Forest Defenders

"Forest Defenders" is the second part of the sixth episode of the animated series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. It was released on Disney+ on May 4, 2023.
==Official description==
The kids defend a forest.
==Plot summary==
===Trip to Federian===
While traveling aboard the Crimson Firehawk, Kai Brightstar beats Nubs in a holographic racing game. Lys Solay tells the boys that they will be approaching the planet Federian soon where she hopes to visit the Federian trees. When Nubs remarks in Poobian that the trees are strong, Solay consults a hologram and says that their wood is indeed some of the strongest in the galaxy. Solay can't wait to see the trees and the wildlife.
Brightstar says that Jedi Master Zia Zaldor Zanna sent them to learn about the Federian trees but that Lys and Nubs already know so much. When Brightstar asks what they could learn, Solay replies that you always learn new things when you travel to new places. In the cockpit, Nash Durango informs the Jedi Initiates that they about to arrive in Federian's forest but there is a problem. RJ-83 beeps with concern.
===Trouble and friends===
Upon landing, the younglings discover that the forest has been chopped down. Nubs is distraught. Inspecting a stem, Solay finds traces of sawdust and determines that the trees were being cut down. Brightstar asks who would chop down the forest. Solay encounters a rodent skriffle, whom she senses is sad and upset. The skriffle beckons for the younglings to follow him. Durango tasks RJ-83 with guarding the Firehawk while she follows the others.
The skriffle leads the younglings through a tight cave. Upon reaching the other side, they find a section of uncut Federian forest. The skriffle reaches the tallest tree in the forest and calls out to its young, who scurry down the tree. The youngest glides down a branch. Brightstar remarks that the skriffle look cute while Durango notices that they look sad. As the skriffles whimper, Solay explains that they normally live in trees all over the Federian forest. She deduces that they fled to the tallest tree after their forest was cut down. While Solay strikes a skriffle, Brightstar realizes that the trees are the skriffles' home. He and Solay promise that they will find whoever is responsible.
===Confronting Raxlo===
Nubs finds several tracks, which Brightstar deduces was caused by whatever vehicle chopped down the forest. The younglings follow the tracks which lead to a giant harvester. The skriffle is frightened but Solay comforts it. After finding sawdust, Brightstar determines this was the machine that cut down the trees and decides to confront the owner. Brightstar knocks on the door and is greeted by a floating green droid named RC-99, who asks him to state his business.
Brightstar asks to speak to the vehicle's owner while Solay says that they should not be cutting down trees. Nubs also protests. RC-99 tells them that Raxlo has no time for them. When Brightstar asks who is Raxlo, the droid sighs and explains that Raxlo is the owner of the vehicle. RC-99 introduces himself and says that Raxlo of the Raxlo Corporation is too busy for visitors. Raxlo closes the door and returns inside. Solay is determined to get inside. Durango agrees and tells them she has an idea.
The younglings send RJ-83 to meet RC-99. RJ-83 manages to lure RC-99 away by telling him a story. While RC-99 is preoccupied, the four sneak inside the harvester where they see a mechanical arm processing logs. Nubs trips and hits his head on a bin. This alerts RC-99, who chases them. The younglings flee deeper into the harvester with RC-99 in pursuit. They manage to reach the control room where they are greeted by Raxlo, who is a male Gozzo.
Brightstar tells Raxlo they want to talk. Raxlo claims that he is too busy. Brightstar asks if his harvester cut down the Federian trees. Raxlo confirms this is the case. Nubs protests but Raxlo does not understand Poobian. The skriffle speaks, startling Raxlo. Brightstar explains that this is a skriffle and that the Federian trees are their homes. If he keeps cutting them down, they will have no place to live. Solay expresses agreement with Brightstar. Raxlo is unconcerned and offers to show them something special about the Federian trees. Raxlo is greeted by an alarmed RC-99 but assures them he is handling it.
Raxlo tells the younglings that the Federian trees are prized for their durable wood which is used for making buildings. He hopes to cut them down and sell them for lots of money. The younglings are visibly angry at his greed. Raxlo tells them that his machine overheated before he could cut down the largest Federian tree, which he regards as valuable. Brightstar asks if he will stop now that he knows that the trees are home to animals. Raxlo is unmoved and says that his harvester has cooled down and is ready to resume cutting. Incensed at Jedi interference, Raxlo uses a grappling arm to tie up the four young kings and throw them out of the harvester.
===Defending the forest===
The harvester uses its large mechanical saws to cut through a rocky barrier and advances on the rest of the forest. Brightstar wants to stop Raxlo but Durango points out that they are tied up. Their skriffle friend is able to break free and convinces her friends to free the younglings. Solay thanks the skriffles. Brightstar says that they need to get ahead of Raxlo to stop him and Durango suggest the Firehawk.
While Raxlo's harvester begins plowing through the forest, the younglings use the Firehawk to reach the giant Federian tree first. Brightstar briefs the others about his plan. He tasks Nubs with finding a large boulder, which he pushes up with the help of the skriffles. While Nubs and Solay wait on top of a bill with the boulder, RJ-83, Brightstar, and Durango block the oath of Raxlo's harvester. Brightstar and Durango demand that Raxlo turn around and leave the forest alone, adding this is his last chance.
When Raxlo rejects their ultimatum, Nubs and the skriffles push down the boulder, which rolls down the hill and stops just at front of the harvester. Raxlo laughs at the obstacle and uses his harvester's circular blades to demolish the rock. At Brighstar's signal, Solay and the skriffles swing down in lassos and tie their ropes around the harvester's arms. Together, they attempt to disable and break off the harvester's arms. However, the Jedi used their combined Force powers to rip off the harvester's twin blades and arms. While the Jedi celebrate, Raxlo is furious. Conceding defeat, he vows not to return to Federian. Raxlo and RC-99 depart in the harvester, which detaches from its tracks and arms.
===Justice and restoration===
Following Raxlo's defeat, Brightstar and his friends discussed their lesson with Master Zia. They learn that a forest does not just consist of trees but is home to various creatures. Zanna says that she is proud of them for protecting the forest and the skriffles' homes. She promises that the Jedi Order will help replant the trees that were chopped down. Solay tells her skriffle friend that the Jedi will help them rebuild their homes. They spend time with the skriffles.
==Appearances==
==Sources==
*Young Jedi Adventures: Jedi Training
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==Notes and references==
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