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Chapter Text

Reva knelt down, breathing heavily.

There was no one else in the room with her, except for Lord Vader. None of her Brothers or Sisters were there to sneer or denounce her. Finally, her moment of triumph had arrived.

This is only the beginning, though, she reminded herself.

Every muscle and nerve of her body thrummed with excitement. She could barely keep her head down and continue the pretense of submissiveness, so instead she focused carefully on the words that came out of her mouth.

"As you remember, I have sworn my ultimate obedience to you, my Lord," she murmured.

"And have you fulfilled the vows that you swore to me?" Lord Vader demanded.

"Yes, my Lord." She looked up and made eye contact with the black, reflective helmet. "I have discovered and apprehended the rogue Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Lord Vader betrayed no emotion in response to hearing the name of his former instructor. The two eyepieces of his helmet gleamed faintly in the dim light. Just as cold and unfeeling as the metal body of a droid, yet a thousand times more dangerous.

"With my Lord's permission, I am more than willing to bring him to justice, so he may finally receive the punishment he deserves for his crimes against the Empire-"

"Silence," Lord Vader said, raising the same gloved hand he had used to snap Younglings' necks. Reva closed her mouth immediately. "That is enough from you."

Reva forcefully bit the inside of her cheek, trying to calm down. She did so hate to be interrupted.

"My apologies, my Lord. I only wish to show you the extent of my allegiance by dealing with the problem directly-"

"There will be no need for that," Lord Vader said coldly. "I am more than capable of dealing with the Jedi myself."

"Of course, my Lord," Reva bowed her head. "I would never assume anything less of you."

Right now, saying the right words was a matter of life and death. It would do her no good to die before fulfilling her ultimate goal.

Lord Vader clasped his arms behind his back, and began to pace the room. Each one of his steps, although calm and with no underlying emotion, made her shudder. The footsteps of someone who, once he had made up his mind, left no survivors in his path. The same footsteps which were the last sounds that many innocent souls heard before perishing painfully.

Reva squeezed her eyes shut and focused on the floor, trying to keep herself from breaking.

Lord Vader finally stopped pacing around once he was about two feet away from where she was kneeling. Reva held her breath, not wanting to make a single sound, lest the mere reminder of her existence enrage him.

If she were to look up right now, her eyes would be at the same level as the top of his boots. He was close enough to kick her in the face.

She did not want to keep looking down. But at the same time, she did not want to look up.

"So, you have the Jedi under your control."

She took a deep breath before responding.

"Yes," she exhaled shakily, daring to look up. Lord Vader was looking down at her, his expression unreadable behind the mask. She did not know if he wished to congratulate her or punish her.

"How did you accomplish this?"

Reva beamed. "My Lord, I requested my personnel to investigate a connection between the Jedi and the Royal Family of Alderaan. As you may be aware, they are not the biological parents of the current heir to the throne, who is the Princess Leia of-"

"I know," Lord Vader said coldly, and she fell silent. "Is that all you came here to tell me? That you have been investigating the nebulous parentage of some child adopted by the Organas in an attempt to conceal infertility?"

Reva shook her head fervently. "No, my Lord, I would never try to waste your time with any meaningless information-"

"So you say," Lord Vader replied sardonically, "And yet you have given me nothing of interest, Third Sister."

Reva immediately bowed her head. "Forgive me my lord," she pleaded, "My tongue was loose, and in my excitement, I could not contain my enthusiasm-"

"It is indeed troublesome," Lord Vader interrupted her again. "Perhaps removing it might make it easier for you to communicate, do you think?"

Reva shakily forced herself to kneel down even further, prostrating herself completely before him. There were so many things she wanted to say...none of them that would help her situation.

"From now on, I want you to respond to me as efficiently as possible, so as not to further waste my time. Am I clear?"

"Yes," Reva gritted her teeth, bowing her head and forcing herself to smile.

Just then, her nose exploded with a sharp crack of pain and she cried out, feeling the weight of something heavy on the back of her neck.

Something was pressing onto the back of her head, crushing her and making it hard to breathe. Reva gasped out loud, both out of the shock that he had actually stepped on her neck, and desperately trying to force oxygen back into her lungs.

"Your position is incorrect," Lord Vader said coldly, his left hand raised towards her with all five fingers splayed outwards. "If you are going to bow, at least do it properly."

Before she could respond, he made another motion with the same hand, and she screamed out in pain. Her back forcibly straightened itself while her arms struggled to hold the full weight of her body.

I didn't think he would actually...

Lord Vader returned his hand to his side, where his lightsaber hung menacingly. The heavy feeling on the back of her head and around her throat vanished. She inhaled shakily, grateful for the ability to breathe again. She tried to calm herself down, but her breathing remained unsteady.

Fifth Brother had once used the Force to shove her forwards, obviously trying to make her land face first on the table where they held all gatherings and humiliate her. She had already grown used to such immature attempts at diminishing her. Her other Brothers and Sisters would regularly bully her and jeer at her, believing her to be less worthy than them of her place in the Inquisitorius Program. Nevertheless, she persisted, always choosing to pick herself up out of the mud and hold her double-bladed saber with pride.

But this...this was so much worse. The squeezing, unyielding pressure against her throat was something terrifying that she never wanted to feel again. She had known of Lord Vader's incredible abilities, and had witnessed him crush multiple disobedient rebels' windpipes singlehandedly. But experiencing it herself was something else.

She wanted to sob out loud. In that moment, none of the black armor covering her body mattered, because she did not feel protected or safe. She was no longer Third Sister, the ruthless and bloodthirsty Inquisitor who liked to cut off hands first and ask questions later. Now, she was reduced to the crying, terrified child that she had once been on that fateful night. Her head began to throb and blood pounded in her eyes, every vein of her body filled with adrenaline that screamed bloody murder.

But she willed herself to not cry. To not let the tears escape. To not let Vader know that his intimidation tactics had worked. She kept her head down, pretending to not care that she had almost died of asphyxiation, keeping her back ramrod straight as if there had never been any weight on it.

"Let us try that again," Lord Vader spoke coolly. "Hopefully, you were able to find your words. But if not..."

He pulled the lightsaber from his side and clicked it with a gloved finger. The saber roared to life, its blade long and searing hot, casting a menacing red light on the reflective floor that even she could see with her face pointed downwards. The implication was clear.

"Thank you, my lord, for your generous help," Reva replied stiffly, refusing to let the threatening red glow faze her. "I remember perfectly what I meant to say now."

"Good."

"The Jedi's weakness is his attachment to others," Reva spat, directing her anger at the Jedi instead. "By abducting the daughter of the Organa family, I was able to take advantage of this weakness and lure him into a trap."

"I see," Lord Vader replied coldly.

She wanted so, so badly to gloat about the ingenuity of her victory. But instead, she stuck to efficiency, since that was what he had requested of her.

"He is now within my personal holding cell, awaiting judgment. I only ask that...my Lord...grant me the pleasure of seeing to it that he is dealt with properly," Reva finished, inhaling shakily.

"Your request is granted. However...I can only do so if the prisoner is indeed where you say he is," Lord Vader sneered. "Last I recall, the Jedi has a rather nasty habit of escaping."

Reva shook her head. "He cannot, my Lord. I have ensured it...he cannot, he will not escape," she swore, pushing herself off the ground and starting to stand up. "I-"

"Silence!"

Reva cried out as her knees gave way and she felt herself being yanked back onto the ground against her will. "I did not give you permission to rise."

"My apologies, my Lord. It was my foolish error," Reva replied, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to make herself comfortable even as her knees throbbed painfully.

"You have been forgiven," Lord Vader replied, and she gritted her teeth. "Rise, Third Sister," he raised his arm, and her knees straightened themselves again, forcing her to stand up. He let his hand fall to his side, and the forces holding her up were gone, leaving her stumbling forwards as she struggled to not fall. "You have finally accomplished what many of your siblings could not. If what you are saying is true, and the Jedi is contained, I will reward you greatly. However...if you fail to successfully bring him here..."

Reva swallowed, nodding quietly. She knew better than anyone else what fate awaited her if she did not deliver.

"Go."

The doors opened, and she was shoved roughly forwards. Reva caught herself against the doorway and let out a breath. She turned behind her to look at Lord Vader. He was still standing in the same spot, watching her intently.

"If you don't mind, my Lord," Reva narrowed her eyes, "I can move myself just fine. I do not require any additional assistance," she spat bitterly, suddenly filled with too much anger to care about what might happen as a consequence of her rudeness.

Lord Vader just stared back at her silently. For a second, she thought perhaps he had decided to ignore her. But instead, he took a step in her direction and she flinched, immediately stepping back.

"I see," Lord Vader replied. "You can handle yourself without my help."

"Yes," Reva breathed. "I'll see myself out, thank you."

He hasn't killed me yet for saying that... is that good?

Lord Vader did not take another step towards her. 

"Go ahead," he replied, his tone eerily calm. "I will not stop you."

Chapter Text

Reva closed her mouth and turned her back on him, shakily forcing herself to walk away.

She thought perhaps that he would strike her with his saber, or shove her again using the Force.

But he did not.

Instead, she walked back into the conference room completely untouched. In shock, she did not notice that there was someone sitting across from her, or the fact that Fifth Brother was missing from his usual chair. The fact that she had just turned her back on Lord Vader and walked out, unharmed, was too unfathomable to process. She was sure that there would be some sort of retaliation or final humiliation to punish her for speaking back.

The doors to the conference room closed quickly behind her, startling her. She jumped slightly at the noise, her heart fluttering uncontrollably in her chest.

Seventh Sister looked up from her seat at the table, finally noticing that she had entered.

"Well?" she asked. "Did you enjoy your little audience with the Lord?" she sneered mockingly.

Her eyes reflected the same disgust that all of her Brothers and Sisters looked at her with, disgust and contempt that had been there ever since the moment she crawled out of the slums and demanded to be taken seriously. But this time, there was something else behind Seventh Sister's eyes. Something greener and darker, that was secretly eating away at her.

Jealousy.

Reva smirked.

"Oh, I did," she replied, grinning as if Lord Vader had poured out a drink for her and offered her a promotion instead of nearly choking her to death. "Lord Vader was quite pleased by my success. He says that, should I succeed, I will be the next to fill in the position of Grand Inquisitor," she bragged shamelessly.

Seventh Sister narrowed her eyes. "You seem rather unfazed by our poor Brother's fate," she accused.

"Oh, quite the contrary," Reva batted her eyelashes fake-innocently, "I am deeply chagrined by his passing and have sworn my eternal vengeance against the vicious Jedi responsible for his death. I assure you, he will pay for what he did to our Brother, who I shall miss dearly and mourn every day," she sighed dramatically.

"You are a dirty liar!" Seventh Sister growled. "You have never cared for Brother. All you did was argue with him and disobey his commands."

"If I argue with my fellow Brothers and Sisters, it is only because I love them and feel deeply passionate towards our common goal of eliminating the Jedi," Reva crooned silkily, "We may not have always agreed on everything, but my love for my Brother remains the same, just as I feel towards all my Brothers and Sisters."

"Lies!" Seventh Sister snarled and reached for her saber, switching it on. "Lies upon lies! Will you never cease your endless words of deception?"

Reva also reached for hers and both blades roared to life, illuminating their faces with an incandescent red light. She waited patiently, watching Seventh Sister to see how she would react. A moment passed. Neither of them made a move, standing still as their lightsabers hummed loudly, crying out for blood.

Just then, the conference doors opened once more.

"Our Lord requested my presence, but when we spoke, he never even addressed me. All he wanted to talk about was the Jedi," Fifth Brother grunted angrily. "He has become obsessed with him. None of my reports interested him, not even the straggler we found at the tavern last week-"

Just then, he noticed Seventh Sister and Reva's lightsabers. "Stand down!" he growled angrily, "Hold your fire! What are you doing? This is the conference room! This is not an appropriate location to be squabbling," he spat angrily.

Both of them tensed up. But eventually, Seventh Sister sneered and reluctantly turned her blade off. Reva did the same.

Fifth Brother groaned. "Would it kill you two to not fight? We have so much at stake, and now is the worst time to be engaging in petty fights."

Seventh Sister rolled her eyes and stepped away from her. Reva straightened up and crossed her arms, smirking triumphantly. Fifth Brother noticed her expression, and this set off a nerve within him.

"Wipe that stupid grin off your face," he hissed. "Just because you found the Jedi, doesn't mean he's going to promote. For all you know, he might have you demoted for skiving off your duties."

"Or, perhaps he will thank me for choosing not to waste his time and finding the person he was searching for," Reva replied smugly. "Regardless, even if he does not reward me for succeeding...how do you know he will not punish for failing?"

Fifth Brother narrowed his eyes.

"Let us check on your little prisoner first," he sneered. "I pray for your sake that he is indeed where you last left him."

"Oh, thank you, Brother," Reva smiled mockingly. "I am forever grateful for your support."

With that, she turned her back on both of them and confidently walked out. She knew this time that nobody would dare to strike her, even though she was sure that both of them wanted to. In the past, she would not have been able to do this without bracing for a shove or blow to the middle of her back. But this time, nothing happened. Both Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister were painfully aware of the danger that any attempts to humiliate her would now carry.

In a way, she was thankful for her encounter with Vader. Because she no longer feared them. There was nothing that they could possibly do to her that was scarier than what had already happened to her in the small chamber.

"I will see you later, Brother, Sister," she called out as she opened the doors and began to walk away. "Perhaps in a few days, we may find ourselves in different positions. Don't you find it exciting?" she smirked, her gait now powerful and flowing with arrogance, as if she already owned the place.

Seventh Sister snarled at her. "Why don't you just do us a favor and leave already? Your delusional nonsense is nothing short of tiring."

Reva smiled back at her. "Is it delusional? Or, are you just telling yourself that, because you are afraid?"

Seventh Sister moved to grab her, but Fifth Brother stopped her, sneering angrily. Reva let out a loud cackle.

"Look at you two, suddenly cowering now like the sniveling worms that you are," she mocked. "Why are you so fearful? Are you worried that I might retaliate against you when I have been named Lord Vader's new Grand Inquisitor?"

"She's not worth it, don't listen to her," Fifth Brother growled at Seventh Sister, barely holding her back with his arm.

"I don't care! I will not stand here and listen to her disrespect us," Seventh Sister screamed angrily, fighting back against his grip.

In the past, Reva would have been afraid of them, especially knowing that she was shorter than both of them and that the two of them could easily overpower her. But somehow, after being in Lord Vader's presence, she no longer felt trapped or paralyzed by her own fear. Reva had always been a quick learner, and what she had learnt today was highly helpful.

"Goodbye, dear Sister," she crooned. "I hope Lord Vader will show you mercy when he makes his decisions. Perhaps, if I feel inclined, I will ask him not to turn you away, and instead place you as my personal assistant. That should be a fitting enough position for you, would you not agree?"

Seventh Sister howled with anger, but Reva chose to ignore her and walk away. As the conference doors closed behind her, she could not help but smirk to herself, feeling as powerful as Lord Vader after exiting a room full of fearful troopers.

If you simply quell your feelings, and learn to hide your fear behind a mask of power, no one will dare question you. Not Lord Vader, not the Jedi, and certainly not the insipid minions who I call Brother and Sister, she thought triumphantly to herself.

She wondered what expression the Jedi would have when she returned to him. Would he be afraid of her? Or would he also try to hide his own fear behind a mask of impassivity? She could not wait to find out.

And so, with this in mind, she climbed into the pilot's seat of her small ship and turned on the holoprojector, immediately contacting her mercenaries.

"I am coming to collect the prisoner. If I find out that you somehow let him escape, I will not hesitate to cut out your internal organs and hang them outside your wives' windows."

"He's still there, my Lady," Vect replied smoothly. "Right where you last left him."

"We shall see about that," Reva replied darkly. "Prepare yourselves. And remember, he has to be there in one piece. Or your throats are mine."

"Of course, Miss Inquisitor."

Reva grunted and prepared her navicomputer for lightspeed.

"I will be there in three minutes," she announced coldly. "Prepare yourselves."

And as for you, Obi-Wan...Well, I hope you are tougher than you look.  

Chapter Text

Bail Organa paced around his room anxiously, considering his options.

You must remain calm. You are the leader of an entire nation, he reminded himself. Remain rational.

But how could he remain rational?

Although he attempted to keep his mind clear by focusing on whatever he could find to occupy himself, he could not help but think of the last conversation he had with Leia. Her words continued to replay in the back of his brain incessantly, haunting his every waking moment.

I'm not a real Organa.

Then, more quietly, the words she hadn't said...but that he feared hearing from her.

I'm not your real daughter, Daddy. Why even go through all this trouble to rescue me?

In the logical part of his brain, he knew that he had already assured her that he loved her. But still, he couldn't erase the sinking feeling that it wasn't enough. It broke his heart to think about her, all alone, thinking that maybe he had abandoned her. That maybe, she wasn't enough. That she wasn't his real daughter.

I would never abandon you, he wanted to scream across the galaxy, to every planet and moon in the solar system. Never have I ever wanted anything or anyone back so badly. Please, just send me a sign, anything, just tell me that you're still safe. That my baby is still alive. You don't even have to forgive me for failing to protect you, as long as I know that you're out there somewhere.

Breha had stopped speaking to him. They had both agreed not to reveal Leia's disappearance to the rest of Alderaan, but as their desperation continued to mount, the tension between the two of them also grew. Both of them had questions, questions that they had been keeping to themselves because of the pain that speaking them into existence would bring. Where is Leia? Is she still on Daiyu, or has she been moved off-world to somewhere even more dangerous and faraway? Is she even still alive? And more importantly, What if we are the reason she disappeared?

The questions continued to hang over their heads, but for the sake of their marriage, their family, their planet... they continued to keep their words to themselves. And so, the Organa family continued about their business, silent and efficient, not speaking a single word to each other.

Maybe General Kenobi will report back eventually, he told himself. Perhaps he simply lost contact and is lying low. He wouldn't want me to potentially jeopardize the mission.

But it had been hours since General Kenobi's last transmission, and when he sent men to search Daiyu, none of them could trace him back. This did not necessarily mean that he was dead, but the city was large and dangerous, and Leia was only ten. The more time passed between her disappearance and the present, the more Bail Organa felt like vomiting. He did not want to think about what business that a bunch of thugs in Daiyu had with his daughter, although he could not help but fear the worst.

How pathetic it was. If all his enemies could see him now, for the hack that he was, they would be laughing at him. There were so many who coveted and envied him for his position. Rich, powerful, the head of the Royal Family of Alderaan. With enough connections within the Rebel Alliance to accomplish whatever he put his mind to. He could command whoever he wanted to carry out his dirty work against the Empire, and they would obey him without questioning.

And yet it's not enough, he found himself thinking mournfully. What is the use of it all, if I can't even bring my baby home?

In a moment of desperation, he considered broadcasting a message to the entire Galaxy promising to pay any ransom demanded in exchange for his daughter. If the attackers were able to overpower General Kenobi, this must mean they were not to be trifled with, and would not take kindly to him announcing a reward in exchange for Leia's safe return. However, this would only alert their enemies to his vulnerability, and did not guarantee a response considering the kidnappers had not even contacted him for a ransom.

I could always turn myself in, he had told himself, desperately trying to believe that there was always a last resort, but even this was too risky. He had too much information about active Rebel initiatives that could not fall into the wrong hands. If whoever was behind this chose to torture him, the secret identities of multiple different Rebel agents might be discovered and used against them.

The way the Rebel Alliance was able to remain a secret for so long was because nobody fully knew the extent of it; only Bail Organa knew exactly who was who, and was responsible for arranging missions between the right people. For their sake, he could not afford to let himself get captured. Even though he wanted so badly to offer himself up. To say, Why don't you take me instead of my daughter? She's only a child. Let me take her place. Whatever you want from her, I'll do it, if you would just let me bring her home.

He could not, would not, because of all the people who he would be putting at risk. But the more time passed, the more he wanted to.

When he first found out about the abduction, he had thought it was one of their distant relatives, or perhaps some anti-Royalist organization seeking to blackmail him into abdicating. Clearly, that had not been the case. But who, then? Who else could possibly have some personal vendetta against Leia, the sweet girl who would never hurt a soul and said thank you to the droids when they brought her breakfast?

Or was it really that clear?

Nothing really was clear, was it? Every moment he tried to sleep, his head would fill with more questions, more what-ifs, more conjectures. Before, every part of his being had been dedicating to loving and showing his devotion to Leia. Now, he was reduced to a husk of himself, and every part of his being could not help but cry out from being unable to do what he was meant to do. Being without her was like trying to walk without his own legs. How could he breathe, when he was not even sure if his darling Leia still breathed? How was he meant to continue existing, to continue living a life without her in it?

More importantly...what if whoever has Leia finds out the truth about her real father?

He shook his head, trying to calm himself down. He didn't care if others found out that he was not Leia's biological parent. He would proudly scream to everyone that she was his, and that he was her father, and nobody could change that. But if they found out the secret of her true father, that would put her in danger. Those with a connection to Anakin Skywalker rarely lived to tell the tale. He had learned this the hard way.

Taking deep breaths, he forced himself to think clearly and finally came to a decision.

General Kenobi may have failed. But he knew of at least one other Jedi who he could still call on.

The holoprojector roared to life as he switched it on. He only had to wait a few minutes before a response finally came through.

"Hello, Senator Organa. Is everything alright?"

"Hello, Fulcrum," Bail Organa sighed. "And no, I'm afraid I have quite a serious predicament."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," the female Togruta blinked sympathetically. "Well, that's what I'm here for, isn't it?"

Chapter Text

It had been a full ten years. Ten long, hard years since she first responded and took on the mantle of Fulcrum. Yet, despite being ten years older, she did not quite feel ten years wiser.

At twenty-eight years of age, Ahsoka had found her place within the Rebel Alliance. Although sometimes she had a nagging feeling that there was something bigger that required her attention, she had learned to quell that urge and continue working towards her current goals. Sometimes that goal was to perform essential recon. Sometimes that goal was to search for survivors and recover innocent civilians.

At the moment, she was not taking on any active missions. After taking a minor hit to the ankles during a recent mission ("I'm fine Kaeden, really"), she was forced to stay under house arrest for a few weeks. Well, not really forced to, since nobody had arrested her. It was more that Kaeden had ordered her to stop taking on missions and stay at home with her for a while.

If she was still the same rebellious teenager that she had been ten years ago, she would probably have complained that there was nothing for her to do and sneaked out anyway. But this was different. Kaeden had asked her to stay home. And so, for the first time in her life, Ahsoka agreed to take a vacation. A small break from going on life-threatening missions.

"But you're still taking on work," she whined.

"You are also part of my work," Kaeden had replied. After seeing Ahsoka's face, she smirked and changed tone. "I mean, taking care of you is also my job," she teased. "That's why, as a licensed medical professional, I order you to stay home and rest with me. For at least a week."

Ahsoka frowned. "I don't want to be a burden to you," she murmured.

"You're so self-sacrificing," Kaeden rolled her eyes. "What if I just want to keep you all to myself because I'm greedy like that?"

Ahsoka blinked. "Oh," she said. "I didn't realize...I thought, you would be staying because you have no other choice," she trailed off guiltily.

Kaeden narrowed her eyes. "Don't be stupid," she chided her, and for a second, it felt like they were teenagers again. "I want to stay at home with my partner. Ankle or not, you have no choice."

Ahsoka blinked, then understanding dawned on her and she smirked. "Oh, okay," she grinned mischievously. "Well, in that case, I'm all yours."

And so, a few days ended up turning into one week, then two weeks, then three weeks. The first few days, Kaeden had specifically taken off time to spend together. Those days made staying at home worth it. They spent most of that time eating and talking, or just lying on the couch together. At some point, Ahsoka stirred and found Kaeden leaning against her with her head tucked into the crook of her right shoulder. She had taken her hair out of its usual braids, and it was spilling over her shoulder, full and curly and fluffy. She debated whether she should rearrange her into a more comfortable position or just go back to sleep, not wanting to accidentally wake her. Ultimately, she decided to pull the blanket higher over their shoulders so that they were both fully covered. After making sure that Kaeden was properly tucked in, she wrapped her right arm around her and went right back to sleep. She thought she also felt Kaeden grasp her hand and squeeze it in her sleep, but she was too drowsy to care. During those first few days, the only concerns she had were being as warm and safe as possible while also spending every waking moment with Kaeden.

After those first few days, however, it became clear that Kaeden was needed. Yet her ankle injury was not fully healed. To appease her, she told Kaeden that she could return to work without her. "I'll be fine," she assured her. "I'll just sit here and wait for you, like the real housewife you always wanted," she would tease.

At the time, Kaeden laughed along with her, but something about her expression became more serious. "Promise you won't accept any more work, Ahsoka. Not until your leg is fully healed."

"I'll be alright, really," Ahsoka told her. When Kaeden still wouldn't leave, she laughed out aloud. "It's just a minor sprain, really. I can walk just fine."

Kaeden lingered in the doorway, unconvinced.

"I'll be okay, I promise," Ahsoka finished.

Kaeden sighed. "I love you," she reminded her.

Ahsoka smiled back. "I love you too!"

Kaeden shook her head. "Sometimes, it's hard to tell." Ahsoka fell silent for a moment, then Kaeden stuck out her tongue and the two of them burst into laughter.

Since then, she was left alone in the house for most of the day. On occasion, whenever she could, Miara would call her through the holoprojector to chat. But Miara had responsibilities of her own. Being part of the rebel air force kept her busy, and she could not say where she was most of the time. In a way, she reminded Ahsoka of herself from when she was younger, sporting the title of Commander and walking around as if she knew everything about the universe.

Well, that time is long gone, she thought bitterly to herself. Best to let the past stay in the past. Maybe this vacation might even be a good thing for me.

She knew that she still planned to stay with the Rebel Alliance for a while. There was so much more that she still wanted to accomplish.

And yet, at the same time, she couldn't help but feel empty inside. As if there was something else that was calling out to her. Something that no amount of recon or rescue missions would fix.

What is it that you want, Ahsoka? The voice inside her head kept whispering. Do you want to keep going on missions forever? Or do you want to retire and stay at home with Kaeden? Or is there something else, someone else that you're waiting for?

Ahsoka closed her eyes and hugged her knees to her chest.

Ahsoka.

Ahsoka?

Ahsoka...

The voices still called out to her. She continued to ignore it.

When Kaeden was there, she was able to suppress it. The urge to reach out, to use the Force, to call out for the people that she knew would never answer. Kaeden had always been perceptive and immediately asked her what was going on. She could tell that there was something on her mind, something bothering her. At first, Ahsoka had tried to wave it off, justifying it by saying that they probably weren't going to know each other for much longer. But Kaeden disagreed. She continued to hold onto Ahsoka, to stay in her life, to push her to be more open and openly express their feelings to each other. Whatever it was that was haunting her, Kaeden insisted that they could deal with it together. No matter how embarrassing or painful it was, Kaeden always insisted on sharing the burden together.

At times, it worried Ahsoka. Because there was always that feeling in the back of her mind that someday she might not be able to see either Kaeden or Miara ever again. But still, she continued to give in and allowed Kaeden to coax her out of her shell. She told her about Anakin and Obi-Wan and the Jedi. She wouldn't tell her the full details about her missions, but when it came to the past, there were no secrets between them.

Kaeden pushed her to be more open with her, and so Ahsoka fell into the habit of asking her for help. Of being soft and vulnerable in front of her. Of accepting kisses and hugs. Then eventually, slowly but surely, she started to initiate them herself. Until they were at the sort of stage where you could say they were partners.

Sort of, Ahsoka thought ruefully.

She knew that Kaeden had been wanting to get married for a while.

I never really considered myself much of a marriage person, Kaeden had said. I'm not crazy about weddings. But sometimes when I see other humans wearing their "wedding rings" and talking about their spouses...some part of me wishes that I could show you off like that. Don't you want that too? To forever be united together? Even if we were to die, at least we could say that we were always one, so that nothing could separate us.

She did want it. Really badly, in fact. Every part of her wanted badly to belong to Kaeden, and to show the world that Kaeden was hers. But for some reason, she just couldn't bring herself to say the word or tie herself completely to her.

Perhaps it was because of their professions, where they saw multiple families torn apart by the Empire, and where nobody could guarantee their own survival. Or maybe it was because deep down, she knew that all of the people who she would've wanted to be at a major event like her wedding were dead, gone, or...

Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut.

No, don't go to that place. I don't want you to hurt yourself, Kaeden's voice chided her.

It was hard not to. To not reopen the scars of the past and lose herself in them completely. But she did it because Kaeden had asked her to. Because, no matter how many ghosts wanted to drag down Ahsoka Tano with them, Kaeden wanted her, right now, in the present. And she would do anything to make her happy. So for her, Ahsoka tried to stay afloat. Even when it was just her by herself.

But staying afloat was hard. She felt exhausted, like she had been swimming against the current for ten years.

And so, when she finally received the call from Senator Organa with the promise of a new mission, she did not hesitate to answer. She could have let it continue to ring and pretended that she was still sleeping off her injury. But, for reasons that only her heart could fathom, Ahsoka found herself reaching for the holoprojector and responding.

"Hello, Senator Organa. Is everything alright?"

There was a pause before he finally responded to her.

"Ahsoka...forgive me, but I can't ask anyone except for you. I need your help really badly right now."

"Of course, Senator Organa," Ahsoka replied calmly. "Anything, just tell me what you need from me."

"It's urgent. My daughter Leia and General Kenobi's lives depend on it."

Asoka's eyes widened and she nearly dropped the remote to the holoprojector.

"What did you say?" Ahsoka asked shakily.

Her hands were trembling so hard that she feared she had lost control of them. Her heart in particular would not listen to her. It throbbed violently and arrhythmically, threatening to thud its way out of her chest. She felt nauseous, as if she might vomit. Part of her wanted to scream and jump with joy, but every other bone in her body was telling her that this was not good news.

"Please, Ahsoka, can you promise me you'll help?" Senator Organa begged. "I'll do anything, as long as you-"

"No, I promise nothing," she gasped, backing away and standing up straight. "Repeat what you just said."

"I'll do anything-"

"Not that part!"

Senator Organa blinked, confused.

"Did you just say Master Kenobi is still alive?" Ahsoka panted.

Senator Organa bowed his head ruefully.

"Yes," he murmured. "Although for how much longer... I'm not sure."

Chapter Text

It took a full half hour for Ahsoka to fully calm down and listen to what Senator Organa was saying.

"So, you're saying Master Kenobi went to go rescue Princess Leia? But you haven't heard from either of them in twenty-four hours?"

"Yes," Senator Organa replied tearfully, looking as if he wished he had been taken instead. "I know it seems like I don't care for her, but I do, Ahsoka...I just, I didn't know they were planning to go after her. If I'd known, I would never have let her leave my side. I would have offered myself to them and told them to take whatever they wanted from me-"

"I know," she interrupted him, and he stopped talking. "I don't doubt that you care about your daughter, Senator. But why are you telling me this only now?"

Senator Organa paused. "Well, the truth is, I didn't think General Kenobi would be captured. But I know he would take good care of Leia no matter what, so I asked to look for her. And he did find her, thankfully. They just...weren't able to escape. I'm afraid the Empire put out a hit on him."

Ahsoka frowned. "That's not what I meant. And...you're saying the Empire coincidentally put out a hit for him on the same exact day that he went out to look for Leia?"

"Yes," Senator Organa nodded. "I sent out some of my men to Daiyu to look for clues and the only information they were able to tell me is that General Kenobi was a wanted fugitive by the Empire."

"I don't understand. You told me he was just lying low, nothing more than a plain meat-cutter," Ahsoka spoke accusatorily. "Why would the Empire suddenly care about him? How did they even find out about his identity?"

"I believe whoever kidnapped Leia may have recognized him and targeted him for his role in the former Jedi Council," Senator Organa replied mournfully. "Oh, Ahsoka, I just don't know what I am going to do with myself if both of them...if both..."

"They are not dead!" Ahsoka yelled, and he went quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry Senator Organa, but for our sanity, we need to keep faith in Master Kenobi. That he is still alive and waiting for us."

Senator Organa took a shaky breath and also tried to collect himself. "Right," he nodded slowly. "You're right, Ahsoka, as always."

"More importantly," Ahsoka took a deep breath and tried to steel herself. "Why didn't you tell me Master Kenobi was still alive?"

Senator Organa closed his mouth and went silent.

"You knew," she whispered, a tear spilling from her eye. "You knew it all along, didn't you?"

She closed her eyes shut as Senator Organa started to protest. He began to explain himself, but she shook her head and refused to open her eyes. The pain was too strong.

If Master Kenobi is alive...and he was able to survive Order 66...

Does this mean that Anakin is too?

No. He would have tried to contact me.

Or would he?

Do I even have the right to hear from him after I left him?

Senator Organa rambled on for what felt like hours, but none of the words registered. Ahsoka breathed deeply, forcing herself to calm down and collect her thoughts.

It was several minutes before she could muster the strength to speak again.

"You knew," she mumbled again, and Senator Organa stopped talking. "You knew that I have been carrying the pain, the weight, the loss of Master Kenobi's death for so many years. How badly I would have given anything for just a glimpse of him. I've been carrying so much guilt and grief with me for ten years," she gasped, and opened her eyes to find her entire face wet. Tears were now flowing freely down both of her cheeks. "You knew that, and yet you never thought to tell me he was still alive? That he survived Order 66?"

"Ahsoka, I wasn't trying to hide it from you," Senator Organa pleaded. "You have to understand...General Kenobi isn't the man you think he is."

"Bullshit!" Ahsoka growled, almost shutting off the holoprojector herself. "He is more of a man than you are!"

After saying this, she immediately regretted it, as she knew this was not true. However, Senator Organa did not deny her accusation. Instead, he simply hung his head mournfully, as if he had been thinking the same himself.

"I know," he replied quietly, and Ahsoka immediately felt awful. "He is a better man than I could ever hope to be. That I will not deny."

"Senator..."

"However, if I had told you, if you had reached out to him...I do not think he would have answered you the way you would have hoped," Senator Organa murmured. "He was just a humble sand whale meat-cutter. I tried to reach out to him multiple times, to rouse his sense of duty, but he would always refuse me and tell me that his duty was to the boy."

"The boy?" Ahsoka asked, confused.

"Leia's brother, Luke," Senator Organa replied. "My other child, who lives on Tatooine with his uncle Owen at the moisture farm."

Ahsoka blinked.

"Believe me, Ahsoka, I tried. I tried to encourage him to join the Rebel Alliance, to remind him of our friends who are still alive, but he refused. He said to me, "I am half a dead man, with one foot in the grave and one foot in the land of the living. Let them be dead to me, as I am sure that I am to them." This is the last time I ever asked him to do something for me."

Ahsoka sighed and sat back down again. Part of her was still angry, imagining what she could've done if she was still her younger self, piloting ships recklessly without a care in the world. Her brain conjured images of her flying to Tatooine and running to Master Kenobi and telling him that it was her, Ahsoka.

I'm alive, Master. It's me. I survived!

Then they could finally go on adventures together and rescue the Galaxy just like they used to.

Just like Anakin and I used to...

But that fantasy was a hopeless dream. In what world would Master Kenobi agree to leave behind a vulnerable child so he could go gallivanting with her like old times? No, it was foolishness to believe that he ever would.

Besides...I was Anakin's padawan. Not Master Kenobi's.

"He wanted so badly to lie low so he could stay close to Luke. Keep an eye on him, just in case. He would not give up his cover for anything," Senator Organa sighed. "And even if I had told you...what if either of you was captured? What would I do if I lost both of you? Information is so precious and so very, very dangerous."

"I know," Ahsoka snapped, "I'm not a child anymore, Senator. You don't have to explain everything to me."

There was a long pause. Ahsoka closed her eyes and put her head in her hands, breathing deeply.

"Okay," she sighed. "I'll go on the mission."

"Thank you, Ahsoka. You have no idea how-"

"Enough," she said, and he stopped talking. "I will go on the mission," she continued, "But only one condition. When I come back, I want there to be no more secrets between us. Understood?"

Senator Organa bowed his head. "Understood," he repeated solemnly.

"Thank you." She stood up to turn off the holoprojector, then remembered something. "Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?" Senator Organa asked eagerly.

Is Anakin...

No, Kaeden's voice said in the back of her head.

Ahsoka swallowed and tried again.

"Is Miara doing alright?" she asked quietly.

Senator Organa blinked. "Yes, of course," he replied. "Ever since you sent her on her first mission, she's been performing flawlessly. I have heard rumors that she will be promoted to captain of her team soon."

A small smile spread across Ahsoka's face. "I knew she would," she murmured.

Senator Organa also smiled proudly, but he looked somewhat tired and worn out. "Well, I must leave now. I'm afraid I have some other business to attend to."

"Of course," Ahsoka nodded. "By all means, go ahead."

"Thank you, Ahsoka." Senator Organa hesitated. "May the force be with you, Fulcrum."

Ahsoka shrugged and stood up, finally stretching her legs. "Thank you, Senator. You too."

Finally, she shut off the holoprojector and started to pace around, packing her things. Although Senator Organa had provided her with new weapons to replace her old lightsabers, the new blades weren't quite up to her standards and she had been meaning to upgrade them for a while. Except for the hospital bill from her injury had set her back quite a few credits.

Oh, well, she shrugged as she packed them with her anyway. They may not be the best, but they get the job done and that's what matters.

Chapter Text

The first order of business was setting off to Daiyu.

Unfortunately, due to Empire-imposed sanctions, this was not easy. In order to prevent Kenobi's escape, all transport (including trade ships) was expressly forbidden. It would be extremely difficult to enter the planet without being questioned and possibly identified. The only current officials who were allowed to enter were Inquisitors, higher ranking Empire officials, or medical professionals (who were always in high demand).

Ahsoka deeply wished she could call upon another Rebel friend to join her on the mission. However, in the interest of Master Kenobi's safety, she would have to stay discreet. Inquisitors may not be the most perceptive, but they could definitely sense when one or more Jedi were travelling together. When more than one Jedi was present in the same place, they tended to create a slight disturbance in the Force around them. Hence, it made more sense to travel alone, at least if she wanted to remain undetected.

"I have contacted an emerald wine freighter who is set to enter Daiyu," Bail Organa informed her. "However, he will not meet you here. Instead, I am arranging for him to pick you up at Ko Lon Wo, one of Daiyu's outer moons. We will have one of our rebel pilots fly you there."

"Why not have him meet me here first?" Ahsoka asked curiously. "Why does he have to meet me at Ko Lon Wo?"

"I'm afraid the nature of freighter trade routes would mean having to wait several days. However, I assure you that Ko Lon Wo is perfectly safe. As one of the outer moons, it will allow us to bypass the loopholes forbidding new visitors from landing on the planet itself. Each of Daiyu's moons is primarily used for trade or pleasure trips... it is highly unlikely that the Inquisitors will be sweeping for any Jedi there."

"Understood. May I know my pilot's codename?"

Bail Organa smiled. "I think you hardly will need it."

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow, curious.

As she waited for the rebel pilot to arrive, she made sure that she had packed everything. She felt a pang of guilt as she realized she had not told Kaeden that she was going to be leaving.

Nervously, she fumbled with the buttons on her holoprojector. Within second, it buzzed to life and she jumped back, not expecting Kaeden to pick up so quickly.

"You look startled," Kaeden remarked.

"I'm sorry, I know you're busy at work, I was just going to leave you a voicemail-"

Kaeden crossed her arms. "I was. Very busy," she huffed. "But you're going to have to try harder if you want to sneak around me."

"I know, I know."

"You're leaving, aren't you?" Kaeden asked, looking disappointed. And perhaps, a bit concerned.

"Yes. I'm sorry, something came up."

Kaeden sighed.

"I'm sorry, babe. I'll make it up to you," Ahsoka promised.

"Can you at least tell me where you're headed?"

Ahsoka looked away. "I can't."

"Well, must be some very important mission then," Kaeden sighed. "Did you at least wrap up your ankles?"

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I did."

"And you ate the lunch that I prepared for you?"

"Yes, of course I did," Ahsoka blushed. "Babe, I'm not eighteen anymore," she groaned. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just another patient that you have to take care of."

Kaeden looked at her, then let out a sigh. "Sometimes, I worry that if you weren't my patient, there would be nothing stopping you from leaving. I know you love me, but I'm worried that I'm only holding you back by hanging onto you."

Ahsoka's eyes widened. "That's not true, Kaeden. I...I don't want to leave you," she mumbled. "I wish we could just stay together. All the time."

Kaeden stared back at her, and for a moment Ahsoka wished she could reach out and grab her hand through the holoprojector.

"I want...to tie you to myself too," Ahsoka murmured quietly. "I think about you all the time. If I'm not thinking about you, I just don't know what to do with myself because you are the only way I know how to be happy. I wish we could just live quietly, without having to sneak around and hide so much. Every day I want to tell you that I love you, but I'm worried. Worried that they'll find us...worried that something will happen to you because I wasn't strong enough to leave...worried that it'll be all my fault because I'm too selfish to do what's right for you. I also worry that if I tell you, you'll think I'm clingy and weird."

A few moments passed. Kaeden sighed, and Ahsoka looked down again.

"I'm sorry. Am I being too much?"

Kaeden rolled her eyes. "No, but you are being very annoying."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't think I want that for us too?" Kaeden asked pointedly. "You don't think I feel the same way about you?"

"If you told me no, I think I would throw myself off a cliff," Ahsoka admitted.

"You're so dramatic," Kaeden rolled her eyes, but her face betrayed a hint of a smile. "Of course I want the same. I'm your partner. It's okay to be needy towards me. I want you to be. I want you to be stupidly attached to me, just like how I am to you."

"Attachments are not allowed for Jedi," Ahsoka smiled. "But fortunately, I am not one."

Kaeden smiled back at her. Just then, someone called her name and she looked over her shoulder. Ahsoka coughed and decided to end the call as soon as possible.

"You should get back to work soon," she mumbled quietly. "I'll let you go now."

"You're already trying to get rid of me?" Kaeden sulked, faking a pout. "Do you even love me?"

"Ugh, I am literally going to leave on a mission, you can not use that on me," Ahsoka groaned.

Kaeden laughed. "I'm sorry, I just love to mess with you."

"Don't I know it," Ahsoka laughed. "Okay, bye for real this time."

"May the Force be with you," Kaeden smiled, but her eyes still reflected concern.

Ahsoka tried to smile back reassuringly. Just as she turned off the holoprojector, she got another call. That must be the rebel pilot, she thought to herself.

"Hello, Fulcrum," a familiar voice called.

Ahsoka blinked.

Miara!

"Ready for your flight to Ko Lon Wo?"

Ahsoka grinned.

"You bet I am."

Chapter Text

It felt good to see Miara again. Although she was growing quickly, Ahsoka couldn't help but see her as an extension of herself, a younger sister that both her and Kaeden had raised. Along the way, the two of them chatted a bit more, catching up on general rebel business and trading anecdotes about Kaeden.

"I asked her why she trusted you so much even though we barely knew you," Miara mumbled from the cockpit. "She said you were the prettiest person she'd ever seen, so she knew you had to have a good heart."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "That's got to be a bluff," she huffed, although the tips of her ears did redden slightly.

"She also complained to me that she's going to turn thirty before you two get married," Miara added.

Ahsoka frowned. Were teenagers all this nosy? She tried to remember what she was like at Miara's age, and whether she had her nose this far up other people's business.

"That's for her and I to discuss," Ahsoka replied solemnly.

"Okay but just so you know, if you like it, you better put a torus on it," Miara clicked her tongue.

Ahsoka laughed.

"I'm serious! When you pick a maid of honor it has to be me, alright?"

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "No promises."

Miara pouted. "You're no fun!" she said childishly, making Ahsoka laugh. She grinned and reached over, patting Miara's head as if she was a child all over again.

"When the time comes, I will let you know," Ahsoka smiled gently. "Understood?"

"O-kay," Miara replied, pleased.

"Are those braids new?" Ahsoka asked, admiring Miara's hair.

Miara beamed. "Yes, I found a human salon that specializes in them!"

"That's good," Ahsoka observed. "I like the beads."

Miara giggled. "Thank you! I do too."

Ahsoka smiled and leaned back in her seat. She really is growing up, she thought to herself bittersweetly. Although she was happy to see Miara thriving, sometimes she couldn't help but wish things would stay the way they were. Back when I was younger, and less burdened by responsibilities...still convinced I had time to fix everything, she sighed. Still convinced I could fix everything.

"Oh, looks like we're almost there!"

Ahsoka peered out of the window closest to her head, marveling at the sight before them.

Daiyu was bright and vibrant, illuminated with a million electric lights and skyscrapers that rose so high that some of them peeked into the atmosphere. Several moons (both natural and artificial) orbited around it. The larger ones were all covered in glass atmospheric domes and seemed to contain artificial environments with completely controlled weather.

Some of them were also covered in solar panels upon which holographic billboards could be projected. Right now, however, there were no advertisements being broadcast. All of them were instead flashing the same image of the same man; a thin, worn-down man who looked as if he had seen better days.

Master Kenobi, Ahsoka realized with a jolt.

If she had not been paying attention, she might have mistaken him for a nameless vagabond. His overgrown hair, downtrodden look, and the wrinkles underneath his eyes made him almost unrecognizable.

But not completely.

Ahsoka exhaled slowly, tried to calm herself down.

The Empire wouldn't still be broadcasting his image as a wanted fugitive if they had already killed him, she reminded herself. There's still time.

"And here we are at Ko Lon Wo," Miara announced.

The moon they were approaching looked much less eye-catching in comparison. It was mostly covered in freighters and ground transporters. As a mostly automated trade planet, it seemed like the only other life forms she would encounter were other pilots, or possibly transport droids. The only recognizable features that stood out to her were the amount of machines, and the lack of a glass biodome.

"Ko Lon Wo is the sort of place where everything comes and goes," Miara explained. "They never bothered to implement an artificial atmosphere here. So, you won't find any Inquisitors patrolling the place. Just make sure to wear this," she handed her a portable oxygen mask with the tank attached.

Ahsoka nodded, relieved. She could hold her breath if need be.

Miara ended up depositing her at a small trade port. They hugged each other briefly, then Ahsoka ran to the trade freighter and boarded it as quickly as possible. Thankfully, there were only a few droids patrolling the area, which were easy enough to hide from.

After stowing away in the freighter and landing at an inspection port, it was time to dispose of her oxygen mask and finally enter the neon city of a Daiyu.

As she walked through the main entrance, she looked around herself, marveling slightly at everything. There were holographic billboards everywhere, included ones being projected by flying drones. A bunch of scammer droids solicited whoever they could find, preying on others' sympathy and asking them to sign petitions (as a way of obtaining their signature, which could later be forged and used for illegal activities). Others simply walked in circles, offering different services (cleaning, assassination, protection from assassination, etc). However, most everyone ignored them, knowing better than to pay them any attention.

"Hey, gorgeous! You look like you could use a good time," a pretty Twilek lady giggled at Ahsoka, tugging on her arm and trying to draw her closer. "Wanna join me for the night, cutie?"

Ahsoka eyed the tall Twilek woman. She was carrying a tray of glowing neon beverages, most likely to entice new customers into joining her nightclub. "No, thanks," she declined politely. "I'm afraid my partner wouldn't approve."

The Twilek pouted. "Aw, that's no fun!" But she let her go nonetheless.

Ahsoka also steered clear of the teenagers selling spice and death sticks. If she wanted to remain discreet, the less people she interacted with, the better. She had been to quite a few planets like this before, and if her memory served her right the citizens generally tended to mind their own business. Everyone had a purpose and a place to be. Except for those hired to do so, people rarely asked each other any questions. In order to avoid rousing suspicion, she chose to stick to the larger crowds.

Although she had no idea where Master Kenobi was held, it seemed logical to her to check the main exit. At least, if his captors tried to move him, she would be able to cut them off before they could get off-world. And so, she headed to the main exit of Daiyu, where all traffic was expressly forbidden and various people milled about, waiting sullenly.

Right next to the gates, she could see two imposing people dressed in all-black armor. Together, they walking back and forth, holding ringed sabers that glowed threateningly and cast red light on each of their faces.

Those must be the Inquisitors.

Ahsoka steeled herself and did her best not to make eye contact with them. If need be, she was prepared to fight (possibly all of them at once), but the less attention she drew to herself, the better. Fortunately for her, the Inquisitors seemed a lot less interested in verifying everyone's identity and were deeply absorbed in their own heated conversation.

"Where's the runt?"

"She said she had other business to attend to," the tall female Mirialan with green skin sneered. "Something about going to check in on her prisoner. Lord Vader has asked for proof of his capture."

Prisoner?

Could it be...?

"Well, isn't that grand," the tall humanoid male grunted. "Where did she say she was headed?"

"Wouldn't say." Ahsoka sighed, disappointed. "Either way, seems like she's too good to patrol the main exit with us."

"Can't say I'm surprised. Always caught her sneaking off on missions, letting her responsibilities fall on us...she was only interested in capturing that Jedi Master."

"That's just how she is. Once she gets it in her head that she can skip the hard work and grab the biggest fish, nothing else matters to her. Not her Brother, not her Master, nothing."

Ahsoka froze for a moment, considering her options.

If you get your cover blown, Bail Organa's hard work will be for nothing, the voice in the back of her brain warned.

How else am I going to find out where Master Kenobi is held? Ahsoka frowned.

Yeah, but what if they catch you?

"Hey, you!" The female Mirialan growled loudly and grabbed a child by the hand. "What are you doing here? Trying to escape without an exemption huh?"

Ahsoka's head whipped around immediately. A human woman grabbed onto the child with both arms, trying to pull him back, but the Inquisitor held him firmly by the hand. "I thought I sensed a Force-Sensitive vermin somewhere around me," the female Mirialan sneered. "What's your name, runt? I'll report it to the Grand Inquisitor and have you removed immediately."

"No, no," the mother screamed desperately while the child in her arms began to cry. "We're just ordinary humans! He has done nothing," she sobbed. "Let go of him!"

"Really? Well if he's not a Jedi, then why do I sense a filthy Light User clouding up the Force?" the Inquisitor spat.

"That's enough," Ahsoka called out loudly, and both of the Inquisitor's eyes turned towards her direction. The mother seized the opportunity to grab her boy and run away. "I'm the one you want," she announced, removing the cloak covering her lekku.

The Inquisitors both snarled at her. "Well, well. It appears the Jedi are still allergic to being alive," the green-skinned male remarked. "Tell us the name of whatever Rebel filth led you here, and you will not be executed."

"That is a lie," Ahsoka replied.

"How would you know?" the female Mirialan crooned, faking innocence.

"The Force told me so," Ahsoka replied, drawing her lightsabers. Both Inquisitors huffed scornfully, clearly unimpressed with the bootleg models.

"Well, I hope the Force also told you that today will be your last night," the female Inquisitor snarled, pressing a button. Her ringed double-saber immediately began to spin in a circle, moving so fast that it even blew the air away from her face. Ahsoka did not back down.

"Funny. I could say the same for you," Ahsoka replied.

"Hmph. Seems like we have an arrogant one on our hands," the female Inquisitor smirked. "You know what we do with arrogant Jedi, don't you, Brother?"

"We kill them," the male Inquisitor snarled.

Ahsoka smiled.

"Good thing I'm not one," she replied.

Chapter Text

When they were younger, Anakin once challenged her to duel him without doing any acrobatic tricks.

At the time, Ahsoka had disliked the challenge. Being shorter and having less upper body strength meant that she usually had to compensate by flipping backwards or running and jumping onto her opponent. Now that she was forced to stay on the ground, she found herself almost getting cut every time that he pushed his lightsaber against hers.

"You can't always flip backwards every time that you think someone is going to hit you," Anakin chided her. "What if you run out of stamina? What if they're only feinting and trying to get you to expose your back to them?"

Ahsoka had groaned. "But this is my preferred fighting style," she had complained. "You just wanted to win a duel against me, didn't you?" she accused.

Anakin just smirked. "I don't have to make you fight differently to win a duel against you," he grinned. To prove it, he switched his lightsaber to his left hand.

Eventually, she learned to avoid getting hit by turning to the side or quickly spinning her blade around (although this proved a slightly more dangerous maneuver, given that she had less control over her opponent's saber).

Now that she was surrounded by two highly-trained Inquisitors and restricted by her ankle injury, she was significantly more thankful for this advice.

"She's wearing a multispectrum holomask," the Brother remarked. "What are you trying to hide from us, huh? Scared to show us your true face?"

"Give up now, little Jedi," the Sister snarled evilly as she swung her double blades in one clean swipe, narrowly missing Ahsoka's throat as she ducked. "You wouldn't want to die a long and painful death, would you?"

"Interesting. Your mother said something similar to me last night," Ahsoka replied cheekily, using one of Anakin's favorite lines to rile up an opponent. The Inquisitor roared with fury and attempted to slice off her legs. Ahsoka simply jumped out of the way and landed a few paces back, wincing slightly at the strain on her ankles.

The Brother was less interested in taunting her. Instead, he snuck up behind her and attempted to stab his blade through her. Clearly, his strategy was to force her forwards until she was stuck right between the two, after which it would be much easier to hit her. Keeping an eye on each of them, Ahsoka waited until the last second and jumped aside, letting the Brother's lightsaber nearly hit his Sister in the face. The female Inquisitor shrieked loudly, aggravated.

"Watch where you're swinging that!" she growled angrily, switching methods and starting to hack earnestly at Ahsoka. Ahsoka continued to dodge and parry each blow. When both Inquisitors swung their blades at her, she countered each one of their blades with one of hers, panting as she held each lightsaber in place. Then, she performed a backflip, breaking the standstill and getting safely out of the way.

Ouch, she winced, once again feeling a faint pain in her ankles as she landed on her feet.

"She's weak in the knees," the Brother observed. "Go for her legs."

"With pleasure," the Sister snarled.

Now both of them were aiming swings towards her ankles. Panting, Ahsoka used both sabers to knock their blades away, but both switched their sabers to spinning mode. Ahsoka groaned quietly, knowing that she did not have enough upper body strength to parry a spinning blade.

Master Anakin, please, tell me what you would do to get out of this, she pleaded quietly.

Just then, as she stared into the mechanical ring at the center of the spinning double-blade, she realized something. It reminded her of a certain type of droid that she found during the Clone Wars. Although intimidating at first, once you knocked out the spinning weapon from the center, they were quite harmless.

Going off of her instincts, she immediately swung her sabers at each of the rings' centers. The red sabers instantly became detached and spun out of control, almost hitting their owners in the face.

"You little shit!" The Sister screamed, dodging the flying red saber that flew towards her head.

Ahsoka smirked.

"You can't beat me with cheap gimmick," she replied smugly. "Even General Grievous gave up on those a long time ago."

The Sister's eyes widened, then narrowed with hatred.

"She is a Jedi!" she snarled. "You were in the Clone Wars, weren't you!"

"So what if I was?" Ahsoka asked casually, using the Force to snatch the ruined remains of her saber and crush it to pieces. Before the Sister could react, she ran towards her and jumped into the air, making contact with her chest and landing so the Sister was now pinned to the ground beneath her. "I thought you had a Jedi Master to worry about already?"

"Lord Vader will not stand for this!" the Sister howled angrily, "When he finds out, you will be executed!"

The Brother attempted to sneak up behind her and cut her head off with his now single-bladed saber. Ahsoka simply jumped up, used the Force to propel herself upwards, and landed on the back of his neck. Startled, the Brother began to fall forwards and the Sister was forced to scramble out of the way, screeching fearfully. Ahsoka hopped off of his back right before his face made contact with the ground. As the two Inquisitors tried to get up, both of them realized that their arms were now tied with monofilament cable.

Ahsoka stood up and placed her foot against the Sister's back. "Go tell your friend to come get me," she whispered into her ear. "The one with a thing for Jedi Masters."

The Sister snarled back at her, trying to turn around and kick her, but Ahsoka simply moved out of the way. The Inquisitors thrashed around, trying to sit up, but by the time they had managed to do so, their target was gone. They immediately started to shout and run in circles, looking for her on the ground, but were unsuccessful.

Several feet away, hanging in the air, Ahsoka paused and sat comfortably on the drone which she had Force-jumped onto as it flew about. Watching the two Inquisitors try and fail to find her was amusing, although it did mean that they were taking time away instead of furthering her agenda. Sighing, she rubbed her aching ankles and waited patiently for them to run out of stamina and call for help.

"The trap has been set, Master," she mumbled quietly. "Now to see if they will fall for the bait..."

The two Inquisitors eventually gave up on searching on her and inevitably decided to tattle. Pulling his commlink out of his pocket, the Brother started punching at it sourly and paging someone.

"Reva!" he yelled. "Get your ass over here!"

A few seconds passed before someone responded. "Hello, Fifth Brother," the person on the other end responded. Ahsoka raised an eyebrow, surprised by how smooth and calm the voice was, even when filtered through the static distortion of the commlink speaker. "I'm sorry, but I am quite busy right now. You'll have to wait until I am finished-"

"I don't care what you are doing! Report here immediately!" Fifth Brother screamed furiously. "We just ran into a pest of the highest order, a Jedi Master-"

"There is only one Jedi Master, and he is currently within my possession," the voice replied in a somewhat mocking tone.

"No, no, no!" Fifth Brother yelled. "A different Jedi Master, a female one this time! We ran into her right here, at the main exit!"

Another pause. Finally, the person on the other end decided to respond. This time, their tone betrayed an underlying greedy excitement.

"A female one, you say?" the voice asked. "Hm. Well, that is something I just have to see for myself. Although, I must warn you, Brother...if this is an attempt to distract me from my duties, I will not be wasting any more time upon you."

"It's true! I saw it myself!" the Sister shouted, grabbing Fifth Brother's wrist so she could yell directly into the commlink. "Now get over here! Whoever it is, they are armed and dangerous!"

The voice laughed. "Well, I believe you now. I can't imagine anyone else leaving the both of you so flustered," she added snarkily, making both Inquisitors grit their teeth with irritation.

"Are you coming or not?" The Sister demanded, annoyed.

"Oh, of course," the voice replied. "I'll be right by your side."

Ahsoka let out a sigh of relief and shut off her connection with the Force, not wanting to be traced.

When Reva finally arrived, she was quite amused by what she saw. Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister, both flailing helplessly while their wrists were tied together using monofilament cable. "Interesting," she remarked, watching them as they ran towards her. "It seems like whoever you messed with knew what they were doing."

"It was a Jedi Master!" Seventh Sister cried out angrily. "She tricked us! She looked like a purple Twilek, but she was wearing a holographic disguise belt."

"Oh?" Reva asked, watching her intently. Fifth Brother eyed her saber, obviously waiting for her to cut the wires loose and free them, but she pretended not to notice. "And where do you think she went?"

"We don't know! We tried chasing after her, but she disappeared," Fifth Brother grunted. "Now untie us!"

Reva laughed, grabbing her lightsaber and switching it off. "I think not," she replied.

Seventh Sister's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, you don't think so?" she demanded.

Reva smiled innocently. "How do I know you're my real Brother and Sister? The elite Inquisitors that I know would never let themselves be humiliated by a mere Jedi," she smirked, watching their reactions.

"Oh, you cur!" Seventh Sister hissed furiously.

Reva laughed loudly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a real Jedi Master to check back on. But let's definitely catch up later," she smiled sweetly. With that, she turned her heels and began to walk away. Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother cursed angrily, deciding to threaten a droid into untying them instead.

As she walked back to the spice lab where Obi-Wan Kenobi was imprisoned, Reva could not help but smile.

Two Jedi Masters? What are the odds of that happening?

Her fingers itched with excitement.

She already knew that Lord Vader had been wanting to see his old mentor figure behind bars for a long time.

I wonder what his reaction would be if I managed to bring not one, but two back home to him...

Chapter Text

Now that she was sure Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister would not get in her way, Reva was over the moon.

All of the pieces were falling into place. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Leia Organa were within her grasp, Brother and Sister had been sufficiently humiliated, and Lord Vader had personally requested an audience from her.

There was the matter of the mysterious female Jedi Master...and she would be lying if she said that it did not tempt her. But Reva was resolved to stay focused no matter what.

When she had first entered the Inquisitorius Program, she had been the shortest of her peers and was frequently bullied. Her competitors would often mess with her food, corner her after lessons and rough house with her, or attempt to push her over. Now, she had learned to stand her ground and hit back. Anyone who dared to mess with her would surely receive their dues.

Deciding to stop for some food, she walked into a busy bar. Most of the people around her immediately went silent and backed away, not wanting to be taken away and interrogated. Although the bar was bustling to the brim, all of the seats immediately next to her were cleared and the bartender apologized for the quality of service. Reva ignored the change in atmosphere and continued with her business, ordering her usual. She was in too good of a mood to be bothered right now.

A few moments later, she noticed a human woman enter the same bar. She looked around nervously, as if she was waiting for something.

She seems like she could use some help, Reva smirked to herself. Deciding to take pity on the woman, she waved at her and pointed at the empty seat next to her. Intrigued, the woman hesitated but decided to take the seat she had offered.

"Hello," she said. "My name is Reva. What's yours?"

The woman next to her nodded thankfully. "My name is Asheth," she told her.

Reva raised an eyebrow. "Asheth. That's a pretty name." The woman did not respond. "What brings you here, Asheth?" She asked, drawing the last word out. The woman looked down at her drink and stirred the ice cubes nervously.

"I'm looking for my little sister," Asheth replied.

"Oh? I may know a thing or two," Reva said. "What is her name?" she asked, putting on a well-meaning facade.

"Kiara," Asheth told her.

"I see," Reva said, pretending to ponder it over. "Well, the city is quite big. It's not safe for a child to be left unattended. How old is she?"

"Ten," Asheth said.

"Hmm." Reva idly swirled her drink before taking a long sip. "Haven't heard of her, sorry." Asheth looked disappointed. "Don't worry, I'm sure she'll turn up eventually. Our security team prides itself on their thoroughness," she smiled. Asheth stared at her.

"So I've heard," Asheth said slowly. "Are you referring to the Inquisitors?"

Reva nodded.

"I've heard that they work directly for the Empire," Asheth said. Reva offered no response. "Do you know anything about them?"

"Oh, me?" Reva smirked. "Of course I do. I'm one of them," she told her, pointing at her armor. Asheth gazed at her, looking awed. "I would not be wearing this if I wasn't part of the Inquisitorius Program."

"Wow," Asheth said, then her attention was directed elsewhere. Reva frowned. She disliked it when distractions interfered with her conversations.

"So, are you new to here?" Reva asked casually.

"Yes," Asheth admitted. "Kiara and I arrived here a few days ago, and I just...don't know where to look for her. So I've been walking around."

She's pretty, Reva observed. Her mind seems to be elsewhere, though. Not much of a conversationalist. "Well, you can always report her to the Empire," Reva informed her.

"Would they search for her?" Asheth asked carefully.

Reva nodded. "Of course. It would be our pleasure," she smiled, but Asheth did not seem comforted. "Do not worry. We take good care of the children, I assure you."

Asheth blinked. "What do you do with them?"

Reva raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. "What do you mean, what do we do with them?" she asked, amused. Asheth blushed and leaned back.

"I mean, I heard that the Empire takes in...high risk children," Asheth stammered nervously. "I just wonder, do you raise them? Send them away?"

"Hm. Why don't you tell me what you think it is we do with them?" Reva asked lazily. Asheth frowned.

"I don't know, is there some sort of...special academy you send them to? Like where you train their powers?"

The chattering around them stopped immediately. Asheth looked around nervously. Everyone around them had decided to hold their breath.

These are the sort of questions you should never, ever ask an Inquisitor. Not if you want to keep your head on your shoulders.

But fortunately for her, Reva was in a good mood today.

She leaned back in her seat and laughed boisterously, taking another swig of her drink. "Yes, I suppose you could say that," she replied, a slow smile spreading across her face. "We take them away to be trained."

Asheth frowned. "But I thought the Empire's goal was to eliminate the Jedi," she said. "To...prevent another insurrection from happening," she shuddered. The people watching them immediately turned away.

Reva paid them no mind. "Indeed, the Empire only wants to preserve the peace and safety of its people. We would not be training children to be Jedi if we wanted to put a stop to their teachings, I assure you."

"Then what do you train them to do?"

Reva leaned in close to her face again, smirking. "Where do you think people like me came from?" Asheth inhaled sharply. "That's where I learned everything that I know," she whispered. She noticed Asheth's chest rising and falling rapidly.

She really is quite pretty, she thought to herself again. It's a shame she asks too many questions.

"And...do you do the same?" Asheth breathed.

"Do I do what?"

"Train them," she said simply. "Do you?"

Reva sat back again and crossed her legs. The bartender immediately refilled her drink without asking. "No, I'm much too busy," she drawled. "I have too much on my hands to be training runts." Asheth nodded quietly. "I've been occupied these past few days trying to catch a traitor."

Asheth's eyes widened. Reva smirked, enjoying the look on her face. "You may have seen him...his face is currently plastered everywhere across the city," she drawled. Asheth looked around them and flinched, seeing Kenobi's face being projected on the bar holoscreen. "Annoying little rat. Put up quite the fight. But I got him, of course. I always catch them in the end."

"Traitors?"

"Jedi," Reva replied simply.

Asheth stared at the holoscreen, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Reva ordered another shot. The bartender immediately complied. "Why aren't you drinking anything?"

Asheth sat quietly. "It's just not my thing, I guess," she replied.

"Oh, that's a surprise," Reva drawled. "Pretty face like yours...I'm sure there are plenty of people dying to buy you a drink," she smirked. Asheth just looked down. "Why come here, then?"

Asheth looked back at her. "I don't know, I thought...maybe I would find some clues," she replied.

"Ah. To finding your sister?"

Asheth flinched, then nodded again. "Yes," she replied.

"Of course. What was her name again? Leia? Lana?"

"Kiara," Asheth glared.

"I see," Reva replied coolly, pinching her nose as she downed the shot and then chasing it with another glass. "Sure you don't want a sip? This place has the best black ale this side of Outer Rim."

Asheth stared at her for a few seconds before shaking her head. "No thank you," she replied coldly. "I think I will be heading back now. It is late."

"Oh, where are you headed? I might be going in the same direction. Perhaps I could escort you?"

"That won't be necessary," Asheth said firmly.

"Pity," Reva sighed. "Nice belt, by the way," she said, and Asheth flinched slightly.

"Thank you," Asheth said. "My partner said the same thing to me when I first bought it." Reva laughed loudly.

"Oh, where did you get it from? I should like one for myself," Reva smiled.

"I thought Inquisitors had to stick to the uniform?" Asheth frowned.

Reva grinned. "I was thinking it would look nice to wear on my days off," she replied. Asheth flushed angrily. Reva almost laughed at how red her face looked. It only made her want to tease her more.

Asheth started to stand up as if she meant to leave. "I should get going," she said.

"Oh, let me," Reva said, reaching for her arm. Asheth immediately withdrew it. "I only mean to help," she said, pretending to be hurt.

"Thanks, but I don't need any help," Asheth replied, turning her back on her and stomping away.

Reva looked down at her ankles, noticing a bandage wrapped around them. She also looked down at her side, but did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Deciding to perform one last test, she flicked her fingers, intentionally tripping a waiter who was carrying a tray of glasses.

Asheth immediately spun around, gasping when she heard the sound of shattering glass and felt something wet splash her feet. Behind her, the devastated waiter started to groan and look for a mop to clean up the pieces of broken glass behind her. Reva stood up and watched as Asheth tried to wipe herself off.

"By the way, before you leave...if you run into any female Jedi, let me know, would you?"

Asheth stopped moving.

"Female...Jedi?" she asked slowly.

"Yes," Reva smirked. "Rumor has it, there is a rogue female Jedi on the loose. With a holomask," she drawled. Asheth's expression remained the same. "As an Inquisitor, it is my job to keep the city safe after all. Be sure to report it to me if you notice anyone acting suspicious."

Asheth gritted her teeth.

"I will," she replied, then started to walk away again. Within minutes, she was gone.

Satisfied, Reva finished the rest of her drink and slammed it down. The bartender immediately grabbed it and started washing the cup, no questions asked.

"Well, that was fun," she muttered to herself. "But I should really get going."

After all, Obi-Wan is still anticipating me...and it's not polite to make him wait, is it?

Meanwhile, somewhere in a cell far away, a ragged-looking blond man sat up, breathing heavily.

Looking around himself, he collected his bearings once again.  He was still stuck at the spice lab.  Trying to sit up, he forced himself to straighten his back and lean against the wall.  Next to him, the small girl wearing a green jacket began to stir.

"Did you think of a way to get us out of here, Mr. Ben?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

He shook his head.  "No, Leia.  I'm sorry."  He stared at her blearily.  "I only...I just..." He sighed.  "For a moment, I thought I sensed something."

"Sensed what?" Leia asked.

"Something familiar," he murmured quietly.  "Something like.. a friend."  

Chapter Text

The darkness was thick and unforgiving. But after many years of not using the Force, Obi-Wan had grown used to it. Waiting for the Inquisitor did not bother him. If anything, he was somewhat looking forward to breaking the monotony and hearing what fate she had decided upon for him.

However, he was somewhat worried for Leia. She was only a child, after all. He turned to look at her, swallowing uncomfortably. He did not want her to see whatever it was the Inquisitor had in mind for him.

She should have her father by her side, holding her hand to comfort her. Not rotting away in this cell on a planet that isn't hers.

He would do it himself, but he could not bring himself to reach out. It felt wrong, as if he was a greedy thief stealing precious moments from her rightful parents. From her rightful father.

From her real father.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his upper lip quivering nervously. He tried not to look at the shackles on her small wrists.

Leia stared back at him and shrugged, putting her hands in her lap. She did not want him to see the shackles and become sad again. Every time he looked at them, she could feel the atmosphere around him grow more depressing.

Are all old people this sad, or is it just him? She wondered.

Shuffling closer to him, she quietly leaned her head against his side. The old man stiffened, but allowed it, forcing himself to relax. The two of them sat in silence for some time.

"I'm sorry, Leia," Obi-Wan murmured. "I was supposed to help you escape."

Leia frowned. "Stop apologizing," she said bluntly, assuming as much authority as a ten-year-old child possibly could. "I'm fine."

"No, it's not," Obi-Wan murmured, his hair falling into his eyes as he hung his head remorsefully. "I was supposed to be...your father's last chance. And I failed you."

"My father on Alderaan? Or my real father that you don't want to talk about?"

Obi-Wan froze.

"You knew him, didn't you?" Leia asked.

Obi-Wan did not reply.

Leia sighed and looked at the older man again. "You know, you're not a very good liar," she said. "Didn't you ever receive interrogation training?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "Of course I did," he replied in the same huffy old Coruscanti accent that made him sound like a little silly to Leia's younger ears. "But dishonesty is not the Jedi way."

"Yeah? Well how about getting caught?"

"..."

"Well, if anything, at least you're a master at that," Leia remarked.

The older man turned his head away and sulked. Leia watched him as he quietly hit the wall with his forehead. He seemed to have a lot of thoughts on his mind.

"Are you pouting?" she asked, craning her neck and trying to see his expression.

Obi-Wan gritted his teeth. "No."

"Well, it kind of looks like you were," Leia pointed out. Obi-Wan groaned and covered his face in his hands.

She really is her daddy's daughter, he thought to himself. Even pint-size, she had the same unabashed audacity and bluntness and refusal to cooperate. I daresay when she's older, she's going to be the one bossing around everyone else. Assuming we survive this, he thought darkly to himself.

"So...how do you know my father?" Leia piped up again. "You don't sound like you're from Alderaan."

Obi-Wan turned to face her, his eyes weary. She made eye contact with him and stared intently at him. It made him uncomfortable, almost as if she could peer inside his mind and read all of his thoughts.

"Did you owe him a favor or something?" Leia whispered.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No."

"Then how do you know him?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "We fought in the war together," he replied simply. "He saved my life. Now we are friends."

"Friends?"

"Old friends," he replied simply. Leia waited for him to elaborate, but he did not. "Are you cold?" he asked, turning to look at her again.

Leia shrugged again. "No, the coat keeps me warm," she replied. "Are you my real father?"

Obi-Wan froze again.

For someone who says he was in a war, he is surprisingly easy to read, Leia thought drily.

"No," Obi-Wan replied stiffly.

Leia stared at him even more intently. "But you know something about him, don't you?"

"I don't!"

"You don't?"

Obi-Wan's face softened and he inhaled shakily. He did not like seeing small children being upset. "I may know a thing or two about him," he admitted tiredly. "But it's better for you to not know."

"Why?"

"Because that information is dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "You should sleep, Leia," he said. "They have not fed us yet and who knows when they will come again. It is best to conserve your energy and nap while you can."

"But you know who he is! My real father!"

"Your real father is on Alderaan, Leia. That is the father who raised you."

Leia frowned.

"Well, what about my mother then?" she asked. "You must know something about her. Tell me, what was she like?"

A line appeared in the old man's forehead as he creased his brows. Suddenly, all the tension returned to his face, and he looked several years older than he already was. "I don't remember what she looked like anymore," he admitted sadly.

"But you must have seen her before. At least a few times?"

Obi-Wan shut his eyes and shook his head as if he was trying to shut out a painful memory. "Yes," he inhaled shakily. "I did." He opened his eyes and stared at Leia. "She was...well, very brave for her age. I remember the first time I met her, she was not much older than you. I thought she was too young to run a nation." Leia blinked, continuing to stare at him and making him swallow uncomfortably. "But, I was wrong. She was indeed more than capable. I think she may have been the only person who could truly fix things," he added regretfully.

"How did she meet my father?"

Obi-Wan flinched again. "Well, your father and I...met had a mission together," he muttered quietly. "We were tasked with protecting her. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, they had gotten quite close."

"A mission? You used to work together?"

"Indeed," Obi-Wan replied. Leia's eyes widened. "I think you should go to sleep," he muttered. "You look very sleepy."

"I'm not tired!" Leia protested. "Did you get along well with my father?"

Obi-Wan laughed drily. "About as well as anything," he replied. "Now, time to sleep-"

"Was he like your Master or something?"

A part of him bristled at this. "No, he was not," he replied.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, I am positive."

"I thought Jedi weren't supposed to be dishonest," Leia pouted.

"And I am telling you, I am not!" Obi-Wan sulked.

"Then who was your Master?"

Obi-Wan shuddered slightly, and for a second it looked as if he was going to cry. Leia decided perhaps he had been pushed enough, but then he opened his mouth and coughed hoarsely. "My Master was a man named Qui-Gon," he mumbled, looking like a lost child. "He was killed by a Sith Lord right in front of my eyes."

Oh. Leia felt sorry for the old man. No wonder he's always so sad. "Did you ever get to avenge him?"

"Yes."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Leia watched him closely. The old man fiddled with his thumbs wordlessly. She still had a hard time picturing this broken-down, hunched-over man as a resplendent and fierce Jedi warrior. But it seemed like he had been through a lot.

"Do you ever miss him?"

Obi-Wan hung his head mournfully. "Yes," he admitted. "Not a day goes by that I don't call out to him. Before, I used to think I knew everything, but now...I'm just lost and confused without my Master to guide me. I wish he would respond to me. I don't know why he won't answer me," he frowned.

"You talk to him?"

"Of course I do." Obi-Wan stretched out his shackled hands in front of him, feeling the air around them. "The Force extends everywhere. When my Master died, he became one with the Force. In theory, this means I should be able to contact him." He frowned. "But the truth is...I cannot. I do not know how to."

Leia leaned her head against him, trying to comfort him. "What about my parents?" she asked, interested. "Can you also hear them?"

Obi-Wan finally turned his face and made eye contact with her again. For the first time, he stared balefully at her, before finally shaking his head in a defeated manner.

"No," he replied. "I cannot."

This time, he seemed to be telling the truth. Leia decided to leave it at that. She turned away from him and leaned against the wall, sulking quietly.

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan mumbled. "I can't tell you much about them. But..."

He reached down and pulled something out of his overclothes. A small white pendant, carved out of Tatooinean japoor. Small, unassuming, and unnoticed. Something that had little value and would not sell for much on any particular market. Yet, to the knowing eye, it was a gift of unspeakable value.

"I can give you this," he murmured.

Leia turned around, staring at him with eyes as wide as the twin suns. She reached up and he slowly lowered the necklace into her small hands, letting her grab onto it herself. Leia held the pendant up to the light and examined it closely, inspecting the markings all over it.

"This was a gift from your father," Obi-Wan said. "He made it for your mother. When she died, she gave it to me, but I never understood its significance. Until now."

Leia stared at the japoor snippet for a few moments, blinking slowly. Then, she quickly threw its string around her neck and closed her tiny hands around it tightly in a possessive gesture. She closed her eyes, fingers still tracing the pendant's etchings.

Obi-Wan watched her quietly, thinking perhaps she needed a nap.

"You should sleep," he told her, but she simply shook her head. "The Inquisitor will most likely come to collect me soon... You'll want to rest before then."

"I don't want to," Leia said stubbornly.

"But you have to. You need it," Obi-Wan urged her, trying to imitate the strict tone he had once used on Anakin, many ages ago.

"No, I'm staying awake," she insisted. "I won't sleep!"

Obi-Wan looked confused. "Why not?"

Leia's lip quivered slightly. "Because I don't want to!" she yelled, suddenly feeling her eyes fill up with hot, angry tears. "What if she comes to fetch us and she doesn't let me go with you? What if I wake up and you're gone?" she wailed, starting to feel the tears run down her face.

Obi-Wan's heart froze in his throat, and he immediately tried to edge closer to her, forgetting that he was shackled and chained to the wall.

Clumsily, he reached out and hugged her, looping his shackled hands around her, trying to wipe away as many tears as he could.

"I..."

Don't cry, don't cry, he thought desperately as Leia cried loudly, sobbing and hiccupping.

"I hate everything," Leia whispered. "I hate the people who kidnapped me, I hate the lady who keeps trying to chase you down, and I hate the Empire. Why can't they just leave us alone?"

Don't say that, Obi-Wan wanted to say. Hate is a strong word. But he did not have the strength.

Obi-Wan tried to pat her on the back, but the shackles weighed his arms down and made the motion altogether very awkward. Instead, he reached up and placed one of his hands on her head, trying to calm her down. Leia let out a few sobs then looked up at him, her eyes now red and bleary.

"I don't want you to leave," she said quietly.

Obi-Wan hesitantly reached down and hugged her again. "I won't," he murmured, this time holding her firmly. Her breathing started to calm down and became less shaky. "I won't leave, I promise," he said hoarsely.

You need to let go. You shouldn't get close to her, the voices in his head screamed. Why are you making promises you can't keep, when you couldn't even free her?

Obi-Wan frowned, squeezing his eyes shut.

You don't deserve to talk to her, the voice hissed again. You failed her already. Padme would never speak to you if she knew you let her daughter fall back into danger again.

Images of Anakin and Padme's faces flashed in his mind again...Padme, heartbroken and dying, and Anakin, furious and surrounded by a wall of flames, lightsaber drawn. Obi-Wan shook his head, trying to clear it.

Perhaps so, he thought back. But right now, I cannot crumble in front of her. She needs someone strong. Not a scared, broken man. Fear is what leads to weakness. Weakness is not the path of the Jedi.

Obi-Wan took another deep breath and forced himself to inhale more slowly. Leia grabbed onto the front of his robes and held onto him tightly, like a baby ewok. He let her hold onto him for as long as she wanted. He did not make any attempt to move back or remove her hands.

Several minutes passed until she finally let go and moved back, looking a little calmer.

"Let's wait for her," Leia insisted. "Together."

All he could do was nod.

The two of them finally moved back to their original positions, sitting down and leaning against the wall. But this time, she reached for his hand and firmly grabbed onto it. He did not move away or take his hand back. Together, they sat in silence and accepted their fate.

They did not have to wait much longer. After some time had passed, the door finally slammed open and a tall woman clad in black armor marched through, holding a blazing red lightsaber.

"Hello, Obi-Wan," she crooned.

Obi-Wan lifted his head and met her eyes, refusing to let her intimidate him.

"I'm very pleased to see you finally listened to my orders and decided to stay in one place."

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes, but did not respond.

"Oh, and don't worry. I already contacted my master," Reva grinned cruelly. "He is most excited to finally meet you."

Chapter Text

For a few seconds, Obi-Wan's face shifted. It looked as if the shadow of fear and dread had begun to settle upon it.

However, he collected himself rather quickly. "I will look forward to hearing from him," he replied primly.

Reva stared at him for a moment, sizing him up. Then, suddenly she began to stride towards him rapidly. In one fluid motion, she removed her lightsaber from its ring and ignited it, the red blade buzzing to life violently as she swung it hard towards Obi-Wan's head. Leia screamed, but Obi-Wan simply turned his cheek to the side, accepting the blow. He only winced slightly when the saber made contact with the wall next to his head, causing it to crack and crumble right above his face. Reva kept the lightsaber in place, thrumming with a menacing aura. It was abundantly clear to Obi-Wan that if she moved even slightly, she could easily cut off his ear. Or worse.

"Do not look down on me, Obi-Wan," Reva snarled. "I am not to be trifled with."

Obi-Wan slowly turned to face her again, pretending not to care about the blazing red lightsaber that was inches away from his head. "Of course," he replied again in the same calm tone, although his breathing was slightly shakier now. Next to him, Leia clapped her hands over her mouth and shook. "You have my utmost attention."

Reva's eyes narrowed.

Before Obi-Wan could react, she reached towards his face with a gloved hand and grabbed him by the collar, yanking him roughly. Obi-Wan lurched forward and splayed out his shackled hands, trying to steady himself, but Reva elbowed him hard on the back of his head and he cried out slightly as he landed facefirst on the ground. He only had a few seconds before he felt a sharp kick to the middle of the back and heard Leia scream again. Before he knew it, he was kneeling, face pressed to the ground.

The humming sound of Reva's lightsaber got louder as she dragged it on the ground, melting the concrete floor as she got closer and closer to his face, until he could feel it right next to his neck. He heard a sob and almost turned towards Leia, but something roughly grabbed him by the face and forced him to look forwards instead. A growing pressure against his throat served as his first warning.

"I think we should lay down some ground rules," Reva murmured, her voice eerily quiet, the only other sound in the room coming from her lightsaber. Obi-Wan thought he heard Leia whimper quietly.

"Do not look away from me when I speak to you," Reva snarled, and the Force constricting his throat began to press harder, squeezing his windpipe. He wanted to close his eyes, but he knew he had to resist the temptation, so he nodded slowly and kept both of them open.

The pressure did not go away.

"You are my mark, Obi-Wan. My hostage." Reva began to walk closer towards him, each one of her steps ominous and full of intent. Obi-Wan flinched as she knelt down and leaned in towards his left ear. "I may work for Vader, but until I hand you over to him, you're gonna have to deal with me."

Obi-Wan just kept his eyes focused on the ground. Reva stood up again and began to pace around. He dared to sneak a glance at Leia. She had backed up against the wall as far as possible and had curled into herself. She looked as if she wanted to cry. Obi-Wan tried to use the Force to assure her he was fine, but suddenly he was grabbed by his collar again and found himself being thrown again. His shoulder made contact with the wall a little too fast and he groaned, feeling the bone pop.

Leia screamed. Obi-Wan folded over on himself, panting heavily. The pain was too overwhelming for him to breathe. It was several minutes before he could straighten up again and face her. Tears were starting to fall down both of Leia's cheeks.

"What's wrong, Obi-Wan?" Reva taunted. "Weren't you supposed to be the greatest Jedi Master of your generation? What happened to you?"

He forgot himself and turned away from her.

Snarling, she marched over and stomped her boot loudly on his foot, causing him to cry out.

"I told you not to look away!"

He could hear sobbing from next to him.

Leia, no...don't cry, please, don't cry...

Reva ignited her lightsaber again and grabbed him roughly, handling him as if he was nothing more than a droid. Leia's sobs started to get louder and louder as he watched her, both eyes glowering with fury, raising the saber higher and higher into the air until she finally swung it and struck him in the shoulder.

Leia screamed as if she could also feel the hit through the Force, and Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to not cry.

But he was no longer General Kenobi. He was weak, and fragile, and although the wound cauterized immediately, he knew without looking at it that it was not good. When Reva let go of him, he fell forwards like a puppet whose strings had been cut, groaning.

"Leave him alone!" Leia yelled.

Ignoring her, Reva kicked him in the ribs. Obi-Wan yelped loudly.

"BEN!" Leia screamed.

Each time he tried to sit back up, another kick hit him in between the ribs, in the small of his back, some even grazing his cheek. Obi-Wan flailed helplessly, unable to stabilize himself with his shackled hands and still restricted by the chain tethering him to the wall. Leia's screams and sobs all began to blur together in his ears, as he withstood blow after blow from Reva.

"Ben...Ben!" Leia cried out helplessly, shuddering and shaking with every hit he endured.

Obi-Wan panted frantically, trying his best not to cry out, although he could not help himself. He forced himself not to look at Leia and kept his eyes on the ground.

"You're no Master," Reva sneered. "You're a conman, just like that pathetic impostor Jedi on Daiyu! None of your cheap parlor tricks can save you now. Not from me!"

She punctuated her last words with a sharp slap. Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to not let any tears fall. Leia wailed, tears falling freely from her face now.

Reva did not let up. She continued her manic frenzy, coming at him from every direction, not giving him a single moment of peace. Leia covered both of her eyes and broke down into incoherent sobs. Obi-Wan wished deeply that he could cover her eyes for her.

"Ben, stop her!"

Having grown tired of kicking, Reva hauled him back up by the scruff of his neck and ignited her lightsaber as the hilt was inches from his throat. It sprung back to life and he gasped shakily. Reva tightened her grip on the back of his head, forcing him to painfully crane his neck upwards and closer to the blade of her lightsaber.

"Ben, please, fight back! Stop letting her do this to you-"

Obi-Wan turned his face an inch to look at her and Reva growled angrily, forcefully turning his head back and causing him to yelp as she nearly yanked his hair out of its scalp.

"Did I not make myself clear? You're not allowed to look away from me, Obi-Wan."

How quaint. I am getting some deja vu.

Leia gasped and began to hyperventilate as Reva drew the blade closer and closer to his throat, threatening to cut it. Then, at the last moment, the comlink on her wrist vibrated. Obi-Wan grunted in surprise, and Reva narrowed her eyes, annoyed.

"Third Sister. Lord Vader is awaiting your next report on the rogue Jedi," a voice declared.

Snarling, Reva let go of Obi-Wan and straightened back up, turning off her lightsaber. Obi-Wan exhaled and immediately slumped forward, too weak to support himself with his injured shoulder. Leia also breathed out a sigh of relief. Reva turned her back to them and pressed a button on her comlink.

"Greetings, Lord Vader," she spoke, her tone suddenly more professional and monotone. "I am speaking to you from the dungeon in which I am keeping the rogue Jedi and the same girl that he abducted."

Leia and Obi-Wan both turned towards each other, shocked.

So, they're smearing my reputation by spinning it so I was the one who unlawfully seized Leia, Obi-Wan thought drily. Smart move.

She really thinks people would believe that Ben is capable of kidnapping me? Leia thought, miffed. The other way around, maybe...

At first, there was no response. Just static. Then, finally, the person on the other end of the call responded. The sound of his voice made chills run down Obi-Wan's back.

"Show them to me."

Reva obliged, turning around so her comlink camera could capture both Obi-Wan and Leia's faces. In front of her, a hologram of the most menacing figure that Obi-Wan had ever seen stared at him. Six feet tall, wearing black from head to toe, and with his face obscured by a steely black helmet that gleamed cruelly without betraying any weaknesses...

Anakin, Obi-Wan thought shakily. Then, he squeezed his eyes shut. No, not Anakin...

Vader.

"I see no Jedi," Vader sneered. "Where is the man you speak of?"

"Right in front of you, my Lord." Reva paused. "Actually, let me bring you closer so you can see him."

Taking her comlink off, she used the Force to keep it floating in place, then marched over to Obi-Wan and grabbed him again.

It wouldn't kill her to ask me politely if I might be inclined to move myself, would it? He thought to himself with mild irritation as she began to drag him towards it. Obi-Wan kept his mouth shut as she grabbed him by the back of his neck and forced his face right up to the comlink camera. He found himself kneeling down in front of the holographic projection of Vader.

"Ah," Vader said. "It is indeed him."

Obi-Wan exhaled slowly. Behind him, he felt Reva smirk.

"Congratulations, Third Sister. The position of Grand Inquisitor is yours. Please make haste and report to the Fortress as soon as possible."

Reva bowed, but deep down, Obi-Wan could sense her emotions seeping from her being like water from a sieve. She's just like a padawan riding the high of her first victory, Obi-Wan thought to himself. Over-eager and full of herself. "Thank you, my lord. You are most generous."

Obi-Wan began to contemplate the moral ethics of wishing for someone to get force choked during their first day on the job. He decided it was probably not very Jedi-like.

"Wait."

Reva froze. Obi-Wan blinked, and tried to peer behind him to see what was going on. He was not much successful, however, because of how tightly she was gripping his hair.

"What is that behind you?" Vader asked, crooking his finger at some unseen point behind Reva.

Reva turned to look over her shoulder, then bowed her head again. "It is the child of Bail Organa," she replied. "Forgive me, my Lord, but I had to resort to my own methods in order to ensure that Kenobi could be apprehended. I assure you, she will not interfere with my mission," she sneered. "I am happy to dispose of her at the earliest convenience to ensure she does not become a distraction."

No, Obi-Wan thought, panicked. She can't. She can't kill Leia, she wouldn't do that, I have to-

"No."

Both Obi-Wan and Reva froze.

"Do not kill her."

Obi-Wan's breathing stilled. Reva frowned, and her grip on Obi-Wan's hair subconsciously loosened.

"Bring her to me," Vader breathed, the sound horrible and artificialized. If he had not known it was Anakin, he would have had a hard time recognizing it. It sounded like an entirely different person was speaking. "I want to take a look at her."

A million thoughts coursed through Obi-Wan's mind. Did he know? Had he somehow figured out? No, it can't be. The only ones who know are me, Beru, Owen, and Bail. There's no way he could've known. Unless...unless she told him herself. He turned to look at Reva, who looked equally as shocked and lost. But I don't think she knows either...

Obi-Wan forced one of his shackled hands to extend a small amount of the Force towards Leia. He could sense her energy, panicked and afraid. He tried to send her as much reassuring energy as he could, but it was likely in vain. The tall projection of Vader towered over the small girl. She breathed rapidly, holding her arms to herself as if in an attempt to slow her beating heart, but she had no more control over her emotions than she did over her entire situation. Vader, on his part, made no effort to diminish the intimidating effect of his presence. He continued to watch her from behind his helmet, entirely unreadable to everyone around them.

Reva was the first to break the silence. "Are...are you sure, my Lord?" she asked, swallowing as if her throat had gone dry. "I can dispose of the girl myself...it will be no issue..."

"Stop talking."

Reva immediately flinched and straightened her posture, like an apprentice who was afraid of their master. Even though Vader was lightyears away and could not use the Force to do anything to do to her.

"Bring her with you. I want both of them."

Reva inhaled shakily, as if she, too, was starting to panic. But why would she be concerned? Obi-Wan thought to himself, puzzled. Bringing Leia with her can only benefit her.

"But...my lord, there's no point in bringing her," Reva protested. "She has no use, political or otherwise. She is nothing more than a common, spoiled Alderaanian brat," she spat. "You can find hundreds, thousands of others like her."

"Third Sister," Vader said menacingly. "When I command you to do something, I expect you to obey me. Bring her to me."

"But-"

"Third Sister, why do you keep interrupting me?"

Reva closed her mouth.

"I am very interested in this child," Darth Vader continued. "Why would Senator Organa put so many resources into trying to recover a mere untrained human child when he could simply adopt another? Is he attempting to conceal another Force User from us?"

Leia shuddered and covered her face in her hands.

"My Lord, she is merely an orphan, likely from some rundown gutter. She is most ordinary...no, below average. This child is too stupid to possess any connection to the Force," Reva sneered, making eye contact with Leia.

"True. However... I have a feeling she may be hiding more than we expect."

Reva breathed. Obi-Wan did as well, however he hoped no one had noticed.

Vader turned to look at Leia again.

"She's trying to ignore the conversation. Make her look at me."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened and he looked over his shoulder at Reva, who froze for a second then huffed, letting go of him and kicking him aside like a rag doll. He fell and landed on his injured shoulder, unable to move and staring up at the ceiling. She marched over to Leia and leaned menacing over her.

"Lord Vader is speaking to you," she growled. "Open your eyes and pay attention!"

Leia squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face away instinctively

"I said PAY ATTENTION!" Reva yelled and slapped her.

Leia yelped, opening her eyes, and Reva grabbed her face with both hands. She turned her so she was facing the holoprojection.

Leia made eye contact with the hologram of Darth Vader and gulped.

Darth Vader breathed as he stared at her. The sound was still incredibly unsettling and uncomfortable. From his spot on the ground, Obi-Wan wished he had the strength to haul himself up and reach for Leia's hand to comfort her.

"Regardless of whether she is Force-Sensitive or not...I want to see her."

Reva inhaled sharply.

"I want to know, who is this common spawn for whom both Senator Organa and Kenobi were ready to risk everything? Who is this child who, while doing absolutely nothing, has somehow managed to bring a man who has been dead for more than ten years out of hiding? What about her is so special that an uncaring man like Kenobi decided to save her?"

Vader leaned in closer, feeling less and less like a holoprojection, as if he could walk right into the room and pluck every horrified thought in Obi-Wan's mind from his mouth.

" Who is this child, for whose sake Obi-Wan Kenobi decided to cross the entire Galaxy...when he would not even lift one finger to save his own Apprentice?"

Obi-Wan froze.

He could feel the air being slowly squeezed from his throat, molecule by molecule. It did not matter that Reva was not even looking at him, or that Vader was lightyears and lightyears away on some planet in a completely different part of the galaxy.

He would never be far enough.

Behind him, he felt Leia creep slowly towards him, and the ghost of a small hand hesitantly touching his shoulder. He closed his eyes and tried to slow down his breathing. As he did so, he felt her gently lift him until between the two of them, they managed to get him to sit upright.

"Bring her to me. That is my final order," Vader finished.

Reva sunk down onto one knee and bowed her head, hiding the extremely displeased expression on her face.

"I will, my Lord," she grunted. "Your wish is my command."

"That is my command," Vader replied. "Fulfill it."

Reva nodded, and the broadcast ended.

As the holoprojection cut out, Reva stood up and turned to glare at Obi-Wan and Leia. Leia immediately hid her face in Obi-Wan's chest.

"Well, I hope you are pleased with yourselves," she snarled. "You have created more work for me."

Obi-Wan reached out with his shackled hand and patted Leia, trying to comfort her. "We will cooperate."

"Oh, will you now?" Reva crooned mockingly. "You had better," she growled, waving her lightsaber menacingly. "I will make preparations for our journey to Mustafar. When I come back, you had better still be in the same place I left you."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "Mustafar...?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Yes," Reva replied. "The base of all our operations. But don't go telling anyone else, or I might have to slit that throat of yours. For real this time," she snarled.

Turning around, she began to bark orders into her comlink. Obi-Wan finally let out a quiet groan, and Leia gently patted his injured shoulder. They watched as Reva grew increasingly annoyed with her underlings and stomped out of the cell, finally leaving them alone.

Obi-Wan sighed and slumped against the wall. Leia leaned against him, clinging onto his arm.

"This is all turning out...the opposite of what I'd hoped," he murmured.

"At least we'll be together," Leia said.

Suddenly, a strange sound caught them off guard. Obi-Wan immediately straightened up, looking around suspiciously. Leia squealed fearfully and hid her face in his chest. Obi-Wan scanned the area around them quickly, preparing to fight in case Reva came back to inflict more torture.

He could not see anyone standing next to them, and there was no other way of entering the cell. Except...

Obi-Wan and Leia looked up and stared at the vent above their heads.

A pair of blue eyes stared back at them.

For a few moments, all they did was look at each other. Then, slowly, their new companion raised her finger to her lips.

"Shhh," she whispered.

Chapter Text

Infiltrating the spice lab was surprisingly easy. It just took a lot of small steps and a lot of patience.

First, she had to follow the Inquisitor all the way to the building and prevent her from noticing that she was being tailed. Then, it was a matter of gaining access and using a portable geoscanner to recreate the building's blueprints. There was an appropriate place and time for an ambush and right now, considering how high the stakes were, she did not want to risk it. Therefore, she had decided to be as stealthy as possible.

Instead, she used her knowledge of the building's structure to break into the ventilation system and successfully navigate her way to where Obi-Wan and Leia were being held prisoner. It was a bit difficult squeezing through some of the narrow gaps, but Ahsoka succeeded. Her ankles gave her a bit of trouble and her knees started to ache after being on all fours for so long, but she figured it would all be worth it.

When she finally reached Obi-Wan and Leia's cell, however, she was hit by a surprise.

The Inquisitor was already there, talking to them. Although she couldn't hear what she was saying, she could make out some words, and it sounded as if there was a fourth person with them. Shocked, Ahsoka withdrew slightly from the grate that opened down on the cell and huddled against the wall, listening carefully.

It seemed as if Reva was arguing with the fourth person, trying to persuade them against doing something. However, no matter what she said, the fourth voice always responded with indifference and mechanical, unfeeling coldness. Their voice made Ahsoka want to crawl into an even smaller vent and curl herself into a ball. It sounded as if they were being broadcast through a comlink, which explained the staticky quality, but their voice in itself was quite robotic. Each word was distorted and metallic, as if it had been carefully synthesized using a vocorder to remove any ounce of emotion. Each time they spoke, she felt a strange chill run down her spine as they did not sound like anything she had ever heard before.

Yet something about it felt uncomfortably familiar.

"Bring her to me. That is my final order."

Ahsoka shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself, leaning against the wall of the vent and hoping nobody would see her.

It seemed as if the people in the room were equally affected by the strange, inhuman quality of the fourth voice. For a few moments, all of them went silent, as if in a trance. Then suddenly, Reva snapped back to reality and responded.

"I will, my Lord. Your wish is my command."

Yes, Master. I will do as you say.

Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, disturbed.

No. It can't be. That person is long gone.

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and waited until the conversation was over. Once she heard Reva leave the room, she immediately began to crawl towards the grate and attempted to locate a weak point that would allow her to remove it.

Peering down through the bars, she found herself making eye contact with both Master Kenobi and the girl, who seemed to have noticed her presence. She quietly raised her finger to her lips. Then, slowly, carefully, she removed the grate while making as little noise as possible by using a small screwdriver and some elbow grease. No longer obstructed by it, she jumped down. Time was of the essence and she wanted to avoid getting into a fight as much as possible.

Once she finally landed on the ground, she immediately walked over to where Master Kenobi and Leia were sitting, watching her with wide eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she knelt down and made eye contact with Master Kenobi.

It had been many, many years since the two of them last saw each other. She had always thought of Master Kenobi as free of weakness, always suave and put together. Although he did not ooze the same hubris and overconfidence as Anakin, he had always seemed like the sort of person who could overcome any situation, no matter how difficult. Despite the amount of situations they got into, he had never let his put-together exterior crack, always staying calm and using his intuition to figure out a solution.

But the man in front of her was a changed man. Seeing him looking so worn down and forlorn, with an injury on his shoulder, made her want to withdraw her lightsaber and chase after the Inquisitor.

It was childish of her to expect him to not have changed. To hope that, even though he had been captured, he had somehow retained his spirit. Even though she was older and had been a grown adult for many years, some part of her had been hoping that Master Kenobi would still be the same person as when she left him. Wouldn't that be nice? To have a companion with experience in the Clone Wars to talk to and run Rebel business with? Couldn't they just pick up where they left? Couldn't they go back to how it was?

Ahsoka took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

As an experienced rebel, she had known deep down that once she entered this prison, she would likely not find the man that she was seeking. The Master Kenobi who knew everything, who could be beaten in fight but never by mind, and whose spirit remained uncrushed no matter what.

But this was entirely different.

In front of her was a stranger with overlong greying hair, thin clothing and empty eyes that barely registered what was happening.

Master...what have they done to you? She wanted to cry.  

In the back of her mind, the memories continued to replay of better times.  Easier times. 

Hello, Ahsoka.

Welcome back, Commander Ahsoka.

My, my. I see Anakin is raising his padawan to be just like him.

Desperately, she searched his face for a sign of the witty, dry-humored man that raised Anakin and her. Anything. Even just a sliver of recognition. Perhaps it was all a facade, he was only pretending to be beat down to catch his enemies off guard, and now that she was there he would spring back up and regain his normal self...

But she saw nothing in his eyes but her own reflection.

Of course he doesn't remember me.

Why would he want to remember me? I'm the one who abandoned him and Anakin.

I'm the reason he's like this.

It was stupid, but she wanted to cry. Twenty-eight, and she still hadn't learned how to control her emotions. What an embarrassment.

But then again, I'm not a Jedi. I don't have to control my emotions anymore.

She tried her best to muster a smile. Master Kenobi might have seen better days, but she was still strong. She could be strong for him. For both of them. And for Leia.

Even if he hates me, I don't care. I'm fine with him hating me. I'm just happy to see him.

"Hello, Master Kenobi," she said hesitantly, as if she was fourteen all over again. "It's me."

Master Kenobi stared at her through the sweaty mess of hair covering his forehead. He did not respond.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

Then, more quietly, she bowed her head to him and whispered.

"It's...good to see you again."

The two prisoners just stared back at her wordlessly, either too unimpressed or too shocked to speak back to her. Deciding to prove herself first, Ahsoka took out her lightsaber and held out her free hand towards them.

"Here," she said. "Give me your hands, I'll cut those off for you."

For a moment, neither of them reacted, and the room was filled with the sound of Ahsoka's lightsaber buzzing faintly. Then, in a voice she thought she would never hear again, Master Kenobi mumbled something almost too quiet to hear.

"Ahsoka," he breathed.

Ahsoka felt her heart stand still.

He remembers me, she thought quietly.

Master Kenobi bowed his head, and for a second, she began to panic, thinking he was prostrating himself in front of her. Then, he looked back up and she could see that his eyes look red and wet. She immediately felt another pang in her chest.

He's crying, she thought, shocked.

Her stomach began to wriggle uncomfortably, disturbed by a faint tremor of panic. Why would Master Kenobi be crying? Did the Inquisitor hurt him that badly? Was he unhappy to see her?

"Master Kenobi-!"

Master Kenobi squeezed his eyes shut and grimaced, as if he was deeply in pain, as if just hearing his name was too much for him to stand. Ahsoka reached towards him and grabbed his hands, but Master Kenobi did not seem to notice, did not even try to throw her off. He seemed to be alone, drowning in a wave of emotion that was incomprehensible to her.

"Master Kenobi..."

Master Kenobi finally opened his eyes and frowned, a crease appearing on his forehead between his eyebrows.

"I thought...you were killed," he murmured.

Ahsoka inhaled and moved back slightly, unsure how to respond. However, Master Kenobi did not seem to be disturbed by her presence. In fact, he continued to gaze at her intensely, waiting for her to respond.

I...didn't expect him to care this much about me.

"I had to fake my death so the Empire wouldn't suspect I survived Order 66," she whispered. "I'm sure you had to do the same."

Master Kenobi stared at her and shook his head. "No. The Empire has known that I survived and has been hunting me for ten years."

Then, more quietly, he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Come on. I know what you are here for. Free the child first."

Ahsoka blinked, but she quickly snapped back to reality. "Yes, Master," she nodded and switched back on her lightsaber. Then, holding out her hand to Leia, she looked at her directly. "May I hold your hand, Princess? I promise this won't hurt."

Understanding immediately, Leia put both of her hands towards Ahsoka and allowed her to cut her shackles in half.

Ahsoka then stood up and walked behind the girl, cutting off the chain that kept her tied to the wall as well. She then patted Leia on the head. "There you go," she said gently.

After Leia, it was Master Kenobi's turn. She extended the lightsaber towards him, but he shook his head. Interpreting his reluctance as a sign that he wanted to cut himself free, she placed it within his reach and knelt down so she could examine the girl for injuries. She seemed to be alright.

Leia turned to stare at her. "Are you a Jedi too?" she asked. "How do you and Ben know each other?"

Ahsoka smiled at her. "I'll explain everything later," she said. "But yes, we go far back. Don't we, Master Kenobi?" she grinned at him, trying to remove some of the old Kenobi spirit.

Master Kenobi raised his eyebrow at her. "If by "going far back," you mean "being the cause of multiple heart attacks," then yes, I suppose you could say so," he replied drily. Ahsoka grinned. That sounded more like the Master Kenobi she knew.

When she turned to retrieve her lightsaber from him, however, she found his shackles still intact. Confused, she took it from him and turned it on, thinking perhaps it was broken and he could not use it. However, it switched on perfectly fine in her hands.

"Go," Master Kenobi said. "I will stay behind."

Ahsoka's eyes widened, confused. She reached frantically for him.

"What...what do you mean?" she asked "I was sent here by Senator Organa to retrieve you, both of you. I can't just leave you."

"No," Master Kenobi replied simply, and the cold look in his eyes pained her to look at.

So he did hate her after all.

"Why not?" she asked, hurt.

Master Kenobi's mouth set in a grim line. The shadows shifted on his face, making him look older than he really was. Behind her, she could also feel Leia watching intently, holding her breath.

"I'm the one he wants," Master Kenobi replied sullenly. "Until I go with him, he will continue to kidnap and harm innocent people. I cannot hide and let him continue these violent rampages. How can I come with you, knowing that as long as I am gone, more and more civilians will be killed?"

Confused, Ahsoka frowned. "What are you talking about? You're not to blame for...for all of this," she waved her hand vaguely.

"I am. I am, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka stared at him.

"Master Kenobi," she began, reaching out and trying to hold his hand, "I know that you feel guilty about the mission failing. But I assure you, I have the resources to get both you and the Princess back safely. You do not need to hold yourself responsible for-"

"All the Younglings and Jedi that were killed during Order 66. All the Force Users who were converted to Inquisitors to serve under the Emperor. All the planets that have been subjugated, held hostage or destroyed...All of them are because of me. If it weren't for me, none of this would have happened, Ahsoka. That is why I cannot come with you."

Ahsoka stood up and shook her head. So did Leia.

"All this is because of the man I killed. Or, the man I failed to kill."

"Master Kenobi, that's not true. It's not you, it's the Empire-"

"Vader is the Empire."

Ahsoka froze.

"You heard him for yourself. He is never going to stop chasing me. He will not relent until I surrender myself to him. He is determined to capture me."

Ahsoka inhaled sharply and she stared at him. This time, he met her eye.

Slowly, she chose her words before they left her mouth. Inhaling slowly, she asked her question.

"Because...of Vader?"

"Because of Anakin," he replied quietly.

"My Brother...Your Master...The Sith Lord who placed a bounty upon my head and has ordered my imminent execution. They are one and the same."

Chapter Text

"My Brother. Your Master.  The Sith Lord who placed a bounty on my head and has ordered my imminent execution. They are one and the same."

Ahsoka stared at Master Kenobi, her mouth and eyes wide. Her ears registered what he was saying, but her heart could not process what she was hearing. A million thoughts rushed into her head, all at once dizzying and nauseous. She closed and opened her eyes, trying to wish away the reality she was in.

Anakin.

Vader.

They're the same person.

No.

Ahsoka backed away, forgetting that she was in a small cell and bumping into the wall.

It doesn't make sense.

"You're wrong," she said, but it was more for herself than anything else. "Anakin...Anakin is gone. I haven't heard from him in years."

Master Kenobi grimaced.

"He would never," Ahsoka whispered. "Vader...do you know what he is capable of? Anakin wouldn't-"

"Stop," Master Kenobi mumbled. "I know."

Ahsoka fell silent.

"Ahsoka..."

Ahsoka turned away. Leia watched her from her corner silently. Ahsoka paced around the room, forgetting that she was on a time crunch, that the Inquisitor could come back at any second and seize them. Everything in her world felt horribly wrong.

Anakin...

She could see him in her mind's eye, laughing and training her as they dueled, risking life and limb for everyone because it was the right thing to do.

It just doesn't make sense.

"It seems...I missed a lot," she admitted. Master Kenobi looked down at his shackled hands. She tried walking towards him, but he looked away.

"Ahsoka," he murmured. "You need to get the child off-planet. I will wait here and finish what I have to do."

"What...you have to do?" Ahsoka frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"My mission," Master Kenobi replied simply.

"Your mission? Your mission is to get Leia back!"

"No, that is your mission now," Master Kenobi replied. "My mission is to finish the path I have started."

"But...you'll be killed!"

"Then I will accept the fate given to me by my path," Master Kenobi replied solemnly.

Ahsoka stared at him helplessly. She wanted to run to him, to shake him, to slap some sense back into him and yell that she needed him alive. But she couldn't. It was as if she was frozen, unsure of how far she could go before Master Kenobi truly would hate her as she feared and shut her out completely. Her younger self would not have had this problem, would not have let herself become so weak, but the sting of separation and years of not knowing each other began to settle in. More than ever, she was heavily aware of how distant they had grown apart.

No, Ahsoka couldn't bring herself to tell off Master Kenobi like the impertinent Youngling she had once been.

Leia, however, was different.

The small girl huffed and suddenly stomped towards Master Kenobi, looking furious. Master Kenobi turned to look at her with surprise in his eyes before she seized him by the collar.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded. "You keep talking as if you think you're going to die! What happened to having hope?"

Master Kenobi blinked, shocked. Leia's face grew redder and redder as she spoke. "Why are you so eager to die? Do you hate being around us that much?"

"Leia, I-" Master Kenobi looked around, concerned. "Not so loud, please-"

"I don't care!" Leia huffed, drawing herself up to her full height. "I don't like you the way you are right now!" she yelled.

Both Ahsoka and Master Kenobi's eyes widened. Ahsoka quickly turned to look at him. Master Kenobi looked completely crushed.

He tried to reach towards Leia with his shackled hands, but she turned away from him and walked just out of his reach, crossing her little arms and facing the corner. Master Kenobi's lower lip wobbled sadly.

"Leia...Leia...?"

Leia continued to ignore him. Master Kenobi turned towards Ahsoka with a helpless look in his eyes. Ahsoka stared back at him, somewhat confused and lost herself. Both of them were behaving rather strangely and she did not know how to respond or deescalate the situation.

"Leia, please... would you please turn around so I can see your face?"

"No!"

"Leia, please," Master Kenobi pleaded. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to upset you, my dear..."

Leia just huffed exasperatedly and stomped her foot.

Oh...I think she's having a tantrum, Ahsoka thought to herself, finally comprehending her situation.

"Leia, why won't you talk to me?" Master Kenobi tried again. He looked terribly forlorn, almost like a dog who had just been rejected after begging for scraps.

It seems like he doesn't do well when she's disappointed in him, Ahsoka observed.

"Because you're being stupid," Leia replied in the same disgusted voice.

Ahsoka felt bad for the old man. It seemed as if Leia didn't forgive him soon, he might die of a broken heart.

"Well, what do you expect me to do about that?" Master Kenobi asked, exasperated.

Incredible.

I've seen Master Kenobi negotiate with thousands of Separatist armies and domestic terrorists. But this ten year old here has him in a chokehold.

Leia finally turned around, facing him. Her face was still red and scrunched up together, but she seemed more willing to communicate now.

"I don't want you to talk like that anymore," she mumbled stubbornly.

Master Kenobi sighed, and Ahsoka exhaled a sigh of relief too. He seemed a bit more at peace now that Leia was responding to him again.

"Alright, I suppose I will try to correct my tone," he murmured.

Leia nodded triumphantly. Ahsoka felt her own mouth quirk up slightly.

"However, this doesn't change my plans, I'm afraid."

Both Ahsoka and Leia fell silent.

"The Inquisitor will be returning soon...I cannot live with myself if she captures Leia," he whispered, making direct eye contact with Ahsoka. "I will go and willingly surrender myself to Anakin. But you must promise to get the girl off-world."

"Why?" Leia whined loudly, and Master Kenobi brought his fingers to his lips in a shushing motion. "I don't want you to go with that evil man," she wailed. "He's mean! He looks like he's going to hurt you."

"Better me than you, my dear," Master Kenobi murmured softly.

"But I don't want you to die!"

"I won't let it happen," Master Kenobi tried to say, but she shook her head.

"I don't believe you," she hissed, tears pooling in her eyes. Ahsoka felt her heart thunder slightly. She didn't want to separate the two of them either.

"Ahsoka," Master Kenobi whispered hoarsely. "When the time comes, you must grab her and take her away. And do not come back, under any circumstances."

Ahsoka tried to make eye contact with him, but she could feel herself shaking. "I..."

"Ahsoka," Master Kenobi said again, more firmly this time. "I am ordering you to do this. Promise me."

Leia turned to look at Ahsoka and narrowed her eyes, as if daring her to forcibly separate her from Master Kenobi. Ahsoka felt her stomach sink, and a wave of embarrassment wash over her. "I...I..." She tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come to her. They were frozen in her throat. It was if an invisible hand had reached out and was gripping it, silencing her.

Just then, both of them sensed something. A dark, malicious energy approaching and muddling the Force.

A warning.

The Inquisitor is coming!

"Run!" Master Kenobi immediately hissed. Ahsoka grabbed Leia and Force-jumped, lifting her into the vent. Leia fumbled about a bit but crawled into the vent easily. Ahsoka crawled in after her. but hesitated and turned back towards Master Kenobi. "There's no time! Hurry!" he yelled angrily, trying to urge her to leave.

"I know, I'm just..." Ahsoka stared down at Master Kenobi and his shackles.

"Ahsoka, no!"

"I just want to-!" Without thinking, she began to reach for her lightsaber.

"Enough!" Master Kenobi shouted, and he raised both hands. The grate suddenly lifted itself and swung towards her. Ahsoka had to quickly scramble backwards so it wouldn't hit her in the face, and it slammed closed with an audible bang. When she tried to push it open again, it would not budge.

But the screws had already been removed; Master Kenobi was keeping it closed with the Force. So she could not climb back down and attempt to free him.

"Master Kenobi," Ahsoka grunted angrily, still struggling and trying to push the grate open.

"Stay there," Master Kenobi ordered.

Ahsoka glared at him. "Why won't you let me do this for you?" she groaned.

"I already thought you were dead for ten years, Ahsoka," Master Kenobi murmured softly. "I will not let Anakin kill you now."

Ahsoka gulped. Beside her, she felt Leia hesitantly reach towards her and grab her hand. The two of them looked at each other, and Ahsoka wrapped an arm around Leia, trying to reassure her. Both of them peered down and looked at Master Kenobi, sitting all by himself up against the wall.

Just then, the sound of footsteps got louder, and Master Kenobi raised his hands again. All Ahsoka saw was him splay his fingers out towards her. Then, before she could react, both her and Leia were pushed away.

She instinctively reached for the grate, trying to grab hold of it, but it was too late.

Both of them were pushed down the narrow vent and found themselves hurtling down a sloped incline, swallowed up by the darkness.

Obi-Wan sighed and put his hands down, exhausted. Now it was just him alone in the cell. He kept his back straight and stared ahead as the footsteps approaching him got louder and louder, until finally a black gloved hand grasped the prison bars and easily pulled them aside.

"Hello, Obi-Wan," Reva crooned. "Ready for our voyage?"

She looked around, puzzled and trying to find Leia. She immediately noticed the cut shackles on the ground and frowned, displeased.

"You will not find her," Obi-Wan said simply. "But I will come with you, just as agreed."

Reva sneered at him. "You will pay for this, that is what will happen," she growled, grabbing him by the collar and hauling him up with one hand. Obi-Wan grimaced, but tolerated the pain. Reva ignited her lightsaber and swung it at the shackles tethering him to the wall, cutting them off cleanly. She then resheathed it, deciding to keep the ones around his wrists intact.

"Alright, Obi-Wan," she narrowed her eyes, "Let's not keep Lord Vader waiting, shall we?"

"No, we shouldn't," Obi-Wan agreed, surprising her. "He most certainly does not like to."

Chapter Text

All that Ahsoka knew was that she was falling, and fast.

Both her and Leia opened their mouths to scream, but they could not for the lack of oxygen in the narrow vents. As they continued to fall down the incline that Ahsoka had painstakingly climbed on her way to Obi-Wan's cell, they grabbed ahold of each other, fumbling in the dark. Ahsoka cheated a little and used the Force, grabbing ahold of Leia and firmly holding onto her.

By the time they reached the end of the incline, the two of them barely caught their breath and mustered the strength to crawl away. Ahsoka shushed Leia and carefully listened around, searching for guards, but it seemed like there was nobody guarding the other end of the vent. This surprised her, as she was sure Reva would have sent all of her security to look for Leia.

Unless...she didn't actually want to take her with them to Vader's Fortress, she thought to herself.

But why wouldn't Reva want to? After all, Vader had specially requested it. It would seem like the perfect opportunity for Reva to please him.

Shaking her head, she decided to put those thoughts on the backburner and focus on the situation at hand. She carefully guided Leia as they jumped down from the other end of the vent and made a run for it.

They were forced to duck down and hide behind some tables in the spice lab when someone went back to check on the laboratory equipment, likely keeping track of their inventory.

Once the person was gone, both of them ran out and reached Ahsoka's small rental speeder bike which she had loaned from a local dealership.

Leia marveled at the speeder bike, running her hands along it and staring at the engine wishfully as if she wanted to take it apart herself. Ahsoka smiled slightly and helped lift her into the front seat, strapping the helmet onto her chin. It was a little too large for her small head, but it would have to do. Leia protested that it was heavy and that she didn't need it, but Ahsoka chided her and remained firm on her stance. Leia sulked quietly as Ahsoka jumped onto the seat behind her and started the engine.

"How come you don't have to wear a helmet?" Leia frowned.

Ahsoka simply shrugged and pointed at her lekku. "I'd like to see a helmet that can fit these," she replied simply.

As the engine revved to life, Ahsoka immediately sped away and headed in the direction of the Rebel safe quarters that Bail Organa had arranged for her to stay at. Ducking behind an alleyway to change her appearance first, she switched her holomask belt back on and changed her form to that of a human woman with brown hair to make herself look more similar to Leia.

Leia's jaw dropped. "You have a holographic disguise!" she said excitedly. "I've seen Daddy use one too."

Wouldn't surprise me, Ahsoka chuckled. "Yes, although mine is not as powerful as his. It only lasts for a few hours at most."

Leia stared at her, still trying to process her new appearance. "What else can it do?" she demanded, eager to know. "Can you turn invisible?"

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. "Nosy nosy," she chided her. "Less questions, more walking. Come on, we have somewhere to be."

Leia sulked, but allowed Ahsoka to take her hand. Together, the two of them walked together, hopefully passing as a mother and daughter. As they passed different people, a few of them checked Ahsoka out and began to wolfwhistle. Ahsoka paid them no mind. Leia stuck out her tongue at a few of them, causing them to become angry. Ahsoka made them walk faster in order to avoid the angry ones.

"Try not to provoke anyone," she warned Leia. "We don't want to call attention to ourselves. There aren't many humans in this part of the city, and we already stick out like a sore thumb."

Leia frowned. "Well if they didn't want me to stick my tongue at them, maybe they should've left us alone!" she replied.

Ahsoka sighed and conceded defeat, deciding to fight her battles. They soon arrived at the inn without any further disturbances. It seemed the Inquisitors were occupied and not currently patrolling the area, having received a thorough beating from a mysterious Jedi. Ahsoka pretended not to recognize the holograms of herself that were currently being shown to everyone.

The grumpy innkeeper accepted her credits without asking any questions and let them get settled in their room immediately. The quarters were pretty humble; a simple shower, two small beds, and a window overlooking the city, but Ahsoka felt relatively comfortable even if it wasn't quite fit for a princess.

As Ahsoka started preparing their beds for them, Leia sulkily picked at the nightshirt that Ahsoka had found for her and stared out the window. "Are you going to go back for him?"

Ahsoka flinched. Then, she caught herself and tried to gather her composure again.

"Tomorrow, I will get us a flight to the nearest neutral star system," she replied. "I believe MIO-1 and MIO-2 will be relatively safe, and there we will wait for further communication from your father. Once he has given us a sign, I will take you back to Alderaan."

However, Leia was not satisfied with this answer. "But what about Ben? Is he coming with us too?"

Ahsoka hesitated. "Master Kenobi...has chosen a different path than me," she said slowly.

"Are you going to let that stop you?"

Ahsoka closed her mouth. Leia continued to stare at her with wide eyes that seemed to pierce her all the way to the back of her mind. It made her want to shiver. She felt as if Leia was looking right through her.

"No," she found herself saying. "But...I don't know if it's what he wants or not."

Leia crossed her arms. "What he wants is stupid."

Ahsoka agreed silently.

"I don't care what my father says," Leia frowned. "I'm not going back home without Ben. Not until he's also safe."

Ahsoka felt her heart sink slightly.

I won't leave without Master Anakin! He's hurt. He needs me to protect him.

"I know how you feel," she said slowly, but Leia was not finished.

"He's your Master, isn't he?" she demanded. "You were his Padawan, and he taught you how to be a Jedi. Is that correct?"

"Well...not quite," Ahsoka admitted. "He was my Master's teacher. But he also took care of me."

Leia stared at her even more intensely. "But he still taught you."

"Yes."

"If you're a really Jedi, and he was really your Master, then you should be willing to do anything to save him. That's what a Jedi would do."

Ahsoka sighed. "I'm not a Jedi."

"Yes you are."

"No, I'm not," Ahsoka replied. "I left the Jedi Order a long time ago."

"Why?" Leia demanded.

"I had my own reasons." She sighed. "At the time, my Master...he tried to convince me to stay, that we could fix their problems together. But I declined. I told him I wanted to choose my own path."

She bowed her head sadly. "I still miss him, even now. I used to wonder what happened to him, all these years. Now I know..." She narrowed her eyes. "Maybe I shouldn't have left."

The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes. Leia decided to break it and spoke first.

"Does that mean you regret leaving?"

Ahsoka shrugged. "Kind of, kind of not," she admitted. "I thought it was the right decision at the time...perhaps I was wrong," she shuddered slightly. "But I could not have predicted what would happen to the Jedi. I was also in shock when I found out what...what Vader did to them," she muttered angrily.

Leia stared at her. Ahsoka coughed and sat up.

"I think it's your bedtime now, kiddo. Time to hit the hay."

"I don't wanna sleep."

"You have to," Ahsoka nudged her. "It's best to wake up early tomorrow, just in case we have to scram. You never know if someone might snitch on you and try to get you ambushed in the middle of the night."

Leia huffed and crossed her arms. Then, slowly, she asked again.

"Are you going to rescue Ben?"

Ahsoka turned away and finished spreading out the wrinkles in her pillow.

"I wish I could," she whispered regretfully.

Obi-Wan groaned quietly as Reva seized him by the shoulder that still had an open wound. "I can walk myself, you know," he pointed out. "It's my shoulder that's injured, not my legs."

Reva sneered at him, as if to convey that if she had her way, he would not have any legs at all. Clutching onto his dignity with both (shackled) hands, Obi-Wan did his best and followed after her as she dragged him by the chains hanging off his wrists As they left the spice lab and made their way to the spacecraft park outside, two of her minions flanked them on each side and kept their blasters pointed at his head.

Failure was not an option. Clearly, they did not want him to escape.

Deciding not to make things harder for himself than they already were, he obediently followed them onto the spacecraft and into the front cabin. Reva made a hand motion, and her minions all searched him for weapons and strapped him to one of the seats behind the pilot's cockpit without undoing his shackles.

Hm, seems like they really don't want me to use my hands, he frowned. Well, what if we end up in a crash and there is nobody else to pilot the plane? What then?

Once the goons were satisfied, they let go of him and surrounded Reva, awaiting further instruction. She ordered them to conduct a last-minute check of the ship's hyperdrive, navicomputer, engine, tank and controls. They even did a brief bomb check, just in case. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, surprised that for once, someone didn't want him to explode. However, given their situation, he was probably more valuable to them alive.

She really did think of everything, he observed.

Everything was in perfect working order. Nothing would stop them from reaching Mustafar now.

Finally satisfied, Reva sat down in the pilot's seat and motioned at her minions to leave. They all exited the spacecraft, leaving Reva and Obi-Wan by themselves.

Reva switched on the engine, and the spacecraft's propulsion jets roared to life. She slowly trailed her fingers across the dashboard, issuing commands to the navicomputer. He began to wonder if she was really going to input the coordinates in front of him when she pulled a lever. Obi-Wan felt his seat jerk upwards and gasped as he fell backwards. When the chair stopped moving, he found himself lying down almost completely horizontally while still strapped to the headrest of the chair.

"I'm afraid I can't have you looking over my shoulder while I input these coordinates," she drawled.

She really is growing to be more and more like her Lord everyday, he thought to himself with a grimace.

The seatbelt that Reva's minions had put on him was digging painfully into the wound on his injured shoulder. He forced himself to take some deep breaths, trying to push down the pain.

Reva finally finished entering the coordinates, and the navicomputer beeped loudly to indicate that it had completed its calibration process.

"Get ready," Reva grunted, and flipped the hyperdrive switch.

As the spacecraft shifted into lightspeed mode, Obi-Wan found it harder and harder to breathe. Being strapped down and forced to lie horizontally was constricting his lung capacity and causing nearly all of the blood to rush to his head. If he were a less proud man, he would have begged to be allowed to sit upright. He quietly groaned and sweat began to drip down his brow as he worked hard to forced oxygen back into his lungs.

"Are you uncomfortable, Obi-Wan?" Reva asked, her voice eerily calm.

With a jolt, Obi-Wan realized that Reva was still watching him.

For a second, he thought she was going to try to help him. Instead, Reva pressed down on a pedal, and the ship immediately jolted, causing Obi-Wan to gasp as he felt himself being thrown forwards in his seat. Indifferent to his troubles, the ship reoriented itself and continued on its planned trajectory, its speed now doubled. Obi-Wan felt himself begin to hyperventilate, as he found it even more difficult to breathe.

"Are you having difficulty breathing, Obi-Wan?" Reva asked again, her voice dripping with mock pity.

Obi-Wan closed his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut, determined to not let her know that her attempts to mess with his mind were working. Furious, Reva yanked the lever that controlled the angle of his seat and it threw him forwards again, causing the seatbelt to dig painfully into his upper chest. Obi-Wan groaned loudly, feeling an explosion of pain in his right shoulder.

"It hurts you, doesn't it?" Reva crooned.

Obi-Wan grunted loudly as he forced himself to slow down and take deeper breaths. Dignity be damned, all he wanted now was to keep breathing.

"The pain, it just never stops, never gets better...you think you're going to heal, but you don't," Reva drawled. "You never do."

What is she on about? Obi-Wan panted, feeling another twinge of pain blossoming near his lower thorax. He winced. It seemed as if one of his ribs might have gotten fractured when he got thrown at that wall.

"That is the pain of the Dark Side," Reva told him. "What you are feeling is just a small part of what every one of us feels."

The ship shook slightly, and Obi-Wan groaned. Nausea began to rise from inside of the pits of his stomach. He tried to concentrate on breathing so as not to throw up, but he could already feel acid building up and filling his mouth and nose.

Reva made no move to help him, and continued to watch him silently as he cried and yelled every time the spacecraft made a sharp turn or shifted its speed. After just a few minutes, he found himself sweating from head to toe and panting loudly, completely out of breath. At some point, he felt as if he might have vomited on himself, but he was too dizzy to care and could not really see clearly in front of him.

"Lord Vader has been preparing to see you," she informed him. He could barely register her voice over the loud pounding of blood in his ears, as he struggled to stay conscious. He was worried that if he fainted, he might not wake up again, not the way he would want to at least. "He's been very patient for you. You've kept him waiting for so, so long."

The ship jolted again and Obi-Wan forgot which direction was up, only knew that he wanted everything to stop.

"He's not too happy about that, you know."

His eyes were burning hot, as if someone had poured acid into them. Obi-Wan squeezed them shut and then opened them, blinking quickly, realizing that they were full of tears.

"What do you think you'll say to him if he asks you why?"

Still panting for air, Obi-Wan forced himself to take a deep breath and coughed shakily.

"How do you know Anakin's name?" he demanded, his voice trembling slightly.

Reva froze and for a few seconds, it felt as if the ship stood still, as if it was attuned to her emotions. Then, slowly her upper lip curved into a sneer. "Perhaps I am just that close to him," she hissed.

Obi-Wan could barely move his neck, but still, he mustered the strength and shook his head. "No. Vader is not close to anyone. The only person he trusts is the Emperor. You must have figured it out some other way."

Reva snarled angrily, and threw her lightsaber with a threatening swoosh at his head. Unable to duck or defend himself, he simply closed his eyes and let it hit him on the cheek, leaving a bruise as the heavy metal hilt scraped his skin.

"You became the Grand Inquisitor not a few hours ago," he observed. "I highly doubt Anakin would go around dropping his true name to a mere rookie."

Reva narrowed her eyes at him and made a grasping motion with her gloved hand. The seatbelt straps tightened even more, to the point that he was positive they would leave bruises, but at this point he could not be moved to care.

"The only people who would have had access to such confidential information have all died horribly," he noted. "And most of them were far, far older than you when it happened. I think you would have been a Jedi, but not an apprentice..."

Reva's eyes widened.

"If my calculations are not wrong...and they seldom are...you were once a Youngling," he observed.

Whatever Reva had been using to hold herself back finally snapped.

Snarling, she stood up from her chair and drew herself to her full height, towering above him. In that moment, he felt acutely aware of the fact that he was powerless and restrained, and that she had an extremely dangerous weapon capable of slicing off his head without any trouble and that she could do anything she wanted to do to him.

"Say that again," she spat furiously, seizing him by the collar and choking him. "I didn't hear you."

Obi-Wan coughed, feeling his oxygen supply dwindling faster and faster. "You were a Jedi," he panted. "A long time ago, you would have served as a padawan."

Reva growled angrily, her eyes suddenly taking on an eerie amber hue. "And you would have let me die regardless."

Raising her hand, she brought it high above his head, forcing him to watch as she closed each finger and made a fist. Obi-Wan coughed and gasped and instinctively struggled against his bonds, trying to free himself from the straps holding his hands together, but he could not break them.

"I may not have the tools that we use to interrogate prisoners of war with me," Reva narrowed her eyes, which were glowing an unfriendly, cold yellow. "But there are worse ways to die."

Obi-Wan watched slowly as she squeezed her fist and he felt the Force surround his throat, squeezing hard. He was finally going to die, killed by Vader's servant, just like every other Rebel who had the misfortune of crossing him.

He felt strangely at peace with his death, as if perhaps this was the way things were supposed to end. He stopped trying to distract himself, let his mind drift, let himself think about Anakin willingly.

In his mind's eye, he no longer saw a young boy with blue eyes. Instead, he pictured a young man with a face contorted with anger, his eyes corrupted with the same yellow light as Reva's.

I hate you!

Obi-Wan let himself be lost in that moment, surrounded by the scalding lava and suffocating ash. He let himself imagine that it was him, this time, being struck down by Anakin's lightsaber and left to die, as he should've been.

You'll finally getting everything you want, Anakin, he thought dizzily. Your revenge has finally been carried out. I am to be struck down by your servant, just as I once struck you down. Every one of my sins is finally catching up with me, including the ones I have committed against you. Just as everything should be.

He closed his eyes and prayed to the Force, thanking it, asking that his path might soon be completed, that his death would bring balance and peace to the one he had wronged.

But the Force would not let him die.

No, such a death was too easy for him to deserve it.

As the ship came out of hyperdrive, it stopped suddenly and jolted, not knowing what to do now that it was no longer hurtling through space at lightspeed. Reva yelled and stuck her arms out, barely catching her balance as it tipped almost ninety degrees during the slowdown. Obi-Wan reopened his eyes and peered out the window. Outside, he could see the distant shape of a scarlet red, violently smoking planet with thick black clouds surrounding its atmosphere.

Reva seemed to realize it at the same time, too. Sneering, she picked herself up and strode over to the cockpit, checking the navicomputer's estimations. "You're in luck. We've already arrived."

As they got closer and closer, the endless red lava terrain began to fall away and he could see the topmost point of the Empire's best kept secret. Hundreds of meters tall, perches atop of a treacherous lake that spat fire and ash, Fortress Vader stood tall and proud and menacingly, just like its master.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He now knew for sure that the path the Force had chosen for im would not be disrupted.

No one ever got into Fortress Vader, and no one ever got out.

This was the point of no return.

Chapter Text

It was strange and surreal, touching down and being escorted by Purge Troopers into the Fortress. When he found out about Reva's plans to move Leia to Vader's secret hideout, he had always pictured himself breaking in and entering through some alternate pathway, but never actually walking into it unarmed.

So this is where all those who commit dissidence against the Empire are sent, he thought to himself. What I am seeing is likely the last vision of every Rebel who has spoken out in the name of the Resistance.

It was certainly not easy on the eyes.

The Fortress loomed into the sky, so tall that its pointed tip grazed the edges of the clouds above, challenging the sky and defying its unreasonable limits.

"You should feel flattered, Obi-Wan. Most prisoners of war are sent to Fortress Inquisitorius. My domain."

Obi-Wan stared at her, his mouth too dry to speak. His tongue felt heavy in the back of his throat and the coarse, smoky air of Mustafar burned his lungs every time he tried to inhale.

"However, you are special. Lord Vader personally requested that we bring you directly to his castle. He is choosing to interrogate not with water, but fire." Reva narrowed her eyes. "I would much rather have you sent to Nur, but we can't always get what we want, can we?"

The Purge Trooper behind him nudged him with his blaster and unclicked the safety, issuing an unfriendly warning. Obi-Wan silently complied, picking up the pace. This time, Reva did not even bother to grasp his shackles. "I don't have to pull you around anymore," she coldly informed him. "If you try to run away, the shackle around your neck will incapacitate you."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow and decided not to ask.

As they reached the first security checkpoint, he was forced to undergo a full body search and retina scan. Satisfied that he was the real Kenobi, the Purge Troopers guarding the entrance nodded to each other and stood aside, letting Reva pass through. The Purge Troopers behind him pushed him roughly, and he stumbled forwards clumsily. They had stripped him of his shoes and his feet now had several cuts and scrapes and blisters from walking on the unbearably hot black rocks. He quietly clenched his jaw and did his best to not make a sound.

For the next security checkpoint, he was blindfolded, strip searched yet again and then pushed forwards without having the blindfold removed. He stumbled again, almost tripping on his own feet, and felt the back end of a blaster being pressed behind his shoulder blades. Deciding not to ask about the blindfold, he continued to walk forwards until the ground beneath them changed from rough igneous rock to smooth, cold obsidian. He could hear their footsteps echoing around them now.

We must be inside the Fortress itself now, he thought to himself.

His suspicions were confirmed when someone reached over and yanked the blindfold off his eyes, exposing him to the inside of the Fortress.

It took a while for his eyes to adjust to the low levels of light. As much as he tried to gauge his surroundings, he could not make them out. When he looked up, he could see the dark walls extend upwards, higher and higher, but there was no end in sight. It seemed as if they were in some sort of central foyer, from which other rooms could be accessed, but he could not navigate alone. Reva turned towards the Purge Troopers and glared at them.

"Leave us alone now," she ordered. "I will take him the rest of the way by myself."

Surprised, two of the Purge Troopers looked at each other before coming to a conclusion.

"Our orders are to escort him all the way," the one at the head of the procession retorted coldly.

"I am the Grand Inquisitor," Reva barked back. "Either obey me, or give me your identification so I may report you."

Relenting, the troopers turned around and walked away briskly, presumably to continue patrolling the front of the fortress.

Reva motioned at him and he nodded. She turned her back on and allowed him to follow her without any further torment. Obi-Wan silently thanked the Force.

As they walked through the hallways and infinite spiral staircases that were as abundant as the plague, Obi-Wan contemplated the drab walls which were all made of rough stone and cold reflective black glass. His eyes quickly became tired of the same unending all-consuming black.

What, not even a vase of flowers? He thought drily.

Perhaps he was spoiled from many years of living on Coruscant, but he heavily disliked the unnecessarily tall ceilings and staircases. He had admittedly never been a real fan of Brutalist architecture. It all seemed rather tacky and overcompensating to him. Ugly, even.

After some time, they finally reached a room with yet an even higher ceiling. This room was made entirely out of cold, gray marble and seemed to be located at the northernmost point of the tower. Along the sides of the room were different marble statues of past Sith Lords, their faces either cold and indifferent or contorted with anger and hatred.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes as they began to approach the end of the hallway, not wanting to know if his Apprentice's likeness was among them. But his traitorous eyes opened anyway. He was standing next to an impression of Vader himself, standing at a true six feet tall, his prosthetic arm extended menacingly in front of him in a grasping gesture.

Reva yelled at him and he immediately turned away from it, walking a little faster to keep up with her. He tried to forget what he had seen as quickly as possible, but the statue continued to linger in the back of his head.

Reva looked behind her and grabbed him, dragging him roughly until he was in front of her.

At the end of the hallway was yet another door. This one required password identification and a retina scan. Reva rapidly punched in the code and then pushed him through the doors, not caring if it hurt.

Obi-Wan stumbled forwards, falling onto his feet, and found himself surrounded by complete darkness. He did not even dare to get back up. Behind him, he heard the sound of the door closing. And then nothing.

Silence.

Obi-Wan tried to peer around himself using the Force, but it was useless. The only thing he could feel was a heavy, impenetrable, oppressive Darkness that radiated an energy he dared not touch. He could not sense a single living being while surrounded by it. He inhaled shakily, and marveled that he was still able to breathe in its presence.

Then, before he could react, the darkness was broken up by the sound of a single red lightsaber buzzing to life.

"Kenobi."

Obi-Wan looked up from where he was kneeling and finally made eye contact with his captor. The real thing, this time. Not a holographic projection or an imitation carved out of marble.

There he was, clad entirely in the same black with which he surrounded himself. Vader breathed, and Obi-Wan shuddered as he felt the strength go out of him, as if each breath that Vader took was stealing the energy from his blood. A monster made of blood and flesh and metal, he seemed half-alive at best, except for the mechanical, artificial breathing that betrayed him. But he could not be called a dead man, either.

He did not breathe, except for with the aid of the helmet that took away others' breath. He did not move, except for with the help of the prosthetic arm that had sliced off so many others' heads. He could not even see because his entire vision was the Mask that formed him and molded his hatred. But that was not an issue because he could still sense everything with the Force, by throwing his energy around the room until all those before them had felt its oppressive power.

Had his face not already been burned off and disfigured so horribly, he might have burnt it himself, if only so that he might better serve the Darkness which nursed and created him. The Darkness which cried for blood and demanded that he leave behind all remnants of his past life.

"Oh Anakin," Obi-Wan whispered. "What have you become?"

The sound of breathing got louder and louder, until finally he had his answer.

"I am what you made me," Vader sneered.

And suddenly the lightsaber was slashing at him, barely missing his left ear. Obi-Wan ducked to the right and gasped, his survival instincts kicking back into gear. Vader swung his lightsaber again, cutting off his shackles and nicking him in the exact same spot where Reva's lightsaber had cut into him.

Obi-Wan cried out in pain, too overwhelmed to notice that he had been freed. As he looked back up, Vader watched him silently, unmoving. Then before he had a chance to catch his breath, the red light flashed before his eyes again. Obi-Wan screamed and backed away, finally using his hands after days of being shackled.

His legs obeyed him, relying on a pure rush of adrenaline as he crawled away on all fours from Vader. Vader took slow steps and made wide, deliberate swings with his lightsaber. Each time he swung the lightsaber, Obi-Wan gasped and yelped, trying to force his body to move faster. With a jolt of shock, he realized that Vader was holding it in his left hand, not his right.

Panting, he scrambled to his feet and stood up shakily. He did not dare look behind him. He heard the lightsaber coming before it swung at him and sprinted, his body burning every calorie it could in order to create the burst of speed he needed to survive. Right now, he was no longer thinking rationally. He had no battle strategy or way of finding himself in the darkness. All he could do was run forward without stopping.

The red light thrummed to life in front of his eyes, stopping him in his tracks.

Vader was now in front of him.

Obi-Wan screamed, realizing that he was trapped. He tried to run to the side, but Vader blocked him. He tried to back away, but Vader reached out and grabbed his legs using the Force, making him unable to move them, feeling as if he was trapped in thick, black tar. He looked around frantically, searching for a way out, a way to die faster, anything. He would even take Reva at this point.

At this point, Vader's patience had finally worn out. He thrusted his lightsaber forwards with intent to stab and Obi-Wan was forced to throw himself to the side, rolling away and groaning when he felt the tender spot in his ribs begin to throb. Before he could get back up, h e felt himself being lifted into the air until his feet no longer touched the ground. As he did so, he also felt a tight pressure start to push down on his throat. When he opened his eyes, he was face to face with Vader, suspended only by the Force. Nothing was stopping him from taking what was rightfully his and ending this miserable life.

Obi-Wan did not attempt to fight back. He did not struggle or protest. He was done with fighting. What good was it, when he raised his saber against his brother and attempted to show him the right way? What good was it, when he hid his identity and spent ten years pretending to be a common meat cutter? Despite everything he had done to struggle against and delay his Fate, in his foolishness he had done nothing but lead himself right back into Anakin's grasp. And now, here he was, finally completing the cycle.

Vader observed him silently as he flailed helplessly in the air.

This is the end of the road, he thought to himself. He has finished testing me.

"Enough playing around."

He froze and stopped kicking his legs. Vader leaned in closer until he could was face to face with the cold black mask, watching the red light of his blade reflect off of it. Yet the two apertures that had been carved where his eyes should be remained dark, soulless, and unreadable.

"I am going to ask you a question. Answer truthfully. Your choice will not affect the outcome."

Obi-Wan nodded silently.

In response, the pressure on his throat relented slightly. Obi-Wan gasped shakily, feeling air rush forcibly into his lungs.

"Do you have any apprentices, Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan stared back at the faceless black mask. In his heart, he already knew what he was supposed to say.

"No," he said hoarsely. "I have no apprentices."

Immediately, he felt a jolt as the Force stopped holding him up and he fell onto the floor, landing on his broken rib. He cried out loudly, no longer able to hide his pain with a mask of indifference. Clutching his shoulder and rib with both hands, he let out a bloodcurling wail.

"You are correct," Vader sneered.

Obi-Wan watched dazedly as Vader strode towards him with his lightsaber pointing directly towards his heart. The way Anakin always pointed his lightsaber at him after a duel, to indicate that he had won. Only, those duels always ended in a rematch, and afterwards they would go to eat.

When this duel ended, so would his life.

Vader leaned in and whispered into his ear, revealing to him what he had already known all along and had refused to admit to himself for so many years.

"You have no apprentices, Kenobi, because you killed all of them."

Obi closed his eyes and nodded silently.

The lightsaber inched closer and closer to him, until he could feel its heat directly on his skin, could smell it burning the fabric of his clothing. He wondered if Vader would rapidly plunge it through his heart and kill him instantly, or perhaps drag it through his flesh and force him to watch as it flayed and tore his flesh apart.

He will most likely kill me slowly, he thought to himself. Leave me to bleed out, counting down to the last seconds of my life. Just like how I left him.

"Stand proud, Jedi," Vader spat. "You have completed your path. Congratulations."

And with that, he gripped the lightsaber in his left hand and swung.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and braced for the impact, waiting for the moment he would be able to feel the laser tearing into his skin, preparing for himself to be stabbed and tortured and slashed at until he was nothing but an unrecognizable mass of blood, preparing to finally be reunited in the Force with his master, his friend, and the love of his life. He wondered if Anakin would grant him the kindness of burying him properly, or if he would simply toss his mutilated corpse into the red lakes of Mustafar and watch it burn.

Instead, he heard a loud clash and was blinded by a dazzling white glow.

"Master Kenobi!"

Vader let out a strangled sound of surprise that was distorted through the vocoder in his helmet and almost dropped his lightsaber.

Obi-Wan gasped, paralyzed with shock.

His eyes must be deceiving him.

It had to be a hallucination.

It can't be, he thought to himself. It can't be.

There was another huge flash of white, and his savior landed on her feet in front of him. She slashed her two white lightsabers and crossed them menacingly, creating a barrier between him and Vader.

"I'm sorry, Lord Vader," Ahsoka hissed.  "But I just can't let you do that."

Chapter Text

Neither Ahsoka nor Vader moved.

For a few minutes, all they did was look at each other. The only light in the room was coming from their lightsabers, one red and two a blazing pure white. Ahsoka kept her blades crossed together and remained in a defensive stance with her knees bent, despite the pain it was causing to her ankles. However, she did not change position, as it could mean the difference between life and death.

Vader stared back at her, still holding his lightsaber in his left hand but not attacking with it.

Ahsoka inhaled shakily. Her arms began to tremble with the effort of standing still, but she forced herself to stay in place.

Then, for the first time, Vader finally spoke to her.

"You're alive."

She shuddered internally. So he does recognize me, she thought to herself uneasily.

"I thought you died." His voice was eerily calm, automatically reduced in emotive capacity by the vocoder of his mask, but Ahsoka did not let down her guard.

"No thanks to you," Ahsoka sneered. "If you didn't order the clones to kill all of the Jedi, I wouldn't have been forced to hide my identity and fake my death." She felt a sharp prick of pain in her left ankle and winced slightly, hoping Vader hadn't noticed.

But there was no way of knowing. He continued to stare at her, his expression unreadable.

"A miscalculation on my part," Vader replied neutrally. "Had I known, I would have sent for you myself."

Ahsoka inhaled sharply.

The fourteen year old in her wanted to believe.

The twenty-eight year old knew better.

"You are lying," she retorted.

"I have no need for lies."

Ahsoka began to feel dizzy.

Perhaps it was the pain in her ankles messing with her mind, or the inherent horror of fighting her own former Master that was starting to affect her. But as she tried to breathe and maintain a level head, she only felt more and more nauseous and disoriented.

She wanted to look to Obi-Wan for support, but he was behind her, and she did not dare to take her eyes off of Vader.

"We need not be adversaries. You understand well the evils of the Jedi," Vader continued, and he took a step towards her. Ahsoka faltered back, accidentally lowering her lightsabers, but Vader did not attack her. Instead, he continued to walk slowly towards her. "You are not one of them. I sense a deep, emotional turmoil from within you...a true Jedi would not have such conflicts."

Ahsoka inhaled sharply and began to feel sweat drip down her brow.

"Do you know what I see? I see fear. Doubts. Weakness."

Ahsoka winced.

It was as if he was peering into her soul, probing the deep recesses of her mind, unveiling unwanted information that she had never wanted to see the light of day.

Fear.

It was fear that had always haunted her, forcing her draw back from the person she loved the most in the world as if hastily pulling her hand away from a fire.

Not a fear of death, but a fear of living.

Fear of waking up to find that all her loved ones had been killed in a raid.

Fear of growing attached to a fellow soldier and receiving news that they had died in a battle.

Fear of forming a relationship with someone she loved, only to discover that she would be the one to lead them to their downfall.

Fear of striking down a man in the name of justice and realizing that she had just killed her own brother.

Ahsoka breathed shakily, feeling nauseous. Her vision began to blur, and she started having difficulty keeping eye contact with Vader as he constantly circled her, continuing to make her dizzy. His mask made her uncomfortable to look at, but she still tried to keep up with him, even though everything about him was unnatural to her. She did not recognize him with his prosthetic limbs, nor did she feel a connection to the red lightsaber in his left hand. Everything about the situation felt so, so wrong.

"Of course, you have not let yourself be claimed by the Dark Side. Not yet. But I see your destiny. A Jedi cannot live with conflict in their heart, just as a Sith cannot live with love in their heart.  If you continue down this path, you will only bring destruction and misfortune to the ones you love."

Vader looked at her, and suddenly she became overwhelmed with a heavy feeling of grief and anguish. A million voices began to scream in her head, unleashing the dark thoughts that she had tried to suppress, all for the sake of holding onto what little scraps of a life she had left.

You are the reason that the Jedi Order collapsed. Because of you, Master Kenobi and Anakin suffered and nearly died, instead of returning home and living the lives that they deserved.

You are weak, Ahsoka, not because of your injury but because you left the ones you loved in their time of need.

You will never be able to erase that sin, to run away from that path.

You have no right to tie yourself to her, because in your heart of hearts, you should know that to love her would be to lead her to death.

You know better than to try and steal happiness that you do not deserve. She will pay for your selfishness.

Ahsoka's breathing began to increase rapidly. She panted. The muscles in her ankles were sore and raw from the tension of remaining in a fighting stance. Her legs felt as if they would give way any moment now.

I don't know how much longer I can handle this.

Suddenly, she felt someone touch her gently on the shoulder. She turned around and realized Obi-Wan had put his hand there. Her arms were trembling, and he had reached out to still them. She silently nodded at him, thanking him.

Just then, she heard Vader's booming voice again as he emerged from the shadows.

"Look at me."

Ahsoka looked away, refusing to obey. Behind her, she could feel Obi-Wan tensing up.

"I said, look at me," Vader commanded again, his helmet lit up by the dangerous red glow of his lightsaber.

Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut.

She could feel him, attempting to use the Force to influence her. She was no stranger to this sort of mind manipulation, although none of the people who had tried to use it against her were this adept at it. His command of the Force was impressive. She was not sure if even she, a strong-minded person who had been trained by the Jedi, would be able to withstand it.

However, the more he tried to muddle her mind, the more sure she became of her decision. She was no longer held back by lingering loyalties to the man she once regarded as her brother. That man she once knew was nowhere to be found. In his place was a robotic masked figure that only knew anger and hatred. A dead man, kept alive by wires and circuits and motherboards.

And she had no obligations to this monster.

Vader raised his hand, making grasping motions with his fingers. He was trying to lure her down to his level, to drag her down into the same darkness as him, to convince her to strike a blow against the very man she was protecting. But she refused. With most of her physical strength drained, all she could rely on was her own will and mental fortitude.

But I'm not sure if it's going to be enough.

"LOOK AT ME, AHSOKA."

"NO!" She screamed and slashed at him with both lightsabers.

Vader countered it with the red lightsaber in his right hand. She tried to apply more force to break his block, but he was too strong, would not let go. Instead, he stepped forward and began to apply pressure, suddenly forcing her to lean backwards as he loomed over her.

"Interesting," Vader hissed, leaning in until all she could see was the eyes of his mask. "These are not the lightsabers that I recall giving you."

Ahsoka gasped and he used the opportunity to strike at her. Panicking, she automatically backflipped out of the way and winced as she landed on her weak ankles. Normally, she would be able to withstand at least a few tries, but they hurt from driving all the way to Mustafar and holding defensive stance for so long. The tension from the position had put too much of her weight on them and nearly torn the connective tissues.

"You didn't give those lightsabers to me," she panted. "My Master did."

Vader attacked again, swinging hard at her with his right hand. Ahsoka yelled out loud and blocked it with her two lightsabers, grimacing from the physical effort it took to hold up against Vader's strength.

"Your Master was weak. He was held back by his attachments."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes at him.

"To whom, Anakin?" Ahsoka snarled. "To Master Kenobi? Or to me?"

In response, Vader gripped his lightsaber with both hands and slashed at her head. Ahsoka ducked and swiped at his feet, trying to trip him. Although he clearly could not jump because of the prosthetic limbs, he evaded her kick easily and swung at her leg. Ahsoka rolled out of the way and panted, trying to catch her breath.

"Do not call me by that name," Vader spat. "That man is long dead. I killed him."

Ahsoka's mind immediately went blank.

All her training, meditation, and years spent reflecting on her own suddenly felt as if they had been thrown away and were replaced by an urge to take.

She screamed and lunged at him, swinging both lightsabers. Vader caught both of them with his blade and swung it to the side, easily throwing her onto the ground. She got back up and sprinted at him with intent to stab, but he aimed for her legs and forced her to jump out of the way, putting further strain on her ankles as she landed. He spun his blade in a quick circle, aiming for her head, but she bent over backwards and then swung back at his unprotected side with both blades. Vader spun out of the way and countered one after other with a flick of the wrist.

She knew that she was wasting her energy, wasting her stamina, that the fighting style she was using was detrimental to her body given the state it was in. Anakin had drilled it into her head for hours and hours. Good technique leads to good results. Bad technique leads to getting injured.

But she didn't care about that anymore.

With a renewed strength, she ran at Vader and Force-jumped into the air, using her momentum and the force of gravity to increase the force of her blow as she swung at him, leaning fully on the blade. Vader saw it coming and swung at her incoming blade with both hands, causing her to be flung backwards through the air. She backflipped again and landed on her feet, then charged towards him again, swinging at his waist. He simply stepped aside and aimed a blow at her back. She was forced to throw herself forwards and duck in order to avoid being chopped in half.

Ahsoka.

Ahsoka.

What are you doing? You know this isn't the right way to fight.

This isn't how you were trained, Ahsoka!

Operating purely on adrenaline, she flipped her blades backwards and drove them downwards. Vader angled his arm sideways and pressed back against them, pushing hard. Ahsoka grunted, but she could feel him pushing her entire weight. It became a fight between flesh and metal, arm and prosthetic. The mechanical arm won and he shoved her off. She fell back and panted loudly, trying to catch her breath.

"You are courageous, attempting to take me on without any assistance," Vader said calmly. "Your anger would make you an excellent Sith Apprentice. However, I'm afraid your stubbornness and unwillingness to let go will be your downfall."

Ahsoka growled, pushing herself up and trying to get back on her feet.

Growing angrier and angrier, she yelled out in frustration and chased after him, trying to hit his helmet. Vader blocked her first swing and when she attempted to land a blow on him using the second lightsaber, he simply reached out with his right hand and stretched out his palm, using the Force to paralyze her arm.

Ahsoka grunted, trying to will her arm to do what she wanted and strike him, but the crushing weight of the Force squeezing her made it impossible to move. She was in a precarious position, unable to move both of her arms, her ankles about to give out from the stress she was putting them under. Vader simply moved his free hand and she crumpled to the floor, panting.

"You are injured," Vader observed. "You should give up soon, if you do not wish to hurt yourself."

"I'm not letting you kill Master Kenobi," Ahsoka growled. In response, Vader swung at her head, causing her to automatically backflip again and land painfully on her feet. As she winced, trying to recover from the explosion of pain in her ankles, he marched over to her and cruelly kicked her with his metal leg. She let out a bloodcurling scream.

Obi-Wan rushed to her side, trying to help her. She pushed him off, refusing him.

"Ahsoka," he whispered, panicked. "You don't have to do this for me."

Her legs were trembling too, now. From the effort of holding her weight.

"Give me the lightsabers, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan murmured quietly.

"You told me you had no intention of fighting."

"I know. But I can't let him kill you."

"I can't let him kill you either." Ahsoka raised her arm and made a flicking motion with her wrist. Obi-Wan let out a yelp of surprise as he was forcibly pulled far away from the fight, landing softly on the ground several feet away from them. Having no lightsaber of his own, he was quickly swallowed by the darkness.

Ahsoka resumed fighting stance and made eye contact with Vader.

"Your devotion to Kenobi is ill-placed," Vader declared. "What makes you think he would lift a finger to save you?"

Ahsoka looked up and made eye contact with him, refusing to be intimidated by a faceless helmet.

"That's the difference between him and you," she replied coldly. "Obi-Wan would kill himself, if it meant protecting others from you."

"Obi-Wan is selfish," Vader snarled. "He left me to die. When I begged him for mercy, he cut off all my limbs and threw me into the lava, the same lava that formed the very grounds we are standing upon. He abandoned me, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka inhaled shakily.

"This man would cut down and kill anyone if it meant ensuring his own peace. He doesn't have the capacity for mercy, Ahsoka. Not even for you or me. No one is good enough for him."

Ahsoka cut back a sob. "That's not true," she screamed. "You're lying!"

"It is," Vader growled back. "If you could open your eyes, you too would see that he has never cared for us. We were only his cannon fodder, another stepping stone to further his career in the Jedi Council. That is all we meant to him."

"You're wrong!" Ahsoka yelled, and Vader finally lost his patience.

"Fine, then," he hissed. "If you will not join me in the Sith, then you shall join me in death."

Immediately, he lunged and swiped at her lower ankles with intent to cut as opposed to dismember. Ahsoka howled with rage and pain as she felt her achilles tendon being severed in half, reopening her injury. She crumpled over and her lightsabers fell to the ground, automatically switching off and starting to roll away from her. One of them broke into pieces, clearly already on its last leg. Before she could reach out and pick them back up, Vader kicked both of them away from her. She groaned and looked up, finding him standing above her with the red lightsaber pointed at her.

"Goodbye, little sister. I am sorry that you could not see things my way."

"AHSOKA!" Obi-Wan cried out.

Vader raised his lightsaber above his head, then brought it down.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes and reached up, using the Force to push it so that the lightsaber nicked him in the helmet instead. Vader let out a loud shriek of horror, and she used the opportunity to roll directly at his feet, causing him to stumble back. She crawled on her hands and knees, panting heavily, and grabbed her two lightsabers. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Vader crumpled over, covering his smoking helmet with one gloved hand and Obi-Wan lying helplessly on the ground, watching her.

Thinking fast, she threw her lightsabers.

Vader looked up just in time and used the Force to catch it midair. "Your weapon is broken, so you resort to throwing it instead?" he asked angrily, staring at the cheap black market lightsaber with a shattered kyber crystal in his right hand. "How foolish. Did you think you could defeat me with this?" He asked, easily crushing the heavy metal hilt like a piece of flimsy aluminium.

"No," she replied. "That's what the other lightsaber is for."

Vader froze and looked behind him.

Obi-Wan was standing behind him holding the second lightsaber in front of him, panting heavily.

Vader sneered.

"So, the Master wants a turn for himself," he drawled. "Who am I to deny him the pleasure?"

Chapter Text

Vader began to stroll menacingly towards Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan immediately crouched and assumed a defensive position, backing away slowly while pointing the lightsaber at him. Vader followed him, circling around him like a lion stalking its prey.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and blew his sweat-soaked hair from his head. His heart raced in his chest, blood thudded in his ears, and his eyes were hyperdilated to adjust to the dark. Every vein of his body was filled with adrenaline, thrumming and pounding and screaming at him to run away.

Vader, on the other hand, did not seem particularly nervous. He walked slowly but deliberately, unable to sprint after him yet confident in his power.

He knows that he will get me eventually, Obi-Wan thought to himself, It's just a matter of when.

As Vader strolled towards him, he began to hallucinate things. Although he knew they were inside Fortress Vader, he began to see fire and lava. In his visions, ash and smoke rained down on them.

Ahsoka cried out to him, saying something that he needed to hear, but he was no longer focused on her. All he could think of was Vader.

Just then, Vader raised his lightsaber high above his head. He was no longer holding it with his left hand: this time, he lifted it with both hands. His expressionless mask blurred and faded away, transforming into the face of an anguished young man.

They were no longer Vader and Kenobi.

Anakin was back, and his ghost had come to haunt Obi-Wan and deliver the killing blow that should have been for him.

"You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!"

The lightsaber began to come down. But this time, he was ready for it.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, steeling himself. Then, with a scream, he ran up to Vader and countered the blow.

Vader brought the lightsaber down using both hands, exerting all of his physical strength and trying to push Obi-Wan's lightsaber down hard enough to break his block. But Obi-Wan refused to relent. He grunted loudly, pushing back against Vader, refusing to give up.

As he did so, he found himself directly face to face with Vader's helmet. In Vader's eyes, he watched his own reflection sweat and struggle, futilely trying to gain upper hand of the situation.

Suddenly, he was back at the fiery lakes of Mustafar. Anakin was snarling at him, his handsome face contorted with anger and covered in volcanic ash.

"I hate you!"

Obi-Wan gasped, his grip on the lightsaber slipping.

Vader immediately shoved his lightsaber harder until it was dangerously close to Obi-Wan's face. He could feel its scorching heat near his cheek, threatening to burn his skin off. He began to hyperventilate, and Vader grunted, impatiently waiting for his strength to falter.

"NO!" Ahsoka screamed.

Obi-Wan snapped out of it, remembering himself.

He groaned loudly and shoved Vader off him before stepping back quickly. They circled each other with their sabers pointed menacingly at each other, watching each other closely. Vader's body language had completely changed. He was no longer slow and domineering. His gait was quicker now. He followed Obi-Wan more closely and seemed more eager to strike him.

Both of them raised their lightsabers again, and struck each other, creating another brilliant blast of light. Vader raised his free hand, about to use to Force, and Obi-Wan immediately took advantage of the fact he was only holding his lightsaber in one hand by nearly disarming him. Vader snarled and put both hands back on his lightsaber, swinging towards him. Obi-Wan spun out of the way, turning his back to him. He blocked the lightsaber without turning around by extending his arm behind him. He then kicked directly at him, landing a hit directly on the helmet where Ahsoka had nicked him.

Vader immediately recoiled, covering his helmet fearfully with his hand. After realizing that Obi-Wan was watching them, he growled angrily and immediately stalked after him, stomping loudly. As he approached, Obi-Wan walked back, taunting him. Vader gripped his lightsaber with both hands and swung harder than before, aiming for his neck. Obi-Wan ducked and thrust his saber forward, directly towards Vader's mechanical leg. Vader howled angrily and stepped back, almost falling over. He then made up for it by slashing at Obi-Wan, nearly catching him in the waist. Obi-Wan jumped out of the way, stepping behind Vader and nicking his armor from the back. Vader growled again and twisted around, swinging his saber behind him. Obi-Wan ducked just in time to avoid getting his head cut off, and ran a few steps away from Vader again.

Vader was absolutely furious now. When he got back up and began to stomp after Obi-Wan again, his mechanical legs made loud clanking, creaking sounds. But Vader did not care. He continued to push his prosthetic limbs as he chased his prey, ignoring the metallic sounds of protest.

Ahsoka immediately took notice of this and looked up, forming a plan.

As Vader chased after Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan continued to taunt him, twirling his lightsaber and backing away instead of countering his swings. Vader grew more and more frustrated as Obi-Wan forced him to chase after him, not even using his lightsaber to block him. As he grew angrier and angrier, his swings became more and more wild. Suddenly, they were master and apprentice, chasing after each other in a seemingly unending dance. The apprentice screamed and ran and tried to reach the master. The master continued to back away, watching him closely, refusing to slow down and insisting that he meet him on his level.

Vader snarled angrily and lunged suddenly, thrusting his lightsaber towards Obi-Wan's closest leg.

Obi-Wan barely evaded the blow, letting out a groan of pain as he felt his ribs protest. Vader tried to take another step towards him, but his mechanical leg had accidentally become locked from the strain he put it through when he lunged. Obi-Wan stared at it, and Vader grew annoyed. Growling, he kicked with all of his strength until his leg became unstuck and the locks clicked back into place, allowing him to move again. Triumphantly, he began to sprint towards Obi-Wan in earnest as if to say See? I can run anytime I want.

Just then, both of them heard the sound of something cracking. Obi-Wan froze and immediately turned towards Ahsoka. She was still lying on the floor some distance away from them, but she was concentrating both of her hands towards the ground. It seemed as if she was trying to either push or pull something using the Force. Whatever it was, it was taking a great deal of effort.

Vader took advantage of Obi-Wan temporary letting down his guard and swung at him. Obi-Wan turned back towards him just in time to see the blow coming towards him, and instinctively jumped back. Vader stomped after him, making swing after swing with both arms, not paying any attention to what Ahsoka was doing or the strange cracking sounds from the floor below them. Obi-Wan ducked and dodged, panting with each blow. He, too, was starting to reach the limit of his stamina.

As he continued to avoid Vader, he began to notice the temperature in the room increasing. The rest of Fortress Vader was cold and uncomfortable, but in this underground room, the air felt muggy and hot, as if it was directly heated by the lava lakes itself.

Or is it? He realized with a jolt. Maybe Vader didn't actually build this room on top of the lava lakes. Maybe it's actually underneath it.

It just so happened that Ahsoka had been thinking the same thing.

Having seen the way that Vader's metal prosthetics began to malfunction as they overheated gave her an idea. As she looked above them, she realized that the room did not have a proper ceiling, unlike the rest of Fortress Vader. Instead, the floor and ceiling were made out of a black expanse of igneous rock. The room was likely carved out of an underground lava shaft that had dried up.

But that didn't mean all of the magma was gone.

It was still there, just lurking under the surface.

Focusing all of her energy towards the floor, she closed her eyes and asked the Force to be with her. Concentrating hard, she reached out and grabbed, trying to break through the rock. She knew there was more lava somewhere, churning violently, eager to consume and burn as it was meant to. All she had to do was find it and free it.

As Vader and Obi-Wan continued to fight, she threw her energy again and again at the rock floor, trying to find weaknesses within it.

The Force is alive, and it is found in every living creature, she remembered Anakin telling her. If you tell it what you need it to do, it will listen to you. All you have to do is open your mind to it.

And so she did, squeezing her eyes shut and pouring all of her energy into it. She was one with the Force, and the Force was one with her. She reached out and let herself feel every crack and fissure in the rock floor, immersing herself in it. As she did so, she began to feel the stone vibrate as Obi-Wan and Vader fought, creating small hairline cracks each time they stomped on it. She followed those vibrations until she could almost feel the source of those cracks.

Ahsoka took a deep breath and felt around, trying to locate that weak point.

Vader was growing tired of running after Obi-Wan. He now resorted to trying to scare him. Growingly loudly, he swung his lightsaber at Obi-Wan's feet, causing the rock to crack and come off the floor in small chunks. Obi-Wan watched fearfully as the rocks glowed red-hot when they made contact with Vader's lightsaber.

"You can't run, Obi-Wan," Vader snarled.

Obi-Wan desperately tried to back away. His back bumped into the wall behind him. Panicked, he looked around as if trying to figure out which direction to run away, but Vader immediately sprinted and blocked off his path, cornering him. There was no escaping him now.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened, and he held his lightsaber in front of him. Vader lunged at him again, his mechanical leg clanking horribly, and swung at his hand. Obi-Wan gasped as his lightsaber was cut in half in front of him and let go immediately. It clattered to the floor, the metal hilt now melting. Shards of kyber crystal fell onto the floor next to it.

Vader growled again and stepped forward, directly on the shards of kyber crystal. Obi-Wan winced as he ground his metal foot into it, destroying the last remains of the lightsaber. His weapon was gone, and he had nowhere to run. With nothing else to do, he raised his hands in front of him in a supplicant gesture.

Vader snarled. "You have wasted much of my time today, Kenobi." Obi-Wan inhaled sharply, feeling his heart palpitate rapidly in his chest. "But this ends here. No more playing games."

Obi-Wan sighed and closed his eyes, accepting his fate.

Leia, I hope you are somewhere safe, he thought to himself.

Vader growled and stomped his foot loudly, making his eyes flutter open from shock.

" Look at me, Kenobi! You dare turn away from me?"

Obi-Wan opened his mouth and began to stutter. Vader didn't care.

"You still think you are better than me? All because ten years ago, I bowed to you and called you my Master?"

He raised his arm and stabbed the lightsaber into the wall next to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan screamed and recoiled, watching the rock wall next to him turn crack and crumble to pieces.

"You are not my Master.  I will never again bow to a weak man like you. But today, you will bow for me."

Obi-Wan swallowed nervously. Vader reached towards him and used the Force to grab him by the throat, lifting him into the air and slamming him hard into the wall.

"The fight is over.  You have nothing left, Kenobi. You have no weapon. No power. I have you at my mercy. I control whether you live or die. You will watch me as I take your last breath and kill you."

Obi-Wan coughed and reached up instinctively to feel his throat, trying to pry nonexistent hands off of him, frantically gasping for air.

Vader smirked and made another step towards him, but his mechanical leg would not move.

Annoyed, he tied to kick his leg and force the prosthetic to work again, but this time his foot remained stuck to the ground. He was able to bend his knee. However, the tip of his boot was caught in an enormous crack that had formed in the ground.

Puzzled, Vader spun around to look behind him. All around him were cracks in the rock that he had not seen before. The more he looked, the more he saw. He panicked and stepped back, forgetting that he was supposed to be enacting his revenge, that he was supposed to kill Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan grunted as the Force grip holding him disappeared and he fell onto the floor of the room that was not really a room but a cave, a lava tube that had been hollowed out but had never quite forgotten what it was made out of.

Vader began to back away, staring fearfully at the cracks that were forming rapidly around him. As they grew bigger and bigger, light began to pour out from beneath them, and they glowed amber yellow at their edges.

Obi-Wan looked down. Then, he looked back up and saw Ahsoka stretching her arms towards the floor, her brow covered in sweat.

She's breaking it, he realized. She's trying to bring the lava back to the surface.

Even with both of her legs injured, she was still holding on, using the Force to fight.

Vader turned around and saw what she was doing, letting out a howl of rage. He angrily started to march towards her and made a sweeping motion with his hand. Ahsoka's eyes fluttered open and she let out a cry as she found herself being thrown into the air and landed on her stomach, hard. She groaned loudly, and Vader ignited his lightsaber, swinging it towards her. She barely rolled out of the way and began to back away, pulling herself away from him using her arms.

Vader growled and stomped until he was standing over her. She watched helplessly as he loomed over her, furious. "I should have killed you while I had the chance," he snarled. "From the day I met you, I have always hated you."

Ahsoka miserably closed her eyes. He grabbed her arm and cruelly squeezed it until she let out a small whimper.

"I hope your little attempt was worth it," he hissed before raising his lightsaber to strike her.

Just then, the piece of rock he was standing on cracked open and his mechanical foot sank into a pool of hot magma.

Vader screamed and let go of her arm, nearly falling backwards. Ahsoka watched him with shocked eyes as he stumbled and cried out like a fearful child. Distracted by a sound, she looked across the room and saw Obi-Wan with both of his hands stretched in front of him, his face scrunched up from concentration. He made a grabbing motion and more pieces of rock that had been supporting Vader's weight were flung into the air, causing him to sink further into the lava.

Vader screamed loudly as the metal began to overheat and glow bright red. He cried out as if he was still made of flesh and blood and could feel the burning lava. Ahsoka rolled onto her stomach and pulled herself away from him, ignoring his screams of pain. She heard someone running behind her and suddenly Obi-Wan was by her side, pulling her up and away. At this point, they no longer needed to use the Force to make the cracks bigger. Soon, the room began to fill with smoke and ash, and Vader's other limbs creaked loudly as he tried to pry himself from the lava.

Obi-Wan panted, trying to think of a way to get both of them up the millions of stairs. Ahsoka could not walk with her injured legs, and he could not carry her with his injured shoulder.

Suddenly, they heard Vader scream again, making both of them turned to look back at him.

"DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME HERE!" He screamed.

He had finally dislodged his partially melted metal leg from the lava and was limping towards them, furious. His cape was smoking and he had lost his lightsaber, but he didn't care. He yelled and reached in front of him, trying to snatch them with the Force.

Ahsoka looked at Obi-Wan.

"We may have to end this here," she said, and he understood exactly what she meant.

"But if we stay here, we will go down with him."

She closed her eyes.

"Revenge is not the Jedi Way," she sighed. "But..."

Obi-Wan looked back at her. "There are no more Jedi."

She nodded silently. Both of them turned to face Vader.

"We don't have any weapons, General," Ahsoka observed.

"Hm. But, neither does he," Obi-Wan replied drily. "We should use that to our advantage."

Ahsoka reached out and experimentally lifted herself into the air using the force. Then, concentrating carefully, she lifted a large piece of rock big enough for a man to stand on it into the air.

Vader marched closer and attempted to strangle her. But he was interrupted when Obi-Wan jumped onto the rock that Ahsoka had lifted up and threw himself at him. Startled, Vader tried to pry Obi-Wan off of him, but Ahsoka maneuvered the chunk of rock through the air and dropped it right on his legs. Vader let out another scream which was filtered through the helmet vocoder. Ahsoka began to force grab large chunks of rock and pile it on top of him, trying to bury him.

As he continued to restrain Vader, Obi-Wan thought he heard the sound of a droid flying somewhere above his heads.

Just then, Ahsoka screamed and rolled away as Vader grabbed the same rock she was trying to drop on him and threw it at her. Grunting, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Vader's neck and received a blow to the face. He groaned and stomped hard on the rock he was standing on, trying to make the cracks appear faster.

I'm sorry, Anakin, he thought silently as Vader screamed and thrashed in his arms. At least we'll be together this time.

Miles above them, hiding in the imperial spaceship, a small child plugged in a holochron into the navicomputer interface.

Instantly, footage happening from an underground room flashed across the screen. The child's eyes widened as she watched the two figures struggle to fight the third figure. The man in black shoved Obi-Wan off of him and pushed him over until he fell down, groaning. Ahsoka screamed as she watched Vader shove Obi-Wan's head right net to the lava pool and stomp cruelly on his ribs. All she could do was watch helplessly as Obi-Wan hung off the piece of rock near the edge of the lava, losing consciousness.

The holoprojection became shakier and shakier as LOLA fearfully flitted about, trying to capture the scene as her gears became more overheated.

"No," Leia whispered, tears streaking down her face. "Ben, get up! Get up! Please, please open your eyes," she sobbed.

Just then, she heard footsteps behind her and turned around, panicked.

"Interesting," they drawled. "I was wondering where you went after you escaped. I guess you didn't go very far."

Leia's heart froze in her throat.

Reva strolled towards her, arms crossed. "I know you're wearing her holomask belt," she chanted. "It doesn't matter. I know it's going to run out of battery soon, and then you won't be able to hide from me anymore," she taunted.

Leia inhaled sharply.

"We can do this either your way or my way," Reva offered. "Either you take off the invisibility belt and come with me...or, we can sit here together and wait until the battery dies, and then I'll come after you. Which way do you prefer?"

Leia shuddered, but she did not respond.

"It's alright, I lied," Reva laughed. "You don't have a choice."

Before Leia could react, she reached out her hand, and Leia felt the belt unclick itself from around her waist as Reva yanked it away using the Force. She froze, unable to move as Reva triumphantly marched to where she had been hiding and bent down.

"Don't you know, the first rule of getting away is to never come back?" She whispered.

Leia immediately removed the holochron from the navicomputer and hid it behind her back, shaking from fear.

"What a shame," Reva sighed. "I was almost proud of you, too." She started advancing towards her again, reaching for her arm.

Leia scrunched up her face angrily. "I don't care what you do to me," she hissed, "But leave Ben alone! He's already going to die anyway," she sobbed.

Something in Reva's eyes lit up. Suddenly, they began to glow with a strange yellow light.

"What do you mean, he's going to die?"

"Vader has him," Leia sobbed. "Ahsoka told me not to come after her, but I sent my droid to watch over them. Both of them are injured. It won't be very long before he finishes them off."

Reva narrowed her eyes. The eerie yellow glow intensified as her face grew more and more furious, and for a second, Leia wondered if she might kill her.

"I see," she said coldly. "Well, we can't have that, can we?"

The strange glow in her eyes was scaring Leia, even more than when she had screamed at her and slapped her. "Wh-what do you mean?" she asked, shaking uncontrollably.

Reva snarled and grabbed her by the arm, forcefully dragging her. Leia cried out in pain. "Come with me," Reva said. "Let's pay your dear friends a visit, shall we?"

"No!" Leia cried as Reva yanked her. "They're already going to die! Please, please, just leave them alone," she begged. "Please don't kill them, I'll do anything you want-"

"Oh, I'm not going to kill them," Reva replied.

Leia's eyes widened and she stopped, staring openmouthed at her.

Reva smirked.

"On the contrary," she drawled. "I've decided to help them."

Chapter Text

Vader had ceased caring.

He shoved Obi-Wan's body towards the edge of the lava pool, ignoring Ahsoka's screams and begging. Obi-Wan's limbs flailed limply as he pushed him. Vader was determined to burn him alive, to drown him in a sea of fire, to inflict upon him the exact pain he had put him through so many years ago.

"Open your eyes, Kenobi," he growled. "Open them and face me!"

Desperate to distract Vader and get his focus back on her, Ahsoka yelled and used the last of her strength to throw another large rock at him. Turning around, Vader stopped pushing Obi-Wan's unconscious body towards the pool of lava and began to march menacingly towards her.

Steeling herself, she took a deep breath and did not crawl away from him as he approached her.

"Have you finally realized there is no use in trying to run away from me?  Or is this another futile attempt to buy yourself more time?"

Ahsoka met his gaze. She searched for traces of her brother in the dark mask.

"What would it take for you to spare him?" she asked quietly, looking over at where Obi-Wan lying, dangerously close to the edge.

"We are past the point of mercy," he growled. She sighed, defeated, and bowed her head.

"That's what I thought you would say," she replied quietly. "So, what are you planning to do with us then?"

"Traitors to the Empire must be punished." Ahsoka winced. "Both of you will be executed."

"I see," she replied slowly.

"Does the thought of your imminent death not disturb you?"

"No," she replied. "I am prepared for it."

"You are most courageous," he snarled, reaching out and closed his hands around her throat. "A shame that your bravery has led you to your end."

She closed her eyes and did not struggle. Vader's grip around her throat tightened.

In her mind, she was no longer in this miserable cavern. In her mind, she was seventeen again, receiving another lecture from her Master.

Calm down, Ahsoka. Remember, revenge is not the Jedi Way.

At the time, she had been angry with Anakin for telling her that. But now, she understood.

All the fighting, all the injuries they had inflicted upon each other...what was the point of it? As he said, all she had done was lead herself to her own death.

Killing Vader would not bring back Anakin.

I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka... never.

A single tear escaped from her eye.

"Liar," she whispered.

Vader continued to watch her face as her shoulders trembled and she began to lose consciousness from the oxygen deprivation, until finally she passed out. He considered continuing to suffocate her, but instead gave up and shoved her. She fell on her side limply, her heart beating weakly. He turned around began to walk back towards Obi-Wan, who was slowly stirring.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes and blearily tried to make sense of his surroundings . Just as he sat up, Vader made a sweeping motion with his hand and he fell back, hitting his head. When he attempted to sit up again, Vader growled with annoyance and used the Force on him again.

Obi-Wan groaned loudly and Vader roughly grabbed him by the hair on the back of his head, hauling him up until they were eye to eye.

"Ten years ago, you threw me away to my death, not even caring to see if I survived," he snarled. "Now, Obi-Wan, you will watch as I throw you to the very same fire you used against me."

With that, he plunged his upper torso into the lava. Obi-Wan screamed as he felt his body rapidly catching on fire. When Vader hauled him back up, coughing and gasping for breath, all he could feel was the concentrated burns on his back and arms and the flames. He coughed again, reaching up and trying to pry the black gloved hand from his hair, but it was useless.

"Where is Ahsoka?" he panted.

"She will be joining you presently."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed.

He wondered if Qui-Gon felt this same pain, when he was stabbed through the chest and died in his arms. The shaking, the fear, the utter sense of despair.

He had tried so hard to move past it, but in the end, all he could be was the same scared boy trying to hold onto his Master. The same newly knighted Jedi who was suddenly thrust into the responsibility of caring for a child he barely knew, not knowing if he was even up for the task.

I'm sorry, Master. I understand now, why you never responded to me, Obi-Wan breathed shakily. I do not deserve your forgiveness.

Vader snarled and got ready to submerge him completely in the lava.

"Speak your last words," Vader spat. "This is your only chance."

Obi-Wan stared at him dazedly.

"Anakin..."

"That is not my name." Vader hissed, squeezing harder. Obi-Wan coughed.

"Anakin, please, you may kill me but leave Ahsoka alone."

"Funny. She requested that I spare your miserable life, too," Vader sneered. "Will the Jedi never cease with their useless bargaining?"

"I don't care if you kill me," Obi-Wan panted. "I give you my life."

"You cannot give me something that was already mine to take."

"I give you my life," Obi-Wan repeated, "To do with it whatever you please. Kill me, torture me, keep me alive so that I am forced to remember the sins of my past...I won't fight you," he panted. "But leave Ahsoka alone. She's your sister."

"What good to me is a sister who conspires against me?" Vader asked coldly.

"When I am dead," Obi-Wan panted, "Who else will you go to, when you wish to discuss the Wars? Who else can understand you, understand your past?"

"I have no need for the past. That is why all those who speak the name of Anakin Skywalker must die."

"Well," Obi-Wan sighed, "I suppose that means I must die, because I miss him."

Vader slapped him. Obi-Wan coughed, and sat back up.

"I have never hated you, Anakin."

"You speak lies."

"I mean it," Obi-Wan insisted. "I know that somewhere, deep inside you, there is still light. I fight with you because that is my obligation. But I love you because that is my nature."

"More lies."

"I am not. All these years, what I regretted the most is that...until the day where I was forced to raise my hand against you, I never thought to tell you that you were loved. For that, I am sorry."

"You are too late."

"I know that I am too late," Obi-Wan replied, grimacing. "You do not have to take anything that I say at face value. But...I will miss you," he muttered quietly. "I wish I could take it all back." He stared at Vader, trying to see if he was looking back at him, too. "I have wronged you."

Vader sneered. "I gave you the opportunity to beg for your life, yet all you have done is throw useless apologies at me. Do you not desire forgiveness?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I know that I am not worthy of any."

With that, he bowed his head and folded his trembling hands in his lap.

Vader grabbed him by the neck and tightened his fingers around his throat. Obi-Wan closed his eyes, preparing to be shoved into the lava for one final, fatal baptism.

Just then, someone called out, stopping him.

"My Lord! A moment, please!"

Vader snarled and turned around.

"WHO DARES INTERRUPT? YOU HAVE SIGNED YOUR DEATH WARRANT!"

Reva strolled out of the darkness. Obi-Wan felt a numbness settle over him. He was neither pleased nor displeased to see her. He had assumed that once she locked him in the room with Vader, she would never come back.

There must be some sort of catch, he thought faintly to himself.

"Third Sister," Vader snarled. "I specifically instructed you not to disturb me. What is the meaning of this disobedience?"

Reva strode closer, and the light illuminated her face. Next to her, struggling to escape her grip, was a small child.

Obi-Wan's heart instantly sank.

"No," he gasped, and suddenly sat up, forgetting himself. Vader immediately yanked him back down, but Obi-Wan struggled against him.

No, no, no, no, no, he wanted to cry out. Leia, why are you here? You were supposed to escape!

"We finally recovered the child," Reva announced. "What do you wish for us to do with her?"

Obi-Wan swallowed, his heart beginning to palpitate uncontrollably.

Reva smirked.

"Shall we execute them together?"

"No," Obi-Wan gasped, hyperventilating. He was sweating and shaking, his eyes wild with fear. "No, no, you can't," he stammered, losing control of his own words as they slurred all together. "Please, you can do what you want to us, please don't kill her," he sobbed. "I'll do anything, anything you want-"

Reva smirked and looked right into his eyes. "What's wrong?" she taunted him. "Earlier on, when you were in my cell, you were so full of bravado. Now look at you," she crooned, and ignited her lightsaber. Obi-Wan screamed as she grabbed Leia by the shoulder and forced her to stand still as she moved the lightsaber towards her neck. "What would happen if I cut her cute little head off, do you think? Would you beg for me to kill you so you could join her? Or would you kill yourself in a fit of grief?"

"No," Obi-Wan panicked, and to Vader's shock, he broke free of his grip and began to scramble on all fours towards her. "No, no, she's innocent, don't hurt her," he begged. "Please, she's only ten," he gasped.

In response, all Reva did was bring the lightsaber closer. Leia squeezed her eyes shut, but tears were streaming down her face. Obi-Wan desperately grabbed onto her coat with his charred hands, trying to hold onto her.

If he was paying attention, he might have felt Vader's gaze on his back, observing how he would not beg for his own life yet was reduced to kneeling and pleading on behalf of some child he had never seen before.

But Obi-Wan was not paying attention to anything else. He could only focus on the small girl in front of him, desperately trying to reach her. His body was broken and burnt, but all he cared about was saving her.

Reva laughed cruelly, bringing her lightsaber closer and closer. Leia let out a small whimper and Obi-Wan cried out mournfully as if his own heart was being ripped out, louder than when Vader had thrown him into the scalding hot lava. Tears flowed from his eyes, and he cried, cursing his inability to do anything to save her. The lightsaber inched closer and started to burn the fabric of Leia's collar.

"Stop."

Reva stopped moving. Obi-Wan panted and went silent, but his mind continued to race wildly.

"Do not kill her."

Reva turned towards Vader.

"As you wish, my Lord," she bowed, lowering her lightsaber but not letting go of Leia's shoulder. Leia shakily let out a sigh of relief, but she still winced and tears flowed down her cheek. Obi-Wan restrained himself from running to her and taking her into his arms.

"I have changed my mind," Vader announced coldly. "Send them away to be imprisoned."

Reva blinked. "But, My Lord," she asked fake-meekly, "I thought they were to be executed?"

"Executing them is pointless," Vader sneered. "All of them are too eager to die. To give them death would not be sufficient enough of a punishment."

With that, he stood up and marched over, folding his hands behind his back and composing himself. He began to pace around, reflecting deeply. Reva and Leia watched him, waiting for a response.

Vader said nothing. Reva grew bored and let go of Leia, deciding she had no further use for her.

Leia breathed unsteadily. Just then, she felt someone grab her and pull her away. She blinked, surprised, then realized it was Obi-Wan. Slowly, she wrapped her short arms around his neck hugged him back, sobbing into his shoulder, holding him tight in case he tried to leave her again. Obi-Wan did not let go. He quietly stood still, letting her cry on his robes.

Reva walked over to where Ahsoka was lying and bent over, peering at her curiously. "Is she still alive?" she asked.

"Halfway," Vader replied indifferently. "Bring her too."

Reva blinked. "What, all in the same cell?" she asked incredulously.

Vader sneered. "No, they will collaborate together. Put them in separate cells, and send the girl to me later." He paused, turning to look at Leia and Obi-Wan. Both of them froze, and Leia started to tremble as Vader stared at her intently. "I wish to interrogate her," he sneered.

Leia sobbed. Obi-Wan hugged her and rubbed the back of her head, trying to think of something comforting to say, but his mind was blank.

Vader sneered, disgusted, and turned away. With nothing else to say, he simply walked out the door. Leia let out a shaky breath and buried her face in Obi-Wan's chest.

Reva waited for a few moments, until she finally had enough. "Alright, you heard Lord Vader. Scram," she said, separating them.

"No!" Leia whined, struggling and trying to reach for Obi-Wan. Reva indifferently pulled her away from him. "You said that you were going to help them!" she cried.

Reva just smirked back at her and turned away.

Obi-Wan watched wearily as Reva approached him, holding a new pair of shackles. "We meet again," she remarked. He watched her silently as she reattached them around his abused wrists. "What, no response?" she asked.

Leia glared at her. "Leave him alone," she yelled angrily. "Can't you see he's hurt?"

Reva ignored her and walked back to where Ahsoka was lying. She began to stretch a hand towards her, feeling her with the Force.

Leia screamed and ran after her. "Don't touch her!" she yelled.

"If I don't, then she'll die here," Reva replied icily. "Is that what you want?"

Leia glared at her. "No," she admitted sulkily. Reva raised both hands and lifted up Ahsoka's body using the Force.

"Alright, Princess," Reva said. "Follow me. You too, Obi-Wan," she added, kicking Obi-Wan. He did not protest, only taking the time to stand up and follow after her.

As Vader left the underground chamber, his comlink buzzed back to life.

Frowning, he hit it angrily, and a holoprojection of the Emperor greeted him sullenly.

"Vader," the Emperor said. "You have not been responding to my calls lately. I am displeased."

"My apologies, Master," Vader sneered. "I was occupied."

The Emperor paused. "This is most uncharacteristic of you. What has been keeping you?"

"It is nothing, Master."

"Then, if it is nothing, what excuse do you have for failing to respond to me?" the Emperor asked coldly. Then, suddenly his tone shifted. "Meet with me at Naboo, immediately," he commanded. "I have much to discuss with you."

Vader nodded silently.

The holoprojection ended, and Vader switched off his comlink.

As he boarded the spacecraft and commanded his generals to set a course for Naboo, his mind began to wander, thinking back on how Obi-Wan had suddenly broke down and started crying and begging the instant the Third Sister brought out the child. He did not like to think of it, but he could not help replaying the images of them clinging onto each other, making a fool of themselves, acting as if they were long lost family members that had finally been reunited.

Vader sneered, curling his lip in disgust from behind the mask.

How pathetic, he thought to himself. I sent for Obi-Wan expecting a formidable opponent. But all I found was an aging old man with an inexplicable attachment to a child he barely even knows.

As the violent, smoky red fires of Mustafar disappeared and the pristine, surreal beauty of Naboo came into view, he felt a strange ache in the place where a heart once resided.

No matter how many years passed, no matter how many times he visited it for political reasons, he would always think of her every time he set foot here.

All the promises they made. All the plans they had. All the names they had picked.

He tried to force himself to stop thinking about it, but the thoughts would not leave him. They clung onto him, invading his consciousness. In another world, he would have been a father by now, probably carrying a brat around the same age and size as the one that Obi-Wan was obsessed with.

In the back of his mind, the images of Padme and Obi-Wan and the sniveling child began to overlap. He snarled angrily, and the circuit board in front of him erupted in a shower of sparks. Some of his commanders flinched, but they immediately went back to their work, pretending not to notice what had happened.

Ignoring their questions, he strolled away, ordering the medics to prepare his bacta tank for him.

He needed time to think.

Chapter Text

"Hurry up," Reva said impatiently.

"No!" Leia yelled stubbornly, still fighting back as she pulled her along. "I'm not coming with you!"

It was hard to tear her away from Ahsoka and Obi-Wan. She had already been worried about Ahsoka, who was still unconscious and needed to be put into an auto-med machine to administer mechanosutures to her injured legs. But saying goodbye to Obi-Wan was worse. She had started already crying once Reva locked Obi-Wan in his cell, and all he could do was stare back sadly at her.

Leia had expected to be locked into a claustrophobic stone cell like the two of them. She even demanded of Reva to leave her with Ben, but Reva simply yanked her away from Obi-Wan's cell wordlessly.

As they walked up another flight of stairs, Leia screamed and cried loudly, but Reva remained silent, indifferent to her anguish. Once they reached a door at the top of the stairs, Reva grabbed its handle and pulled it open with a bang then shoved Leia inside.

"Here's where you'll be staying, Princess," Reva drawled.

"I don't like it," Leia sulked.

"You can't always get what you want," Reva replied. "Just be grateful you have a bed. At least you can sleep nicely."

Leia frowned and crossed her arms. "I'd rather die," she announced. Reva ignored her. "Are you going to feed me or not?"

"That is up to Lord Vader, and how generous he is feeling," Reva replied. "If you behave, maybe he'll decide you're worth keeping alive."

Leia frowned. "I don't want to talk to him!" she screeched. "I hate him!"

"Well, you're going to have to get over that, because he is coming to see you later."

Leia felt a chill run down her spine. She immediately shook her head and backed away. "No," she said, feeling herself tremble.

"Oh, yes," Reva replied. "He said he's going to interrogate you, did you know? As the daughter of Bail Organa, he is very interested in you." Leia swallowed nervously. "You should be flattered."

Leia glared at her. "I hate him!" she repeated. "He hurt my friends. I'm not going to talk to him."

"You have to," Reva replied, her tone suddenly cold. "He wants to know more about you."

"No!" Leia yelled. "I won't do it!"

She looked back up from her hands, and almost froze. Reva's eyes were glowing that eerie, terrifying yellow that they did when she was angry. Leia started to back away slowly.

"You have to," Reva replied. "He doesn't care what you want."

Leia stared at her, transfixed, unable to respond. She suddenly became aware of Reva's grip on her wrist, which tightened until it started to hurt. She almost let out a cry of pain, but she was too scared of how Reva would react.

"Either you behave yourself, or you will be killed. You don't have a choice," Reva said slowly.

"But you can't make me stay here!"

"Oh, I can," Reva replied. And with that, she stood up and turned around, walking out. Before Leia could react, Reva closed the door and locked it behind her.

Immediately, she ran towards it and started to bang against it with both fists.

"Let me out!" Leia demanded. "My father is the Viceroy of Alderaan. He will come get me!"

"Aw, I hope he does," Reva replied mockingly.

"Let me OUT!" Leia screamed, pounding her fists against the door, but there was no response.

She continued to bang against the door, but after a few minutes, it became apparent that Reva had left. Leia wiped her wet face and took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. Finally giving up, she turned back around and leaned her back against the door.

"Ahsoka, please wake up soon," she whispered quietly.

As she leaned back against the door, she stared off into the darkness, wishing she had the power to reach through the Force like Ben and Ahsoka, wishing she could use it to contact her father lightyears away on Alderaan.

My friends are in trouble, she would tell him, You have to help them, Daddy. They've tried everything to save me and they both got seriously hurt.

Leia winced, thinking of her father. There were so many things she wanted to say to him.

I'm sorry for running away. I'm sorry for not listening to you and Mom. I'm sorry for being bad.

Silently, a tear slid down one of her eyes.

Please tell me you still love me. Please tell me you remember me.

Ahsoka had assured her that her father loved her, and wanted nothing more than to have him back. But some part of her doubted it.

Leia buried her face in her arms and let out a small sob.

I miss you, she wanted to cry out loud.

Next to her, LOLA flitted out of her pocket and settled on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. But Leia was not paying attention. All she could think about was how much she wanted Ahsoka and Ben back, and how she wanted to leave this miserable place, and how much she missed her parents. She began to resent Vader for kidnapping her and keeping her away from them.

I hate him, she thought to herself. I hate him so much. I hope he dies from the injuries that he got. I never want to see him again.

In her mind, she fantasized about stealing Reva's lightsaber and running him through with it, or shooting him a hundred times with a blaster.

As she leaned against the wall, she felt a slight breeze. Fortress Vader, although located on a boiling hot planet, was as cold and soulless as its master. She wrapped her small arms around herself and tucked in her knees, trying to hold onto whatever warmth she had left.

LOLA tugged at her again, trying to get her to lie in the bed. Leia was stubborn, but eventually, her exhaustion won out against her. She wiped the tears from her eyes and carefully used the nightstand to help her climb into the tall bed, which was clearly made for an adult. She crawled across it and collapsed into the center of it, too tired to reach the pillows.

I miss you, Daddy, she thought to herself as her eyelids fluttered shut and her mind began to drift off. I'm sorry for not telling you before I left. Please don't forget about me.

Reva took a breath and leaned in close to the door, listening for noises. The princess was no longer crying. Instead, it sounded as if she had finally fallen sleep.

Satisfied, she turned around and walked away. Minutes later, she received a transmission from her comlink.

"How is the child?" Vader asked. He must have been taking a break from his personal meeting with Emperor Palpatine.

Reva gritted her teeth and took a breath before responding. "She's been sent to her room," she replied.

"Good," Vader replied.

"Are you finished with your business on Naboo?" Reva asked. She tensed up, waiting for his answer.

"For the most part," Vader replied. "Meet with me on Nur. The Emperor has requested of me to personally interrogate the rebels who were captured after attempting to rescue Kenobi and his apprentice," he sneered. "I myself am curious to see if they can provide any information on the girl. As Grand Inquisitor, your presence is also required."

Reva shuddered at the coldness in his voice. "Of course, my Lord. Immediately."

She couldn't help feeling uneasy. She had done her own fair share of interrogating prisoners, but seeing Lord Vader interrogate was on a whole other level.

"What about Kenobi?" she asked. "What is to become of him?"

"I will speak to him myself," Vader sneered. "I am very curious to hear about his connection to Bail Organa and his daughter. That is partially why I will be visiting Fortress Inquisitorius...in order to discover if any of these rebels can tell me what their relationship is. There must be at least one who can explain to me how a pathetic sand whale meatcutter and a seemingly random orphan became connected. I am positive of it."

"And when you find out?" Reva prompted him.

"Then they will both be dealt with."

Dealt with?

Reva felt her throat go dry.

"Their interrogation will take place in a few hours. I am counting on you to be there, Grand Inquisitor."

Reva swallowed. "I will, my Lord," she replied, trying to put aside the images flashing in her mind.

"Good," Vader replied coldly. "Do not keep me waiting." With that, he ended the transmission.

Reva exhaled and leaned against a wall, breathing deeply.

She could already see it...Vader, reaching out and grabbing each one of the rebels with a gloved hand, making them scream and beg for their lives. But not because he was physically hurting them. No...because of the pain and dread that filled their veins once Lord Vader used one of his lesser known yet highly feared abilities, Second Sight.

With just one small touch, he could withdraw whatever he wanted from their minds, leaving them drained and dreading what was to come next.

Reva shuddered. She had spent the last ten years fighting and struggling for her life, doing everything she could to get closer to him, all the while dreading those hands and making sure they stayed as far away from her as possible. She had seen not only what they could do to others, but what they could bring forth. The memories, secrets, confidential information that were all forcefully drawn to the surface. She could not let the same happen to her, not if she was to fulfill her plan. She had to remain inconspicuous at all costs.

She did not know exactly what secret that Bail Organa was keeping from Vader, only that he still kept in contact with Kenobi, which had led her to abduct Leia. Yet, it was becoming more and more apparent that there must be some other reason behind Bail Organa's anxiousness to have his daughter back. Some secret that was too fearful for him to speak, too dangerous for it to fall into the hands of Vader.

Reva grimaced.

For your sake, Senator, you better hope none of them remember whatever it is you are trying to keep hidden from him.

As she walked down the last few steps, she looked behind her and glanced at the staircase leading to Obi-Wan's cell. She stared at it for a few minutes, deep in thought.

There were too many unknown factors at the moment for her to make a decision. Perhaps, in the future, she might be able to get away with another stunt like the one she had pulled off yesterday. But right now, Vader's eyes were on her, and it was imperative that she stayed in his good graces.

"Good luck, Kenobi," she muttered bitterly. "I hope your luck is better than mine."

With a displeased grimace, she finally turned away and requested her servants to prepare her ship. It was time to head to Nur.

Chapter Text

When Obi-Wan came to, the first sensation he felt was the stinging of the burnt skin on his back and upper torso. Groaning, he sat up and straightened himself, trying to lean as little as possible against the wall.

Ah yes, that's right, he thought to himself. I'm still in this cell.

Reva had instructed some Troopers to carry Ahsoka to another room, presumably to be placed into some sort of surgical pod. As for Obi-Wan, his burns could easily have been treated with some topical bacta gel. However, although Reva had (somewhat) saved his life by distracting Vader from killing him, she did not seem merciful enough to spare him that pain. Once her and Leia left, it became so unbearable that the only thing he could really do to alleviate it was succumb to his exhaustion and fall asleep. Now, he was wide awake and searching for an exit.

It appears the only way out of here is solidly sealed with an additional magnetic barrier, he thought to himself. There's no getting in or out. Not without some sort of help.

"Well, Master...in spite of myself, I have survived yet again. This was not how I foresaw these events playing out. I could really use some helpful suggestions, or advice," Obi-Wan groaned.

As usual, there was no response.

Sighing, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and tried to still his mind. He might not be able to reach his Master through the Force. But there was at least one person who he knew he had successfully sensed.

In the old legends, it was said that there was more than one way to feel the Force. There was the First Sight, which was using one eyes. And then there was Second Sight, using the eyes of the mind. Using this ability, one could the enter the mind of another person and sense their thoughts. Some Masters required touch while doing it; others did not, seemingly capable of sending messages across long distances in the galaxy. Others possessed an even more terrifying extension of Second Sight that allowed them to directly pull whatever memories or information a person wanted to keep secret from the deep recesses of their mind. For many years, Obi-Wan had suspected that the Separatists were using this in order to interrogate their victims, but could not find any proof or specific individuals that were capable of such handiwork.

When he was younger, he had been extremely curious and tried to ask Master Qui-Gon to explain more about it. But all of his questions ended up falling flat. Master Qui-Gon was more of a "stab-first, ask-questions-later" type and as such never really felt the need to develop such an ability. Master Tiin and Master Windu were said to be extremely proficient in this ability, but were also incredibly difficult to ask for help. Now that Windu was gone, Obi-Wan regretted not asking him to explain his method.

Sighing, he decided to try what he had already done. It was a bit touch-and-go, but it had worked for him last time. Who was to say it could not work again?

Reaching out his shackled hands, he felt his way through the air, slowly extending his energy and willing himself to open his mind to the one whose mind he wished to enter. In order to share one mind, he had to let himself open up a little to the Dark Side. It took a great deal of energy and concentration, but Obi-Wan was stubborn and intent on seeing what he needed to.

Obi-Wan reopened his eyes, but this time, he did not see the grey walls of his cell.

Rebel captives. Lined up, one after another, trembling in fear.

Reva standing behind them, back straight and hands behind her back.

"You will tell me everything you know about the girl," he sneered.

"I don't know anything!" the Jedi insisted.

He snarled. "We shall see about that."

With one smooth motion, he grabbed the man using the Force and brought him forwards. However, instead of strangling him, he grabbed his forehead with his black gloved hand and squeezed.

Suddenly, there was no separation between the two of them. He was entering the man's mind, taking on all of his thoughts and feelings.

Darkness...fear...weakness.

All of the man's feelings were suddenly flooding his mind. But he continued to press on, probing deeper below the surface. Memories of receiving instructions from Bail Organa, the route that they had taken to arrive there...more and more, he wanted to know. But everything stopped there. Absolutely no information about the girl.

He growled angrily. "You are useless!" he disgustedly let go of the man and used the Force to choke him instead. The man fell to the floor, dead, and his accomplices immediately let out screams of fear. "Send him to the Tombs," he spat, kicking the corpse. Reva and her fellow Inquisitors immediately bowed, then bent down to carry the cadaver away.

The last thing he saw before the Force connection was severed was the rebels' fearful faces, illuminated by the bright red light of a lightsaber.

Obi-Wan sat back up, breathing heavily and sweating all over.

He immediately wiped his face off on his robes, made somewhat difficult by the shackles on his arms. He was sure that Vader could sense that he had been in his thoughts, although he did not expect to witness him using Second Sight on someone else at the same time. He had not even known that such a thing was possible.

So, he's interrogating the other rebels that Bail is sending to try and rescue us, he sighed. A rescue mission was rapidly turning into a rescue rescue mission and now a rescue rescue rescue mission. His head hurt to think about it.

Fortunately, it appeared none of them had been told the truth of Leia's parentage. However... Vader had probably sensed him peering into his mind. He also probably intended to visit him later.

Obi-Wan furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to think of a plan. At the moment, nothing occurred to him. He desperately wished for someone to talk things over with. Anyone would do...he would even take Vos at this point.

He still had some energy left in him. Raising his hands, he closed his eyes again and attempted to remember where Reva had said she was going. He was still a beginner at using the Force this way, but he was starting to get the hang of it.

"Ahsoka."

Someone was talking to her. Ahsoka stirred slightly, but did not open her eyes.

"Ahsoka, please."

She groaned and rolled over, moving away from the source of noise.

"Ahsoka. You have to wake up."

She covered her face with her arms. The person talking to her sighed and tried again. She groaned.

"Just a few minutes, Kaeden," she murmured sleepily, her words slurring together.

"I'm afraid you have the wrong person, dear."

Ahsoka's eyes flew wide open and she sat up rapidly, surveying her surroundings. She was sitting in an auto-med machine by herself, with no one in sight. The lights had been switched off and there was nobody monitoring her.

"Huh?" she asked blearily. "I don't see you-"

"I'm sorry, my dear, I've been relocated to a different room," the voice spoke again. "Are you alright?"

Ahsoka looked around herself again, then confirmed her suspicions. "Obi-Wan," she breathed. "Where are you?"

"I believe I am being held in a cell somewhere across from you," Obi-Wan replied.

Ahsoka blinked and looked at the wall next to her. "How am I able to hear you?" she asked.

"I have heard of some Jedi who possess the gift of Second Sight," Obi-Wan replied. "I was never able to use it before, but I figured it was worth a try. However, I'm afraid since I am a beginner, I may not be able to do it for very long."

"I see," Ahsoka replied. "Where is Leia?" she asked.

"The Inquisitor found her," Obi-Wan replied.

"I told her to stay on the ship and hide! She was supposed to set an automatic route for Alderaan."

"Well, I'm afraid she is quite the stubborn child."

Ahsoka groaned. "She really is!"

Obi-Wan chuckled. "In that way, she reminds me of a certain someone."

Ahsoka blushed.

"Are you feeling alright, by the way?"

"I'm perfectly fine," Ahsoka replied, then tried to move one of her legs. She winced at the pain in her ankles. "But I don't think I'll be able to walk...not for a long time. What about you?" she asked, concerned.

"I am...alright," Obi-Wan replied.

Ahsoka frowned. She had a bad feeling, but she didn't want to pry too much in case he really didn't want to tell her.

"Now, we don't have much time, but I believe Vader will be returning shortly to interrogate one of us. About the Rebel Alliance, and possibly...Leia's identity."

Ahsoka felt the color drain from her face. "We have to protect her."

"Indeed." Obi-Wan's voice seemed a bit less confident. "I...may have some information about her that could prevent him from killing her."

"You do?" Ahsoka asked. "Well, what is it? Tell me," she demanded.

Obi-Wan went silent.

"Obi-Wan?" Ahsoka asked, wondering if the psychic connection had been cut.

There was a pause, then Obi-Wan replied again. "I'm still here, my dear. I don't know if it's a good idea."

Ahsoka frowned, frustrated. "If there's any chance this information could help Leia then we should use it," she insisted. "Don't you want her to be safe?"

"Of course I do," Obi-Wan replied,

"Well, then tell me, and when he comes to interrogate me I'll tell him for you," Ahsoka replied, annoyed.

Obi-Wan paused before responding. "No, I don't think that would be a good idea," he murmured.

Ahsoka sighed, annoyed. "What are you so afraid of?" she asked. "I thought you wanted to keep Leia safe."

"I do. That's why I'm...still considering it," Obi-Wan replied. "If he finds out this information, and he believes that you and I were keeping it a secret from him...it might endanger you. I would like to minimize the risk of that happening, if possible."

"Just tell me," Ahsoka groaned.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I'm not fully sure that learning this information would stop him from killing her." His voice seemed to grow shakier. "It could have the opposite effect...which I am more afraid of."

Ahsoka blinked.

"So...either this information makes him happy and he lets her live, or it angers him so much that he kills her?" she asked bluntly.

"Correct," Obi-Wan replied.

Ahsoka sighed. Deep down, her teenage self was rebelling and demanding to be told anyway. However, her twenty-eight year old self who had seen people perish for confidential secrets decided to trust Obi-Wan's judgment. "Fine," she groaned. "Do you know where Leia is, at least?"

"I believe she is being kept in a room aboveground," Obi-Wan replied. "Do you have any access?"

Ahsoka looked up, seeing a vent not unlike the one she had climbed her way through. "Yes," she replied, "But it's going to have to wait, at least until I can walk again."

"I see," Obi-Wan replied. "The room they gave me is rather dark. There is only one entrance."

"Do you think it's possible to-"

Just then, Ahsoka heard a loud pounding sound on the door of her cell. She immediately shut her mouth. The door slid open, and a Purge Trooper walked in.

"I have been instructed to remove you from the auto-med machine," they told her. Ahsoka begrudgingly let them unlock her from the glass and metal contraption. As he removed the lid, she saw that both of her legs had been fitted with plexi biocasts. Great, she thought. The Purge Trooper then pulled out a repulsorlift hover-stretcher and began to push her onto it. "Sit still," they grunted, and started to strap her into it.

As they did so, she tried to start up the telepathic Force connection with Obi-Wan again, but it had completely dissolved into silence. Obi-Wan was mostly likely too exhausted to answer her right now, or unable to talk at the moment. She remained tense, breathing rapidly, waiting for the Purge Trooper to finish strapping her down.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked as they started to push her.

The Purge Trooper did not respond for a few minutes, but she tried again. "Where are we going?" she asked, a little louder this time.

Annoyed, the Purge Trooper cast her a nasty look through the black shield of their helmet. She began to wonder if it was a stylistic choice, or part of some sort of dress code implemented by Vader. "The Grand Inquisitor will be arriving shortly, along with Lord Vader," they informed her. "You should be prepared to answer to them."

"I see," Ahsoka replied. "What about Master Kenobi? Has he received any medical assistance?"

The Purge Trooper paused before answering her question. "We have not been instructed to offer him any," they replied coldly.

Ahsoka frowned. "But-he's even more badly injured than me! He has a lightsaber wound in his shoulder, and several broken ribs," she protested.

The Purge Trooper just continued to regard her with impatience. "There are no current orders to take care of Kenobi," they told her again, firmly this time. "No more questions."

Just then, they came across a room that looked somewhat like an office. The Purge Trooper immediately stopped pushing her and knocked on the door loudly.

"Here you are, Grand Inquisitor," the Purge Trooper exclaimed. "I have brought the Jedi, just as you commanded me to."

"Excellent. You are dismissed."

Ahsoka immediately tensed up, clenching both of her shackled hands into fists. As the hover-stretcher was Force-pulled forward, she found herself face-to-face with the number one person she least wanted to see.

"You," she hissed angrily.

"Hello," Reva said. Ahsoka glowered at her. Reva threw her a look of mock-disappointment. "That's no way to treat the person who carried you all the way here."

"I don't owe you anything," Ahsoka replied. Reva just chuckled, amused. "Where's Leia?" she demanded.

"Upstairs," Reva replied simply.

"And Obi-Wan?" Ahsoka demanded.

Reva tutted. "My, my. Curious, aren't we?" She simply crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "I'm afraid you don't have high enough security clearance to access that information," she replied tauntingly.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes. "What, so if I also turned in and killed innocent Force-sensitive children, I would? Is that what it takes?"

Reva stared at her, and Ahsoka realized that she was not her usual self. Rather, she looked tired, exhausted, and had dark circles underneath her eyes. Her usual air of boredom and indifference was only a facade to cover up the fact that she looked as if she had seen a million horrors.

"You have no idea what I have done to get to where I am," Reva sneered.

"Even if I did, I wouldn't respect it," Ahsoka replied.

Reva glared at her, and now it was Ahsoka's turn to smirk. That had successfully gotten under her skin.

"You think you're so smart, don't you?"

"No, but at least I wouldn't betray my own people to save my own skin," Ahsoka hissed.

Something in Reva flared up and she stomped over, grabbing Ahsoka by the collar. She pulled her up so hard that the straps holding her down to the stretcher broke, and now Ahsoka was face-to-face with her, wincing slightly from the marks they left on her skin. "You have no right to speak of betrayal," Reva spat.

"Oh, believe me, I wish I didn't," Ahsoka replied. She knew she was being reckless again, but she didn't care. She was craving a fight.

Reva narrowed her eyes at her, and the two of them made eye contact, glowering at each other. Suddenly, Reva turned away and her demeanor changed entirely. "Forget it," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "I have more important business to attend. Stay here."

"What business?" Ahsoka demanded. "Terrorizing more innocents? Killing more of your own kind?"

Reva turned to face her again, but this time she just stared at her with a cold look in her eyes. "I have a little appointment with your dear General Kenobi," she replied slowly. "My Lord wishes to speak with him. About the girl, this time."

A cold chill of dread ran down Ahsoka's spine. "You leave her out of your mouth," she said angrily. "If anything happens to her-"

Reva laughed darkly. "Then what?" she asked. "There is nothing you can do to protect her, Jedi. Not anymore than your failed predecessors could protect themselves, or the children they claimed to care for." She walked closer, leaning in until their faces were only inches apart. "You know, there was a time when I believed in the Jedi," she spoke, her voice low and radiating danger. "I believed in them so strongly, that I was blind to their failures. To their weaknesses. But most importantly, blind to the pure evil that was Anakin Skywalker."

Ahsoka's eyes widened. Instantly, her jaw dropped.

"How do you-"

"Oh yes, I know his name," Reva snarled. "It's funny. He forgot me a long time ago. But I didn't. You never forget the name of the one who tried to kill you."

Ahsoka's heart stopped.

No, she thought. It can't be.

"That's right, Ahsoka Tano. Oh, you thought I didn't know who you were? As if I didn't recognize you the instant you followed me into that bar, wearing that cheap disguise belt. Next time, if you want to fool me, try and pick a fake name that doesn't start with the same letter," Reva growled. "Doesn't matter because I always win, anyway. I am the best hunter in the Inquisitorius Squad. Unlike you, I wasn't welcomed with open arms, or embraced for making mistakes. No. I learned the hard way, through pain and punishment. The same way you will, if you choose to join me."

"I..." Ahsoka closed her eyes, trying to process everything that she had just heard. Reva stared back at her. "I...will never join you," Ahsoka said slowly, choosing her words more carefully this time.

Reva reached out and seized her jaw, crushing it in her grip. Ahsoka let out a sound of confusion.

"Yes, you will, you poor excuse for a Jedi," she snarled. "If you even want to live, that is. You thought I was lying when I told you what happens to all the Force-sensitive children who have the misfortune of wandering across my path? No, you will join us. Or you will die. You have no choice."

Ahsoka stared at her, eyes wide. "What's that? Tongue-tied?" Reva taunted. "Or are you speechless because of your pity for me?" she demanded. Ahsoka opened, then closed her mouth. "Smart move," Reva growled, then tightened her grip until it hurt. Ahsoka grunted. "If I were you, I'd keep your pretty mouth shut," Reva hissed into her ear. "Wouldn't want to lose it before you have a chance to speak to your old Master again, huh?"

Ahsoka let out a groan, and she released her.

"Listen here, Jedi. I will give you exactly twenty-four hours to reflect on your decision. And if you refuse, I will personally ask Lord Vader for the pleasure of killing you."

"He wouldn't...Anakin would never," Ahsoka panted. "He'll stop you!"

"Yes, that's what he would do, wouldn't he?" Reva drawled. "Too bad he's not around to save you anymore."

Ahsoka closed her mouth, unable to respond.  Reva wasn't wrong. It still hurt to hear, though.

Reva pressed a button on her comlink. "I am done," she growled into the microphone. "Remove her." Within minutes, a Purge Trooper appeared, bowing to Reva and pushing Ahsoka's hover-stretcher away (presumably to a new cell).  Satisfied, Reva closed the door and began to make her way over to where Kenobi was being held.

It did not take long for Vader to arrive.  As soon as she reached the door, she was caught off guard and flinched slightly, seeing the shadow of him approaching from behind her.  She quickly bowed, trying to hide her temporary nervousness.

"My Lord," she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground. He did not acknowledge her.

"It is time," he said simply. She nodded, following him as he began to remove the magnetic barrier keeping Kenobi's chamber sealed.

A few feet away from them, their target closed his eyes in defeat and looked up at the ceiling.

"It is time, Master," Kenobi whispered to no one in particular. "They are here."

Chapter Text

In the days of the Republic, it could take Anakin anywhere between five and fifty clicks to arrive when summoned. It usually depended on his mood that day; and on days where Senator Padme was late, Anakin would also be. Sometimes it was frustrating, but when Ahsoka also began to exhibit similar behavior, Obi-Wan found it somewhat amusing. At least now, Anakin had to share in his annoyance of having a troublesome apprentice with little respect for his precious time.

But it was no longer the age of the Republic. Time meant nothing to him anymore. One day was as good as the last, or as bad as the last, it did not matter. Every part of his life could be said to be frozen in place, either insignificant or undesirable to think about. Obi-Wan measured his years in time before and after Anakin, and every one that passed was nothing but a bitter reminder of his sins. All he could do was quietly bide the years until Luke exhibited the first signs of his powers. The only person who had been able to reach into his heart and pull together the broken wires of his inner clock was Leia. After her, nothing could ever be the same again. Time meant something to him now. All because of a ten-year-old girl whose head barely reached a third of his height.

He would not let her down, not for anything in his world.

Vader did not keep him waiting for long. As Obi-Wan exhaled his last free breath, the magnetic barrier of the cell came down, and the darkness was illuminated by a single bright red light. He looked away and pretended not to care as two tall figures, clad entirely in black, strolled into the small cell.

"Kenobi," Vader greeted.

Reva walked in behind him and stood against the wall with her ringed lightsaber drawn, silent. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and straightened his back, trying not to let the pain from his burns show.

"Have you come to kill me?"

"That was the original plan. However, there has been a change."

"A change of mind, or a change of heart?"

"Neither."

The two of them began to walk closer towards him, circling him. Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut, suddenly self-conscious of his burn wounds and the grime covering him.

"I have something that I would like to try.  However, I am not entirely sure that it will work."

"Will it kill me?"

"Possibly."

Vader slowly walked towards him, then laid his gloved hand on his neck.

"When I was interrogating the Rebels, I thought I sensed a pathetic old coward trying to cheat and read my thoughts," he sneered. "If only I could cut you away, like the limbs of which you robbed me. But for better or for worse, you and I are connected, in a way that neither of us can deny. You shall give me the information, either verbally or through here."

"I will not tell you anything," Obi-Wan grunted.

"Very well. Have it your way," Vader replied.

Suddenly, he clenched his wrist, and Obi-Wan gasp, his eyes rolling back.

"You will speak today on your knowledge of the Rebel Alliance," Vader commanded.

He could feel him through the Force, dark and overpowering, attempting to force his way into his mind. Obi-Wan shook his head, refusing to grant him entry.

He could not let him read his thoughts. Not now. He had too many to protect, too many lives at stake.

"I...do not...know what you are talking about," he gritted his teeth, his breathing labored.

"You will tell us everything you know about them."

"I...have...no knowledge...on this matter..."

"Cease resisting me. You are only prolonging your own death," Vader growled, shaking him.

"I...know...nothing about them," Obi-Wan panted, still refusing to let him in.

Vader sneered, finally letting him go. Obi-Wan collapsed like a ragdoll, panting heavily. He did not expect to last much longer, not with Vader probing his mind and overwhelming him with the energy of the Dark Side.

"It appears your will is stronger than I thought. We will have to resort to alternate methods," Vader sneered, turning to Reva with obvious displeasure. "Tighten his chains," he commanded.

Reva walked up and grabbed him by the slack of the chain attached to the shackle around his neck. She then shortened it so that he was now pulled directly against the wall. The rough stone walls cut into his back, and now he was forced to look up at them with little room for head movement. He grunted, now sensing a growing pain in his neck. Reva also grabbed each of his wrists and clipped the shackles onto the wall so he was forced to hold both arms up.

"You may speak about two subjects," Vader continued. "The Rebel Alliance, or your relationship to the girl. Any other deviation will be punishable."

"If by that you mean Ahsoka, I am just as surprised as you are to see her."

"That is not who I was referring to."

"Who?"

"Do not pretend to be stupid."

Reva pressed a button on her lightsaber and it began to spin slowly, inches away from Obi-Wan's face. He swallowed nervously.

"I do not know who you are talking about."

"I will not tolerate lies, Obi-Wan."

"I have no relationships. I am just a lonely old man who lives by himself. I have nothing interesting worth lying about."

Vader snarled. "I find it hard to believe that one man working alone is capable of causing such a large scale of disruption. Undoubtably, you must have had accomplices."

"There is no one else but me. I am the one responsible for everything. There is no one else."

Vader turned to Reva. She looked back at him, her eyes alert, then nodded silently and squeezed the handle of her lightsaber, turning off the spin function. She then stood in front of him, making direct eye contact, her face lit by the glow of the lightsaber. He thought that he could also see a faint glow coming from her eyes, but his eyes were already overwhelmed from hours of sitting by himself in the dark.

"It appears his memory is unclear."

His vision was starting to get foggy. As his eyes fluttered open and closed, he nearly mistook the dark cape and black boots for those of a Jedi Apprentice.

"Fix it," Vader said coldly.

Reva walked up to him and pressed her lightsaber hilt to his shackle, igniting it.

The lightsaber flashed to life and immediately heated up the metal, causing it to glow a bright red. Obi-Wan screamed, thinking the metal would melt onto his skin, but it did not. Instead, it continued to glow scarlet red, with sparks flying off of it where the lightsaber's blade made contact. Obi-Wan still cried out, feeling the heat of the metal against his neck.

This must be no ordinary iron. It has to be Mandalorian, he thought to himself, his mind racing wildly.

"That's right," Reva said, as if she could already read his thoughts. "You know what this is, don't you? It's beskar, some of the rarest and most difficult to obtain this side of the galaxy. Which means you're not getting out of here, not unless one of us hands you the key," she growled, pressing down harder.

Obi-Wan screamed louder. He could feel the shackle singeing his skin, most likely leaving new marks.

Vader waved his hand, and Reva let go. The shackle continued to burn at his neck for a while, and Obi-Wan let out a whimper as he could still feel it. Once his cries began to subside, Vader walked closer, inspecting him. He reached out with a black gloved hand, and Obi-Wan flinched, thinking he was going to strangle him. Instead, Vader simply closed his fingers, and the heat in the shackle slowly dissipated away. Obi-Wan gasped loudly, feeling as if he might never be able to breathe again.

"Are you ready to start answering truthfully, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan panted and looked up at him again, his eyes wild.

"Let us try again."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and shook his head.

"How do you know the girl?"

"I don't. I don't know anyone," Obi-Wan mumbled.

"Oh? Then I suppose I was mistaken, because I thought you were friends," Reva retorted. Vader raised his hand and she immediately shut her mouth.

"And the Rebellion?"

"I don't know them either."

Vader drew back.

He turned his back to Obi-Wan and started to pace around, as if rethinking his strategy.

"I see. He does not know." He stopped in front of Reva. "Perhaps...perhaps I have the wrong approach. Our prisoner is in no condition to answer our questions. What do you think is stopping him?"

He stared at her, waiting for her response.

Reva swallowed, then opened her mouth again. "He cannot think because he is in pain."

"Correct," Vader concurred. "His arms must hurt. His legs as well."

He turned back towards Obi-Wan and focused his eyes on him, not looking away anymore.

"Remove them for him. Perhaps this will allow him to think better."

"Yes, my Lord."

Reva strolled towards him again.

Obi-Wan began to hyperventilate. His breathing became irregular and shaky. With each step, he began to feel his heart pound harder and harder, until he was sure it would explode if she drew any closer.

"Where should I start, my Lord?"

"Unfortunately, it has been so long, I hardly remember which came first. Perhaps you remember. Do you know, Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan looked up at him. Vader stared at him intensely, the sound of his mechanical breathing growing louder and louder as he leaned down closer.

"I said, do you remember which came first, Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan stared back at him as he grabbed his shackle using the Force and began to tilt it further upwards.

"Did what?" He stammered.

"Did you cut off my right leg or my left, Master?"

Obi-Wan's eyes widened, and he instinctively drew back, then groaned as Vader pulled the shackle around his neck forwards. It cut cruelly into the already-burnt skin of his neck. Obi-Wan choked on it, then started to cough uncontrollably. Vader and Reva waited for him in silence.

"It appears he does not know either," Vader drawled. "No matter. The right one should do. Cut it off."

"Yes, my Lord."

Reva knelt down and grabbed the right leg that was shackled to the wall. Obi-Wan screamed and kicked at her, but it made no difference. The red lightsaber came down, and started to burn and tear at his flesh. Obi-Wan let out a cry so loud that Reva drew back slightly, then gritted her teeth and sawed through the rest of the bone. The room began to fill with the smell of hot, burning flesh, and Obi-Wan's sobs became louder and louder as he lost control of himself.

Once it was done, Reva drew back, her eyes strangely wild. Obi-Wan's face was now soaked in tears, and his lip was bleeding from accidentally biting it. He could not get his body to calm down, could not get his breathing back to its normal pace.

"Does it hurt, Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan let out a feeble whimper, unable to form words.

"I said, does it hurt, Kenobi?" Vader demanded.

Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut, tears flowing down his sweat-stained cheeks. The only noises he could make were cries of pain.

"Good," Vader remarked coldly.

Reva watched him through narrow-lidded eyes, her expression equally as cold. This must be the same pain she was in, he realized, when she was struck down by Anakin along with the other Younglings.

He forced himself to close his trembling mouth, trying to stop the drool running down his chin, and barely managed to. He breathed shakily through his nose, sniffling and shaking all the while.

"I hope you are feeling a bit more talkative now."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, grimacing.

"Let us proceed...Next question. How long have you been in contact with the Rebellion?"

Obi-Wan looked away from him.

"Make him look at me."

Reva complied, turning on her lightsaber and holding it in front of Obi-Wan's face. He gasped fearfully and turned quickly to face Vader, looking up at him with teary eyes.

"I am not in contact with them," he coughed. "I only heard that the girl was missing, so I went to find her."

"You have gotten louder, but you are still refusing to speak. I will find the rest of the rebels and kill them slowly, since you refuse to grant them a quick demise. Starting with the two you have brought into my Fortress."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened.

"I have no connections to the Rebellion!" Obi-Wan shouted. It was the truth. "I have turned all of them down every time."

"Lies," Vader hissed.

"It is true!" Obi-Wan panted. "I am...I am a coward," he gasped as Reva raised her lightsaber threateningly. "I told them I couldn't. They came to me for help and I sent them away."

Vader and Reva watched him in silence.

"I...have let a man die," Obi-Wan sobbed, "Because I was too afraid to help him. He asked me to come to his aid, and I didn't. I did nothing. I found him the next day and he was dead, hanging from his neck. I failed him."

Reva made no sign to indicate that she knew the person he was talking about. Her eyes were glazed over and cold, colder than they had ever been.

"I am no longer a Jedi," Obi-Wan cried, "I do not deserve the right to call myself one."

"Indeed," Vader said. "You do not."

Obi-Wan sobbed.

"Now that we are finally in agreement, tell me how you came to know Organa's daughter."

"It's no use," Obi-Wan cried. "I don't care anymore. Just kill me already," he begged. "I don't want to live anymore, Anakin."

"Do not call me by that name!" Vader thundered, scaring Reva and causing her to withdraw from him. "Who said you were allowed to die?"

"But I don't want to live," Obi-Wan sobbed, "I know what I have done, Anakin, and I cannot stand myself. Why won't you just kill me? You already hate me."

"Only I get to decide that," Vader snarled, "And right now, I have no intention of letting you die. I want to know your business with the girl. What is she to you? Is she your Apprentice?"

Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "No," he said, shaking his head fervently as his voice broke. "Leia is just a girl. I don't even know who she is," he lied. "I have no interest in her."

"You are lying again!" Vader yelled angrily. "If she did not matter to you, then why are you still trying to protect her?"

"I am not, I told you, I don't know-"

"You dare continue to defy me!" Vader growled, and stomped so hard that both Obi-Wan and Reva flinched. "I told you, I have no patience for lies," he hissed, leaning in close. "What more do I have to do for you to answer me honestly, Obi-Wan? Must I cut off your other leg? Or your hands?"

Obi-Wan stared up at him. He no longer saw a cold, merciless, calculating commander.

Instead, he saw him.

His first Apprentice.

Lying on the ground at Mustafar, with no legs and arms, unable to move. All he could do was lie there and scream at him, yell at him to turn around. To turn around and come back for him.

Obi-Wan, Anakin screamed, both of his eyes red with anger. Come back! Look at me!

Come back here, Obi-Wan!

OBI-WAN...!

The boy that used to sleep on the floor of his room at night, because he was afraid of him disappearing and leaving him all alone. Who liked racing pods and speedsters. Who he thought would bring peace to the Galaxy, and for whom he thanked and cursed the Force every day. Who he had sworn to Master Qui-Gon that he would protect.

He had spent all those years trying to keep him safe, only to be the one to raise his sword against him, only to abandon him when he was screaming and crying for him to stay.

Obi-Wan did not turn away this time.

"It is as you said," Obi-Wan said slowly. "I am nothing but a pathetic, senile old man. I'm afraid I don't know how to answer any of these questions."

Vader let out an angry shout and swung his lightsaber hard at him. Obi-Wan closed his eyes, welcoming it, bracing for the final blow, but all he felt was a faint heat. When he reopened his eyes, he saw the lightsaber buried in the wall next to him, causing it to crack where Vader had hit it.

"If you will not speak," Vader exclaimed wildly, "Then I will wait no longer." He stood up, dislodging his lightsaber from the wall. "Fetch me the girl," he said coldly.

All the blood drained from Obi-Wan's face.

"No," he whispered.

"You may say goodbye to her," Vader sneered. "Before I cut her head off, and send her back to Bail Organa in a funerary spacecraft."

"No!" Obi-Wan began to hyperventilate, straining against the chains, forgetting that they had been used to burn him and could be used once again. "No, no," he cried, tears falling again, "Anakin, don't do this, she's...you can't!"

"You have no control over what I choose to do," Vader spat.

"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan sobbed, "Don't kill her, please, I'm begging you... why does it always have to be this way?" he panted. "Just kill me, take me instead, I don't want to live anyway-"

"This is not about giving you what you want, Kenobi. This is about what you owe me."

"I give you my life! I already told you, it's yours! You can kill me anytime!"

"And I am telling you, I do not accept your offer," Vader growled.

"Anakin, PLEASE!" Obi-Wan screamed. "Just-just leave her alone! She hasn't done anything to you!"

"That is of no concern to me."

"She's a child! She's ten, Anakin! You yourself were only nine when you came to me," Obi-Wan cried desperately.

"Indeed, and what a blessing that was," Vader snarled. "Naive, trusting, and too focused on celebrating my freedom from a life of slavery to realize that I had merely signed up for another. If I had known what abuse I would endure...what loss I would experience... I would have never stuck out my neck for you."

"If you hate me so much, why can't you just kill me instead?"

"Your death means nothing to me."

"Then why her? She is just an innocent child," Obi-Wan pleaded, "She doesn't deserve this!"

"Because she must die!" Vader shouted. "If you refuse to obey me on pain of death because you do not fear it, I have no choice but to devise a punishment worse than death."

"It is," Obi-Wan gasped, "But not for the reason you think-"

"Silence!" Vader commanded, and Obi-Wan felt a choking sensation around his throat, preventing him from speaking. "The only person you have ever shown compassion towards was not me, not your Padawan, or any of the people who willingly risked their lives to ensure your safety, but this insignificant, ordinary little brat whose father you barely even know.

I used to think of you as my father, but I have never known a man to be so cruel towards his own kin. I can barely even call you a brother. Yet, of all the people you have ever known, you are willing to die for her, as if you had known her your entire life. Why is that?"

The Force grip on his throat was removed, but Obi-Wan could only stutter, paralyzed.

"If I wasn't any wiser, I would say that you were trying to hide a lovechild from me," Vader snarled.

Obi-Wan shut his mouth.

"Ah," Vader said coldly. "So, the truth comes out at last. Your body betrays you."

He raised his lightsaber and the red light illuminated his mask threateningly as it hung in the air above his face.

"Farewell, Kenobi. Know that your daughter will be joining you soon."

With that, he began to lower it, aiming towards Obi-Wan's chest.

Obi-Wan immediately snapped back to reality. It was as if the curse had been lifted, and suddenly he found his voice again.

"No, Anakin!" He cried out, startling them. "She's not my daughter, you fool! She's yours!"

Chapter Text

"She's yours."

Vader stumbled, and the lightsaber fell to the floor at Obi-Wan's feet. Reva's eyes widened in disbelief, and she also drew back automatically. Vader stared at Obi-Wan, and for the first time, he could feel the gaze of Anakin.

For a moment, not a single one of them dared to speak. Obi-Wan looked down at the lightsaber. Suddenly, Vader snapped back. He snarled, and the lightsaber instantly flew back into his gloved hand. Obi-Wan swallowed as he began to circle predatorily around him again.

"Impossible," Vader sneered. "I have no children."

"Anakin Skywalker does."

The lightsaber swung at his neck, hitting the shackle and causing it to glow bright red with a shower of sparks. Obi-Wan cried out as he felt the hot metal burn him, but forced himself not to move.

"Anakin Skywalker died ten years ago," Vader spat, watching Obi-Wan choke on the hot shackle. "He could not have left any descendants."

"He had a wife," Obi-Wan panted, "Who was pregnant at the time."

Vader swung at him again, this time hitting the shackles holding his arms. Obi-Wan let out another cry of pain.

"How dare you speak of her."

"I-"

"How dare you taint her name with your lies."

"Anakin, I'm not lying-"

"If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't have died. If you didn't come, she would still be here."

Obi-Wan swallowed. "Padme-"

"You don't deserve to speak her name!" Vader screamed, and the entire prison cell shook violently.

Reva gasped and fell to her knees, dropping her lightsaber. Vader swung around and made eye contact with her. Eyes widening, she screamed and immediately crawled away from him as he slashed his saber at her. Reva cried out loudly and Vader stomped towards her, swinging madly.

"What are you doing? Leave her alone!" Obi-Wan shouted. Vader ignored him and swung at Reva's head. She immediately ducked. "She's not part of this!" Obi-Wan screamed.

Vader threw his blade forwards, jabbing it directly towards Reva. The lightsaber landed between her shoulder blades and she cried out, falling forwards onto the floor. As she groaned, she watched the dark silhouette approach her from behind and started to hyperventilate, shaking all over.

"Stop this, stop this madness!" Obi-Wan shouted, straining his neck against the burning shackle. "Anakin!"

Vader raised his lightsaber high, ready to strike.

"Anakin! What would Padme think?" Obi-Wan screamed, desperate to divert him. "Look at yourself!"

Vader turned around, his aura dark and more menacing than ever.

"Padme is DEAD!" He screamed furiously. "You killed her!"

With that, he stomped back towards him and pointed the lightsaber directly at his throat. Obi-Wan breathed unsteadily, looking at the glowing laser. Reva let out a quiet whimper and collapsed.

Obi-Wan looked up, finally making eye contact with Vader and noticing the light emanating from the lightsaber was shaking.

His arms were trembling.

"I have heard it said before," Vader hissed, "That her life could have been saved, if I exchanged it for my soul. I would have given it again, a million times over. If it only meant that this time, she would have lived. Only for her."

His voice began to shake.

Obi-Wan stared at him, wishing he was not shackled, that he could reach out and take his brother into his arms.

"But it was all a lie."

Obi-Wan swallowed.

"It was all a lie.  And now she is dead."

Obi-Wan bowed his head.

I'm sorry.

I wish I could say she wasn't.

"Since that day, I have sealed that hope away and cut it out of myself. I refuse to be deceived again."

Obi-Wan watched closely as the blade slowly lowered itself from his throat. He wondered if he could see the tears streaming down his face.

"Tell me, how is it possible," Vader demanded in a whisper. "Tell me how a dead woman could bring a new life."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth, but all that came out was a hoarse grunt. Glaring, Vader turned back around to Reva. "Remove his shackle," he growled.

Reva stared at him, her eyes still wide with fear, her whole body trembling.

"REMOVE IT!" Vader shouted, and she immediately put her hands before her face defensively. A few seconds passed, and she shakily lowered them.

As they watched, she slowly reached towards her belt and shakily withdrew the key for Obi-Wan's shackles. Vader snatched it, and stomped back towards him, inserting it into the beskar shackle at his neck. With some effort, it clicked and the entire heavy iron piece fell off, landing in Obi-Wan's lap. He stared down at it, trying to comprehend how something so thick and heavy could have fit around his neck.

"Speak," Vader demanded.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

"Padme...Padme didn't die on Mustafar," he swallowed. "I thought she would, but she survived for a little longer afterwards. Long enough to give birth to...to Leia," he winced.

"I was told that she could not be saved," Vader sneered. "Are you saying that was a lie?"

"I...I don't know who told you, Anakin," Obi-Wan frowned. "But whoever told you that, was not telling you the full truth. Yes, she died because of you, but it was not when you used the Force on her. It was because she could not go on without you. I used every medic droid that I could find, and each one told me that her vitals were all fine. It was the heartbreak that killed her."

"What proof do you have that this is not yet another lie?"

"I will wager my other leg on it."

Obi-Wan met Vader's eye defiantly.

"If the girl is not of your own blood," Obi-Wan said, "Then you may cut off my other leg, and my arms if you wish. But I know that she is the same child who I helped give birth to."

Vader stood still.

"And what if she is?" he hissed. "Why shouldn't I kill her?"

Obi-Wan inhaled shakily, choosing his next words carefully.

"I know you will not," he replied. "Because she is what remains of Padme."

Vader breathed in sharply, his vocoder emanating a strangled noise. He stumbled back, and looked behind him at Reva. Reva looked fearfully back at them, her eyes illuminated by the saber's red light.

"You should spare her," Obi-Wan exclaimed, and Vader turned towards him as if regarding him with suspicion. "She could be good with children," he offered.

Reva glowered at him, but the snarl was quickly wiped off her face when Vader approached her, breathing menacingly. She stared up at him, eyes wide.

Vader sneered and grabbed her by the right arm, roughly hauling her to her feet. Both of them stared at each other for a moment, then she glared at him and removed her arm from his grip.

"Go fetch the girl," Vader said. "She has to be moved."

Reva scowled.

"I am not a babysitter," she said, but he grabbed her shoulder and tightened his grip until she cried out in pain.

"You are not in a position to refuse any orders, Third Sister," he threatened. "You will do exactly as I say."

Grimacing, she waited until he let her go and backed away. "Fine," she hissed, and stomped away.

Vader turned back to face Obi-Wan. "You are not free to leave. But do not despair. If you are telling the truth, then your honesty will be rewarded."

Obi-Wan swallowed.

"However, if you are lying,  I will find out. And I will kill both of you together."

With that, Vader turned around and walked away. Obi-Wan watched as as the black boots and long black cape strolled away and then disappeared entirely from his vision, leaving him in complete darkness.

Groaning, he fell back against the wall, letting out a breath he had been holding for much too long. As he stared up at the pitch blackness above him, he inhaled sharply, his veins still pumped full of adrenaline from the experience.

He had finally gambled his last card. But whether it was a winning ace or a killing blow, he did not know.

I'm sorry, Bail, he breathed. I'm so sorry.

Suddenly, his body became aware of the exhaustion that it had been warding off for so long. He collapsed against the wall, his neck slumping on his shoulder now that it was free of its shackle.

As he slept, he dreamed of a gentle hand stroking his cheek, the same way he had done on Mustafar to check on her. The brown-haired young woman in his vision peer intently and frowned at him, somewhat dismayed by the state he was in.

"He knows now," he told her. "He finally found out."

All she did was look back at him. He expected pity, disbelief, anger, even disgust. But instead, her expression was calm.

"I know," she said simply.

"Let go of me!" Leia screeched as Reva roughly grabbed her arm and lead her down the hallway. LOLA flitted after her nervously, growing anxious every time Reva gripped her too hard.

Reva turned around and glared back at her, increasing her pace. "No," she said. "Lord Vader has ordered me to move you."

"To move me?" Leia stared at her with wide eyes. "Are you...are you taking me to Ben?" she asked.

Reva shook her head and used her other arm to push a door open using the force. A few Purge Troopers who were standing guard flinched and turned to stare at her. "What are you looking at?" she shouted angrily, and they all immediately backed away.

Leia struggled to keep up with her. "I don't want to go," she cried out. "Take me back to the other room!" she yelled.

"You can't go back," Reva hissed.

They came across another staircase. Reva pushed her in front of her and made her walk up. Leia struggled, grabbing onto the stair railing with both hands. It was a struggle to walk up the tall steps with her smaller legs. She trembled, worrying that Reva would shove her, but they made it to the top and she simply grabbed her hand again. As they walked down another hallway, Leia stopped and turned towards her.

"Am...Am I going to be killed tonight?" Leia asked, her lip quivering.

Reva stared at her, eyes indifferent. Then, she turned away. "No," she replied.

Leia's eyes widened, and Reva tugged on her hand again, pulling her along. They continued to walk for a long while, and Leia began to feel tired, her pace growing slower. However, she was too afraid to ask Reva if they could stop. After some minutes, they finally came across a room that was secluded from the rest, kept behind a door carved out of pristine white marble that stood out against the drab black and grayness.

Leia took a deep breath. "Is this...my new room?" she asked.

Reva nodded silently, and waved her hand. The door opened instantly, revealing more darkness. LOLA vibrated and then settled on her shoulder, flitting her wings to let her know that she was there. Leia gulped, looking up at her, then slowly approached it. Reva followed her and closed the door after them. She then flipped a light switch, and the dark space was suddenly filled with light.

Most of the lamps in Fortress Vader were drab and utilitarian, just like the rest of its architecture. Vader preferred to keep the Fortress as dim as possible, and thus scorned the traditional setla lamps for bloggin-oil ones that barely cast any light. However, this room was illuminated by delicate, perfectly spherical wish globes that spun slowly. Some of them were framed by delicate gold cages, some floated in the air on their own, and two of them were held up by the bronzium hands of a metal statue depicting a winged goddess that she did not recognize. Leia could not help but reach out and put her fingers on one, half-expecting it to be hot, but instead it the surface was smooth and cool to the touch. LOLA flitted about and settled on one, buzzing peacefully.

Leia stared silently at the rest of the room. In the back was a large, tall bed, furnished with light-colored synthcloth linens. As she walked around, she realized that the room itself was in the shape of a circle. The walls were also made of white synthstone instead of obsidian. She had been expecting another claustrophobic cramped space, but the room that Vader had picked for her was enormous.

"What room is this?" she asked, confused. It looked nothing like the other parts of Fortress Vader. If anything, it reminded her of the architecture back on her home planet.

Reva looked back at her, eyes weary and worn out. The dark circles underneath them had begun to show even more.

"It is the only room in which Light still shines," she replied. "The room dedicated to the memory of Anakin Skywalker's secret wife."

"Anakin...who?"

"Vader's real name," Reva replied coldly.

Leia stared at her, incredulous. Neither of them spoke for several minutes.

"Why am I here?" she asked, confused. "I don't understand why I'm being given such an important room."

"Neither do I," Reva replied coldly. "But Lord Vader has insisted on moving you to a larger room. This will have to do."

Leia bit her lip nervously and looked down. LOLA buzzed. "Is...is Lord Vader still planning to interrogate me?" she asked.

"Yes."

Leia breathed in.

He must be trying to bribe me, she realized. There's no other reason why he would put me here.

"I won't give him any information about Ben," she said stubbornly. "I don't like him. I hate this room, he can have it back. Everything is too big for me."

"Oh, he doesn't care about him. You are all that matters."

"Me?" Leia asked, shocked.

"Yes, you."

"Why?"

"Because he thinks you are his daughter."

Leia immediately froze.

"No," she whispered, horrified.

Reva just looked back at her, tired.

"No," Leia said louder, then scrunched up her face with anger. "He can't be my father, there's no way-"

"I thought so too," Reva replied, "That Kenobi was desperately trying to make up a lie to save you. But he seems to believe it. It appears he really regretted the role he played in his wife's death." She sneered, looking a bit more like her usual self. "I suppose he must have loved her a lot, considering how much of her junk he kept around."

Leia frowned, confused. "But...if he loved her so much, then why would he kill her?"

"I don't know."

Leia backed away, trying to calm down, but she felt her heart shaking wildly.

I wish Daddy was here, she thought to herself, and her stomach lurched unpleasantly.

But he's not your father, a voice in the back of her mind spat. And you're not his real daughter.

Suddenly, she felt nauseous. She looked up at Reva, her vision slightly blurry.

"What?" Reva snapped, and Leia stared back at her with unfocused eyes.

Leia tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. She took a step forward and stumbled. Reva had to step forward and catch her. LOLA immediately flitted off of the wish globe she was resting on and zipped over to her, buzzing with concern.

"Hey!" Reva shouted, grabbing at her and trying to get a response from her. "What's wrong? Why are you-"

Leia's eyelashes fluttered open and shut as she tried to remember to breathe, but all she could feel was overwhelmed.

There's no way. He's not my father. Daddy is.

But you don't know that, the voice insisted. You never even met your real father. You don't know who he is.

LOLA made worried beeps into her ear, trying to call her back to consciousness. Leia blearily reopened her eyes to see LOLA flying right next to her face and Reva shouting something, although she couldn't make out the words. It took her a few seconds to register what she was saying.

"Stop doing that!" Reva yelled, her eyes wild with panic. "You can't do this to me! Stop acting weird!"

Leia blinked, and suddenly she became conscious of Reva's hands gripping her shoulders, digging into them painfully. With some effort, she forced her legs to work and got back up, using Reva to support herself. Reva watched her closely as she stood up straight, breathing deeply and brushing herself off.

"You can't do that," Reva said angrily. "I thought you were going to die!"

"I'm...sorry," Leia said, still breathing heavily. "I...I just felt weird," she said slowly.

Reva glared her. "Well, don't do it again!" she snapped, then turned around and stomped out angrily. She slammed the door shut loudly, and LOLA immediately let out a buzz of surprise and started to fly around her shoulders, checking up on her.

"I'm fine, LOLA," she said, although she was not completely truthful. LOLA continued to buzz anxiously for a few more minutes, until she finally shooed her away and she settled on the statue of the winged goddess. Leia stared up at it, trying to determine if it was some anonymous goddess, or if it was really the likeness of her mother. She could not tell.

He thinks you are his daughter.

She shook her head again. "I'm not," she said aloud, to no one in particular. "I'm Leia Organa, daughter of the Queen and Viceroy of Alderaan. I am not his child," she yelled. Her words echoed slightly off the synthstone walls, bouncing back to her. Overwhelmed, she sat down on the floor, staring up at the winged goddess.

"He will never be my father," she said, determined. "I hate him. I hate him. I hate him."

She wanted to tear the silk linens from the bed and rip them into pieces. She wanted to grab the spinning wish globes and throw them against the walls, breaking them into a million little pieces. She wanted to push the bronzium statues onto the floor and kick them away. She wanted to scream and throw all of them back at Vader's face and tell him what she really thought of him. His generosity was worthless to her, not while he still kept Ben and Ahsoka prisoners.

In a fit of anger, she stomped over to the winged statue and put both of her hands on it, trying to push it over. But it was too heavy. Annoyed, she grabbed one of the wish globes that it was holding and held it up, ready to throw it on the floor and smash it.

I suppose he must have loved her a lot.

She froze and stopped, lowering her hands so she could look at the wishglobe. She could see her reflection in its glowing surface, staring back at her with unsure eyes.

She was still angry and full of hatred towards Vader. But she could not bring herself to destroy the beautiful decorations that his wife had loved with all of her heart.

She turned to stare the statue of the winged goddess, the one which she did not know if it was based on her mother's likeness or not. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to destroy your wish globe... I'll put it back."

Carefully, with LOLA's help, she placed the wish globe back in its hands, and it started spinning again on its own.

Embarrassed, Leia wiped her face and walked slowly to the bed.

Anakin...Skywalker.

My name is Skywalker.

Leia scrunched up her face again, conflicted. "No. My name is Organa," she said. "I am an Organa."

But she could not deny the curiosity that was now welling up inside of her.

Many hours passed, and Vader did not come for her. A Purge Trooper came by with a tray of food and helped install some simple synthetic fiber-grown furniture that was more suitable for her small size, but no one else sent for her. The polymer fiber chairs did not seem particularly stable, but since she barely weighed anything, it did not matter. Leia ate her dinner by herself at the flimsy fiber-grown table and then wrapped herself with several layers of synthcloth blankets, rocking herself back and forth, trying to remain calm.

What will he do now that he thinks I am his daughter?

Will he take me with him? Or is he going to try to kill me?

What will he do if he finds out the truth? Will he kill Ben?

Worried, she crawled back into bed and covered her face with a pillow.

Ben...Ben, she cried silently. I wish you were here.

That night, she slept fitfully. As she did, she alternated between dreams and nightmares. In the dreams, she ran back to her father and hugged him, hiding her face in his chest. Then, she ran to her mother and kissed her on the cheek, seeing Ben watching over her shoulder. In the dreams, Ben smiled warmly and had no burns or scars on his skin. When she ran to him, he picked her up and held her tightly in his arms, rubbing her back reassuringly to let her know that he was there. Ahsoka was there, too, smiling and no longer in any pain.

In the nightmares, she tried to run to her father and he pushed her away, looking at her as if she was a stranger. "You're not my real daughter," he said. "I don't know you." She screamed and cried, grabbing onto his clothes, begging him to remember her. "I am, I am!" she insisted, but he shook his head. "No," he said. "I don't know you." And when she looked up at him, he had transformed into Vader, tall and menacing and clad entirely in black. She tried to run away from him, but he grabbed her with that horrifying gloved hand and refused to let her go. In those nightmares, Ben and Ahsoka laid at her feet, cold and dead, not responding to her cries for help.

During the nightmares, Leia let out small cries and gasps, thrashing in the bed and sitting up in a panic. She tried to lie back down and go back to sleep, but every time she found herself back in the same place, screaming herself awake. Still trying to find some rest, she laid back down and covered her face with the blanket, trying to block out her surroundings.

I'm never going to sleep, she thought to herself, frustrated. However, she closed her eyes again and made another attempt.

This time, her dreams were different. She was no longer surrounded by her family, or Ben and Ahsoka. Instead, she was lying in an open field, surrounded by beautiful flowers. Next to her, she felt someone stroke her hair softly. At first, she flinched, thinking it might be Vader, but this person's touch was gentle and calming. She stood still, and they continued to brush out her hair, letting it loose from her usual braids.

Mom, she wanted to say. Mom. Mom!

Leia tried to turn around, to see what she looked like, but she could barely see. All she got was a faint impression of a very beautiful woman. She opened her mouth, trying to call her name, but the woman just smiled at her mysteriously and brought her finger to her lips in a secretive motion.

Placated, Leia turned back around and laid her head in her lap. She did not know why, but she trusted the strange woman. And so, she let her continue to touch her hair, and did not move. They stayed together for a long time. Leia's eyes eventually fluttered close, and she finally was able to sleep for the rest of the night.

The next morning, Reva herself knocked on her door and walked in holding her breakfast. "Lord Vader is back from his mission," she said. "He will speak to you once he is ready. Eat fast."

Slowly, Leia got off her bed and walked to the table where Reva had deposited the tray of food. She picked up a spoon and started to eat the plain root paste, then hesitated and put it back down.

"When he's done interrogating me, is he going to kill me?" she asked.

"I don't know."

Leia swallowed. "I'm not hungry," she said. "Take this away, please."

Annoyed, Reva grabbed the tray from her. "I'm not a service droid," she warned. "If you get hungry afterwards, there won't be anything else to eat."

With that, she stomped out, leaving Leia by herself.

Leia took a deep breath and looked in the Coruscantium mirror, fixing her braids so they looked more presentable. Once she was finished, she sat down to wait. LOLA activated and flew over to her, landing in her lap. She stroked her wings absentmindedly, thinking about the dream she had last night.

I wonder if the woman from my dreams was my mother, she thought to herself. Did Vader really love her? If so...why would he kill her?

Her throat felt dry. She swallowed, realizing the inevitable.

I guess the only real way to find out is to ask him myself.

Chapter Text

Once the sun rose, as it was customary, Vader also rose from his personal chamber to prepare for the interrogation he had scheduled.

The timing was entirely arbitrary. He was not required to sleep and thus could theoretically begin at any time. Inquisitors could be summoned at any moment, and the journey between Mustafar and its adjacent moon, Nur, barely took any time. He could travel between Fortress Vader and Fortress Inqusitorius within the hour. If anything, the decision was more motivated by an offhand remark the Grand Inquisitor had made to him as he forcibly escorted her away.

"You will watch over the girl and ensure she does not escape," he had commanded her. "If she is not in there by the time I return, you will be displaced."

Third Sister had scowled, looking rather displeased for someone who had received such a grand promotion. "Well, if you want her to remain in one spot, then perhaps you should consider making it livable," she sneered. "I wouldn't sleep a single night in this creepy fortress either."

Vader had paused, shocked. Firstly, by the brashness she displayed, acting exceedingly rude even knowing that she could be executed any time for the information she had. Secondly, for the implication that the room he had instructed her to keep the child in was not sufficient.

Anakin Skywalker had been a slave since before he had even stopped crawling on all fours. Back then, there had been no rules regarding what was or was not "suitable" for a child.

Livable? Vader sneered. He took immense offense at the implication that his living quarters were anything less than acceptable for his daughter.

And so, he had instructed Third Sister to move her to the largest bedchamber, the one with all of the furniture he had compiled from Padme's apartment back on Naboo.

He had wanted to interview the child immediately afterwards, but Third Sister glared at him and said "I am happy to bring the child, however I am afraid that the little brat is too greedy for her own good. She refuses to talk on an empty stomach."

In retrospect, perhaps this "request" did not actually come from the child herself, considering its unusual nature. However it was true that she was a child first, as well as a Princess. Thus, Vader begrudgingly agreed to her terms. Third Sister was instead sent back to Nur to conduct more interrogations, and a Purge Trooper was ordered to bring the child something to eat. When the Third Sister also reported that the child was complaining because all of the chairs and tables were too tall for her, he also instructed a Purge Trooper to bring special customized fiber-grown furniture that could accommodate a child of her size. Although he had planned to speak with her that day, Vader instead spent the rest of the night in his meditation chamber, reflecting deeply on his next move and how he wished to carry out this interrogation.

Unlike other interrogations, there were several unprecedented factors at play. For one, most interrogations that required his presence were not true interrogations. The general expectation was that those being investigated were predetermined to be executed. However, that was not his intention with the girl. He would first have to discover if this child was being manipulated by Obi-Wan, or if she herself was not aware of his unsupported claims. There was also the issue of reliability, timing, and logistics; if this child was truly the offspring of Padme, then how? And when? And what qualities of Padme...or himself...might she possess? Vader spent several hours ruminating over this last question. He was not sure if he really wanted to know the answer.

Speaking of Obi-Wan, Third Sister had not advocated on his part, but Vader decided to send in some medic droids to tend to him. He had instructed them to ensure that the wound on his amputated leg was fully cauterized and eliminate the risk of him succumbing to blood loss or infection. However, they were not to heal the burns on his backside and neck, and they were forbidden from giving him any prosthetic limbs.

Vader sneered, his mood souring as he thought back to some rather unpleasant memories.

No, he wished for those burns and scars to remain forever, a memory, something that tied Obi-Wan to him just as tightly as his thoughts did.

The anger took over his thoughts for a while, and for some time, he could not think of anything else. The betrayal, the grief, the anxiety. It was not uncommon for him to experience nightmares after falling asleep in such a state, and so he did not sleep.

When Priate, the principle star in the Mustafar system reached its highest point in the sky (the closest that a fiery planet with no weather cycle had to being called a sunrise), Vader finally removed himself from his meditation chamber. When Reva reported to him for her daily tasks, he commanded her to bring the girl breakfast and inform her of his arrival, which would both satisfy her previous request (being allowed to eat before their discussion) and give her sufficient time to get ready for their conversation. Third Sister left to carry out this command without showing any approval or lack thereof, her face entirely empty and tired. Perhaps living with the constant threat of being executed for her knowledge was starting to take a toll on her physical wellbeing. As long as she fulfilled her orders, it was not his concern.

An hour passed. Third Sister did not return with the food tray. Vader frowned and began to grow frustrated. This interrogation was already cutting into time that could be spent fulfilling other responsibilities. Worse, it could incur the suspicion of the Emperor. At the moment, he had not discouraged him from anything, but his response to reporting that he had captured Kenobi was not quite as he desired.

"He is within my grasp, Master. Finally, this pest that has been nothing but a pain in my back will be permanently eliminated," he had told him.

"I see," Lord Sidious had replied, squinting slightly. "That is...well, I should say, congratulations. Your success is most admirable."

Vader frowned, having expected a different reaction. "Is there an issue?" he asked.

"Nothing...only, I fear that your feelings for your old Master may interfere with your capacity to think reasonably. I am not certain that this development will be good for you, my friend."

Vader had gone silent for a while after this statement. Of course, he swore his loyalty to his true Master again, affirming that he was strong in the Dark Side and that he would never again waver. No, not after everything that Obi-Wan...that is to say, Kenobi...had caused him to lose. He would not let his old weaknesses and his attachment to the old man stop him from fulfilling what had to be done. In order to remain strong, he concentrated on that anger from deep within himself and fed on it.

Drawing on that anger was much easier now.

"Where have you been?" he demanded angrily, splaying out his fingers. The tray that Reva had brought back was flung right at her face, and she dodged it instantly, her brows furrowing in annoyance. "I commanded you to return to me immediately once she was finished. Do you think I have all day to waste on trivial matters?"

"My apologies, my Lord," Third Sister replied as she cleaned up root paste from the floor, although her defiant face said otherwise. "The child eats slower than an exogorth."

Vader snarled, but her face did not betray any fear. Yet, this was different from other experiences he had had with people who did not fear them. Often their lack of fear was out of a lack of understanding, and informed by arrogance. Third Sister possessed none of these qualities; if anything, she seemed more tired than anything. It was as if she had hardened herself to him. Although it frustrated him since it meant he could no longer motivate her using the threat of death, it also felt strangely familiar, though he could not place it.

"Take me to her, now," he commanded. "I will not be kept waiting all day."

Third Sister looked as if she wanted to retort with something, but she kept her mouth closed and simply turned around, clearly expecting him to follow her.

He had anticipated some tension as they walked to the child's room. However, the discomfort was exceedingly noticeable. Vader did not speak a word to Third Sister as they made their way up the millions of stair steps that they were forced to walk together, and she likewise did not attempt to initiate any conversation. As they continued to climb step after step, he made a mental note to have an elevator installed.

When they finally reached the door to the child's room, his discomfort increased yet again. Although he had personally purchased the furniture and had it sent to this special room, he had never looked at any of it, not even the highly-valued Tarka-Null sculptures that had been commissioned in Padme's likeness. It made him uncomfortable to think that a child, whose kind were known to destroy and ruin beautiful and delicate things, had been allowed to sleep in the same room and look at it. He sneered, thinking of what punishments he would have to resort to if any of Padme's furniture had been ruined by grubby little hands.

"Move aside," he said coldly, and Third Sister obeyed silently. "I will speak to her now. Leave."

Third Sister bowed, touching her hand to the floor, then rose and walked away without responding. It was uncharacteristic of her to not talk back so much. He felt uneasy again. Steeling himself, Vader turned back towards the white marble door and faced it completely. He raised his arm, intending to open the door slowly so as not to startle the child, but he hesitated.

In Naboo religion, it was customary to burn personal belongings not long after the cremation of the physical body. This was because Naboolians believed that after death, it was necessary to return every trace of life force to the planet's core, and in many cases one's life force could be said to be heavily tied to their earthly possessions. He had never really believed in such superstitions, having come from a more pragmatic background, but in order to please Padme he had informed himself on her culture's beliefs. And so, despite what his teachings and personal beliefs had taught him, he still regarded this room as some sort of manifestation of Padme. Although it did not contain any of the luxurious dresses that she loved to wear, it still contained many of her most precious memories. To let in any impostor who was not of her own blood was not just a violation of her intimacy, but of her honor itself. Vader would not stand to see her dignity ruined.

And so, it was with a hardened heart and a hardened mind that he raised his hand a second time, forcefully opening the door.

The child, who had been waiting for him on the other side, immediately gasped and backed away.

Vader strolled into the room, surprised to find that she had dimmed the wish globes. Without proper lighting, it was somewhat difficult to see her face. He marched inside, impatient to get everything over with. He glanced down at the child, and she immediately took another step back.

Her eyes were wide with bewilderment. Instead of greeting him, as he had expected, she continued to back away from him. He looked down, and she clasped her little droid to her chest, looking terrified. She did not curtsy to perform her respects to him as her father. All she did was stare up at him, unable to speak.

Internally, Vader frowned. Third Sister had reported that the child was rebellious, spoiled, and headstrong. Moreover, he would have expected Bail Organa to instruct his eldest child and heir to the throne in formal etiquette. Where was the tenacious princess he had been awaiting? All he could see was an ordinary, unimpressive child with nothing but fear in their eyes for him.

"Why are you walking away from me?" He asked, and the vocoder distorted his voice, making his tone sound more impatient than he intended. "Come here. Let me get a good look at you."

The child swallowed. The droid in her hands fluttered frantically, shaking with fear.

Vader observed it, silently. He had read somewhere that small children, unsure of how to read others, took signals from their personal droids. It was usually a sign of stunted personal growth, and could lead to unnecessary aggression or bewilderment. He reached out, and used the Force on it. It flew right into his hand, and the girl whimpered. He crushed it between his fingers, deactivating it instantly, and discarded it haphazardly. It fell on the floor with a small clank of metal.

"There," he said. "No more distractions."

The girl bit her lip, and he watched as her big, brown eyes started to water. Vader watched intently, waiting to see her reaction. Her legs trembled, but she forced herself to stay still.

He walked closer to her, stopping when they were only a few feet away from each other.

Now that they were closer to one another, he could see exactly how small she was, why Obi-Wan always treated her like a fragile kitten that needed to be coddled. At almost seven feet tall in his artificial legs and suit, he towered over her. She was as short as the Younglings he had eliminated all those years ago to serve the Empire, smaller even. He began to wonder if Bail Organa was feeding her properly.

"So," he said. "We finally meet." He paused. "You're smaller than I expected."

The girl swallowed, and he watched her face closely. He could not deny that Obi-Wan had found a good match; she really did resemble her, at least a younger version of her. Her baby face was still quite chubby, but she had the same soft brown hair and eyes, even if they lacked the fiery passion that Padme's emanated. However, her round cheeks were quite different. They looked nothing like Padme's.

Vader bent down, and she inhaled sharply. He reached out with a gloved hand and she squeezed her eyes shut, thinking he was about to strangle her. Instead, a black gloved hand grasped her face, squeezing her cheeks roughly. She opened one eye, surprised.

"What is your name?" he asked, leaning in until she could see her own reflection in his black helmet. "Answer honestly. I will know if you lie to me."

Shuddering, the child squeezed her eyes even tighter, refusing to look at him. Vader frowned, displeased. "I said, what is your name?" he asked again.

The child struggled against him, trying to shake her head, but his grip was too strong. Sighing internally, he released her, and she ran a few feet away from him again. Vader stood up, towering above her menacingly.

"I expected more from the successor of Bail Organa. What has your Master been teaching you?"

Suddenly, the child's eyes flew back open, and her expression changed. She narrowed her eyes and scrunched up her face at him, suddenly looking a lot tougher-looking than before. He was somewhat surprised by her quick change in attitude. Glaring angrily at him, she suddenly retorted in a shrill voice that dripped with impertinence and annoyance.

"He's not my teacher, he's my father," she spat. "And that's Senator Organa to you, thank you very much."

Vader raised an eyebrow, and instantly all the bravado leaked out of her little body, leaving her looking terrified again. He took another step towards her and she winced.

"I see," he said. "Senator it is, then. Please excuse my discourtesy."

The child stared at him, as if she could not believe that he was apologizing to her. She was right to be suspicious. Vader seldom apologized genuinely.

"It appears we have not been properly introduced," he said. "Let us not start off on the wrong impression. What is your name?"

The girl looked up at him warily. He looked back at her, his neutral stance betraying no emotion. "What is yours?" she asked him challengingly.

"I have many names. Those who work for me call me by my title," he replied. "Others simply refer to me as Vader."

She made a face. "Do I also have to call you Lord Vader?"

"No," he replied simply. "But that depends. What is your relationship to me?" he asked coldly. "If you were one of my soldiers, I would have you call me your Lord. But, if we were family..." He paused meaningfully. "Then, we could drop the formalities."

The child's lip quivered. She was not sure which possibility would be favorable.

"Now," he said, "I am aware that you are a princess. But what does your father call you?"

The child narrowed her eyes at him.

It appeared Senator Organa had trained her well to not give out her name to just anyone. But she knew that he already knew of her father's identity, and could easily verify her real name if she tried to feed him fake information.

"Leia," she whispered rapidly, as if hoping he would not hear it. Naturally, he was still able to, as enhanced senses was just one of the extensive abilities that the Force had granted him.

"I see," he said quietly. "Leia," he repeated. The girl flinched, as if she did not like hearing him say it.

A few moments passed as he continued to observe her. She looked around, her eyes flickering from point to point nervously. At first, he had intended to check on the status of the furniture before addressing her, but now he found that he could not tear his eyes off of her. It was so strange, seeing someone who looked so similar and yet so different to her. He found that it awakened both anger and some other emotion in him that he could not name, one that had been locked away for so long.

"You are quite close with your father, are you not?" he asked.

Leia looked at him warily. "Yes..." she said, hesitating slightly.

"I see. He must tell you a lot about his duties as Senator." Leia made no response. "Has he ever told you about his other ventures?"

The girl shut her mouth automatically. It seemed she knew exactly what he was trying to do.

Vader crossed his arms, finally impressed. It seemed she was smarter than he gave her credit for.

Too bad he had no time for smartness.

"I asked you a question. Why are you not responding?"

Leia bit her lip, her little legs shaking. Vader's patience began to grow thin.

"It is impolite to keep others waiting. I should think that Senator Organa would have taught you this."

The girl turned her face away, refusing to look at him. That made him finally snap. He marched right up to her and grabbed her arm. She immediately trembled and tried to yank it out of his hand, but it was futile, he was too strong.

"Let go of me!" she shrieked desperately.

"No," he replied coldly, unrelenting. "What do you know about the Rebellion?"

The girl shook immediately, struggling harder than ever. "I don't know anything!"

"Liar," he hissed, tightening his grip until she let out a cry of pain. "What has Organa told you? Did he send you here as part of his plan?"

"No, no!" Leia sobbed. "I don't even know what that is!"

"You do know. You recognize the name."

"I told you, I don't!" she screamed. "Let go of me, it hurts, it hurts!"

"Not until you tell me what his plan is," he sneered.

"Daddy didn't do anything! He doesn't even know I'm here," she sobbed.

"Oh, so then who put you up to this? Obi-Wan?"

"No! Ben didn't do anything either! He was trying to rescue me and bring me home!"

Vader scoffed, unbelieving. "That is just what he told you so you would go along with him. It is an excuse, just like all of his other lies."

"No, it's not! Ben would never lie to me."

"He would!" Vader snarled, and Leia let out a loud whimper as he continued to squeeze her hand tightly. "He has, and he will again," he snarled. "Obi-Wan is a liar, and a criminal. He does not deserve your trust."

"Well, he deserves it more than you!" she spat angrily.

Vader accidentally loosened his grip, surprised, and she immediately yanked her hand away from him. "I don't know who you are," she glared at him, "But I know one thing for sure: You are not my father. My father is not a monster. He could never be like you!"

Vader glowered at her, furious. "Organa is not your father, he is a thief and a criminal."

"He is not!"

"Yes, he is."

"My father would never steal!"

"He stole you away from me. That is an act of dissidence against the Empire. He must be punished for his actions."

"I don't belong to you!" Leia screamed. "I'm not one of your fancy lamps or sculptures, I'm a human girl!"

"Yes, you do," Vader sneered, "Just the same as everything else in this room. Everything that belonged to Padme is also mine. You are too."

Leia shrunk away from him, shaking her head. "No," she said, as he continued to advance towards her. "I'm-I'm not your daughter," she said defiantly. "I don't know who you are talking about."

"My wife," he sneered. "The former elected queen and Senator of Naboo. Your mother."

Leia flinched, closing her eyes. "No," she whispered again.

"Yes," Vader hissed. "Padme Amidala. You've heard of her name, have you not?" The girl continued to back away from him. "What did she tell you about me? Has she turned you against me, too? Or was it Obi-Wan?"

Leia's face paled, until it was almost as white as the walls behind her. "I don't know what you are talking about," she stammered.

"What did she tell you?" Vader demanded again, and the girl backed away. "Did she return to Naboo after fleeing Mustafar? Or did she escape to somewhere else?" He paused, trying to read the girl's reaction. "She sent you, didn't she? Where is she?" he said, his eyes flashing wildly.

He knew it, had known it all along.

Padme was still alive! Obi-Wan had lied to him, trying to keep her away from him out of jealousy. But she had not let that stand the way of their love. She had sent the girl in her stead to observe him, and now she was just waiting for her to report back.

No, she was waiting for him, for her husband to return and take his rightful place by her side. To finally rule the Galaxy together, just as they were meant to.

His heart leaped instantly. He could have her back! He could barely breathe, thinking of holding her in his arms again. Finally, the meaning of his Path was revealing itself to him.

Everything will be just as it was supposed to be again.

Suddenly, his thoughts darkened.

No...something about this was not quite right.

Vader stopped, then turned his eyes back to the girl and narrowed them. His aura changed and became more hostile. He advanced towards her, seething with quiet fury.

"What is that?" He asked angrily.

"What are you talking about?"

"That, hanging around her neck..."

Leia looked down at the japoor snippet he was pointing towards. "It's my necklace," she snapped. "It's not yours."

"Yes it is. Give it to me."

"No! It was a gift from Ben," Leia exclaimed distraughtly.

"You are a thief and a liar," Vader hissed, grabbing at the pendant again. "I won't say it twice. Give it to me."

"No!" Leia said, reaching up and placing her hands over it. "It's mine!"

"GIVE IT TO ME, NOW!"

Leia flinched and unclasped it from around her neck. Vader snatched it away immediately.

"She sent you to mock me, didn't she?" he snarled.

Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice...

Leia's eyes widened. "No," she immediately denied, and he snarled, holding his hand out and calling her to him using the Force. Against her will, she was rapidly dragged across the floor towards him. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears flowing from her face. She cried out loud as he gripped her head in both hands, forcing her to look up at him.

"She must think that I am weak, a slave to my own attachments," he hissed, squeezing harder. "Well, I refuse to be made a fool of again. You can go back to her and tell her that I do not care for her treachery," he snarled. "Tell her that I will find her myself, and when I do, I will see to it that she is properly executed this time-"

Leia struggled, trying to pry his fingers off of her. The forceful pressure on her head was so painful that she feared he might actually crush her. "I don't know who you are talking about!" she yelled. "I'm not in contact with your dead wife!"

"Cease the deception! I know that she is trying to hide from me."

"I'm telling you that she is not!" Leia screamed, forcing the words out of her mouth as Vader threatened to break her skull. "If she was, then why would I be here?"

Vader snarled, growing more and more furious. "If she will not come to me herself, then I will make her! I don't care what lies she has told you about me!"

"What don't you understand, you stupid old man?" Leia shrieked angrily, her face almost completely red. "She isn't waiting for you! She's never coming back! She died!"

"She is alive! She has to be!"

"No!" Leia screamed. "She's dead! She's dead because you killed her, you murderer!"

Vader flinched, and Leia took advantage of the opening and bit his finger cruelly. He did not feel pain, however the prosthetic in his arm immediately released her, and she ran away from him. He chased after her, and she kicked one of the fiber-grown chairs at him, causing it to fall apart once it made impact with his durasteel armor. With nowhere else to go, she hid behind one of the statues of Shiraya. He snapped back and tried to reach out towards her, but she glowered at him, her face red with fury.

"I hate you!" she screamed. "Don't touch me!"

Vader froze.

In that moment, he suddenly felt helpless. As if he was back in the past again, reaching out to her, and watching her withdraw from him.

There she was, looking at him as if his touch scared her, disgusted her. He wanted to reach out and take her into her arms, just like Obi-Wan did, but she shrunk from him and trembled, gripping the moon goddess' statue with all of her strength as if hoping it would come to life and protect her.

He wanted to grab the statue and tear it out of hands, to use the Force to fling it away from her so he could come and take her himself, but his legs shook as he stared up at its face. The face of a dead woman, preserved for all eternally.

It was as if she was watching him. Observing him, looking down upon him. Counting his every sin.

He stopped, and took a step back. The child cowered, hiding her face behind the statue. He glanced at her on last time, then turned away, assuming a mask of indifference. He would not get any useful information out of her in this state. As an experience interrogator, his instincts told him the best thing he could do was walk away.

And so, for the first time, Vader turned and left first.

Leia trembled, still gripping the statue for dear life. She watched as Vader inexplicably lost interest and walked out of the room, leaving her alone. She waited until he had left, and then counted off the minutes, her heart pounding uncontrollably. When she could was sure that he had left, she immediately dashed to the bed and hid herself underneath it.

There, she covered her face in her arms and finally let out the cries she had been holding in.

A knock on the door. The sound of impatient shuffling.

Reva always knocked loudly and shouted to announce her presence.

"Lunch," she growled imperiously. "If you don't open this door, I'm going to leave, and I'm not coming back. Then you won't have anything to eat until dinner!"

Leia hesitated. She could hear Reva stomp her boots irritably, but she wasn't worried about that right now. "Is there anyone with you?" she called out fearfully.

There was a pause.

"No," Reva said.

Leia took a deep breath. "Can you...can you come in and just leave the tray behind?" she asked.

The door opened. She watched from beneath the bed as a single pair of boots walked in and closed the door, then the sound of Reva depositing the tray on the table. She expected her to leave, but instead, she remained there. "That's good," Leia said. "You can leave now."

Reva did not budge.

"Why are you hiding?" she asked.

Leia swallowed.

"You can't eat underneath the bed," Reva said. "Come out from under there."

"I can," Leia said stubbornly. "Just slide the tray to me."

"No," Reva said. "Vader will reprimand me if he thinks I am starving you. Get out of there."

"I don't want to!"

"I don't care what you want, you have to eat at the table like everyone else."

"No!"

"Stop being stubborn!" Reva snarled. "Come here, now. I'm not going to tell you twice. Get out, before I drag you myself!"

Leia immediately scrambled out from underneath the bed and Reva gasped at her appearance. Leia blushed, slightly self-conscious. Reva stepped closer and started to wipe at her coat, trying to get some of the dust off of it.

"You're filthy," she observed. "Why is your face so red? Were you crying?"

Leia frowned, scrunching up her face. "No."

"Yes, you were, you liar," Reva said. "Why were you crying? Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No!" Leia yelled, and Reva crossed her arms menacingly. She immediately shut her mouth. "I mean, I'm fine," she said. "I just...got tired."

"Tired?" Reva raised an eyebrow. "But you've been sleeping all day, how can you be tired?"

Leia groaned. Shrugging, Reva walked over to the table and pulled out the flimsy fiber-grown chair for her to sit on. It had somewhat lost its shape after she kicked it at Vader, but it was still usable. Reluctantly, she walked over and sat down, looking at the tray in front of her. More root paste (made from powder, if the taste and texture were anything to go by), some rehydrated vegetables she didn't recognize, and some synthetic protein. It was not easy to come by fresh foods on Mustafar, it would seem.

"I'm not hungry," she said.

"You have to be," Reva said. "You didn't even eat your breakfast."

Leia glared at her. "Because you gave me the same thing!" she yelled. "Why does Vader keep serving me this gross baby mush? Is he trying to starve me?"

"You will eat whatever Vader gives you, and be grateful for it!" Reva snarled. "I fought for you to have that so-called baby mush!"

"Well maybe you should fight harder!" Leia snapped.

Reva snarled, but Leia just glowered back at her. After being backed into a corner by Vader, her anger was back and she was itching for a fight. She waited for Reva to scream at her or slap her again, like she did back on Daiyu when she forced her to talk to Vader through the holoprojector.

But Reva did not do such a thing. Instead, she seemed to calm down. She sighed and reached towards the tray, gripping it with both hands. "Fine," she said. "If you don't want it, you don't have to eat it."

"No," Leia said, grabbing it, and Reva stopped. "I'll eat it," she said hurriedly. "I'm hungry now."

Reva paused and crossed her arms, watching her. Leia picked up the spoon and hurriedly shoveled everything into her mouth, chewing whenever appropriate. One of the vegetables had the same bitter taste as the blue ruica that her father made her finish eating before she could leave to play, insisting that it would make her stronger. She finished her plate within minutes and placed the spoon back down. Reva picked it up, seeming satisfied.

"I will tell Vader that you are eating well," she said. "Enough to warrant sending you some dinner." Leia nodded obediently. "Do you want anything else?"

Leia hesitated.

"Could...could I have some tea?" she asked quietly.

Reva frowned. "What kind of tea?" she asked impatiently.

"Um...um...if there's any...could I have some Mintea?"

Reva raised an eyebrow. "Mintea," she repeated incredulously, and Leia's face grew hotter.

"Or...or Chandrilan tea, either is fine. If, if it's not possible, then don't bother," she said.

Reva shrugged. "I've never heard of it before, that's all. But if it grows on Imperial territory, I'm sure it can be arranged."

"I-I think so," Leia said. "It should. It grows everywhere on Alderaan."

Reva paused, and stared at her. She crouched down slightly, squinting at her. "You're acting funny today," she said. "What's up with you? Are you trying to hide something?"

"N-no," Leia insisted, and Reva narrowed her eyes at her, causing her to squeak fearfully. Reva threw her a suspicious look. "I'm f-fine," she mumbled. "I just...I wasn't ready to talk to Vader."

"Oh." Reva paused. "Did he tell you about your mother? Is she alive?"

"No," Leia said, annoyed.

"Ah, I see."

A few minutes passed.

Reva slowly put her hand on her shoulder. Leia blinked, looking up at her. She waited for the slap that never came.

"I know what it feels like," Reva murmured.

Leia made eye contact with her. "No, you don't."

"I do."

Reva closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She walked over and picked up some of the clothes that Leia had kicked across the floor. "I will leave for a mission tonight," she said. "Another Purge Trooper will bring your dinner. I may be gone tomorrow, as well."

"Will Lord Vader summon me again?"

Reva paused. "If he sees fit."

Leia trembled. "You mean, if he decides to kill me after all?"

Reva looked at her, and for a second, she looked as if she wanted to reassure her otherwise. "Not necessarily."

"I mean, he thinks I'm impersonating his daughter," Leia said bitterly. "That's a crime against the Empire worth being executed for."

"You have not committed any crimes against the Empire. Just be good and eat your meals and you should be fine."

Leia closed her mouth.

Reva withdrew, bending down to pick up something on the floor.

"Did I do well?" Leia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Reva stopped moving. She did not turn around to face her. For a while, they just stayed the same, unmoving. Finally, Leia heard a whisper, so quiet that she might have missed it if she wasn't listening so closely.

"Yes," Reva breathed.

Leia turned away, still conflicted.

Reva finished tidying up. "I'm leaving now," she said. "I will inform Vader of your request. You can take a nap, but don't forget to wake up in time for dinner. Goodbye."

Leia nodded quietly. She watched as Reva walked out and closed the door behind her.

Once she was gone, she walked back over to the bed and reached underneath. She quietly gathered the pieces of LOLA and cradled them close to her chest.

"It's going to be okay, LOLA," she whispered, rocking back and forth. "I'll put you back together, and then we'll find Ben and Ahsoka and get out of here. I promise."

Vader stood back from the door and moved out of the way as Reva came out of the room, holding Leia's dinner tray. He grabbed her by the arm and she stopped.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Probably would be better if you didn't terrorize the living daylights out of her," Reva snapped.

He went silent.

"She's fine," Reva grunted. "Just requested some changes to the dinner menu."

"Changes?"

Reva sent him a pointed look. "Children around her age don't like eating tasteless rehydrated paste," she informed him. "Also, she misses Alderaan. You should try and feed her something that reminds her of home."

Vader stared back at her.

"Well, I'm off to my mission," she said briskly. A Purge Trooper walked by, and she thrust the tray at them imperiously. Confused, they took it from her, not daring to ask any questions in the presence of Vader. "I anticipate being finished sometime tomorrow."

Vader let her go without any further instructions. She hesitated to turn her back on him, expecting some sort of threat, but he did not saying anything. Deciding to take it as a blessing, she immediately headed down the staircase of her choosing as quickly as possible, eager to leave.

Vader headed back to his meditation chamber and locked himself inside, seeking relief in the familiar bacta isolation pod.

He still refused to sleep, although he did let his thoughts drift. He did not want to admit it, but he had been hoping for things to turn out differently. He didn't mean to make her cry.

Why do things always have to end like this?

He reached out, but there was no answer. Frowning, he closed his eyes, trying to stop thinking about it, but no matter what he did, she came back to haunt him. Her smiles. Her laughter. Her sad face. Her long hair, that he used to run through his hands whenever he was anxious or lying in bed next to her.

Why did you say you loved me, if you were only going to leave me? And if you meant to do so from the start, why leave behind a spitting image of yourself?

He still couldn't understand her, not even after ten years. Why did she do it? To pity him? To torture him? Or out of some misguided love for him?

He sneered. No, that couldn't be right. She had never loved him, would never have betrayed him so deeply if she truly loved him.

Yet despite the Dark Side of the Force's attempts to erase his mind, those thoughts persisted. At the end of the day, there was only one person left behind who still remembered what she was like, who had been by her side when she passed away. The only person in the entire Galaxy who could answer his burning questions.

Vader snarled. "Obi-Wan," he hissed angrily, causing the glass of the bacta tank to break.

It seemed his work was not yet finished.

He would have to pay him a visit later.

Chapter Text

The next day, Leia received alarming news from the Purge Trooper who handed her breakfast.

"Lord Vader will speak with you sometime later today," the Trooper informed her neutrally. Leia swallowed and looked down at the tray. It was more or less the same foods as yesterday, except the main difference was that the rehydrated paste had been replaced with a crusty black bun. "He anticipates being occupied with his work until later this evening. Be sure to prepare yourself."

Before they would let her eat, however, they also pulled out a micro-sonic lancet pen. "What's this?" Leia asked. The Trooper did not respond, just sprayed her arm with some pain-numbing antibacterial spray to sterilize it. Before she could stop them, they pressed the pen to her shoulder and a small blade ejected out of it, pricking her in the arm. "Ouch!" Leia exclaimed. "What was that for?"

"Lord Vader has requested a sample of your blood," the Trooper replied as they collected her blood in a small capillary tube. "Hold still," they ordered, pulling out a small mediscan unit and powering it on. The unit immediately centrifuged the blood sample and conducted a rapid bioscan.

Leia glared up at the Trooper. "Can I eat now?"

The Trooper nodded, standing back.

Leia first reached for the carbonized piece of bread, but it was still scorching hot. She quickly withdrew her hand after nearly being singed by the smoke coming off it. "What is that?" she asked.

Does Vader hate me so much that he decided to feed me a lump of coal?

The Trooper ignored her question and left. Leia nibbled a bit at the steamed vegetables (which were obviously frozen, not fresh) and ignored the bread bun. To her mild alarm, it did not fully cool down and remained smoking hot to the touch. When she was finished, the Stormtrooper took the tray away without another word. She tried to ask them if they had anything else to eat, but there was no response.

Around lunchtime, another Trooper brought Leia a similar-looking tray. This one also had a mysterious steaming black bread roll on it, as well as some more lumpy steamed vegetables.

"I'm not going to eat that," she said petulantly.

The Trooper ignored her and simply stood there, waiting for her to finish. Leia shoved a few of the vegetables in her mouth, chewing as quickly as possible.

Desperate to fill her stomach with something more substantial than reheated vegetables, she used the sleeves of her coat as a napkin and tore the bread roll into pieces. The bread on the inside was faintly sweet and tasted like red beans and cinnamon. It was also the same bright red as the lava that surrounded the Fortress like a sea. Although dry, there was nothing else wrong with it, so she finished the rest of it. Leia ate around the blackened crust and finished, pushing the tray back at the Trooper. They took it without another word, leaving her to sulk alone for another few hours.

The third time they knocked on her door, Leia opened it quickly. She looked at their hands, expecting another tray of lava bread, but they were not holding a tray anymore. Instead, they motioned at her to come to them. Confused, she stood up and walked over.

Had the plans for dinner been changed?

Was Vader releasing her ahead of time?

"Lord Vader is ready to speak with you," the Trooper said. The color drained out of Leia's face.

"No," she shook her head, backing away. "I don't want to see him!"

The Trooper made no response, just grabbed her by the arm and yanked. Leia screamed loudly, and the Trooper pointed their blaster at her head. She froze immediately, terrified. The Trooper reholstered the blaster and tugged her hard, making her follow them.

Leia squeezed her eyes shut, wishing that she had Ben and Ahsoka's powers. If only, then she could reach out using the Force and call for backup, or seize the Trooper's weapons and point it at their head, demanding that they take her to where her friends were being kept. Then, they could board one of Vader's ships, and fly back home.

The Trooper pulled harder on her arm and she continued to follow them down the endless stair steps. Leia panted, trying to keep up behind them with her small legs. Finally, they reached a holding cell with a magnetic barrier blocking the entrance. Leia's eyes widened as she realized where they were.

No, she thought to herself.

The cell door opened, and Leia sprinted in immediately.

"Ben!" She yelled, willing her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the cell.

She could hear the Purge Trooper yelling and running behind her, but she didn't care. As she ran into the cell, she saw Ben looking feeble while lying on an auto-med couch. Beside him, a dark figure hovered over his face menacingly, peering at him. Shrieking loudly, she immediately ran over and inserted herself between them, throwing out her arms protectively.

"Leave him ALONE!" She screamed, her face scrunched up and burning bright red. Vader moved back slightly, surprised. "Can't you see he's hurt?" she demanded angrily. Behind her, Ben groaned quietly, as if he was still in pain.

Vader backed up a few steps and stood still, observing her. Leia bit her lip, suddenly feeling nervous under his attention. The two of them locked eyes and stared at each other.

"Get back here!" The Purge Trooper finally ran into the room and grabbed Leia, then realized they were in Vader's presence and bowed to him. "My Lord, you have my deepest apologies-"

"No need," Vader replied emotionlessly.

"I-huh?" The Trooper paused, confused.

"Many thanks for your service. You have completed your mission," Vader said. "Kneel."

Confused, the Trooper let go of Leia and stepped aside, getting down on one knee. Vader raised his lightsaber and placed it near their shoulder. Instead of granting them a title, however, he slashed it straight through their neck and shoulders. The Purge Trooper let out a shaky cry of pain and collapsed onto the floor. Leia covered her mouth with both hands and backed away, horrified.

Vader, on his part, did not seem at all disturbed. "Come," he said, reaching out his hand towards her. She shook her head, recoiling from him. "When I tell you to do something, I expect you to obey me immediately."

"No," Leia said, moving closer to Ben's unconscious body.

Vader beckoned her again. "I won't say it twice. Come with me now."

"No!"

Vader reached out and made a pulling motion with his arm. Against her will, Leia found herself being pushed by an invisible Force towards him, despite her efforts to struggle against it. Once she was close enough he gripped her shoulder with his gloved robotic hand, making her shudder.

"Time to go. We have business elsewhere."

"Ben," Leia said bleakly, looking back at the medbed. Ben's face was unusually pale, and whether he was dead or not, the difference was not particularly great.

Vader did not listen, just continued to pull her along.

She expected him to return her to her original room. However, instead he took her down a different hallway and down several other sets of staircases. At first, Vader walked ahead of her, but he soon realized that she was too short to keep up with him, and so he made her walk in front of him. She tried multiple times to shake off the grip of that awful mechanical hand, but each time she got too far away he would grab her again. Annoyed, she resigned herself to her fate and let him lead her for the rest of the way.

After some time, she found herself standing in a simple room with walls of obsidian that was almost entirely empty. She stared at Vader, wondering if he meant to execute her here.

"Why did you bring me here?" she asked brashly.

Vader looked down at her.

"Originally, it was my intention to interrogate Kenobi," he said. "As I am mostly...though not completely...persuaded that you are my daughter. The blood tests indicate that we share a biological connection, but that alone does not prove anything."

"Mostly but not completely?" Leia said drily. "In that case, my father would say that it doesn't count at all."

"Correct," Vader replied. "You are indeed smarter than what I would expect from a child your age."

"I'm not like other children my age," Leia bit back.

"Indeed. I would expect nothing less of my own offspring."

Leia made a face. She did not like where this was going.

Vader made a swiveling motion with his wrist, and there was a loud sound of heavy stone being dragged across the floor. Soon, a marble table and a chair appeared out of the darkness, moving steadily towards them.

"Sit," Vader instructed, motioning at the chair.

"No," Leia said, but Vader simply used the Force to make her sit. Whenever she tried to stand up, she felt some sort of resistance or heavy weight pushing down on her, refusing to let her. Clearly, he wanted her to stay here. "Are you going to keep me prisoner here?" she asked, irritated.

"Not necessarily."

"Well, you better not," Leia said angrily, although some fear seeped into her voice. "I haven't had dinner yet."

Vader stared back at her.

"You are obligated to feed me, you know, according to Protocol 503. All prisoners of war are entitled to rations, even during times of famine," Leia insisted. "Withholding food also violates all legislations that forbid cruel and unusual punishment."

In truth, she did not exactly know if this protocol was Alderaanian or extended to all prisoners of the Empire. However, Vader did not seem angered by her rebelliousness. When he responded, his voice was calm and neutral, nothing like the crazed man she had talked to last night.

"I am not starving you," he said calmly. "It is you who keeps refusing to eat the food that is served to you."

Leia felt her face heat up. She glared at Vader, using all of the strength that she could muster.

"That's because you keep trying to feed me lumps of coal," she said, annoyed.

"I can assure you, there is nothing that could possibly cause any harm to you in the food that I have provided."

"But-!"

Vader raised his hand and she closed her mouth, annoyed.

"If you wish for alternate dietary options, that can easily be arranged. I believe my child should be entitled to only the best that the Galaxy can offer. That is..." Vader paused, looking at her intensely, "If you can prove your relation to me."

Leia stared at him, confused.

Vader did not respond. Instead, he reached into his long black cloak and pulled out a single golden pear, its skin ripe and glossy. Leia stared at it, her mouth watering as she observed the fruit in his gloved hand. She had not had any fresh fruits or vegetables in weeks, and this was the first time she had seen one in a while. She longed to reach for it but she did not dare, not with Vader watching. Swallowing, she clenched her hands into little fists and put them in her lap, willing herself to be still.

After observing her reaction, Vader placed the pear on the table just slightly out of her reach. Leia stared at it hungrily, trying not to drool.

"If you do well, you may have this as a reward," Vader said. "However, you may not use your hands to eat it."

Leia frowned. "How can I eat it if I can't use my hands?" Did he expect her to slice it with a fork and a knife, like some sort of brutish primordial life form? "It's impossible."

"Nothing is impossible for a child of your background."

"Then how am I supposed to do it?"

"You know the answer," he replied coldly.

Leia stared at him, trying to understand what he meant, and finally the realization hit her.

Oh, she thought to herself. No. No. I can't do that.

"Yes, you can," Vader said, sensing her doubt and latching onto it. "It's easy. I already mastered this at your age." He picked up the pear and held it towards her, standing across from her. "Focus your mind. Use your thoughts to take it."

"No," she said, feeling her face burn with embarrassment. "I'm not...I'm not a Jedi."

Vader sneered. "Who said only Jedi could use the Force? You are a Skywalker, the daughter of a Sith Lord. There is nothing you cannot do."

"No, there has to be another way," Leia said weakly, shaking her head.

"There is none."

"But I thought you killed people for using the Force?"

"You are not like other people. You are my heir, my successor. If I am to let you live, I expect you to be able to perform everything that I do, exactly as I do. Now, grab the fruit."

"I can't!"

Vader sneered, towering over her menacingly. "You will do it, and you will do it right here," he hissed. "If you are truly the product of my own flesh and blood, then you should be able to do it without any complications. Either that, or you are a dangerous little liar and accessory to the Rebel Alliance that must be eliminated."

"I'm neither," Leia sobbed, tears starting to fall down her cheeks. "I'm just an ordinary human girl, I don't know how to do any of those things-"

"Silence!" Vader snarled, and she flinched in her chair. "You will do as you are told, when I tell you to do something! The fate of your precious Jedi friends rests on it."

"You're horrible," Leia wept, "I can't believe my mother would ever trust you. You must have tricked her somehow, that's the only way I can imagine her agreeing to marry you," she accused.

Vader paused, then his countenance became even colder. "Perhaps I did, perhaps I did not," he sneered. "However, that matters not. Right now, your life depends on your ability to pick up this pear. I suggest you start working on it, if you wish to survive another night under my roof."

"You're a terrible father!" Leia spat. "Fathers don't withhold food from their children like-like some sort of luxury," she exclaimed, "My father would sooner starve than deprive me of anything I needed. You are a monster, that's what you are, and you will ALWAYS be one, even if you take off that horrendous mask that you hide behind!" she yelled.

He froze, and Leia stared up at him.

His aura changed completely. Whereas it had been cold two seconds ago, now it was burning, scorching hot, even hotter than the lava bun she had been served for breakfast. Leia swallowed, tensing up.

Vader snarled furiously.

"Well then, if I am a monster, perhaps I should show you just how much of a monster I can be."

To Leia's horror, he grabbed her wrist roughly in one hand and ignited the same bright red lightsaber that she had witnessed kill someone in the other.

No, she thought to herself. No, no, no. This can't be happening, he said he wouldn't, he said he wasn't going to kill me-

"No!" Leia screamed, frantically trying to wriggle out of his grip. "Stop! Let go of me!"

"What are you afraid of?" Vader growled. "Come, talk to me. Tell me more about what you really think of me."

"No, no!" Leia shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut.

"What's wrong? You don't want to see me anymore? Is it because of this?" he snarled, bringing her wrist up so she could feel the motherboards and circuits attached to his breastplate.

She screamed loudly and wrenched her hand out of his grip. He let go and she scrambled out of the chair, running away. However, the door behind them was sealed shut. She turned around, facing him and watching slowly advance towards her.

"How weak I must have been," he growled, "Allowing Kenobi to deceive me like this. He must truly believe me to be a fool. How ingenious of him, creating this elaborate lie, setting you up against me. Brilliant. I see he hasn't changed at all since the Wars."

Leia backed away, feeling the wall behind her close in on her and trap her. "You're mad," she said, "You've gone completely mad. You've lost your mind."

"Perhaps so," he replied, "But at least I can rest with the knowledge that I was right all along. After I remove you, I will come back for him, and after that I will be conflicted no longer. You will conflict me no longer."

Leia inhaled sharply, panicked. "You can't kill Ben. He's your Master!" she said.

" No more Masters, no more attachments. Everything will be as it should be."

"But you were his Padawan once, why would you ever want to kill him?"

"Because," he sneered, "He tried to kill me first!"

Leia gasped, and Vader seized the opportunity to lunge forward and grab her by the arm again. She lost her balance, and he immediately brought his lightsaber to her neck, the same place where he struck the Purge Trooper.

"Got you."

Leia squeezed her eyes shut, trembling uncontrollably.

"Every night since you have arrived here, I have been tortured by a ghost.  She haunts me, even when I am awake. She follows me, even though I am among the living. She demands my attention, yet refuses to let me see her."

She swallowed, trying to stop herself from shaking.

"Just when I was finally able to forget her face, you came and ruined everything."

She sobbed quietly.

"I know that she brought you here, sent you here to torture me. But I refuse to let her manipulate me any longer. When I finally eliminate you, she will no longer have any control over me."

Leia took another shaky breath and glared up at him.

"Killing me won't erase the guilt of killing your wife," she spat bluntly. "You won't be free. You'll just fall even further to the Dark Side."

Vader let out a loud cry, and raised his lightsaber to strike her. Leia shut her eyes, waiting for the blow to land, and felt a rush of air as he slashed it at her. However, the burn of the glowing blade never came. Instead, she heard the sound of something small making contact with what sounded like a steel helmet.

Confused, she opened her eyes, only to find Vader staring at something on the ground beside her. Leia glanced down at her feet, trying to figure out what he was looking at.

All she saw was a plain, slightly smushed pear that was currently dripping juice all over the floor.

Chapter Text

The mission took longer than expected. It was the morning of a new day when Reva returned, in a foul mood and covered in blood.

The other Inquisitors had not taken well to her promotion. Instead of trying to work together, their contempt for her had only increased. Most of the time, they ignored her orders. After she had a difficult time locating the prisoner she was supposed to interrogate, she realized they were actually trying to sabotage her. Reva had only minutes to duck before Seventh Sister slashed at her hard enough to cause a fatal injury.

"I don't care about whatever fancy title He granted you," she sneered, "You will always be a filthy slum rat that has eaten out of the palm of our hands for too long. Mark my words, by the end of this month, you won't have a badge to parade around anymore."

Although somewhat shaken, Reva forced herself to remain calm. "Perhaps it is you who should be more worried about your status by the end of the month," she replied coolly.

Seventh Sister froze. "I am Lord Vader's current right hand," Reva said arrogantly. "What will he say to you if he knows you have been impeding my duties?"

She glared at her. Reva glared back. The two of them locked eyes with each other for several minutes before Seventh Sister broke the contact, looking down at her hands. Reva scoffed.

"Now get out of my way," she muttered. "I am needed elsewhere."

With that, she finally set for Mustafar again.

Wonder if the brat is still alive? She thought to herself. Knowing Vader, he probably wouldn't wait very long before testing her...

As she came out of hyperdrive, her commlink immediately buzzed. Annoyed, she smacked at it, playing the message Vader had left for her out loud.

"Go and check on the girl and make sure she wears her new clothes. Do not tarry, I will be expecting you. Meet me at the female Jedi's cell."

Reva rolled her eyes. "So, the brat lives," she mumbled. She did not particularly want to spend time coddling a spoiled princess, but Vader had made it clear that he expected her to.

Hoping to get it over with as quickly, she knocked loudly on Leia's door. There was no response at first. Annoyed, she knocked louder and faster.

"I already got my breakfast, thank you!" Leia yelled.

She could definitely leave it at that. However, she considered herself a visual learner.

Scowling, Reva pushed open the door and marched in. Leia immediately scrambled to her feet and hid something behind her back. Reva narrowed her eyes at her, suspicious.

"You're back," Leia said. "I thought you weren't coming..."

"Of course I was going to come back, don't be silly. What are you hiding?" she snapped. Leia looked away.

Reva marched over and surveyed the area.

Since she had last stepped into this room, several things had changed. All traces of the flimsy fiber-grown furniture had been removed and replaced with repulsorlift technology furniture. The synthcloth sheets were replaced with steam-pressed dreamsilk ones. The closets were also filled with new clothing, specially selected for a girl of Leia's age and size. Reva raised an eyebrow, wondering when Vader had the time to collect such items.

"Wow," Reva muttered, incredulous. "Didn't really take him as the spoiling type."

Leia watched her silently as she marched over to the closet and began rifling through it, trying to find something to wear. Leia frowned as she picked out a dress and hooded overcoat then started walking towards her.

"I don't want to wear them," Leia complained as Reva held out the clothes towards her. "Why can't I just wear my normal clothes?"

"Don't be difficult," Reva said. "Of course you have to wear them, your other clothes are being washed."

"Why do they all have to be black? Can't he buy me something in a different color?"

"What's wrong with wearing black?"

"Nothing, I just..." Leia sighed. With Reva, it was best to not fight.

"Come here," Reva said. Leia made a face, but obeyed. She sulked as Reva buttoned up the silk dress for her.

"This dress is itchy."

"Well, you're going to have to get used to it."

Leia resisted the temptation to scratch her arms. Although the dress was still very uncomfortable, she could tell that it was expensive, made out of precious chersilk and stitched with scintathread. She had only ever seen ceremonial clothes made of this material when meeting with visiting royalty from Naboo. She wondered if Vader had intentionally chosen it for this reason, or if it was merely a coincidence.

"So, I take it he has accepted you as his heir?" Reva asked, interrupting her thoughts. Leia froze. "Congratulations. It looks like you get to live another day."

Leia frowned. "I hate him," she muttered. "I wish he didn't. I don't want to be his daughter."

"It was only a matter of time," Reva mumbled.

"Before what?"

"Before he either claimed you as his own, or killed you."

"I'd rather he killed me."

Reva tried to slip the zeyd cloth coat over her head, but the braids were too big. She ended up undoing them and letting Leia's hair down so it could fit. "We can't always get what we want."

After she was done helping Leia, she inspected the room again to ensure nothing was out of place. Satisfied, she made to leave again.

"Wait."

Reva turned around. "What?"

"Are you going to see Ahsoka?" Leia asked.

Reva raised an eyebrow. Observant little busybody. "Yes, I am, in fact. How did you know?"

"I had a feeling," Leia said, biting her lip. "Please don't hurt her."

"I can't promise that," Reva said coldly.

"Why not?"

"I'm an Inquisitor. It's my job to hurt people."

"Why do you do it?"

"Well, it's the only way to get anything done."

"But you don't have to," Leia's lip quivered. "Can't you just ask people questions without hurting them?"

"I'm afraid I can't," Reva replied.

Leia looked down, her face scrunched up and angry. Reva sighed and turned back around, forcing herself to walk away.

"It's my fault that Ahsoka's there," Leia called out, making her stop in her tracks. "If I didn't ask her to come back for Ben, she wouldn't be here. But she didn't want to make me sad, so she turned her ship around and followed you. I'm the reason she ended up here."

"I see."

A few moments passed.

"Please, don't hurt her," Leia begged again.

Reva made no response, just walked away as quickly as possible. Behind her, she heard little sobs. Irritated, she slammed the door shut behind her and forced herself to continue ahead.

She had never been a particularly sentimental person, that was for sure. Her work did not allow her to be. Occupational hazard. And so she had learned to build walls around herself, to conceal her own emotions, to not let herself show weakness in front of others. Because to cry would be to fail as an Inquisitor. And, knowing the amount of enemies that she had gathering for herself, there would be no sympathy or pity awaiting her, only a mass of angry hands waiting to seize her by the ankle and drag her down to the same hell as them. She would not allow that.

And yet, after all these years, she still couldn't stand to watch runts cry.

Please don't hurt her.

Please don't hurt us.

Master Skywalker-!

Reva grimaced and changed directions, heading towards the first fresher she saw. She immediately slammed the door open, breaking it off its hinges and alarming the Purge Trooper who was washing their hands. Ignoring them, she stomped past them and marched towards a sink, turning it on. She splashed her face with cold water for several minutes before standing up and staring at the mirror across from her.

"Your weakness is showing," she hissed at her reflection. The woman in the mirror glared back at her with a hardened gaze, her eyes colder than a lake of ice. "Do not lose track of your goal. The real target."

Taking deep breath, she collected herself again, and her expression returned to its preferred state. Cold. Neutral.

With renewed vigor, she straightened her shoulders and exited the fresher, ready to pay the Jedi the visit she owed her.

"Did you have a good nap, Sleeping Beauty?"

Ahsoka stirred, finding herself face-to-face with Reva. She yelped and pulled back, hitting her head on the wall. Groaning, she looked up at her. "What...?"

"I take it you've been resting well," Reva drawled, stepping back and circling her. Ahsoka warily eyed her from the spot against the wall where she was chained. "Did you remember to take some time to consider my offer?"

Ahsoka glared at her and struggled against the Mandalorian iron chains holding her, but it was futile. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

"You know," Reva said. "About joining my side," she smirked. "I was hoping you'd say yes."

Ahsoka turned pale. "I would rather die than become a Sith."

Reva laughed. "A Sith! You flatter me."

"They're all the same to me," Ahsoka scowled.

"And how is that?"

"You kill Jedi."

"How observant," Reva crowed. "You are correct, though." Ahsoka looked away, grimacing.

Reva continued to pace around the room, taking her time. Ahsoka began to feel dizzy after watching her circle back and forth. "Are you going to kill me now?" she asked, impatient. If she was to be executed, she would prefer to get it all over with.

"Only if you say no," Reva replied leisurely.

"Well, I haven't said yes."

"Indeed. So we are at a standstill."

Ahsoka frowned, puzzled. "Why are you so...calm?" she asked. "You usually threaten to kill me. Or cut off my fingers."

"Indeed," Reva smirked. "If it would make you feel better, I could do those things. I still have my old tools. I could threaten to cut off your hand again, or throw you around and torture you for a little bit. But why waste my energy doing all that? I have plenty of time now. You are certainly not going anywhere," she crossed her arms. "I don't have to chase you down or threaten you to make you stay. I quite like this."

Ahsoka glowered angrily at her, and she resisted the urge to laugh. "I'm still not going to join you."

"I think you are being a little ungrateful here," Reva replied. "Haven't I been merciful to you? Provided for both you and your dear friends out of the kindness of my heart? If it weren't for me, none of you would be alive right now. You should be thanking me, if anything, for saving you."

"You're the one who captured and endangered us in the first place," Ahsoka snarled.

"Touché," Reva replied. "But, wouldn't you have done the same?"

"Huh?" Ahsoka asked, confused.

"You are a Jedi, are you not? At least, until you were demoted," Reva observed, and Ahsoka winced. "But, before that...you would have done anything for the ones you cared about, wouldn't you? Even if it was frowned upon?"

"I'm not..." Ahsoka struggled. "Acting upon attachments is not the Jedi way."

"Oh, but you don't obey the Jedi way, do you?"

Ahsoka looked down and did not respond. Reva smirked and walked up to her, kneeling until they were eye-to-eye. Ahsoka stared at her, and she reached up, caressing one of her lekku and moving it out of her face. Ahsoka flinched, not expecting her touch to be gentle. Reva just smiled at her, an unreadable expression on her face.

"I know you miss it," she whispered. Ahsoka let out an involuntary sound of surprise. "Being part of something, something bigger than yourself. You look to the Rebellion to fill that emptiness, Ahsoka Tano. But it will never be the same. It never fulfills you the way you want it to. Am I wrong?"

Ahsoka looked down, trembling slightly.

"You're wrong," she said shakily.

"Am I?" Reva murmured.

Ahsoka did not look back up, for fear that she might agree if she did.

Reva smiled. "You know, I've read up about you," she said. "When I was doing my research on Kenobi and his past connections."

Ahsoka swallowed hard. "And what did you find out?"

"Well, it was hard, since most of the information regarding Anakin Skywalker has been erased by the Empire," Reva admitted. "But I found something curious, something I wasn't expecting. You," she drawled. "The famed fourteen-year-old commander who rose through the ranks and became General Skywalker's beloved padawan." Ahsoka flinched. "You were the pride of the Republic, the poster girl for the Clone Army. A child prodigy. How did that make you feel?"

Ahsoka closed her eyes. "No," she said hoarsely. "I'm not that person anymore."

"No," Reva agreed, "But you miss her, don't you?" Ahsoka inhaled shakily. "You used to lead armies, Ahsoka. Grand battalions. You used to fly ships and fight enemies of the state. You are a fighter, Ahsoka. Not a fugitive. So why are you running around and hiding like one?"

"I still fly ships now," Ahsoka glared. Reva laughed.

"Indeed," she said, "But now they're unmarked, unnamed pieces of junk that were either hastily cobbled together by fugitives or abandoned by the Empire. You used to command squadrons during the most important battles of the Galaxy...and now? You do what, smuggle a few Jedi every few months or so? That's nothing, Ahsoka, not compared to what I know you can do. You have far more potential than you allow yourself to believe," she hissed. "Why hide it?"

"I would rather die a Rebel than betray my people. I don't care how much the Dark Side has to offer, I don't need power."

"Oh, but do you really?" Reva asked. "Have you ever truly considered what opportunities that joining the Dark Side could open up for you? You Jedi always believe that there has to be a right and a wrong way to everything, but in your narrow-mindedness, you lose sight of what's in front of you. Why deny yourself that power, when you could instead take it for yourself?"

"You don't know what kind of consequences that power could lead to-"

"Oh, but I do," Reva said. "And as far as I'm concerned, there are none. There is nothing stopping you from using that power to do exactly what you want, except for yourself. I am not your greatest enemy, Ahsoka, you are. I know you have desires just like every other person does. Why do you keep holding back from yourself?"

Ahsoka began to feel sweat beading on her forehead. Reva took out her lightsaber and played with it idly. Ahsoka stared at it balefully, missing her own sabers and wishing she had kept them with her. "I'm sure you miss this, don't you?" Reva crooned. "Not those black market junk toys that you waved in my face, but the real deal. The weight of a real lightsaber," she sneered. "See how mine is heavy, because it is made from real metal. Built to destroy worlds, to cut through metal, and enforce the will of your Path."

Ahsoka trembled.

"You long for this, miss it even. You wish that it was you wielding this. Do you want to hold it?" Reva held it up to her, and Ahsoka looked away. "It's okay, you can touch it. I won't tell anyone."

"No," Ahsoka said automatically.

"No?"

"I can't," Ahsoka gritted her teeth. "That is the same blade that has killed my people."

"Aw," Reva said, her voice tinged with mock-disappointment. "I think red would look good on you," she said.

"No." Ahsoka closed her eyes. She refused to engage any further.

Reva sighed and stood back up, looking down at her. As an experienced interrogator, she knew when a target had finished opening themselves to negotiation.

"You don't...have to do all this."

"Do what?" Reva asked, feigning ignorance.

"Pretending to be nice...trying to get inside my head," Ahsoka stammered. "I know you're just saying it so I will join you. I'm not stupid."

Reva stared at her indifferently. "And what of it?" she asked coldly. "What do you think I have to gain, pretending to be nice to you?"

"I don't...I can't presume to know why you are doing this, but it's not going to work."

Reva looked back at her, casting a cold glance over her. Ahsoka did not meet her eyes.

"Mm, what a shame. I guess I just couldn't change your mind, huh?"

Ahsoka took a deep breath before responding.

"I...I'm sorry for what the Jedi did to you," she panted, and Reva's expression hardened. "But I can't in good faith join the Inquisitors. I could never harm my own people. Even if it gave me the kind of power I wanted...it wouldn't mean anything if I couldn't use it to save the ones I loved, and I know for a fact that they would never accept that kind of help from me. So I cannot accept your offer. But...I am sorry."

Reva laughed darkly. "How kind of you."

"I'm sorry."

"What a truly self-sacrificing Jedi you must be, trying to sympathize with me," Reva spat, her voice dripping with poison. "Do you want me to cry now, because of my sob story? Are you pitying me?"

"I...I don't mean it that way," Ahsoka stammered, "I just...I'm sorry. For what happened."

"I'm afraid your sympathy comes too late." Ahsoka bowed her head. "But don't worry. You don't have to listen to me."

Ahsoka frowned, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I'm just the messenger," Reva said coolly. "It doesn't matter if you agree to join me. Because he is the one who will be deciding your fate."

"Who?" Ahsoka asked.

Reva stepped aside smoothly.

For a few seconds, there was nothing but darkness. Then the dreadful, eerie sound of breathing that grew louder as it approached her. Ahsoka shuddered.

"Anakin," she whispered.

Vader emerged from the darkness, not a minute too soon. Ahsoka shivered and inhaled sharply.

"Hello, sister," he drawled. "I see you are finally awake. Let us not waste time, for we have much to talk about."

Chapter Text

She could still remember the day that she gave up her lightsabers as if it happened yesterday.

There she was, standing on the graveyard, preparing herself for what she was about to do. As she dug the hole where she planned to bury them, she remembered the conversation that she had with Anakin about them.

"Don't forget your second blade, Ahsoka," Anakin had told her.

"I'll try, master," she had responded, though she could not hold back her eagerness. She was secretly thrilled to start practicing, and as soon as possible.

"You're doing great. It takes time to learn how to wield two lightsabers," he smiled warmly, as if confident that she would have no trouble doing so.

Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut as she quietly placed the hilts of her sabers in the ground, allowing the snow to cover them slowly.

To a Jedi, a lightsaber represented their life. To bury one's lightsaber would not only signify burying oneself, but also the Master before them.

The Master who had given her these very blades.

Steeling herself, she took a deep breath and paid her respects. It was time to leave. Turning to face the graves of her brothers, the clones who fought alongside with her, she bowed her head before straightening back up and starting to walk away.

Master Skywalker, if by any chance you ever find this...I'm sorry. It's not that I didn't care for them. I just can't leave behind any traces.

Vader motioned at Reva, indicating that it was her chance to leave.

"That is all. I have no further need of you."

Reva frowned, obviously having assumed that he required her presence for something. She opened her mouth to retort something, but Vader beat her to it.

"Leave," he snarled again, standing straight at his fullest height. Reva immediately turned around and left.

Now it was just the two of them. Ahsoka tried to breathe quieter, not wanting him to notice how her heart rate had suddenly sped up. As he turned towards her, she felt adrenaline race through her veins. I'm trapped here with him, she thought to herself. He started walking towards her and she looked down, pretending to take interest in something on the ground.

The best way I can protect you, is by teaching you how to protect yourself.

Ahsoka winced, squeezing her eyes shut.

Anakin had spent years teaching how to protect herself against Dark Users. In her time, she had taken on Sith Lords such as General Grievous and Darth Maul. With his teachings, she had prepared herself for any encounter, no matter how experienced or powerful.

But she had never thought she would have to prepare herself against her own Master.

Vader approached faster, closing in the gap between them. She shuddered slightly as he finally faced her, turning her head away from him. He seemed to take notice, and bent down slightly so they were eye-to-eye.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked sardonically. "Why do you refuse to look at me?"

Ahsoka bit her lip. "I'm not really fond of the new mask. I don't suppose you could remove it?"

"Hm. I am afraid it does not come off."

Ahsoka sighed. "No, I suppose it doesn't, huh?" She stared at the helmet, trying to figure out where his eyes and mouth roughly were, but averted her eyes. She hated to think of her brother trapped inside, slowly becoming an emotionless cyborg made of durasteel and obsidian. She did not know what was worse; knowing that deep down, Anakin was trapped somewhere underneath there, or the knowledge that her beloved friend no longer existed. He was now a walking shell of his former self, a reanimated corpse with none of the compassion and charm of his former incarnation.

"Why are you looking away? You didn't use to be afraid of me."

"You didn't use to be cruel."

Vader paused.

"Am I really so cruel, if I have decided to let you live?"

"You killed my brother."

"He was in my way."

Ahsoka gritted her teeth. "Are you going to kill me too?"

"It depends. What was your role in all of this?"

"In what?"

Vader opened his hand and held it out towards her. Confused, Ahsoka blinked at him, at a loss for words. When he brought it closer, she peered at it and saw what he was holding. It looked like a simple necklace, crudely carved out of some sort of ivory wood. The craftsmanship was not bad, although it somewhat of a childish touch to it.

"What...is that?"

"It is a good luck charm," Vader replied simply. "Carved from japor, a wood native to the desert planet of Tatooine."

Ahsoka squinted at it, puzzled. "What does it mean?"

"Whoever wears this must be a loved one of Amidala."

Ahsoka shuddered, hearing him speak Padme's name. "How would you know that?" she asked, confused.

"Because I am the one who gave it to her myself," Vader replied, sneering and closing his hand again.

Ahsoka winced, trying to ignore the way her eyes were watering. She had potentially anticipated hearing him speak her name, but she was not prepared for the coldness and distance in his voice when he talked about her. It hurt to hear.

"I see," she said quietly. "And what does this have to do with me?"

"I found this on the girl. The one you brought into my headquarters without my permission."

"Sorry. I didn't realize I had to ask."

"You should have known better."

Vader stared at her, watching her carefully. Ahsoka swallowed, unsure what she was supposed to do to convince him to not kill her.

I mean, I've already tried to kill him. I don't see why he wouldn't want to get back at me for it.

Anakin wouldn't have cared. He had already forgiven her for that one time she became possessed and fought him. But then again, this wasn't Anakin she was speaking to anymore. This was someone else.

"So, why was she carrying it?" Ahsoka asked, deciding to humor him.

Vader sneered. "You really have no idea?"

"No."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Well, I'm sorry I'm not as quick on the uptake ever since you chained me up and left me to rot here in this dungeon," Ahsoka spat.

Vader glared at her, and for the first time she met his gaze, challenging him back.

"So, you had no idea that this child was the daughter of Padme Amidala?"

Ahsoka froze, feeling her heart almost stop in her chest.

"What?" she whispered, her voice suddenly hoarse.

No.

There's no way.

Leia is...?

Vader sneered. "I wondered if you were part of this conspiracy or not. It seemed all too good to be true. I have been suspecting foul play."

She should have been paying attention, analyzing his every word to determine how to talk her way out of the situation and ways to escape. But instead, her head was racing with a million thoughts, none of them coherent.

Padme...Padme had a child? How did she give birth?

LEIA is Padme and Anakin's child?

How did she end up here? Did Bail Organa knows this?

Is Padme still alive? Where is she?

No. I would have known.

Or would I?

Her face darkened.

Oh my god, I am going to KILL Bail Organa.

"I can see on your face that this is news to you as well."

"Like hell it is," Ahsoka snapped. "How long have you known?"

"Only since yesterday. But Kenobi has known since she was born. He says that he was there when it happened."

"Kriff," Ahsoka hissed.

Vader did not seem particularly bothered by her swearing. He just watched her silently.

"I told Organa that I didn't wany any more secrets between the two of us," Ahsoka muttered, forgetting herself. For a moment, she was caught up in the past, talking to Anakin. "Kriffin' hell...I didn't realize she was pregnant," she said guiltily.

The reaction on Vader's face told her that, as far as he knew, Padme was definitely dead. If there was even the smallest chance she was still alive, he would not be here, talking to her. She bowed her head, closing her eyes.

If only I'd known...

If I had stayed, would she have stood a chance?

If I stayed, Anakin, would you have...?

Vader began to pace around the cell leisurely, though never straying more than a few feet away from her. She watched him warily, keeping an eye on his movements.

"It is a relief to know that you were not involved," he spoke monotonously, his tone unreadable. "However, since you have made an attempt on my life and hold dangerous information, I cannot let you go."

Ahsoka blinked, then narrowed her eyes.

"So, your plan is to keep me prisoner here forever?" she asked bitterly.

"Keeping you prisoner here would still be a generous show of mercy, considering your betrayal. However..."

Vader turned, facing her again.

"I believe your potential would be wasted, rotting away in this dungeon as you call it. I have greater plans for you."

Ahsoka moved back, forgetting that she was already up against a wall. She flinched as Vader came closer, but he did not grab her or choke her.

"Obi-Wan has turned us against each other, but as I have said before, we need not be adversaries. You can be something more than just my prisoner."

Ahsoka looked up at him, feeling her face grow hot.

"Obi-Wan had nothing to do with this," she said.

"On the contrary," Vader sneered. "He has convinced you that it was my intention to harm you."

"You tried to kill me."

"I considered it briefly," Vader replied calmly. "I was acting in self-defense."

"Right," Ahsoka almost wanted to roll her eyes. She wished she could throw off the chains and hit him in the face with them.

"I understand your skepticism. I myself felt the same way. However, I see now that you were blinded by Bail Organa and Kenobi's deception. It is a minor, but excusable error. One that I am sure we can move past."

Ahsoka frowned. She didn't like how he made it seem as if she was some clueless victim being manipulated by Bail Organa and Obi-Wan.

But then again, isn't he right? A voice whispered to her. He's the one who tricked you into coming here, all the while hiding her real parentage from you.

Ahsoka froze. She did feel somewhat played and used. First, there was the fact he had never told her that Obi-Wan had survived. If Obi-Wan helped Padme give birth to Leia, that meant he must have told Bail Organa who her true father was. Which means he probably knew that Anakin Skywalker and Vader were the same person.

So, they both knew all along.

Vader watched her carefully, growing more and more interested as her face started to show the conflicting inner turmoil behind it.

But why all this secrecy? Why couldn't Obi-Wan and Bail Organa just tell her the truth?

All the pain and tears that this information could have saved her. All the years of desperate, frantic, guilt-ridden loneliness that could have been avoided. How many times had she cried herself to sleep, mourning Master Kenobi and Anakin's deaths? How many nights had she spent, fending off various attackers all by herself, struggling to think of a reason to live until she finally met Kaeden and created a semblance of a home with her?

She felt herself grow angrier, become upset with even Master Kenobi, wanting to yell at him and demand answers. She had wanted to support him, to help him. She had been so afraid that, upon meeting her, he would be angry with her. But now, she was the one feeling angry at him. Why hadn't he told her the truth about Leia?

"You knew that, and yet you never thought to tell me he was still alive? That he survived  Order 66?"

"I tried to reach out to him multiple times, to rouse his sense of duty, but he would always refuse me and tell me that his duty was to the boy."

"The boy?"

"Leia's brother, Luke. My other child, who lives on Tatooine with his uncle Owen at the moisture farm."

She blinked, snapping out of it.

The boy.

Luke!

Vader doesn't know about him yet...

Fortunately, Vader had not decided to attempt using the Second Sight on her. Before he could catch on, she quickly collected her face and resumed what she hoped was a concentrated expression.

"You see," Vader said, "They are nothing but liars, whose only resort is to weave excuses for themselves. You and I have no need for lies between the two of us. There is nothing to conceal."

"What about the death of Anakin Skywalker?" she snapped angrily.

"It is as you said. I killed him," Vader replied.

Ahsoka closed her eyes, letting a tear escape as she silently mourned her Master.

"Kill me then," she whispered. "Let me be buried with him."

"No."

Ahsoka reluctantly reopened her eyes, staring at him. The faceless mask stared back, devoid of any sympathy or emotion. She shivered.

"Then what do you want from me?"

"I want you to join me."

Ahsoka's eyes widened. "No," she said automatically.

"Such stubbornness. You should never have been a Jedi. It is no wonder that you were stripped of your title."

Ahsoka winced. "I thought you said you always hated me," she said bitterly. "Or did you change your mind?"

"Hatred means nothing when measuring talent."

"So that's what this is all about, huh," Ahsoka glared.

"I know that you are still a highly capable Jedi. Were it not for your injury, and the weakness of your emotions, you might have succeeded in your attempt to kill me." Ahsoka grimaced. "But you cannot accomplish anything with those flimsy pieces of junk that the Rebels call lightsabers."

"They worked fine for me, thank you."

"So you say," Vader sneered, "And how did that work out for you, in the end?"

Ahsoka bit her lip, feeling deja vu.

Vader reached into his robes, and pulled out something. Ahsoka glanced over, then felt a chill run down her body. Her eyes immediately grew hot and began to water.

It can't be, she thought to herself.

"You..." She opened her moth, then found herself stammering. "You...you...how...?"

"As you can imagine, I was rather offended to discover that you haphazardly abandoned the gift that I spent so many hours fixing for you."

Her heart thudded, and she felt an ache forming in her chest. "I..." she said weakly, but she still could not muster a full sentence.

Her old lightsaber.

He had found it for her, and had kept it for her all this time.

"I recall giving you two," Vader sneered. "What happened to its twin?"

Ahsoka swallowed. "I...buried both of them together," she admitted. "Someone must have stolen it."

The two of them fell back into silence.

Vader said nothing, just held out the weapon that she had buried at the gravesite of the clones. Ahsoka squeezed her eyes closed again and this time, she could not control the stream of tears that came pouring down her cheeks.

Oh, how she wanted to grab it from him and hug it to her chest like a lost friend! She could feel the kyber crystal of her old blade calling out to her, begging for its Master to take it back, begging for her to wield it once more. But their Paths had diverged a long time ago; she had chosen a different Way, and now she was no longer worthy of it. Her hands itched, wanting to reach out and touch it, but she could not bring herself to.

Weeping, she shook her head and looked away.

"Join me, Ahsoka. I know that we were once close as family, we can fight alongside each other again."

Ahsoka continued to shake her head, too overwhelmed to speak.

"Forget about Obi-Wan, and forget about the Rebellion. I am powerful now, Ahsoka, and I can finally protect you from the dangers of the resistance. I can give you any position you wish; Inquisitor, Lord, Master. We have always been destined to meet again, and I know that you do not wish to fight me, for you cannot win. Not against your own kin. So join me, and we can seize the power of the Empire. No one will stand against us. Together, we will be an unstoppable Force that makes our enemies tremble and bow their heads from fear."

Ahsoka stared with tears in her eyes at the unrecognizable monster that her brother had become, watching as he spoke like a madman drunk on the temptations of the Dark Side. How badly she wanted to shake him and tell him to stop, to demand that he bring back Anakin and let her speak to him.

But Anakin was dead, had been dead for more than ten years. Whatever was speaking her was just a parasite, using the dead body of her brother to manipulate her.

At least, it made it easier if she just thought of him that way.

"Please, Ahsoka. Listen to me."

"I'm sorry, Anakin."

Vader stopped moving.

"You know I can't do that," she said quietly. "Not even for you."

Vader snarled, and Ahsoka knew then that she had finally broken his patience.

"So be it," he hissed.

He turned around and stomped a few steps away. Ahsoka watched his back quietly. Although she could only see the top of his helmet and his cloak, she could read his emotions clear as day.

"What are you going to do with Leia?" she asked cautiously. "Now that you know she is your daughter?"

Vader whirled back around.

"I will make her my successor," he sneered. "First, I will train her until she becomes strong in the Force. Then together, we shall seize control and rule the Galaxy. And when I come into my full power, I will exact revenge upon all those who stood against me."

Ahsoka shook her head disapprovingly.

"What about what Leia wants?"

Vader glowered at her. "What greater honor is there other than being my heir?" he demanded, furious. "I have accepted her as mine. Is that not enough?"

"But she doesn't belong to you," Ahsoka said gently. "You're not her family. Bail Organa is."

"No, I am!" Vader screamed, and Ahsoka felt her chains shake slightly. She winced, then took another breath to collect herself.

"Anakin, you can't just force her to accept you as her father."

Vader snarled and reached out. She felt a familiar squeezing pressure at her neck and coughed, feeling her chest constrict.

"I will do exactly as I please," he growled, "And no one...not even you, little sister...can stop me."

With that, he squeezed his other hand and Ahsoka watched as her beloved lightsaber was ground to pieces, crushed right before her very eyes.

She let out an involuntary cry, watching as the pieces of metal and kyber crystal fell to the floor. Irritated, Vader whirled back around and stomped out, leaving her by herself.

Ahsoka sobbed, unable to use her chained hands to wipe up her tears. What hurt wasn't the fact that he had destroyed her last true lightsaber, the weapon that had gotten her through so many scrapes during the Clone Wars.

No, what hurt was the fact that in doing so, it felt like she was the one he was destroying.

Finally alone, she allowed herself to weep aloud.

I hate Vader more and more each time I speak with him, she thought to herself. But talking to him is the only way I can see Anakin again.

I wish you would come back already.

Chapter Text

The sound of an auto-med couch beeping finally awoke Obi-Wan from his drug-induced slumber. Sitting up blearily, he looked around him, surveying his surroundings. It appeared he was still in the same cell as before, although Vader had apparently decided out of the kindness of his heart to finally administer medical aid to him.

Blinking, he looked down and disconnected the IV drip from his body. He have no idea how long he had been out of it or what happened since he passed out. It could be a matter of hours, days, or weeks. Either way, he needed to act quickly.

He took quick breaths, preparing himself for what he needed to do. He needed his mind to be as clear as possible, and that meant to no hallucinogens or narcotics. Fortunately, he already had a bit of a tolerance to sweetblossom, which hopefully meant he would still be able to use the Second Sight.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated hard and reached out using the Force.

In the adjacent cell, Ahsoka suddenly straightened up, feeling Obi-Wan's presence near her. Opening her eyes, she begrudgingly let him in into her mind, responding to his call.

"Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan whispered. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes," Ahsoka said, struggling to keep her mind clear after what had just occurred with Vader. "I can hear you."

"How long was I out?" Obi-Wan asked frantically.

Ahsoka sighed. In all honesty, time was somewhat murky for her too, considering that all she could see was the walls of her own cell. But she had a slightly better grip on it since she had not been knocked out with any narcotics recently. "Just a few days," she replied. "They last came to give me my meal a few hours ago, so I figure that means it must be about lunchtime now."

"I see," Obi-Wan said, calculating in his head. "We don't have much time, then. Vader and the Inquisitor will surely approach you soon-"

"Already have," Ahsoka said coldly. He paused.

"What did they say to you?" Obi-Wan asked. "Did they try to get you to join their side?"

"Yes."

"What did you tell them?"

"No, of course. I don't want to become one of their horrible Inquisitors."

Obi-Wan puzzled things over in his head, trying to figure out their motive. They had definitely not approached him about this subject, meaning that Vader definitely meant to kill him after all. However, it seemed that Vader was more forgiving towards Ahsoka. Despite what he had said, it was true that they had once been brother and sister. It was possible that he genuinely intended to spare her.

"When the Trooper comes to deliver your lunch, tell them you want to speak with Vader again," he said. "Tell him you changed your mind."

"What?" Ahsoka demanded, incredulous. "Why would I ever do that?"

"Please, Ahsoka. It's the only way."

"No!" Ahsoka screeched, then realized that she had accidentally screamed out loud. Taking a deep breath, she lowered her voice and responded. "No," she said more firmly. "I don't see how that could possibly help our situation."

"It's the only way," Obi-Wan repeated. "Think about it, Ahsoka. If you agree to become an Inquisitor, they might release you and have your legs healed. Then you could-"

"No," Ahsoka said, and something about the firmness in her voice stopped him. "I'm not doing that. I'm sorry, but I just can't agree to any crazy plans any more. Not after this."

She paused, and Obi-Wan realized that she was exhausted. Now that their minds were linked, he could feel her tiredness and just how miserable she really was. Frowning, he decided to probe deeper.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concerned. "Did Vader do anything to you-"

"No."

"Oh." Obi-Wan paused. "I'm glad to hear that."

Ahsoka did not respond.

"I was worried he might try to hurt you..."

"He didn't," Ahsoka said wearily.

"That's good," Obi-Wan said. "He may say some hurtful things, but Anakin still cares about you after all. We may be able to use that to our advantage. If you tell him that-"

"I'm not talking to him, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan frowned.

In every mission that he had ever been on, his role had been to figure out a strategy. It was never an issue of manpower or strength; all his life, he had relied on his mind to get him out of tough situations. But right now, all Ahsoka kept giving him was a wall of resistance. How could they work together if she kept throwing down his ideas? He needed to get to the heart of this.

"I understand you're tired, Ahsoka. But really, time is of the essence right now. We need to work something out together and decide what our next move should be-"

"I don't care."

Obi-Wan stopped, shocked.

"I'm tired, Obi-Wan. I tried to do the right thing and take you and Leia home but that failed. I tried to turn back and rescue you, but that failed, too. Now, Vader has us all trapped in separate cells and I have no idea if I will ever see my partner again. I'm afraid I can't help but feel a little pessimistic right now."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "Ahsoka, I know everything looks a bit difficult right now, but we should not lose hope. We are so close to getting things right this time. All you have to do is tell Vader that-"

"Stop trying to get me to talk to him!" Ahsoka screamed, and Obi-Wan flinched. "What don't you understand about what I just said to you?" she snapped. "I. Don't. Want. To. Do. It!"

Her resistance to him was so strong that it nearly severed the Force connection. Obi-Wan was thrown back against the auto-med couch. He took deep breaths, shakily using all of his energy to cling on. "I'm...I'm sorry Ahsoka, I can stop talking about it now if you wish," he said.

But it wasn't enough.

"Why are you and Bail Organa always trying to trick me into doing something?" Ahsoka hissed. "Did you both know everything this whole time? Were you laughing behind my back, watching me run around and do your dirty work for you while having no clue what I had signed up for? If I had known what I was getting myself into, I would...I would've..."

Obi-Wan paused, confused. "What are you talking about, Ahsoka?" he asked gently. "I would never laugh behind your back at you-"

"You know exactly what I mean!" Ahsoka growled. When Obi-Wan did not respond, she yelled at him again. "About Leia's brother, and Anakin being Vader, and what happened to Padme after the War! OH, AND DID I MENTION? THE FACT THAT LEIA IS ANAKIN'S DAUGHTER!" Obi-Wan flinched, backing away even though there was nothing to attack him. "When did you plan on telling me any of that, huh? Or were you hoping that I would just finish your dirty work and never find out?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, trying to keep his mind clear while also processing everything. Ahsoka was furious and clenching both of her fists hard now, her knuckles turning a pale yellow. Obi-Wan thought over his words carefully before responding.

"Ahsoka," he said gently, "You are right. I am sorry. I was hiding a lot of information from you. I cannot deny that."

"You better not," she said bitterly.

"I know. I understand that you are still angry at me and I just want to say, it wasn't because I didn't trust you or your intelligence. On the contrary. However, I didn't know if it would be safe-"

"Like hell!" Ahsoka spat. "Were any of us ever safe? We were willingly entering Vader's domain, for crying out loud! I'm not the fourteen year-old Padawan that you and Anakin picked up at Christophsis anymore. I'm twenty-eight! You can't keep shielding me like a child forever!"

"You will always be a child to me, Ahsoka! How could I live with myself if Vader found out that you knew and killed you?"

"I could say the same," Ahsoka spat. "How did you expect me to go on if Vader found out and killed you?"

"I cannot live without you, Ahsoka, but I know you could survive without me."

"Bullshit!" Ahsoka growled. "Do you really see me as that cold-hearted?"

"I do not see you as cold-hearted, Ahsoka, although sometimes you can be somewhat impulsive-"

"Oh, like hell!" Ahsoka swore angrily. "I don't care if you feel guilty about killing or almost killing Anakin because of his bullshit decisions. Stop projecting onto me!"

Obi-Wan froze.

"I'm not him, Obi-Wan! Just because I choose to think differently from you doesn't mean that all my decisions are stupid. And finally, I am not a pawn or clueless child that you can just order around. I am my own person, and I wish you would treat me like one! You keep telling me to trust you, but how can I when you don't even put your confidence in me?"

With that, she sent a wave of her own energy towards him and Obi-Wan almost fell back from how powerful it was. He could feel it now, how strong she was in the Force, how much power she still wielded even with both of her legs injured. He reeled slightly, and took a few minutes to recover. He waited for several minutes, just to see if she wanted to continue. But Ahsoka had stopped talking. She had now closed her eyes and was breathing heavily, trying to calm down. She knew that leaning too much into anger would lead to the Dark Side, which was not what she wanted to do. But it was just so hard to control her emotions right now.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. Ahsoka waited, impatient to see what he had to say.

Finally, his message came.

"I...I'm sorry, Ahsoka."

No answer.

"You are right. I have been treating you rather unfairly."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes, unimpressed.

"I was planning to eventually tell you. About Luke and Leia's father, and Anakin, and everything. I wish I had the time to talk to you about my last moments with Padme, and what she had to say about Anakin." He inhaled shakily, and in that moment Ahsoka understood that he was not lying. "But I was afraid. I let my weakness take over me."

Ahsoka almost rolled her eyes.

"No, I am making excuses again. I was a coward, but I also underestimated you. I thought that maybe, by keeping the truth from you, it would protect you from Vader going after you. But I see now that I have just gotten us all into further trouble. I'm sorry, Ahsoka...I don't know if you ever can, and I don't expect you to forgive me. But please, please don't shut me out," he begged. "You're the only person I can rely on right now, and I really, truly just want Leia to be safe."

Ahsoka took a deep breath, trying to get her heart rate back to normal.

Obi-Wan waited, holding his breath.

"Okay," she said.

He internally rejoiced.

"But we need to lay down some ground rules. No more secrets," she demanded. "And don't ask me to do anything I don't want to."

"Of course," Obi-Wan agreed eagerly.

"I'm not finished. From now on, you have to include me in your plans. I am not a Padawan anymore. I am your equal. This means you also have to listen to what I have to say. And sometimes, I will order you to do something too."

"Yes, of course, anything!"

"Finally..." Ahsoka paused. "I want to know the truth. About what happened between you and Anakin."

Obi-Wan looked down. The Force connection was starting to waver, as he was losing the stamina to keep it up. They didn't have much time. But he decided to humor her nonetheless. "Alright. I will not hide anything from you."

"Good," Ahsoka said. She did not probe further.

Obi-Wan blinked. "I thought you wanted to talk about it right now?"

"Now is not the best time," Ahsoka replied solemnly. "I'm more worried about Leia. What are we going to do now? Also, what if Vader finds out that she has a brother?"

Obi-Wan squinted, trying to think. "I am not sure. For now...we will have to keep hiding his existence. But it is best that we escape and contact Bail Organa as quickly as possible, so he can act for us."

Ahsoka frowned, concerned. "Does he have anyone to protect him right now?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied. "Well, I was supposed to be his protection. But I know his uncle and aunt will take good care of him. They love him just as much as a real son."

Both of them went silent for a few moments, deep in thought.

"Obi-Wan," Ahsoka said slowly, "I've been thinking..."

"Yes?"

"All of this...Anakin turning against the Jedi, Padme dying, Leia and Luke growing up without their real parents...is this all my fault?" she asked bluntly.

In that moment, it felt as if she was a child again, seeking the comfort of her old Master.

Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. "What?" he asked, shocked. "Of course not. Ahsoka, so many things happened while you were gone, you cannot possibly blame yourself for everything that went wrong...Ahsoka, why would you ever think that?" he asked gently. "You are the last person to blame for any of this. You could never hurt anyone."

"I don't know about that," she said darkly. "It's just...ever since I left the Jedi Order, I've always had this bad feeling, that there would be consequences...and look what happened. I almost died when I saw how badly you and Anakin were suffering," she murmured, and her voice began to tremble. "I keep thinking that, maybe if I stayed, Anakin wouldn't have gone to the Dark Side...you and him wouldn't have fought...and Padme, Padme might have stayed alive," she sobbed. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened, and he felt a pang in his chest as he realized she was crying.

"Ahsoka, no, no," he murmured, trying to think of how to comfort her. "Ahsoka..." Her sobs grew even louder, and he felt his heart break for her. "Ahsoka, don't cry. Please don't cry, it's not...Ahsoka, please, listen to me."

Ahsoka couldn't control herself anymore. Days of exhaustion and desperation had finally worn her down, and she began to cry loudly. Since they were connected by the Force, Obi-Wan too felt her sadness and began to feel hot tears leak out of his eyes. But he did not care, did not even try to wipe them, could not be bothered to worry over himself when Ahsoka was crying all by herself in the cell next to him.

"Ahsoka..." he said gently, mustering the courage to say the words that he did could not say to himself, to speak the truth that hurt just as much as the lies he had told himself all those years. "Anakin...Anakin's fall was not your fault. The truth is that the Anakin we knew and loved...may not have been the person we thought he was. And it is easier to think that, maybe if you stayed, or maybe if I raised him differently, he wouldn't have done the things that he did. But at the end of the day, he is the one who had the most control over himself, not us. Which means that this was his choice. And that is the hardest part to accept."

Ahsoka sobbed.

"It is hard to understand, how the man who we knew as a loving brother and friend could fall so far and become so cruel," Obi-Wan murmured, "But that does not mean that his love for you...for us...was not real. I do believe that deep down he did genuinely care for us, greatly in fact. And Padme and I, we loved him just as much. We were crazy about him. Even after we found out when he returned from the Temple that he was the one who killed all of the Younglings, we still tried to reach out to him because we loved him that much. We would have taken him back even knowing everything that he had done."

The tears were steadily falling from Ahsoka's face now. She wailed loudly, as if her heart had been torn out, as if the wounds were from just yesterday.

"Ahsoka, you did not kill Anakin," he said gently. "Vader did."

Ahsoka sniffled. Obi-Wan wished he could reach through the walls, and hand her his sleeve, his robe, anything to dry her face with.

"He didn't use to be like this," she hiccupped. "I've never heard him speak to me like that before. He was so...cruel," she murmured.

"I know," Obi-Wan muttered. "He changed after he started talking to the Chancellor."

"The...Chancellor?" Ahsoka asked, confused.

"Senator Palpatine," Obi-Wan's face darkened. "Well, he doesn't go by that name anymore. These days, he calls himself The Emperor. You may have heard of him."

Ahsoka gasped.

"Many things changed after you left. Anakin began seeking the companionship of some rather unsavory characters. Master Windu disapproved of this, but I had already granted him his independence. I thought it was not my place to interfere until I realized it was too late. Padme too tried to dissuade him from crossing the line, but he wouldn't listen to either of us. He even raised his hand against her."

Ahsoka swallowed. "I never thought he would hurt Padme," she said slowly. "He loved her so much..."

"That's what I thought too. But," Obi-Wan sighed, "We can never know a person's true character. Who knows? Perhaps it was in him, all along."

Ahsoka grimaced, disturbed. "I guess maybe you're right," she mumbled. "I also never thought I would live to see the day that the clones would turn against us," she muttered bitterly.

Obi-Wan sighed, also remembering their comrades. "It wasn't their choice, Ahsoka. They used a chip inside their heads to mind control them. I even had to fight off Cody when Order 66 was activated and he was programmed to kill me."

"I know."

Obi-Wan paused.

"I had to remove something similar from Rex."

They sat for a few moments in silence. They both had questions they wanted to ask each other, about if each other's companion survived. They both kept their thoughts to themselves, knowing that not knowing was better.

Just then, Obi-Wan was startled by the sound of the magnetic barrier being deactivated from outside of his cell. Panicking, he immediately cut off the connection and straightened up, just in time to see Vader strolling into his cell. He instantly got into a defensive position, expecting him to cut off his other leg.

"Hello, Kenobi," Vader said, and something about his tone sounded odd. He was not angry or silently hiding his murderous intent behind a mask of indifference today. Obi-Wan frowned. He did not know how to handle this unprecedented situation. It made him nervous.

"Vader," Obi-Wan said cautiously. "You seem...different from usual."

"I am," Vader replied. "I suppose you could say I am in a good mood. Do you know why?"

"No."

"Hm. Well, let me enlighten you," Vader paused. "You see before, I was rather furious with you. I was thinking about killing you and then Ahsoka. But then I came to a realization."

"And what is it that you realized?" Obi-Wan asked suspiciously.

"I realized that I was holding myself back," Vader replied, "Because somewhere, in some part of me...I suppose, the part that still thinks of myself as Anakin Skywalker...was clinging on to both of you. Why, I do not know. Clearly, neither of you are worth my time, since you will never accept me," he sneered. "But I know now where my priorities lie. And that is in my duties as a father."

Obi-Wan almost snorted out loud. "Your duties," he said incredulously.

"Yes," Vader replied. "It is a most fulfilling and satisfying realization. I am excited to begin this new stage of my life."

"You are delusional," Obi-Wan spat. "What will you do if the Emperor finds out?"

"Oh, I assure you, he will not. I intend to kill every person who catches even a mere glimpse of my daughter. And naturally, I will keep all of you safe here where you cannot betray me ever again. It is, I think, a most ingenious arrangement," Vader smirked.

Obi-Wan glared at him furiously. "You are out of your mind, Anakin!" he shouted. "You cannot just force the poor girl to accept you as her father!"

"Can't I?" Vader smirked. "Your little Padawan said the same thing. I was angry at first until I realized both of you have always been conspiring against me. Why should I listen to the words of naysayers who only wish to see me fail? I would sooner take advice from my worst enemy."

Obi-Wan glowered at him, speechless with anger and unable to form a response. Vader just laughed loudly, the sound distorted and amplified by the mechanical vocoder in his helmet.

"Goodbye, old man," Vader said. "I was going to kill you, but I have an important meeting with the Emperor today and I would hate to keep him waiting. Enjoy your solitude."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to yell and Vader turned around, completely ignoring him. He did however flick his wrist and the auto-med couch's shackles immediately sprung to life and restrained Obi-Wan while a new dose of sweetblossom was injected directly into his veins. All he could do was make muffled noises around the gag on his mouth before the narcotics took over and he passed out completely.

"Hello again, my friend," Palpatine greeted Vader as he came into view on the holoprojector. "You seem to be doing well."

"Thank you, Master," Vader replied. "I am pleased to see that you are also in good health."

"I see," Palpatine said. "I am relieved to see that you are holding up fine. I was concerned that, given that we are approaching the anniversary of a rather sensitive date..." He paused, waiting to gauge Vader's reaction, "...You might be experiencing some conflicting emotions. It appears that is not the case."

Vader paused. It was true, he usually became somewhat emotional every year around the time of Padme's death. But with everything that had happened recently, he had been too occupied to think about it. "Thank you for your concern, Master. But you need not worry for my wellbeing. I am strong in the Force, and I anticipate there will be no complications impeding me from carrying out your bidding as you see fit."

Palpatine raised an eyebrow. "Indeed," he said cautiously. "You seem to be at the top of your form, in fact. I myself would give much of my personal fortune to attain the level of enthusiasm that you exude today."

"It is just that I am so pleased to have finally defeated and captured Kenobi, Master," Vader insisted. "Revenge does wonders for the will to live...wouldn't you agree?"

Palpatine's lip curled upwards into a smile. "That I can certainly agree with, my good Apprentice," he nodded. "How right you are. I am pleased to see that you are turning out just like your Master."

Chapter Text

It did not take long for things to change around Fortress Vader.

For one, there was a long slew of mysterious demotions. All those who looked at or got close to seeing Leia were immediately rounded up and never seen again. With all of the Purge Troopers who had previously brought her breakfast dispatched, Reva was forced to schedule specific intervals in her usual schedule in order to bring her meals. This seemed to annoy her greatly, as she was more or less always in a foul mood.

At the same time, strange clothes began to appear practically overnight in Leia's room. They grew increasingly elaborate and difficult for Reva to put on. Both of them silently agreed that this was an inconvenience to both of them.

"Why do I have to wear it if he's just gonna keep me locked up in here?" Leia demanded angrily. It had been days since she last talked to Vader, perhaps a week since she last saw Ben. These days, the only person allowed to come in and see her was Reva.

"Well, on the off chance that he does decide to let you out," Reva said, "At least you will look the occasion."

Leia stomped her foot and put on a small tantrum, wanting her old clothes with color back. She especially missed the green jacket and gloves that Ben had bought for her on Daiyu, but at the moment they could not be located (she did not put it past Vader to "accidentally" lose them). However, no amount of whining or crying could make them reappear in her closet. Reva also did not respond well whenever she asked her to be let outside or to speak to Ben and Ahsoka.

"Stop asking me," she would snarl. "You are being very difficult. I have no control over that."

"But I'm so bored!"

"I am not your servant," Reva snapped. "It is not my job to entertain you, only ensure that you are fed." With that, she turned and left.

As the days went on, Leia grew more and more anxious. Every hour felt painful, and every day that Vader was gone on a mission yet refused to let her leave the room was a slap in the face.

The only saving grace was that, just as Vader had promised, the food did improve. Instead of the rehydrated powdered paste and steamed vegetables, Leia woke up to fragrant five-blossom bread and denta bean buns, a slightly less scary version of the Mustafarian bread rolls that also had red beans in it. Just as she requested, her meals now came with steaming cups of Mintea. On one particular occasion, Leia woke up to see Reva presenting her with bowl of fresh chilled starblossom cut into small chunks. Her eyes gleamed with recognition as she reached for the fruit of her home planet.

"Vader has returned from his latest mission," Reva informed her. "He will see you later today."

Leia scowled. There was always a catch, in the end.

Yet despite announcing his arrival early on, Vader did not arrive until much later. It was almost dinnertime when Reva knocked on her door and instructed Leia to follow her. Together, they took on the endless long staircases and finally arrived at the designated room. Reva nudged Leia towards the door, then turned away and left.

Leia took a deep breath before pushing open the obsidian door.

She did not know what she was expecting. When she walked in, she saw a tall figure clad in black sitting on a chair while peering at a holoprojection of some distant planet pensively. After a few seconds, his eyes roved over to her direction, and he shut it off. She fidgeted with her hands nervously, wishing the black dress that he had made her wear had pockets to hide inside.

"Come closer," he said, and she winced at the sound his breathing made through the vocoder. Vader motioned at her and she slowly walked towards him until they were about a foot or so away from each other.

"You can come closer than that," he said, annoyed. Leia reluctantly took three more steps towards him.

Now that they were face to face, she could finally get a good look at him, or at least as good as the dim lighting permitted. She stared at the motherboard on his chest with its eerie flashing display, the hard leather gloves on his hands that concealed his robotic arms, and the smooth durasteel helmet that covered his face. She peered at the ridges that were supposed to imitate the shapes of eyes. In the silence, she could hear a faint constant humming, undoubtedly from the many mechanical parts that made up his body. Altogether, it looked very uncomfortable and bulky and did not permit for a great range of motion.

"Why are you not talking?" Vader asked. Leia stared back at him. "Say something."

Leia opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Speak."

"Why won't you let me leave my room?" she asked immediately.

The electromotors in his hands whirred and clicked. She did not know if the silence was a good or bad sign. "You have already been granted permission to leave."

"Yeah, to talk to you," she said. "But you kept me locked in there while you were on your trip."

Vader stirred slightly, and she read the motion as an indication of annoyance. "There is no need for you to leave while I am not present."

"What if I'm bored and I want someone else to talk to?"

Vader stared at her coldly. She stared back, challenging him. She waited for him to grab her and threaten her with his lightsaber again for this impertinence.

"Do not talk to anyone.  You may speak to me or the Inquisitor. But speaking to anyone else is strictly forbidden."

Leia frowned. "But-"

Vader raised his hand, silencing her. Leia glowered at him as he stood up and turned around, his long cape trailing after him. "Let us not waste time and breath arguing over trivial matters. That is not the purpose for which I have summoned you." Leia reluctantly followed along behind him as he began to march out of the room.

"I wish you would talk normal," Leia said wearily.

Vader froze, but he recovered quickly and continued his brisk walking.

"It is a rare occasion when I am able to withdraw from my personal obligations, so I would advise you to not tarry," he informed her, then paused for a second. "Hurry up."

"I'm trying," Leia snapped as she chased after him on her shorter legs. Vader stopped and slowed his pace to about half-measure.

As they walked through the hallways of Fortress Vader, Leia noticed that all the Purge Troopers refused to make eye contact with her. All of them averted their eyes or acted as if they did not see anything. The only sounds in the entire hallway were the loud shuffling of Vader's boots on the smooth glassy obsidian floors.

"Stay close to my side," Vader said, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her until she was close enough that his cape partially covered her. She did not think it particularly hid her, but he seemed rather intent on ensuring that no one else looked at her, so she complied.

"They will all be terminated later," he informed her as soon as they were out of hearing range.

"Terminated?" Leia asked. "You're not going to kill them, are you?"

"Of course I am," Vader said coldly. "No one must know of your existence."

Leia frowned, feeling more isolated than when she was in her room.

"Come. I want to show you something."

Eventually, they reached a security checkpoint near the exit. Vader simply waved his hand indifferently at the Purge Troopers stationed there, who immediately parted and bowed their heads upon his arrival. Leia felt uneasy as she looked at their weapons, feeling as if she was being escorted to her own execution. However, Vader did not turn around and command the firing squad to shoot her. He just dragged her along with him, indifferent to their surroundings.

Soon, they came across an Imperial spacecraft with no visible markings. Leia wearily looked at it, wondering if he was planning to enter orbit and then eject her to die in the vacuum of space.

"Get in," Vader said absentmindedly, and Leia obeyed. As she entered, she saw in the cockpit that there were two seats, but when she sat on the copilot seat her head barely came above the navicomputer dashboard. Vader frowned, clearly having not anticipated needing to prepare a booster seat. He turned around and walked out the cockpit, leaving her there.

Or maybe, he's planning to blow it up while I'm stuck here? Leia thought. There are so many different ways he could kill me, I wish he would get it over with instead of keeping me in suspense.

Several minutes passed. Leia started to unbuckle the seatbelt, but found that it had been childproofed. All she could do was wait and hope Vader would come back.

After a while, Vader returned looking slightly annoyed and holding what looked to be an adjustable cushion. He helped her out of the seatbelt and placed the cushion underneath her, allowing her to finally see over the dashboard.

"Now, let us depart," he said coolly.

With that, he began to start the ship's engines and prepared to enter Mustafar's atmosphere.

It was strange to her, watching this cold and merciless commander calmly adjusting the switches on a dashboard and calibrating the navicomputer. The way his hands lovingly lingered on the lever after he pulled it, how naturally he seemed at ease as they entered orbit and he steered them out of the path of an approaching satellite. In another life, she imagined he would have made an excellent pilot.

"We are about to enter lightspeed," he told her. "However, the navigational system must finish its computations first."

She stared at him. "Why is it taking so long?" she demanded, deciding to be difficult on purpose.

Vader leaned back, and she watched as he absentmindedly fiddled with the temperature controls and universal altimeter.

"It is imperative that no errors are made.  That is why."

"But if we are traveling at lightspeed, doesn't that mean we can just smash through anything?" Leia asked, still trying to provoke him. Of course, this was a rhetorical question. Every child of Alderaan knew the answer to this logical fallacy, which was that the ship's durability would not be enough to withstand the collision force.

Surprisingly, Vader fell for the bait.

"As you may have learned, if Organa has been teaching you correctly...force is a combination of mass and acceleration. This is a smaller spacecraft, therefore our mass is not of concern. However, traveling at lightspeed is an incredibly high velocity, and thus any collision would be disastrous."

"Oh," Leia said. "But Daddy said acceleration is not the same as velocity," she frowned. "If we're moving at the same speed, how can we be accelerating?"

Vader paused, as if he had not expected her to understand the terms he mentioned.

"Indeed. However y ou must remember that we are not moving in a straight line. We are constantly changing our direction, therefore we are accelerating."

He turned and peered at her through the hood of his helmet.

"Do not refer to Organa as your father anymore. He is not of any significance to you at this stage in your life."

Leia glared at him. "He raised me. I think that is very significant."

Vader waved his hand indifferently. "That was before you found your true purpose. I have something much greater in mind for you now. Soon, you will come to see what I mean."

Finally, the navicomputer finished its calculations and they entered hyperdrive. Leia watched with slightly blurry eyes as they hurtled rapidly through space, wondering where he was planning to take her.

Once they pulled out of hyperdrive, Leia rubbed her eyes and saw that they were stationed at a high vantage point that looked down upon the Galaxy, from which several masses of distant planets and stars could be seen. She attempted to locate her planet, but everything was so overwhelming and she could not tell left from right.

"This," Vader said, "is our Empire."

Leia stared and began to look more closely at everything before her.

She could see each one of the Core Worlds, buzzing and thrumming proudly as millions of inhabitants went about their daily lives breathing, crying, laughing and indulging in all life had to offer. There was the Inner Rim, where colonization first started, and the Expansions to which it had slowly spread through a combination of tenacity and lust for power. She could see the sparkle of distant stars winking slowly at her, the multicolored swirl of nebulas from which life could either go out or be born anew. She watched as various comets whizzed past them, shining brightly with their tails thrust forwards. She could even see a glimpse of the Unknown Regions, where various hyperspace anomalies such as magnetospheres and gravity wells could only safely be viewed from afar.

Everything before her belonged to, or was meant to, belong to Vader.

"You mean your Empire."

"You are my heir," Vader replied simply. "All that which is mine, will soon be yours."

Leia blinked. From end-to-end, everything before her eyes was Empire-ruled, Empire-owned. She stared and watched as Imperial spacecrafts moved back and forth, surveying the area and maintaining their control over this side of the galaxy.

"What are those?" she asked.

"Those  are the colonies which provide important materials and supplies to the Empire.  Including the manufacturing of various arms and weapons. They are essential to our ongoing efforts against the Rebels, and without them, our Empire would not be able to maintain its strength."

"How do they work so fast? Are you using slave labor?" Leia asked suspiciously.

Vader stared at her as if he was debating the pros and cons of Force-choking her and turning the ship back around.

"How astute you are.  Indeed, we do employ various forms of labor. However, one might say that in every contract, one must forfeit something.  These people agree to forfeit certain personal comforts for the greater good of society. The people who work in these colonies are under a stricter lifestyle, but in exchange they receive the benefit of personal security and the Empire's protection."

"That is a dictatorship," Leia glowered at him. "My Father would never approve. He hates slavery. He thinks it should be abolished. He is working to secure a vote against it."

"Ah," Vader said, "Democracy. How idealistic." He paused. "There was time when I, too, believed in it. I was young and foolish. I believed that the Senate would be a sufficient mechanism against the dangers of corruption."

"But it is," Leia insisted. "That's what the Senate is for, isn't it?"

"No," Vader said coldly. "The Senate exists to further their own interests. That is their true purpose. The improvement of their territories is merely a byproduct of their authority, rather than their actual intention."

"But how does that make your Empire any better, if you allow corruption like slavery to exist?"

"Because all of these people are working together for a shared purpose, a shared goal. How are nations created? By a people with a common idea and common values. By giving themselves over to the Empire, they are given the sense of unified identity that they crave and are less prone to infighting. They fuel the Empire which protects them and ensures they have a job and are fed. They are not enslaved by some rogue Rebel insurgents to prolong their petty struggles, and they do not have to worry about any economic instability. There is no tension behind the inhabitants of different regions, or the members of different species. All of them are united by their obedience to the Empire, and all are rewarded for their diligence by the graciousness of our protection. That is the difference."

Leia frowned, remembering something her father had told her.

Remember, Leia. A benevolent dictatorship is still a dictatorship. Tyrants often attempt to disguise themselves as something else, but at the end of the day they cannot hide what they truly are.

"It's not fair."

"It may not be your definition of just.  But it is necessary to keep the peace."

Leia glared at him.

"You are cruel," she said, "And a tyrant. I will never agree to this."

"Perhaps my actions have made me a tyrant, but I am also a fair man. You will find that I can be rather agreeable at times. I believe you will come around, sooner or later."

Leia glared at him and wished she could steal his lightsaber and smack him in the face with it.

"What about my planet?" she demanded. "Where is Alderaan?"

Vader made a vague motion, seemingly uninterested in pointing it out clearly to her.

"Take me there," she said imperiously. "I want to go home."

"All of this and more belongs to us. There are far more interesting worlds to see than that which you mistakenly call home.  Do not make such tiresome requests of me. I advise you to forget about it."

"But I want to go there!"

Vader sneered, annoyed.

"The entirety of the Galaxy is soon to be under our control. Why do you linger upon an insignificant terrestrial world?"

"I don't want a Galaxy, I want my home," Leia whined.

"You do not have a home," Vader snarled. "Your only home is with me now."

"Why? Why do I have to stay with you?"

"Because you are my daughter!" Vader shouted.

"You're not my father," Leia glared at him. "My father isn't a tyrant. He would never excuse slavery and corruption."

"I am your only real Father.  You will cease mention of that traitor to the Empire immediately. Forget everything about Organa."

"No!"

"You will."

"I won't!" Leia shouted, scrunching up her face at him. "He is my real father, not you!"

"Lies and deceptions," Vader snarled. "I see Obi-Wan has poisoned your mind. I will see to it that he is punished accordingly."

"You leave him alone! He did nothing!"

"Do you not see that he is the one who turned you against me? Why else do you always disobey and argue with me?"

"You did that yourself!"

"How? I am your father, what other reason do you need to listen to me?"

"Maybe if I loved you, I would!" Leia yelled.

Enraged, Vader finally stood up and drew himself to his full height, towering high above her.

"I am a fair man, but my patience is not limitless," he sneered. "Our time for today is over. I am afraid I will have to discipline you for this impertinence."

Leia trembled, feeling a prick at the corners of her eyes as they grew hot and wet. She watched him silently as he set a course to return to Mustafar, ignoring her and focusing only on the blinking dashboard in front of him. The silent descent back into Mustafar's hazy, corrupted atmosphere was long and unbearable.

Once they landed, Vader practically pushed her out of the cockpit and seized her hand. She tried to pull it out of his grip and he squeezed her wrist cruelly, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Let go of me!" Leia shrieked.

"To your room," Vader snarled, and when she did not stand up fast enough, he growled at her again. "Go! NOW!"

Leia let him yank her towards her room and roughly push her into the unlit darkness. Once she was inside, she heard the door slam loudly behind her.

"You will stay in there until your punishment is over," Vader said coldly. "Do not hold your breath waiting for food. There will be none."

Leia crumpled to the floor and wept angrily.

"OBI-WAN!" Vader snarled, almost throwing the door off his hinges as he stomped into Obi-Wan's cell.

Obi-Wan barely stirred awake just in time to roll out of the way of Vader's lightsaber. He did not even have the energy to speak, just gasped and looked up at Vader as he stood above him, radiating pure fury.

"You have brought a scoundrel under my roof," Vader snarled, "An impertinent brat who does not understand authority or respect!"

Obi-Wan opened his mouth, but could not form any words. Vader seized him by the hair and pulled him up, yanking cruelly. He let out a cry of pain.

"I am tired of your mind games, old man," Vader growled. "But I see that words can only go so far. To someone who is fluent in lies, the threat of pain is merely an empty promise. You require a stronger motivation."

With that, he grabbed him and pulled him closer to himself. Then, with his free hand, he brought his lightsaber down, searing directly into the flesh of Obi-Wan's leg, provoking a cry of pain. Obi-Wan immediately began to sob and shake, screaming uncontrollably as he felt the laser cut through blood and bone.

"This is all your fault, Obi-Wan!" Vader screamed as he continued to push his sword harder. "You are the one who keeps sabotaging me, driving her away from me...was it not enough that you let me fall into the hands of the Darkness, that you punished me for reaching out to you by cutting off the arms with which I used to protect myself? How much longer will you force me to suffer?" he cried as Obi-Wan struggled and gasped in his arms. "Everything, everything always comes back to you!" he snarled. "Why do you keep tormenting me?"

He let go and Obi-Wan fell onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Disgusted, he kicked the bloody severed limb away from him, and Obi-Wan let out a faint cry of horror.

"I hate you," Vader spat. "You are the worst thing that ever happened to me. I wish I had never met you."

Obi-Wan expected another barrage of insults but instead, Vader threw down his lightsaber and sank to his knees.

"No matter what I do, she refuses to respect me," he hissed, "I have tried everything I can to make her listen to me. But she will not obey."

Obi-Wan watched warily from a distance as Vader trembled angrily, his entire body shaking with both fury and sorrow.

"You are a coward, but everyone loves you. They come to you of their own will instead of shrinking away from you. They would never reject you. Yet they hate me. Why do they all love you but not me?" he demanded, sounding like a petulant child throwing a tantrum. "I am her Father, she should be listening to me and thanking me for everything!"

Obi-Wan debated his options. He could die if he chose wrong.

Slowly, he crawled over to Vader and put his arms on his shoulders gingerly. Vader did not throw him off. Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around him, trying his best to offer whatever comfort he could with his old, broken body.

"She hates me," he whispered hoarsely, and for a second, he almost sounded like himself. "She hates me...what do I have to do to make her love me instead?"

"Give that to me," Vader snapped at Reva and she silently handed him the tray. "I will go talk to her myself."

"Fine," Reva said, crossing her arms, "But don't expect her to listen to you."

"She will," Vader sneered, "It is in her nature."

It was below him to perform such a task. However, he considered himself a patient host. After marching up to the marble door and knocking on it loudly, he waited a moment and then announced himself.

"You may come out now, I have brought you dinner. I have decided to end your discipline early."

Silence.

"Your punishment is over. You do not have to remain there anymore."

No response.

Vader knocked loudly on the door again. When Leia did not come to him, he pushed hard on it and swung it open.

All he saw was darkness. Leia had not turned on any of the wishing globes or lamps that he installed for her. All of the furniture was in the same place, and none of the toys had been played with. He frowned, confused. He reached out with his hand, trying to sense her life sign through the Force.

Suddenly, the tray in his hands was lifted into the air and before he could react, it flipped over and smacked him in the helmet, disorienting him. He swiveled around, and there she was, arms crossed.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded angrily.

"Take it back," Leia said simply. "I don't want your food."

"My offer is not an option. I have ordered you to come to dinner, and so I expect you to come with me. As long as you are under my roof, you must obey me."

"No," Leia said. "If you are going to treat me like an ungrateful brat, then I might as well act like one. I don't want any of your gifts. You can take them all back right now."

Vader stopped moving, incredulous. "Do not speak to me like that," he said, desperately trying to gain upper hand of the situation.

"I don't have to be respectful, you're not my real father," Leia replied, then splayed out her hands in front of her.

Normally a force field this weak would not have any effect on him, but in his shock he did not have time to react to it. Vader was caught off guard and stumbled backwards, right back into the hallway.

"Now get out of my room," Leia said imperiously. "My Daddy says I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

With that, she slammed the door in his face. Too stunned to respond, all he could do was stare at it in shock. After a while, he decided to leave. Vader turned around and made eye contact with a smirking Reva.

"Not as easy as it looks, is it?" she drawled.

"Leave!" he snarled. She immediately turned and marched away, thankful for her increased job security.

Chapter Text

In all his time, never had he come across such a rebellious and tenacious child. No threats of dismemberment or eviction would successfully coax her into opening the door and dining with him, nor did the compromise of leaving the food directly outside for her to collect privately at her own discretion. Whenever Vader returned to check on the marble door of her room, he noticed that the tray of food he had left behind was still untouched. It frustrated him greatly, seeing this offer of peace so easily rejected.

"She will not eat, not as long as she knows that the tray was prepared by me," he complained to Reva. "You are the only one who can successfully manage her whims. Make her eat."

However, when Reva showed up with the same tray attempting to persuade the princess into eating, she was also met with the same resistance. Eventually, she lost her temper and fell back onto old habits.

"You have to eat," she snarled, "Open this door right now or I will kick it down!"

"Go ahead!" Leia yelled back. "I wish you would!"

Given that she could not threaten to cut off Leia's hand, Reva was forced to accept defeat at the hands of the princess.

"If you would please, my Lord," Reva said in an attempt to placate him. "In the morning, when it is time for the first meal of the day, the brat will surely crack. She has been living in the lap of luxury and has never gone without a single meal her entire life. Her hunger will overcome her, after which she will be forced to accept your offer of sustenance."

Vader was still displeased, but he had other matters to attend to and places to be. He begrudgingly agreed to humor her plan, despite how little faith he had in it. The next morning, he returned to personally check on the status of the breakfast tray that Reva was instructed to leave in front of the girl's door.

It was, unsurprisingly, completely untouched. The freshly baked bread had gone cold and hard. Vader sneered, irritated.

For a moment, he contemplated taking the door off its hinges and marching in himself. But there was something deeply unappealing about this option that stopped him. All of their last encounters had ended disastrously, with him losing his temper and bringing the child to tears. Were it any other brat, he would not have cared. Yet, something about seeing the girl's lip quiver and her face scrunch up with anger towards him made him uncomfortable. Perhaps it was her uncanny resemblance to her mother, or the way she looked so different when interacting with Obi-Wan. He had seen the way that he held her and comforted her, just with a small touch or by gently calling her name. It stirred in him a feeling he could not quite comprehend, one made even more strange by the knowledge that such love could have been his.

Why does her love come so easily to him, but not me?

And so Vader pondered his options carefully before finally using his last trick.

Another hour passed, and no one came by Leia's door to threaten or bribe her. She began to grow suspicious, but part of her hoped that perhaps they had finally decided to leave her alone.

"All the better," she muttered to herself as she continued to fiddle with LOLA's broken flying mechanism. The droid fluttered weakly in her arms. "I know, I'm sorry," Leia mumbled.

When she heard a quick knock on her door, she immediately scrambled to hide everything underneath her bed.

"I'm not coming out," Leia called out stubbornly.

There was no response.

Breathing rapidly, she crawled underneath the bed and waited for either Vader or Reva to burst in and threaten her with a lightsaber. When nothing happened, she slowly stuck her head out from below, curiosity piqued.

She did not dare open the door, not for anything in the world. However, there was a small gap underneath through which she could peek. After taking precautions to ensure that there was no truly no one else on the other side, and that she was not about to be unpleasantly surprised by a smack to the face, she crawled up close and stuck her head to the floor.

On the other side of the door was the japor necklace that Ben had given her.

Blinking slowly, she stuck out her hand and tried to push it through the gap underneath the door. When that did not work, she grunted and made a grasping motion towards the necklace. Taking deep breaths, she forced her mind to be focused. All of her energy and concentration was put towards trying to pull the necklace towards her.

After seeing Ben use the Force, she had come to see it as both an extension of one's person and a muscle that needed to be trained. At first, she had barely been able to lift up a fork. But over time, she had gotten stronger and more adept at it. Yesterday she had mustered the strength to flip a tray in Vader's face and create a very small, very feeble force field. However this feat had sapped her of her energy and since then, she had been too exhausted to lift anything smaller than a pebble. But now, she wanted nothing more badly than to reach out and grab the necklace. Closing her eyes, she tried to open her mind back to the feeling of power beyond herself that she had tapped into yesterday and felt around for the ivory pendant.

A few seconds later, the necklace flew across the floor and right into the waiting fingers of her eager hand. Leia clutched it close to her chest for a second, the hastily looped its string around her neck so that she could keep it close to her heart. She quietly traced the grooves on of its smooth wood, familiarizing herself with them.

Later on, she crawled back into bed and fell asleep clutching the wood charm. She could not have Ben, but at least his gift had been returned to her. Thus, for the first time in a while, she slept comfortably without crying. By the time she woke up, she found that she had developed a healthy appetite and did not say no to the tray that was deposited again outside her door.

When Vader returned later, he was pleasantly surprised to be informed that Leia did not object to the lunch that was served to her. Relieved, he instructed Reva to inform Leia that he would be expecting her for dinner. Although his tone exuded outward confidence, he did not dare visit her himself for fear of a rejection that might cut through the delusion and shatter his frail hope. It was to his surprise when Reva returned, replying that Leia had finally agreed to come dine with him. But he did not like to wear such emotions on his sleeve, and so he masked his surprise with arrogance.

"Of course, it is just as I expected," he said. Reva made no reply. With that he sent her away and returned to his work, feigning indifference.

However, as he turned back towards the holoprojector, he found that his hands were both trembling with anticipation. Despite the hard leather gloves that he had fitted over them, and despite their artificial robotic nature, he could not hide the relief that washed over him and made his fingers shake with jubilation. Of course, he was merely pleased by the triumph of his own ingenious maneuver, the satisfaction of having finally won over the brat's stubbornness. Her reaction meant nothing to him, only her cooperation, so he told himself.

Nonetheless, he waited with bated breath for the evening to come. When Lord Sidious requested his presence, he found himself declining the invitation.

"I am sorry, Master. I do not mean to offend you," Vader insisted. "However, I must retire this evening. It has been a rather grueling day."

Lord Sidious seemed surprised, having not expected his refusal. But he still reacted graciously. "Of course, my dear friend," he replied. "You have worked exceedingly hard, especially during your capture of Kenobi. I believe you have earned this repose."

In the moments immediately afterwards, Vader felt a pregnant tension hang between them. He felt as though there might be an implied obligation on his part to respond by clarifying whether or not he had finally executed Kenobi. However, as if he understood his feelings on the matter, Lord Sidious did not question him further on Kenobi's fate and instead spent some time discussing their usual matters of business.

Before they ended the call however, Lord Sidious made one last statement. "Please do take care of yourself, my boy," he said, surprising him. "I will check in on you later to determine if your health has improved."

Vader blinked, surprised.

"Thank you, Master," he said, slightly embarrassed but grateful. "I appreciate your concern."

After they had finished talking, Vader turned off the holoprojector with a slight feeling of unease. He did not like to resort to dishonesty, much less so when it came to his Master. However, he could not tell him the true reason for his absence. Leia was not to be spoken of, and her existence had to remain a secret at all costs.

As he retired to his meditation chamber, he began to wonder if he made the right choice. Declining a meeting with his Master to speak with the brat might convey the wrong message, painting him as a weak and heavily attached man. Yet he could not pass up on the opportunity. Despite himself, he hungered for, even craved her attention. Although he had long foregone the need for nourishment, to him it was like a food that he could not refuse, one that both greatly excited and displeased him. He told himself that he did not care for her and he could easily cut her off whenever. But in the very essence of his soul, there was a part of him that was still reluctant to let go of it.

It was a strange, but not altogether unfamiliar feeling. In a past life, he had already known of a woman whose heart was kind and whose soul was easy to love, so much that all those surrounding her fell in love with her quite easily (much to his displeasure). He wondered if perhaps that same part of him that had loved her was still alive. He had thought it to be a figment of the past, but perhaps it was not removed entirely.

It was natural for me to love her, he thought to himself. I suppose whatever I feel for the child is just an extension thereof.

"Obi-Wan," Ahsoka called out, trying to stimulate a new Force connection as she attempted to use the Second Sight for herself. "Obi-Wan, where are you? Do you hear me?"

She waited for a few terrifying minutes, dread pooling in her stomach as she imagined the worst. But finally a response came.

"Yes, dear. I am here."

Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness," she exclaimed. "I was worried something happened to you! Don't scare me like that," she scolded.

"I'm sorry, I do not mean to keep you waiting. I was slightly...preoccupied," Obi-Wan mumbled.

Ahsoka frowned.

"What do you mean preoccupied?" she asked, confused.

Obi-Wan did not respond, and for a second she thought they lost connection. But after a moment, he spoke again. "It's nothing, dear. I was just napping."

Napping? While they were in a hostage crisis?

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes and used the Force to peer deeper into Obi-Wan's mind. In that moment, she felt a strange absence and a more recent loss. Shaking slightly, she sat up with alarm.

"What happened to your legs?" she demanded suddenly, realizing that she had not seen Obi-Wan and had no idea of his current state. "Did Anakin...did he do this to you?" she asked, both horrified and angry.

Obi-Wan panicked. "It is alright, Ahsoka," he tried to assure her. "The medical droids have taken care of it, I am not in any immediate danger-"

"No!" Ahsoka said angrily, "He cannot treat you like this. I am so upset with him right now," she glowered, "I can't believe he would do something like this to you!"

Obi-Wan tried frantically to calm her. "Ahsoka, he is not in his right mind...I cannot be angry with him, not in the state that he is-"

"Well, I can!" Ahsoka snorted irritably. "Why is he doing this to you? Did something happen to make him go crazy like this? When I find him, I'm going to-"

"Ahsoka, no!" Obi-Wan cried out, still trying to distract her. "Please, do not let him draw you to the Dark Side. I cannot lose both of you!"

Ahsoka took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but her fury continued to simmer below the surface. Why was Anakin doing this? She had her own gripes with Obi-Wan, but this was absolutely unacceptable.

"Please, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan begged again, and she groaned, still trying to clear her mind.

"Why do you let him do this to you?" she asked. "You should be spitting and cursing his name! That's what I would do if he tried that on me," she muttered.

"I have no right to be angry with him," Obi-Wan replied. "I have done the same to him. I cannot complain, so long as he still leaves me with my head."

Ahsoka frowned. She still didn't have all the pieces to the puzzle of what had gone down. She had made some conjectural guesses, of course, but she still didn't know what went down at Mustafar. But she knew Obi-Wan to be a righteous man, and if he had intentionally dismembered Anakin using mou kei, that would have been a direct violation of the Jedi Code and led him to the Dark Side.

"That doesn't make it right, though," she mumbled.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He would not feel sorry for himself, not while Anakin was still suffering. He did not trust himself to respond.

"Does it hurt?"

Obi-Wan shook his head, forgetting that she could not see him. "No," he replied. "Not anymore. The droids have pumped me full of painkiller."

Ahsoka exhaled. "Okay," she said, although she did not feel much relief. "That's...good."

A few moments passed. Finally, Obi-Wan decided to break the silence. "So, what is it that you wished to discuss, dear?"

Ahsoka bit her lip, deep in thought. "Well...I thought about what you suggested to me yesterday and, I do think there might be some merit to your idea."

"Don't do it on my behalf, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan murmured guiltily. "You should not force yourself."

"I know," Ahsoka said. "That's why, I'm going to add some changes to it. But I want to hear your thoughts on it first."

It was late in the evening when Reva finally called on her and came to help dress her. The two of them got on with the task in silence, refusing to address the altercation they had the night before. However, she requested permission to put on the zeyd cloth coat herself. She took her time with each button, trying to draw out the moments. It felt as if she was getting ready to be escorted to her last meal.

Leia took a deep breath, wondering if she had made the right decision.

She did not particularly want to speak to Vader. She did not want to dine with him, and she would rather not see his silhouette darkening the floors of the hallway ever again.

However, if she showed resistance again, he might not try to be civil with her anymore. Her father had taught her the basics of negotiation, and how a certain amount of leniency was necessary. Right now, she had the most leverage over the situation. It would be foolish to waste this opportunity.

Additionally, there was the fact that Vader still held much control over Ben and Ahsoka. She had no idea where they were or how they were doing, and if she attempted to visit them she would surely be punished. Attempting to break into their cells would not fare well for her. Attempting to get into their captor's good graces, however, might increase all of their chances of survival. She knew that neither of them would approve of this plan, and would probably order her to forget about them instead. But she could not.

And so, Leia allowed herself to be escorted by Reva to the room where Vader awaited her.

She had been expecting a Spartan affair, perhaps some tasteless gray gruel accompanied by plain hot water, all to be enjoyed in a dimly lit cave of darkness. But instead, she found herself standing in a well-lit room. Before her was an enormous table, upon which a white tablecloth had been placed. However, the tablecloth was not visible, for every inch was covered with delicious foodstuffs all competing at the same time for attention; roasted Bantha meat dripping with oil and salt, vegetables cooked in butter and covered in fragrant herbs, starblossom that had been covered in a hard sugar candy shell, sweet cakes filled with cream and indigo berries, and a teapot full of fragrant Mintea. Reva pulled out a chair for her, helped her climb into it, and then left without another word.

She did not see him at first. Her sight was obstructed by the heaping piles of food. But she finally spotted him, standing across from her and exuding confidence. He seemed triumphant, as if he had won.

"We meet again. How kind of you to join me."

Normally, this might have come off as sardonic, or even angry. But by now, she had learned to distinguish when he was angry.

No, this was not anger. This was...something else.

Leia frowned.

She had not taken him as the sort of person to be capable of jokes.

"Thank you," she said warily. He finally sat down across from her, apparently satisfied.

She shuffled in her seat and Vader motioned at her, seemingly requesting something. Confused, she thought he was asking for her to pass her the serving dish next to her, only to realize that he had no plate of his own. Presumably, this meant he did not eat or did not find this food to his taste. She frowned, appalled by the possibility that he did not eat food like a normal human being. No wonder he was such a weird person. She highly doubted that he was abstaining in order to fulfill a plant-based diet like the Ithorians. After all, why would someone who had killed millions of lives be concerned about the plight of livestock?

Vader made another grabbing motion, and she realized he wanted her to hand him the teacup in front of her. She obliged, holding it out towards him, and it floated out of her hands towards him. Vader then made a motion with his other hand and the teakettle tipped itself over, pouring a cup of tea for her.

He's showing off again, she thought to herself warily, although not without a hint of jealousy. I wish I could do that.

"You may begin eating now," he informed her.

"I don't need your permission," she retorted, but he did not take offense. Instead, he watched her closely as she reached out and began serving herself. As she took the first bite of buttered steamed fish, her eyes widened. Perhaps it was the hours of self-imposed starvation, but suddenly everything tasted delicious to her. She found herself reaching for more and trying a little bit of everything.

Vader watched her all the while, his arms crossed.

"How is the food?" he asked. As always, his tone was filtered through the vocoder, but she could detect a hint of smugness.

"It's passable," she said.

Vader made a small snort. It sounded like he was amused.

Leia frowned and put her fork down, narrowing her eyes. "What's in this?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing poisonous."

Leia immediately spat out what was in her mouth and started coughing.

"I see that you still do not trust my word," Vader said, although there was no vitriol in his tone. "I assure you, there is nothing harmful that could possibly pose a danger to you. Unless you have a sensitivity to koja nuts."

"I'm not eating any more of this," Leia said. "I'm not hungry anymore." She made as if to stand up to leave.

"Ah," Vader said. "Very well then. Can you at least tell me what the candy in that jar to your left tastes like?" he asked, motioning at a plate next to her.

Leia wanted to throw the whole jar at him instead, but her curiosity got the better of her and she turned to look at it. "What is this?" she asked suspiciously.

"Just some simple figda candy."

The jar slid towards her invitingly. Leia narrowed her eyes at Vader as he lazily flicked his finger to make it move, then furtively hid his hand underneath the table. Her instincts were telling her not to listen to him. However, she did have a bit of a sweet tooth. Hesitating slightly, she reached her hand into the jar and withdrew one of the ruby-like candies. She slowly placed it on her tongue and gingerly sucked on it. It tasted vaguely floral, but overall pleasant.

"How is it?" Vader asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"It's alright," she said sulkily.

Vader smirked. Leia turned away and ignored him, sucking on the rest of the candy quietly. She found herself reaching for another piece before realized what she was doing and she froze midway. Her cheeks flushed bright red as if she was a child being caught in the act of stealing from the cookie jar. She immediately withdrew her hand and put it down.

"What's the meaning of this?" she demanded suspiciously. "You were threatening to kill me earlier. Why are you suddenly being nice to me?"

"Ah," Vader said, his tone still smug. "I was hoping we could move past that earlier disagreement. You will have to forgive me, I temporarily lost sight of myself." Leia almost rolled her eyes at how condescending he sounded. "You see, I came to the realization that perhaps I have taken the wrong approach to our relationship."

Leia narrowed her eyes. So he's still going on about the whole father thing. Great.

"I sought to model my role after that of a commanding officer.  But I see now that was an error. You are not one of my subordinates."

"So what did you learn then?"

"A father can be an authority figure. But that is not all. A father's role is also to lead, to offer support.  And that is what I have failed to do with you. I will seek to rectify this error."

How about you stop holding my friends hostage? Leia wanted to say, but she did not wish to push her luck.

"So that's your plan?" she asked sarcastically. "You're going to support me until I agree to join you?"

"That is only part of it."

Leia raised an eyebrow.

"I realized that I cannot change you with fear. Fear is a weak motivator; it is a whim and not a conviction from the heart. People are only temporarily submissive because of fear, and even then, fear can fade. Fear is of no use to me.

Love, however, is the ultimate source of obedience. You have said it yourself, that you would not listen to me unless you loved me. Thus, I have decided to make you love me instead."

Leia nearly dropped her fork from shock.

Make her love him?

She would rather die.

"Who could possibly love a monster like you?" she spat angrily.

She expected him to fly into a rage and seize one of the carving knives to stab her with it. But instead, Vader just smirked and leaned back lazily.

"I can name at least one person who did," he replied smugly.

Leia stared at him with confusion.

Ben? Ahsoka?

"She looked quite a lot like you, in fact."

Leia froze.

Visions of the pretty brown-haired woman flooded her mind. Her laughter, her smile, the gentle touch of her hands stroking and caressing her hair. She shivered as a chill ran down her back. She clamped her mouth shut, refusing to let him know that he had successfully gotten inside her head. She was afraid to speak, lest her heart betray what she was thinking.

Vader smirked triumphantly.

"If you are good and can learn to behave yourself, then I would be happy to tell you more about your mother."

Leia did not respond.

Vader stood up and began to walk away leisurely. Although he wished to see her expression, he did not turn around to look as he left the girl behind him. So instead he continued towards his personal chamber, gloating all the way.

She may have beaten him in the first match, but Vader had won the war. Now, all he had to do was set the trap and wait.

Chapter Text

All things considered, it was more favorable to her to be forgotten. If she was forgotten, at least there would be no attempts to torture or coerce her. There would be no threats of imminent execution. It was easier to survive that way, but right now Ahsoka wanted to be remembered.

By the end of the day, she got her wish.

"Apologies for the late dinner," the Grand Inquisitor announced as she strolled in, not looking sorry at all. "We've had quite a few terminations recently. Whole place has been quite a mess. I'm afraid that we accidentally forgot you," she drawled. "But don't worry, I didn't."

Ahsoka looked back up at her, meeting her eyes.

This wasn't just an ordinary meeting after all.

This was an interrogation.

"I'm sure you must be wondering why I'm here," Reva said.

"Are you coming to finally take these off?" Ahsoka asked, slightly rattling the beskar chains on her arms.

"No."

"Too bad," Ahsoka sighed. "Well, whatever your reason is, I'm guessing it's not just because you're low on staff."

"Correct."

The two of them locked eyes and stared at each other. Ahsoka waited for her Reva to make her first move.

"Consider yourself lucky," Reva smirked. "You finally get to see me doing what I'm best at."

"Wow," Ahsoka replied. "How lucky I am."

"Yes," Reva drawled. "But first, let's deal with that annoying tongue of yours."

Before Ahsoka could respond, a gas mask was shoved onto her. She struggled against it, crying out, but Reva just pressed it harder into her face, forcing her to inhale the vapor.

"Just a little TNI-36," Reva crooned. "It doesn't hurt, right? You're a big girl, I'm sure you can handle it just fine." Ahsoka glared at her as her body tried to fight against the psychotropic neuroinhibitors, but she could feel her consciousness slipping already. Her head felt unusually light.

Come on, come on, she groaned internally. Now is not the time to lose control!

Ahsoka coughed as Reva finally withdrew the gas mask with its canister attachment, placing them in a corner of the prison cell. Ahsoka stared at it, blearily trying to register her surroundings.

"Thought you were trying to poison me," she slurred passive-aggressively as Reva grabbed her chin and tilted it upwards, trying to determine if she had received a sufficient dose.

"Oh, it's not toxic," Reva replied. "But we Inquisitors like to use it during our investigations because of how easily it opens others' mouths. Yours, especially, has been quite difficult to crack." She frowned and let go of her face as if displeased. It seemed she had been expecting the gas to be more effective.

"Thank you," Ahsoka mumbled sleepily.

"Don't be smart," Reva glared at her. "I have been waiting for this for a long, long time," she sneered. "You're going to wish you accepted my offer the first time around."

"Finally got permission to interview me, did you?" Ahsoka asked, blinking to hide the fact that her eyelids felt slightly heavy.

"I don't need permission. I am the Grand Inquisitor," Reva said haughtily.

"'Grand' Inquisitor," Ahsoka said thoughtfully. "So, what does that mean? Do they give you a bigger sword, or do you have better work benefits?"

"It means that I am the best that the Inquisitorius Program has to offer," Reva glared. "But don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."

"Oh...I see. Well, please don't hurt me Grand Inquisitor. I'm just an innocent civilian, I don't know anything," Ahsoka batted her eyelashes innocently.

"You are a liar and a traitor to the Empire, and you will tell me everything you know about the Rebellion whether you like it or not."

With that, she took out her lightsaber and ignited it.

"Now tell me the name of the Rebel pilot that brought you to Daiyu and how you got into contact with the Rebellion."

"No, I don't think so."

"I'm not asking you to think," Reva snarled, swinging her lightsaber at the right shackle attached to her hand. Ahsoka let out a small gasp which quickly turned into a howl of pain as the lightsaber made contact with the metal, creating a shower of sparks. It turned bright red and heated up, but did not melt. "I'm asking you to talk," she sneered, removing her lightsaber from the red-hot shackle. Ahsoka hissed and grunted, trying to ignore the welts and blisters now searched into the skin of her wrist.

"Let's try that again, shall we?"

When Ahsoka did not respond quickly enough for her satisfaction, Reva pressed her lightsaber against her other shackle. Ahsoka shuddered and then let out a cry of pain.

"Who brought you to Daiyu?" Reva demanded, more forcefully this time.

Ahsoka panted, suddenly becoming more aware of her surroundings as she felt the TNI-36 wear off. The pain of the burns helped her to regain a small modicum of lucidity. She felt way more alert now.

"You're an inquisitor," she grunted. "Why don't you just use the Second Sight on me instead?"

Reva's eyes suddenly shifted. "I don't need to rely on the Second Sight like a common party trick," she huffed. "I can just as easily get answers out of you without using it."

"Are you refusing to use it because you won't, or because you can't?" Ahsoka challenged.

Reva froze.

"Oh," Ahsoka smirked. "It's alright if you don't know how to. Only the most skilled Jedi Masters in my time were able to fully perfect it. Not a lot of Inquisitors can do it, since most don't have the Force capability for it..."

The impact was instant.

Reva's eyes glowed bright yellow with fury. Ahsoka's eyes widened as she marched up to her and grabbed her by the face again, pressing her gloved hand into her forehead. Ahsoka let out a gasp as Reva leaned closer until their faces were inches apart.

"Stop speaking," she growled, her voice rough and dangerous. "I've had enough of listening to you."

Ahsoka let out a scream as Reva squeezed harder, plunging deep into the inner world of her mind. She was no longer trapped inside of the jail cell. Instead, she was hurtling downwards, falling into an endless dark pit as she cried out and tried desperately to hold onto something.

Light and Dark mixed and became one. Anger and hunger began to leak into her own feelings, tainting them and coloring them with their own twisted agony. Ahsoka grunted, struggling against Reva as she forced her way inside, pushing her further into the dark void.

"Show me your Master," Reva commanded.

Ahsoka let out a loud gasp as a vision of Anakin appeared. There he was, standing with his back to her while slashing his lightsaber aimlessly in the air.

"Anakin," she tried to speak, and he turned around. She screamed, seeing that half of his face was covered in the menacing black mask.

"You," he snarled, immediately swinging at her.

She fell back, trembling.

"How dare you come back," he hissed, seething. "After you just abandoned me and let me die."

"I'm sorry," she said shakily, ducking when he aimed for her head.

"Where were you when I needed you?" Anakin howled. "How can you say you're sorry, when you're the one who left me? After I begged you to return?"

"I'm sorry, Anakin," Ahsoka cried out. "Please, please don't do this," she pleaded as he raised his lightsaber menacingly.

"I can't, Ahsoka," he growled. "There is no stopping this anymore. Do you know what I've become?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, hearing the sound of modulated breathing surrounding her like an auditory hallucination.

"Stop," she said weakly, but Anakin did not listen. He continued to chase after her, swinging violently. She yelled and threw herself forwards, forgetting her weak legs and landing on her chest roughly.

Everything dissolved into darkness. She propped herself up on her arms and panted, trying to catch her breath. She could not see her surroundings, but she was aware of someone watching her from the darkness.

"You see now?  Everything you have ever seen or felt is at my fingers. There is nothing you can keep hidden from me."

Reva walked out of the darkness and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her into the air. Ahsoka struggled against her, trying to pry her hands off.

"I can take anything and everything I want from your weak mind. I could reach in and pluck whatever memory I like, about anyone you hold dear."

"No!" Ahsoka exclaimed as Reva's hand once again made contact with her forehead and began to squeeze. "No, no," she pleaded.

Not Kaeden. Not Miara.

"Yes," Reva said. "Now show me the people you are hiding from me."

Ahsoka's heart rate increased and she began to take small, short breaths.

Kaeden's face materialized first. Kind, but strong and worn by years of labor as a farmer and then a medical worker. Long locs of dark hair that had partially been gathered into a bun and partially hung down to her shoulders, tied back with a green headscarf. Ahsoka trembled as she looked back into her soft brown eyes.

"Ahsoka," she said gently. "I missed you, where did you go?"

"No," Ahsoka shook her head and backed away. Kaeden frowned and stepped forward, trying to follow her.

"What's wrong? Why are you walking away-"

"It's not safe for you here!" Ahsoka yelled. "You're not, you're not real," she sobbed, trying to tear her eyes away.

Kaeden reached out and gently stroked her arm, causing her to lose control and wail even louder. "What do you mean? Nothing bad is going to happen," she said. "Why are you crying?"

Ahsoka sobbed. The gentleness of her touch hurt all the more, both because she hadn't felt it for so long, had craved it every day that she was locked in this accursed prison, but also because she knew what would come next as punishment for her transgression.

Kaeden leaned in closer, try to get a good look at her face and reassure her. But it was all in vain. Anakin appeared behind her, seizing her arm and yanking her roughly away from Ahsoka.

"No!" Ahsoka screamed and covered her mouth. Kaeden let out a cry of surprise. Anakin snarled, lifting his lightsaber.

"Now watch a s I make your Master kill your little girlfriend."

There was a flash of red, and Kaeden let out a loud scream.

Ahsoka crumpled to the ground, tears falling from her eyes as she futilely tried to stifle herself. Her hands were wet, covered in tears and drool. She tried in vain to stabilize herself, to remind herself that none of this was real, none of this was happening, it was all an illusion, just in her mind...

"Is your spirit finally broken, Jedi? Are you going to give me what I want? Or do you still need more?"

Ahsoka did not lift her head to address Reva. Instead, she kept her eyes closed. "Take what you want," she said brokenly. "I don't care anymore."

Reva snarled, clearly not expecting her to give up so easily.

"Not so fast.  Show me what you were doing on that day, first."

Ahsoka let out a scream of pain as if a sword had been plunged into her very heart.

She heard the quiet click of a blaster's safety being unlocked and felt the heavy metal barrel being pressed to the back of her head, pushing hard against one of her Montrals.

"Give it up, Tano," the modulated voice behind her said. "Surrender now."

Ahsoka closed her eyes, letting a single tear leak out and run down her cheek.

"Rex," she said softly.

"Save it for the Emperor," he hissed.

Ahsoka took a deep breath, then whipped around and made a grab for the blaster. Rex growled, pulling it out of her reach and and kicking her hard. Ahsoka yelped and groaned, clutching her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Reva taunted. "Forgot how to fight without your little lightsaber?" she crooned.

Rex grunted and aimed a shot at her. Ahsoka jumped out of the way, then turned and charged at him. He shot at her face and she screamed, forgetting it was a memory.

Then everything faded to black again.

Ahsoka let out a cry as suddenly she was standing back there in the same snow that plagued all of her worst nightmares. It fell all around her, cold and unwelcoming. She sank to her knees and stared wide-eyed in front of her at the long rows of former clone troopers' helmets. It seemed to stretch on for miles and miles to no end.

This was no longer the realm of abstract dreams. She was now at the sight of the battlefield, the graveyard where her friends were buried.

The place where the last remnants of her childhood died.

"No," she said out loud. "No," she backed away, trying to tear her eyes away from her fallen brothers and friends.

"This is the price of your war.  They hailed you as one of their best, but what for? What were you fighting for? This?"

"No," Ahsoka sobbed.

The sound of heavy, modulated breathing returned and she looked up. She could see a group of clones closing in on her, their blasters pointed directly at her head. In front of them, a hooded figure slowly marched towards her with a blue lightsaber clutched in his left hand. His hood lifted slightly and she finally saw his eyes, glowing bright yellow with fury and bloodlust.

"Anakin," she gasped. "Stop, no," she said.

"There is no stopping this.  You know how this must end."

Ahsoka tried to back away but she felt the cold grip of a gloved hand sink into her shoulder, pushing her forwards.

"Please, please please!" Ahsoka begged, but it was no use. She screamed uncontrollably as Anakin and the clones closed in on her and Anakin raised his lightsaber, slashing it towards her in one clean swipe. It went right through her shoulder, piercing her skin and causing her to burn alive. Reva continued to hold her in place as her screams grew even louder. The clones all unclicked their blasters, preparing to finish the job.

"No, don't close your eyes. Keep them open."

Ahsoka whimpered and desperately struggled against her grip, but she could feel her strength slipping.

"Keep them open, Ahsoka Tano! Now, you will finally see what kind of monster your beloved Master is!"

Ahsoka stopped struggling and fell back, exhausted.

Something about this was not right.

Reva had the ability to reach into her memories and either combine them or manipulate them based on Ahsoka's fears. But something about this was off. It felt too real, even down to the wound that was rapidly cauterizing in her shoulder. When Anakin stepped closer and he lifted his lightsaber, she realized that she had never seen him like this with his eyes glowing yellow.

Ahsoka frowned, finally understanding what was going on.

"This isn't my memory," she panted, turning around to face Reva. "This is yours."

And with that, she flipped them over.

Reva made a sound of surprise as Ahsoka grabbed her by the forehead and pressed her fingertips to it.

"I am one with the Force and the Force is one with me."

Reva let out a cry. Ahsoka opened her eyes, now glowing bright blue.

Now she could see what really happened. There was Anakin, facing the Younglings and killing each one of them. Reva shuddered and opened her mouth in a silent scream of shock, but the sound never left her mouth as Anakin rammed his lightsaber through her shoulder, instantly striking her down. Without making a noise, she quietly collapsed among the other children's corpses, small and unnoticeable. Finally Anakin turned around and marched out, followed by the Clone troopers.

Reva's younger self laid alone in the pile of dead bodies, shivering and sobbing.

"I'm sorry," Ahsoka said. Beside her, the real Reva shuddered and groaned. She let go of her forehead, and closed her eyes. When she reopened them, they were back in the jail cell.

Reva backed away from her, still trembling.

"I hate you," she hissed angrily.

"I went through the same thing as you," Ahsoka said gently. "We have the same enemy."

"We do not," Reva snarled back, "He keeps trying to get you to join him because you're his precious Padawan. Me? I am nothing!" she screamed. "After he injured me, he left me to die! I only survived by chance because I played dead," she sobbed.

"Reva," Ahsoka said quietly, addressing her by name for the first time. "He turned against both of us. We don't have to fight each other, you know. We're in the same situation."

"No, we are not!" Reva screamed, drawing her lightsaber and charging at her.

There was a flash of red, and she let out a cry of surprise as it was torn from her hands. Ahsoka grunted and opened her shackled hand as much as she could. With some effort, the ringed saber flew into her grip.

Reva sneered. "Nice try, Jedi," she spat. "What is your plan? Gonna try and break free using that? Face it, Tano. You know it's not nearly strong enough for that."

"True, you are right," Ahsoka panted, "Trying to cut these beskar chains with it would be pointless. But that's not what I wanted it for."

She stretched out her other hand, and the canister of TNI-36 gas flew across the room into it. Reva snorted.

"Gonna gas me and then kill me with my own lightsaber?" she asked.

"No," Ahsoka replied, "I'm not very fond of murder. I am, however, open to arson."

With that, she threw up the canister at the wall behind her and reignited the lightsaber, slashing through it.

Reva's eyes widened as she watched the gas glow brightly as the lightsaber reacted with it and caused it to ignite. Ahsoka grunted and quickly created a Force shield between herself and the wall. Reva only had seconds to react and brace her arms in front of herself before the power of the explosion blew her back. The ground shook and she was thrown through the air. As she landed on the ground, she felt pieces of rock and debris fall around her. She groaned, trying to ignore the searing pain in her side from landing so roughly.

As she looked up, she saw Ahsoka standing in front of her, panting and gripping the ring lightsaber. The battered and dented beskar shackles still hung from her arms, but the parts of the wall that they had been attached to were gone, completely blown to bits.

"How are you-" Reva stammered, looking down at her legs then back up at her. She must have been faking her leg injury, because there was no other way she was able to stand after that explosion.

"Thanks for the lightsaber," Ahsoka grinned. "Without it, I wouldn't have been able to ignite the gas." She twirled the ringed lightsaber, trying to get a feel for it, imitating what she had seen Maul do.

Reva glared at her. "So what now, you're going to slaughter me with my own weapon?" she asked icily. "I thought revenge was not the Jedi Way."

"I never said I was a Jedi," Ahsoka replied, "But you are right. This is not a fair fight."

Looking down at the ringed lightsaber, she split it cleanly into two separate swords. Reva stared incredulously as she offered one half to her.

"Here, take it," she said. "Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of Form VII. That's more of Maul's thing."

"Why are you giving it to me?" Reva demanded. "Are you mocking me?"

"How about this?" Ahsoka asked. "If you can beat me in combat, you get to do whatever you want to me. If I win...then, we do what I want."

Reva looked at her suspiciously then scoffed. "Are you mocking me?" she demanded. "You expect me to believe you won't just immediately stab me in the back?"

Ahsoka shrugged. "Here, if it makes you feel better, I'll only use one hand," she demonstrated, hiding her right hand behind her back. Reva narrowed her eyes, but finally grabbed the lightsaber from her and assumed an offensive stance.

"Switch those hands," she ordered. Ahsoka complied, now placing her lightsaber in her right hand while hiding her left hand behind her back. "Keep them where I can see them," Reva snarled.

Gingerly, Ahsoka changed her position, and Reva now saw that although she could stand, her legs were not very stable. The injury that Vader had inflicted upon her when he severed her tendons still had a damaging effect on her.

She must be in a lot more pain that she lets on, Reva realized.

Ahsoka just smiled. "Ready?" she asked.

"Ready," Reva growled, charging her.

Ahsoka ducked to the side. She swung at her and Ahsoka parried the blow with her left hand before throwing her off. Grunting, Reva turned back around and charged again, this time aiming for her left side. Ahsoka simply swiveled around and caught her with the same blade, causing her to be thrown forwards due to the increased momentum. Reva panted, aiming a low shot towards her legs, and Ahsoka jumped. She caught herself using the Force before her feet made contact with the ground and remained there, holding herself up in the air to take the weight off her ankles.

"Is that all you have?" Ahsoka asked. "I thought you were supposed to be the best of the best."

Reva snarled and went after her again, but this time Ahsoka parried her blow and twisted their blades until she was holding her saber at an awkward angle, forcing her to back off instead of pressing harder. When she tried to push her into a corner, Ahsoka just stepped to the side and continued to dodge her blows. She could feel herself growing more and more exhausted, but her opponent was still fighting defensively, not even provoked to act as an aggressor yet.

Reva snarled. "Stop avoiding me!" she shouted, raising her lightsaber and slashing it right at Ahsoka's face.

Nothing happened. Reva stared at the unlit hilt, confused.

"First rule of lightsaber combat," Ahsoka said. "Never let your enemy turn your weapon off."

Reva opened her mouth to say something, but was caught off-guard as Ahsoka swung her lightsaber at her. She immediately ducked and ran out of the way, holding her hands in front of her. She expected her to take advantage of her lack of protection and go after her, but she did not.

Ahsoka just stood back, not chasing after her.

"Stop standing there and fight me properly!" Reva growled.

"But, my hand-"

"I don't care!" Reva yelled. "Use the other one if you must!"

Ahsoka shrugged, bringing out her left hand. "Alright, if you insist."

Reva grunted and pointed her lightsaber at her with both hands, then charged again.

This time, Ahsoka did not throw her off. Using both of her hands, she met Reva's blow in a corps à corps blade block. Reva struggled, trying to push harder, but unexpectedly Ahsoka let go of her hilt with one hand. Shocked, Reva had only one second to react before Ahsoka raised her hand and brought it down hard against her forearm. Reva let out a cry of surprise as the heavy beskar made contact with her durasteel vambraces, denting it and causing her to stop applying pressure with her saber. Ahsoka brought her shackle down on it again and it fell off, leaving her wrist unprotected.

"What are you doing!" Reva yelled and drew back, breaking their blade lock.

Ahsoka did not listen. She stepped back and forcefully swung her beskar chains again, forcing Reva to duck before Ahsoka's shackles hit her in the face. Instead, the iron chains made contact with her unprotected hand and caused her to let go of her lightsaber hilt with a crack and a cry of pain. She fell to the floor in agony, clutching her injured hand.

Ahsoka grabbed the second lightsaber hilt and twirled both of them, standing above her menacingly.

"Yield," she said, her face illuminated by the twin red blades.

"You lied about giving me a fair fight!" Reva shouted angrily. "You were able to use both hands all along!"

Ahsoka shrugged, assuming a defensive stance with the sabers. "I never said I couldn't. You just assumed I was left-handed."

She circled Reva as she peered at her warily from the ground.

"What do you want?" she spat.

"I want you to join me," Ahsoka replied.

"Me? Join you?" Reva scoffed. "What kind of joke is this? Are you trying to mock me?"

"No," Ahsoka replied. "I'm completely serious. I think we would make a good team. We both have something we want, after all. You want to defeat Vader too, don't you?" Reva glowered at her. "You don't stand a chance on your own. If you accept my help, I can take him down with you."

"I don't need your help," Reva spat. "I was doing just fine by myself."

"Yeah, I'm sure," Ahsoka raised an eyebrow and shifted her weight slightly. Her legs were trembling slightly from the effort of standing up, but she did not want to make her weakened state too obvious. "I mean, I'm just the Padawan. What do you think it would have been like for you, going up against the man who taught me everything I know?"

Reva grimaced. "I'll figure something out," she mumbled.

Ahsoka sighed. "Always so stubborn," she rolled her eyes. "Have you considered that maybe Vader isn't the enemy you want? He's only part of the problem. If you really want to end everything, you need to think bigger. The Emperor is the real one behind this. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one to issue Order 66 himself."

"You are not suggesting that we go after the Emperor."

"I am."

"You're crazy," Reva said, backing away.

"Perhaps I might be," Ahsoka replied. "But that's what war will do to your mind, I'm afraid."

Just then, a sharp pain surged through both of her ankles. Ahsoka let out a cry and fell forwards, dropping both lightsaber hilts which instantly flickered off.

Reva ran to her and grabbed her with both hands, catching her just in time right before her ankles gave out. Ahsoka panted, trying not to cry from the amount of excruciating pain she was in. Every nerve in her body felt as if it had been shot through, her legs rapidly going numb. If it was not for Reva holding her up, she would have fallen facefirst on the floor.

"Listen...to me," Ahsoka grunted. "There is a way to defeat...Anakin," she gasped. "But he...he..."

Reva tried to get her to look at her, but it was no use. Ahsoka's eyelids fluttered rapidly as she lost consciousness and collapsed.

"No," Reva said. "Don't. You can't die on me," she said, frantically shaking.

Ahsoka's hands weakly grabbed at Reva's arms for a while, but eventually she couldn't anymore, and they slowly went limp in her grip. Reva yelled and fell back as Ahsoka collapsed lifelessly on her.

"How is the prisoner?" The Purge Trooper circled around, watching Reva's reactions.

"She put up quite a fight, but it was too much for her body. I'm afraid her arrogance cost her the victory."

"Hm. I'm surprised she thought of that, using the gas to explode her shackles. How did she survive it?"

"Force Shield," Reva said simply.

"She must really have been a fighter. Most prisoners don't get that far."

"No, they don't," Reva agreed. "It's too bad her little plan failed," she snarled. "Almost had me, too."

"What shall we do then? Should we report her to Vader?"

"No need. I'll be seeing to her execution myself," Reva replied coolly.

The Purge Trooper hesitated. "Do...do we have clearance to perform that?"

"Of course I have clearance, you idiot," Reva snapped. "I am the Grand Inquisitor, what other authority do you need?"

The Purge Trooper shuddered. "Yes of course sir," they replied immediately.

"Now, give me your blaster," she snarled. "I want to get this over as quickly as possible."

The Purge Trooper nodded and handed it over. Reva unclicked the safety and pointed it at their head, instantly shooting and killing them. The Trooper crumpled over, the tip of their helmet smoking where the blaster shot had right gone through it.

"You owe me one," Reva hissed. "You're lucky they didn't send more to check on the explosion."

Ahsoka sat up and blinked, rubbing her wrists. "Is it going to be hard to cover this up?" she asked.

"No," Reva grunted. "I'll just say that I discovered he was involved in a conspiracy to unmask the Princess' identity and Vader will let it go."

Ahsoka nodded, looking around her. "I don't suppose you could have my legs fixed, could you?" she asked. "These medpatches are great, but I'd like to be able to stand again without hurting all over."

"Only if you promise not to pull any more funny stunts."

Ahsoka grinned. "Thanks," she said. "Knew I could count on you."

"Don't push your luck."

The former Jedi and the Inquisitor stared at each other. Ahsoka reached out, and Reva looked back at her with confusion. Deciding to just show what she meant, Ahsoka simply grabbed her hand and held onto it. Reva balked, completely caught off guard by the sudden contact.

"Together, we will get him," Ahsoka said, squeezing her hand tighter. "He might win against one of us, but he can't beat the both of us."

Reva stared at her with doubt then slowly, hesitantly squeezed back.

Lightyears away on Naboo, another entity was also calling for the attention of their very same target.

"Lord Vader," Palpatine frowned, pressing urgently on the holoprojector. "Lord Vader?"

Despite his attempts, there was still no response from the other end. "Lord Vader, it has been a while since your last communication. What is keeping you? Please, respond soon," he hissed.

Whatever Vader was doing, apparently it was more important than picking up calls from his comlink.

"Lord Vader," Palpatine growled. He tried one more time, then finally gave up. Turning around, he came to face the furious Dathomirian behind him.

"You said that he captured Kenobi and Tano," Maul snarled. "That's the only reason why I agreed to start working for you again. If that was all a lie, then I won't-"

"Silence, Lord Maul," Palpatine snarled, reaching out and splaying his hands. Maul howled as the lightning bolts hit him and surged through his entire body, causing his muscles to seize and shake. "He has indeed captured Kenobi. However, why he has delayed killing him for so long, I do not comprehend..."

Maul grunted and pushed himself up from the ground, forcing himself to sit up. "If they are still alive, then I demand that he bring them to me," he gasped. "I have waited for more than ten years to see them again...to kill them," he snarled.

Palpatine shook his head and turned away, pulling his robes tighter around himself. "We shall see soon," he replied. "Patience, my young Apprentice. These matters require a subtler hand."

Maul frowned, clearly displeased. Palpatine just smirked.

"Do not worry," he said confidently. "He will give them up to us soon, I know it. When he is finished with whatever distraction is holding him, I will lure him back under my influence and demand them. And when he finally delivers them to us...then, you shall have the pleasure of dealing with them however you see fit."

Maul bowed his head. "Thank you, Master," he gasped. "You are most generous."

Palpatine smiled slowly. "Of course," he replied. "I always am."

Chapter Text

Vader's comlink buzzed repeatedly, making quite a bit of a racket. Instead of picking up the call, he tapped the silencer button with an air of slight annoyance before shutting it off completely.

Leia watched him silently, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She was still not used to having his full attention on her.

"Is that important?" she asked. "Maybe you should answer it," she suggested cautiously.

"No," Vader replied coldly. There was a pause. Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Leia stared down at her food. Although Vader had called her out to have a meal with him, he had not eaten a single bite himself. She had expected the same arrogant demeanor from the last time they talked, but instead he was strangely irritable and more withdrawn. He had not even tried to engage in conversation with her.

Instead, they sat in silence while he watched her eat. It made her feel rather self-conscious. Normally around this time of the year, her father would usually wake her up with some presents before escorting her to a grand banquet attended by all of her extended relations and then showing her off to the entirety of Alderaan. But instead here she was eating by herself, trying not to squirm under the gaze of the Galaxy's most feared commander.

I miss you, Daddy, she thought to herself mournfully. What she would give for the ability to send her family a message right now. She began to wonder if maybe she could steal Vader's comlink and use it without him noticing somehow. Yeah, right. He'd skewer me with his lightsaber like a nerf kebab.

Deciding to just get the meal over with as fast as possible, she quickly finished her bowl and pushed it away from her.

"I'm done," she announced hastily. "Can I go back to my room now?"

"No."

Vader did not seem to be in a good mood today.

I probably shouldn't mention that it's my birthday, she decided. I don't know how he would react to that news. He might force me to eat a poisoned cake or burn me alive using the candles instead.

Leia clenched her skirt with both of her hands from underneath the table and fidgeted nervously. She glanced furtively at the door behind her. If she made a run for it, she might be able to escape. But even if Vader couldn't catch up to her on foot, he could just as easily use the Force to grab her.

"Are you going to eat too?" she asked.

"No."

Leia squirmed in her seat.

"Why don't you eat?" she asked, only realizing after the words left her mouth how blunt they sounded. "Aren't you hungry too?"

Vader stared down at her intimidatingly. "I do not experience the sensation of hunger," he replied. "Eating is not required for me."

Alright, alright, I guess he doesn't want to.

"Well what do you do then if you don't eat and don't sleep?"

Vader paused. Leia flinched slightly, waiting for him to flip the table over and crush her to pieces.

"I meditate," he said coldly.

"What?"

"I meditate," he repeated. "In my personal quarters, I have a meditation chamber that allows me to breathe without any assistance."

"Oh," Leia said. "What do you mean 'without any assistance'?" she blurted out.

"Unfortunately, I cannot survive without this mask. In my personal chambers, I am able to remove it for a limited period. During this time it is possible for me to enter a state similar to sleep, however, I seldom dream. When I do, I do not derive any pleasure from it. Therefore I do not see it as necessary."

Leia blinked.

"So you can take it off?" she asked.

"Yes. Briefly."

She realized she was looking directly at him and sensed that he was also aware of her impertinence. However, she did not turn away.

"Can I see what you look like?"

Vader stiffened immediately and the aura around him became dark and heavy. Leia instantly regretted her question.

"No, you may not."

Leia gripped the table tightly, taking a deep breath.

"Has anyone else ever seen what you look like?"

"No one. I've killed them all."

"Are you going to kill me?"

Vader looked down at her. Leia looked back up at him, biting her lip to prevent it from quivering.

"No."

Leia stared up at him, feeling a strange mixture of relief and confusion in her stomach.

"Why?" she asked.

"Why what."

"Why aren't you going to kill me?"

"I don't want to," Vader mumbled apathetically.

"Does that mean you don't like the idea of killing me, or you just don't want to because you're not in the mood?"

"I just don't want to, that's all. Maybe I will change my mind later," he snapped at her, but upon seeing her reaction he retracted slightly. "I have killed my fair share of Younglings in my time, but that was back when the Empire was still in its nascent form. Right now the threat of the Jedi has almost completely been eradicated. I do not see any point to further bloodshed when I have already captured what I need."

Right. He just wanted Ben, Leia thought bitterly. If it wasn't for me, Ben and Ahsoka would probably have escaped without him threatening them.

She had known that Vader had killed other children, both her age and younger. However, hearing him admit it to her made her feel strange. His voice was completely cold and emotionless, devoid of any trace of guilt. She had always thought that if he was ever to admit his crimes to her, he might attempt to trick or manipulate her by feigning remorse. But there was none to be found. He sounded exactly the same, casually confessing to being responsible for those children's deaths as if it was nothing.

No, not just being responsible.

He murdered them.

"Why did they have to be eliminated?" Leia swallowed hard, forcing herself to sit straight as she looked him in the eye again. "Why would they be dangerous if they were just children?"

"Because," Vader said, "They would have grown up to become Jedi, after which their powers would pose a threat to the Empire."

Leia frowned but restrained herself from commenting, waiting to see what he meant.

"That is why we have Inquisitors to keep a close look on their population and ensure that none of them will commit treason again. In this way, their threat level is kept to a minimum and we are able to maintain the peace."

"But the Inquisitors are Force Users too," Leia frowned. "So why do you allow them?"

"I am not opposed to others who use the Force.  It is only the fact that there were so many of them. Back then, the Jedi Temple was crawling with Force-sensitive children taken from planets all across the Galaxy. If they were allowed to live, they might have attempted to overthrow the Emperor and restore the Republic for themselves."

"But the Emperor is a tyrant," Leia argued. "Wouldn't it be better for the Republic to replace the Empire?"

"No," Vader snapped and she flinched. "Under the Republic, the Senate was rife with corruption, misery, tension...there was constant war. You know nothing of the horrors that went on during those times."

Leia looked down. "But you were part of that, weren't you?" she asked quietly. "Ahsoka told me about you...about her Master. You were a General. The clones, your soldiers...they looked up to you, you know."

Vader turned and glared at her, and instantly she felt her entire body freeze up. The air surrounding them became cold, and Leia was suddenly aware of the fact that it was just the two of them. If she screamed, nobody would hear her, and certainly no one would come running to save her.

"What an impertinent mouth your dear friend has," he sneered. "I wonder what other little stories she has been poisoning your mind with."

Leia felt a chill run down her spine.

"She didn't say anything," she exclaimed. "All she said is that she fought by your side, and that she misses Anakin Skywalker-"

"Do not call me by that name!" Vader snapped, and Leia flinched, her hands flying to protect her face.

Seconds passed.

Leia cowered, still waiting for him to Force-Choke her. Vader reached out, his hand slightly shaky, but hastily withdrew it. Leia hid her face in her hands, trembling with fear.

"Why are you hiding your face?" Vader stammered, looking irritated. "Look at me," he demanded, and Leia obeyed fearfully by lowering her hands. She stared back up at him, feeling herself shaking in her chair. Vader looked back down at her and for a second, he seemed to feel sorry.

The child and the man both watched each other silently. Neither of them dared to move, until finally Vader broke the silence first.

"Why are you still afraid of me?"

Leia opened her mouth to answer, but her voice was still caught in her throat.

Vader frowned.

"I said I wasn't going to hurt you. Why do you keep trying to hide from me?"

Leia swallowed again, trying to force her palpitating heart to calm down.

"Because," she stuttered, "You kill children. You hurt Ben and Ahsoka," she said, the accusation flying out of her mouth before she could stop it. "You're not...a good person," she mumbled. "And you could kill me at any moment."

Vader paused and sat back, struck speechless as if no one had ever dared to speak to him like this before.

"I wouldn't kill you. You are my daughter. I will not let anything come between us, not even death. You have no reason to fear it."

"But I do," Leia spat back, her face growing hot. "That's why I have to stay a secret. If the Emperor finds out about me, he'll kill me," she said bitterly.

Vader looked startled. "He wouldn't-"

"Don't lie!" Leia yelled. "You said it yourself! Force-sensitive children are a threat to the Empire," she mumbled. Her eyes felt wet, but she did not want him to see her cry, so she turned away from him and crossed her arms. "You know what he does to them, better than anyone else," she hissed accusatorily.

Vader's shoulders shook, as if he was horrified by the implications of her words. Oh, so even a monster like him can feel guilt after all, she thought bitterly.

"You have nothing to worry about. The only Force Sensitives that are targeted for mandatory execution are Rebels."

"And so what if I was a filthy Rebel? Would you kill me?" Leia demanded.

"No," Vader snapped, "But I certainly would not approve of it-"

"Be honest!" Leia yelled. "You would have killed me yourself if you didn't know I was your daughter! I would have died at your hands!"

Vader paused as if conflicted.

"You wouldn't die," he started again, trying to regain control of the conversation. "The Emperor is merciful to those who obey his authority. You could become an Inquisitor, and stay by my side-"

"No he isn't," Leia glared at him. "He's a tyrant who enslaves all those who disagree with him, and you know it. They say he has an all-seeing eye at his right side who tells him everything and knows all the secrets of the Galaxy. You wouldn't be able to protect me from him."

"Yes, I could!" Vader snapped. "My power-"

"I don't care about your power!" Leia snapped back. "I don't want it! It's built upon the suffering and pain of others," she said angrily.

"What is the point of letting others suffer, if not to protect you?"

"What is the point of protecting me, if it causes others to suffer?"

Both father and daughter were now locked in a heated battle, glaring at each other. Leia narrowed her eyes and kept her back straight, willing herself to not give in first. Vader glared back for a few seconds then suddenly turned away, morose.

"I can see that you are not grateful for my offer," he spat. "In that case, I will take my leave."

With that, he stood up and began to walk away.

Suddenly all of the bravado drained out of Leia's body and she found herself standing up in a panic.

"Wait!" she yelled, causing him to whirl back around. She felt embarrassed, shocked by the desperation in her own voice. "Don't...go," she stammered, and Vader stopped moving. "Take me with you," she commanded, feeling her face heat up.

Vader stared at her, incredulous.

"You want to come with me?"

"Yes," Leia said imperiously, her cheeks turning red. "To...to wherever it is that you keep disappearing, when you're not on a mission. I know that you have a secret place that you hide at. Show it to me," she demanded, glaring at Vader with what she hoped was a commanding aura.

He stared down at her. Leia looked back up at him, suddenly self-conscious of how short and tiny she was. He could crush her under one of his boots or throw a chair at her and leave. She swallowed, feeling her legs tremble slightly as he loomed menacingly over her.

Vader turned and walked away. Leia's shoulders dropped dejectedly.

"Alright."

Leia blinked.

It was so quiet that she almost missed it. She looked up at him, wanting to hear more, but all she could see was the inky darkness of his cloak.

"Alright," he said. "But you will have to be quiet. And do not keep me waiting."

Leia nodded silently, deciding not to push her luck.

Vader immediately started walking away again. She jumped out of her chair and hurriedly ran after him, trying to keep up with his brisk pace. Once she caught up to him, she looked anxiously at him until he beckoned her wordlessly without looking at her. Confused, she came closer until Vader grabbed her hand and pulled her to his side. Together, they descended the various staircases and walked through a seemingly endless labyrinth of narrow corridors and empty hallways until they arrived at a private hangar where a small spacecraft was parked.

"Go," Vader said and Leia obeyed, scrambling into the small pod. Once she was seated in the chair, Vader helped her with the safety belt and sat down in the pilot's chair next to her.

The spacecraft took off and Leia exhaled slowly. She did not know what she was getting herself into, but her instincts had told her that despite what he let on, Vader did not hate it when she pushed him. Thus she continued to push, carefully toeing the line between boldness and impertinence that might cost her life. She hoped that she was striking the right balance...and possibly, steering him in the right direction.

Maybe I am the one controlling him, she thought to herself. Or maybe he is controlling me. I don't know.

Either way, she hoped that by mentioning Ahsoka and Ben to him again, he might remember their names and whatever fond memories they had. And maybe, potentially free them.

She has told herself that she didn't care if he was her father. She already had one, and she had given her whole heart to him. But as she found herself flying through hyperspace while stuck in a narrow ship with the monster that killed her birth mother, she began to wonder if some part of her was actually curious about getting to know him because of their shared blood.

Maybe she wasn't actually pretending to get close to him so she could learn more about his role in the Empire and undermine it, but because she really wanted to get close to him.

Leia shuddered.

She did not like thinking about that possibility.

"Here we are," Vader said, snapping her out of her thoughts. Leia peered out of the window nearest to her and immediately gasped out loud.

She had been expecting him to take her to another hot, fiery lava planet. Or perhaps a cold, ice-covered inhospitable moon that was devoid of life. Instead, she found herself gasping with surprise as the engine exited hyperspace and a beautiful terrestrial planet with turquoise blue oceans came into view. It almost reminded her of her own home planet, except it was even more ethereal and luminous. Her eyes sparkled with wonder as she gazed upon it, feeling a strange ache in her stomach.

"What...is this?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.

Vader regarded it indifferently, watching passively with no emotion in his eyes as they approached it.

"It is called Naboo."

Leia continued to stare at the planet with wide eyes, not hearing a word he said. Sighing, Vader pressed a few buttons then pushed the lever in front of him.

"Let us go down.  I have something to show you."

Vader landed the ship in a wide green field surrounded by several pristine waterfalls that pooled into a set of crystalline lakes that stretched on for miles. Once they set foot on the grass, Leia immediately started to run her hand along the tall blades, picking the pinkish-purple wildflowers that sprouted every which where. As she gazed up at the calm blue sky, she felt a small wave of cool relief rush through her body.

The atmosphere was no longer hot and sulfuric, completely free from Mustafar's suffocating toxicity, and everywhere she looked plant and animal life abounded plentifully. She spun around, quietly rejoicing as she breathed in the fresh air. When she turned back around, she found herself face-to-face with Vader and immediately froze. However he did not glower or threaten her, just stared back silently. His body language seemed a lot more restricted, almost morose. Leia stopped moving and walked slowly towards him, watching his reaction.

Vader moved slowly through the field of tall grass. Leia looked up at him, staring intensely as he trudged through the clusters of beautiful flowers as if they were poisonous to him. He did not spare a glance at the clear sky or the verdant grassy fields or the glittering clear blue lake water. Everything seemed to weigh heavily on his being, an encumbrance to his very soul.

"This place is beautiful," Leia exclaimed. "Where are we?"

Vader did not respond for a few minutes. Then, begrudgingly, he answered her.

"It was your mother's favorite place."

Leia felt her heart flutter in her chest. Gazing around her, she took in her surroundings and saw everything in a new light. The open field was already beautiful, but knowing it had some special connection to her mother made her feel strange. Knowing that her mother had walked along these very same flowers, had sat where she was standing, had loved the same place that she stood upon.

Vader suddenly turned around and reached for the back of his neck. Leia watched as he unhooked something from behind his helmet. Seconds later, his long black cape fluttered to the ground. Leia stared up at him confusedly until he silently motioned at it.

Oh.

He wanted her to sit.

She made sure not to step on it and cautiously sat criss-cross on it. It felt awkward, but there were no royal protocols for this situation. She stared up at him, suddenly struck by how tall he was. Vader covered one of his arms with his gloved hand as if ashamed of his arttificial limbs. She cleared her throat and moved slightly to the side. Slowly, he lowered himself down on his prosthetic legs and sat next to her. Without the cloak, he almost looked like an ordinary man.

Now the two of them were side by side. It felt strange. Every one of her instincts was screaming and clawing at her to stand up and run away, but Leia ignored them. She stared at the purple flowers again and reached out, picking one. Absentmindedly, she started to twirl it between her fingers.

Vader looked down at her, watching as she played with it. Silently, he held out his hand. She hesitated for a moment then quietly relinquished the flower to him like a confiscated toy. Vader grasped it in his hand, almost crushing it with his strong mechanical grip. He robotically rolled it back and forth, and Leia finally realized he was trying to twirl it in the same way she had. She looked away, not wanting to make him self-conscious or provoke his anger. Vader stopped rolling it and just clenched the flower tightly, looking ahead.

The two of them sat in silence, Vader gazing at some undetermined point in the distance while Leia nervously watched him out of the corner of her eye. A cool breeze blew past them, gently ruffling their clothes, and Leia unintentionally moved closer to him out of habit. For a second, she forgot that she was with Vader and not her father on Alderaan. Vader looked down at her, pensive.

"Did my mother...come here often?" Leia asked slowly, looking at him carefully.

Vader stared back at her.

"No.  After our wedding, she became quite busy with her own responsibilities. I only got to see her here a few times."

Leia nodded slowly, swallowing.

So, they were married.

She hadn't expected that. It was hard to picture someone marrying Vader willingly, much less the pretty woman from her dreams. Leia scrunched up her face, trying to remember what that woman's face looked like.

"I think...I've been here before," she said hesitatingly. "In a dream."

She could feel Vader's intense gaze on her. Flushing, she looked down at the ground and picked at the grass haphazardly.

"That would be a Force vision.  The Force sometimes manifests certain places or people as dreams.  However, no matter how much I try to control it, it never quite listens to me."

Leia stared at him, trying to figure out what he meant.

"So...if I saw my mother," she said slowly, "What would that mean then?"

"That is not possible."

Leia looked up, startled.

"But...you said that the Force shows us people sometimes. Can't it show me what she looked like?"

"No," Vader said coldly.

"Why not?"

"Only those who control the Force can manifest after death."

Leia frowned. That didn't sound right. She had spoken to many friends and family members who had told her about their relationships to their late loved ones. It just didn't seem right, that only a select few were capable of returning. She couldn't imagine a lifetime of not being able to see her father again. What did it mean, that only some were allowed to come back while others vanished forever?

"If she was here, I would have sensed it. I have had many dreams of her too. In them, I begged her to come back to me. Every time she evades me and disappears again and I wake up to find the same emptiness in the Force where she once was. It does not mean anything."

"But..." Leia stared up at him, locking her gaze with the expressionless eye pieces of his helmet. "That doesn't seem fair. Everyone loves someone," she argued. "Ordinary people deserve to see their loved ones too."

"That is the price of falling in love with an ordinary person. Once they have passed, you can never see them again."

Leia looked down, glumly shredding the bundle of grass that she was holding to pieces. It fell apart and drifted out of her hands as the wind blew it away from her.

She began to understand now, why Vader chose not to sleep. Why he refused to let himself dream.

"I don't believe that," she said crossly. "I don't think the Force should be segregated like that. Everyone should be allowed to access it, even the common people."

"The Force does not exist to be fair. It exists to control others or to be controlled. There is no way around it."

"Well, that's stupid," Leia grumbled. "I don't think I particularly want to control anything. I don't think anyone should be controlled."

Vader stiffened, his back ramrod straight.

"I once believed the same as you.  That people should be left to determine their own fate, and control themselves. But that is not the nature of the Galaxy. It is ugly, greedy, and full of chaos...it cannot be left to its own devices. The only way to maintain peace is to control it."

Leia stared at him.

"I was not always the man that I am now. When I met your mother, she was the Queen of an entire planet. I was only a slave working at a junk shop on a deserted planet bordering the Outer Rim. After I saw her, I swore that I would see her again. After I married her, I swore that I would do anything and everything to protect and keep her. Now I have nothing left to swear by, not even myself."

Leia glared at him. "That's not true," she said, startling him. "You always have yourself. You are still the same person that you were, no matter how long ago that was. My Father says that, no matter how much change happens, you will always be the one constant in your own life. There is only one version of you, and that is the one right here."

Vader stared down at her. She stared back, challenging him.

"Your father and I would have to disagree on many things.  I have never been particularly fond of politicians. I do not expect you to understand."

Leia nodded silently.

"Your mother, too, would often argue with me. I tried to get her to leave the Senate, to take on the world with me, but she always refused. Even when I was still under Obi-Wan's training she told me that she could not allow me to leave the Order for her. I thought it was because she loved the Senate more than me, but she told me that was not the case. She said it was out of a sense of duty to her family. To her home. I told her I could never understand because I have never felt a particular attachment to the planet where I was born. That is the difference between a Queen and a slave, I suppose."

The wind blew again, this time a bit colder than before. Leia shivered slightly, and Vader stared at her.

Slowly, mechanically, he reached out and picked up the corners of the cloak. She stood up, thinking he was taking it away from her, but instead he wrapped the cloak around her like a blanket.

She looked down awkwardly, feeling her face heat up again.

"I've never heard you talk about Ben before," she said. "I thought you hated him."

Vader immediately went rigid, withdrawing his hands from her shoulders. Leia's heart clenched rapidly in her chest. "I didn't always," he muttered darkly. "But now he has become the bane of my existence."

"Why?"

"He killed her," Vader spat. Leia blinked, shocked. She did not dare ask what he meant, although the answer was obvious.

"I don't think Ben is capable of killing anyone," she said.

"You would be wrong.  Every time in my life where I have fallen, where I have felt loss, where I have cried and prayed and begged the gods for a merciful fate...he was there, laughing at me and manipulating me. He is the one behind all this and  I will not rest until he has paid me back, eye for eye, for everything he has done to me."

"But all that happened so long ago," she said. "Why are you still angry?"

Vader paused. The wind blew harder, rustling the grass around them.

"I do not know how to feel anything else except anger."

Leia stared at him, watching as his demeanor became darker.

Yet she could also sense another emotion. Everything he did was tinged by a heavy, unrelenting sadness. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, it permeated all of his being and seeped through the expressionless mask he had placed in lieu of a face. Underneath all the madness was a man who had never properly mourned because he could not even make sense of his grief.

"Perhaps you only choose to feel anger," she said, "Because you refuse to open yourself to other emotions."

With that, she reached out and gingerly placed her smaller hand on top of his.

Vader flinched, looking down and freezing immediately. Leia inhaled, forcing herself to remain firm and kept her hand in place. Vader looked as if he wanted to withdraw his arm but also forced himself to stay still. The two of them stared at each other as the wind blew Leia's hair wildly, getting into her face and messing it up.

In the distance the sun began to set, casting a warm amber glow over everything. Neither of them moved. Finally, the slow groans of the Shaak that were now returning home to sleep roused them from their haze. Vader stood up, not letting go of Leia's hand and pulling her up with him. She grabbed the cloak around her shoulders and held onto it, trying not to let it fall onto the ground. He helped her off the ground, then slowly escorted her back to the ship.

It was time for them to return. Vader pulled her into the ship, all the while yanking on her hand to make sure she stayed close to his side. Eventually he let go of her hand to program the ship's navicomputer, setting a course for Mustafar. As the engine went into hyperdrive Leia silently watched the stars fly past them, not speaking a word. She did not attempt to locate Alderaan among them. She did not ask Vader to stop and send a message to her parents for her. Vader let her keep his cloak, which she placed on her lap as a sort of blanket to keep her legs warm.

For a moment, they were no longer an enemy commander and his opponent's daughter. Leia started to doze off and she felt a hand pulling the cloak back up to cover her shoulders. She closed her eyes and leaned back, allowing her drowsiness to claim her.

Behind her, Vader placed his hand on her back and closed his eyes. When he reached out using the Force, he could sense an energy that was familiar to him. Similar, yet not quite the same. He let go and paced around the ship, deep in his own thoughts.

It had been more than ten years since the last time he had sensed this energy. His hands trembled as he rolled the squashed purple flower between his metallic fingers, trying to take the edge off of his mind.

As he stared out into the wide expanse, something strange pooled in his stomach. He braced himself, expecting pain, but nothing came. Instead, he found himself gazing with wonderment at the Galaxy from outside of his window. It was as if he was seeing the stars for the first time again.

Chapter Text

"Lord Vader," Sidious' face flickered back and forth on the holoprojector. "You have not been responding to any of my requests to speak with you. Why is this?"

Vader tilted his head upwards, making direct eye contact with him.

"My apologies, Master. I have been extremely occupied these past few days. I am at your service now, you may command me to do as you wish."

Palpatine frowned. "I am not pleased with your dishonesty, Vader," he sneered. "You promised me not long ago that you would kill Kenobi. Yet what have you done since then?"

Vader looked up, hesitating. Palpatine frowned, waiting impatiently for his response.

"I fear that your attachments may be interfering with your judgment again, my Apprentice," Palpatine hissed. "Surely you must remember the state you were in, when I found you after your scuffle on Mustafar. I would not like to see him leave you in pieces again." Vader flinched silently. "He is the one who has been holding you back all these years, and now he is continuing to tie you to himself, to the horrors of the past. How much longer will you allow him to continue this treachery?"

"I understand, Master."

"So now, I will ask you again. What will become of Kenobi?"

"I beg your forgiveness for my impertinence, Master, but I only ask this of you. That I may be the one to finally dispatch him," Vader breathed.

Palpatine stiffened.

"You are...correct. I have been led astray by him for too long.  It is time for me to eliminate him."

Palpatine frowned. "That is not what I am asking," he sneered. "Lord Vader, I do not appreciate your attempts to distract me. If I were not any wiser, I would accuse you of attempting to hide your old Master from me. Have the years weakened you to the point that you are once again susceptible to such emotional manipulations?"

"No, Master, never.  You are the only Master I will ever serve. It is for you that I have decided to remove him."

There was a pause, and Palpatine gathered himself again,

"Very well, Lord Vader. My responsibilities call me once more. I will be in contact with you shortly. Do not ignore me again."

"Yes, Master. I will not."

The holoprojector finally shut off. Vader leaned over it, taking a deep breath.

"So. Changed your mind about killing me, have you?" Obi-Wan murmured.

Vader turned around, facing the weathered old man behind him.

"Do not overestimate the extent of my patience.  You have not earned my mercy, nor my respect."

"I am aware," Obi-Wan replied. "You have made it abundantly clear that you will never forgive me."

"I am only keeping you alive for the girl's sake. She has been begging me endlessly to spare you and cries every time I threaten to forcibly remove her attachment to you."

Obi-Wan blinked. He had not expected Leia to vouch for him.

Please, don't, he wanted to reach out through the Force and tell her. Stop begging for my life. You are the one that needs to be saved, not me.

"She refuses to speak to me unless I promise not to kill you.  It is exceedingly difficult for me to obtain any information about the Rebellion from her unless she cooperates."

"Oh, right. The Rebellion," Obi-Wan replied hoarsely, his throat dry.

"Why else do you think I would choose to let her live this long?  She is of no use to me otherwise. Once I have obtained what I need from her, I will eliminate her."

Obi-Wan frowned.

There's still good in him, Padme's voice echoed in the back of his mind. I know it.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes.

He hoped for Leia's sake that she was right.

Vader paced the length of his cell slowly. Obi-Wan watched him, observing each of his steps. He seemed deep in thought over something else. Obi-Wan sighed, deciding to risk his life once more with a small question.

"Are things going well with the girl?" he asked gently.

Vader stiffened. Then, he stopped moving, his shoulders sagging.

"She still does not like me."

Obi-Wan stared at him wide-eyed. Vader turned around and glared at him, annoyed.

"I am aware that her approval is not required for my plan.  However...I have no other ways of persuading her to speak. She is no longer afraid of me, but I can still see the reluctance in her eyes. I cannot connect to her during our shared time together. I cannot speak to her about the past. There is nothing that I can do to make her want to talk to me."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. Vader faced him, waiting expectantly.

"I'm afraid I only spent a few days with Leia myself," Obi-Wan shrugged. "I know no more than you do already."

Vader growled and balled his right hand into a fist. Obi-Wan cleared his throat.

"Have you tried asking her what you can do to make her trust you?"

"That is not an option."

Obi-Wan nodded quietly.

"Then, perhaps you could try doing something that children her age would enjoy with her. To...build your relationship to her."

"I do not know what children like."

Obi-Wan blinked.

The two of them stared at each other, locked in a tense silence. Vader did not speak, but Obi-Wan knew what he wanted to say.

Do you know, Master? Do you?

Obi-Wan swallowed slowly, trying to salvage the words from the back of his dry, parched throat.

"I...do not know much about children either," he said, and Vader tightened his grip on his lightsaber menacingly. "But I do know that some enjoy pod-racing."

Vader scoffed angrily and stormed out.

Obi-Wan bowed his head and looked down at the floor, absentmindedly fiddling with his shackles. He was certainly grateful that they were no longer attached to the wall, allowing him to rest his neck and arms and sleep a bit more comfortably. However, he still missed being in his cave back on Tatooine. At least then, he had been free.

In another world, he might be watching over Luke and Leia while they rested after a long day of running around and playing together. In another world, Anakin would be calling upon him not to trade blows but to ask for advice on child-rearing. In another world, Padme was still alive, rocking the twins to sleep and buying Leia a million little dresses with matching gloves. In this other world, he allowed Leia to hug him as much as she wanted and ask him whatever she wanted to about the old days. He no longer had to hide himself from Luke, and Owen welcomed him into his home instead of eyeing him with the wariness of a man who believed that he had killed his only brother.

How did we end up like this? He thought to himself quietly. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Ahsoka puzzled over the double-bladed spinning lightsaber's handgrip, trying to adjust its emitter matrix.

"What are you doing?" Reva asked.

"Trying to see if this has a lower non-lethal plasma setting," Ahsoka replied.

Reva scoffed. "This is an Inquisitor's weapon," she snapped. "There is no non-lethal setting."

Ahsoka stepped back, twirling the two red blades of the lightsaber. "Alright. Today we will go over the basics of Ataru together. For now, just copy what I do," she said, executing a simple velocity that Anakin had often practiced with her to warm up.

Reva panted and attempted to keep up. "I don't need your little Jedi sequences. Drills won't help me learn, only hands-on experience."

"But you are a new learner," Ahsoka said. "Velocities are important for learning the basics. Each combat form has its own benefits, but there are weaknesses, too. It is important to be mindful of them even as you are learning it so as not to develop blind spots."

"That doesn't matter right now."

Ahsoka took a deep breath.

"This style is not for the faint of heart," she warned her again. "It involves a lot of fast, light combat. Blink, and you risk losing an arm."

"I already know that," Reva said annoyed. "You don't have to tell me. Just because I don't know the name of it doesn't mean I'm stupid."

"I know," Ahsoka said gently. "But, you need to take the time-"

"We don't have time," Reva spat. "I have been observing Vader closely and listening to the transmissions that he receives. The Emperor grows more and more suspicious of him each day that he allows Kenobi to live. He will no doubt send his right hand to investigate the matter if it develops any further."

Ahsoka frowned. "I understand that, but I wouldn't recommend rushing through the fundamentals at such a crucial stage in your training. Without them, you won't be able to develop the proper techniques."

"How would I even know what the fundamentals are? Your Master tried to kill me before I had the chance to learn them," Reva snapped angrily.

Ahsoka closed her mouth and stopped moving. Reva glared at her silently. For a few moments, Ahsoka's eyes flickered back and forth between the ground and looking at Reva, trying to think of how to respond. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth, and she did not know what to say.

"I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter. Let's get back to work."

Ahsoka swallowed, nodding quietly. "Right," she said quietly.

They had their work cut out for them. Ahsoka would not usually have expected someone who primarily used Form I to pick up Form IV easily. Most Padawans who attempted to use Ataru were enamored with it for the first few weeks until they discovered their vulnerability to blaster shots while suspended or flipping in the air. Additionally, as one grew older, it usually became more difficult to execute the many flips and spins that were incredibly athletically-demanding and integral to the style of combat. Even Anakin warned her that most Ataru users became exhausted within the first few minutes of a duel, and that it was wiser to switch Forms if she intended to conserve her energy.

Eventually, most Jedi abandoned Form IV for simpler Forms that did not require as much acrobatic ability. Although Ahsoka had seen multiple holorecordings of Obi-Wan employing it during his youth, she also noticed an obvious switch to Form III after he became Anakin's mentor. She later asked him why he abandoned Ataru despite being quite proficient at it. At the time, he had said something vague about preferring a more defensive method of attack, but she now knew that it was because of his old Master. She sometimes wondered how Obi-Wan managed to keep himself together after surviving both the death of his Master and Apprentice.

At the moment, however, it did not seem likely that they would be able to get very far. Reva attempted a jung ma and faltered when Ahsoka used her momentum against her and pushed her off, causing her to lose balance and fall back.

They returned to their starting positions and Ahsoka repeated the motion that she had been trying to teach Reva, running forward then using both lightsabers to counterbalance her weight as she jumped into the air and spun around, kicking her legs out. Reva charged a bit too fast and jumped, losing her balance and falling onto her stomach. She let out a loud groan of pain and Ahsoka rushed to her side, only for her hand to get slapped away.

"Don't," Reva panted. "I don't need your help," she said coldly.

Ahsoka took a deep breath and nodded, standing back to give Reva more space. Reva grunted and got up onto her elbows, slowly picking herself back up.

"Let's try that again," Ahsoka said.

Reva growled and swung at her. Ahsoka stepped back, holding her lightsaber horizontally near her chin and deflecting each blow. Annoyed, Reva charged forwards and engaged them in a blade lock. Ahsoka immediately jumped backwards, causing Reva to swing at her while she flipped midair. Ahsoka used the Force to push her lightsabers and landed on her feet, charging towards her again. Reva was forced to step aside and use both lightsabers to block her next attack. Ahsoka pushed down hard, engaging her in an even more dangerous blade lock.

"Remember, these are your three rings of defense," Ahsoka said as Reva struggled to push her off. "Be mindful of any attacks below the waist, near the head, or towards your back. Aerial combat styles all have a weakness, which is that they can be attacked from below. So, if you-"

"Stop lecturing me," Reva growled. "I'm tired of listening to your stupid ramblings."

With that, she grunted and finally managed to gather enough strength to shove her off. Ahsoka jumped back and spun around, building up momentum. She ran back towards Reva and attacked again, catching her on her weak side. Reva was forced to use her other hand to defend herself and turned around, trying to meet Ahsoka's lightsabers with her dominant hand. Ahsoka immediately took advantage of Reva defaulting to one hand by applying force with both lightsabers and hands, easily overpowering her. Reva cried out as her hand gave out and the lightsaber clattered to the floor, disarmed. She turned to pick it up, and Ahsoka used the Force to yank her other lightsaber out of her other hand. Reva looked up, seeing Ahsoka grinning and looking down at her.

"Again," Reva said stubbornly, holding out her hands. Ahsoka let go and let both lightsabers fly back into them.

Ahsoka got back into position. Reva slashed both lightsabers, facing her head-on before charging again.

This time, she was able to trade a few more blows with Ahsoka before they broke apart. Although she had only suspected it before, she could tell now that Reva was already extremely agile. Within a few minutes, she began to copy many more of Ahsoka's movements. Ahsoka let out a small gasp of surprise as Reva jumped into the air and executed a Hawk-Bat Swoop, transitioning perfectly into a Saber Swarm. Ahsoka gripped her sabers more tightly and fended off each blow, occasionally twirling out of the way. Although her legs were considerably much better now, she was still wary of over-relying on acrobatic maneuvers since her last duel with Vader.

"You're doing better," Ahsoka exclaimed.

"Don't say anything," Reva growled, swinging hard towards her. "It makes things worse."

Ahsoka blinked, parrying her blows. "Why? What's wrong with pointing out improvement?"

"Praise is a crutch," Reva growled. "It will only weaken me to rely upon it."

Ahsoka closed her mouth and watched as Reva launched herself off the wall and leaped into the air. She ducked and jumped back, crossing her lightsabers in front of her to block Reva's strike.

For the rest of their fight, Ahsoka remained quiet. Eventually, she remembered Reva's weakness and attacked her on her left side again. Reva yelled as Ahsoka spun quickly, using her momentum to knock the lightsaber out of her hand and pointed her second blade at Reva's throat. Reva quickly swiped at it using the lightsaber in her right hand, and Ahsoka closed in on her, knocking it out using her left saber. Both of Reva's lightsabers clattered to the ground, and Ahsoka kicked them away so Reva could not use the Force to retrieve them. Before Reva could react, Ahsoka crossed her lightsabers together and pushed her against the wall, now trapping her. Reva raised her hands and glared down at the crossed lightsabers that were caging her in.

"I yield," she said bitterly. Ahsoka waited a few seconds, then uncrossed her sabers to lower them. Reva landed a blow on one of her arms, causing her to cry out and drop the weapon. Reva immediately grabbed the lightsaber using the Force and ran away, turning around to face her once she had gotten a few feet away.

"You can't win against me using that," Ahsoka said calmly. She reached out, picking up Reva's two lightsabers from the ground. "I have you outnumbered three to one."

"Three? You only have two hands," Reva scoffed.

Ahsoka shrugged. "That's the beauty of Ataru," she replied. "You can always improvise."

Reva watched as Ahsoka stretched out her two hands, each holding a lightsaber, while the third hilt floating next to her ignited on its own and spun in the air as if being wielded by an invisible master. Reva gasped, her jaw dropping.

"Now, my turn," Ahsoka said.

Reva yelped as Ahsoka began to chase after her, now wielding all three lightsabers. She screeched and ducked, trying to avoid each slashes and screaming as the Force-wielded lightsabers got nearer and nearer to her. She twirled her lightsaber in front of her as a sort of shield, but Ahsoka easily parried her blows with her handheld lightsabers while targeting her with a slash from the third. Reva let out a cry and threw herself onto the ground, barely rolling out of the way.

"It's not fair!" she yelled. "You can't expect me to gain the upper hand in a situation like this!"

"No," Ahsoka said quietly, "I don't."

Reva trembled as the lightsaber floating next to her suddenly quivered and fell to the ground as if it had been hanging by an inviisble string that was just cut.

"Wielding a lightsaber using only the Force is incredibly taxing," Ahsoka said. "I myself can't keep it up for long. However, I do expect you to prepare for anything and everything as part of your training. Especially since Form IV leaves most of its users more vulnerably to aerial attacks. Ideally, you should never have to face an opponent under these same circumstances. But, there are ways to avoid a situation like this."

"Like what?"

"Run."

Reva rolled her eyes.

Ahsoka smiled, her expression lighthearted and teasing. "Remember, you have to beat me first if you hope to stand a chance against Vader."

Reva stared at the lightsaber hilts scattered all across the ground near them. "It's pointless," she muttered darkly. "I know that I'll never be able to match him."

Ahsoka swallowed quietly.

"You can't give up yet," she said. "You've only just started."

Reva glared at her. "Easy for you to say," she spat. "You've been trained for this your whole life. I never even had a Master."

The smile dropped from Ahsoka's face and was replaced with a somber expression. She turned off her lightsaber and crawled over to where Reva was hunched over, sitting next to her. Gingerly, she placed her hand on her shoulder in an attempt at comfort. Reva did not lean into it.

"You've always been lucky," Reva whispered. "They wanted you. They wouldn't have just left you to die."

Ahsoka stared at her, watching as moisture welled up in the corners of her eyes. Reva turned her face away, not wanting her to see the tear leaking out.

"You know, I meant it when I said you were improving," Ahsoka said. "I can tell that you are a fast learner. You would have been an incredible Jedi Knight."

Reva glared at her silently.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you as their Apprentice," Ahsoka said sincerely. She did not know if this would appease Reva or make her angrier.

But for now, they seemed to have a truce in place.

"I don't know if I ever told you why I'm no longer a Jedi," Ahsoka said slowly, looking away. "I was cast out after the Council determined I was guilty of sedition, murder, and plotting a terrorist attack on the Temple."

Reva whirled around, her eyes widening. Ahsoka kept her gaze focused away and continued. "The Chancellor told me that I would have to await the Council's decision. My fate was in the hands of the Masters who I had spoken to, worked with, trusted for so many years. But none of that time mattered to them. To be a Jedi is to remove one's attachments, to not let one's emotions cloud moral judgment. They could not show me any favoritism by listening to my Master's attempts to vouch for my character. To them, I was as good as any criminal," Ahsoka sighed quietly. "And so, to give me an impartial trial, they sent me before the Republic Military. Where no one would try to save me."

Reva stared at her now with wide-open eyes.

"Eventually, the real perpetrator was brought to justice. But it was not because of any doing on my part. The Chancellor was prepared to sentence me, up until my Master finally arrived and exposed the real killer. I would have died at their hands, and they would not have regretted it," Ahsoka said solemnly. "They didn't believe me at all. Not until the very end."

After all, she had never successfully been able to prove her innocence.

It was Anakin who cleared her name. Anakin who they believed. Anakin, whose word was considered good enough for them to listen to. Not hers.

Reva narrowed her eyes and let her hand fall back to her side.

"I was not part of the conspiracy to bomb the Temple. However, I did know the person behind it," Ahsoka admitted. "She was...someone I considered a friend. I feel sometimes that it was partially my fault that she turned to the Dark Side."

Reva just continued to look at her, not responding.

"I may have once been a Padawan," Ahsoka bowed her head, "But now I am the same as you. We are both Jedi, but at the same time we are not. Titles do not mean anything between us anymore. I am a learner, same as you. All I can do is hope to impart what I know of the Light Side upon you. And I also hope to learn from you, just the same."

Reva stared at her. She looked down at her hand. Then, slowly, she reached out and hesitantly gripped it. Ahsoka smiled reassuringly at her, squeezing back. The two of them sat in silence for a while.

"Will you teach me the sequence you showed me earlier?" Reva asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Ahsoka replied.

Reva watched her quietly. "I would like to improve my footwork. It seems important for um, mastering the circle thing," she held her inactivated lightsaber horizontally at chin level and imitated what she had seen Ahsoka do earlier while deflecting her blows.

Ahsoka smiled. "The center-of-being stance," she said. "Yes, of course! I'm glad to see you remembered what it's called this time."

"I already knew about it," Reva mumbled. "I just didn't know it had a name."

"Well, don't worry, I won't be testing you on any names," Ahsoka said as she stood up, carefully putting weight on her newly-healed ankles. She held her hand out to Reva and she accepted it, allowing her to pull her to her feet. "After all, it's like you said. Right now, you don't need theory. You need hands-on practice."

Reva's eyes glinted subtly under the dim light. Ahsoka met her gaze and her eyes, too, glinted slightly.

"Alright," Ahsoka said, her sabers flying back into her hands and igniting instantly. The smell of plasma filled the air as Ahsoka crossed them, creating a loud oscillating sound. "Ready, Padawan?"

Reva snarled, ignited her own blades and twirling them rapidly. "Ready," she hissed, charging forwards.

Storm clouds swirled forebodingly above the Imperial Palace on Coruscant.

Many years ago, this location had been a place of worship. Jedi Younglings were raised here, Jedi Padawans were trained here, Jedi Knights were granted their titles here, and Jedi Masters rose to greatness from within its walls. It had once been filled with laughter, chatter, and the echoes of life. But now it was a cold, unwelcoming bastion of the Sith.

The Emperor paced about, clearly displeased. Behind him, two figures stood at attention. The Dathomirian leered at the Emperor, eagerly awaiting a chance to speak. The Chiss beside him remained silent.

"Vader is lying," Maul snarled. "He has no intentions of killing Kenobi and Tano."

"I know that already," Palpatine spat back, momentarily stopping his pacing. "This is unusual of him," he muttered angrily. "Am I losing control?" he muttered frustratedly.  "I would not have expected such disobedience from him..."

"If you would please, Your Highness," the Chiss spoke softly from the shadows. Palpatine turned to face him, waiting impatiently. "I believe there is an easier solution."

Palpatine frowned and crossed his arms expectantly.

"I am curious about these recent going-ons at Fortress Vader," Grand Admiral Thrawn said quietly. "Perhaps the answer to these matters might be brought to light upon further investigation."

"That is the issue," Palpatine began to pace back and forth again. "My Grand Inquisitor has been dispatched and is still recovering from his injuries after suffering a near fatal blow. Yet Vader will not let me replace the current Inquisitor with a new candidate, seeing as she is the one who brought in Kenobi-"

Just then, he stopped pacing.

Thrawn looked up and locked eyes with him, yellow meeting red as they both glowed ominously in the darkness of the Throne Room.

They had come to the same realization simultaneously.

"They're not just hiding him. They are both protecting him," Palpatine hissed angrily.

Thrawn just looked back at him and nodded. Maul frowned, his face contorting with confusion, but his lips curled into a snarl at the mention of Kenobi's name.

"Your Highness," Thrawn said carefully, "I understand that Lord Vader is one of your most favored pupils. However...his recent conduct cannot be considered acceptable. If you would please allow us to investigate this matter, I am confident that we will be able to get to the bottom of everything."

Maul glared at him, as if jealous that he had not thought of this suggestion himself. Thrawn paid him no attention.

"Very well, Grand Admiral," Palpatine replied. "Your request is granted. You have my full authorization to investigate Vader."

Thrawn straightened up, satisfied. Maul narrowed his eyes at him.

"Maul, you are dismissed." Palpatine turned away.

Maul made an indignant noise as Thrawn bowed his head.

"Master," he said angrily, "What about me? You promised me that you would let me kill Kenobi!"

Palpatine looked at him for a moment then turned away again. Maul's shoulders sagged with disappointment.

"I have never withdrawn my permission from you," Palpatine muttered tactfully.

Maul perked up slightly. "Does this mean," he hissed, "That you will-?"

Palpatine waved his hand indifferently. "First, prove to me that you can get your hands on him. Then we can discuss his fate." He paused, looking downwards at the holo-pad before his throne which he had used just hours ago to contact Vader. "Kenobi is no longer a threat because of his abilities. He is now only a risk because of his connection to the past," he sneered.

With that, the Emperor turned and took his leave. Maul bowed his head reluctantly, waiting until he was out of earshot before straightening back up and growling angrily.

Beside him, the Chiss watched him with an unreadable expression on his face. Feeling the heat of his gaze, Maul turned and glowered at him.

"What?" he demanded, annoyed.

"Nothing," the Chiss replied taciturnly.

Maul glared at him, trying to size him up. "What do you want?" he demanded.

"I do not particularly desire anything," Thrawn replied carefully, "If that is what you are asking of me. However, I am curious about your hostility towards me."

"I have no reason to be friendly towards you," Maul spat. "He may have made you admiral, but I do not have to take any orders from you," he hissed, igniting his staff and thrusting it menacingly towards the Chiss.

Thrawn made no response, just silently looked down at the weapon being pointed towards his throat without betraying any fear.

"Interesting," he remarked. "I have not seen a double-sided saber of this kind before. Not many can wield it without risking harm to themselves. Your master must not have been any ordinary man."

"I was trained personally by the Dark Lord Dooku, Darth Tyranus himself," Maul sneered. "And you?"

"I am but a humble envoy from the Unknown Regions," Thrawn said slowly, his voice calm and unhurried. "My interest lies only in protecting my people."

"Your people?" Maul frowned.

"My people," Thrawn repeated patiently. "My brothers. My sisters. The Chiss."

Maul lowered his weapon. "I had a brother once," he muttered. Thrawn raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. "We were supposed to rule the Galaxy together. But he outlived his usefulness to the Emperor."

"I see," Thrawn murmured. Maul turned away, looking down despondently. "It seems to me that we both have something that we wanted to protect."

Maul narrowed his eyes.

"What are you trying to get at?"

"I would like to propose an alliance," Thrawn replied. "If not, then at least a truce. We need not be rivals."

"What's in it for me?"

Thrawn made direct eye contact with him. "Security," he replied simply. "You can rest easy, knowing that I will not attempt to compete with you for the Emperor's attention. In return, you may ask anything you wish of me as long as it is reasonable and does not interfere with my personal goals."

"And what about you?" Maul asked suspiciously. "What do you have to gain from this deal?"

"You must be aware of Vader's true identity," Thrawn said casually. Maul's eyes widened. "I can see it in your reactions. You are familiar with his former identity, or should I say, position in the Jedi Order."

Maul gritted his teeth. "Skywalker," he said venomously. "Yes, I remember him very well."

Thrawn bowed his head. "Then surely, you must understand my motivations."

"I'm afraid I do not."

"I am a man of my people." Thrawn moved closer to him. "I would do anything and everything to keep them safe. Surely, you must understand what I am talking about."

"Perhaps," Maul sneered, "But I do not see what this has to do with Vader."

"It has absolutely everything to do with him," Thrawn replied. "All those who encountered him under his past persona end up being eliminated, sooner or later. Very few survive to see another day, regardless of their rank within his command. He is also not above retaliating against the homeworlds of those who cross him. I have it on good authority, not just ill-founded whispers that he is planning something big. A weapon of mass destruction of some sort."

"And what of it?" Maul asked, irritated. "You are his partner in war, I am sure that you and your planet will be safe."

"True, since he has no official title within the Empire, I suppose you could say neither of us outranks the other," Thrawn replied. "However, in some ways, that can also be considered a risk."

Maul stared at him, puzzled. Then, slowly, it dawned on him.

"I would hate to see all my efforts undermined by a vulnerability in my entourage," Thrawn said carefully. "I prefer to be able to concentrate on my work with the knowledge that all those around me can be trusted. Would you not agree?"

Maul twirled his saber. "So, you want me to kill him before he kills you? Is that what this is about?"

"I would not recommend anything that could lead to a drastic shift in the Empire's power system," Thrawn warned. "However, I do believe something minor...a small demotion, for example...would be favorable."

Thrawn held out his hand. Maul crossed his arms, challenging him. The Chiss stayed still, awaiting his response.

"Fine," Maul said, reaching out and shaking his hand roughly. "But I swear, if you try to double-cross me, you will regret it," he snarled.

Thrawn straightened up. "I would never dream of it," he replied simply.

Maul let go of his hand and let it fall to his side.

"Kenobi," he hissed. "You will evade me no longer."

His fists tightened as he clenched his hands with determination. Behind him, Thrawn watched silently from the shadows.

He did not particularly trust the Chiss. Some part of him was still suspicious, expecting foul play. Perhaps he was being used in some sort of power play between him and Vader that he was not aware of. However, at the moment he did not care about that. All he cared about was his vengeance.

And if he had to go through Vader in order to enact it, well then, so be it.

Chapter Text

By now, it had been almost a month since Leia had gone missing. It had been even longer since the last time anyone called her by her first name.

In her time at Fortress Vader, she learned to stop demanding the right to send a transmission. She stopped identifying herself as "Leia Organa, Princess of Alderaan." She no longer wore colorful Alderaanian clothing or the green coat that Ben had bought her on Daiyu. Now all Vader had to do was beckon her silently with his hand and she would follow him wherever he asked. Whatever discomfort she felt about being near him, she quickly suppressed it.

If anyone had dared to ask her, "Do you find him scary?" she would have kept quiet. Her entire survival now depended on several factors, but mainly Vader's opinion of her. If he were to find out the effect his intimidating presence had on her, he might use this against her and threaten her into actually giving up information about the Rebellion. However, she could not yell at him and hide in her room forever, as his patience was limited. Thus every day became a balancing game between the right amount of resistance and obedience in order to please him. Leia was already trained for interrogations and hostage situations. Before this whole ordeal, she would have proudly said that she was not like other ordinary children.

Now she found herself wishing that she could be more like them.

When Reva woke her up in the mornings, she dressed herself without resisting or complaining. When she ate with Vader, she reminded herself not to stare down at her plate. When Vader asked her to talk, she spoke, and when he told her to be quiet she stopped speaking. When he motioned at her to follow him, she swallowed hard and reached up to grab his robotic hand, feeling the black glove tighten around her mechanically. When they walked together, she forced herself to keep up with him while also being careful not to walk too fast or step on his toes.

Soon, she settled into a daily rhythm of waking up, eating her first meal of the day with Vader, then heading out with him to fly somewhere undetermined. It even got to the point that Reva began to question if she was really the same child that constantly defied her and gave her an attitude. But Leia no longer cared to fight with Reva over what she wore or what she ate for breakfast. None of that mattered anymore. All she cared about at the moment was not waking up in pieces.

On days where Vader was busy, she ate her meal in silence with only Reva to accompany her. She no longer tried to escape from her room (she learned the hard way that doing so would only result in being caught by the Purge Troopers, who would then be executed for having learned of her existence). She no longer tried to contact Ben and Ahsoka. Instead she would spend the day waiting for Vader to visit her, after which he would spend time asking her questions to which she did not know the right answers.

"What is the true intention of the Rebel Alliance? Where are they hiding? What role does Bail Organa hope to play within it?" he demanded over and over again.

At first, she tried to get away with not answering by playing a fool and saying things like "I don't know" and "What do you mean by 'alliance'? I thought the rebels worked by themselves?" But she quickly realized that the more she pretended to be stupid, the more Vader was growing impatient. After this, she switched to answering with what she hoped was just confusing nonsense.

"I'm not sure, but I think I heard rumors about a base in the Unknown Regions," she lied, trying to divert his attention to the furthest and most unlikely location possible. "I heard that they developed the ability to communicate using a strange Force technique, one that allows them to speak into each other's minds from miles and miles away."

She was not sure if such an ability even existed, but it sounded interesting enough to be plausible (at least, in her mind.) If nothing else, it would at least explain how the imaginary rebels in her tall tales managed to stay in contact while lost in the unmapped wilderness that was the Unknown Regions.

Vader frowned, clearly irritated by this statement.

"Is there a problem with that?" Leia asked cautiously. She wondered if her lie had gone too far and he would finally punish her for her dishonesty.

"If there is truly a base located there," Vader drawled, "Then that poses a multitude of difficulties for me."

Leia blinked. She had not expected him to take her fib seriously.

"I only personally know of one being who has traveled to the Unknown Regions and survived."

"Who?" Leia asked, eager to change the subject.

"A Chiss," Vader hissed, "By the name of Thrawn."

"Oh," Leia said. "How do you know about him?"

"I work with him."

Leia went silent. Vader's job was a forbidden subject between the two of them. He did not seem very comfortable speaking about it and she did not want to know about what atrocities he had committed while she was not there.

"Why did he survive?" Leia asked cautiously.

"His people have been doing it for centuries," Vader replied. "He is an envoy from the Chiss Ascendancy. Their planet lies right in the midst of the Unknown Regions."

"Oh. I see," Leia said slowly. She had never heard of such things. Her father had told her that the Unknown Regions were dangerous and that some of the civilians living there had struck up some sort of deal with the Empire in exchange for protection. The exact details of this contract, however, were unknown to her. "How...how do they do it?"

"Do you know what a sky-walker is?" Vader asked coldly.

Leia flinched. "No," she admitted.

"A sky-walker," Vader said slowly, "is a Chiss that has learned to tap into a small, miniscule part of the Force. Just enough so that they can navigate through the Unknown Regions and lead a ship to safety."

Leia blinked. "Wouldn't...wouldn't that make them a Jedi?" she asked, confused.

"No. They are not the same as Jedi. In their language, they are called ozyly-esehembo. Most of them are girls, anywhere from seven to fourteen. All of them either develop or have developed a small sensitivity to the Force at a young age. This small sensitivity allows them to see what others cannot and tap into a strange ability that eventually wanes with time. It is something that they call in their language, 'Third Sight.'"

Leia stared at him curiously. "And have...have you ever been an 'ozyly-esehembo'?" she asked, hoping that she pronounced it right.

Vader sneered. "Once," he replied. "During the Clone Wars."

He rarely ever spoke of the Wars to her. The only she knowledge she had of them came exclusively from history books or the stories that Ahsoka had briefly told her. Leia's eyes widened and she stared at him, eager for him to continue. But Vader did not elaborate. If anything, he seemed a lot more withdrawn now.

"Does Thrawn know that?"

"Yes."

Leia looked down, deciding to drop the subject.

From what she had gathered, it seemed that Vader did not like this Thrawn person very much. He would probably rather die than ever ask him for help, especially if it concerned his domain. She also imagined that Vader did not enjoy working with someone who was aware of his past identity as Anakin Skywalker.

The atmosphere in the room had shifted completely. She now could sense a great, dark wave of displeasure emanating off of him. Deciding to lighten the mood, she asked him to take her flying. That seemed to take his mind off of things.

For whatever reason it was, the only time where Vader seemed closest to peace was when he sat in the cockpit of his ship. At first, Leia had started asking him to take her off-world in an attempt to engineer an escape route. For a brief period, she had a fever dream of stealing his ship and escaping to Alderaan in it. However, she quickly realized that it would be impossible for her to pilot Vader's spacecraft by herself. The controls were extremely confusing and made no sense to her (neither did Vader's explanations, which left much to be desired). The fuel tank was a lot smaller than most and occasionally needed to be refueled. This was not normally an issue, except for the fact that a journey back to Alderaan would require several refills, none of which she felt confident executing given the volatility of the rhydonium that it used. Leia accepted with some disappointment that sneaking out and stealing the spacecraft was not an option.

Nonetheless, the flying trips they went on seemed to do a turn for Vader's mood. During them, he seemed a lot calmer and less prone to anger. Any questions she asked, he gave thought to and answered truthfully instead of treating like an annoyance and brushing her off. Occasionally he would even talk about Ben, who he normally refused to acknowledge (perhaps out of a desire to discourage her from requesting his emancipation).

"Why do you care so much about being better than Ben?" she asked one time. "You're not him, so I don't understand why you always try to compete with him."

Vader yanked the landing levers roughly and almost crashed them into an asteroid. "I don't care about Obi-Wan," he sneered. "He means nothing to me. I can kill him anytime I want."

"That's not true," Leia said. "Every time you talk about him, you only say bad stuff and then you ask me what I think of him. I'm not going to tell you that he's better than you, or that you're better than him," she said bluntly. "You're different people. There's no reason for you to compare yourself to him."

She did not say it aloud, but she also hoped that he did not actually mean it when he said that he could kill Ben any time. After all, from what she could tell, they had once been very close. Why would he want to kill someone that important to him? Wasn't he already sad about losing his wife?

On days when Vader did not have the time or energy to fly her around, she would ask him to play games with her instead. She had expected him to be too old and stuffy to know about holochess, but to her surprise he had already heard of it and knew the rules quite well. He even set up the demesne within minutes without any assistance from her end. This caught Leia off guard, momentarily stunning her.

As she gaze at him with shocked eyes, Vader simply looked up and made direct eye contact with her. "Are you ready?" he asked, looking expectantly.

Leia swallowed, feeling as if she might have dug herself into a hole. "Yes," she lied, forcing herself not to let her nervousness show as she sat down with trembling legs and watched him play the first move.

It turned out Vader was an excellent Shah-tezh player. She had expected him to be slow and easily confused, but he was neither of those things. He did not go easy on her either. It was completely different from when she played against her father back on Alderaan. Leia found herself sweating and panting and losing every round. After they had played five rounds, she panicked and desperately asked Vader to get something to drink for her.

To her surprise, he ended up agreeing. While his back was turned, Leia frantically used the Force to rearrange all of the pieces so that she had the slightest chance of winning. She felt sweat drip down her brow as Vader returned holding a cup of Mintea and sat back down across from her. However, he did not seem to notice that she had cheated and moved all of his pieces. He simply carried on, acting as if nothing had happened and beat her with a completely unanticipated killing blow to her Imperator. She flinched, thinking he would kill her for being such a terrible and boring player to compete against. But he simply stood up and walked out without another word, apparently satisfied with his wins.

After this, Leia asked Vader to play some more dejarik and Moebius with her. She did not dare to open a Shah-tezh board in front of him anymore. Thankfully, she had a bit more experience with dejarik and was even able to land a few (mostly) organic wins. Most times Vader would still beat her at Moebius, so she invented a new strategy of waiting until his back was turned to remove as many of his pieces as she could using the Force. When he turned back around, he never seemed to notice or get angry at her for cheating and just continued. One time he still managed to beat her despite Leia having knocked over more than half of his pieces. When he got up to leave, it was probably for the better as she could barely contain her annoyance with him and was on the verge of throwing the whole board at his face.

Does he seriously not get tired of this? she thought to herself furiously. I'm his daughter! He should have the decency to let me win at least once in a while, she huffed.

Nonetheless, Vader did not have any complaints of unfair play whenever she did manage to win against him. After a while, Leia worked up the boldness to ask him for a reward in exchange for beating him. She had braced herself for him to fly into a rage and snarl at her for making ridiculous demands, but instead he took her request seriously.

"Fine. What do you want?"

Leia was slightly taken aback. She had not expected him to actually accept her request.

Her tongue burned with the desire to say, "Free Ben and Ahsoka." But she knew that was completely off the table. There were some absurd requests that could be fulfilled, like asking for an extremely expensive and hideous Jakobeast fur coat that appeared in her closet only days after she sarcastically mentioned it. But there were also some requests that she did not dare ask of him, for they would spell her death.

"A droid," Leia found herself answering. "I want a droid. Not a service or protocol one. Just a toy droid, the kind for playing with."

Vader frowned, perplexed. If his daughter requested it, he could have an entire army of first-class droids specially manufactured just for her. He hunched over, trying to get closer so he could better hear what she was saying. Leia cowered in her seat, trembling as he loomed above her.

"A droid?" he asked. "You want me to buy you a cheap, mass-produced children's toy?"

Leia slowly nodded her head, feeling a chill run down her back.

Vader stood up, deep in thought. "Very well," he said. "It may take a while to arrive."

Leia shook in her seat, positive that he had seen through her plan. But nothing happened. Vader just strolled out of her room, same as always, and came back a few days later holding what she had requested. It was a new model that had recently gotten popular among Coruscant children. Unfortunately, none of the metal alloys that its parts were manufactured from were compatible with LOLA.

Leia swallowed, standing up and reaching out to take it from his hands.

"Thank you," she said nervously. Vader watched her as she held it up to the light and made a show of looking it over. She awkwardly looked back at him, expecting him to lose interest and leave, but he was still watching her. "Um...do you have something to say?" she asked awkwardly.

Vader stared back at her.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

Leia looked down at her feet, feeling sweat drip down the back of her neck under his heavy gaze.

"Yes," she lied, hoping that he would not see through her.

After that, she made a habit of challenging him to a game of holochess and asking for a new droid in exchange for beating him. Vader complied each time without any complaints, not even betraying a hint of annoyance. Once he gave her the new droid, she would bow to him to express her thanks then wait until he was gone so she could run to hide under her bed and dismantle it. Then each night she would get to work trying to transfer the new parts to LOLA.

She expected Vader to catch onto her plot but he never questioned her. Only once he asked her why never requested dresses or candy or other things that little girls her age usually wanted. In a moment of panic, she told him that she was just very clumsy and kept accidentally breaking her droids by playing with them too hard. She expected him to fly into a rage and angrily lecture her about breaking his expensive gifts, but instead he just started giving her multiple models of each droid as a sort of preventative measure. He even had a small secret cubbyhole installed in the room where he worked, allowing her to leave her toys behind so that she would have something to play with whenever she visited him. She almost felt guilty, taking advantage of his generosity to go behind his back.

Remember, he's not your real father, she scolded herself as she fixed the screws on LOLA's plating. He's killed hundreds of other children. He's only keeping you here because he wants to use you to crush the Rebellion. If he didn't need more information about them, he would've also killed you a long time ago.

And yet, despite how many times she tried to repeat those words to herself, she found herself having a harder and harder time believing it.

She kept waiting and waiting for the day where Vader would finally grow bored of her, but it never seemed to come. He sure was taking his sweet time with killing her. After a while, he stopped asking her questions about the Rebel Alliance and let their breakfasts drift into vaguely companionable silence. He watched her eat, she watched him fly, and then they played games of holochess or flew around together. That became their new routine.

At night, she crawled into her bed and dreamed of stealing his ship so she could fly back to Alderaan, where her mother and father would eagerly greet her. Sometimes the dreams ended happily. But sometimes they ended with Vader angrily following her home and threatening to kill her parents. She often woke up in a sweat, begging the empty space in front of her to spare their lives.

The nightmares were scary, but they kept her on her toes. They reminded her that she had a home to go back to. They reminded her of her real family. They kept her from forgetting.

One day, she grew tired of playing holochess. She had nothing else to do to entertain herself. Out of boredom, she brought out two of the newest droids that Vader had gifted her from her cubbyhole and started to play with them the way she used to back when she was still a carefree child.

It had been a while since she had actually used a toy droid for its intended purpose. Leia became so absorbed that she hardly realized that she was being watched. When she glanced up, she saw Vader standing above her, watching silently. She immediately straightened up and started to put them, away, expecting him to tell her to clean up after herself. However, to her surprise she found two more brand new droids in her cubbyhole the next day.

Leia was puzzled. She had not broken any droids recently. She also had not beaten him at holochess. There was no reason for him to give her more toys.

Unless...he wanted her to play with them.

She thought it would be extremely uninteresting for him, but Vader spent hours quietly sitting and observing her without commanding her to do something else. It seemed that he was perfectly content to just sit there and watch her. This came to her as a relief, meaning that he was unlikely to stop purchasing them for her. Nonetheless she still needed to keep him from discovering her true intentions with them.

She needed to get him off her trail by requesting something else.

"You want a book?" Vader asked, looking down at her in a sort of curious way.

"Yes," Leia said, sweating. "To read with." She felt stupid, as if she had just told him she would like a hat to put on her head or a chair to sit on. Of course you're going to read it, idiot. What else would you do with it? Eat it?

Vader continued to look at her strangely. "I didn't know you could read," was all he said before whirling around and walking away.

Leia fumed with annoyance, ready to grab him by the back of his cloak and strangle him with it.

Her new books arrived shortly afterwards. Leia grabbed them from him with a combination of genuine excitement and dread, unwrapping them as quickly as her tiny hands could. She was eager to see what he had deemed appropriate for a child of her age to read.

...In retrospect, she should have known better than to get her expectations up.

Basic military theory...Ancient philosophy...An Olys Corellisi dictionary...A copy of "The Princess" by Pash E. Levanite. Huh, I guess I should have expected as much of him, Leia thought drily.

She realized Vader was staring at her with a sharp jolt. "What?" she asked, annoyed.

"You do not seem excited to read them."

Leia blinked. "Oh," she said, feeling her cheeks heat up. "It's just, I've read these already," she said, embarrassed.

Vader seemed a bit surprised. "I see," he said, recovering quickly. He reached out to take them from her, but she grabbed onto them tightly.

"No," she said, "I like them. I'll reread them," she said stubbornly.

Vader just withdrew his hand quietly. Leia blushed and brought the books with her to her room, where she could read them in privacy.

The next day, Vader started quizzing her on the new books' content over breakfast. At first, she thought that he was testing her to see if she had actually read them. Eventually she realized that he was interested in hearing her opinions on the books themselves.

"I think Levanite has some interesting ideas about people," she replied. "But he is so shallow. He just sees them as pawns to manipulate. He seems like he would be dreadfully awful to talk to."

After that, Vader told her to bring the books with her to breakfast. "Read them for me," he said imperiously and Leia resisted the urge to snap at him. Thinking that he would easily grow tired of it, she pulled out the driest one and began reciting out loud from one of its dreariest passages. However Vader just watched her and listened without interrupting her.

"You didn't read the last paragraph," he pointed out once she had finished.

Leia flushed bright red and read it all over again. "Is that good?" she asked.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "You got a few words wrong." He then made her repeat them until he was satisfied with her pronunciation.

Soon, reading became a part of their routine as well. Leia would read her books aloud to him over her breakfast. Whenever she reached a passage that was too long or had words that she didn't understand she would try to read it quickly or skip over it, but Vader usually caught her and made her repeat it from the start. Eventually, she became quite annoyed with him and started reading slowly on purpose. But the slower she read, the more easily Vader caught her errors. She began to suspect that he was secretly reading the same books during his free time and memorizing them just so he could call out her mistakes and toy with her.

On one occasion, she had been playing with her droids on the floor while Vader seemingly dozed off temporarily. He suddenly sat up straight in his chair and looked down at her. "Read for me," he ordered her suddenly, and Leia froze.

"Now?" she asked. "But..." There was no dining table for her to sit at or prop her books on. "Where am I supposed to sit?" she asked, confused.

Vader gestured impatiently at her. She hastily grabbed the book lying facedown next to her, thanking the Force that he had not noticed the way its spine was slightly bent. Her mother would definitely have reprimanded her for treating such an expensive tome this carelessly.

She looked around, trying to find a place to sit, but Vader seemed to grow more annoyed the longer she made him wait. The only idea she could think of was if she sat in his lap, the way she did when her father read bedtime stories to her back home.

But...this is Vader. I'm sure he'll kill me if I try that, Leia thought to herself. He doesn't like to be touched.

Regardless, she realized that there was nowhere else to sit. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to him and started to awkwardly climb into his chair. It was not easy considering that she had to lug the heavy volume with her. Worst of all, Vader made no move to help her and just sat still waiting for her.

I'm TRYING, she thought irritably as Vader silently watched her struggle. Why don't you hurry up and give me a boost, you stupid old cyborg?

Eventually, he seemed to get the hint. As Leia grunted and pawed at the hem of his cloak with annoyance, she felt two robotic hands reach down and grab her, lifting her into the air and depositing her into his lap. She found herself staring directly at the eyes of his helmet, now seeing them up close like she had never before.

"Ready?" Vader asked flatly.

Leia snapped out of it and looked back down at her book. "Yes," she said awkwardly. She tried not to squirm too much as she fumbled with the book, trying to find the page she was on. But no matter how hard she tried she could not find it. Her hands were all sweaty and her fingers could not get the pages to turn properly.

"Did you forget what page you were on?" Vader asked, close enough to make her almost jump.

"Y-yes," Leia admitted.

Two hands came out from behind her and took the book from her hands. Slowly, they opened the book and thumbed through the pages. His fingers were a bit awkward, only capable of limited robotic movements and covered in thick black gloves. However he persisted, and soon she found herself staring down at her own crumpled dog-eared page with a small Mocoa spill in the left corner.

"Does this look familiar?" Vader asked.

Leia swallowed, looking at the giant crease on the page and starting to understand why her mother got so angry about leaving books facedown. "Yes," she said.

"Good." Vader paused. "Continue."

Thinking that he might shove her off if she moved too much, she tried to sit as still as possible. Unfortunately since she was so concentrating on not moving she ended up making ten times as many pronunciation errors as usual. However Vader was unusually patient that day. He calmly pointed out her mistakes and recited each word for her slowly. He even explained some of the more confusing passages to her. Leia found herself weirdly appreciating his explanations and by the end of it, she had grown comfortable enough that she mostly forgot the awkwardness of being so close to him.

In their following reading sessions, she let him lift her up to either sit next to him or in his lap. It was easier this way, anyway, since he could see what word she was having trouble with and immediately correct her. She began to leave all of her toys and books in the cubbyhole instead of in her room. She only ever used them in front of Vader anyways.

As she grew more confident with Olys Corellisi, Vader also switched out her dictionary for a High Galactic one, then Togruti, then Dathomiri, then some unknown language that she did not recognize.

"I suspect you already know Droidspeak," he remarked, "Considering how many you've already destroyed."

Leia blushed. She had actually finished repairing LOLA and no longer needed any more droid parts. But she was not about to tell him that.

"I know a little," she said shyly.

At night she still dreamed of flying home. But now her dream had changed. When she ran to her father so he could scoop her into his arms, she no longer saw his face.

Instead, all she could see was Vader waiting expectantly.

Leia woke up in a cold sweat, even more terrified than she was after the nightmares in which Vader slaughtered everyone she loved in a fit of rage.

"No, no, no," she whispered to herself.

She turned on the light and hopped out of bed, pacing around, looking for something. She fumbled around, looking for her toys, but they were all gone. With a pang, she remembered that she had left in her cubbyhole.

Frustrated, she started using all of her strength to try and lift up her mattress. She had drawn a few pictures of her parents in secret to remember them by. She had learned to hide her drawings, as most of them ended up disappearing from her room after she was done making them (whether this was due to Reva trying to keep the place clean or Vader burning all evidence of her bad art skills, she did not know). Quickly, she reached underneath and pulled out the crumpled papers. She squinted at the crude sketches, desperately trying to recognize her parents' faces.

No.

No.

No.

NO!

"This is so stupid!" Leia screamed angrily, crumpling up the paper and throwing it across the room. Tears streamed down her face as she stomped across the room, howling and bawling with a rage like she had never felt before.

Vader had taken EVERYTHING away from her. He took her away from her friends, her parents, her entire planet. He was the one behind all of this.

She hated him.

She hated him so, so much.

"I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!" Leia shouted it as loudly as she could at the top of her lungs. "I hate him! I HATE HIM!" She yelled until her face was red.

"But that's not true, is it, Leia?" The voice in her mind taunted.

Leia crumpled over and covered her face in her hands.

"No, no, no!" she repeated brokenly. "I don't like him! I don't! I want my father back! My real father! I want to go home!"

"No you don't," the voice insisted. "You can't go back home anymore. Do you know why, Leia? It's because you are not a good girl. You can't even remember what your father looks like."

Leia trembled, still afraid of the truth.

"He didn't forget you, YOU forgot him."

"I didn't!" Leia howled. "I didn't, I didn't forget him!" she cried. "I didn't mean to, I swear!"

"You're not his real daughter anyway," the voice retorted. "He'll probably just replace you, just like how you replaced him."

Leia wailed loudly and ran out, sobbing uncontrollably.

As she ran through the hallways and staircases of the Fortress, she barely paid attention to what was in front of her. All she wanted was to get to her cubbyhole and bury her face in her books and toys as quickly as possible. Eventually, once she reached the door to Vader's office she pushed on it hard until it swung wide open. Leia ran forwards in a rush to get her hands back on her books.

Instead, she bumped into a person.

Leia gasped and drew back, expecting to see one of the Purge Troopers. Her field vision was obscured for several seconds by a long black cloak. When she looked up, she made direct eye contact with two glowing amber eyes. She shrank back and watched in silent horror as whatever she had bumped into turned around. Now she could see the creature faintly illuminated by the strange light of a pod behind them.

This isn't Vader's room, she realized with a jolt. This is a monster's den.

She opened her mouth to scream as the monster turned to look at her. She stared up at its deformed face with ghastly, wrinkled pale skin and numerous scars running across it. Its bright yellow eyes bulged horrendously wide with fury. In the place where its mouth should have been there was a horrifying black apparatus, a sort of muzzle that emitted a strange and terrifying noise.

Leia screamed and drew back, realizing that it was looking at her, It was coming for her, reaching for her with its metallic fingers and screaming bloody murder with its horrible automated mouth.

Wait, no, she stopped herself. I know that sound!

It wasn't a monster.

It was Vader.

"You stupid little girl," he snarled furiously. "Now you really will die."

He grabbed her with his ungloved prosthetic hand. Leia snapped back to reality and screamed loudly, yanking her wrist out of his cold metallic grip. He tried to run after her but she was faster.

She flew across the hallways and stairs, feeling her veins pulse rapidly as a rush of adrenaline ran through them. She could hear Vader screaming and stomping after her but she did not turn around. She kept her eyes focused ahead of her as she obeyed her body's natural instinct and ran without stopping.

Vader cursed her name and kept yelling at her to stop, but she did not let up until she finally reached the door of her room and slammed it shut. She immediately ran to her bed and hid underneath it. LOLA faintly sensed her and activated, buzzing weakly to try and comfort her. Leia curled into a ball and clutched the small droid to her chest, trembling and shaking uncontrollably.

This is where it all ends, she thought to herself. I'm sorry, Daddy. I tried. I really tried.

Vader pounded on her door angrily, demanding that she open it immediately. But Leia covered her ears and refused to listen.

"I want my father," she whispered. "I miss him. I wish he was here."

Outside, Vader continued to scream and bang on her door.

"He wouldn't do that. He's nothing like this."

"COME OUT!" Vader yelled. "COME OUT HERE, NOW! OPEN THIS DOOR!"

Leia shivered and hid her face in her arms.

"LEIA, LET ME IN NOW!" Vader snarled. "DON'T MAKE ME WAIT!"

"Come on, Leia," the voice in her head told her. "Why are you keeping him waiting? You should let him in soon, if you don't want him to be angry."

"I'm just...so...tired," Leia sobbed. "I'm tired of trying to keep him happy all the time. I don't want him to come in! Make him go away!"

"You're being selfish, Leia. You know what happens when you're not good."

"I don't care! I don't like him, I don't want him to, I don't want-I don't want-"

"There's no use crying. You're already ten years old, you're too old to cry anymore. You're not a baby."

"But I'm so tired-"

"Leia, you know what happens when you're bad. You don't want anything to happen to Ben and Ahsoka, do you? What if they get hurt because you didn't open the door at the right time?"

Leia sobbed louder and louder as the banging continued. She covered her ears, too overwhelmed to think of anything. All she could hear was a loud ringing and the sound of Vader's screaming echoing in the back of her mind.

He's going to kill me if I let him in, I know it. I just know it.

Leia panted, fumbling around and reaching inside of LOLA's compartment. LOLA beeped anxiously and Leia immediately shushed her by closing a hand over her voicebox.

Please, I need something, something, ANYTHING that can get me out of here.

She fumbled with the small instruments hidden inside the compartment, pulling out the tiny buzzsaw.

"You can't defend yourself against Vader with that."

Leia wailed loudly and slammed her fist against the floor, cutting it on a piece of scrap metal. She could feel a little blood trickle down her hand, but she didn't care anymore. All she wanted was to be back home safe and happy again. Not pretending to be the long-lost pseudo-daughter of a psychopathic murderer that could kill her at any second.

"Leia?"

Leia froze, alert. Every bone in her body stood as still as possible as she listened carefully.

"Leia," Vader called out again, a little unsure this time. "Open this door, please." Leia buried her face in her arms again, trembling. "I won't hurt you. Just open it."

LOLA buzzed anxiously next to her. Leia pulled her close, hugging her tightly. She could feel the vibration of LOLA's mechanical heart against her own.

"Leia, why aren't you answering me?"

Leia inhaled shakily, feeling her heart palpitate in her chest.

"You know you have to do it, Leia. There's no other way."

"I don't want to."

"You don't have a choice."

"Daddy will save me. He'lll...he'll come for me and make him go away."

"No, Leia. He's not coming. Nobody is."

The pounding stopped.

"You're not a baby anymore, Leia. You can handle the truth. You know why your father hasn't seen anyone in a week to look for you. You know why it's been a month and you're still stuck here. You know exactly why you're here, and not back at home with Mommy."

"No," Leia gasped, trying to block the voice from her thoughts. "No, no, you're lying, you're lying-"

"It's because he's given up on you."

Leia choked out a sob. On the other end of the door, she could still hear Vader pleading for her to open it. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could disappear into the darkness underneath her bed and not come back.

"You can deny it but you can't hide from what you are.  You're the daughter of a monster. You know what that means, don't you? You're destined to become a monster just like your father someday. You may hate him but someday, you're gonna be just like him, too."

"No! You're wrong! I am not! I'm not like him!"

"Leia, look at yourself. You already forgot your father's face. You let Ben and Ahsoka get captured and suffer because of you. You're bad, and you make bad things happen to other people."

LOLA buzzed again, trying to get her attention, but it was useless.

"There is only one person in this whole world who knows exactly what you are and still wants you," the voice hissed. "Do you really think your father will send for you now that he knows you are the daughter of his worst enemy? Think about what that would do to his reputation. He probably already realized the truth, which is that he's much better off without you."

Vader was still calling her name. She could hear it faintly, but she did not register anything else. She was too overwhelmed to process any sounds right now.

"You can't exactly be mad at him, Leia. After all, you failed him first."

Leia sobbed quietly.

"Now tell me, Leia. What are you going to do?"

The marble door to the room slid aside slowly. Leia walked forwards, feeling as if her limbs were made of wood. She watched apathetically as the tall figure knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. Before she could react, Vader grabbed her tightly and pulled her into a cold embrace.

She could faintly register him hugging her, like the way a child holds onto a doll that it refuses to share or the way that a dog guards its most prized possession. She could feel his robotic hands squeezing her shoulders and tangling themselves in her hair. It was all full of screws and scrap metal. In the past, she had been careful not to let him see her like this in case he might find out about the droid parts. Now she couldn't bring herself to care about it.

"Leia," Vader whispered hoarsely, sobbing quietly. "Don't leave me. Don't leave me again," he trembled.

Leia stared at him blankly. Her hand was bleeding, but she couldn't feel it.

"Leia, please, say something," Vader begged. "Don't ignore me like this. Say something," he shook her. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Leia opened her mouth, feeling as if she was still dreaming. "I...hurt my hand," she said slowly.

Vader seized her hand and stared at it, horrified. She watched detachedly as he sent a wave of Force energy through her, trying to heal the cuts. Once it closed up, he turned and looked back up at her with the same desperate eyes.

"Say that you won't leave me," he begged, gripping her shoulders so tightly that she could faintly register some pain. "Say that you'll stay with me forever."

Leia stared back at him.

Nothing she could say would really make a difference. She might as well agree.

"I'll take you anywhere you want," he whispered. "We can go flying anytime you want, to anywhere you like."

Except Alderaan, the voice reminded her. Never Alderaan.

Leia closed her eyes, finally understanding her role.

Ben and Ahsoka couldn't protect her, but she could protect them like this. This way their suffering wouldn't be for nothing.

"Yes," she breathed numbly.

Vader embraced her tightly again.

This time, Leia slowly reached up and forced herself to hug him back.

Chapter Text

For the next few days, Leia and Vader did not speak. Although Leia still came and followed him whenever he requested her, she no longer spoke to him or asked any questions of her own volition. The only times where she spoke aloud were during their reading sessions, which quickly became incredibly tense and uncomfortable. Now, Leia would only read to him if she was sitting across from him at the table. During their shared meals, Vader would carefully watch her to see if at any point her talkativeness had returned. But she never quite opened up the way he was wanted her to.

Over the course of a week several new books appeared randomly in Leia's room. She looked upon each and every one of them with a hint of wariness, silently counting down the number of pages. It took her roughly five to ten days to finish a volume of average length. The thicker the book, the more time it would take her to read them for Vader. As Vader observed her reactions, he found with some disappointment that she did not express any of the joy or curiosity that he had expected. If anything her facial expressions seemed to betray a heavy air of dread that was extremely unfitting of a child her age. This very dread both angered and wounded him as he had hoped to see her warm up to him. Nonetheless, he told himself to remain patient.

He had not yet given her the gift that he had started working on since the anniversary of Padme's death.

At the moment, he had mostly finished assembling all of the metallic components from a combination of Haysian smelt and orichalc. It was not much different from working with droid parts. Fundamentally, the concepts were the same; it required a protective metal casing, a fuel cell, a deactivator, and modulation circuits for the power grid. He had obtained the plasma from Naboo, the only planet whose quality he could truly trust. He had also finished working on the emitter shroud and emitter matrix just a few days ago and now all he needed to complete it was a crystal.

But where to find one?

The only kyber that he was able to obtain before the colonization of Ilum was from Ahsoka's discarded lightsaber. But he no longer had access to that.

After returning from the site of her supposed death, he had removed the crystals from her hilt, intending to either destroy or bury them. However, he could never find the time or fully bring himself to get rid of them. In a twisted sort of way he still felt attached to them. It was only when the Sixth Brother completed his training and came to him demanding a proper weapon that Vader finally agreed to part with the crystals.

"You took my right leg from me," the Inquisitor had sneered. "It's only fair that you give me something in return."

Normally, he would not entertain such impudence. However, he had been meaning to eliminate the crystals either way. This would be the perfect excuse to do so.

Perhaps the Brother thought that he would give him the crystals out of guilt for having severed one of his limbs. In truth, he did not recall this information. Since discovering the Inquisitorius Program, he had been ordered by the Emperor to evaluate the candidates, all of whom sustained injuries from Vader's training sessions (either losing their limbs, their eyes or their lives). Vader did not particularly appreciate being assigned more responsibilities and especially opposed the notion that he was to become some sort of teaching figure. In a way, he wondered if the Emperor had assigned him this task as a way of mocking him and his past. He considered it both a burden and a humiliation, and thus did not care to remember everything about each of his pupils. He merely treated and trained them all the same.

"Fine," he ended up replying to the Sixth Brother's request. "A weapon you will receive for your troubles."

"Thank you, my Lord," the Sixth Brother smirked and bowed.

Thus, Vader gave him the two crystals that formerly belonged to the Jedi Ahsoka Tano's lightsaber. Out of curiosity, before the Sixth Brother left to bleed the crystals and place them in his double-sided saber, he reached out and employed a subtler form of Second Sight on him. Using the Force, he searched the Inquisitor's memories and was able to parse out the specific incident that he had mentioned.

Ah, so he is the one who asked me about my training methods, Vader had thought to himself. How bold.

After all, few dared to question him once he started cutting off limbs. Most were too terrified to continue, and would pay the price with their life. Others, such as the Third Sister, simply refused to make any displays of pain. He had not recalled much about her as she never said anything about herself. The only observations that he remembered from their brief training session before she was promoted in order to replace the absence of the Second Sister was how she had narrowed her eyes and glowered at him as if she wanted to rip him in half. He had made a mental note to also search her memories and discover the reasons behind this brief moment of open hatred, but had never gotten around to actually doing it. Just like how he had always intended to destroy Ahsoka's now-empty lightsaber hilt, but never truly got around to it.

Perhaps it was out of weakness. Perhaps it was because looking at it provoked too many emotions. Perhaps it was because, deep down, he was still felt an attachment towards his old Padawan and did not like the thought of anyone else touching the gift that he had specially made for her.

"Thank you for your generous gift, my Lord," the Sixth Brother turned and called out once more. "I am most pleased with my new weapon. I swear that I will not let you down."

Vader wanted to snarl at him and cut off his other leg. But instead, he held back and reminded himself that this was a blessing in disguise. He had been wanting to get rid of the memory of Ahsoka Tano, to fully remove the parts of her memory that were still connected to his soul. This was the best way to do it.

Now, he wished that he had kept those crystals.

Ilum was not an option, as the Emperor had expressly forbidden all entry there. The kyber mines were all directed towards the manufacture of some mysterious creation which was guarded with utmost secrecy. To land there and steal from them would be an act of treason. Of course, kyber crystals were not the only option for a fuel source. Perhaps he could replace them with some crystals from the Adegan system. However, journeying there would likely make the Emperor suspicious and question his motives. At the moment, his best option was to use some synth-crystal, but he did not wish to give his child an unstable weapon that could endanger her wellbeing.

For these reasons, the project currently remained incomplete. However, the crystal dilemma continued to plague his thoughts for several days on end. He continued to ponder it obsessively, only truly realizing how deeply involved he was when Lord Sidious snapped at him in the middle of their call.

"Lord Vader," Sidious frowned displeasedly. "Are my words not making themselves clear enough for you?"

"My apologies, Master. I was distracted."

"Well, then. I shall repeat myself," Sidious' lip curled with annoyance. "I am concerned about the growing insurgency on Lothal. We have reason to believe that the Rebels are attempting to establish a base there. I will be sending you there with the Grand Admiral to investigate their activities."

The holoprojection flickered and Vader could now see Thrawn standing beside the Emperor. Vader narrowed his eyes.

"Greetings, Lord Vader," the Chiss said in a distant, polite tone.

Vader did not respond.

"Your Highness, with all due respect... I am not sure if I can afford to go on an extended mission at the moment. Kenobi is-"

"Enough about Kenobi!" Lord Sidious growled, surprising him. "You will cease this unending obsession with him, right now," he sneered. "I have tolerated it until now, but my patience is wearing thin. If you will not kill him, then I do not wish to hear about him. Consider this my final warning."

Vader immediately bowed. "Of course, Master."

"Good," Palpatine drawled. "The investigation will begin within twenty-four hours. The Grand Admiral has kindly agreed to visit so that he may escort you to the site of interest. Lord Vader, I expect you to be there on time."

The holoprojection finally ended, completing the transmission. Vader shut off his comlink and began to pace around trying to process what had just happened.

A mission on the Lothal System. A call to finally leave Kenobi behind.

You will cease this unending obsession with him, right now.

He lost control of himself for a moment and something behind him shattered. Vader ignored it, apathetically kicking away the shards of glass and grounding the smallest pieces to dust under his boot.

I have tolerated it until now, but my patience is wearing thin...Consider this my final warning.

Vader sneered irritably.

Part of him wanted to bark back at the order like a feral dog. He could feel the familiar flames of rage burning from within him, threatening to consume his core. But although Lord Sidious' words had stung, he found that he was not as angered by the thought of being forced to let go of Kenobi as he thought he would be. Instead, his thoughts turned elsewhere.

Leia.

There was still one more thing he wanted to say to her.

Upon hearing a knocking sound coming from her door, Leia immediately stood up and hid LOLA under her bed. At the point, she had no idea who the mysterious visitor could be. It could be a Purge Trooper, an Inquisitor, or even the Emperor for all she knew. She had just finished her meal with Vader and was not expecting him for a while. Reva had also left earlier, declaring that she had something important to do and wouldn't be back for a while. Knowing this, she wanted to ignore the sound and pretend she had heard nothing. However her mysterious visitor continued to knock insistently, clearly impatient.

Standing up, she walked over to the door and opened it hesitantly. As soon as she did, the tall silhouette of Vader filled the entire doorway and towered menacingly above her.

Leia looked up at him, her eyes widening with surprise. Vader practically loomed over her, casting his shadow everywhere around him. "Why...are you here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking. Was it because she messed up too many words during her reading practice? Did she say something to provoke his fury?

She had been keeping as quiet as possible whenever she was not required to read, out of fear of angering him again. But perhaps she had not been careful enough. Leia's bottom lip quivered, and her legs began to tremble as she stared into the black sockets of his helmet.

"I am leaving on a new mission. I will not be back for a long time."

Leia blinked.

The two of them stared at each other, making direct eye contact for the first time in days. Leia swallowed and clenched her hand, wishing LOLA was there so she could hold onto her for strength.

"Good for you," she said, the words coming out more distant than she intended. She could not find it in herself to feign warmth towards the man who made her cry and fear for her life.

Vader stared at her as if he was not satisfied with her response.

"Is that all?" he asked coldly.

"What else do you want me to say?" she retorted, finally finding the boldness to talk back to him.

She sensed a thread of impatience unfurl. If she could see under the helmet, she imagined Vader would be furrowing his brow at her.

"I have just told you that I will be gone. Does this not concern you?"

No, she wanted to say. I want you gone. I hope you die. And never come back.

But she could not get the words to leave her mouth. Not while Ben was stuck in a cell by himself. Not while Ahsoka had to limp and crawl on the ground because her ankles could not support her.

"Fine," she forced herself to say. "Goodbye, then."

Vader stared at her silently, waiting for her to finish her response. Unable to think of anything else to say, Leia glared at him.

"What?" she snapped.

Vader took a step towards her and she froze. Sensing her fear, he slowly lowered himself down onto one knee. Now that they were eye-to-eye, both of them looked at each other and Leia swallowed.

Vader held out his arms silently. Finally understanding, Leia walked forward and mechanically hugged him around his neck. She tried to avoid touching the cold metal of his helmet as much as possible. Seconds later, she felt the cold grip of his gloved hands wrapping around her.

The two of them stayed like that for a few minutes. Leia counted down each second, her heart thrumming wildly. Finally, Vader let go of her and stood back up.

"Goodbye."

With that, he turned around and left.

Leia immediately closed the door and ran to her bed, covering her face with the blankets. LOLA reactivated and buzzed loudly next to her, trying to get her attention. Leia kept her face buried in her blankets, refusing to look up. After a while, she successfully calmed herself down enough to drop the blankets and walk around. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that this could be a good thing.

No more Vader.

This meant she could finally try and sneak out to find Ben again.

Her heartbeat began to increase. Quickly, she grabbed LOLA, shushing her and instructing her to decrease her volume. She took a deep breath, looking around to see if there were any Purge Troopers on duty. There were currently none in sight.

Leia tiptoed around cautiously, looking both ways whenever she turned a corner.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

Leia whirled around, alarmed. Behind her loomed a tall Dathomirian Zabrak with red and black skin, his smile dark and menacing.

"Don't be afraid," he grinned, his face lit by the red glow of a double-sided saber staff. "Come closer."

Leia screamed and turned to run.

Maul growled, and she could hear the sound of his saber deactivating as he also sprinted after her. All pretenses of visiting Ben vanished completely from her mind. Now, all she could do was rely on her knowledge of the layout of Fortress Vader to escape.

"Ben!" she screamed loudly, against her own reason. "Ben! Ben!" she called out again. No response. She paused, looking around to see if Maul had caught up with her.

"So this is where you were hiding," a voice drawled. Leia screamed and splayed her hands out in front of her, creating a shield that pushed him back. Maul growled and she made another run for it.

"Ahsoka!" she yelled. "Ahsoka!"

"What is your connection to Lady Tano?"

Leia almost froze as she realized her mistake. She closed her mouth and ignored the Zabrak, continuing to sprint even as her legs cried out from exhaustion.

"How do you know her?" Maul growled loudly as he continued to chase her. "Come back here and answer me!"

Just keep running, she told herself. Keep running and don't stop.

She had already made that mistake on Alderaan when she failed to escape her kidnappers. She would not let herself get taken again.

"Reva?" Leia called out, desperate enough to ask for help from her old tormentor. "Reva, Reva!" she yelled louder.

It's no use. It's no use.

She only had one last resort to call on.

Where is Vader? She panted as she sprinted down a hallway, trying desperately to outrun him. Calling out to him certainly carried a risk with it. But it might be better than whatever was waiting for her back there. She immediately turned and ran down a flight of stairs, the ones that she knew would lead to Vader's meditation chamber where she accidentally walked in on him without a helmet.

If I surprise him again, Vader might kill me. But if I stop running, then that tattooed man will also kill me, Leia reasoned with herself.

Recognizing the door, she finally shoved it open and ran inside.

"Who dares enter?" Vader's voice thundered as he turned around. It seemed as if he was in the middle of preparing for battle.

Leia squeezed her eyes shut and ran to him, throwing her arms around his legs.

Shocked, Vader froze and looked down at her. She looked up at him with fearful eyes.

"Please," she begged.

Vader stared at her, alarmed. He then heard the sound of footsteps and looked up. Across from him, the Dathomirian sneered and re-ignited his saber.

"Vader," Maul drawled, circling around him without stepping closer. "We meet again."

Vader sneered. "How dare you disturb me within my own home."

"I'm here on the Emperor's orders," Maul replied. "Think of this as more of a...surprise visit."

"You are not welcome here.  Leave, or I will kill you."

"I came here for Kenobi, but it looks like I found something far, far more interesting," Maul grinned. "Hiding not just Kenobi, but a child...I see why you've been so distant lately, Vader. You're just full of secrets, aren't you? Is Lady Tano in on this too?"

"You will not lay a hand on her," Vader growled furiously. Leia trembled and clung tighter onto him as she heard the violet thrumming of his lightsaber being activated. She felt a hand grip her shoulder and squeeze hard. She closed her eyes, leaning into him.

"I never fancied you as the fatherly type," Maul chuckled. "What has gotten into you, Vader? Are you feeling guilty about the Younglings that you slaughtered at the old Temple? This one looks young enough to have been one herself," he smirked.

Vader's body trembled, and Leia realized he was shaking with anger. She let go and pulled back, looking up at him. His expression was unreadable from beneath the helmet, but she knew instinctively that his face was contorting with anger.

Maul, on the other hand, looked as if he had never been more excited to start a fight in his whole life. His expression betrayed his eagerness and conviction that he was just about to sink his claws into something particularly amusing.

"Have you checked her Midichlorian count, Vader? I wonder if the Emperor would be interested to know that she is a Force-Sensitive herself..."

"You will not speak of this to the Emperor," Vader snarled and swung his lightsaber at him.

"I was worried you had gone soft," Maul raised his staff with both hands to counter the blow, then aimed his own thrust at Vader himself. "It has been too long since I have had a proper fight. I hope you have not forgotten what it means to be a true Master of the Dark Side," he smirked.

Vader slashed at him, letting go of Leia to grip his lightsaber with both hands. Leia moved back and watched as he stepped forward, entering Maul's dueling range. The two of them began to trade blows in earnest, hand against hand. Each cyborg let out a cry as flesh hands and metal legs fought back against metal hangs and legs. Red light flashed brightly as their sabers made contact, creating a loud oscillating sound. Soon, the movements of their blades merged into a violent blur that was indistinguishable to anyone except themselves.

As they fought, Leia ducked down and ran out of the room, taking advantage of Maul's distracted state to escape. She sprinted through a hallway and down a staircase that she hoped might take her to Ben, Ahsoka, or the exit.

Please, please, please, she prayed, let me make it out of here without anyone else finding me.

Her heart was about to beat out of her chest from how fast it was vibrating. Leia continued to trudge on, panting to fill her lungs with air as her entire body hummed with adrenaline. She tried to urge herself to not think about what had just happened, but her mind could not help running over the experience and asking a million questions.

Who was that man? she thought to herself wildly. Why did Vader know his name? And why did he say he was looking for Ben?

She suddenly stopped, realizing something that made a chill run down her spine.

How did he know Ahsoka's name?

Just then, she felt something grab her by the arm. Leia growled and turned around, ready to fight.

"Let go of me!" Leia hollered, using all of her force to smack the pursuer, but they did not let go of her wrist. She turned around to hit them again, finding herself face-to-face with none other than Reva. "You-!" She gasped, accidentally smacking her again.

"Ow!" Reva yelled. "What are you doing?" she demanded angrily.

The small girl and the Inquisitor glared at each other, both unable to leave and unable to stay in place. Leia, for one, was stuck. She had just barely escaped the tattooed man by enlisting Vader's help. Reva was another problem. There was no way of fooling her or trying to distract her. Force Tricks also wouldn't work on her. Leia's stomach slowly plummeted as she became uncomfortable aware of the direness of her situation.

I might never get to escape after all.

"Let go!" Leia shouted again, desperately trying to shake her off. "Why are you still holding to me?"

"What don't you understand, you stupid dolt? I'm on your side!"

"No!" Leia screamed. "You're lying! Why would I ever come with you?"

"Because I told Tano that I would bring you to her!" Reva shouted.

Leia stopped moving and Reva exhaled, wiping her brow. She let go of her arm and Leia immediately step back. Reva bent over and panted, catching her breath.

Who would've thought an eleven-year-old could run so fast, she thought crossly while looking over at Leia.

"Ahsoka sent you?" Leia asked suspiciously. "I thought she didn't like you."

"Yeah, well," Reva rolled her eyes, "Nobody really seems to these days."

Leia crossed her arms and frowned. "What proof do you have that I can trust you?" she demanded.

Reva groaned. "Look, we don't have much time, so you're just going to have to... Just trust me on this, okay?" she snapped.

Leia stared at her, trying to detect any lies or deception in her tone. She did not seem to be making it up. Hesitantly, she moved closer and took Reva's hand. Reva blinked, looking down at her with a surprised expression on her face.

"Okay," she said quietly. "Take me to her."

Chapter Text

Leia barely had time to speak before Ahsoka grabbed her and squeezed her into a tight hug. Leia gasped as she felt herself being lifted off the ground and wrapped her arms back around her neck. When Ahsoka finally let go of her and stood back, she could see that she was smiling slightly.

"You're alright!" Ahsoka exclaimed.

"Ahsoka," Leia said softly. Ahsoka reached in and hugged her one more time. This time, Leia was prepared. She reached up and squeezed her back, feeling comforted for the first time in what felt like months.

"I'm sorry it took so long for us to recover you, kid," Ahsoka murmured. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" she asked, her voice quivering with concern.

Leia shook her head dazedly, and Ahsoka ran a gentle hand through her messy hair.

"Did he hurt you?" Leia blurted out, and Ahsoka's eyes flickered slightly.

"I'm alright," she replied, taken slightly aback. Leia stared up at her doubtfully and Ahsoka smiled back wanly. "Everything will be alright, kid. Don't worry about me."

"But what about your legs?"

Ahsoka stood up and Leia looked down at her ankles. Ahsoka turned around and lifted her leg so she could see that they were finally healed. "See? All good," she smiled, patting Leia's head reassuring.

Leia nodded quietly, deciding not to point out that even if a month had passed, she still needed to undergo physicotherapy to ensure that she was not straining her newly healed muscles. However, she decided it would be wiser to not mention it. There were so many things Leia wanted to talk to her about, to ask her - but momentarily, she could not bring herself to. All she wanted was to lean into that warm touch and close her eyes.

"Hey, I hate to cut a happy reunion short, but we've got work to do," Reva called out. "If that tattooed man is really here, as the child said-"

"He is," Leia interrupted. "I saw him myself!"

"Right," Reva ignored her, "If he really is here, as the child says, then we only have a fraction of time before either he or Vader comes after us. We've got to get a leg on this operation if we want to make it out of here alive."

"I know," Ahsoka said calmly. Although she turned away, she still held onto Leia's hand. Leia gripped it tightly, holding onto the small spot of warmth. As they followed Reva into a different room, Leia looked around her, dazed. They were no longer in the hallway anymore. Reva had brought them to a new area which had none of the dreariness of Ahsoka's prison cell. Leia looked at each of the walls, then turned to look more closely at Ahsoka's face. She seemed alright, if a bit worn down since the last time that she had seen her.

"I'm going to start scanning the blueprints of Kenobi's cell to the datapad," Reva announced. "Once they are finished, we can have a go at liberating him."

Ahsoka nodded.

Leia looked up, her eyes drawn to the tip of one of Ahsoka's long lekku. Some part of her almost wanted to reach out and pet it but she resisted the urge.

"Do you still have my comlink?" Ahsoka asked.

"What, the one Vader asked me to confiscate from you? No, it's been destroyed, obviously," Reva snapped back.

Ahsoka shrugged. "Then, can I borrow yours?"

"What for?"

"To send a message to Bail," Ahsoka replied. "To let him know we're coming."

Leia's stomach fluttered slightly.

Dad.

They were going to call on her father.

She could talk to him again.

"And yes, you can say hi to him," Ahsoka grinned at Leia. Leia's eyes widened as the exhilarating realization finally dawned on her. However, the light faded from her eyes and her expression suddenly darkened.

"I can't," Leia said, letting go of Ahsoka's hand and backing away.

"What?" Ahsoka asked, confused. "Leia, what's wrong?"

Leia shook her head, covering her face with her hand so she didn't have to see her cry. "I don't want to," she said plainly.

"The geoscanner has finished uploading the plans," Reva announced, walking out from behind her then looking down at Leia's conflicted face. "What's wrong with her?' she asked.

"I don't know," Ahsoka said blankly. "Don't you want to see your father?" she asked softly.

The gentleness of her tone and the way she mentioned him made Leia want to start sobbing out loud.

"I'll just talk to him when I get back home," she said flatly, trying to keep her voice from quivering.

Ahsoka frowned, clearly detecting that something was not quite right, but she was slightly distracted by the urgency of their situation. "Are you sure? You've been gone for almost a month...I'm sure he must be missing you," she said gently.

Leia shook her head again.

Reva's eyes shifted towards her, then she paused and turned to Ahsoka. "Let her," she said firmly. "If she doesn't want to talk, she doesn't have to."

"But...okay," Ahsoka relented. Frowning, she brushed a stray hair out of Leia's forehead before standing up again. "We'll start the call with him, and if you want to talk to him just pop in, okay? Remember, you can talk to him anytime."

Leia nodded silently.

Reva ripped off her comlink and started pressing buttons to activate it. Ahsoka walked over and leaned over her shoulder, peering at it. Reva glared at her and she backed off slightly, giving her some space. Reva looked away and went back to inputting numbers into the datapad.

"Okay, I've tapped into the holonet," she announced. "You may initiate the transmission. However, it will be audio only. No visual." Her face flushed slightly as she stepped away from Ahsoka and handed the comlink over to her. Ahsoka nodded and immediately began punching in the code for Bail Organa's secret communicator channel.

"Senator?" Ahsoka called out as the comlink began to emit a loud sound of static. "Senator, can you hear me? Come in, please, Senator."

The static began to sharpen slightly. "Fulcrum?" a familiar voice called out on the other end, both alarmed and wide awake. "Fulcrum, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me, Senator. I have your daughter with me, she's safe," Ahsoka announced.

There was a brief pause as Bail Organa gasped loudly. "You have her? She's alright?"

"Yes," Ahsoka said, turning around and beckoning at Leia. "Come," she mouthed, grinning brightly. "Don't be shy, say hi."

Leia stared up at her blankly.

I shouldn't speak to him. I'm the reason he got into so much trouble in the first place, Leia thought to herself.

Ahsoka kept trying to get her to come to her, but Leia' legs felt as if they were made of lead. Part of her wanted to run over on exhausted legs and grab her arm so she could press the comlink to her cheek and scream into it. But a darker part of her was not so sure. She could feel Vader's shadow lingering on her, emanating from her and destroying all that it touched.

All I do is bring trouble and misery to others, she thought to herself. If I didn't let myself get kidnapped, none of this would've happened. Now, I can't even be his daughter anymore.

Reva frowned, watching her from a distance. "You spent a month talking off my ear, demanding me to let you speak to him," she remarked sullenly. "And now you want to pass on the opportunity?"

Leia stiffened.

Ahsoka threw a quick glare at her, then looked over at Leia with concern. But Leia did not seem affected by Reva's jab. Instead, she seemed to feel a bit more courageous now. Walking slowly towards Ahsoka, she looked up and faced her with as much dignity as she could muster. "Can I speak to him?" she asked.

Dumbfounded, Ahsoka nodded slowly and handed her the comlink. Leia swallowed nervously, feeling her legs wobble slightly as she slowly raised it close to her face. The comlink was heavy, and required both of her hands to hold it up. She was very concerned about accidentally dropping it. However, all those worries faded away the instant she heard her father's voice through the speaker, warm and mellifluous like a sunshine in a field of flowers.

"Leia?" Bail called out, his voice trembling.

Leia closed her eyes, pretending for a moment that she was back home with him, hugging him by her side.

"Daddy," she said softly.

Bail's voice trembled. "Leia," he said again, his voice shaking with tears of joy. "Leia, it is you. Oh, Leia! I've missed you so much."

Leia squeezed her eyes shut and a tear ran down her face. Reva approached her and she looked up at her, confused. Bending down, Reva took off her black glove nd wiped the tear of of her face and brushed her hair back so she could see. Blinking the last drops of moisture away, Leia looked back down at the communicator and breathed in slowly.

"I missed you too, Daddy," she mumbled quietly. "Thank you for not forgetting me."

On the other end of the communicator, Bail went silent for a moment. Then he smiled grimly, wishing he could see his daughter's face as he spoke the words at the tip of his tongue.

"Oh, Leia. How could I ever forget you? You are all that I could think about this whole time," he murmured. "I love you."

Far down, deep within the annals of Fortress Vader, the battle between the Emperor's two Sith Apprentices raged on.

"What motive do you have for going against me?" Vader demanded angrily. "Did the Emperor promise you something in exchange for this foolish endeavor?"

"Nothing much," Maul smirked, "Only the lives of Kenobi and Tano."

Vader snarled angrily and charged him, driving his lightsaber up against Maul's staff forcefully. Maul grunted and shoved him off, panting heavily then twirling his saber to build up momentum before they both jumped forward and clashed blades again.

"However, I reckon I may have a third on my hands now," Maul smirked. "Who is she? Some new Apprentice? Your secret lovechild?"

Vader growled angrily and slashed his saber at Maul's prosthetic legs, catching its tip against one of the metallic joints and causing sparks to fly off it. "You will not lay a hand on her."

"Oh, wouldn't dream of it," Maul replied. "I'm not interested in killing Younglings. That's more of your thing," he smirked.

Vader did not reply, only stubbornly thrusted at his only weakness; the artificial legs attached to his waist. Maul spun his saber, easily blocking each blow that Vader aimed towards them.

"Your strength is impressive, but you cannot fight me forever," Maul remarked. "Believe me, I know better than anyone how exhausting these old metal contraptions can get...you'll tire, sooner or later," he hissed as Vader put all of his upper body strength into ramming his saber at him. "I may be half metal, but you are more than three-quarters. You're hardly a man anymore, Vader. I daresay you are more of a droid."

"Then you shall see just how dangerous this quarter-human droid can be."

Maul grinned, his eyes glinting with bloodlust and excitement. "Quarter-human, half-alive, soon to be all-dead," he replied arrogantly.

"I was informed that you were defeated by the Master and Apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. You cannot hope to stand a chance against me."

"Indeed, your combat skills are most impressive," Maul replied. "I can see why Sidious has decided to make you his puppet." Vader growled angrily at the insult, aiming a quick slash at his head. Maul ducked just in time and jabbed his staff into the side of Vader's abdomen, nearly missing his circuit board and causing him to howl with pain. "But a puppet will never be as good as the master pulling its strings."

Vader panted and swung his blade at him, but Maul parried the blow again, pushing back until Vader was forced to bend backwards. Their blades crackled with electricity as the pulsating blood-red glow of the lightsabers fused and oscillated against one another, creating a disturbing frequency.

"So, tell me Vader," Maul drawled, "What is the name of the wench? If you even remembered to give her one?"

Vader grunted and pushed back against him, breaking the blade lock and plunging the end of his saber right into Maul's right leg. Maul hissed and drew back, the tip of his foot now smoking as the metal glowed bright hot red. Vader swung his blade again, hacking at his saber and hitting its control panel. Maul dropped the staff and stepped back immediately, allowing it to fall to the ground as it sputtered out and deactivated. Vader held out his hand and used the Force to push it away, making it slide to an unseen spot somewhere on the ground. Now disarmed, Maul looked up as Vader began to advance on him menacingly.

"Yield," Vader demanded, pointing his saber towards his neck. "Or I will kill you as you stand."

Maul smirked.

"I think not," he said slowly. "I'm sure you must be wondering why I chose to ally myself with your old Master after what he did to me."

"I do not care," Vader spat.

"It does not matter if you care," Maul replied. "What matters is, I know your weakness now. And I will remind you, I am a Nightbrother, the son of our Clan Mother. She and my brother taught me everything they knew before they passed."

With that, Maul raised his hand and brought it down on Vader's helmet, creating an enormous electric shock that glowed the same bright green magical mist that surrounded his home planet of Dathomir.

"And now," he continued, "You shall find out, what it means to be a manipulator of the Waters of Life."

Vader gasped as lightning sparked and flickered all around him, generating a charge that shook him to his core. He cried out in pain as Maul narrowed his eyes, concentrating his energy into generating more Force lightning. Vader squirmed and shuddered, trying to get away as Maul held him down and forced electricity to flow through his entire body, trapping him in complete agony.

"You see, Vader," Maul hissed, "That is the difference between us. You have metal arms and metal legs. I have a metal lower body and both of my original arms," he smirked. "I can still conduct the Force however I please. You, however, would only harm yourself."

Vader cried out in pain, screaming and trying to break free of his grip.

"Does it hurt, Lord Vader?" Maul whispered. "Tell me, can you remember the pain that turned you when you were but a Jedi Knight? Do you feel it now, the strength that the Dark Side has accorded me, and the punishment it has inflicted upon you?"

Vader howled angrily, reaching for his face. Maul easily swatted his hand aside, tightening his grip and increasing the voltage twofold.

"You remember now," Maul hissed, "What it was like, when Lord Sidious found you...weak, trembling, and helpless..." Vader trembled and gasped. "I was once like you...frail, limbless, crawling on the ground like an insect. But no longer, Lord Vader. Or do you even deserve that title anymore?" he sneered, leaning over him. Vader continued to writhe in agony, still fighting against the wave of electricity that permeated his traitorous metal extensions. "Funny. And to think Lord Sidious used to speak so highly of you," he hissed, grabbing his staff and standing back up.

Vader made a choked sound and reached out, trying to summon his lightsaber. Maul immediately stomped on his hand and snatched the hilt up, igniting it.

"I'll be taking this," he announced. "You don't mind if I borrow it, do you?" Vader's face contorted with anger. Maul laughed. "Well, then. I'll be seeing you later, Lord Vader. Or should I say, General Skywalker?"

Vader growled furiously and Maul clenched his fist, using the last of his energy to create a burst of lightning powerful enough to knock him out. Vader's body stiffened, then went completely limp. After checking to make sure he was passed out, Maul stepped over him and strolled out of the meditation chamber with renewed purpose.

"Now," he hissed to himself, "This is where the fun begins."

Leia stared wide-eyed at the comlink, unable to believe what she had just heard.

I love you.

She wanted to cry.

She wanted to jump and scream with joy.

She wanted to say, "I love you, too."

She didn't know what to do.

"Daddy," she whispered, her legs trembling.

"Yes, Leia?" Bail Organa asked eagerly, leaning in closer so he could hear Leia.

Leia took a deep breath. "I-"

Just then, she heard a loud crash behind her. The tall silhouette of the tattooed man filled in the doorway with none other than Vader's saber strapped to his waist. Ahsoka brought her quivering hand to her mouth as her mind was filled with horrifying thoughts of what had just transpired. Her eyes briefly widened with recognition before she glanced at Leia and grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her back and out of the man's attack range.

"Lady Tano," Maul said. "We meet again, at last."

Ahsoka stood up, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Maul," she hissed and moved protectively in front of Leia, igniting both of the Inquisitor's lightsabers that Reva had given her. "Keep away from the child, or I will not hesitate to use force."

Maul laughed. "How amusing," he smiled. "First the Master, then the Apprentice. I wonder, have you made her your Padawan? Perhaps I can cut down all three generations in one day," he smirked.

Leia let out a gasp and hid behind Reva, trembling with fear. Silently, Reva placed her hand on her head the way she had seen Ahsoka do the same. Leia squeezed her eyes shut, leaning into Reva's hand and trying to still herself.

"You will not harm her," Reva announced. "We have you outnumbered," she snarled, unsheathing her lightsabers and entering the same defensive stance as Ahsoka.

Maul blinked, looking from side to side at both of them, then his grin widened. "Ah, I suppose you must be the new Grand Inquisitor," he drawled, unaffected by the threatening glow of all four red blades pointed at him. "I know the Emperor has been meaning to greet you in person. Congratulations, by the way."

Reva scoffed. "You can tell the Emperor that his words mean nothing to me."

"Pity," Maul said. "You know, I find it interesting, this new group of Inquisitors that the Emperor has created. You use the Dark Side, yet what are you, really? You are neither Acolytes nor Masters," he sneered. "At best, you can barely call yourselves Apprentices."

Reva lunged at him, attacking one side of his staff. Maul simply swung it around, hitting her with the other end of his blade. She cried out in pain as sparks flew from the place where the saber connected with her armor then fell onto the floor, clutching her injured arm. Ahsoka gasped, faltering slightly. Leia watched as she wavered between joining the fight and staying in place to protect her.

"Now, you shall see what a true Lord of the Sith can do," Maul declared. "You may rest assured knowing that a death by my hands is the highest possible honor I can bestow upon you."

He brought his staff upwards, prepared to deliver a finishing blow. Just then, he was knocked over as Ahsoka charged and leapt at him, throwing all of her weight into the jump. Maul stumbled over and glowered as he was pinned down by the neck with his own saber. Ahsoka heaved, using both of her arms to hold the staff in place.

"Go, run now!" she shouted over her shoulder at Reva. "Take her with you!" she added, nodding at Leia.

Reva's brow furrowed. "But Kenobi-"

"I'll get him myself," Ahsoka panted.

"You can't possibly-"

"Go!" Ahsoka yelled.

Reva stood up and grabbed Leia by the hand. Together, the two of them sprinted out, not wasting another second.

Ahsoka had only about a second of warning before Maul finally shoved her off using the Force. Not wanting to hit her back against the ground, she flipped over and barely managed to land on her feet. Maul snarled and picked up his staff, spinning it dangerously.

"I told you, you will not harm her," Ahsoka said calmly.

"It doesn't matter," Maul hissed. "I'll get you, and Kenobi, and your little protégé. I defeated Vader, and I can defeat you just the same."

"I'd like to see you try."

Maul deactivated his staff with one hand and sent a bolt of lightning towards her with the other. Ahsoka flipped out of the way, dancing carefully across the obsidian floor. Maul generated a second lightning bolt, a stronger one this time, and Ahsoka frantically swung her lightsaber at it.

Maul had not been expecting her to do that. He barely dodged the lightning bolt as she deflected it back at him, nearly electrocuting him with his own power.

"Interesting," he hissed. "I guess you are still full of surprises."

Maul continued to shoot small bursts of lightning at her and Ahsoka continued to deflect them. She successfully managed to avoid every one of his blasts using her lightsabers. However, as the kyber crystals of her lightsabers absorbed the energy of each lightning attack, the hilts began to crack. By the time that Maul decided to give up on using Force lightning and reactivated his staff, there was a visible split down the middle of one of her lightsabers.

Ahsoka charged him again and swung at his staff, mindful to duck or parry the blow when he swung the opposite side towards her. Just as she was blocking it, however, her blades flickered for a moment. She frowned, staring down at her hands.

"It appears your emitters are damaged," Maul remarked smugly. "You should either toss them away, or surrender. They will most likely combust soon."

Ahsoka glared at him. "Not a chance."

"Very well," Maul replied. "You have signed your own death warrant."

He began to aim forceful thrusts at each lightsaber's hilt, trying to speed up the process of its emitter matrix breaking down. Ahsoka fought back, protecting her hilts and spinning away from him at each opportunity. However, this became a riskier strategy as her blades occasionally sputtered, almost allowing Maul's saber to penetrate through their blades. Ahsoka immediately switched strategies and started to play defensive. Maul began to grow impatient as she spent more time dodging his attacks, twirling and flipping away from him.

"Stop running away from me, Tano," he growled. "Fight me like a real Jedi!"

"I am not a Jedi," Ahsoka yelled.

"You cannot deceive me with those cheap Inquisitor's toys!" Maul sneered. "The Force surrounds you everywhere with a foul and loathsome light like none other that I have seen. Yes, you are a Jedi, through and through, and when I am done with you I will have added another of your kind to my list of victories."

Ahsoka inhaled slowly and twirled her red sabers. She didn't have much time before the kyber crystal would explode, igniting the hilt on fire and potentially killing her. Deciding to take her chances, she immediately deactivated both blades.

"Giving up?" Maul asked smugly.

"There are other ways to fight," Ahsoka replied.

With that, she lunged forwards, startling him for just long enough to climb onto his back and twist his weapon arm. Maul growled angrily and tried to shove her off of his back with his free hand, but Ahsoka jammed her unlit lightsaber hilt into his shoulder and reactivated it. The faulty blade immediately jutted out, impaling him through the shoulder. Maul cried out in pain and she took advantage of his distraction to seize his staff, kicking it away from him.

"I'm sorry," Ahsoka said quietly. "But I can't allow you to follow me."

With that, she turned around and ran.

Maul snarled angrily, desperately aiming another blast of Force lightning at her. Ahsoka held out his staff with both hands, using it to deflect the shock back at him. Maul howled as it hit him, his body convulsing briefly before he passed out.

Ahsoka leaned over him, beginning to reach for Vader's lightsaber that was still strapped to his side.

Just then, Anakin's voice flashed into her mind.

Retreat, Ahsoka!

Ahsoka winced, quickly withdrawing her hand and standing up. Something told her that she needed to move fast.

Quickly, she grabbed the datapad that Reva had scanned the blueprints of Obi-Wan's cell onto. She also grabbed the faulty lightsaber hilts. She figured she could use them a bomb if she threw them against the wall, allowing the unstable blade emitter to be destroyed, causing the kyber crystals to crack and emit a huge wave of energy.

Just then, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She immediately let go and left Maul's staff next to him then ran out of the way so she could hide. She barely managed to find a place that concealed her before she heard the sound of someone approaching from the hallway adjacent.

Seconds later, she watched as a blue-skinned alien dressed in military uniform and flanked by Purge Troopers slowly strolled into the room and looked around. If it were not for his glowing red eyes, she might have mistaken him for a Pantoran. But this man was a Chiss, originally from the Unknown Regions.

Ahsoka inhaled sharply.

This must be the right-hand of the Emperor who Reva was talking about.

"Lord Maul?" Thrawn knelt down and tried to rouse his ally. The Zabrak made no response. "Hm. He must have been knocked out," he remarked aloud to the Purge Troopers. "I suspected there was a fight. However, it appears I have arrived too late."

Standing up, he turned to face the Troopers on either side of him. "Have him brought out and placed in a bacta tank," he commanded.

Ahsoka forced herself to be quiet and not breathe aloud.

"What about Kenobi?"

"I will go look for him myself," Thrawn replied. "But I am confident that he is still where we last left him."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes, clutching the damaged lightsaber blades to her chest.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," she whispered.

Chapter Text

"Where's the female prisoner?"

"No status on her location! She must have escaped-"

"Well hurry up, then! We can't afford to let her go-"

Ahsoka panted and sprinted, trying to stay out of the eyesight of the various Purge Troopers running around her.

Just then, she accidentally banged her ankle against the wall and let out a faint grunt of pain.

The Purge Troopers immediately whirled around, pointing their blasters at her.

"There she is!"

Ahsoka ducked and jumped, using the Force to evade the blasts that they fired at her. Unfortunately, she did not have a functioning lightsaber on her to deflect their blasts with. All she could do was try to avoid getting hit.

Please, please let me just make it to Obi-Wan's cell.

"The female Jedi prisoner! She's here!" One of the troopers yelled.

More Troopers immediately came running, all of them starting to shoot at her. Ahsoka looked down at the staircase and made a split-second decision, hoisting herself over the railing and jumping down. Immediately, the whistling sound of twenty blaster bolts went off behind her.

Ahsoka cried out as she felt one of them hit her right in the lekku, but managed to pull herself together and landed with her legs splayed out and one hand palm down on the floor. Once she hit the ground she immediately broke into another sprint, weaving and turning down a corridor. Before the Purge Troopers stationed there could react, she used the Force to grab one of their blasters, set its mode to stun and shot it at the rest of them. By the time she reached the doonium wall at the end of the corridor blocking Obi-Wan's cell, about thirty different Troopers were tailing her.

"Stop right there! We have you cornered!"

Twenty-two...twenty-three...twenty-four, Ahsoka counted, using her finger to estimate the range. No. That's wrong. It has to be twenty-one, she frowned. Otherwise they'll be within the range of the explosion. But then, it might not be enough to break through the doonium...

"Surrender now, or you will be apprehended!"

If I throw them at thirty-degrees...and if I create a big enough Force Shield...then I might be able to avoid any casualties...

"On the count of three! One, two..."

Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut, opening her mind to the Force and willing it to work with her.

I am one with the Force, and the Force is one with me. I am one with the Force, and the Force is one with me.

"THREE!"

Thirty blasters aimed at her. Ahsoka froze and raised her hands into the air, feeling a chill run down her spine as if she had been here before.

"Drop your weapons!" the Trooper closest to her shouted, pointing his blaster directly at her face.

Ahsoka hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered her hands.

But instead of dropping the lightsabers, she turned around and tossed them at the wall.

There was a loud sound, the strange echo of something falling apart as it was blown to pieces. Like the sound of a star dying, at least how he always imagined it. He shuddered and moved away, haunted by its dying scream. It was as if he could hear the cries of a million souls calling out to him through the Force, demanding vengeance as their lives were destroyed before his very eyes. He covered his face and buried his heart in the darkness, unwilling to look upon them, unable to face the fate that he himself had thrust upon them. There was nothing but anger, and grief, and pain.

But something bright was breaking through the darkness. Something warm and pure and strong, a welcome light upon his damned soul.

"Wake up," a female voice called as someone nudged at him. He felt a faint poke at his side, but he still did not stir. "Come on, wake up. It's late already."

He rolled over, groaning. Below him, the bed was soft and comfortable. Too comfortable to leave, in fact. "Leave me alone," he grunted.

"Well, I'm sorry, but there's no time. You have to get up now, or suffer the consequences."

"I don't want to."

The woman next to him laughed as if she was already used to these sorts of antics. Although his eyes were shut, he could feel the faint warmth of sunlight pouring through a window and onto his face. As he buried his face further into the pillow, trying to drown it out, he felt a gentle hand on his forehead. Instinctively, he leaned into the touch and allowed the woman to brush back his hair.

"Please, Ani. The kids are already up."

He frowned, opening his eyes and sitting up.

Across from him was a beautiful, brown-haired woman with round cheeks and doe-shaped eyes. She smiled, and the sunlight brightened by just a fraction.

"Have you finally decided to join us, sleepyhead?"

Anakin grunted non-committedly.

Padme laughed softly. "Good boy."

Anakin stared up at her, taking in everything about her. He watched as she leaned in close to his face, long brown hair flowing over one shoulder. She smelled heavenly, too, like a field full of flowers. As soon as she got closer than he was expecting, he suddenly felt nervous and inhaled sharply.

"It's a good thing I have you. Today's a busy day for the Senate...reelections just started, you know. I expect you to take on your fair share of the housework."

Anakin frowned. "I don't see why we have to waste a perfectly good morning by waking up so early." He reached out with his hand and pulled up the blanket, turning over on his side though not facing away from her completely. Padme sulked, clearly miffed.

"I don't see why we have to waste a perfectly good morning by sleeping in late," she retorted, sitting up. He reached out and absentmindedly grasped a handful of hair, relishing the feeling of letting it run through his fingers. Padme retaliated by violently tousling his hair, causing him to yelp in protest.

"Come on," she said, tugging insistently on his collar. "Let's go take care of the twins."

With that, she stood up and walked away. Anakin also heaved his body out of bed and stood up, following after her slowly. His legs felt as if they were made of lead and moving through a pool of water.

Why does everything feel so strange? He wondered to himself.

Padme disappeared into a room and he felt his chest seize with panic, suddenly concerned that she might not come back. But she reappeared just moments later, holding two bundles of blankets in either arm and rocking them gently.

"Here," she said. "Hold them for me, will you? They just woke up."

Dumfounded, Anakin reached out and allowed her to place each one of the bundles in his arms. He froze up, worried that his robotic hand might accidentally grip too hard and crush them. They seemed so small, so fragile, as if anything might cause them to break into pieces. But Padme just smiled at him reassuringly, as if she could read what he was thinking.

"Don't worry," she said. "They're tougher than they look. One of them bit me just yesterday while I was feeding them," she joked. "Try and guess which one."

Padme laughed at her own joke, the sound light and pleasant like a ringing bell. But Anakin was too absorbed to respond. He stared in awe at each of the infants, trying not to shake as he supported their weight with both arms.

"Aren't they beautiful?" Padme asked. "Look, she has your eyes," she said, gently pulling aside the blanket so he could look at the baby girl.

Anakin wanted to look down, to see if what she was saying was true, but suddenly he felt his stomach drop with dread. He instinctively stepped back, moving the bundle out of Padme's reach.

"No," he said fearfully.

"Huh?" Padme asked confused. "What's wrong?"

"No," Anakin shook his head, suddenly feeling a chill run down his spine. "Stop," he panted as the air suddenly dropped in temperature around them. "Get away from me."

"Anakin, you're scaring me...did I say something? Are you angry at me?" Padme asked, walking closer to him.

"Stop!" Anakin shouted.

Padme froze and Anakin glowered at her angrily. "Anakin, why do you always have to do this? I told you, it's not a big deal-"

"Stop," Anakin squeezed his eyes shut and thrusted the bundles back into her arms, eliciting a gasp. "I can't do this anymore. You're not real," he hissed.

Padme frowned, confused. "What do you mean, I'm not real?"

"You don't exist," he hissed, "You're just a figment of my imagination. A cruel nightmare."

Padme narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms. He turned away.

"Anakin, talk to me. Look at me."

"No."

"Anakin," she said angrily. "Look at me, now."

He covered his face in his hands and squeezed his eyes shut. He could not bring it in himself to reopen them.

"Anakin!" Padme screamed furiously.

Finally, he shakily lowered his hands.

"Look at me," she growled, her face now pale white and lifeless, completely devoid of the rosy glow that he adored so much when they were alive. "Look at what you've done to me, to our family," she cried. Tears of blood poured out of her eyes and streamed down both cheeks, and her arms were both shaking, barely holding onto the children she was carrying.

"Padme, stop!" He cried, running towards her and trying to take the children from her, but she let out a bloodcurdling scream as if she was still in agony.

"You did this to me!" she snarled. The two bundled blankets in her hands unfurled and fell to the ground, completely empty.

Anakin covered his ears and let out a cry of pain as he fell to his knees before her. Padme towered over him, furious and unforgiving.

"I'm sorry," he croaked hoarsely, but it was too late.

"You will pay for what you did to us!" she wailed. "Do you know, how many times I've cried myself to sleep over you? Do you know how many times I've endured the pain of one night over several lifetimes?"

"I'm sorry, Padme, I...I..."

"Give me my children back!" she screeched. "What did you do to them? Where are they?" she demanded tearfully.

"I didn't-"

"Leave!" she howled angrily.

Anakin gasped, feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He tried to reach out to her but he was suddenly pulled back and fell roughly onto the ground. Panting, he scrabbled to his knees and tried to stand up only to find himself face-to-face with none other than his former Master.

"Obi-Wan," he gasped. "Please, just let me...I have to talk to her..."

"You may not," Obi-Wan said coldly.

Anakin stared down at the lightsaber pointed at his throat, panting slowly. "Please, Master, I don't want to hurt anyone...I just want to talk..."

"You cannot talk to her, Anakin, because you do not deserve the right to!" Obi-Wan snapped. "All you have ever done is bring us pain. You have already dragged us down into your darkness with you. How much more misery do you wish to inflict upon us? How many more lives will it cost?"

"I-"

"No," Obi-Wan replied, his face cruel and unyielding.

Anakin stopped. He felt his body tremble as Obi-Wan and Padme both looked at him as if he was not even human to them. He tried to step closer, but something pulled him back. "Please," he begged, "Let me just-"

Suddenly, he felt someone tugging at his arm and he looked down.

The face of a small Togruta child stared up at him. Although he did not quite recognize her, something about her face was extremely familiar. The dusky orange shade of her skin, the pale white forehead markings and the irregular dark blue stripes on her lekku all reminded him of something long gone. Someone who he had also buried deep within his heart on the day that he died.

"Master," she said slowly.

Anakin flinched, startled.

"Master Skywalker, what are you doing?"

Her eyes were wide with fear, and her small legs began to tremble. Anakin tried to walk closer to her, but she backed away immediately.

"Ahsoka," he started to say. "I-"

Just then, Ahsoka's lip trembled and she squeezed her eyes shut, turning away from him. Anakin faltered, unsure what to do. He turned helplessly towards Obi-Wan and Padme, but there was no sympathy in their eyes, only disgust.

"This-this isn't what it looks like," he stammered as Ahsoka began to weep fitfully. "I'm not-"

"Anakin," Padme said, "What did you expect?"

"I didn't-"

"You should have known that something like this would happen."

The Togruta child stopped crying and suddenly went silent. She stared at him and her eyes grew narrow with hatred. Then, she drew herself up to her full height and Anakin backed away as she marched towards him.

"My Master could never be as vile as you," she said suddenly, drawing up her height. Anakin shuddered and ducked as she withdrew her two sabers and swung at him, no longer a child or the worn-down woman who he had imprisoned but an angry teenager. The same age when she had left the Order.

"Ahsoka, please, stop this! I don't want to fight you!"

"I don't CARE!" Ahsoka screamed, slashing her saber at his head. "You were supposed to protect us, to save us! Why did you lie to us?"

"I did save you!" Anakin cried out.

"Lies!" Ahsoka snarled. "You trapped us, that's what you did!"

"Would you rather by trapped by me, or by the Emperor?" he demanded, losing his patience.

Ahsoka opened her mouth and wailed loudly. Anakin immediately covered his ears and shrunk in on himself, disturbed by the haunting sound. But Ahsoka did not stop her death scream. As he cowered before her, small hands seized at him, grabbing his robes and yanking cruelly. He opened his eyes and felt his heart stop in his throat as swarms of Younglings surrounded him, their expressionless eyes boring directly into his soul as they clawed at him.

"This is your fate, Anakin," Ahsoka spat coldly.

"This is what you have brought upon yourself," Obi-Wan said sternly.

"This is what you are," Padme said quietly.

Anakin gasped as the Younglings' grip on him tightened, pulling him down with them. Together, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan unsheathed their lightsabers and advanced on him, their blades vibrating dangerously.

"Now, you must accept where your Path has led you."

Anakin growled, fighting back against the Younglings' grasping hands as the lightsabers' glowing blades drew closer to his throat. "You would strike me down like I was nothing to you?" he demanded angrily.

"I don't know you anymore," Padme said.

Anakin snarled and unclenched his hands, feeling the power of the Force flow back into him.

"Fine then," he snarled. "Have it your way!"

He stood up, throwing the Younglings off of them and seizing the lightsaber right from Ahsoka's hand. Before she could react, he plunged it right through her stomach. She hissed with pain and tried to grab onto his arm and force him to pull it out of her, but he held on fast, waiting until she groaned and crumpled lifelessly. Obi-Wan cried out as she fell and aimed at his back, but Anakin spun around and clashed their blades together. Obi-Wan grunted and tried to overpower him, but Anakin was stronger and knew things about the Force that Obi-Wan would never even have thought about. Within seconds, he had successfully outmaneuvered him. Anakin towered over his former Master and watched him fall to his knees, his eyes glinting dangerously.

"Stop," Padme said, her voice suddenly quivering again. "Don't do this."

Anakin turned back to face her.

"I cannot stop, Padme. There is no other Way for me. You know this better than anyone."

With that, he turned back around and dealt the killing blow. Obi-Wan fell to the ground and collapsed at his feet, groaning hoarsely. Padme covered her mouth with both hands and cried out, her voice strained with horror. He turned to her and finished her as well, making it as quick and painless as possible.

Once it was all done, Anakin closed his eyes and let go, allowing the Force overtake him so they could finally be one together.

"Lord Vader!"

He opened his eyes and sat up, startling the medic standing across him.

"Lord Vader, don't exert yourself please! You've just woken up-"

"Where am I?" he demanded furiously, tugging at the dozens of bacta tubes hooked up to him. "Where is my helmet-"

"Lord Vader, we had to remove your helmet to restore your oxygen levels-"

"I don't care!" he snarled furiously. "Give it to me now!"

The medic shakily handed it to him. Vader immediately forced the mask onto his face then clenched his other hand, causing the medic to splutter as their throat was squeezed tight enough to asphyxiate. The nurses beside them all cried out or turned away, unable to watch as their body fell to the floor with a dull thud.

"Where is your surgeon?" he hollered at them.

Immediately, a medical officer in scrubs appeared and bowed to him fearfully. "My apologies, Lord Vader."

"Fix this," Vader hissed. The surgeon immediately nodded and got to work.

As his surroundings slowly became clearer to him, he realized that he was not in his meditation chamber anymore. This was an Imperial medical pod. Someone had somehow transported him away, although for what purpose, he did not know.

Vader frowned as a thought came into his mind. He had a sneaking suspicion, and while he could not prove it...

"Lord Vader," a raspy voice exclaimed. "Oh my, I am so pleased to see that you are alive and well."

The Emperor himself strolled towards him, flanked on either side by two familiar faces. The medic beside him instinctively stood back.

"You," he hissed at the Zabrak. Maul did not acknowledge him. He continued to glower sullenly at the ground without making eye contact with him.

"Yes, yes," Palpatine replied, waving his hand indifferently. "You have met, I presume. He is my good Apprentice, who suddenly returned to me and asked me to teach him my Ways again. I am pleased that you have been introduced."

"He tried to kill me."

"Only because you were withholding information from the Emperor," Maul spat back.

"Silence!" Palpatine commanded and both of them closed their mouths. "My dear boy, I am so glad to be able to speak with you in person," he exclaimed. "Come, let us speak together...more privately," he nodded at Thrawn and Maul. Vader watched as they both bowed to him, Maul a little later than Thrawn, then turned around and walked away. The head surgeon also scuttled away, taking the nurses with him.

Now it was just the two of them.

"Why am I here?" Vader demanded.

"Calm down, my friend. You were in a deeply injured state when we found you at Mustafar, poor boy. If it was not for the Grand Admiral, why-"

"I was fine," Vader snarled. "Your Apprentice is the one who broke in and-"

"Now, now, we shall not speak of this," Palpatine frowned. "I will not tolerate any disagreements amongst you. Let bygones be bygones. We are all-"

"He is the one who struck me!"

"Silence!" Palpatine roared, and Vader stumbled back as the air around him crackled with electricity. "As I was saying, let us not waste any more of our breath on this matter. What matters is, I am willing to overlook all of your offenses, both yours and Maul's."

"My offenses?"

"Yes," Palpatine hissed. "For example, the secrets you were hiding from me."

Vader looked down. He should have known that Obi-Wan would escape once his back was turned.

This is all Obi-Wan's fault, he thought to himself angrily. If it wasn't for him...if he had just...

"I am sorry, Master. I tried to keep Kenobi contained. But he-"

"Oh, I am not talking about that."

Vader paused and looked up.

"I am not referring to your failed attempts to execute Kenobi and Tano, oh no. No, I am speaking of the child. The one that was dwelling in your Fortress."

A chill ran down Vader's spine. He did not even care that Lord Sidious had discovered he was also keeping Ahsoka captive.

His worst fears had just come true.

"What child?" he asked, feeling his throat close in on itself.

"Oh, don't be daft, my boy. Of course I know about her. I know all about her now."

"You don't..."

"Leia Organa, princess of Alderaan, about eleven years old I believe? I should have known, her birthday is the very same day that your dear queen died. If only I had realized it sooner-"

Vader closed his mouth, his entire body now growing cold.

"Yes, my dear boy, she was your daughter. Your flesh and blood. I am so sorry that we never knew."

Vader clenched his fists, but only for a split second. His jaw remained tense as he spoke. "I thought you said Padme was dead. She died."

"She did."

"Then how was she able to give birth?" Vader snapped angrily. "You could've saved her while she was still alive!"

"My boy...we didn't know. All we knew was that she had passed away," Palpatine said gently. "Her energy was no longer a part of the Force. By the time that you had woken up, she was already gone."

Vader stiffened. His mouth suddenly began to tremble despite his attempts to control it. From within the helmet, he felt something wet run down his scarred cheek.

"Now, this is no time to cry," Palpatine frowned, reaching out and placing his hand on his shoulder. "These things just can't be helped. You know how the way of the Force is."

Vader turned away from him, not wanting him to see the weakness underneath his mask. As tears streamed down his face, he thought back to Leia coming to him and asking for droids, asking to play deyjarik with him, and toddling after him while wearing Padme's necklace. He wept silently for her. As he cried underneath the helmet, Palpatine gently stroked his back.

"But do not worry. Your daughter is still lives."

Vader immediately straightened up.

"She is?" he asked, his voice trembling. He had thought that surely, after he lost consciousness, Maul would have killed her. "Where is she? Bring her to me!"

"Hush," Palpatine hissed. "There is a time and place for everything. If you can behave yourself, you may earn the opportunity to see her."

Vader frowned. He wanted to grab him by the collar and demand to see Leia now. After all, every bone in his body was itching to, the Force whispered into his ear to do it. But he restrained himself nonetheless.

"Now listen," Palpatine said. "I have something that I wish to speak with you about. Will you please hear me?"

Vader hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"Good. Let us walk together."

"Is this about Lothal?"

"Lothal? What? Oh! No," Palpatine shook his head. "No, it was never about Lothal. Lothal was just a suggestion to, you know, get you off-planet," he shrugged. "It was the Grand Admiral's idea. He informed me that he would let the Rebels set their base there so he could observe them, keep an eye on them. There is no urgent need to investigate Lothal."

"So, he brought it up to mock me."

"My friend, we were all so terribly concerned about you. You were growing so distant from us, so withdrawn. We feared that we would lose you."

Vader went silent.

"After all, we all know how hard the anniversary of your wife's death was for you. I understand, why you did what you had to do with young Leia. You thought you could keep her, even if you could not keep her mother." Vader stiffened again.

Palpatine watched him closely, drawing a breath as he carefully planned out his next words.

"What if I told you, there was a way you could see her again?"

"Don't-"

Vader trembled. Hope had done nothing but fail him. He dared not to hope.

"It's true. Everything you ever dreamed of, at your very fingertips. Power beyond imagination."

Vader inhaled shakily. Palpatine smiled ominously and moved closer to him.

"I understand that you are aware of my plans for the Death Star," he said. "Indeed, it is a risky investment which will cost us the lives of many. But I do not only deal in death. The Dark Side of the Force is multi-layered and infinite, just as complex as the Light Side itself. I have set out to accomplish what some would consider impossible; not just a machine to take life, but one to restore it. Tell me, Lord Vader, has anyone ever told you the legend of Lady Corvax and the Aeon Engine?"

Vader leaned in closer, listening with rapt attention.

Palpatine smirked, knowing he had him now.

"Many, many years ago, when Mustafar was still a lush, green planet...there was a brilliant and powerful woman, not unlike your queen herself. She was an intelligent and most capable engineer, but her heart was broken."

"Why?"

"Because her love was slain in battle," Palpatine replied. "So, she stole a crystal that was highly prized by the Mustafarians for its beauty and light. They called the Bright Star. She then constructed a complex machine with which she hoped to control the crystal's powerful energy...and for the purpose of resurrecting her dead husband."

Vader inhaled deeply, his body tense with impatience.

"Was she successful?"

"No," Palpatine replied solemnly. "Her greatest dream became her worst nightmare. A living horror. Instead of being her salvation, the machine begot her downfall. The soul of her husband became lost in the Force, trapped between existence and non-existence...never truly one or the other..." Vader swallowed nervously. "Mustafar became caught between two worlds, its twin Jestefad and the gaseous threat Lefrani. Soon, the gravitational demands became too much for the smaller planet, and its core overheated, transforming into the fiery landscape that it is today. Now, the story of Lady Corvax is a distant myth, recounted over and over again by generations of Mustafarians while longing for a different time."

Vader looked down, his body language now morose and withdrawn. Palpatine looked up at him.

"But do not fret, Lord Vader." He smiled. "You are different. You are strong in the Force...no, stronger. I know that you will not fail me."

"You mean-?"

"Yes, Lord Vader. It was all true. The Aeon Machine, the Bright Star...they are all real," he whispered. "And you, my Apprentice, will be the one to bring them back to their fullest potential."

Chapter Text

As their shuttle moved through hyperspace, Leia tried her best to stay awake. Her head bobbed slightly and her eyelashes fluttered, but she still resolved to keep her eyes open. Just in case.

Sometimes when she was sleepy, talking to her father helped. So she decided to start a conversation.

"Are Ahsoka and Ben going to be okay?" she asked.

"I don't know."

Leia wrapped her arms around herself drowsily. Reva noticed and unclipped her black Inquisitor's cloak, hastily throwing it around her shoulders. Leia quietly tugged it around herself. It all felt vaguely familiar, like when Vader would take her out for short excursions in his personal spacecraft. Leia covered her eyes with the cloak, trying hard not to think too much about it. Reva looked over at her and frowned.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Leia said slowly.

Reva stared at her for a bit longer than usual with a strange look, as if she was thinking of something. Then, after a few moments, she turned to look forwards and crossed her arms.

"They should be fine," Reva said. "I've seen what a Jedi can do," she said begrudgingly. "They're tougher than they look."

Leia glanced over at her curiously, then looked back down at her hands. A few moments passed.

"Why did you decide to become an Inquisitor?" Leia asked bluntly.

Reva raised an eyebrow.

"That's a bold question for you to ask." Leia continued to stare at her. "Why do you want to know that?"

"I don't really understand what you get out of it," Leia said slowly. "Why would you agree to start killing your own people?"

Reva froze for a moment, then looked down. "I suppose that is probably what it looks like to you," she said finally. "Well, I can't say you're incorrect. I have some things that I'm not proud of." Leia blinked slowly. "When I was forced to leave the Jedi Temple, I was only twelve...at the time, I thought I was too old.  Masters are supposed to choose their Padawans before they turn thirteen.  But all of a sudden, I was no longer a Youngling.  I was just another child living on the lower levels of Coruscant, starving and poor. All I could do was beg and steal and hope for the indifference of strangers."

"Don't you mean kindness?"

"No," Reva replied firmly. "I mean indifference."

Leia looked down.

"Perhaps you may not think too kindly of me after knowing this. But...I am fully convinced that if I did not join them, I would be dead by now," Reva replied. "And well, in my being alive, I have selfishly caused others to die in my place. But I don't really care what you think of me. Back then, I had no droid, no rich politician father, no former Jedi Knights...no Rebels waiting to rescue me. Nothing."

Leia inhaled sharply.

"Well, one family did take me in." Reva said bitterly. "But it cost them heavily. They paid the price for their charity with their own blood."

Leia squeezed her eyes shut and turned away, breathing heavily.

"All I had were the clothes on my back, the injury your father gave me, and the meager training I received at the Temple. But if I dared to raise my hand, I would have been slaughtered," she said coldly. "You have to understand, I didn't want this either. But soon I realized I could either be the one being hunted, or I could be the hunter," Reva narrowed her eyes. "I could either choose to put everyone I loved in danger by forming an attachment to them. Or...I could use my talents to join the Empire and protect them with my power."

"But you'd be putting other people in danger," Leia frowned. "It doesn't put an end to the cycle of violence. All it does is reflect it back onto someone else."

"Well," Reva drawled, "That's not my problem, because they're not mine to care about."

Leia closed her mouth.

"Either way," Reva said heavily, "It doesn't matter, because for all my efforts I have nothing to show for it. I don't have anyone I could call my own," she said bitterly, "And there is no one willing to claim me. I don't even know if my real family is still alive."

Leia stared at her, then she walked up to her. Reva stared at her as Leia quietly took the cloak off and draped it back around Reva's shoulders.

"Well," she said, "Perhaps the true reason that you tell yourself that you have no one to care about and no one who cares for you, is because it protects you and protects others from associating with you. But in reality, it doesn't stop you from hurting. It just pushes away anyone who you might risk getting attached to."

Reva blinked, looking up from the navicomputer and making eye contact with her. Leia just looked back into her eyes silently, as if she could read her every thought. Reva shifted uncomfortably and looked away.

Just then, the navicomputer screen beeped. Reva stood up and peered at it, her eyebrows furrowing.

"We're going to need to stop and refuel," she announced. "I'm landing the ship."

"But Vader's chasing us," Leia said fearfully. "We need to hurry and get to Alderaan as fast as possible!"

"I know that," Reva replied. "You have to understand, your home planet is right in the core of the galaxy. Right now, we are on the Outer Rim. It could take us days, even weeks to get there. We'd be lucky if we didn't run out of fuel before Corellia."

"Then where are we going to stop?"

"Vader will expect us to proceed in a straight path," Reva frowned. "I'm going to make a detour and head to Tatooine. No one will look for us there."

"How are we going to get fuel? This is an Imperial ship," Leia exclaimed. "If the sand people in Tatooine catch us, they'll try to shoot us down and sell us as slaves!"

"I'll land us somewhere in the sand on the outskirts of town. All we have to do is grab a tank and bring it to the ship ourselves. We'll be gone before anyone catches a wind of us," Reva replied.

The ship groaned slightly and thudded forward as Reva took it out of hyperspace. Now that it had entered the gravitational field of Tatooine, the ship bobbed slightly and orbited it. Leia put her face right on the transparent glass panes, smushing her nose against it so she could see better. They were now approaching a dusty-yellow planet, orbiting around two scorching-bright twin suns.

"Hold on tight. I'm landing us now," Reva grunted, pulling a lever.

Immediately, the ship's repulsorlift drives roared to life and started to propel them towards the planet.

"Careful," Reva warned. "The transparisteel can get pretty hot when the sand makes impact with it at high speeds. Don't touch it."

Leia immediately removed her face from the windows and Reva strapped her back into her chair. Seconds later, they were now soaring descending rapidly. Leia tried to see through the whirl of sand and dust, but it was too cloudy for her to distinguish anything. She held on tightly to the seatbelt of her chair as they moved through the outer atmosphere of Tatooine, doing their best to hold still patiently.

Once the ship had breached the atmosphere, Leia let out the breath she was holding and gazed around them. All she could see for miles around them was flat, empty sand dunes.

"There's no one here," she said.

"That's the idea," Reva replied. "No cliffs, no tents, no outcroppings...no Jawas or Tusken Raiders to pop up on us and steal our hyperdrive." She then stood up, tugging her cloak back around herself in a sort of makeshift poncho that did nothing to disguise her Inquisitor's uniform. "I have a speeder bike stowed away in the back that we can use. Come with me."

Leia nodded and followed her quietly. Reva walked briskly towards the speeder bike and easily lifted the heavy vehicle then set it down using the Force. She frowned, puzzling over the best way to fit the both of them for a second, then turned towards Leia. "You wear this," she said firmly, thrusting the helmet into Leia's hands.

"But I-"

"Wear it!" Reva snapped, and Leia obeyed. The helmet was still much too large for her small head, though. Reva motioned impatiently at her to come closer and adjusted the chin straps for her. "Better?" she asked.

Leia frowned, picking at the part where the chinstrap was digging slightly into her neck. "It hurts," she whined.

"Well, it'll just have to do," Reva said sternly. "Come on," she held out her hands to Leia. Quietly, Leia nodded and allowed her to lift her into the chair. Once she was comfortably seated, Reva climbed into the seat behind her and activated the engine. It revved to life with a loud purr. "Alright, ready princess?"

Leia gingerly placed her hands on the steering handles before her and tightened her grip on them. "Ready," she echoed.

With that, Reva slammed down hard on the gas pedal and they set off. Leia clung tightly to the front of the speeder, and for a few seconds Reva kept looking down at her and braking. However, once it became clear that Leia was smiling, she readjusted and increased the speed.

As they moved past the dunes, Leia gasped and pointed at a crest in the sand where some creature's enormous fin could be seen poking out.

"Look!" she exclaimed. "What is that?"

"Sand whale," Reva replied. "They're the main economy here. You'll get used to it."

Leia watched as the whale moved smoothly through the sand and eventually disappeared.

Soon, the sands parted and a small whaling town came into view. Leia squinted and wiped off her visor, trying to see past the clouds of whirling sand that the speeder's repulsorlifts kept kicking up.

"How do you keep the sand from getting in your eyes?" she yelled over the loud breeze.

"Force," Reva replied simply.

Leia rolled her eyes. She should have guessed as much.

Once they were at the entrance, Reva parked the speeder and locked it down.

"Where is this?" Leia asked.

"This is called Anchorhead," Reva replied. "It's just a few clicks away from Mos Eisley. We'll be safer here, it's nice and discrete. They'll have some fuel and water that we can take back to the ship. Remember, we are trying to keep a low profile, so try not to draw any attention-"

"Are you sure that cloak is going to work?" Leia asked. "It's not really doing much to hide your identity," she blurted out.

"Shhh," Reva hushed her. "If anyone asks, you have to tell them that-"

"You're an Inquisitor, who is going to question you?" Leia asked. "Just pretend you apprehended me and you're taking me into custody to have my Midichlorian count checked. There!"

Reva blinked and closed her mouth slowly.

"You're smarter than I thought," she narrowed her eyes. "Didn't expect that from someone of your size."

"Hey! I may be small, but I'm not stupid," Leia twisted up her face at her and held out her hand. Reva rolled her eyes and begrudgingly took it.

With that, the two of them walked into the town together. Reva grabbed the hood of Leia's zeyd cloth cloak and covered her head with it. A few of the locals eyed them strangely, but most of them looked away as Reva's glare proved to be just as piercing as the last time she had visited.

"What?" Reva asked when she noticed Leia staring at her as well.

"You've been here before," she said. "Everyone is already afraid of you."

"I was just doing my job," Reva retorted. Just then, they almost ran into a woman carrying some ceramic jugs of greenish-brown sludge that smelled awful. The woman glared at Reva and purposefully bumped her shoulder against hers, spilling some of the slop onto her. Reva balked and glowered at her as the woman briskly walked away.

"Did you see that?" Leia asked. "That lady had only one hand! What happened to her other one?"

"Yeah, well, she's probably just saving up to buy a prosthetic one."

Leia squinted at her suspiciously. "It kinda looks like she had it in for you. Did you do something to get on her bad side?"

"No," Reva lied. Leia turned away, not believing this at all.

Eventually, they finally arrived at the water stall that Reva was looking for. "Two cups," Reva ordered imperiously.  "One for me and one for the child."  

As they approached the vendor, however, they heard a growl from behind them.

"Back of the line, Inquisitor," someone grunted from behind them. Leia and Reva only had a second before a tall, dust-covered man shoved himself between them and attempted to cut in front of them.

Reva whirled around. "That's Grand Inquisitor to you," she snapped at the weathered sand whaler. "And excuse me, we were here first!" 

Groff Ditcher simply looked at her with an unimpressed expression on his face. "Whatever," he replied apathetically before moving in front of her and grabbing one of the metal cups. The vendor simply nodded and allowed him to help himself to the hydro tank.

Reva's jaw dropped with indignation, but Leia yanked on her hand.

"He's not worth it," Leia hissed.

"He's using up all of our water," Reva sneered.

"Yeah, probably so he can bathe," Leia retorted. "Look how smelly and dirty he is."

Groff Ditcher suddenly stopped filling his water cup and turned around, facing them. Dardin Shull glanced between him and Reva nervously. The other people in line also began to shuffle away awkwardly.

"What did you say about me?" Groff glared at the small girl, drawing himself to his full height.

Leia also straightened her back and made eye contact with him.

"I said, you look like an ugly, stinky, gross Wookie," Leia replied, "Only I would much rather stand in the same room as a Wookie than you!"

Dardin Shull's jaw dropped. All of the sand whalers immediately looked away as Groff Ditcher's face grew red and a visible vein could be seen protruding from his neck. "Do you know who I am, little girl?" Groff Ditcher spat. "Do you know we do here on Tatooine with impertinent little runts who can't keep their mouths shut? I could have you shipped off and sent to Zygerria for speaking to me like that," he snarled.

"Well whatever it is, it can't be a worse punishment than looking at your face!" Leia yelled.

Groff Ditcher growled and started to step towards them. Dardin Shull looked over helplessly, and all of the sand whalers shuddered or closed their eyes.

Nobody talked back to Groff Ditcher. Not if they wanted to return home for dinner.

Reva snarled and reached for her lightsaber, but just then there was a faint whistling sound as something flew through the air and Groff Ditcher cried out, stumbling backwards and frantically pawing at his face.

Reva and Leia immediately swiveled around.

Across from them, a moisture farmer quickly slipped his hand back into his robes.

Reva opened her mouth, but she barely had a moment to react before Groff Ditcher roared angrily. "Who just threw that rock?" he demanded loudly. "I will have you terminated and blacklisted immediately! Come out and show yourself!"

Just then, Dardin Shull quietly cleared his throat. "Sir, if you're not going to pay for your water, then I'm going to have to ask you to move to the back of the line," he said.

Groff Ditcher turned around and glared at him. As the head of all sand whaling operations, he held an important position...but as a water vendor, Dardin Shull was even more integral. Ditcher grunted and slammed the water cup back down, causing most of its contents to fly everywhere. With a final angry glare, he turned around and stomped off furiously.

Reva immediately grabbed Leia and moved forwards. "Two cups, and a tank to last us to the Core system," she commanded.

"I don't have that much on me, sorry," Dardin Shull replied.

"What do you mean you don't have water, you stupid merchant? You're a water vendor, for crying out loud!" Reva snapped.

Just then, behind them, Reva heard someone clear their throat.

"If it's water you need," Owen Lars said quietly, "I can help with that."

Reva stared at him, silent with shock. She had never thought in a million years that the farmer she threatened would look her way, much less offer to help her. As she scrutinized him, trying to determine if this was some sort of elaborate ruse, Owen looked behind him and cleared his throat nervously.

"But, you're going to have to hurry. I'm afraid you got some people on your tail."

Reva hesitated. Leia looked between the two of them with a confused expression.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked Reva impatiently. "He said he's offering to help us, hurry up!"

Reva looked down at Leia. Then, she looked at Owen. He kept his back ramrod straight and stood completely still. "Fine," she replied. "But if you dare to turn us in-"

"I wouldn't," Owen interrupted her. "I know a thing or two about keeping a secret."

Reva begrudgingly nodded and pulled her cloak around her shoulders in a sort of poncho, hiding her face. "We'll follow you," she said.

Owen nodded and turned around. "Fine with me. It's only a short ride." Reva and Leia followed him as he brought them to his bantha and helped them climb onto it.

"Put your helmet back on," Reva said sternly. Leia ignored her in favor of patting the bantha, whose thick fur and woolly hide was fascinating to her.

"Careful, sweetheart," Owen warned her gently as he reached up and started to buckle her into the harness. "You need to hold on tight, just like this with both hands. Otherwise you'll fall off." Leia eagerly grabbed onto its fur and buried her hands in it.

"Why are you helping us?" Reva suddenly asked as she climbed on behind Leia and held onto her shoulders, making sure to steady her. "Did someone put you up to this?" she asked suspiciously.

"No reason," Owen replied. "Saw you had a charge. Got one myself."

Reva looked down at Leia, who was patting the bantha and cooing happily. "She's not mine."

"Yes she is," Owen retorted. "You got only one helmet between the two of you, and she's wearing it."

"It's just to hide her face."

Owen shrugged. "If you say so," he replied, grabbing the bantha's reins and starting to lead it away.

Leia grinned and looked around, watching as they trudged through the sand. "Where did you get him?" she asked Owen eagerly.

"He is actually a girl," Owen replied. "Easy mistake, since both the boys and girls have horns. We thought she was a male too when we first bought her, until we tried to breed her and realized it wasn't working. But we decided to keep her anyways."

"What's her name?"

"Berfa."

"Berfa," Leia said delightedly. "Berfa, Berfa," she repeated as she continued to pat the bantha.

"What a stupid name," Reva snorted. "Whose idea was it to call her that? It sounds like a child made it up."

"My son did."

Reva closed her mouth. Leia looked up at her, curious.

"I'm sorry," Reva murmured. Owen did not respond, but he did not need to. Farmers did not mince their words.

"She's a good girl," he said, speaking again suddenly. "But she's a bit old for the farm. I'm thinking of selling her next year and getting a land speeder instead."

"I see," Reva said quietly.

Soon, they fell into a slightly less tense silence. Leia leaned forward and buried her face into the bantha's soft wool, dozing off. Reva looked down and wordlessly covered her with her cloak again so the sun wouldn't burn her face. Owen continued to look off into the distance, occasionally whistling a farmer's tune to pass the time.

Within no time, the Lars homestead finally appeared before them. Reva groaned and rubbed her leg that had fallen asleep, thankful to be able to finally descend. She hesitated a few seconds before tapping her on the back. Leia groaned, but did not stir.

"Luke!" Owen called out. A boy's voice answered him a few seconds later, yelling from one of the small sun-bleached buildings. "Tell Beru that we have guests!"

Reva shuddered slightly. "Are you sure they'll be okay with seeing me?" she asked.

Owen shrugged. "If you try anything funny," he warned, "I still have a blaster stowed away for emergencies."

"Alright, noted," Reva replied, lifting up a drowsy Leia by her waist and shushing her as she started to fuss from being woken up. "Wouldn't want any trouble."

Chapter Text

"Luke, can you please grab our guests something to eat?" Beru called out.

Reva barely stepped back in time before a small blond boy sprinted across the small homestead, kicking up a small cloud of sand and pebbles after him. It was all over before she could even register what had just happened. She turned to look at Owen curiously, but he just shook his head.

"He's a hasty little flyboy," he muttered. "Reckon he'll be clamoring to join the Academy before the rest of his baby teeth are out."

Reva nodded quietly, stumbling awkwardly as she tried not to trip on her cloak. As she entered the small dining area, a woman with her hair tied in a bun came to greet them. As soon as she saw Reva, her smile vanished and her face hardened.

"Hello, Miss Inquisitor," Beru said cautiously. "Do you have some business with our humble moisture farm?"

"No," Reva said, trying to hide her face as she wrapped her cloak around herself. "We're, uh, defectors from the Empire," she said, holding Leia close to her by the shoulders. Beru's eyes turned to look at Leia, before she looked back up at Reva and nodded.

"I see," she said. "Well, you're welcome to stay here for...as long as you need," she inhaled shakily, looking over at Owen. Owen walked over and put his hand on her shoulder firmly.

"Everything will be alright," he said, echoing her thoughts out loud. "Let's just prepare them a quick meal, get them some water tanks, and they'll be on their way."

"We'll also need some fuel," Reva added.

"I can grab some at Mos Eisley for you," Owen replied. "Go, get on," he motioned towards the entryway. Reva and Leia quietly walked in the direction he had pointed out to them.

As Reva ducked low so she could pass under the small ceiling of the humble Lars abode, she saw the same blond boy peeking out curiously from behind an empty water jug at them. As soon as they made eye contact, he immediately scurried away and disappeared. Leia, who had been grumpily rubbing the sleep from her eyes, stopped and stared at him with a keen look of interest on her face.

"Oh, look," Reva said condescendingly. "They've even got a kid your age."

Owen came up behind them and put his hand on Leia's shoulder. "Why don't you run along and explore a bit?" he asked. "Your friend and I will sit here and talk for a bit."

Leia nodded quietly and ran off in the same direction that the blond kid vanished. Owen motioned for Reva to sit, then walked over to the door and closed it behind him. As he did so, most of the natural light filtering into the small room was closed off. Owen then walked over and sat across from her, holding his hands clasped in front of him.

"You still got that laser stick?" he asked quietly.

Reva looked down at her waist and then looked back up at him. "Is it a problem if I do?" she asked.

"I'd just prefer to talk confidentially," Owen replied. "Man-to-man. If you get what I mean."

Reva sighed and unclipped the lightsaber, handing it over to him. Owen kicked it over and threw it away from them, where it landed on the floor and slid away. "Hey, that's expensive!" Reva protested.

"No matter," Owen replied. "That fancy gadget won't get you anything here, except the bad kind of attention that you don't want."

Reva grunted and forced herself to inhale slowly. "So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked impatiently.

"Nothing much," Owen replied, his face barely lit by the small amount of light pouring through the window holes. "Just wanted to know how you came upon the girl, Miss Inquisitor."

Reva paused, then suddenly it dawned on her.

"Wait," she said. "This is...this is an interrogation, isn't it?" she demanded. She stood up, but Owen blocked her way. She tried to summon her lightsaber using the Force, but Owen grabbed it out of the air before she could and held it away from her.

"I just want to ask some questions, that's all," Owen said calmly.

Reva sat back down irritably. "I did not steal the girl, if that's what you're going to accuse me of."

"Haven't said anything about stealing yet," Owen replied.

"Fine," Reva rolled her eyes and threw her hands up. "Ask away, I have nothing to hide," she crossed her arms and sat back down.

Owen nodded. "That's the answer I'd like to hear."

Leia walked off in the same direction that the blond boy had disappeared, trying to figure out where he had gone.

For some reason, the instant she had seen him, she felt a strange vibration through the Force, as if something had resonated the instant they made eye contact. It was something she had never felt before. She wondered what it could possibly mean, and if it was possible to sense the same sort of resonance from someone else. She wished Ben or Ahsoka was there to explain it to her. Her stomach dropped slightly as she remembered that for a brief few moments, she had been able to hug Ahsoka, right before she disappeared to go rescue Ben. Leia stopped walking in the sand and panted, wiping the sweat off her forehead. She was hot, and getting dehydrated again already.

As she stared off into the empty sand dunes, she felt her legs give out and she sat down on the hot sand, flinching slightly as it burned her. She tried to gather her robes around her so the cloth would prevent her skin from directly touching the sand, but she was still intensely comfortable. She began to wish that her clothes weren't all black.

Just then, she heard a soft rustling and turned around. There, watching her from a distance was the same boy.

Leia cleared her throat hesitantly.

"Hello," she said slowly. "I'm Leia. Who are you?"

The boy stared silently at her.

"Do you know how to talk?" Leia asked bluntly.

The boy nodded.

"What's your name?"

The boy opened his mouth. "I'm Luke," he said slowly.

"I see," Leia said. "How old are you, Luke?" she asked formally, following the protocol that her father had taught her for meeting foreign dignitaries.

"I'm eleven."

"I'm eleven, too," Leia said suddenly. "When's your birthday?"

"Just two days after Empire Day," Luke replied.

Leia's jaw dropped. "Wait, that's my birthday too!" she exclaimed. "We're born on the same day," she immediately moved closer to him. "We must have some kind of special connection, if we both share the same birthday," she declared.

Luke grinned shyly. "But, you're different, aren't you?" he pointed out. "You're from another planet. And your clothes are made of synthsilk," he pointed out. "You must be some kind of royal queen or something."

"Princess, actually," Leia retorted. "My mother is the Queen of Alderaan, and my dad is a Senator."

"Wow," Luke said. "I thought Senators were all slobs who sat in a circle and twiddled their thumbs and don't know their way around an evaporator."

Leia glared at him. "They are not!" she exclaimed. "Senators are hugely important, they are the ones who regulate the Empire to prevent corruption from gangs and murderers and smugglers and-"

Luke blinked. "You mean, like the ones at Jundland Wastes?" he asked. "Do they have a plan for how to deal with those guys?"

"Well, I guess they probably wouldn't have much influence out here," Leia admitted, blushing with embarrassment. "But! I heard they're trying to expand to the Outer Rim!"

Luke shook his head. "Wouldn't do much good here," he replied. "Politicians ain't anything special on Tatooine. People only care about what you have to show with your fists," he nodded.

Leia furrowed her eyebrows and puzzled silently over his words, trying to process what she had just heard. She had never lived anywhere beyond the Empire's reach, much less a self-governed world ruled by its own chaotic ecosystem. Luke observed her confusion for a few seconds, then took pity on her.

"It's alright," he said. "I expect a princess from 'Alderaan' wouldn't know very much about Tatooine. We're out pretty far from the rest of the Galaxy," he explained. "Most of the Core Worlds think we're just poor, stupid hicks who couldn't tell a Shaak from an Eopie. Some people think we can't even read."

Leia frowned. "But that doesn't make any sense. Just because you live further away doesn't mean you're dumb," she said bluntly. "You're clearly just as bright as them, if you're able to survive in this place."

Luke shrugged shyly. He looked down at the japoor snippet hanging from her neck curiously. "What's that?" he asked.

"What's what?" Leia blinked. "You mean my necklace?"

"Yeah," Luke said. "That's japoor. That means it was made by someone from here," he exclaimed.

"Is it?" Leia took it off and examined the wooden carving more closely. "I don't really know where it's from or what it means," she admitted. "I just got it as a gift from my friend Ben, and he-"

"Old Ben?" Luke asked, and Leia froze. "You mean you got that from him?"

Leia stopped and lowered her hands. "Wait, who are you talking about?" she asked, confused.

"Old Ben," Luke repeated. "He's the weird old man who lives in a cave by himself. My Uncle says he's just a crazy old wizard and not to talk to him," he explained. "Although sometimes, I've seen them talking to each other about something. Never could quite understand what it was about."

Leia frowned suddenly. "Does he have a scruffy old beard, like this?" she asked, using her hands to demonstrate what she meant. "And does he always kinda smell like spoiled meat?"

"Yes!" Luke exclaimed. "That's him, Old Ben. I think he does work at a meat station, actually," he said suddenly. "Wait, how do you know him? I thought Uncle Owen said he didn't have any friends."

Leia gritted her teeth. "It's kind of a long story," she said.

Luke grinned, flashing her an endearing smile that was missing a tooth or two. "I'm game to hear it," he replied eagerly.

"Are you sure?" Leia asked. "Most people won't even believe half of the stuff I'm going to say."

Luke shrugged. "Well, either way, I'm sure it beats adjusting moisture carburetors all day," he declared.

"I see," Owen said slowly. "So...Kenobi put you up to this," he said slowly. "Funny. I didn't think he had it in him."

"Yes," Reva replied. "Has a habit of dumping his business onto others, if you get my drift."

Owen snorted. "Don't I know it," he said. "But more importantly...what made you agree to this?" he asked carefully. "Last time we spoke, you threatened to cut off my head. Now you're running errands for my crazy old brother-in-law. It's like I'm talking to a completely different person."

Reva winced. "I...apologize," she said, fighting the urge to stand up and leave instead of finishing the conversation. Her hand itched for her lightsaber. She had to restrain herself from using the Force to summon it back into her hands. "I was...misguided," she muttered. "I'm sorry for threatening to hurt your son. I would never do anything like that now."

Owen did not look convinced. "What made you change your mind?"

"I..." Why am I putting up with this? I should be the one making threats and interrogating HIM. "I have something to protect now," Reva said. "Someone, that is."

Owen blinked slowly.

"The girl, huh?" he asked. "What is your relationship with her, exactly?"

Reva paused, stumped.

Former captor turned guardian? Ex-jailer and adopted niece? Babysitter and hand-biter?

"It's complicated," she muttered, tugging her sleeve down to cover her arm.

"I see. You feel guilty about letting her fall into Vader's hands, so you want to make it up to her by bringing the child home. Is that it?"

Reva wanted to roll her eyes. "If that's what you want to believe."

"I don't know what to believe," Owen said coldly.

He raised his hand, and Reva saw that he was holding a knife. Not the kind used for fighting, but one for cutting meat. Every sand whaler on Tatooine probably owned one. Still, her pulse quickened slightly at the sight of it. Owen reached into his pocket again and pulled out a hunk of blue bantha cheese, which he then proceeded to cut. Reva's stomach grumbled.

"Are you hungry?" Owen asked.

Reva fought to quell the ungodly noises that her starved body was making. "No," she lied.

"Hm," Owen said. "I gotta say, you're not making a good case for yourself. You can't even tell the truth in the simplest of situations," he pointed out. "That's why we have a saying here on Tatooine, never trust an Inquisitor as far as you can throw them."

Just you try it, Reva thought spitefully. I'll throw you twice as far, moisture boy.

Owen finished cutting the cheese and placed a small chunk of it on the table, right between them. "Have some," he said. "I don't have a habit of starving guests."

"Well I don't either," Reva retorted. An awkward silence followed. "Thank you," she said stiffly, reaching out and taking some cheese. It honestly tasted quite awful, but she did her best not to make a face as she chewed.

"And where are you headed with the girl, then?"

"Alderaan."

"Alderaan?" Owen frowned and furrowed both his eyebrows together. "So far away?"

"It's what Kenobi ordered me to do."

"That's all the way in the Core Worlds...the Empire will catch up to you long before you even reach Corellia."

"I don't care," Reva spat. "I have a mission and I intend to fulfill it."

"You can leave the girl here," Owen replied. "We'll keep her hidden. And we'll take good care of her. I know Luke would be happy to have someone his own age to talk to during the harvest season."

"It's not my choice. She wants to be with her father."

Owen raised his hands in surrender. "Fine," he said slowly. "Well, I'm not one to separate a family." A few moments passed awkwardly. "So, you're no longer with the Empire, then? Or are you going to crawl back to them the instant you leave my farm?"

"For the last time, no!"

"You keep saying that," Owen bent over and picked up the lightsaber, cautiously running his hands over it. He paused before looking her in the eye unsteadily. "But I still don't know if I can trust you."

"Well I don't know if I can trust you either," Reva replied. Owen's grip tightened on the saber and he lovered his hand. Reva resisted the urge to snatch it back, feeling her eyebrow twitch with annoyance. "I'll just head outside, get the girl, and we'll be on our way," she gritted through her teeth.

"She could stay with us," Owen said. "We know how to keep her safe."

"I'm safe too," Reva protested.

"How do I know that, Miss Inquisitor?"

Reva narrowed her eyes. "Are you saying you don't believe me?" she demanded. When he didn't respond, she immediately stood up. "Oh, so that's what ths is all about, isn't it?" she snarled. "You don't trust me, so you invited me to your home with the pretense of introducing me to your son when all you really wanted to do was snatch Leia away from me," she pointed a finger accusatorily.

Owen stood up and met her eye directly. "I had no choice," he bit back, "I wasn't sure if you'd just let her come with me if I asked you to."

"You're going to regret bringing me here, old man," Reva hissed, raising her hand and clenching her fist so tightly that her glove began to stretch. "I'll make you wish you never-"

"Do your worst," he replied. "As long as Luke lives, I don't care what happens to me."

Just then, two loud screams echoed through the desolate sands. Owen's face went pale and Reva stepped back, her hand dropping to her side. "Beru!" he screamed, letting go of the lightsaber.

Reva immediately reached down and snatched her weapon up. It thrummed in her hand, relieved to be returned to its master.

"Where's Luke?" Owen demanded, his voice suddenly hollow.

"I don't know!" Beru screamed as she came running into the room, her hair and clothes all astray. "I-I think he went out to the sand flats!"

Owen turned back towards Reva, and she almost gasped from how much his expression had changed. No longer was she facing a gruff, hardened farmer but a horrified, desperate man.

"If we run, we can catch him," Beru said wildly. "I have-I have blasters-"

"No," Reva said suddenly, and both of their heads snapped as they turned to look at her with crazed eyes. "If he ran into my brothers, there's no blasters that could possibly stand a chance against them."

Beru blinked and her gaze hardened. "With all due respect, Miss Inquisitor," she said coldly, "My husband and I could handle one of you, easily."

"Yeah, sure. Maybe if it was just one of us," Reva retorted. "But there is no way you can possibly defeat three professional Inquisitors personally trained by Lord Vader. They'll cut you to pieces, and then they'll force you to watch Luke die in front of your dying bodies."

Owen shuddered and Beru narrowed her eyes, waiting for her to finish.

"I'll go get them," she said. "I...I know what they're like. I've been fighting those bullies for years. I know all of their dirty tricks."

Beru opened her mouth to say something, but just then all three of them were interrupted by the sound of running. Owen's head swiveled around so quickly that Reva feared his neck would snap.

"Luke!" he screamed as Beru immediately opened her arms and rushed to embrace him. "Where's Leia? Is she with you-"

Luke shook his head and sobbed, his small body shaking as Beru tried to calm him down.

Owen turned to face Reva. She immediately clipped her lightsaber to her belt.

"There's not much time," she said. "You need to keep him safe. Let me go after her," she said. "I swear, if you still don't trust me, I'll let her stay with you. You can keep her until Bail Organa arrives."

Owen eyed her with suspicion, still not willing to take her on her offer. But Beru seemed to be seeing her in a different light.

"Okay," she said quietly, her voice low and serious.

Reva inhaled sharply, a bit shocked. Owen also stared at her with wide eyes, unable to believe what she had just agreed to. Beru continued to fix Reva with a focused stare as she held onto Luke with both hands, as if he was the most precious treasure in her life that she would do anything and everything to protect.

"Go find her and bring her back, Miss Inquisitor. Please."

Reva took a deep breath and nodded slowly. When it became too painful to maintain eye contact, she thrust her hood back over her head and began to walk away.

"Wait!" someone called out, and she turned back around. Owen's brows were furrowed, as if he was feeling conflicted. "When you find her, come back immediately! If you're not back by half-sundown, I'll call a rescue squad!"

Reva swallowed and nodded again.

"Thank you," she replied, trying not to let them see how badly her hands were shaking as she unclipped her lightsaber and ignited it. "But I won't be needing one."

And with that, she turned heels and began to sprint out towards the flatlands.

Chapter Text

Reva raced forwards, not willing to waste a single second. An instant could mean the difference between life and death for Leia. Panting hard, she continued to exert her exhausted body and pushed through the pain.

Just as she expected, her siblings were waiting for her out in the middle of the barren flatlands.

"Hello, Reva," Seventh Sister grinned maliciously as Leia yanked on her chains and tried to get away from her unsuccessfully. "Long time no see," she crooned.

"Hey, that's my kid!" Reva shouted. "Get your hands off her, or get your own!"

"Aw, that's no way to greet your favorite older Sister," Seventh Sister replied mockingly, her voice dripping with fake disappointment. "What happened to hello? How are you?"

"I'll kill you," Reva snapped. "What did you do to her?"

"Oh, I caught this little brat wandering the wastelands," Seventh Sister crooned, grabbing Leia's shoulder and pulling her closer. Leia shuddered and tried to lean as far away from her lightsaber as possible. "Thought I fancied myself a mother. What do you think? Would we make a good family?" she cackled.

Reva withdrew her lightsaber threateningly. "Let go of her, or I'll make you."

"Well, what if I don't want to?" Seventh Sister asked. "I think she'd be much better off with me," she smirked. "Vader is offering quite a handsome reward for the first real Inquisitor who can bring her back to him."

"Well, I found her first!" Reva growled. "So I'm afraid you're going to have to go through me."

"My pleasure," Seventh Sister replied. She brought her comlink up to her face and pressed a button to activate it. "How's the search going, Brother?"

"Negative," Fifth Brother's voice echoed through speaker. "Still can't find a trace of the farmer or the boy." Reva exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Forget that, I have something much more interesting," Seventh Sister replied. "Come back to the flatlands. Now."

"Why?"

"I'm holding a family reunion," Seventh Sister smiled. "You wouldn't want to miss out on celebrating the return of our dear Reva, wouldn't you?"

Fifth Brother paused. "I suppose I wouldn't," he muttered sarcastically.

"Did I mention, Vader decided to go ahead and put a bounty on her? We can sweeten the deal and bring in twice as much than our initial offer," Seventh Sister added.

"I'm in."

"Wonderful," Seventh Sister grinned, satisfied.

"What's all this about?" Reva demanded.

Seventh Sister just laughed. "All will be explained in good time."

Just then, the Fifth Brother came into and descended from his repulsorlift transporter. He narrowed his eyes at Reva immediately once he made eye contact with her. "You," he growled.

"Yeah, yeah, you're not too easy on the eyes either," Reva spat. "Anyways, what are you talking about? Why would Vader put a bounty on me? I'm his best man," she protested.

Fifth Brother looked over at Seventh Sister. "She really doesn't know," he remarked. "She's even stupider than I thought."

Reva frowned. Seventh Sister just laughed loudly, relishing how self-conscious the words made her feel.

"Oh, you weren't aware?" the Seventh Sister smirked as she activated her lightsaber. It whirred to life in her hand, spinning dangerously. "I suppose you haven't been checking your comlink as often as you should be." She turned to Fifth Brother, a sinister grin on her face. "What a pity. No one has told her the news."

"What news?" Reva snarled.

"Don't worry, Reva, I'll tell you. It's high time we let you in on our little secret," Seventh Sister motioned smugly. There, lying on the lapel of her uniform was a red-and-black metal emblem. Reva gasped and looked down at her chest. They were both wearing the same badge. "Vader has appointed me his new Grand Inquisitor."

"That's...impossible," Reva said, though deep down she should have already known. Her stomach began to feel queasy. "Why would he...he wouldn't...!"

"That's right," Seventh Sister replied brightly. "You've been replaced."

"Vader is sick of your weakness," Fifth Brother spat. "He has no more use for a has-been like you."

"I guess you could say you've been...retired? Forcefully demoted? You know what happens to Inquisitors who lose favor, don't you?"

Reva growled and ignited her lightsaber, the blade bursting to life and spinning rapidly. "Inquisitors do not retire," she sneered. "They are terminated."

"Correct," Seventh Sister replied. "In that case, I hope you won't have any hard feelings about this."

"On the contrary," Reva replied. "I thought this day would never come soon enough."

With that, she started to sprint towards the Seventh Sister, swinging at her head. Seventh Sister just cackled and pushed Leia in front of her. Reva immediately stumbled and nearly lost her balance as she was forced to swerve to the side to avoid hitting her. Fifth Brother then made a thrust towards her waist while Seventh Sister turned and ran. Reva barely dodged Fifth Brother's jab and rushed after Seventh Sister, panting as she started to get tripped up by the sandy terrain.

"Aw, poor, poor Reva," Seventh Sister taunted as she shoved Leia away from her. "After all these years, you're still the slowest of the pack."

Leia stumbled and was caught by Fifth Brother, who grabbed onto her shoulders so tightly that she cried out in pain. Fifth Brother let go of her with one hand while continuing to hold her in place with the other, his right hand unusually strong for a Pau'an. Leia soon realized that she could feel something underneath his black gloves, something that reminded her oddly of Vader.

"I wonder what Trilla would say if she saw you like this?" Seventh Sister mused as she looked down at Reva, towering over her. "Oh...that's right, she's dead isn't she?"

Reva's face darkened. "Take that back," she snarled.

Seventh Sister smirked. "Did you know, the only reason Vader decided to promote you...was because of her death? How ironic. Everything you've ever attained is all thanks to the deaths of those who foolishly protected and stuck their necks out for you. Even your poor, foolish sister."

"She was more of a sister to me than you ever were, that's for sure," Reva gritted her teeth. "You're all just a bunch of cowards. You couldn't imagine a life without stepping on someone else, so you turned to the Dark Side to save your own skin."

"Indeed, although you're no different from us," Seventh Sister retorted. "There's a reason we call you the Butcher, you know?" she laughed. "After all, you never properly learned how to earn others' respect, so the best you could do was take off arms until someone listened to you." Leia blinked and stared at Reva. Reva faltered slightly, then turned away and tightened her grip on her lightsaber.

"I'm different now," Reva breathed. "I'm not like you."

"Oh?" Seventh Sister drawled. "You think you're...better than us?"

"Yes," Reva panted. "I don't need any of your cheap tricks to get what I want," she snarled. "Let go of the girl, and fight me properly. I'll show you."

Seventh Sister turned to Fifth Brother. Reluctantly, he released Leia and she ran from him. Seventh Sister stretched out her hand and Leia tripped, collapsing into a heap of sand. Reva swallowed, feeling a nervous lump in a throat. However, her attention was quickly drawn away as she heard the sound of Fifth Brother unsheathing his lightsaber.

"Fine with me," he growled. "I'm in the mood for a fight."

He immediately charged Reva and swung at her. Reva shrieked and ducked out of the way, spinning back around to build momentum, but he was too strong and easily overpowered her. Reva fell back and was thrown towards Seventh Sister, clashing lightsabers with her instantly. Reva struggled as Seventh Sister grunted, aiming several slashes downwards in an attempt to break her block. Reva drew back and swiveled around, trading blows with Fifth Brother as Seventh Sister smacked her lightsaber, activating its second spinning. She tried to dodge but Fifth Brother held out his hand and used the Force to keep her in place, paralyzed.

"I always wondered why Second Sister wasted so much energy protecting you, when she could've been working towards being promoted to Grand Inquisitor herself," Seventh Sister murmured. Reva gasped and struggled to deflect her blade as it spun dangerously close to her neck, almost decapitating her. "Now I see that she was merely weak. Her weakness is what held her back, which ultimately led to her downfall," she growled. "You were her weakness."

Reva fought back against her, panting heavily. "No," she grunted.

"It doesn't matter whether you agree with me," Seventh Sister growled. "All that matters is, when this is all over, there will be only one true Grand Inquisitor standing. And I will be the one to take your pretty little princess back to Vader and be rewarded in full."

Fifth Brother frowned. "Wait, what about-"

"Silence!" Seventh Sister snapped at him. "I did not order you to speak!"

Fifth Brother grunted in annoyance and closed his mouth. Seventh Sister turned off the spinning mode and lowered her lightsaber. Reva also lowered her blade, breathing heavily from exertion. "I'm disappointed," Seventh Sister muttered. "I was expecting more."

Reva took some steps back and held out her double-sided blade in front of her with both hands. "You leave Trilla out of your mouth," she said, her arms trembling as she entered a defensive stance. "She would have been a much better Grand Inquisitor than you could ever hope to be. You're just jealous that Vader took notice of her first."

Seventh Sister looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. "That stance," she said. "Where did you learn that?"

"From my Master," Reva replied.

Seventh Sister snorted. "You? Taking on a Master? Don't be ridiculous," she scowled. "Who would even train you? Kenobi?"

"No," Reva said. "A friend," she said, slowly moving her feet apart to stabilize herself.

From her spot on the ground, Leia stopped crawling away and looked over her shoulder to see Reva split her lightsaber into two pieces and hold them using a reverse grip the same that Ahsoka had. She hesitated, looking up at Reva, but Reva broke their eye contact and turned to face the Seventh Sister.

"My, my," Seventh Sister observed. "Looks like your friend taught you some new tricks."

"Fancy tricks," Fifth Brother sneered, "But can they hold up in an actual fight?"

"Hold up, my ass," Reva bit back. "You're just a bunch of cowards who over rely on the Force because you have no actual combat abilities."

Fifth Brother growled and reached out for her, using his right hand to grab her wrist from behind. Reva cried as she felt metal fingertips digging into her skin, threatening to crush her bones with their mechanical strength.

"You're not the only one with fancy tricks, you know. I could break off your entire arm if I wanted to," he hissed in her ear, his hand creeping slowly towards her lightsaber hilt to shut it off.

Reva panted and jabbed her other lightsaber backwards at him. Fifth Brother cried out, letting go, and she barely wrenched her hand out of his grip before running a few paces away. "Not so fast," she said. "I was promised a real fight. When do you plan to deliver?"

"She does have a point," Seventh Sister sneered. "Let's not keep her waiting, Brother."

"Agreed," Fifth Brother scowled and entered an offensive stance. "Let's finish this now. Vader is waiting for us."

With a loud shout, Seventh Sister charged forward and rammed her lightsaber against Reva's two blades. Reva struggled and crossed her blades in front of her defensively, creating a block. Seventh Sister spun around and swung at her legs, causing Reva to jump into the air and flip fast enough that she managed to kick Fifth Brother's head before he could react. Fifth Brother yelled out and lost his balance, but Reva landed a few feet away and powered up, started spinning both of her blades aggressively. By the time Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister both charged her, Reva had built up enough momentum that she managed to knock both of their lightsabers out of their hands. Seventh Sister growled and swiveled around, using the Force to summon her saber back into her hands.

"I see you've learned a thing or two about Ataru," she sneered. "Bit of a late start, if you ask me. But no matter. I've been doing flips and spins for longer than you could walk, Sister. You can't possibly hope to defeat me at my own game."

"Really?" Reva asked mock-innocently. "Funny, because I could've sworn the female Jedi Master you came running to me to complain about did exactly that."

Seventh Sister's face flushed and darkened to a deeper shade of green. "You...you..." she stammered angrily, realization dawning upon her. "You traitor!" she spat. "I knew you were conspiring with the Jedi," she panted. "Lord Vader was RIGHT to not trust you!"

Reva spun around and aimed a back-swing at her neck. Fifth Brother reached out with his hand and immobilized her using the Force again. Reva struggled for a few moments, then closed her eyes and concentrated. Before he could react, she reopened her eyes and broke free of his Force barrier. Seventh Sister gasped and stumbled backwards, falling to her feet as Reva aimed a series of kicks and slashes towards her. Fifth Brother snarled and splayed out his hands, intending to use the Force to push her, but Reva drove her blade right through his right hand. Fifth Brother screamed and watched as the black glove and metal melted before his hand, turning into a molten charred mess that started to burn his arm. He let out an angry howl of pain and dropped his lightsaber hilt. Reva immediately kicked it away from him, then stepped on his left hand when he forgot himself and tried to reach for it.

"Uh-uh," Reva sneered. "None of that."

Fifth Brother screamed angrily, and Reva stabbed him right through the side, making sure to cauterize the wound before she withdrew her saber. He let out another cry of pain and collapsed, unmoving. Reva then turned around to face Seventh Sister, who was still lying on the ground paralyzed with fear.

"You're next," Reva announced, pointing her saber at her. "Prepare yourself."

With renewed confidence, she started charging down Seventh Sister and aimed several swings at her. Seventh Sister screamed and crawled backwards, kicking up clouds of sand as she struggled to get away from her. Reva spun around and jabbed her lightsaber at her, leaving small pools of molten glass in her wake. Seventh Sister howled as she barely managed to roll out of the way, accidentally burning herself on the hot liquid sand.

"You should've surrendered while you had the opportunity," Reva remarked.

Seventh Sister grabbed her lightsaber and narrowed her eyes, holding it by the ringed hilt as she activated the spinning contraption. "Not a chance," she hissed, using her legs and the Force to jump back onto her feet and face her.

Reva now knew how to handle the spinning lightsaber. When Seventh Sister swung at her, she backflipped out of the way and then carried out a few strategic blows to her defenses. She could tell that Seventh Sister was growing desperate and starting to rapidly lose her patience. When she made a fatal swing at her head, leaving her lower torso completely open, Reva ducked down and sliced her through the waist. Seventh Sister cried out and let go of the spinning saber, which immediately began to spin out of control. Reva let go of her own hilt and used her arm to direct the spinning weapon out of the way, shutting it off before it hit the ground, then grabbed her other saber with both hands so she could continue to hack at Seventh Sister's armor mercilessly. As she writhed on the ground, the Mirialan screamed and cursed angrily.

"Yield," Reva panted.

"Never," Seventh Sister sneered.

"Have it your way." Reva raised her saber over her head, intending to dismember the Mirialan. It would be enough to incapacitate her without resorting to actually killing her. However, the Seventh Sister had other plans. Raising her hand one final time, she summoned her lightsaber and ignited it, holding it out in front of her.

"I will never surrender to the likes of you," Seventh Sister snarled. "I would rather die."

Reva drew back, expecting her to use the Force to push her over so she could take her down with her, but the Seventh Sister was not interested. Instead, she held onto the ringed hilt with both hands and closed her eyes.

"Goodbye, little sister," she whispered. "It's a shame things had to end this way."

With that, she ignited her blade and reactivated its spinning function.

"No!" Fifth Brother cried out as the red plasma blade jutted out and spun right through her own body, instantly killing her. Reva jumped forward and reached out instinctively, trying to catch her, but it was already too late.

As she stared wide-eyed at the lifeless body in her hands, Fifth Brother screamed as if he himself was the one who had been stabbed through the stomach.

"What have you done to my sister?" he sobbed furiously. "Speak to me! Say something!"

Reva stared down at Seventh Sister, shaking her and trying to rouse her. But it was no use. She was already gone.

"You killed her, you freak!" Fifth Brother wailed. "She's dead!"

Reva let go and the body collapsed back into the sand, creating a small cloud of dust. Silently, she reached down and closed Seventh Sister's eyes. Once she was finished covering the body with sand, she turned around and saw Leia standing several paces away, swaying uncertainly. Hesitantly, she reached out towards her. Leia looked towards Fifth Brother then made her decision and slowly walked towards her.

"Monster!" Fifth Brother howled. "Traitor! Murderer!"

Reva glanced over at him as she helped Leia out of the shackles binding her. "I didn't mean to," she said quietly, although her words were lost on him. Leia reached up and silently took her hand. Reva wrapped her other hand around her, and slowly led her away.

"You will pay for this!" Fifth Brother shouted again. "You may think I have forgotten, but I never will!" he sneered. "I'll tell Vader! I'll tell the Emperor! I will avenge her if it's the last thing I ever do!"

Reva stopped, and Leia also stopped walking and paused next to her. Taking a deep breath, Reva finally turned around and faced him.

"Go ahead," she said. "Tell them. I'll be waiting," she muttered.

Then with that, she turned her back to him and walked away.

"Why did they talk to you like that?" Leia asked bluntly, once they were out of the flatlands. In the distance, they could see the two twin suns blazing a fiery amber red. "What were they talking about, when they said you had a sister? What happened to her?"

"Hm," Reva said, looking away. "We'd better hurry. If we're not out of here by sundown, the sand people will get to us. And then there won't be much left of us to tell the story."

"Don't change the subject," Leia said crossly. "What was all that about? Can't you tell me?"

"I think it's best to not discuss it," Reva replied stiffly.

"But it's important," Leia insisted stubbornly. "That...that lady said that you had a sister. Were you related to her? Maybe she would've known something about your family, if they're still out there."

Reva closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.

"She wasn't my real Sister," she replied. "And I don't want to talk about it, thank you."

"When I was scared, Ben said it was a good idea to discuss what was on our minds," Leia declared. "Whenever there was anything stressful, or...or..."

Reva stared at her blankly. You mean like, when I was holding the two of you captive? Yeah, I'm glad to hear you were able to bond over the experience.

"I mean, Ben also said that the Force will reflect whatever your feelings are at all times," Leia clarified. "So if you are angry, you will find yourself consumed by anger. If you are sad...the Force magnifies it and makes it a thousand times bigger. That's what Ben said to me."

Reva blinked slowly, then sighed. "That does sound like something he would say. Crazy old man," she muttered irritably.

"He's not crazy," Leia said defensively. "Anyways, you didn't answer the question."

"Which one?" Reva asked snarkily.

"Any of them."

Reva wanted to roll her eyes, but she just sighed and her shoulders sagged. "I suppose there's no use in trying to keep it hidden," she muttered. "Let's just say...I wasn't the most popular person in the Inquisitorius. All of us were surviving Jedi that had been turned over to the Emperor, but..." she snarled. "There was something about me that set me apart from them. And not just the fact that I was a runt or a gutter rat."

Leia stared up at her, confused.

"All of them willingly turned to the Dark Side because they wanted this," Reva said bitterly. "They idolized Vader, looked up to him, longed to have him as their Master. All they would talk about at first was how much they were looking forward to being trained by him once the Emperor announced that we would have our first trials."

"And you?"

"I did not," Reva said stiffly. Leia stared at her, taking in her slightly messed-up braid and the baby hairs that had gotten loose and formed a small fuzzy halo around her forehead. Reva swallowed, struggling to piece the words together as the memories slowly came back. "I hated him from the very moment they took me in. They told me that I was to be obedient to him and I refused. I said I would rather die. They told me that I might have to."

Leia continued to stare at her, not breaking eye contact. Reva frowned and turned away.

"Eventually, the others changed tune once they actually started training with him. Sixth Brother would always pick on me, but one day I came back and I saw him limping...because Vader had cut off his leg." Leia's eyes widened slightly. "Then, I noticed that Ninth Sister lost one of her eyes. I asked her about it, thinking maybe she was in pain, and she told me to piss off. As for Fifth Brother...well, you know," she said darkly.

Leia nodded. "His right hand," she said.

"Indeed." Reva exhaled shakily. "But Trilla was different. She was...kind to me. She didn't just see me as another competition to crush. She helped me, took me under her wing and trained me. When she was promoted to Second Sister, I thought I would never see her again, but she promised me that we would. 'Someday, I'll be the Grand Inquisitor, and you'll be my Second Sister,' she said. It was the first time since I left the Jedi Temple that I actually felt a connection to someone, that I felt as if I could trust them," she murmured quietly. "After that, she left for Fortress Inquisitorius."

Reva stopped walking and her face took on an absentminded expression, her eyes glazing over. Leia held her breath, waiting for her to continue.

"But she never did come back."

"What happened?"

"Vader killed her," Reva whispered, a tear slipping out of her eye. "It was like my nightmares of the Jedi Temple all over again. He slaughtered her, just like he killed my friends," she choked back a sob. "Even if I could forgive him for what he did to me, I will never forgive him for killing her."

Leia paused and reached up, pressing her small hand to Reva's arm. Reva looked down scornfully as the small girl began to pet her awkwardly, as if trying to relieve some of the grief from her.

"You don't have to forgive him for anything. You can stay angry with him for as long as you like."

Reva grunted and wiped her tears off, then regretted it instantly as she realized her hands were covered in sand and grit.

"I thought your Jedi friends said anger leads to the Dark Side?"

"It does," Leia replied. "But Ben says that being a Jedi doesn't mean you aren't allowed to have feelings or that you have to be nice to everyone. Sometimes, it's okay to not forgive people."

Reva inhaled deeply. "Hm. Maybe he's onto something," she mumbled. Looking up, she realized that one of the suns had set. "Well, we had better get going. Lars will be wondering where we went, and the last thing we need is a search party drawing the entirety of Tatooine's attention onto us."

Leia nodded. Reva straightened back up and got ready to start walking again. She didn't even notice, but she absentmindedly reached out towards her. Leia silently slipped her hand into Reva's and followed along.

"Are you going to keep being an Inquisitor?" Leia asked quietly. "Or will you change your Path?"

Reva paused. "I don't know." She narrowed her eyes. "Not like I have much of a choice, anymore. Now that Vader's fired me, I won't be able to show my face anywhere within the Mustafar system ever again. Forget returning to the Fortress."

Leia bit her lip. "So, does that mean...you'd consider becoming a Jedi?"

Reva snorted. "As if," she scoffed. "You see this?" she motioned at her red lightsaber. "Jedi don't carry these."

"Ahsoka could heal your kyber crystals for you," Leia perked up. "She told me about it, she did it once after she took her kyber crystals back from an Inquisitor she fought on Raada."

Reva raised an eyebrow. She had heard some rumors about Sixth Brother confronting and losing to a rogue Jedi on Raada. She had heard that ultimately, he died when the kyber crystals in his lightsaber overloaded with energy and exploded. Now that she had met and fought with the same person who sealed his fate, she wasn't surprised at all.

"I didn't know she had sabers of her own," Reva retorted. "Why didn't she bring them?"

"She said she traded them away to rescue someone during a battle just a few years ago," Leia shrugged. "Ahsoka says lightsabers can be replaced, but not people."

Reva nodded silently.

"Why don't you want to become a Jedi?" Leia asked curiously. "Are you worried that you won't be as strong without the Dark Side fueling you?"

Reva hesitated. "That's not it," she replied. "I just...I don't know. The Jedi are all about fighting evil and trying to save every life, and I just don't care about that kind of stuff."

"I know you do care," Leia argued back. "You don't say it out loud, but...I can tell that you do. Even when I was being held prisoner at Vader's, you're the only one that remembered to feed and take care of me. If you didn't stand up to him for me, he probably would never have remembered that human girls need food to live."

Reva sneered. "And how do you know I wasn't just doing it so Vader wouldn't kill me?"

"Because," Leia said, "I'm still standing, aren't I?" She splayed out her arms, taking up as much space as possible. "You could've just as easily handed me in. But you didn't."

"I see," Reva snarked. "Well, it's good to know the Jedi have such a low requirement for turning over a new leaf," she muttered. "I suppose I should be thankful for that."

"Not just that," Leia said. "Obviously, you have to put in the work. Ahsoka told me, being a Jedi is a lot of effort. You need to meditate, and think with your mind, and try to not kill people if you can."

Reva shrugged. "Well, I'm clearly out of a job, so I suppose now is as good of a time as ever to try," she muttered sarcastically.

"That's the spirit," Leia replied.

Within a few minutes, they arrived finally at the farm. Beru immediately saw them and dropped her bucket. Confused, both of them froze as she ran up to them and grabbed Leia, hugging her tightly. Leia's eyes widened with surprise, and in the distance Reva could see Owen came out running with Luke not far behind him. As soon as Beru set her down, he immediately picked her up and swung her around joyfully.

"You're alright!" he shouted. "You made it back!"

Leia felt the shock leave her body and she grinned, finally giggling like the eleven-year-old she was. "Yes," she said. "I'm back!"

Owen set her down, and Luke ran up to her. However, instead of hugging her, he tackled her violently and Leia made an unladylike grunt she fell backwards onto the ground with an explosion of sand. Reva gasped out loud and ran to check on her, stopping just a few feet away. For a moment, all adults watched nervously and Luke froze, worried that he might have hurt her. However Leia just got back up, laughing mischievously as she grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at him. Luke shrieked fearfully and ducked, now forced to dodge as Leia chased after him like a miniature sandstorm. Soon, the both of them were giggling and screaming with laughter as they ran and threw sand at each other in turns.

Owen shook his head. "Kids," he said. "Just when you think they've hurt themselves, they start guffawing like it's the biggest fun they've ever had. Little bugger's taken years off of my life, just making me worry for him."

"Perhaps they should be executed," Reva grumbled.

Owen just snorted drily, crossing his arms and watching as the two kids played with each other in the sand as if they had been doing this for their entire lives. "Sometimes, I wish they'd stay like this forever. Happy and innocent."

Reva looked down, remembering with a jolt that she was a woman on a mission, and not taking Leia to a moisture farm to play around with a little boy her age. "Right," she said quietly. "Happy."

It pained her to realize that this could've been her, too, in another universe.

"Come on in," Owen said, gesturing at her. "You can stay with us now. We'll prepare our nicest guest rooms for you. Both of you."

Reva blinked, incredulous. "You'd...you'd be fine with that?" she asked nervously.

Owen shrugged. "You've earned my trust," he replied simply. "Now that's not an easy accomplishment. I'd say yes, if I were you."

Reva looked around her. All around them was swirling, dry sand. She scoffed. "I suppose I will," she said. "But only because the kid would want it."

Owen grinned drily and lead the way forwards.

It turned out that despite its dry barrenness and scorching heat, Tatooine had a way of being cozy. Even though she had spent most of her time there cursing it and the blasted sands sucking up all the joy from everything, she had to admit that there were some nice things about it. Like Beru and Owen's sand dome, which was surprisingly well-built and solid enough to keep out the harsh desert winds. The entire hut smelled of bantha oil thanks to the tallow in the lamps they were using, but she didn't mind it very much. Their warm amber yellow light kept them warm.

"What do you think?" Owen asked, clearly proud of his handiwork. "I built it myself, with my bare hands. Lasted me for a good ten years. I expect it'll last us ten more, with some good maintenance."

"Mm, it's alright," Reva replied, digging her feet into the bantha-skin rug and leaning back into the warmth comfort of the bantha-fur chair that Breha had graciously brought out for her. "I've seen worse."

Owen chuckled, and Leia giggled mischievously as she rolled a tumbleweed back towards Luke. "I won again!" she said excitedly. Luke smiled warmlly, not at all fazed. Reva raised an eyebrow. The boy had just met Leia a few days ago, and already he was letting her beat him at an imaginary tumbleweed ball game like a good older brother.

"What are the rules?" she asked, leaning over so she could see better. As she did so, she noticed a few clay pots that had been arranged on the ground near them. It appeared the objective was to knock over the opponent's vases to get as many points as possible. "Well, no wonder you're losing," she remarked sardonically. "You haven't even knocked over a single one of Leia's pots. If you want to beat her, you're gonna have to way better than this."

Luke just turned back towards her and grinned sheepishly. Leia giggled loudly again and Reva narrowed her eyes at her.

Little bugger must be cheating with the Force, she thought to herself. Secretly rearranging her vases right after Luke knocked them down. What a smartass.

Leia finished rearranging her clay pots by hand and, ready to start a new game, threw the tumbleweed at Luke's clay pots. He then returned the favor, taking out at least half of her pots. As she turned her back to start picking up the ones that had fallen over, Luke grinned and held out his hand, splaying his fingers in a familiar motion. Instantly, the remaining clay pots behind Leia fell down. Once Leia turned back around, her jaw dropped as she tried to remember if they had always been knocked over or if she was forgetting something.

Reva's eyes widened, amazed.

So...Luke is Force-sensitive too, she thought to herself. I guess he must have been learning some tricks from her.

Owen, too, watched her reaction carefully as she puzzled this over. "As you can see," he said quietly. "We're mighty protective of him. You know what they would do to his kind, Miss Inquisitor. We can't afford for anyone to find out...not the moisture farms, not the Sand People, not the Empire. He's too precious to us."

Reva nodded slowly. "I see now," she said quietly.

Leia and Luke continued to play tumbleweed ball, occasionally interrupting their game to accuse each other of cheating, denying the accusations and then cheating again once the other one's back was turned. Eventually, Owen had enough of tumbleweed ball and stood up to go fetch something ("That means he's going to sleep soon," Luke translated). Beru continued to watch them, rocking slowly in her chair, but she dozed off eventually. Only Reva was left to watch them as she sat back in her bantha-fur chair, her eyelids growing heavier by the second. She yawned and closed them, too drowsy to struggle against their weight.

Just then, she felt something roll over and nudge her ankle slightly. Blinking, she opened her eyes and looked down to see Luke looking up at her. He did not say anything, just continued to nervously fumble with the tumbleweed ball in both hands.

Reva blinked, looking around for Leia. She immediately located a sleepy bundle lying among a fortress of clay pots. Her immediate reaction would have been to stand up and go over to her, but the little bugger was blocking her way and staring at her as if he expected something.

"Hello," she said gruffly, not sure how to react. "Can I help you with something...?" Luke continued to stare at her silently. Reva felt a prick of irritation at the back of her neck. "What?" she snapped.

Luke held out both hands towards her, his palms facing upwards.

Confused, Reva accepted his prickly, tumbleweed-y gift.

"Um...thank you," she said awkwardly, handing it back to him. "It's a very nice ball." She hoped she sounded like she meant it.

Luke beamed at her, and she immediately felt guilty for snapping at him. For all the trouble he'd put her through, he really was just a nice kid. She looked over at Leia's sleeping form and started to stand up, reluctantly pushing aside the warm knit blankets that Beru had given her. "She needs to be put to bed," she said.

Luke nodded silently. Reva walked over and scooped Leia's sleeping form into her arms. Immediately, she felt tiny hands latch onto her hair in a painful iron grip. "Ow! Ow! Hey, don't touch the hair!" she growled, irritably prying grabby fingers away. Leia snored and burped slightly in her sleep, making Luke giggle. "Can you show me to her room? I'm afraid the princess won't wake up for anything in the world now," she grumbled.

Luke nodded and dropped the tumbleweed, skipping ahead. Reva struggled to follow behind him as he lead her to Leia's room. Once they ignited the bantha-oil lamps, she saw that the room they had picked for her was very nice indeed. The walls were stark white, each of the sandstone bricks carefully bleached by laying it out in the sun. The beds were covered in some cheaper knockoff of synthsilk, much softer than the coarseweave fabric of Luke and Owen's clothing. There was even a small alcove with a fake window that did not open, completely useless in Tatooine but a nice aesthetic choice on some other world. It seemed as if Owen had deliberately chosen this room due to it having the closest resemblance to Leia's home on Alderaan.

"This is nice," she mused aloud, and Luke beamed at her proudly. "You really thought of her when you picked this place to stay."

Luke helped to pull the bedcovers aside as Reva gently laid Leia down and made sure her neck was properly supported by the pillows. As she fluffed them up, she also noticed that they had been stuffed with some extra bantha fur and then re-stitched hastily. It seemed as if Beru was very intent on ensuring that their little princess had every comfort their humble farm could provide. "Alright. You can run along now, kid."

Luke stared at her for a few seconds, still not leaving.

"What?" she asked, wondering if he was hiding another tumbleweed ball behind his back. Or maybe a dead rat. Please, don't be a dead rat, she thought to herself. Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother had already pulled that prank on her as kids.

Luke opened his mouth. "Thank you," he said, his mouth wobbling slightly as he made the words come out. "Miss...Inquisitor."

"Oh..." Reva swallowed awkwardly. "You...don't have to thank me," she said wearily. "And you don't have to keep calling me that. My name is Reva."

"Okay," Luke nodded slowly. "Thank you, Miss Reva," he said shyly.

Reva stared back down at him.

Eleven years old...

Only a year younger than her when she herself was thrust into a dangerous world, afraid and unprepared for the horrifying violence.

She nodded back. "You are welcome...Luke," she said, hesitantly using his name.

Luke grinned back awkwardly and then turned, running out like a madman. Reva let out a sigh of relief and collapsed against the wall, relieved.

The next morning, Beru came to wake her up early. Reva groaned and rubbed her eyes, peering out of her window. The sun had not risen yet. The sand dunes looked still and placid, barely reflecting any light. The desert seemed to stretch on for miles and miles, peaceful and serene. Outside, the wind blew gently, stirring the sands back and forth and creating a silvery haze. The air seemed different, too. Although it was still dry, the early morning chill made her feel as if she was in a trance, barely half-awake. "Best to get a leg on before it gets too hot," Beru said. "Or before any wandering eyes notice.  Owen's outside, loading Berfa with your stuff."

Reva nodded and followed her to the kitchen, sitting down at the Lars' plain sandstone table. Beru served her a bland but nutritious breakfast of Bantha milk, ahrisa and haroun bread. Reva cautiously reached out and broke apart the round balls of brown ahrisa with her fingers, careful not to burn herself, just as she had done during her time as an Inquisitor. Who had thought that after all this time, she would return to the very same planet that resented her...

"You seem quite well-adjusted for a non-local," Beru observed, pacing around nervously while holding a mug of smoking hot caf. Reva longed to ask her for some caf as well, but she did not want to seem rude. "Most outsiders don't know how to deal with the heat. They tell me my house is like being baked in an oven."

Reva smiled wryly. "I guess I'm just used to it," she replied.

Just then, a door opened and Owen walked in, Luke trailing behind him sullenly. "Beru, are they awake yet?" he called out.

"The Inquisitor is here," Beru yelled back, and Reva flinched. Owen turned around and noticed her sitting at the breakfast table with her. She swallowed and nodded, unsure how to act. He nodded back at her.

"You eaten yet?" he asked.

Reva nodded silently again.

"Good," Owen replied. "Come, follow me."

Berfa was standing outside, grunting with the weight of a harness that had several packs attached to it. Owen walked over and patted her on the head, cooing until she stopped grumbling . As she got closer, Reva also saw that there was a second smaller saddle attached to the front, one that Leia could sit in without worrying about slipping.

"Here's your fuel tanks," Owen grunted. "And here's some water to tide you over until Alderaan. As much as I can afford to spare, anyway."

Reva helped him hoist the heavy tanks onto Berfa's back. "Thank you," she said. "What do you want me to do with her, by the way? Should I pay someone to send her back to you at Anchorhead, or-"

"No need," Owen said firmly. "Just leave her in a nice sand field with plenty of other banthas to keeper her company. That's all I ask."

Reva blinked, confused. "But I thought you said you wanted to sell her so you could buy a land speeder-"

"Speeders are for lazy folk," Owen replied. "I'll just walk, same as every moisture farmer before me."

"I can't just-" Reva protested.

"Forget about it," Owen cut her off again. "I don't need one."

Reva went silent, unable to argue against him.

Luke walked up to them, his face red and tears streaming down his chubby cheeks. "What's wrong, buddy?" Owen asked, concerned. "Something got in your eye?" Luke shook his head, then turned to Reva and peered up at her.

"Is Leia going with you too, Miss Inquisitor?" he asked shyly.

Reva opened her mouth, unsure how to respond. She did not know how to react to a crying child. "I...suppose so, yes."

Luke's lower lip quivered. "Why does she have to leave? Can't she stay for a few more days with us?" he pleaded.

"I...well, we..." Reva froze uncomfortably. Luke turned towards Owen, who knelt down and patted him affectionately on the head.

"Everyone has to leave sooner or later, Wormie," Owen said gently. "Although I'm sure you'll make plenty of other friends next year, at school."

Luke wailed. "I don't want to go to school anymore," he said in a whiny tone. "I hate it."

"How do you know you hate it, if you haven't even started it yet?"

"I hate it," Luke whispered. "I don't want Leia to leave. If I don't go to school, can she stay longer?"

"No, Luke," Owen said gently. Luke took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Eventually, he was able to regulate his breathing rate and his eyes looked less puffy. Owen stood up and sent him on his way. Luke ran out, presumably to go say goodbye to Leia (however, Reva suspected he was probably just going to burst into tears in front of her and then beg her to stay longer).

"He's a good kid," Reva remarked. "You've raised him well."

Owen stood up. "He will always be my boy," he said slowly. "But I'm not the father."

"You aren't?" Reva asked, surprised. She had thought that the blond boy looked a little familiar, although she couldn't figure out why. She had assumed it was just because he closely resembled Owen, but now that she took a good look at him, they were very different. Owen's light brown hair and eyes were vastly different compared to Luke's blond hair and blue eyes.

In fact, now that she thought about it, he looked more similar to Leia out of all people.

But it couldn't be...

Reva shook her head. She was probably seeing things, hallucinating delusions brought on by spending too much time in the desert. The locals had a work for it. Sand-sickness, they called it.

"He's my brother's son," Owen explained. "I'm just his old Uncle."

"Ah," Reva said quietly. "What was your brother's name?"

Owen turned slowly and looked her in the eye. "Skywalker," he replied. "Anakin Skywalker."

Reva froze, feeling every bone in her body snap as a chill ran down her back.

"I...see."

Just then, Luke and Leia came running. Luke hugged her in a sloppy, awkward way as if he had no idea how to do it properly. Leia smacked him on the head reproachfully, then grabbed him and squeezed him in a hug that was so tight he started to choke. Once she let go and everyone was reassured that none of Luke's ribs had been broken, Owen helped lift her back onto Berfa's back.

"Remember," he said. "Follow my directions, and you should make it back to your ship without any encounters with the sand people."

"Got it," Reva replied, trying not to let him see her shaking hands as she grasped Berfa's reins.

"And say hi to old Ben for me, would you?" Owen asked. "I...feel as if perhaps I have judged him a bit too harshly," he muttered.

"Of course," Reva said, feeling as if the words were coming from someone else's voice instead of hers. "I will," she said robotically.

Satisfied, Owen walked over to Luke and held him up so he could see better. Leia kept turning around and waving to them, watching them wave back, until finally they both became a tiny dot in the distance. Reva gazed ahead with unseeing eyes, her mind blank.

Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker.

Luke is...

Luke and Leia are...

"Were you able to connect to the Holonet again?" Leia asked suddenly, interrupting her thoughts. "Before I left, I told LOLA to go after Ahsoka...I wonder if we might be able to pinpoint her location by connecting to LOLA's motherboard."

Reva snapped out of her haze and looked back at her. "Yes, I was," she said breathlessly. "Why?"

"I want to try and find them," Leia said quietly. "I know, we might run out of fuel. But I want to see if they're okay."

Reva looked down. "I do too," she said quietly. "I'm just...afraid to find out," she admitted.

Leia reached out and squeezed her hand, the same way Reva had done for her before. "It's okay to be afraid," she said. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together, alright?"

Reva closed her mouth. Part of her was fighting to tell Leia the truth, to scream out to her that no, this was something that they could not face together. But she closed her eyes, trying to remember what Ahsoka had taught her about mediating and quieting her feelings by using the Force.

"Yes," she said quietly. "Together."

She hoped that somewhere out there, Ahsoka was listening to her plea.

Please, Tano. Come back, she begged. You have to survive. Don't you dare die on me after everything we've been through. I don't think I can handle this by myself.

Chapter Text

As it just so happened, Ahsoka was also closing her eyes, trying to meditate and draw from the Force.

Please, Master Plo, she thought quietly to herself, Tell me what to do.

Even as an adult, years after she had outgrown her title of Padawan, no matter where she was she always came back to her meditation and the first day when Master Plo instructed her on how to calm her mind. It was his words that were brought forth, his gentle guidance and advice that soothed her thoughts when she was feeling her most anxious or tumultuous. No matter how old she became or how distant she grew from the Jedi Order of the past, she would always carry those memories with her.

When she first found herself alone and isolated from every other Jedi she'd known, she tried reaching out to them using the Force. First, she called out to Anakin. Unable to reach him, she searched for Obi-Wan, finding nothing but an emptiness in the Force where she'd known him. Out of desperation, she started calling out to Master Plo, hoping for a response, but a part of her was forced to accept that he had probably perished. When several years went by and there was still no response from him or attempts to reach out to her through the Rebel Alliance, Ahsoka tearfully accepted that he was gone forever.

Now, she was desperate enough to try again.

She was interrupted from her thoughts as Obi-Wan stirred, woken up by his own grunts of pain and she quickly ran over to tend to him. "How are you feeling?" she asked, worried.

"I'm alright," he said in a worn-out voice, grimacing slightly as he rubbed an abrasion in his side. Ahsoka's eyes flickered over the roughly-patched wounds. She walked over and covered him up a bit more securely with the blanket. Obi-Wan smiled gratefully. Next to them, a familiar droid buzzed to life and flitted closer, resting on Obi-Wan's shoulder where she could fuss over him.

"Oh, dear," Obi-Wan said, looking up and gently petting LOLA. "It appears Leia sent a friend to accompany us," he smiled warmly.

Ahsoka tried her best to return his smile. LOLA immediately flew over and started vibrated excitedly near her ear. Her weak smile gradually changed into a small, genuine peal of laughter. Obi-Wan watched her closely, looking slightly relieved to see her in a brighter mood.

"Where are we currently?"

"I'm not sure," Ahsoka admitted. "I think we're somewhere in the Outer Rim. The navicomputer won't tell me anything though."

Obi-Wan frowned and peered out the transparisteel paneling of their small gunner. Then, he glanced at the ineffective navicomputer's screen. "Oh," he said softly, apprehension in his voice.

"Is it bad?" Ahsoka asked quietly.

After she detonated the explosion, everything else was a hazy blur fueled by adrenaline. She could faintly recall throwing herself at the Purge Troopers while generating a Force shield big enough to protect them from the blast, then scooping an unconscious and partially-disabled Obi-Wan out of his prison cell. Everything afterwards was too difficult to remember. She had been too focused on getting them out of there to really slow down and view their surroundings.

"Ahsoka, we didn't just reach the Outer Rim. We're not even in Wild Space. We passed beyond them a long time ago."

Ahsoka stared at him, her eyes widening as realization dawned on her.

"We're..."

"Yes, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan said gently. "We're in the Unknown Regions now."

"Grand Admiral," Palpatine's voice announced over the holoprojector. "I'm sure you need no reminder. But I want those Jedi eliminated. Tano and Kenobi must not come back, under any circumstance. Is this understood?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Thrawn replied, his voice soft and slow. From beside him, the other Chiss bowed her head slightly and looked away. Many were uncomfortable in the presence of the Emperor, even through the medium of a holoprojection, however Thrawn did not seem to show any signs of discomfort. "The Chimera will set its route for the edge of the Outer Rim. I believe that, in an attempt to evade pursuit, they have intentionally departed for the Unknown Regions."

"I hope your prediction is correct," Palpatine sneered. "Do you require any additional resources before undertaking this journey? A Void Guide, perhaps? Shall I inquire at the Navigators' Guild?"

"No, Your Highness," Thrawn replied politely. "The time it would require for a Pathfinder to travel from the Deep Core to the Outer Rim is far too long, and could jeopardize the success of this mission. We will depart as soon as possible."

Palpatine raised an eyebrow. "You are most confident that you will be able to navigate the Unknown Regions, then?"

"I was born there, Your Highness," Thrawn replied, bowing his head as he did so. "I only request that I may be allowed to keep my pilot, my partner and our daughter with me."

There was a pause. "I am not opposed. However, what purpose could they possibly serve?" Palpatine asked warily.

"As you know, familial bonds are particularly strong in Chiss culture," Thrawn replied evenly. "We believe that having them with us will bring us good fortune. Once we have created a bond with another, we rarely let go. The Empire will forever have our gratitude for allowing us this single request."

Palpatine narrowed his eyes. "I seem to recall you making a similar request many years ago, Grand Admiral," he said slowly. "Whatever became of the translator I granted you? What was his name...Vanto, I believe?"

Thrawn lowered his eyelids towards the ground and half-bowed. "I apologize, Your Highness," he said softly. "It has been many years since I last saw Commander Vanto. I sent him to the Chiss Ascendancy, hoping that he might serve as liaison on our behalf. Only...I fear I may have sent him to his death."

There was a brief pause. Palpatine watched Thrawn carefully. Thrawn kept his head bowed and eyes closed.

"You may keep them with you," he said slowly, "But do not fail me, or all will be taken away."

With that, he shut off the connection.

From beside Thrawn, Thalias finally looked up and spoke.

"Your acting is improving," she remarked. "I can't believe you actually convinced him."

Thrawn straightened up and turned over, making eye contact with her. "I merely listened to your advice and attempted to follow what you recommended me," he said slowly. "You told me that my lack of visible emotion betray an impression of insincerity. Therefore, I have resolved to make eye contact as little as possible."

"Ah, so that's why you were bowing to him so much," Thalias said snarkily. "I was wondering about that. Normally you do not defer so frequently to him."

Thrawn shrugged. "Acting or not," he said slowly, "He is our Emperor. It is in our best interest to defer."

Thalias raised an eyebrow. "So what is this made-up nonsense about a spouse and child? And why am I the last person to hear about this? I do not recall ever giving birth," she crossed her arms.

"My apologies," Thrawn bowed his head to her. "It is essential that the Emperor does not learn about the existence of our sky-walkers. I thought it most prudent for us to give him an alternate reason for you and the child's presence aboard the Chimera. It is not customary for the Empire to bring children into war."

"That may be so," Thalias replied. "Does this mean we have to pretend to be married, then?" She made a face at this. The idea was even less appealing to her than the time she was forced to wear makeup for an extended period in order to fool their enemy Yiv.

"The Emperor does not have interest in the Ascendancy, nor our customs," Thrawn replied tactfully. "As far as he knows, the Chiss have completely separate ideas of marriage from what the Empire would expect. We can persuade him that it is not traditional for spouses to show physical affection towards one another, if the idea of doing so brings you discomfort. The only caveat is that we must not allow him to believe that our loyalty to the Ascendancy could possibly cloud our judgments or our feelings towards the Empire."

"Understood," Thalias replied slowly.

Together, the two of them left the holoprojector room and walked towards the front of the ship, where they were greeted by their pilot. "Captain Che'ri," Thrawn announced. "Is the ship all clear to take off?"

"It will be in a few minutes!" the twenty-year old Chiss female replied enthusiastically. Thrawn nodded, pleased.

"Very good," he said. "Prepare for ascent into the Chaos."

Che'ri's eyes widened, although she quickly regained her composure and began to fiddle with the navicomputer. Still, her body betrayed a hint of trepidation. Although Thrawn was not as good at reading body language, Thalias could clearly sense her excitement. After all, it had been many, many years since they last visited the Chiss Ascendancy. It had been even more since the Chimera had been assigned to anywhere near the Unknown Regions. These days, most of the Empire's efforts were concentrated towards maintaining control of the Core Worlds and Inner Rim (although there were always underlying plans for expansion). Something about possibly returning home was particularly thrilling to both Chiss females, filling them at once with excitement and dread.

"The Chaos," Che'ri said incredulously. "Whatever sort of business would they have there? Is this some sort of foolhardy escape attempt?"

"Do they have a navigator with them?" Thalias asked curiously. "Should we contact the Navigators' Guild and warn them not to take on any new clients?"

"They do not," Thrawn replied. "And the Guild's oath of neutrality prevents them from agreeing to such a request. No, we need not worry. The Jedi are likely unaware of its existence, and therefore unlikely to seek them out."

"Then why would they choose such a dangerous escape route? They could get lost in the Chaos and never return," Che'ri remarked.

"That is true. However, I believe that after being cornered by the Empire, they would not choose to return to their home planets or the Rebel Bases. Neither of them are in possession of the prisoner," Thrawn said carefully, deliberately choosing not to say 'the girl.' "Therefore, they cannot have gone to Alderaan. The second most logical destination would be Tatooine, which borders on the outskirts of the Galaxy. But there is nothing there for them; now that Kenobi's cover has been unveiled, he can no longer return. It is possible that they might head for Wild Space, which is beyond most of the Empire's reach. But this would not completely eliminate the possibility of them being tracked down using conventional methods. Only in the Unknown Regions can they hope to escape, where no other Imperial ships would dare to follow them."

Thalias nodded silently.

"I will go alert the child," she said quietly, standing up and turning to leave.

"Tell her that we are searching for two Jedi," Thrawn prompted her. "She may be able to locate them based on their signatures in the Force."

Both Che'ri and Thalias frowned. As former sky-walkers, both had received unusually difficult or specific orders. However, this one was unprecedented.

"That is impossible," Thalias declared. "The child does not possess Second Sight, only Third."

"I believe it is possible for her," Thrawn replied. "I have seen it done once before while working with Lord Vader against the mind-controlling Grysks."

Che'ri shuddered and frowned. "Lord Vader? That old brute? Why would he be able to use the Third Sight? All he knows how to do is murder and sink ships."

"There are many things you may not know about him," Thrawn replied. "For example, his role during the Clone Wars."

"The Clone Wars?" Che'ri repeated. "I have never known of any surviving officer who served during the Clone Wars, except for..."

Her eyes widened with shock. Thrawn brought his finger to his lips silently, and she closed her mouth immediately.

"You would do well to keep that information to yourself," Thrawn said taciturnly. Thalias turned and looked between Thrawn's neutral expression and Che'ri's horrified face with confusion. "Thalias, please go wake up the sky-walker. I will not repeat myself again."

Raising an eyebrow, Thalias eyed him warily. "I will," she said reluctantly, "But do not push her beyond the limits of what she is capable of," she warned. "As her caretaker, I do not want to see her placed under unnecessary duress," she said crossly.

"I will not ask any more of her than what can realistically be accomplished," Thrawn assured her. Satisfied, Thalias turned and left.

Once she was gone, Che'ri sank into her chair, deep in thought. "General Skywalker," she said slowly. "I just can't imagine him and Vader as...you know..."

"That is information that only you and I can be privy to," Thrawn warned her. "Vader would have our heads if he were to learn that we are aware of this."

Che'ri covered her face in her hands and inhaled deeply. "I never sensed any Darkness in his energy when I first saw him," she said. "How could he become so...different?"

"That is not our business."

"But..."

Thrawn knelt beside her chair. "Our business is to accomplish whatever the Emperor desires. And, as the representation of the Empire's will, that also extends to what Vader desires," Thrawn reminded her. "I have already extended his goodwill by requesting to have a primarily Chiss-operated battleship. If the Emperor could have it as he pleased, none of us would be aboard this vessel, and at least two of his personally-selected watchdogs would be looking over our shoulders right now." Che'ri bit her lip uncomfortably. "Remember, all that we do is for the good of the Ascendancy."

"For the good," Che'ri said bitterly. "The greater good."

Thrawn nodded. "Indeed," he said. "I know how difficult it can be to remain focused," he said slowly, "But I do my best to remember it whenever possible. It is for this very same reason that I sent my friend Lieutenant Vanto into the Chaos so he could work with Admiral Ar'alani."

Che'ri nodded and took a deep breath, grounding herself.

"Now, is our ship ready to depart?" Thrawn asked again.

"Yes, Grand Admiral," Che'ri replied solemnly, hardening her voice.

"Good," Thrawn replied, standing up. "Then, let us begin."

As he began to walk away, Che'ri paused.

"Thrawn?" she asked, her voice suddenly quiet as if she was once again a ten-year-old sky-walker aboard the Springhawk. "Is it true that Admiral Ar'alani and your friend are dead?"

Thrawn paused and turned around to face her. Che'ri's lower lip quivered nervously. Thrawn looked down, bringing his hands together.

"No," he said softly.

Che'ri breathed out a sigh of relief.

"But it has been many years since I last saw either of them, and I am afraid that for their safety I cannot initiate any sort of contact. But rest assured, they will be fine."

Che'ri looked down at her hands. "That is good to hear," she said slowly, "I hope you will get to see your friend again, someday. I miss Admiral Ar'alani."

Thrawn nodded imperceptibly.

"So do I," he replied quietly.

"I can't send out any distress signals," Ahsoka frowned, still fiddling with the navicomputer. "Every time I try to, it just says...nothing," she muttered in a defeated tone. "And the controls still won't work."

"Best leave it for a while, dear," Obi-Wan replied calmly. "I don't think there is much we can do about it."

Neither of them said what they were both thinking, which was that if anyone could do the impossible and reprogram a navicomputer to work in the Unknowns, it was probably Anakin. He would have his hands all over it, fiddling with switches, digging out nuts and bolts with his bare hands and refusing to use the proper tools out of some strange mechanical integrity.

But Anakin wasn't here to help them. It felt strange, just the two of them lost in the Outer Reaches without their third counterpart. Except this time, Anakin wasn't wandering through space looking to recruit allies, fight alongside them or bring them home. It felt like a horrible, twisted version of one of their old adventures.

Ahsoka shuddered.

No, this time, it could either end one of two ways. Either they escaped and faded into obscurity, possibly dying of starvation or killed by the wild inhabitants of the Outer Territories.

Or, Vader could find them first, and kill them himself.

Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut. Obi-Wan placed his hand on her shoulder, attempting to comfort her. When she looked at him, she noticed gray hairs and wrinkles along the creases of his eyes that she had never seen before. Time had worn down the strong, proud General Kenobi that she grew up under. The spark of hope had almost completely disappeared from his eyes.

"Everything will be alright, young one," Obi-Wan repeated. "Trust in the Force."

She hoped he was right.

"I tried to contact Master Plo," she whispered. Obi-Wan nodded, watching her attentively. It felt like she was a teenager again, coming to him to complain about an argument that she and Anakin had gotten into (which occurred rather frequently, although they usually made up by the end of the week). "I couldn't feel him. Is it possible that...he's become one with the Force?" she whispered frantically.

Obi-Wan breathed in. "Not necessarily," he said slowly. "It is possible that we cannot make contact with him due to the vastness of the Unknown Regions, much like how we cannot transmit a signal to any civilized planets right now."

"Have you ever heard from your Master?" Ahsoka asked desperately.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes. "No," he said mournfully. "I cannot say that I have."

Both of them fell into silence.

"Do we have a plan?" Obi-Wan asked, trying to get them back on track. Ahsoka shrugged. "What is it?"

"I told Reva to head for Alderaan," Ahsoka said bleakly.

"Good," Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "The sooner Leia can return to her father, the better."

Ahsoka looked down. "You said there was another child," she said slowly. Obi-Wan stiffened. "What about him? What if Vader discovers his existence, too?"

Obi-Wan shuddered. "He will not," he said firmly. "There is no reason for them to search for him on Tatooine. Now that I am gone, there is no reason for them to investigate a connection between the two of us. Unless..."

He paused, then his face turned pale white.

"Unless?" Ahsoka asked.

"There were...some Inquisitors who found me there," he said nervously. "I am not entirely sure what happened to them after my capture on Daiyu."

Ahsoka frowned, her body suddenly tense. "Is there...a possibility they could find him?"

"Possibly," Obi-Wan said slowly. "Or, they might have reported their findings to the Emperor..."

Ahsoka looked down.

"Hopefully, Reva heeded my warning and headed directly to Alderaan," she said. "But, on the off-chance that she did not..."

Obi-Wan looked up at her.

"The Inquisitors would capture her...and the Emperor would soon realize that Luke is Vader's son," he said slowly.

Ahsoka swallowed nervously, her throat uncomfortably constricted.

"We cannot allow that to happen," she said firmly. "It will not."

It was now her turn to be strong. Obi-Wan began to thumb at his beard nervously. Ahsoka stood up and made a sweep of their exterior. Suddenly, her montrals twitched as she sensed something entering their vicinity. From the sound of it, she could tell it was huge. Huge, and menacing.

"There is a ship approaching us," she declared.

Obi-Wan sat up abruptly, then stopped himself as a sharp twinge of pain shot through his injured legs. "Where is it?" he demanded.

Ahsoka screwed up her face, trying to sense the direction it was coming from using her montrals. "Behind us," she pointed.

Obi-Wan frowned, deep in thought. "Then it cannot be Imperial," he declared. "No Imperial ships would be out here in Outer Space."

"But the Empire is searching for us," Ahsoka protested. "Maybe they sent one of their warships after us."

"Impossible," he shook his head. "The Outer Rim is in the opposite direction. Whatever this is, it must already have been here by the time we arrived."

"Then," Ahsoka said slowly, "Is it possible they were...waiting for us?"

Both of them peered out of the transparisteel panels, watching closely. Their ship continued to drift forward uncertainly, and neither of them could make out anything. Sure enough, they spotted a small bright dot on the horizon entering their field of vision.

"I agree, I don't think this ship is Imperial," Ahsoka said. "But how can we know if they are friendly?"

"The ship we are in was Imperial," Obi-Wan pointed out. "They might be afraid of us once they recognize the Empire's insignia."

"No they won't," Ahsoka replied. "This is the same ship I used to tail Reva when she brought you to Mustafar. I asked her to bring it back from Fortress Inquisitorius so we could escape without having to modify it. If it was Imperial, I would have had to make far more modifications to it, plus they would have noticed me hacking the tracking system and disabled the system immediately."

"I see," Obi-Wan nodded, thankful for her foresight. "Then...we shall have to hope they are receptive to our presence."

Both of them watched silently as the small white dot grew brighter and brighter, until finally they could see the spacecraft clearly. Smaller than a Star Destroyer, but no less deadly; all along the sides, they could make out the glinting of lights and weaponry. Obi-Wan estimated enough explosives to take out a battalion or two alone. However, it also appeared to have seen better days. There was an enormous tear in the side of it, one that most warships would not have been able to survive.

"What is that?" Ahsoka asked, gasping.

"It looks like a Chiss warship," Obi-Wan said.

"How do you know what it looks like?" Ahsoka hissed.

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Anakin once left on a mission to seek out Padme," he replied simply. "He told me a little about his encounters along the way. This one seems to fit the description of the one he saw," he nodded at it.

"How come I was never told about this?"

"This was during your departure from the Order," Obi-Wan said softly. Ahsoka's face contorted as the painful memories came rushing back, and he immediately lowered his voice. "From what I heard, he crossed paths with a Chiss interested in learning about the Clone Wars. They were willing to strike up an alliance on account of his status as a Jedi General."

A chill ran down Ahsoka's spine. Both of them waited with bated breath as the larger ship descended from above upon them, the lights shining into their eyes and blinding them. All they could do was watch helplessly as it approached them.

"We could fight them," Ahsoka whispered.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Where could we escape?" he asked sadly. "This is Unknown Territory."

Ahsoka breathed in shakily.

"I will not let them hurt you," Obi-Wan said, but even his words lacked conviction. "Whatever happens, we will go through it together, understood?"

Ahsoka nodded wordlessly. She reached out and subconsciously gripped the hem of his robe as if she was still a small Padawan. Obi-Wan placed his hand on her shoulder and both watched silently as the ship's tractor beam bore down upon them and the doors its hangar opened, swallowing them whole.

Soon, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Ahsoka and Obi-Wan stood still as the walls around them crumpled and their exit was blocked off by two figures. One wore the unmistakeable gray uniform of the Empire; the other, a Chiss female with deep blue skin and silky blue-black hair, wore a pure white uniform with a strange symbol made up of several intertwined circles pinned to the front. If not for the perilous nature of their situation, Ahsoka might have found her quite pretty.

"Hello," the Chiss female said, her tone cold and unreadable. Beside her, the human male wearing the Imperial uniform cocked his blaster as a subtle warning. Both Ahsoka and Obi-Wan slowly raised their hands in surrender. "Apologies for intercepting your vessel, but we needed to verify something. Are you affiliated with the Empire? Or are you allies of the Grysk Hegemony?"

Ahsoka eyed the human male warily and opened her mouth to speak, but Obi-Wan beat her to it first.

"Neither," he said, making direct eye contact with the Chiss. "We are Jedi of the former Galactic Republic. We defected from the Empire and escaped, but our ship stopped functioning."

Ahsoka's heart sank into her stomach and she whirled around, looking at Obi-Wan incredulously. Are you trying to sign our death warrant? she wanted to shout at him.

"Interesting," the Chiss female said slowly. "And what are your names, if I may ask?"

"Ben," Obi-Wan replied coolly.

There was a momentary silence, then Ahsoka realized they were waiting for her to also respond. "Ashla," she said instinctively, hoping she sounded convincing.

The Chiss female nodded, satisfied. "I see," she replied. "My name is Irizi'ar'alani. But most non-Chiss are unable to pronounce it in its entirety. So you may refer to me as Ar'alani."

Obi-Wan nodded respectfully, playing the part of the good and obedient prisoner. Ahsoka still felt uneasy.

The human male turned and looked at Ar'alani, lowering his blaster. "Admiral, I thought the Empire had already eliminated all Jedi," he frowned. His voice had an unusual drawl to it, one that reminded Ahsoka of the people she had met on planets located in the Wild Space regions. "How can there still be any survivors?"

"The rumor is not entirely true," Ar'alani replied. Her voice was like the rest of her; beautiful and alluring, but also entirely indiscernible. "There are still plenty who possess their Second and Third Sights. The Pathfinders at the Navigators' Guild, for example." Her red eyes raked over them and Ahsoka almost shuddered under the intensity of her gaze. "However, I must admit...it is quite unusual to find them here, where the Outer Rim meets the edge of Chaos," she narrowed her eyes at them. "Tell me, Officer Ben. Have either of you ever heard of a General by the name of Skywalker?"

Ahsoka immediately stiffened. Obi-Wan bowed his head.

"I was his Master during the Clone Wars," he said. "And this is his former Padawan. All of us served together until the collapse of the Galactic Republic."

"What a strange coincidence," Ar'alani replied. Ahsoka could not tell if she believed them or not. "Do you know what has become of him?"

"I'm afraid not," Obi-Wan replied, keeping his head bowed. Ahsoka watched him, and slowly she began to recognize the smallest traces of the legendary Negotiator returning to him. She also bowed her head, looking down at the ground so as not to let them see her reaction. "We believe he perished sometime before the rise of the Empire."

"How unfortunate," Ar'alani murmured. "I know someone who would have greatly liked to thank him for his assistance in obtaining a shield generator for the Chiss Ascendancy."

Ahsoka raised her head and made eye contact with the human male. He raised an eyebrow and pointed the blaster at her again. She looked back down and kept her head low.

"I assume you have not just intercepted our ship for the purpose of interviewing us," Obi-Wan remarked.

"That is correct," Ar'alani nodded. "We are actually in need of help. The Chiss Ascendancy has sent us out in search of allies to join the fight against our enemies, the Grysk Hegemony. However, we were ambushed along the way. Our Navigators are out of commission, and most of our personnel have been injured in a recent skirmish. At this rate, success is unlikely."

Ahsoka opened her eyes and looked over them curiously. Although both of them seemed to be unharmed, she did find it strange that they had not brought an entire squad to accompany them. It seemed that their forces were truly low in number.

"What is the Grysk Hegemony?" Obi-Wan asked curiously.

The human male snorted. Ar'alani turned to face him.

"Yes, Lieutenant Vanto?" she asked.

"They've never heard of them before," Vanto muttered. "Wish I could say the same."

Ar'alani turned back to look at them. "The Grysks are a long-time enemy of the Chiss," she explained calmly. "They are feared not only because of their ruthless battle tactics, but also their unusual ability to enslave the minds of those who oppose them. Us Chiss would rather die than live under their tyrannical rule...but it is becoming increasingly evident that we may no longer have a choice."

Obi-Wan nodded sympathetically. "I see," he said. "Your people are strong, but they lack manpower. The Grysks outnumber you in that respect. Is that correct?" Ar'alani nodded. "And that is why you came to seek us, to request our services."

"Indeed," Ar'alani replied. "If you can prove to us that you have not lied about your identity."

"With pleasure," Obi-Wan replied, reaching out and slowly rotating his wrist. Lieutenant Vanto gasped as the blaster was plucked out of his own fingers and landed smoothly in Obi-Wan's hand. Obi-Wan reached up and locked the safety back on with a satisfying click. "Will this be enough?" he asked, holding out the blaster to them.

Admiral Ar'alani bowed her head. "It will," she said.

Lieutenant Vanto raised an eyebrow and warily took his blaster back from Obi-Wan, who flashed him his most charming harmless old man smile.

"If I may be so bold, could I request some assistance?" Obi-Wan asked. "Unfortunately, I am still recovering from a recent injury."

"That will be no issue," Ar'alani replied. "Lieutenant Vanto, please assist Officer Ben."

Lieutenant Vanto frowned but complied, putting Obi-Wan's arm around his shoulders and lifting him off the ground. Obi-Wan allowed himself to be carried. Ahsoka followed after them, still keeping a cautious distance. Using the Force, she reached out and sent a message.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked, hoping their Second Sight connection was still intact.

"It's our best hope," Obi-Wan replied. "You must understand that as Jedi, we are naturally on the Empire's bad side. However, here in the Outer Regions we are highly valued allies of the Chiss. I am positive that they will not turn us in so long as we are useful to them."

"What about Lieutenant Vanto?" Ahsoka hissed. "He's wearing the symbol of the Empire! What if he decides to turn us in?"

"He's under Admiral Ar'alani's command. Therefore, I do not think he can do anything unless she orders him to."

"But how do you know he won't try something behind her back?"

"You may have noticed his unusual accent, typical of inhabitants from Wild Space I believe. The Empire does not particularly take well to them, and so I doubt he feels much loyalty towards it.  I also do not think he is actually under the command of the Empire anymore...to leave their ranks and join the Chiss Ascendancy is considered desertion.  He is, I believe, a defector."

A defector was a lot easier for her to handle. A defector would be in equal danger if discovered by the Empire, and thus less likely to contact them. Perhaps Lieutenant Vanto was only wearing his old uniform as a ruse, just like how Obi-Wan had suggested that using a ship bearing the Imperial symbol could intimidate their enemies.

It was all a facade. Just like their new identities as Jedi refugees in Outer Space.

Ahsoka took a deep breath, reminding herself of Master Plo's advice.

Focus your mind, Ahsoka. Quiet the noise and concentrate on your inner self.

Everything felt so wrong. Racing against the Empire, fighting Vader for the right to his own children. And now, using Anakin's name to get into the good graces of a strange faction she had never heard of before...

"If I may ask," Obi-Wan piped up suddenly, "Who is the one that you spoke of, who wished to thank General Skywalker? Perhaps, if we were to meet them, we could speak together about our shared memories of him."

"That would be my fellow Admiral, Mitth'raw'nuruodo," Ar'alani replied. "I'm afraid he is not with us, however. He was called for a mission far beyond the Chaos."

Ahsoka felt her heart stop in her throat.

She had a terrible, awful feeling about this...

"I see," Obi-Wan nodded. "It is a shame that we could not speak with him. Perhaps when he returns from his travels?"

"Yes," Admiral Ar'alani nodded, her expression unreadable. "Perhaps."

Chapter Text

The first thing that Admiral Ar'alani and Lieutenant Vanto did was send Ahsoka and Obi-Wan to the medical bay for a quick scan. Once their results were returned, Admiral Ar'alani seemed satisfied and offered them access to the ship's medical resources.

Unfortunately, they did not have any prosthetic limbs on board with them. They were however able to obtain a chair with wheels attached to it, which allowed Obi-Wan to easily move by himself. In order to keep up with Ar'alani and make sure his arms did not grow tired, Ahsoka decided to follow after him and push the chair forwards. Obi-Wan seemed to brighten slightly, as if he was grateful for her assistance.

As they followed after the Admiral and Lieutenant, Ahsoka uncomfortably listened to them chat with one another in Sy Bisti. She was no stranger to alien languages, but not knowing what was going on made her uneasy. Her first instinct was to reach out to Obi-Wan using the Second Sight.

"What are they are talking about?" she asked nervously, hoping that he was able to parse together their conversation using context clues.

Obi-Wan did not respond through their Force connection but instead cleared his throat, interrupting them.

"Excuse me," he said politely. "If you don't mind, could you repeat that back for the two of us? I'm afraid we're not as familiar with the tongues of the Outer Regions," he admitted humbly.

Lieutenant Vanto stopped walking and paused, looking over at Ar'alani.

"Are we completely sure that they are not Grysk?" he muttered under his breath in Sy Bisti.

"I am more than positive," Ar'alani replied and Eli raised an eyebrow at her. "Their medical scans showed no modifications to their teeth, no lockbreakers or ultrasound communicators. Therefore, they cannot be Grysk warriors. Still, that does not eliminate the possibility of them being 'clients.'"

"What should we do with them if they do turn out to be emissaries of the Hegemony?"

"We obviously cannot turn them into the Empire. That would put them at too much risk, and could possibly jeopardize your cover if they were to find out that you have joined us. But, once they have served their purpose, we can leave them at the Navigators' Guild. They are neutral towards Jedi there. And they would not make a bad living."

With that, she turned and faced them properly. "My apologies," she said. "We are not accustomed to accommodating humans. Lieutenant Vanto has reminded me that we will need to provide human-appropriate food servings for you."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes, suspicious but unable to prove that she was lying. Obi-Wan just smiled warmly.

"Anything will do," he said pleasantly. "I'm sure it is better than womp rat stew, which I must confess to having had enough of on Tatooine."

"Tatooine?" Ar'alani repeated, intrigued. "Is that your homeworld?"

"It is not," Obi-Wan admitted. "I hail from another planet. But it has become a sort of home to me."

"Ah," Ar'alani replied. "Interesting. Us Chiss are originally from the world of Csilla, but we have also become spread out among its neighboring planets. These days, it is rare to meet a Chiss who has not left our mother planet."

Ahsoka waited for her to say more, but she did not elaborate. After some time, they fell back into place and Lieutenant Vanto started chatting with her in Sy Bisti again.

"They are hiding something," Eli muttered.

"I agree, they are definitely not telling the full truth," Ar'alani replied. "I was curious to see if they would try and appeal to you after seeing your uniform. But it seems that was not the case. So that at least eliminates the possibility of them being Imperials."

"We should interrogate them some more," Eli suggested.

"Good idea," Ar'alani agreed. "However, I think we should proceed with caution. We should use...what is the word that Mitth'raw'nuruodo favors?" Ar'alani paused. "Ah, yes. Misdirection. They said they do not yet know of the General's fate. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage."

With that, she turned back around and faced them.

Ahsoka began to feel a bit irritated. She disliked this treatment, being ignored and talked about in front of her face until they wanted something from her. But Obi-Wan just continued to smile pleasantly.

"My Lieutenant and I wanted to ask some questions," Ar'alani began. If it wasn't for how pretty she was, Ahsoka would be extremely annoyed with her. "How exactly did you come into contact with General Skywalker?"

"We already told you, we served him during the Clone Wars," Ahsoka said, slightly annoyed. She was beginning to lose her patience.

"Ah," Ar'alani nodded, unfazed. "Our personnel actually just informed us that we have received a transmission from him. He is waiting on a nearby planet."

Ahsoka bit her lip angrily, barely concealing her fury at the blatant lie. "That's not possible," she said.

Ar'alani raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that our intel is false?" she asked calmly.

"There's no way Anakin could have contacted you," Ahsoka said bitterly, "He's...he's..."

Images flashed through her mind.

Anakin, with half of his face on fire and his skin burning, screaming and crawling after her as she turned away from him to leave. Vader holding onto Leia and dragging her through the dark fires of Mustafar as she wailed and held out her hands to her. Reva, a Youngling, lying on the floor of the Jedi Temple reeling in shock as she clutched the wound on her side where Anakin stabbed her.

Ahsoka immediately snapped her mouth shut and went rigid.

He's dead.

I killed him.

Ar'alani and Eli waited as the Togruta bent over, suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of nausea. Obi-Wan looked up at her and reached for her but Ahsoka just shook her head and covered her face with both of her hands. Her shoulders shook as she struggled to catch her breath.

"It's impossible," she whispered. "He's...he's not here anymore."

Eli took a step towards her but Ar'alani stopped him. Walking closer to Ahsoka, she knelt down slightly and placed her hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. Ahsoka groaned quietly as Ar'alani bent over her, observing her carefully.

"How do you know of his death, even though you have not seen it?" she asked gently.

Ahsoka took a deep breath and attempted to collect herself. She stood back up and coldly shook Ar'alani off of her. Ar'alani stood back, giving her some space.

"It doesn't matter," she spat back. "He won't be coming back. You can tell your people that their information is wrong."

"Alright, I will inform them," Ar'alani nodded then turned back to Lieutenant Vanto. "I believe a meal is in order. Shall we send them to the canteen?"

"Yes, the food should be ready by now," Eli replied. Then, more quietly, he added, "So, the General is dead."

"So it would appear. I am beginning to suspect they may have lied about their relationship to him...it does not appear they parted on good terms."

"Excuse me," Obi-Wan interrupted and they stopped.

"Yes, Officer Ben?" Ar'alani asked.

"You will have to excuse my rudeness," Obi-Wan said. "However, I can indeed prove that we did not lie about our relationship to the General."

Ar'alani turned to Eli, perplexed.

"You are curious about our identities as Jedi," Obi-Wan said. "Admiral Ar'alani, we possess the ability that your people call the Second Sight. It is no trouble to show you our memories of him." Eli stepped back and his hand flew to his blaster. "I am not sure why you still believe that we are Grysk informants, but I assure you that is not the case. If you wish to test our teeth again, I am happy to volunteer myself to the medical bay. After all, that is the true reason why you ran a scan on us, is it not?"

Ar'alani looked over at Eli. He opened as mouth as if he wished to say something, but thought better of it now knowing that Obi-Wan could understand Sy Bisti. Obi-Wan simply held out his hands to them.

"Alright," Ar'alani said coolly, nodding her head. "Show us, then."

She walked forward but Eli stepped in front of her instead.

"No," he said. "Let me do it."

Ar'alani raised an eyebrow, but Obi-Wan just smiled.

"You are a loyal and brave officer, Lieutenant Vanto," he murmured. "I commend you."

With that, he reached out and took Lieutenant Vanto's hands. Closing his eyes, he let his mind fall into the quiet of the Force and drew on his memories of Anakin.

Anakin, fighting against the Separatists while protecting his Clone soldiers in battle. Anakin, working together and training Ahsoka. Anakin at the Battle of Geonosis, at Zygerria, at Mortis. Anakin and Padme telling him about a mysterious Blue-skinned Chiss who helped him to destroy the cortosis armor factory he discovered on Mokivj.

A million memories and more flooded into his mind.

Eli opened his eyes wide and drew back, reeling with overstimulation. Obi-Wan just watched him calmly as he breathed heavily and gathered himself.

"They're telling the truth," Eli said hastily, forgetting himself.

"Thank you, Lieutenant Vanto," Obi-Wan replied in horribly-accented Sy Bisti.

A tense silence transpired. Ar'alani walked over and finally looked at Ahsoka in the eye.

"I apologize. You are right, we have not been acting in earnest towards you. I hope you can find the will to forgive us. I promise that from now on, there will be no more subterfuge on our part."

"And no more medical scans conducted without our knowledge?" Ahsoka asked snarkily.

Ar'alani bowed her head. "Correct," she said solemnly.

"Why did you lie to us?" Ahsoka demanded. "What was the purpose? To see if we would crack and admit to not knowing General Skywalker?"

"No," Ar'alani said. "We prefer not to use underhanded tactics. However, we have previously been betrayed and were not sure if we could trust you. You may not know this, but recently our people have become embroiled in a fatal civil war. I am afraid that we do not know who trust...not even our own," she admitted. "Because of the Grysks' ability to control the minds of their victims, many Chiss have unwittingly become their slaves. We do not even have a home to return to anymore."

Ahsoka frowned. "I thought you said you were from Csilla?"

"We are originally," Ar'alani nodded. "But most of our people have fled the planet out of fear and refusal to submit to the Hegemony. Lieutenant Vanto and I were sent out to try and find allies to help us rebuild the civilization. Together, we hold the last hope of creating a unified Chiss homeworld."

Obi-Wan listened to her silently, stroking his beard and nodding attentively. "I see," he said. "Your real reason for seeking General Skywalker...is because you wished to use his expertise in battle knowledge, is it not?"

Ar'alani nodded silently.

"Very well, then," he said. "Let us reintroduce ourselves. I am General Ben Kenobi, and this is my friend, Commander Ahsoka Tano. No, sorry. General Ahsoka Tano," he declared, spontaneously deciding to promote her. Ahsoka blinked and straightened up instantly at hearing her old title. "We are now at your service."

"Let us reintroduce ourselves as well," Ar'alani replied. "I am Admiral Ar'alani of the Irizi family, and this is Lieutenant Eli'vanto of the Vanto family." With that, she bowed to them. Lieutenant Vanto also bowed as well, keeping his head tilted further than the admiral.

"Wonderful," Obi-Wan said. "It is a pleasure to work with you. What do you think, Ahsoka?"