Ok, welcome to another idea from me. This was a story idea that I had had sometime back in 2009. It involved a version of the Star Wars universe where anthro animals replace humans and live alongside the aliens. I made this chapter one, but then forgot about it. I have now rediscovered it. If you need any explanation on Star Wars terms used in this story, just ask. I don't know when I'll update. Enjoy and no bashing or flaming of any sort, please.
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Chapter 1
The Galactic Republic was in trouble, struggling for its existence against the evil Sith. The Sith, under the leadership of the evil hyena Sith lord Darth Raan, who in his youth was a Jedi named Ramses, had won many victories over Republic forces lately. Within his office, a tall, powerful lion named Mufasa, the supreme chancellor of the Republic, paced his office, talking to a lioness named Sarabi, who was his beloved wife and also the representative of their homeworld of Naboo in the galactic senate.
“I worry for the Republic’s existence. Both the Jedi and army have lost many,” Mufasa said.
“The Sith seem to have found a way of building endless squads of fighters and battle droids,” Sarabi said.
“Yes, it’s the only likely conclusion,” Mufasa said.
“But what? How can that many fighters and droids be produced in so short a time?” Sarabi asked.
“I don’t know. I just don’t know,” Mufasa replied.
Just then, the door opened, revealing three other lions: Mufasa’s brother Scar, his wife Zira, who was Sarabi’s aide, and a lioness named Sarafina, who was Sarabi’s other aide as well as her best friend. Scar served as the vice-chairman of the Republic senate, and stood near his older brother at senate meetings, introducing the various senators as they came in to speak, moderating the meetings and so on. He stopped in front of Mufasa’s desk.
“Mufasa, the senate demands an answer,” he began.
“For what?” Mufasa replied.
“If you’ll be sending out an expedition to discover the source of the Sith’s fleet,” Scar replied.
“Lord speaker, the chancellor is very busy trying to conduct the war. The last thing he needs is more stress,” Sarabi said.
Scar looked at his sister-in-law.
“Senator Sarabi, the fate of the Republic depends on this information,” he said.
Following his statement, before Sarabi could reply, he moved towards the window.
Mufasa looked at him.
“Well, anything else you want to say?” the older lion asked.
“No,” Scar answered.
Scar then looked out upon the cityscape of Coruscant. No one, not even Mufasa, suspected his true feelings: he heavily favored the Sith due to the fact that they seemed to be winning.
“Tell me, Chancellor, will you send the expedition?” she asked, almost tauntingly.
Sarabi glared at her.
“You are in no place to ask that, Zira,” she said.
“Why not? I’m just as interested in the survival of the Republic as you are,” Zira lied.
As the conversation continued, Mufasa came to stand by Scar.
“What are you looking at?” he asked.
“This great city. I worry that the Sith will eventually come and take it,” Scar answered
Mufasa listened to Scar’s statements, all of which were a front for his true feelings of disgust towards the Republic, which he viewed as weak due to its losses. Zira felt the same way.
“You should be glad that our government is still standing after the devastation wrought by the Mandalorian wars. Sarabi and I are,” Mufasa stated.
Scar looked at him and scoffed.
“Plus, the Jedi ensure peace and security,” Sarabi added.
“The Jedi. What have they done for us?” Zira said with a sneer.
“When the Republic needed help during the wars, they came,” Sarafina answered.
“Yes, but only after we begged them repeatedly. By the time they got involved, several worlds had already been annihilated,” Scar countered.
Mufasa glared slightly. It was then that Scar decided to switch tactics.
“Then what about how they split up your family? Aren’t you the least bit sad that you don’t get to see Simba as often as you would like?” Scar said.
“We’re proud to have a Jedi in the family,” Sarabi stated.
Scar then turned to Sarafina.
“And you, Sarafina. Aren’t you sad that you aren’t able to see Nala?” he said.
Sarafina merely crossed her arms.
“I stand with the Chancellor. I’m proud to have a Jedi in the family,” she replied.
Knowing that he had lost the argument, Scar left. Zira followed. Meanwhile, at the Jedi Temple itself, in one of the many training chambers, Simba was engaged in a lightsaber practice match against a good friend of his, a white lion named Xerxes. While Simba wielded a blue lightsaber, Xerxes’ was green. Overseeing the practice match was their Jedi master, the wise mandrill Rafiki. A native of the planet Dantooine, he had been a Jedi master for many years, and was more than a bit eccentric. As their match continued, Simba and Xerxes talked.
“Can you believe the state of the war?” Xerxes said.
“I know. It seems like the Sith are taking more ground from the Republic each day,” Simba replied.
“I wish we could get involved, put an end to it,” Xerxes said.
“De council will decide what is best,” Rafiki stated.
“Yes Master,” Xerxes replied.
Just then, Nala and a lioness with pale golden fur named Amani appeared in the training room. For a few moments, they observed Simba and Xerxes.
“They’re some of the most impressive lightsaber duelists I’ve ever seen,” Nala commented.
“Yeah, they are,” Amani replied.
The training match continued for quite some time. Later that evening, Simba decided to pay Nala a visit. They had always been friends, but there was something else in their relationship: Simba, knowing full well that such relationships were forbidden by the Jedi code, loved Nala deeply. He went to her room and knocked, but there was no answer. Finding that the door was unlocked, he entered and found the beautiful lioness deep in meditation. Her lightsaber, whose blade gleamed purple when ignited, was attached to her belt. Simba called to her.
“Nala…” he began.
At the sound of her friend’s voice, Nala’s eyes opened.
“Simba, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“I, uh, came to see you,” he replied.
“There’s more, I can tell,” Nala replied.
“No, there isn’t,” Simba said in an unsure tone.
“Yes there is. Now tell me,” Nala replied.
Simba sighed.
“All right. Nala, I’m in love with you. I know it’s against the Jedi code, but I feel it,” he explained.
Nala rose and walked towards him.
“Truth is, I feel the same way,” she said.
Simba was shocked.
“Really?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
In that moment, they stepped yet closer and shared a kiss. However, Simba had neglected to completely shut the door, and a familiar voice sounded. They turned to see an unhappy-looking Rafiki standing there.
“What is going on here?” he asked.
“Uh, nothing, Master,” Simba lied.
“I saw you two. You cannot keep anything from ol’ Rafiki,” the mandrill Jedi said.
Simba knew this was true.
“Very well, Master. Nala and I have affection for each other,” he said.
“You’re lucky I don’t tell de Jedi council about dis,” Rafiki continued.
Simba and Nala knew exactly what he meant. Rafiki was not merely a Jedi master; he was also a revered member of the council, known as much for his wisdom as for his skill with a lightsaber.
“Forgive us, Master,” Nala said.
“I forgive you, but do not let me catch ya again,” the mandrill stated.
“Yes sir,” Simba and Nala said in unison.
It was then that Rafiki looked at Simba and began a chant that he often recited.
“Asante sana squash banana we we nugu mi mi apana!” he said.
“Master, what does that mean?” Simba asked.
“It means you are a bantha, and I’m not,” the old Jedi master said with a chuckle.
Simba then departed. In Scar and Zira’s apartment, the two lions had made a plan. They would leave Coruscant entirely and make an alliance with the Sith. Then, they would loyally serve them when the Republic had fallen.