===Bo-Katan Kryze===
It was inconceivable. Pre Vizsla dead? Bo-Katan couldn't believe the transmission she and the Nite Owls had just received, recalling them from their mission to Tatooine of all places.
Her group had been assigned a high-priority mission by Pre Vizsla himself—one that would help solidify his rule over Mandalore. But just as they were on the brink of success, a transmission came through her communication device, ordering them to abandon the mission and relocate to Tatooine with the rest of the Death Watch warriors.
Apparently, though Bo-Katan wasn't sure if it was true, Pre Vizsla had been bested in single combat and lost both his life and his mantle to a man named Sebastian. An... Astartes.
Bo-Katan's mind raced as she stood in silence, her grip tightening around the comm device. The transmission's message had been clear, but its implications were anything but. Pre Vizsla, the man who had led Death Watch, the one she had followed with unwavering loyalty, was gone.
"Bo-Katan," one of the Nite Owls said quietly, breaking the silence. "What do we do now?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she turned her gaze to the stars, her thoughts swirling. If Vizsla was truly dead, what did that mean for the future of Mandalore? And more importantly—who was this Sebastian? An Astartes? Was he another conqueror, another invader like the Republic had been? Or was he something entirely different?
"Bo-Katan?" the Nite Owl called again, more urgently this time.
She looked back to the transmission once more. There had been something about the way the message had been delivered—a finality in the tone that suggested Pre Vizsla's death was more than just a power struggle. Whoever Sebastian was, he hadn't just killed a leader; he had taken the Mandalorian mantle from Vizsla himself. And that couldn't go unchallenged.
"We'll need to assess the situation," Bo-Katan continued, voice now steady. "If there's any chance of reclaiming Mandalore... we'll need to know what we're up against."
Sabine nodded, but Bo-Katan could see the uncertainty in her eyes. Even with their skills, even with the Death Watch at their back, they were facing an unknown force. Astartes.
"Let's gear up," Bo-Katan finally said, her decision made. "We're going to Tatooine. And we'll find out who this Sebastian really is."
As the Nite Owls began preparing for the journey, Bo-Katan's mind was already on the path ahead. The galaxy was changing, and with it, the fate of Mandalore. She wouldn't let it slip away without a fight—no matter who or what they were up against.
===
As Bo-Katan's group descended onto the desert planet of Tatooine, her ship was hailed by one of the vessels on the ground, demanding identification. She scoffed, clearly irritated by the request, and responded with a sharp tone, offering her code. She couldn't hide her displeasure at how quickly the rest of Death Watch had fallen into line, submitting to the new order without question.
"You're clear for landing. Two others will escort you to your LZ," came the Mandalorian's voice over the comms.
Before Bo-Katan could retort, two ships pulled alongside hers, guiding her toward a clearing. She touched down, and the engines of her ship hummed to a halt. Bo-Katan disembarked, followed closely by the rest of the Nite Owls, her boots crunching against the desert sand as they stepped onto the harsh, sun-scorched surface.
A small group of Mandalorians waited for them, their armor reflecting the scorching light of the twin suns overhead. The leader of the group, a stocky warrior with a black and silver helmet, gave Bo-Katan a curt nod.
"Bo-Katan," he greeted, his tone neutral. "I'm Jarek. The rest of the warriors are waiting at the rendezvous point."
Bo-Katan sized him up. She wasn't sure if they were still loyal to the old or if they'd already bent the knee to this new power. Either way, she had no intention of letting them dictate her next move.
"Lead the way," she said coldly.
As Jarek turned to lead them toward the rendezvous, Bo-Katan's mind was racing. There was something unsettling about the calm efficiency of the Death Watch forces here on Tatooine. They had already taken up position, organized, ready to follow the orders of this new leader, Sebastian, without hesitation. Was this what it had come to? A group that once prided itself on its defiance now bending so easily to someone else's will?
Bo-Katan's eyes narrowed as a massive wreckage of a ship came into view, looming against the rocky backdrop of Tatooine's harsh desert terrain. It had clearly seen better days—broken spires jutted out at odd angles, some twisted and bent as though the very fabric of the ship had been torn asunder. It wasn't a ship anymore; it was a monument to destruction, a twisted half-temple that seemed more fitting for some fanatical cult than an organized military force.
She walked in silence, trying to piece together what this place was. From the looks of it, it had crashed in a violent, catastrophic manner. And if it had been home to these Astartes—these superhuman warriors—there was no telling what kind of damage they could wreak.
"This is the Battle Barge. The three Astartes arrived with it about a month ago," Jarek's voice broke through her thoughts as he gestured to the wreckage, his tone casual, as if this were an everyday occurrence.
Bo-Katan raised an eyebrow. "Three Astartes?"
Jarek nodded, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Three. Maximus of the Ultramarines—he leads them. Raxor of the Salamanders, he's more of the technical type. And then there's Sebastian, of the Black Templars." He gestured toward a hulking figure standing at the heart of a gathering of Death Watch warriors.
Bo-Katan's gaze followed the motion, her eyes locking onto the figure. Sebastian. She could feel the tension in the air as he stood among his warriors, a palpable presence. He was a giant—clad in black and white power armor, covered in sigils and markings. His posture alone screamed authority, the kind of authority that came with the unquestioning loyalty of men who would follow him into the fires of war without hesitation.
And then, from beneath his helmet, his voice boomed, louder than it had any right to be, carrying over the desert winds.
"And thus, the Emperor, in his limitless wisdom, and infinite mercy and glory, holds back the forces of Chaos in the Immaterium!" he shouted, his voice almost religious in its fervor.
"Now! Join me in prayer as we ask for His light on this eve of battle!" Sebastian continued, his voice now commanding, his warriors beginning to fall into line with the words. "May we ask Him for His anger to pour on the Xeno filth that dare steal from us!"
The Death Watch warriors, those who had once fought for their freedom and their right to rule Mandalore, now bowed their heads in unison, joining in the chant, as if they were following some dark, divine calling. Bo-Katan's stomach churned at the sight. This wasn't the Mandalorians she had once fought alongside. This was something else—something twisted.
Jarek stood at her side, watching as the scene unfolded. "They've fallen under his influence. Sebastian's... well, he's something else. It's not just the power, you know. He's convincing. They believe in him."
Bo-Katan's gaze never left Sebastian, her fists tightening in her gauntlets. "They've sold themselves out," she muttered, disgust heavy in her voice. "Pre Vizsla wouldn't have allowed this."
Jarek shook his head. "Pre Vizsla is dead, Bo-Katan. This is the way."
She clenched her jaw. "Not my way."
With a final, resounding shout, Sebastian lowered his arms, signaling the end of his "sermon". The warriors, their faces still hidden behind their helmets, began to rise to their feet, prepared to carry out whatever mission their leader had set before them.
Bo-Katan's heart raced as the realization hit her: she was no longer among her people, not truly. These were not the warriors she had once known. These were... zealots. And in their midst was the one who had dethroned Pre Vizsla—Sebastian. The power had shifted, and now, she would have to fight for her place in this new order.
She turned to her Nite Owls, her voice low but resolute. "We came here for answers. Let's get them."
The Nite Owls, who had been silent up to that point, shifted, knowing that the situation ahead had just taken on a far greater weight than they'd anticipated.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Bo-Katan approached Sebastian. The massive Astartes stood at the center of the warriors, his power armor gleaming under the twin suns, casting long shadows over the sandy ground. His presence was overwhelming, his very being exuding an unshakable confidence, but Bo-Katan was not one to be intimidated. Not anymore.
The Death Watch warriors parted as she made her way through, their eyes shifting between her and the imposing figure ahead. She could hear the murmur of their voices, their loyalty to this... this fanatic was undeniable, but it wouldn't stop her. Not now.
When she finally stood before him, Sebastian turned slowly, as though he had been expecting her. The black helmet he wore was an imposing sight, its red optics glowing ominously.
"Bo-Katan Kryze," he said, his voice deep and unwavering, carrying the weight of command. "I've been waiting for you."
Bo-Katan's gaze was steely, unflinching. "I doubt that," she replied sharply, her voice dripping with disdain. "You've taken everything from us. From Mandalore. From Pre Vizsla."
Sebastian's stance didn't shift. He remained calm, almost serene, as though he was above the conflict in her words. "Pre Vizsla was weak," he said, his tone cold. "He failed to see the greater purpose. The Emperor's light reveals what the true path is, and now we walk it. Mandalore will be stronger than it ever was. It will be united, under His guidance, but it will take time."
Bo-Katan's breath quickened, her fists tightening at her sides. The anger inside her flared, but she fought to maintain control. "Mandalore doesn't belong to you," she spat, her words cutting through the air like a blade. "And neither does the Death Watch. You're nothing but an outsider who doesn't care about us—about Mandalore!"
Sebastian's gaze remained unmoving, but Bo-Katan could feel the shift in the air, the tension thickening. He was unfazed by her anger. "You misunderstand," he said, his voice quieter now, but no less forceful.
"I do not need your permission. You served a man who was weak, and who couldn't see past his pride. I am no such fool."
Bo-Katan's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer, her voice cutting through the air. "Weak? Pre Vizsla was no fool. He fought for Mandalore's freedom."
Sebastian's stance remained unmoving, but there was an almost imperceptible shift in his posture as he regarded her with a cold, calculated gaze. "Your people are divided, Bo-Katan. That is weakness. You call it freedom, but all I see is chaos. Pre Vizsla's vision was nothing but self-serving pride. He led you all into an endless cycle of war and defeat."
Bo-Katan's fingers twitched at her sides, aching to draw her weapons. But she kept herself in check, her gaze never leaving his helmeted face. "And yet, that war was fought to preserve our honor, to ensure that Mandalore would never bow to anyone—especially not to someone like you."
Sebastian's head tilted slightly, and for a moment, Bo-Katan could almost hear the quiet amusement in his voice. "Someone like me?" His tone was mocking, but there was no anger in it. "You have never met someone like me."
The words struck Bo-Katan like a spark to dry tinder, igniting a fire within her. She stepped forward, her armor creaking under the movement, her breath coming faster. Her eyes locked onto his helmet, though she could sense the disdain beneath it, and she felt her fists clenching at her sides.
"You will never understand Mandalore, and you will never be its ruler!"
Sebastian's helmeted head tilted again, almost as if he was amused by her rage. He didn't move, didn't flinch, just stood there, towering over her. His voice was calm, almost condescending. "You speak as though your words will make a difference, Bo-Katan. You think your anger will stop this? Stop me?"
Bo-Katan's rage boiled over, and before she even thought, she stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his imposing figure. "No," she ground out, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. "But I'll make sure that I take back what you stole."
Sebastian's dark laugh echoed in the space between them. "What I stole?" He took a slow step forward, his voice smooth and unruffled. "Your precious Death Watch? The very same Death Watch that failed to accomplish anything but bring destruction to Mandalore? You want it back?" He paused, looking down at her as if appraising her, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Then take it. If you can."
Bo-Katan's heart pounded in her chest. His words stung, but they only drove her further. There was no going back now. She wasn't going to stand by and watch Sebastian tear everything down, not after everything she had fought for.
"I challenge you for control of the Death Watch," she snapped, her voice fierce, cutting through the tension like a blade.
For the first time, Sebastian's posture shifted. He seemed genuinely amused, his shoulders relaxing as he straightened, his voice taking on a darker tone, almost as if he were humoring her. "You're serious, then?"
Her glare was unflinching. "I am."
Sebastian crossed his arms, regarding her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "You think the Death Watch is still yours to claim? You think you can take it from me?" He took a step forward, looming over her with the full weight of his height and armor. "You are a child in a game you don't understand, Bo-Katan."
Her fists were clenched at her sides, the urge to act almost too much to bear. "You're trying to turn the Death Watch into a group of zealots, bowing to some Emperor. I'll fight you for every last Mandalorian who still believes in freedom."
Sebastian's voice was cold as ice. "Very well. If you truly believe you can defeat me, I'll allow you to try. But make no mistake, Bo-Katan… If you fail, penance will be all that is left for you."
A tense silence filled the space between them, the weight of the challenge hanging in the air like a storm about to break. Bo-Katan's pulse thudded in her ears, but she stood her ground, her resolve as hard as the beskar in her armor. She wouldn't let him have Mandalore, not while she was still breathing.
With a slow, deliberate movement, Sebastian reached down and picked his massive shield from the ground before drawing his massive sword from the sheath mounted to his shield. "Come, then. Prove to me that you're worthy of leading these warriors."
Bo-Katan's own hand hovered over her weapons, her heart pounding in her chest. She was ready, her mind focused entirely on the fight ahead. "I'm not just going to lead them. I'm going to destroy you."
The tension between them reached its peak as they both stood poised, ready for the battle that would decide the fate of the Death Watch. The desert winds whipped around them, and the first crack of thunder echoed far off in the distance, and at that, Bo-Katan Kryze, lunged forward.
===
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