Edit: Minor alterations about the span of time were made. Nothing drastic. x3 No need to reread if you already have, lol.

Forward: You've waited I don't know how long, I'm too lazy to count, but here it is! The sequel to the original GateWars! We bring in SG-1 a bit (which is a lot more than the first one), and I promise you, the ultimate payout for all you Stargate fans out there will be AMAZING.

And I'm going to say this right now: This has the foreshadowing and sets the scene for the last installment in the GateWars story arc. The action will come in part three, the end of the trilogy, and it will be so intense that you will have to strap yourselves into your desk chair because it's that EPIC. :D My friend and I are SUPER EXCITED to begin it.

Just hang in there, and you won't be disappointed. ;) So without further a'do, I give you…SHADOWFIRE!


Aurora: The digital clock resting on one of the bedside table chimed loudly as the glowing red numbers changed from 7:59 to 8:00. Aurora groaned and slammed her scaled hand on the snooze button. Then, with a curse muttered under her breath, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

She'd had the nightmares again last night, the same ones she had every time she went to sleep. She woke screaming at midnight, and the amount of rest she lost showed in the dark circles under her eyes and the weary, lethargic way in which she moved through her days.

As she did every morning, she remembered the promise she had made herself that night nearly a year and a half ago when she had shown Alana the stars. While she lay there on that hospital gurney, listening to the beeping of instruments monitoring her vitals, she had made a realization. She had to be strong. Not only for herself, but for her sister. No matter how many nightmares she had of being in captivity again.

However, it was a struggle to remember this vow. Soruto was still out there. He could still find her if he wanted to.

Aurora flipped the light switch and blinked a few times as artificial light flooded her temporary quarters. She hastily straightened her twisted sheets and pulled the covers up to the pillows, leaving no evidence of her tormented sleep behind. Then she exchanged her sweaty nightclothes for baggy green pants, a pair of heavy army boots, and a close fitting black shirt with three-quarter sleeves and a low back that allowed her pale green wings full range of movement. Aurora then gathered her long black hair in a sloppy bun at the nape of her neck and tucked the run away strands behind her slim, pointed ears.

Once ready, she exited the room and headed toward the mess hall for breakfast. As she walked through the concrete corridors, a few SGC personnel called out greetings to her, which she promptly responded to with a warm smile and a greeting in return. No one stared at her anymore, as she had been a guest of their facility for a year. She almost felt that this was home. The only intrusion was her longing to return to where she belonged. Sofera.

She could barely remember the life there: the dark, imposing mountains, the thick jungle, the glistening lake by which she and her family had spent many a happy day. Of course, with all of the fond memories came all the dark ones. The city falling, burning, smoke and ash filling her nostrils. Explosions all around, screams penetrating the air, buildings crumbling under fire….

No! Living in the past served no purpose. It was the past for a reason. Aurora pushed away the memories just as she entered the mess hall.

After grabbing a bowl of a colorless, warm mush-oatmeal, they called it here on Earth-she approached the table at which her Tau'ri friends sat. The name Tau'ri was the ancient planetary name that the Earthlings held among their galaxy, because of their planet's ancient name, Terra. Doctor Daniel Jackson was excitedly telling Colonel Samantha Carter about something that had to do with a connection between the ancient civilizations of Earth and some planet SG-1 had traveled to recently. Carter was pretending to be interested in what he was saying while Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell discussed battle tactics with the Jaffa warrior, Teal'c. Both conversations stopped as Aurora slid into the seat next to Carter.

"Good morning, everyone," Aurora said cheerfully, before spooning a glob of oatmeal into her mouth.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"Good morning, Aurora."

Teal'c remained silent, as was his habit, but inclined his head and lifted the corners of his mouth a fraction of a millimeter in some semblance of a smile. For him, it was equal to a huge grin and a cheerful 'Good morning!'

"You guys going somewhere today?" Aurora asked. Carter opened her mouth to answer when she was suddenly cut off by a siren and flashing lights, followed by a message over the intercom.

"UNSCHEDULED OFF WORLD ACTIVATION!"

Immediately, the room erupted in activity, everyone rushing to their battle stations. SG-1 was on their feet in a heartbeat. Aurora rose halfway out of her seat, but Cameron placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing her back into her chair.

"No, stay here. You'll just be in the way."

The room quickly drained of all human life, and she was alone. Aurora sighed and hunched over her breakfast, spoon in hand. She toyed with the unpleasant-looking mush, but did not eat.

At least in a few days, she would be on her way to Coruscant. The Tau'ri would be sending some people to learn about the customs and the technology of the New Republic, and to negotiate the terms of their alliance. Aurora wouldn't be in the way there. And she could see her sister again. After so many years, she couldn't bear to be far from Alana's side for long periods of time. Even a year seemed to be too much time since she had last seen the Ice Soferian.

A few moments later, as Aurora finished her last spoonful of oatmeal-which turned out to be quite tasty, when heaped with piles of a crumbly substance called "brown sugar"-the sirens and warning lights abruptly shut off. Slowly, people began filtering back into the cafeteria. Their attitudes were relaxed and casual. It seemed their had been no unwelcome visit from off world hostiles, as she'd started to believe. Curious, Aurora stepped overt to one of the soldiers and asked, "Who was it?"

The soldier gave her a cursory glance, his eyes hesitating for less than a heartbeat on her wings. The people of Cheyenne Mountain might be used to her presence, but the wings were still somewhat of a novelty. "It was the Tok'ra, sending their representatives through. Mr. Carter and some other girl." The soldier grimaced and muttered under his breath as he walked away. "Making us get up in the middle of breakfast simply because they wanted to come early…"

Aurora frowned, then sighed again and slumped resignedly back into her chair. Only a few more days.

Madiyah: Madiyah stepped through the stargate, sending ripples through the blue event horizon. What she stepped into was not entirely unexpected.

The large, cavernous room was made of large blocks of stone, this concrete that the Tau'ri made most of their cities with. Pipes ran along the walls, and steam issued from machines attached to the gate itself, presumably to keep the walls from shaking as the gate activated. Madiyah glanced disparagingly at their rudimentary technology.

"Do not underestimate the Tau'ri, child. What they lack in technology and knowledge, they make up for with their courage and cunning. They care for each other almost better than we do."

"Yes, Nimrel," Madiyah thought, chagrined. Though she did add, "But I'm no child." Nimrel chuckled in response.

That was the connection between host and symbiote. In a mutual, symbiotic relationship, Madiyah shared her thoughts and body with Nimrel, the serpentine creature that lived wrapped around her spinal cord and attached to her brain stem. Though of the same species, the Tok'ra were not the same as the Goa'uld. The Tok'ra sought only for the freedom and mobility that a human body could provide, and did so peacefully, not forcing themselves on humans that did not wish to be hosts. The Goa'uld, however, sought power, and gained it by pretending to be gods. Madiyah much preferred the Tok'ra way of living.

Even though Madiyah had to make sacrifices, she also gained in return. Nimrel provided accelerated healing, long life, and the knowledge and wisdom of a being that was six hundred and forty-seven years old. Nimrel was always respectful of Madiyah's thoughts and did not intrude or disregard her boundaries. It was like having two personalities in one body, and all in all, Madiyah liked it.

When she had been young, the Goa'uld had attacked her village for harboring a Tok'ra spy. The entire village population had either fled or been killed. Sadly, her family had been among the victims; two brothers, a mother, a father, a grandmother.

Madiyah did not remember much of that day, as she had only been about 3 years old. However, she did remember her mother hiding her in a basket of laundry when all hope of escape had vanished. She remembered the horror of seeing her mother fall to the ground, lifeless eyes staring, and she remembered the relief of being found by the Tok'ra reinforcements sent to protect the village.

Madiyah had had no family left to care for her, so the Tok'ra had taken her under their wing, teaching her of their ways. Madiyah had grown up accustomed to the idea of the symbiotic relationship she now shared, and had looked forward to the day in which she would receive her symbiote. When Nimrel's previous host, a woman of 105 years gave her blessing as her body failed, Madiyah had been selected at 21 years of age to be Nimrel's new host. After two years, she had no regrets.

Madiyah stepped up beside her mentors, Jacob Carter, who was host to Selmac, the oldest and wisest of the Tok'ra. Jacob had come from this world, and he was father to one of the officers of this facility. With his experiences with the Tau'ri, he held important knowledge of the culture of Terra, or rather, Earth, as they called it. While Nimrel would be her teacher in many things, it would be Jacob who taught her of the Tau'ri. Because of her young age, it was thought that Madiyah would be the most receptive to the knowledge that Jacob would impart, so therefore, she had been chosen to be mentored by him and to follow on this journey where Jacob would act as ambassador for the Tok'ra. Madiyah felt honored to be placed in such a role of importance.

Madiyah and Jacob both wore the sand colored tunic and breeches of the Tok'ra, but apart from that, they were as different as any two people could be. Jacob was short, but well muscled while Madiyah was tall and lanky, topping him by at least a few inches. Madiyah's facial features included high cheekbones, a slightly bold nose, soft gray eyes, and a rosy complexion, all of which spoke of youth. Jacob's features included a crooked nose from being broken and not properly mended, twinkling dark brown eyes that held not only wisdom, but mischief, and fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth, all pointing toward age. Madiyah's honey-blond hair fell to her shoulders, it's top layer pulled back over her ears in two tiny braids that connected in the back to keep it out of her face, and her bangs reached her eyebrows, just barely short enough to stay out of her eyes. Jacob's neatly combed hair was thin and silver, balding in the back of his head.

Multiple Tau'ri soldiers surrounded the ramp leading from the Stargate, their firearms aimed at them. Their faces were stoic, positions unwavering. They were obviously trained and ready to deal with any unwelcome visitors. A small cannon-like contraption was even positioned at the base of the ramp.

A window set high in the wall gave Madiyah a view of the rooms beyond. There, a man who looked to be of great importance stood, watching the pair emerge from the gate. Beside him stood four people, two men, a Jaffa, and a woman. Madiyah recognized the group from the descriptions Jacob had given her and realized that they were the fabled SG-1, whom she had heard about but never met.

The gate deactivated behind the pair. The soldiers were ordered to stand down through use of some sort of speaker system, and a few minutes later, Jacob was speaking casually to the important-looking-man, who was soon introduced to be General Landrey. SG-1 also came to greet the pair, and soon enough, Jacob and Colonel Samantha Carter were hugging and smiling, as only parent and child could.

Madiyah was introduced, and Jacob apologized for being early. The two of them...Well, the four of them, actually, had been ready, and saw no reason to put off their departure until the next day. General Landrey told him there was no need for an apology.

Within a short time, Madiyah was alone in her temporary quarters, sitting on the edge of the bed. She lay down and smiled at the ceiling.

Her mission had begun.

Alana: The room was dark. It was always dark, anymore. She hated the dark.

For too many years of her life had she lived in darkness, cloaked in an ebony shroud. Surrounded by the endless expanse of space, with a soul as cold and black as the vacuum through which the dark fleet swiftly glided. How ironic was it that, even though she was thought to be free from the evil that had held her prisoner for so long, her world remained dark from blindness? Trade one in, and get the other in return.

That's how everyone else around her saw it. They pitied her; she could sense it. As she passed them in the halls, their sympathy washed over her in waves, carrying her along a dizzying tide of benevolence. The feelings were so strong that, at times, she felt sick. Sea-sick. Ugh.

She hated their pity as much as she hated the dark; more so, in fact. It was even worse when a random stranger (out of the goodness of their untainted hearts) waltzed up and offered her their assistance, thinking a blind person might need it. They were just trying to help, she knew, but it was all she could do to keep from tearing their throats out with her teeth right then and there, so strong was her emotion.

Why did they even bother to pity her? She didn't deserve it. Deep in her stony heart, she knew she didn't deserve their kind (and incredibly annoying) feelings. The death penalty that should have been hers (and would have been, were it not for her sister) had been belayed. They all believed she was good, that she could change from her evil ways. They believed that the change was already happening inside her, and with each passing day, she grew closer towards the light side of the Force. But oh, how wrong they were.

In reality, she had been divided in two. When her sister had revealed herself for the first time, bringing with her a torrent of memories that had been locked away for so long, only part of Alana had been redeemed. Pulled into the light. Made to regret her mistakes. The other half had remained in the darkness, a remnant of the Sith she had been before. The two halves of her split mind warred constantly for control over her, and their battles had all but driven her insane. The duality of her soul made a normal existence impossible. And there was nothing she could do about it.

It was a normal day on Coruscant, similar to all the rest that made up Alana's miserable new life. As she was leaving her assigned quarters in the residential wing of the former Imperial Palace (though the death penalty had been dropped, she was still kept close to watching eyes), a familiar presence approached her. It was a young medic who worked in the Senate's state-of-the-art medical center (and had also been among the personnel aboard the Mon Calamari starship during the Earth Incident). This eager, youthful doctor had been on the team that helped to treat the injured Soferian sisters after the battle. And ever since Alana's return to the New Republic, this medic had taken it upon herself to act as Alana's guardian (whenever Skywalker was not around). The doctor found her way to Alana through the crowded hallways of the Palace.

"Hello, Alana!" she said brightly. The Soferian ground her teeth.

Why did Republic citizens always have to be so…happy? She'd grown up around stoic, emotionless humans. She'd never seen them smile. Were they so different from their light-side counterparts? It really bothered her now, being around these perpetually upbeat creatures. Their bright personalities suited Aurora, more than Alana.

Maybe that was it….they thought that the twins were identical in every aspect. Just because the sisters looked the same meant that they acted the same, too. This dark cloud of anger that hung over Alana's head was just a phase. Natural, considering what she had gone through, but just a phase that would pass. Soon, she would be as bright and friendly as her sister.

"Good morning, Doctor," Alana said in a flat voice, suppressing the urge to tear the doctor's head from her shoulders.

"And how are you feeling today?" the medic wondered, falling into step beside the Ice Soferian.

I hate you all. "I'm feeling alright." Alana answered in the same emotionless tone.

"That's good," The doctor fell silent, and they walked a few steps with only the sound of booted feet on carpeted floor. Alana thought her tag-along had shut up for good, but was sadly mistaken. "So, where are you headed?"

Not only were the Republic citizens brilliant rays of blinding sunshine, but they were also quite nosey. And far too helpful. Alana saw where this question was going instantly. "Master Skywalker has requested my presence in the gym." She told the doctor, impatience creeping into her voice.

"Really? Have you been there before?"

"No."

"Well, the gym can be hard to find if you don't know where you're going. Would you like some assista-"

"No." Alana snapped, her tone scathing. "I do not need your assistance. I am fully capable of finding my way there without your help."

The doctor seemed unfazed by Alana's outburst and responded without thinking. "Oh, I see…"

Alana's anger spiked at this. It was one phrase that always set her off, no matter who said it or in what context. The mere mention of sight was enough to fire her up. Of course the medic saw. They all saw! Everyone in this damn Senate complex saw! Alana was the only one without any sight in the whole fucking palace! There was no need to constantly remind her of her blindness!

"Well, that's fantastic! Just *wonderful* that you have been blessed with the ability to see!" she hissed, turning sharply on her heel to face the stunned medic (or at least, she hoped she was facing her….it really was hard to tell, being blind and all). "But, unlike the fortunate diplomats who walk these halls, I cannot see. I do not need you helping me, and I do not need you reminding me of this weakness! All I need is for you to leave me alone!" Her voice had escalated, and a group of politicians relaxing on the plush furniture in a nearby viewing lounge stopped their mindless chatter to listen to the verbal beating the poor, unprepared medic was receiving.

The doctor scrambled for something to say, realizing her blunder too late. "Alana, I'm sorry, I-"

"Don't apologize! I don't want your pity!" the Soferian snarled viciously. Without another word, the seething Alana spun around and stalked down the corridor, leaving the young medic standing in a shocked stupor.

It took longer than Alana would have liked to finally locate the gym Skywalker had ordered her to. She had given up searching for the gym itself long ago, instead reaching out with the Force to find Skywalker. From there, she followed his trail to his actual presence, which eventually led her to the gym (a few wrong turns were made, here and there). She slammed her scaled palm on the entry button and hardly waited for the doors to slide open before she unceremoniously stomped into the cavernous room.

"Well, I'm here," she announced bluntly, stopping a few meters from where Skywalker stood. As usual, he wore a mask of unshakeable calm that only stoked the fires of Alana's anger.

"It took you a while. Did you have trouble finding this new location?" he inquired in his frustratingly smooth voice. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

"No, no trouble at all. I was simply delayed by a nosey medic," she explained.

"I'm sure she was only trying to help."

"I don't want her help!" Alana howled, then quickly reigned in her voice. She was aware of the tantrum she was throwing, and despite how good it felt, it was extremely petty. She knew better, and went about seething silently, her blind blue eyes narrowed to slits. Skywalker stepped forward, and-in a shocking move-rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Alana-" Alana stiffened and shrugged his hand off, but he continued, undeterred. "-maybe you don't want our help, but you need it."

"I don't need anybody's help." she muttered darkly. Skywalker sighed.

"This, Alana, is why I called you here today, instead of our usual training location on the roof. It is quiet in here, and I know you'll have no excuse not to hear what I am about to say," he explained, beginning to pace the room. She stayed put, arms hanging unmoving at her sides, body tensed.

The Jedi waited for her to ask exactly why she had been called here, and what she was supposed to listen to, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of answering the question. Alana remained stony and silent. Once he realized he wasn't going to drag a response out of her, he continued.

"Alana, in the months that you have been, how shall I say it….redeemed, you have hardly improved much from the person you were before. You make no effort to change your former ways, or your attitude."

"What do you mean? If I hadn't changed, everyone in this building would be dead," she objected in a much quieter voice.

"Please, let me finish," he said, and continued, "No, you haven't killed anyone. But you have thought about it-multiple times, actually-and thoughts are as powerful as actions. Because, eventually, they do become actions. You have imagined yourself slaughtering all of the beings in the Senate, which is just as bad as actually going through with it. Especially in your case. It means you haven't changed, and you aren't making much of an effort to change."

"I am trying, Master," she sneered, not taking his words to heart. Skywalker sighed once more.

"But, Alana, I don't think this is something you can do on your own. We want to help you. We can help you, if you'd let us. But your pride, your stubbornness, your independence…they're hurting you, not helping."

"What are you saying?" she asked, her voice thick with suspicion.

"Back on Earth, when you first woke up from your….hibernation, you faced the death penalty for all the crimes you'd committed as Darth Rane, and all the lives lost at your hand. It was waived-thanks in part to Aurora-under the condition that you would change, and make a true effort to follow the ways of the Jedi. So far, that hasn't happened."

Her breathing quickened.

"Alana, if you don't change, the judicial execution that was dismissed before will be honored."

There it was. The bomb had been dropped. The weight of Skywalker's news fell on Alana like a three-ton bag of rocks, smothering her. They would kill her. If she didn't change-

Inside Alana's head, the voice that was the remnant of Darth Rane exploded, making the Soferain wince. The dark side of her screamed in encouragement. If Skywalker threatened to kill her, then kill him before he had the chance to make good of his threat. Do what she'd longed to do for so long. Her light side objected, imploring her to accept the help Skywalker had offered her. This second chance at a normal life, to get rid of her dark side once and for all. Alana longed to listen to the angel on her shoulder, but Darth Rane was gaining strength.

The awful din in her head made it hard to concentrate. She squeezed her eyes shut (some good that did), clenched her teeth, dug her fingertips into the hard scales of her palm, fighting for control over her own mind.

Shut up, dammit! Be quiet!

The battle quieted to a dull roar, but it took longer than it ever had before to regain superiority in her head. The realization that she was on the verge of losing control drove a stake of fear into Alana's heart. She pushed that fear aside as fast as she could. At last, when she knew she could speak without screaming, the girl looked up. Her hands shook, but she was determined not to show her weakness.

Amazingly, only a few seconds had passed. And Skywalker, apparently, had not taken note of her dual nature, of the war raging within her mind. At least, he gave no sign of having noticed it.

The Jedi walked past her, the sound of his cloak brushing against the tops of his leather boots fading as he neared the door.

"I'll leave you to make the decision," he said, his voice resigned. He reached the exit and waved his hand over the sensor. The door slid open with a soft swish. "Please, make the right decision. And Alana-"

She didn't react, just kept her chin raised, trying to hide it's slight tremble.

"Your hate, which you struggle with so much, that is the source of all your problems, is not directed at who you think it is." he said in a near whisper, pausing by the open door. She blinked once; how could he say that? Everyone knew that she despised Soruto-she had every right to despise him. How could Skywalker say that it wasn't directed at her former master?

"Your hate is directed at yourself, Alana."

With that, he exited the room. The door closed soundlessly behind him.

But Alana remained, standing with the same stiff posture she'd had since entering this gym, frozen by the words she'd just heard fall from Skywalker's lips. And from the dark recesses of her mind, Dark Rane rose again, continuing their silent verbal battle.