the golden droid off the raised throne into a clattering heap on the floor. Boushh and the other bounty hunter adjusted their weapons, as Jabba raved in Huttese. 3PO struggled back onto the throne, the disheveled droid tried to compose himself. “Uh, oh… but what, what did I say?” 3PO asked. “Clearly something he didn’t want to hear,” Pinkie Pie guessed. “Or maybe the big lug is just a little cranky.” “Pinkie, please!” Rarity begged, desperately. Jabba uttered some additional demands toward 3PO to translate to the bounty hunters. “Uh… the mighty Jabba asks ‘why’ he must pay fifty thousand,” 3PO translated. The bounty hunter held up a small silver ball in his hand. 3PO looked at it, then at Jabba, then back to the bounty hunter. The droid grew very nervous, while Jabba was getting very impatient. “Because he’s holding a thermal detonator!” 3PO gasped. “A thermal detonator?!?!” The Equestrian Heroes (Minus Pinkie) shouted. The guards instantly backed away, along with most of the other monsters in the room (The girls particularly). Jabba stared at the silver ball, which began to glow in the bounty hunter’s hand. The room fell into a tense hush as the girls turned toward Jabba, wondering what he’d do next. Jabba stared at the bounty hunters malevolently, until a sly grin crept across his vast mouth, and he began to laugh. “This bounty hunter is my kind of scum,” Jabba admired, in Huttese. “Fearless and inventive…” Jabba continued to talk while the girls gazed back and forth between Jabba and the bounty hunters, wondering what he was arranging. “Jabba offers the sum of thirty-five,” 3PO translated. “And I suggest you take it.” Bib, the girls, and the other monsters studied the bounty hunters waiting for their reaction. Boushh turned toward the other bounty hunter, who merely nodded. Boushh took it as a cue to release the switch on the thermal detonator, and it goes dead. “Zeebuss,” Boush spoke. “He agrees!” 3PO cheered. The girls sighed with relief, while the raucous crowd of monsters erupted in a symphony of cheers and applause as the party returned to its full noisy pitch. Chewbacca growled as he was led away. As Fluttersh watched Chewie being carted away, she spotted Lando Calrissian, disguised as a skiff guard in a partial face mask. As the band started up and the dancing girls took the center of the floor, to the hoots of the loudly appreciative creatures, Pinkie turned toward the one silent bounty hunter and gave a quick wink. The bounty hunter in question merely nodded their head slowly, while Rarity looked on with confusion. “Must I really ask at this point?” Rarity questioned uncertainly. “You’ll see…” Pinkie answered simply. In the meantime, Boushh leaned against a column with gunfighter cool, surveying the scene. His gaze stopped only when it connected with a glare from across the room. Boba Fett, watching him. Boush shifted slightly, cradling his weapon lovingly. Boba Fett shifted with equally ominous arrogance. And all the while, the girls found themselves in the center of danger and crime all around. They knew that one false maneuver and it would be the end of their chances in claiming Han Solo. Yet from where they stand, this was only the beginning of what’s still to come.