"Kate." Said a woman's voice behind me.
"Hello?" I hesitantly called out.
"Kate." She said again. I turned and found a pond of water. I was still on Mortis.
"Who are you?" I asked the voice. The woman arose from the pond, a mirror image of me.
"It's true what they say. You are the chosen one." She stepped across the water until she was right in front of me. "Join me. Together we can change the balance of the universe, my friend."
I raised a brow, brushing some of my hair back. "I assume you're the Son. Glad to make your acquaintance, but I'm afraid I'll be staying within the light."
"Aligned, you and I can restore balance wherever we go. Peace to the universe."
"Like I said, I think I'll stay a Jedi." I rolled my eyes.
He let out a low growl as fire erupted around him. "We will destroy the Sith and the Jedi!" He turned into his beast form and lunged for me, jolting me awake.
"Were you having a nightmare?" Ahsoka asked beside me.
"I wish it were that simple." I huffed, wiping my brow. I stood and opened the door to the boys.
"Leaving so soon?" Asked a dark voice behind me. I turned and found Ahsoka struggling in the Son's grasp. "Not without this, you won't." He punched the button to drop cargo and jumped out, flying away.
"Ahsoka!" I called desperately, running through the door to the others.
"What's going on?"
"The Son took Ahsoka. He's flying away."
"What in the blazes are you talking about?" Obi-Wan asked. The beast came into view in front of us, Anakin narrowing his eyes.
"Hold onto something." He warned, accelerating and giving chase. He followed the Son into deep fog, looking around blindly.
"Look out!" Obi-Wan shouted, a large tower with a glowing green sphere breaking through the fog. Anakin jerked the controls, the wing clipping the tower and breaking. The ship was going down fast, crashing and sliding to a stop in the black dirt. "I didn't think you saw it." Obi-Wan explained as we got up to exit the ship.
"It was a giant tower. Of course I saw it."
"Boys, less arguing, more saving." I cut them off. I stepped onto the ground and looked around the barren wasteland.
"Any sign of him?" Anakin asked.
"No. But I think it's obvious where he's taken her." Obi-Wan answered, looking to the tower we almost crashed into.
"We must hurry."
"Anakin, this wasn't a mistake. He brought us here for a reason. We must not get involved. Any conflict here could have dramatic repercussions for the universe at large."
"I don't care. He's too powerful for Ahsoka. I won't leave her alone."
"We are in the middle of something we don't truly understand. We'd be wise to confer with the Father first."
"I understand it. I'll go." I raised my hand, grabbing one of the foldable speeders.
"I'll go with you." Anakin offered.
"Fine by me." I pointed to Obi-Wan. "You need to find a way to stop the Son. Find the Father, and get the Dagger of Mortis." I mounted the speeder and revved the engine.
"This is what he wants, Kate. To divide us." Obi-Wan tried again.
"Well he's getting his way this time. I'm going to get Ahsoka, and you are going to help stop the Son."
"You must feel how strong this part of the planet is with the dark side. Don't forget what it's done already." Obi-Wan warned.
"What the dark side has done already has nothing to do with any of this! As far as I'm concerned, I just had human desires. I don't expect you to understand that." With that, Anakin and I gunned the engines, taking off towards the spire in the distance. Wind rushed past my face as we hovered across the black dirt.
"Top priority is getting Ahsoka. The Son can be dealt with later." Anakin said over comms.
"Agreed. She's either in the dungeons or being held out in the open. All likelihood is this being a trap."
"Oh, it definitely is. So, I say we spring the trap." I slid to a halt before the entrance to the tower, feeling like I was thrown into Lord of the Rings rather than Star Wars.
"I can sense her. She's that way." I said, climbing the stairs two at a time. The inside was much like the monastery, though it felt cold and empty. Like the dark side, in a sense. I broke into a light jog outside into a courtyard, finding the youngling kneeling on the ground in meditation.
"Ahsoka. Ahsoka, it's me. You're safe now. Let's go." Anakin called to her, waving to us.
"Wait." I put a hand on his arm, getting a closer look. The veins running through her body were visible and black.
"Are you proud of me, Master?" She asked, her back still turned to us. Something wasn't right with her. I could sense the dark side, but it wasn't just from the area.
"What? Uh, of course, Snips. Course I'm proud of you. Now, let's get out of here." Ahsoka stiffened, slowly coming to a crouch.
"He's right. Right about everything." She turned to face us, her eyes an evil red and yellow. "You must join him. He only wants what's best for the universe." She sighed, pouting.
"Shit." I placed a hand on my lightsaber, keeping eye contact with her.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Anakin asked her.
"Always with the criticism, Master. Never really believing in me. Trusting me! Well, I don't need you anymore." She told us defiantly.
"Ahsoka. Ahsoka, listen to me. He has done something to you. Snap out of it. This isn't you, Ahsoka." Anakin demanded.
"Isn't it?" She snapped. "I feel more like myself than I ever have."
"Trust me, honey. You aren't you." I shook my head. "Maybe you need a Snickers?"
"He asked me to give you a message. He said if you don't join him, he will kill me." She chuckled lightheartedly.
"I won't let him." Anakin growled. Ahsoka took out one of her lightsabers, igniting it.
"Then you will be forced to kill me!" She shouted, leaping into the air and bearing down on us. I ignited my blade and clashed with hers, pushing Anakin out of the way. She snarled and slashed at me, barely allowing me to block.
"I don't want to fight you, Ahsoka." Anakin said, parrying one of her cuts towards him. She pushed and jumped, sliding back a few feet.
"And now the student will kill the Master!" She threw herself back into us, making a swipe at me.
"You're getting ahead of yourself, aren't you, Snips?" Anakin asked with a nervous grin.
"Don't call me that. I hate it when you call me that!" She shouted, trying to attack him again. Obi-Wan appeared out of nowhere beside me, his lightsaber drawn.
"Did you get it?" I asked quietly while Anakin blocked her strikes. He nodded, ducking as Ahsoka swung her second blade over his head.
"Three jedi. Finally, a challenge." She taunted, her swing being blocked by all three of us.
"Any suggestions?" Anakin asked, blocking a blow.
"Yes." Obi-Wan and I answered simultaneously.
"We cut her free." Obi-Wan continued, the dagger materializing in his hand.
"What is that?" Anakin blocked another blade while I hopped over the other.
"It can kill the Aon." Obi-Wan explained.
Ahsoka, noticing the blade, roared in a deep echo. "Where did you get that? Give it to me!" She leapt at Obi-Wan, allowing me to tackle her from the side. She quickly kicked me off of her when we landed, jumping up to stab her blade into me. I rolled out of the way just in time, punching her in the face as I got up. All four of us dove backwards as the Son and Daughter crashed through the large window above us. The Father floated down with them, landing gently as they hit the ground. The Son hastily got to his feet and shot red lightning at the Father, bringing the old man to his knees.
"Anakin, now!" Obi-Wan called, tossing the dagger his way. Ahsoka dove for it, catching it before we could react. She landed beside the Son, holding it triumphantly with an evil grin.
"Not today!" I shouted, reaching out with the Force and throwing Ahsoka towards me. She tumbled to the ground, dropping the dagger long enough for me to pick it up.
"I'll take that." The Son chuckled, holding his hand out. My throat clenched, closing tighter around my windpipe. I was lifted into the air, along with Ahsoka, and flew over to his eye level.
"Everything has transpired exactly as I planned."
"You showed them the altar?" The Father asked feebly.
"I am sorry, father. I didn't know how else to stop him." She answered, being helped by Obi-Wan behind me.
"Give it to me, Kate. Then, I will give you and your little friend a swift death." The Son held out his hand.
"Ahsoka, no." Anakin said. He grew impatient, grabbing the blade and ripping from my grip.
"Thank you." he swung the blade a couple times to get a feel for it. "Your usefulness has come to an end." He touched Ahsoka's forehead, the child falling limp as her eyes rolled into her head.
"No!" Anakin and I screamed, though I followed with a yelp as I was thrown backwards. Obi-Wan immediately went to me, checking if I was okay.
"The Jedi have brought me the dagger, and you have brought yourself. Now, father, you will die." Of course the villain monologued long enough for his plan to be thwarted. He brought the dagger down to stab the Father, but the Daughter threw herself in the way.
"Father!" She cried out as she pushed him away, the weapon buried to the hilt in her chest.
"Wh-Why?" The Son hollered, lightning rolling through the clouds as he flew away in his beast form.
"My daughter. What have I done?" The Father sobbed, pulling the blade out and tossing it away. Anakin ran to Ahsoka, rolling her over onto her back.
"Do not hate him, father. It is his nature."
"No. All is lost. The balance has been broken. I thought by bringing you here, I would...but I have destroyed everything."
"Can you help her?" Anakin asked.
"There is no light. The evil has been unleashed, and the dark side shall consume her." The Father explained.
"You must help her!" Anakin begged.
"I cannot undo what is done. There is no hope."
"That's a lie!" I shouted, being supported by Obi-Wan.
"Yes, there is. There's always hope." Anakin argued. The Daughter gently took hold of the Father's hand, pointing with the other to Ahsoka. He sighed, nodding defeatedly.
"Then let my daughter's last act be to breathe life into your friend." Anakin knelt between the two, placing his fingers against their foreheads. His eyes began to glow a bright white, and the sky changed from day to night and over again. As the light dissipated, a silent moment passed before Ahsoka coughed. She desperately gasped for air, curling up as she wretched.
"Hey, Snips." Anakin greeted with a smirk.
"What's going on?" She asked, looking around.
"Uh, not much. It's good to see you." He answered timidly.
"As the balance in this world crumbles, so shall war escalate in your galaxy. As my son has descended into the dark side, so have the Sith gained strength." The Father announced gravely.
"We're needed here right now. Your son needs to be stopped." I said, pointing down.
"No. You must go now. He needs your ship to leave the planet. You must leave before he can take it." He argued, cradling his daughter.
"What about you?" Obi-Wan asked sympathetically.
"I shall mourn all that I have done. And all that is yet to be." He sighed, looking at the pale form. With downtrodden looks, we turned away and walked towards the crash site in the distance, not looking back. It took forever, but we finally made it to the ship, entering and beginning necessary repairs. A droplet of water smacked against my face soon after we started, causing me to sigh.
"Shit. Rain's coming." I told them, getting up and going inside.
"I'm getting a little tired of how unreliable the weather is here." Obi-Wan grumbled, leaning against the hatch edge.
"Some might say that's part of the appeal." Anakin responded halfheartedly.
"You did well, Anakin. How do you feel?"
"I'm not sure we're doing the right thing by leaving. The Son is consumed by the dark side."
"All the more reason to leave." I added.
"And if we stay, we may be used to the dark side's advantage." Obi-Wan warned.
"Well, you want the bad news, or the really bad news?" Ahsoka asked behind us, peeking her goggled head up while working in the service hatch under the floor.
"Well, let's try the bad news laced with a little optimism." Obi-Wan replied, crossing his arms.
"We've got two cracked shilo pins, a busted power converter, the engines should be fired twice to dump debris, and the backup vents need charging." Ahsoka listed off all the problems, getting out and to her feet.
"Sounds terribly downbeat." She dropped back down and out of sight. "Can it be fixed?"
"I can reroute the primary initiator, weld the dampening vents, and that might give us enough power to leave the atmosphere. After that, I have no guarantees she'll hold together." She answered.
"We'll take our chances. Better than staying here." Obi-Wan decided, stepping back outside. Anakin grabbed another speeder and followed him, unfolding it and mounting.
"Where are you going?" Obi-Wan asked.
"To see the Father. I'm not convinced that the Son will be contained here without our help. Perhaps we should make a stand." Anakin explained.
"Anakin-"
"If I don't get the Father's blessing to leave...it'll haunt me forever."
"I'm going too." I got one and mounted it, looking to Obi-Wan. "He told me that if I leave, my selfishness will haunt me. I need to know I can leave with a clear conscience."
"I don't like being separated." My Master complained.
"Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it." I put a hand on his shoulder before following Anakin into the rain.
We arrived as the Father shut the tomb of the Daughter. While we had escaped the storm, we were still shrouded in night sans the poles of light stuck in the ground around us. "You should have left by now." He commented, turning to face us.
"Our ship needs repairs." Anakin replied.
"Do not underestimate my son. He will seek your ship to escape our isolation and sow terror through the universe. And while you are here, he will use you to do it." He warned in a low tone.
"What will you do now that he's given himself over to the dark side?" Anakin asked.
"It is my actions that have unleashed great danger on the universe. I must kill him." I bowed my head, knowing this is the way it must be.
You can't change time. You can't change time.
"But he's too powerful for you alone." Anakin argued.
"Hmm, perhaps, perhaps not. The Force will decide." The Father shrugged the notion off as if it was unimportant.
"We can help you." I offered before Anakin could.
"The choice is no longer yours to make. Our destinies are clouded. This place is strong with the Force. Darkness has no hold here. Go, ask, and you will know what to do." Anakin and I both nodded, walking in the direction he pointed.
"You have grown strong and powerful, Padawan." Said a voice above me. I looked up and found Obi-Wan standing on the top of a steep hill.
"Obi-Wan? What are you doing here?"
"Do you believe you are the chosen one?" He asked.
"Honestly, I don't know what to believe. How could I be the one in a prophecy?"
"I believe you are. You're stronger in the Force than any I've seen before. Mastered it faster than even the greatest of Padawan learners."
"What should I do about the Son? He needs to be stopped from wreaking havoc. I feel as if killing him would be just, but I worry for the galaxy."
"Look deeper. You will find another way."
"I don't understand." I shook my head.
"Not far from here, there is a place which is strong in the dark side of the Force." He pointed into the distance.
"And you want me to find it?" I crossed my arms.
"You will know what to do when the time comes. Trust me." With his final words he faded from view as if he were a spirit. Both Anakin and I shook our heads, rubbing our temples to get rid of the headache.
"Place that's strong with the dark side of the Force?" I asked him, looking for confirmation. At his nod we both ran to our speeders, following the Force through the winding hills and coves. As we neared, a deep rumbling grew louder over the sound of our engines. Finally we reached the center of the noise, a large crater with volcanic ash floating into the air. We entered the sinkhole, drifting down until we entered a cavern filled with magma. The symbol of the Son was etched and glowing into a platform sticking out of the lake, showing us where to land. I dismounted and looked around, scanning for the Son.
"Welcome." He greeted behind us. "I believe there has been a misunderstanding. We really don't have to be enemies."
"You murdered your sister." I cringed at Anakin's harsh words, knowing he regretted it. "The Force is out of balance. We have to stop you."
"Must you?" He asked with a smirk. Anakin activated his lightsaber, getting ready to strike.
"Anakin..." I warned, taking hold of my own weapon.
"There is no use for such crude implements here." The Son raised his hand, pulling the blades from our grasps and beginning to circle us. "I have a gift for you."
"I've had enough of your trickery." Anakin growled.
"Oh, I wasn't talking to just you. I was talking to the true chosen one." He pointed to me. "And you'll like this. I promise." He taunted.
"And what would it be?" I asked.
"What if I could show you the future?" He asked.
"Seen it before. No need." He gave pause at my words, his triumphant smile dropping for a second.
"But you do not know your own destiny. You are but a lost piece in this game of life."
My head began swimming, showing images of death and destruction. The woman I saw at the head of it all was unknown to me. That was until the dirt and dust cleared to show me with my lightsaber drawn.
"Padmé!" The other me shouted, though I looked different. I was confused by the shout of anger. The woman in black and metal looked nothing like the senator.
"Padmé?" I asked, watching the scene unfold. The woman was in her late teens to early twenties, carrying a crimson lightsaber. Smoke and fire raged in the forest around us, squadrons of stormtroopers forming behind her.
"Hello, Mother!" She called back, her black cloak waving in the wind. Realization dawned on me, as well as a spark of hope. I was going to have a child, after all.
"Please don't make me fight you." Older me begged, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"You chose your side, Jedi! Now you'll die with the rest of your Rebellion!" As my daughter and I ran to meet each other head on, I was horrified to notice what hilt she was using. It was Obi-Wan's, though scratched and tarnished. I dropped to my knees, tears falling down my face.
"I will do such terrible things." Anakin said behind me. Clearly the Son showed him his future as well.
"Yes. But it doesn't have to be that way. The choice is still yours to make." I got to my feet, not buying it for a second.
"How?" Anakin asked, fully ready to follow the literal embodiment of evil.
"The future by its nature can be changed. Join me, and together we will destroy this Emperor you see in your visions. Then we shall end war, corruption, and suffering throughout the galaxy." I rolled my eyes, seeing straight through his lies.
"Will we bring peace?" Anakin was cautious, though determined.
"Of course." The Son responded, clearly pretending.
"Quite the fanatic, aren't you? One glimpse into the future and you leap to follow him? He's the dark side! The whole thing in one form!" I argued.
"You will not be balancing the galaxy?" He asked, lacing his fingers.
"Not with you, no. I have a bit more respect than that."
"Very well then. If you won't help, you are an obstacle." Anakin stepped forward and raised his hand, raising me into the air.
"Don't you fucking dare." I snarled, gasping as my throat was closed. I grasped at the invisible hands around my neck, strangling me. My vision darkened, and Anakin left me to fall to the stone.
"Anakin, are you all right? What happened to Kate?" Obi-Wan asked, rousing me from sleep. My neck was sore, as well as a splitting headache.
"There has been a change of plan." Anakin answered, the magma sloshing as something fell in. "Sorry. You will not understand what I have to do to end the Clone War."
"Obi-Wan!" I wheezed, rubbing my eyes to clear them.
"But, you will try to stop me." The sound of lightning sizzled, along with blinding red light. Obi-Wan cried out as he was shocked, collapsing to the ground.
"Anakin, why?!" Obi-Wan gasped out, shaking off the effects of electricity.
"I'm sorry. I have seen that it is the Jedi who will stand in the way of peace." Anakin apologized, starting up his speeder and flying away.
"He's mine now." The Son explained, turning into his beast form and taking off.
"Kate!" He dropped beside me, checking to make sure I was functional.
"I'm so gonna get him back for this." I growled, sitting up.
"Ahsoka, come in, please. Can you hear me? Ahsoka!" Obi-Wan spoke over comms.
"Yes, Master. Any success with Anakin?"
"No, quite the opposite."
"Master, what are you saying?"
"Anakin has joined with the Son. Do not engage him."
"But-"
"Just do as I say. Listen to me. You have to disable the ship." I groaned behind him, knowing it was probably done.
"But I just finished putting it back together."
"Ahsoka, please listen." Obi-Wan begged. "We have to prevent Anakin and the Son from leaving."
"Yes, Master." The transmission ended, leaving me to get readjusted.
"What has he done to you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Almost choked the life out of me. I'm surprised he didn't just kill me." I lapsed into a coughing fit while Obi-Wan looked around.
"We need to get back up." He commented, looking at the sinkhole.
"I'm open to suggestions." I waved my hand to him.
"Well, if we're lucky enough, Ahsoka might meet us half way."
"I know I can make that jump with my leg, but what about you?"
"Mind a boost?" He asked.
"Fine." I chuckled, holding him like a bride. I crouched down and sprung up, rocketing into the air until my metal hand met the rocky edge if the sinkhole. "Now you're on your own."
"Thank you."
"Race to the top?" I smiled deviously.
"When I get a metal arm, sure." We both slipped a few times, catching ourselves before we plummeted to the fire below.
"Finally." I sighed as the sound of an engine grew near. Ahsoka appeared out of the ash, stopping next to us.
"What took you so long?" Obi-Wan asked, climbing onto the back.
"Here. I did as you said." She gave him a small cylinder. "The shuttle's going nowhere without that."
"Good, that gives us some time to rescue Anakin." Obi-Wan stowed it away, looking to me.
"Can't hold three people in mid air. Drop him off first, I can hold it." They drove away, Ahsoka coming back to pick me up as well. Once we were out Ahsoka made her way back to the ship, ready for a fight.
"Wait, go to the monastery." I ordered.
"Why?" She asked, making the turn.
"I have a feeling." I muttered. The ride was long, but we finally made it, coming to a halt in the arena.
"Master!" Ahsoka called, getting off and going to Anakin. "Are you alright?"
"I think so, but we must stop the Son once and for all." He got to his feet.
"We have little time, and you'll get only one chance." The Father said, standing as well. "You know what you must do." As if on queue, the Son came down and stepped forward.
"How quaint, my own personal send-off." He chuckled.
"I ask you one last time. Do not leave, my son." The Father begged harshly.
"You have no power to keep me, old man. You must understand by now, this planet is not my destiny." The Son denied.
"What you will do will destroy all that is good. I beg you, restrain yourself and stay." The Father pleaded.
"I cannot."
"And then it shall be. I love you, my son."
"Do you?" Anakin and I activated our lightsabers, trying to cut through him. The Son choked us both, throwing us over his shoulder. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka followed suit, with just as much luck. The Father held out his hand, the dagger floating to his hand and materializing.
"What?" The Son chuckled. "You're going to kill me now?"
"I held hope that you could resist the dark side. But I see now, there is no going back." The Father raised the blade and brought it into his own chest.
"Father." The Son gasped, rushing to him. "No! What have you done? It did not have to be this way." He sobbed.
"Yes, my child, it did. You and I are tied together, and your strength runs through me. This way, I take your power."
"Please, don't die." He begged.
"I always knew there was good in you." The Father hugged his son, looking to me. I ignited my blade and stabbed, cutting through both the Father and the Son.
"And so you have betrayed me, father." The Son shuddered, then went still.
"It is done." Anakin said solemnly, kneeling beside the Father.
"And now I die, my heart broken, but knowing the role you two will play." He said, looking to Anakin and I.
"And what is that?"
"You both are the chosen one. You have brought balance to this world. Stay on this path, and you will do it again for the galaxy. But beware your heart." His voice faded, and he laid on the floor, disappearing into the Force. Crashing erupted around us as the power within Mortis left. The crystal of light above the monastery fell, shattering and exploding as it touched the tower. Light spread across the world, engulfing us until I was blind.
"General Skywalker, come in!" I slowly woke up, rubbing my eyes and looking around. I was sitting in my seat on the shuttle, slumped against a control panel.
"We read you, Rex. Can you hear me?" Anakin responded. I got out of my chair and stretched, looking out the window and seeing the interceptor before us.
"Yes, sir, standing by. We were worried. You were off the scopes there for a moment."
"How in the hell?" I asked, rubbing my eyes again.
"A moment? We've been gone more than a moment, Rex." Anakin chuckled.
"Sir, I don't understand. You'll need to explain." Rex answered.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. We're coming in now." He hit the accelerator, going towards the larger ship and civilization.