Part 2! Some parts may be gory. You have been warned. Now, on with the show!

It wasn't too long after the others boarded the Astradamus. Walking into an empty room, I sat on the floor and began to meditate.

Atlas... Please be okay...

I could feel my blood boiling with rage. Balling my hands into fists, I felt tears land on my clenched hands. My head shot up to the sound of someone knocking on the door. Breathing out a sigh, I ignored the knocking. The knocking continued.

"Zelara, it's Kayla. Please let me in." she asked.

Ignoring her, I turned my back to the door.

"You don't want to talk? Fine, then just listen. I know you're feeling upset, and angry, and scared right now, but believe me when I say this. I've been in your position before; my vision clouded by rage and vengeance. At first, you think that you're going to find peace when you've had your revenge, but you're not..." Kayla said.

I listened as my friend continued to talk.

"Tell me, Zelara. What are you going to do when you have to face Atlas and the other Loth-wolves, knowing that he and the others are being mind-controlled?" Kayla asked.

I felt my ears begin to droop.

I never thought about that... No matter, I'll free Atlas and the others whatever the cost...

Once I heard Kayla walk away, I went back to meditating.

"Zelara, please. Listen to me," Aralez said.

"I don't want to hear it from you either, Aralez," I said.

"But..."

"Silence!"

And like that, everything was silent. Sighing, I continued to meditate.

What do they know? What they DON'T know is how much this means to me. I am grateful for the help, but this is a "me" problem, and I'm not going to stand idly by while the Empire uses my pack to conquer world after world... I won't let that happen...

Once I felt the ship land, I stood up and headed towards the hanger. Sensing the others behind me, I glanced at them before looking away.

"Nerezza, Diella, stay here with Hera and Zeb until the others and I return with the Loth-wolves." I ordered.

"Of course." Nerezza said.

Walking down the ramp, I breathed out a shaky breath.

Never thought I'd end up here again. Place brings back bad memories...

Looking around, I tried to sense Atlas.

"Anything Zelara?" Ezra asked.

I didn't answer my Padawan; I remained silent. Once I got a lock on Atlas's location, I used Force speed to sprint away from the others.

Sorry guys. This is personal...

Vaulting over wide ridges and racing through large canyons, I made my way towards where the Empire was keeping my pack. Once I arrived, I broke out of Force speed. I quickly hid on top of a cliff and looked down at the Empire's little base. The facility expanded across cliffsides and ridges and was heavily guarded with stormtroopers posted on every corner and catwalk.

This is almost too easy. Don't worry Atlas, I'm coming...

Jumping down from my spot, I activated my lightsaber which caught the attention of the nearby stormtroopers.

"It's her! Shoot her!" cried one of the troopers.

Raising my weapon, I deflected and dodged every blast that came my way. Not missing a beat, I ran up to the nearby stormtroopers and ran my lightsaber across their useless armor; their agonizing screams only fueling me. Looking up at the catwalk above me, I raised my hand and balled it into a fist, watching the metal bridge crumble, hearing the faint cries of the stormtroopers that were once on it.

Done and done...

Deactivating my weapon, I walked up to the metal doors and pried them apart with my bare hands. A loud metal clang rang throughout the empty hallways. Igniting my lightsaber, I walked down the seemingly empty halls.

Where are you Atlas...?

Hearing voices coming towards me, I quickly hid behind a corner. Facing my palm upwards, I began using the Force on my lightsaber. Sensing where the troopers were, I held out my hand and watched my weapon zip around the corner. Once I heard the screams of my enemies, I called my lightsaber back to me. Once it returned, I grasped it and continued my hunt, all while trying to sense Atlas's presence.

He's here; I can feel his presence, but something's off... Like, it's clouded...

Following his trail, I weaved my way through the winding halls, cutting down any stormtroopers that came my way. Sensing stormtroopers trailing me, I turned around and threw my activated lightsaber, watching as it sliced off the heads of my opponents. When I grasped my lightsaber, a stormtrooper came from behind me and put me in a headlock. Raising my weapon, I activated my lightsaber behind me, cringing at the smell of burning flesh.

Weak soldiers dying so easily, and for what...? Trying to keep me away from what I'm here for? Good luck stopping me, because if you stand in my way, I'll just plow right through you...

Stepping over the motionless body, I continued to follow Atlas's trail. My ears perked up to the sound of blaster fire behind me. Quickly turning around, I raised my weapon and deflected the blast back at its shooter. Turning tails, I resumed my hunt for Atlas. I ventured across a canyon to another part of this small outpost.

He's close... But his presence is still so very clouded...

Once I reached the end of the trail, I saw two stormtroopers posted next by two large doors. Hiding behind a corner, I peeked my head to see the doors slide open and a woman walked through. She had dark skin and dark hair, along with azure eyes.

Who is she...?

"General, she is here." said one of the stormtroopers.

"As I suspected. Guard these doors and make sure she doesn't get in." she said.

"Yes, ma'am." said the other trooper.

I waited until she was out of sight. When I couldn't sense her, I came from the corner and made quick work with the stormtroopers. I could feel Atlas's energy coming from the other side of the doors. My ears twitched to the sound of footsteps. Quickly opening the door, I went inside and closed the door behind me. Looking around at my surroundings, I saw that I was in some sort of courtyard.

Why would the Empire have a courtyard at a base...?

Feeling a presence above me, I looked up and saw the general I saw before, leaning over the catwalk's railing.

"Welcome, Wolf Jedi. I'm so glad you could join us." she said.

Growling, I immediately activated my lightsaber.

"Who are you and what have you done to the Loth-wolves?" I questioned.

"I'm glad you asked... I am General Glenora, at your service." she said with a small bow.

I glared at the general and tightened my grip around my lightsaber.

"Where are the Loth-wolves?" I asked.

"You mean, the Imperial Hounds?" Glenora asked.

My eyes widened in surprise.

The Imperial Hounds...?

"Oh, yes. Those mutts are exceedingly powerful; exactly what the Empire is always looking for. You and those wolves have been nothing but trouble for the Imperial security on Lothal, so we thought, what better way to get rid of the Wolf Jedi than by taking her wolves? Pretty clever if you ask me," Glenora said.

"How were you even able to subdue them? You must have known that the Loth-wolves are already living tanks." I said.

"Why else would we have captured them? With powerful creatures working for the Empire, what can stop us?"

If looks could kill, that general would be dead by now...

"Where are they?" I asked.

"Why not turn around...?" Glenora asked.

Turning around, I saw six large doors before me. When the red lights over the doors lit up, the doors began to ascend. I then heard loud howling. Recognizing the howls, I deactivated my weapon and started walking towards the doors.

Atlas...?

Seeing the familiar, striking blue eyes, I felt a smile form on my face.

"Atlas..." I mumbled.

Then, I saw a red flashing light over the pair of eyes. My smile quickly faded when I saw my Loth-wolf friend walk out of the door. There was a dark metal halter around him with a red dot right above his eyes. When the other Loth-wolves stepped out, they were all furnished with the same mechanism.

No... What did they do to you...?

"Like their new look, Wolf Jedi?" Glenora asked.

"Atlas. Atlas! It's me, Zelara! Strucker, Striker! All of you, snap out of it!" I cried.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid they can't hear you. They only listen to me."

Growling, I activated my lightsaber and glared up at Glenora.

"Release them now, and I may just let you live..." I said.

"I should be the least of your concern. You see, I am their master now, and if you even lay a finger on me, they'll be inclined to kill you on the spot." Glenora said.

I turned back to Atlas with a defeated look. Feeling my blood begin to boil, I let out a loud yell and flung my lightsaber at Glenora. The general just cocked her head to the side and let my lightsaber miss her.

"Big mistake." she said.

With a snap of her fingers, the Loth-wolves behind me started growling. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I backed away in fear.

"What the matter, Wolf Jedi? Afraid to face your own pack?" Glenora asked.

Groaning in frustration, I Force jumped when Striker tried to pounce on me.

"Guys, it's me! Zelara!" I cried.

Both Strucker and Striker growled and barked at me. Moving out of the way, I watched as both black wolves slammed into the metal wall.

Sorry, you two...

"Careful, Wolf Jedi. Don't want to hurt your precious Loth-wolves, do you?" Glenora asked.

When Glenora snapped her fingers, the other wolves stopped moving and walked back to the end of the courtyard. Hearing grumbling, I turned around to see Atlas; his teeth bared, growling, and snarling at me.

"What are you going to do up against your most faithful companion?" Glenora asked.

I felt my ears droop as Atlas barked at me.

"Atlas, it's me..." I mumbled.

My beloved friend just growled at me. The two of us circled one another like a predator and its prey.

"Good luck, Wolf Jedi." Glenora said.

When she snapped, Atlas charged at me full speed.

Kayla was right; I never thought this through. I abandoned my friends' help and let rage cloud my vision. Now that I'm here, I have no idea how I'm going to save my pack... I wish the others were here...

"Zelara!" a voice cried out.

The tension is so real! The next part may be the final part, I don't know yet, but stay tuned! Suggestions are forever open and appreciated. May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔️