In the suffocating heat of Tatooine's arid summer one slave was crying in the dark of the night. In a little white stone house, a woman was about to become a mother. The pain of the contractions ripped her belly off and rendered unable to move any muscle.

Tonight, the lives of two friends would be sealed forever.

4 a.m. It was time to get off work. She smiled and grabbed her last bottle of strong alcohol before waving at her boss. She was so tired and her body was stinking a mixture of sweat, alcohol and all kind of different smoke. She didn't like this job particularly but it was well paid and discreet. It was also money-making enough to support the ones she cared about. And more importantly, the geographic situation of this remote planet enabled her moves off the Jedi Order and the Sith radars. On the way to leave she got her cloak back from her closet and put it on to cover her exposed body. Quite exposing for someone of her nature but she didn't care. It was just flesh, flesh who could make money for the family-to-be, she thought. The streets of the small center were dark and quite empty, except for the few drunker and junkies who were releasing their sorrow on the walls of the houses but she wasn't feeling insecure at all. She was still holding her bottle and stumbled a bit but kept walking towards her friend's house. She didn't have a place of her own but usually paid for the rent and the expenses in this house. The resident, a woman, became her friend and agreed to let her live here in secret despite the fact that she was a slave and had no right over this house. She had somehow convinced her owner to let her live with her in compensation of a bit more money at the end of the month in his house was situated near the center, it didn't take long for her to go back. As every night for years, she has taken the same way to stop by an overnight food stale and buy something for the breakfast. But as she was walking toward the seller a strange feeling traveled through her body. She didn't think twice, dropped her bottle that broke instantly on the floor and ran toward her home. She heard a woman voice shouting and crying. She broke the front door and called her friend. Following the absence of a response, she let herself lead by the screaming towards the kitchen where her friend was lying on the floor.

"- Shmi ! Oh Shmi, are you alright? What happened?

- Ira… it's … It's starting! Aaaaah … why does it hurt so much?! Aaaah … This … this child is g-going to kill me!"

Ira removed her cloak and folded it as a pillow for her friend's head. The work had begun, the baby was about to arrive. She tied her long hair, placed her friend's head on the made-up pillow and went at the height of her legs. Ira became more and more aware of Shmi's pain, increasing her concern for their lives, the baby's and hers.

"- You need to stop talking and save energy … breathe slowly Shmi.

- Don't leave me, you need to save the baby if I don't –

- Shut it, stop talking nonsense and focus."

Blood started to flow out from between her legs. They needed to be quick. Shmi was holding the table legs so strongly that she cut herself whereas her friend was sitting between her legs, trying to reach the baby's head. She ordered Shmi to push harder and to be consistent, she was a strong women she knew it but a human could easily give up when it came to facing the pain and the risk of death. Shmi shouted and screamed as she tried to keep pushing for the sake of both of her baby and herself. After hours of labor, the tiny bloody baby showed up and had been quickly separated from its mother umbilical cord. Shmi was exhausted but so happy when her friend, after she had washed the baby's body, dropped it off with kindness into her arms. They contemplated the little human being with the sweetest smiles. They were so happy. A little boy.

How should I call him? Shmi thought about that but no any good names seemed to cross her mind. She was too tired for that.

"- This little really wanted to be born today. Shmi's friend kissed the little feet of the baby. He is going to be such a great warrior, he will have to if he wishes to survive in this hell of a world. Her voice faded but she contained her smile to reassure Shmi. Don't you worry little guy, I'll protect you, you and your mother, from any harm. You will have to be tough though, I am not a very comprehensive teacher.

- You won't be his teacher. You will be his mother's friend. He will treat and look up to you as a second mother. We will raise him together but I am too weak. What can a slave like me could ever be able to do to help him. Ira … you are his only hope. Shmi carefully removed one of her hand from under the baby to grab her friend's arm. I don't know what I've done in the past to be granted of your support. Thank you so much for being with me right now."

Ira kissed with affection the new mother's hand. No Shmi, you are wrong. He is our hope, everyone out there's hope. The little boy was crying even louder for his mother to feed him. Little warrior, little Anakin, she murmured.

[ -]

Kylo Ren opened his eyes and felt a pain in his arm. He recalled the events of the night before. Everything happened so fast he didn't have enough time or explanation to understand the situation fully. He killed his father to prove his allegiance to the Dark Side and to his master but nothing happened as he had expected it to be. The Supreme Leader seemed angrier than ever at him. He still doesn't trust me, though Kylo Ren. He sighed when the face of the woman he brought back appeared in his mind. Why was she here, for what real purpose did she come back from the dead. The more he was trying to think the more confused he was. Nothing made sense to him. It was absurd. He has been trained by Snoke for many years, why would he give up on him to allow an outsider to take his training over. He was almost done anyway. Soon he will reach the goal he has fixed to himself. He was determinate to succeed and prove the whole world his worth and his power. He put his head in his hands and inhaled deeply. The vessel was calm and quiet despite the continuous engine noise. It must be early enough. The young man stood up and walked toward the closet to grab his training black clothes. A thin jumper, larger than his usual clothes though. He went to the bathroom, washed his face and teeth, wondering if she was up already. He still couldn't realize it. She was back. He has always heard stories about her, about how she worked in the dark to watch over and lift Darth Vader to his glorious days. He heard about her tragic story before she even met Vader. But maybe everything had just been made up by Snoke to give credits and legitimation to his discourses. Kylo Ren didn't know and didn't actually care. Maybe she wasn't that good of a trainer if she relied on Jedi concepts of training. He didn't need that. He had enough Jedi training with his uncle and he witnessed the result. Yet she was the legendary Darth Ira and had been one of the chief of the Nightsisters' army. Despite all the respect he had for her, he didn't have time for another sessions of training. He needed to work on his plans to reach the position he desired the most. He needed to find a way to destroy the last Jedi and the Rebellion.

He left his room, passed by several Stormtroopers who were guarding his private residence in this wing of the ship. As we and felt naked. He forgot what he had done to his mask and felt bitter regrets and anger. The entire ship was at peace. It must be still late at night or too early in the morning. How could he be sure? It was hard to tell up in the dark galaxy. Something woke him up anyway. He walked a long distance, crossed the central shed to arrive at the training room. It was really special to him. He came here anytime he needed to release his anger, train himself to light saber or simply be alone without anyone to disturb him. He wasn't surprised that the door was unlock. He entered without a sound and waited patiently at the entrance. She was there already. Sat cross-legged on a round sofa her eyes were closed but her forehead tensed and wrinkled. He didn't know what to do nor to say. He just looked at her while she was focused in her meditation or whatever it was. He noticed that she was wearing exactly the same clothes she wore the day before. Has she spent the night here? Thought Kylo Ren more and more curious. She seemed so fierce yesterday but now she looked away and calm, despite the tension on her face. He wanted to know if he could be able to read her mind and have a look of what she was seeing or doing. He went closer and closer, still silently. As he came closer she didn't move which gave him more confidence. He was now face to face with her. He leaned forward and raised his hand near her forehead, ready to focus on the Force to read her. As soon as he tried to do so she opened her eyes and look of it startled him. Her eyes weren't gold anymore. Her iris turned black and round, as if all the white part had disappeared. It was scary but fascinating. She didn't move though. He reinforce his focus and could see, sharply, some images of faces. A little baby and a brown haired woman. He wanted to see more but she finally woke up. She was fixing him. He stepped back at the vision of her eyes changing color.

" - I am sorry. I didn't want to interrupt you."

She didn't reply immediately. She stood up, still looking at him right in the eyes for a few minutes.

" - It's alright.

- Who were these people? Retorted Kylo Ren. Ira took a moment to breathe in and out.

- Just memories from the past. She sighed. Anyway, I am here to teach you how to control your impulsive yet useful temper.

- I told you, I am no Jedi. I-"

Kylo Ren didn't have time to pursue any word. She hit him strongly behind the knee with a wooden stick.

"- Neither am I. Now sit down." Instantly another round shaped sofa flew across the room and reached the bottom of his legs.

He wanted to add something but the threatening stick dissuaded him from doing so. He sat down and watched her doing the same in front of him. They were now face-to-face.

- Ben.

- This name means nothing to me. I am Kylo Ren.

- It's just another form of mask to me. You were born with a name. Why do you need to change it? What do you have to prove? I am here to train the real you. Not some Snoke's puppet, he has Hux, it's enough.

- You don't know me.

- I know more than you think. You are afraid and sad, do you think those feelings are unknown to me?

- I killed my own father. I am a monster …

- Who said you are? Kylo Ren didn't reply to her out loud. She did. He recalled Rey's disgusted look in his mind and it felt like giant spikes went through his heart. Ira saw clearly the one he was referring to but kept silence. She wanted to know more before jumping to conclusion. She had done it in the past and it caused the death of two people she loved.

- Nobody. Said finally Kylo Ren, coldly. I just am one. What kind of good person would murder his own parent?

- Someone torn enough to loose himself." Concluded Ira.

Kylo Ren and she looked at each other for a moment until he broke the ice.

"- I don't need another master.

- I have no intention of being your master. I am just here to show you the way out.

- There is only one way out. I have to finish what he started." He whispered.

Ira scanned his facial expressions. She felt his pain so strongly in her heart. It hurt her to realize that she faced the same struggles a long time ago and failed to help it. There was one essential thing that distinguish him from him. Kylo Ren got out his thoughts and looked back at her.

- You said I wasn't ready but I am his direct heir. So tell me Darth Ira, you knew him, you raised him, why can't I be as strong and powerful as he was?"

Ira had no time to answer him. The alarm rang across the ship, signalizing the presence of the Resistance fleet.

"- I know what I have to do."

Leaving her behind in her deep thoughts he rushed to his ship to attack the foes. Ira didn't follow him. She was way too focus on another matter, a little sign that could help somehow. A shred of light and hope.

She went back to her sitting position and closed her eyes. She visualized a small island on a lost planet. There he was. She called him patiently. Eventually, he answered. Dressed in his old grey cloak he looked at her in the eyes. She was now on the small island with him, at least her transported mind was.

"- Luke. Has she arrived already?

- Yes, and she is a real pain in the ass. Very determined and stubborn. The old man smiled. Why are you so curious about her?

- I am not sure, I think I saw something but I need more information.

- Hmm. So … Snoke. Luke smirked and threw her a blaming look.

- It's just temporary. He will be gone soon. He will destroy him eventually, they always do.

- Do you think you can bring my nephew back?

- You mean, fix your stupidities? He lifted an eyebrow. He has a strong will and a tortured soul but there is something definitely good in him. I just hope it's not too tarnished already. Watch over this girl, I feel the Force is strong with her.

- I won't train another one.

- I hardly think she needs a teacher. But you must keep an eye on her. I think she will be very useful.

- What do you mean?"

Ira didn't answer him. She wanted to be sure about this girl she saved a few days ago on Starkiller. She closed the liaison with Luke and took a walk around the ship as everyone was fizzing everywhere due to the attack. She needed to create something, a communication that would bring them closer to each other. She wanted something intimate where they could express themselves without the world to bother them. If she was really the one to bring peace in his heart she needed confirmation. She refused to make the same mistake twice. From this thinking, she walked toward the elevator. She wanted to see Snoke and discuss with him. For that, she would have need him to feel he is not threaten in his position and that this bond would bring him what he desired the most. The last Skywalker. What an idiot she thought.

As she walked to him, she felt the immense pain Kylo Ren was imposing to himself. Don't do it she begged. She described to Snoke her intention of linking Kylo Ren and Rey by a Force bond so she could reveal where Luke was. As Snoke approved and praised himself of the future destruction of all Jedi, Ira felt Kylo Ren renouncing to kill his mother. She smiled, satisfied. Snoke had no idea of what was coming for him.

[ - ]

Thanks, everyone I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am aware that my chapter are not so long but as it just the begining I'll try to improve it in the near future. Hope to read your thoughts, questions, and remarks in the comment section :)