PLEASE READ!: Hello friends, it's me again. Your always updating author. (Sorry, not sorry?) Tomorrow, The Last Jedi comes out and I'm both excited and nervous as I haven't literally seen or read anything on it. I want to go in spoiler free. That's where I'm going with this, I'm sure y'all want to be spoiler free too. Good news! This story isn't anywhere near TLJ in regards to events, also I don't know what I'll be using and not using from it. My point is, we have a lot of time before we get there so I won't be spoiling for you guys. If and when we do, I'll let you know! (Although, if you're reading the story... you'll probably get when that's coming up)
This leads to the bad part, I'll probably disappear for a bit while I tweak the next few chapters to make it awesome for you guys. While I'm gone, mind leaving a nice review? Maybe? Speaking of which... WE HAVE 123 REVIEWS. HOLY COW. YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING :heart:
Reviews:
ravenclauses: This comment makes me want to cry happy tears. Thank you so much. I hope to keep her a likable character!
SoulSpeak: HOLY SNAP, I KNOW RIGHT?!
TishaLiz: I know, I have to slow down with these updates! I'm just so excited... and also totally have the next like 5 chapters ready... but you know... patience is key I suppose!
LoveFiction2017: Thank you, thank you, a million and one thank yous! I can't thank you enough!
kuppcake: Yeah... Damar is a dick and I can promise you he's not going to go away... spoilers?
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You guys are too good to me. Seriously. Thank you guys so much. Hope y'all enjoy TLJ if you're seeing it this week (or whenever you do) and remember to not spoil it for others.
Let's go!
Ash lied awake that night; staring up at the smooth, grey ceiling of her finalizer apartment. The gentle hum of the ship's engines weren't the least bit comforting. They weren't her engines. This wasn't StarKiller. This wasn't the place she had come to know and feel safe in. There it was again; that word. "Safe". Did she really feel safe or was it rather just a sense of being comfortable, knowing she had Kylo Ren by her side. How safe was she really in the long run?
Ash had completed her mission; get the data and get out. A simple mission that nearly got her caught, but she had done it. In her mission, she felt it. She felt a tug on her mental state; something calling to her and pulling and gnawing at her insides. She channeled something she had never done before. Ash channeled the dark side of the Force. It hadn't really registered with her until she held the door shut from Arc. She was afraid of getting caught; she felt a sense of power and need when the job was done and Arc came in. She channeled the dark side and that scared her.
Kylo Ren had mentioned on their training retreat that being a grey Force User was difficult in many ways. One being the constant pull to find an allegiance to one side. She was like a weight drifting in the middle of space; floating and existing until a nearby planet's gravity would pull her in. Those planets were the light and dark.
Then there was the other problem of being grey; the influence she had on others. It was easy when having no allegiance to pull someone else who was established to light or dark to the opposite side. And thus the balance was born, a constant pressure on Ash that she was so easily manipulated to one side yet also had the power to manipulate others as well. Grey users were never balanced, they were just a tipping point in that scale. An enigma in the order of things, and Ash was slowly realizing that more and more.
Ashlyn knew the more she was with Kylo Ren, the more likely she would end up dipping into the dark side. If she was going to bring out the light that resided in him, she was going to have to use all her energy and pull herself with him to that side. For now, she'd allow herself to feel helpless as she continued to lie in her bed; wide awake and waiting for whatever was going to happen to her.
In any other circumstance, Kylo Ren would have been ecstatic to be leaving the Finalizer and getting Ash away from Damar. That slimeball was asking for it. Granted, Ren knew he couldn't kill him… yet. The overhaul was coming and when it did, he had a few names on list that he'd so gladly take down. Damar may have been at the top of that list, especially after the way he spoke to Ashlyn.
Kylo Ren wasn't feeling the ecstasy of leaving the Finalizer, not after the message he received from Hux. Snoke was demanding to meet Ashlyn, it was now infringing on Hux and his current position. Hux was almost begging at that point to Kylo Ren. Something had happened in his absence from StarKiller, something Hux wouldn't admit. He didn't have it, he saw it in the man's eyes.
He'd agree to the terms then, bring Ashlyn before Snoke and pray that things would go over well. They had pushed the meeting off as long as humanly possible. Now, they were out of time. Ashlyn had to be ready, Snoke wouldn't go easy on her. If one little thing slipped between the cracks; everything would fall apart. He couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen to Ashlyn then.
Their fate was in her hands now and while they were all hopeful that Ashlyn could do it, they also had that blaring doubt that kept popping up every so often.
Kylo Ren would do his best to help her, he knew it would be a serious drain on his mental strain if he attempted to keep Snoke out of both of their minds. It would be worth it. He knew that.
Phasma had warned him about this. She offered him a way out; send Ashlyn away now before it's too late. Phasma seemed to have an understanding about all this that even Kylo Ren couldn't see. She knew if Ash was killed in the process, Ren would sink even deeper than he already had to the dark side. She was looking out for both of them. Even though Kylo Ren dismissed her advice, they both held that grim outlook of the 'what if's' and the undeniable shake up that would happen if Snoke killed Ashlyn right then and there. Kylo Ren wouldn't be able to react to it, he'd have to simply watch her die. While Kylo Ren wouldn't admit what that would do to him, both Phasma and Hux knew. It jeopardized everything.
His only option was to keep some glimmer of hope; it was their only chance in getting through this obstacle. He needed to believe that Ashlyn would do well in this next challenge and then they'd be back on top.
For now, he'd silently pack during the middle of the night. He knew neither one of them would be sleeping. It was better to leave now and while the Finalizer slept; less questions he'd have to deal with. Now, it was time to let the red haired girl in on the next secret.
Ash yawned tiredly, looking at the man in black that was standing in the middle of her room as she finished packing. He had arrived in the dead of night to collect her. While exhausted, she didn't mind getting of the Finalizer sooner rather than later. "I assume you'll fill me in on why we're leaving so abruptly."
"I do owe you a piece to the puzzle." He reminded her. She smiled at his words; that smile. The smile he'd kill for just to see it. He watched as she collected her belongings. Her hair a mess, her clothes all disheveled. Even now she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He missed touching her, being even in the same room as her. He missed it all. It had only been five days and by the stars, he longed for her to be by his side again. A dangerous notion, but one he couldn't deny.
She could feel the tension coming from him. While she continued to blindly trust him, she knew something was going on. Something that he would hopefully tell her. Without really thinking about it too much, she placed her bag down and walked over to him. Her arms wrapped around his waist as her head rested on his chest. The two finding peace the moment his arms wrapped around her. "I hate this place." She said quietly.
"Me too."
"I also can't wait to get a good night's sleep again." Ash admitted. "These engines are so awful compared to StarKiller."
He smirked. "Only you would find a problem in the mechanics of the ship, and not the inhabitants."
Ash pulled back just enough to look up at him. "Oh no, they're just as awful. Minus the maintenance team. Perhaps everyone should take note from how awesome they are."
"Of course, starshine." He said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Let's get you back to your merry band of misfits."
Ash was beaming now, unable to hide the excitement of heading back to StarKiller and to her team. "Yes please." Reluctantly, the two broke their embrace as Ash went back to her bag and picked it up. She slung it over her shoulder without too much effort. "Do we tell Phasma we're leaving?"
Kylo Ren quirked an amused brow. "If you'd like to wake the sleeping Captain and get yelled at, be my guest."
Ash grimaced. "Point taken. We'll see her soon, I assume."
"We will." He confirmed. "Until then, we need to leave." There it was again, that sense of urgency in his tone. While he thought he hid it well, Ashlyn picked up on it. She'd ask him about it once they were out of the Finalizer and on their way back to StarKiller. For now, she'd accept it with a bit of reluctance but ultimate understanding. He was doing this for a reason. That was all she could fathom in that situation as the two left the apartment and to the Launch Bay.
"They just left." Phasma confirmed to the hologram of the General. There were bags under her eyes, luckily for her the hologram wouldn't pick that up. Nor could she really see the bruise on Hux's cheek. He took the brunt of the abuse from Snoke; a necessary sacrifice on his part. One he'd fight for and do all over again if it meant protecting what they were doing.
Hux was quiet for a moment, his lips pursed. "I don't know what's going to happen when they arrive."
Phasma let out an exasperated sigh. "We can only hope that whatever happens, it works in our favor." Hux nodded in agreement. "Are you okay?" Phasma asked, letting a moment of weakness slip out as she asked about his wellbeing. They were in this together; committing a form of treason. Of course, she'd be concerned to some degree.
"I'll live." Hux said grimly, forcing a smirk. "For now."
"That's not funny." Phasma scolded him.
"We knew what we were signing up for when Ren came to us with this." Hux reminded her dutifully. "We accepted the consequences."
"Ashlyn didn't." Phasma said. "It's almost as if he's afraid to let her know anything at all; like if she knew too much he'd be sending her to her execution."
"Not telling her anything will result in the same end." Hux commented. "If we want Ashlyn aboard on this plan, he needs to stop protecting her. It's ultimately going to hurt her."
Phasma silently agreed, before carefully explaining what she told Ren. "I told him to send her away. If he's that concerned for her well-being. He should send her away and be done with it."
"We need her." Hux reminded her.
"At what cost to him?" Phasma said sharply only to be met with silence. "He's already so deep into the darkness. I feel that Ashlyn is the very thin line holding him back."
"And letting her go won't stop it." Hux said.
"Neither will watching her die."
Silence overtook the conversation once more. The two knew how complicated things were. They needed Ashlyn for a multitude of reasons, most of them involved their Commander and keeping him straight. They also knew without her in a more permanent sense, Ren could fall apart. "I will see you in a few days." Hux said quickly and with a sense of finality. Phasma said nothing as she ended the hologram communication. In frustration, she tossed her datapad on the coffee table. That lingering bad feeling taking hold as she refused sleep that night. She couldn't protect everyone. None of them could. It was haunting to her; that sense of failing before it had even happened. Their fate was up to Kylo Ren and Ashlyn Novafall now.
Ash sat back in the copilot seat in the cockpit of Kylo Ren's Upsilon. The ship had left the Finalizer and began its course back to StarKiller. Man, she was tired. However the adrenaline to be back home was keeping her awake as she looked out at the stars. The empty blackness of the galaxy, so calm and quiet. "It's feels so good to be out of there!" She exclaimed happily. "It's like an invisible weight of negativity lifted off my shoulders. No panicking Troopers or personnel. No one saying awful things about me. It's great."
"If you'd like, I can say awful things about you." Ren teased.
"Watch it, Commander." Ash frowned with a smile. He chuckled as the ship began to enter hyperspace. The world around them suddenly blurring into a beautiful shade of blue as the stars passed at an exhilarating speed. It was now or never, Ashlyn needed answers. "Is it safe to ask now?" Her question more rhetorical as she asked her questions regardless. "Why are we going home so early? It's not that I'm unhappy to be heading back. I'm excited, but why?"
"Snoke." Kylo Ren answered firmly, but truthfully. "He's demanding to meet with you."
Ash felt that sinking feeling return as she curled up in her seat. "I change my mind, let's go back to the Finalizer." She was only half joking.
"I have faith in you." Kylo said in earnest. "Keep your focus, fight him; don't let him in. You'll be fine."
Ash felt a grim sense of remorse take over her then. "Is this why everyone is on edge? I could sense it in Phasma; in you." She said, proving her intuition once more. "The fear that I'll fail."
Kylo turned to her sharply, glaring as he spoke. "You won't fail. You're my apprentice; you're stronger than that."
She met his gaze with her own unassured one. "Am I?"
His glare softened. "You are." He believed that. "You wouldn't be my apprentice otherwise."
Ash continued to feel that twinge of impending failure, whether it was radiating from Kylo Ren or her own feelings; she wasn't sure in that moment. "What happens if I don't?" She asked. "What happens to you; to Phasma and Hux?"
"Don't worry about us." He said emotionlessly, hating the fact she had no concern for her own well being but for theirs. It was dangerous. Then again, that was what made Ashlyn thrive. Protecting others. "We will handle it."
Ash felt a sense of determination then, if keeping Snoke out was the only way she could keep them all safe, then she would. She'd fight with every fiber of her being, no matter what that meant for her stability. If it dragged her to the dark side, so be it. She was going to fight Snoke in a battle of minds. "When it's over; what then?"
He eyed her suspiciously, feeling a new wave of purpose coming from the girl next to him. "We move to the next phase."
"The map?" Ash asked.
"Precisely."
"How do we find the next piece?" Ashlyn asked curiously.
"I have a few more missions planned that should lead me to the right people." Kylo Ren informed her. "Once we have it, you and I will find him."
Ash pursed her lips. "Him; Luke Skywalker?" Kylo Ren confirmed with silence and some aggravation that did not go unnoticed. "He's important, that I know. You've said as much. Can I know how he fits into all this?"
Kylo Ren looked at her skeptically, yet prepared to offer her an ultimatum. "Is this the piece of the puzzle you want? I told you I'd give you something, are you sure this is it?"
Something in her gut told her that yes it was. Skywalker was important, she knew that to some degree. However important, that was where the uncertainty lied. "Yes."
He wished she hadn't said 'yes'. "Do you remember back on Maridun; my nightmare?" Ash nodded, piecing together whatever she could from the information he was giving her; knowing she'd only receive fragments of information. It was her responsibility to place them in order and get the whole story. "The Force User who opened up the Jedi Temple to train in secret and rebuild the Jedi Order?"
"That was Luke Skywalker." She answered him. "The First Order burned down his temple?"
"Not exactly." He admitted.
Ash restated her question, this time with a slight accusation. "You did." Kylo Ren didn't flinch; why should he? She wasn't wrong and he had no regret over it, right? "Are we going to find him and finish the job?"
He said once again. "Not exactly."
Ash groaned in frustration. "Enough vague answers! What are we doing once we find Luke Skywalker?"
Ren glared at her impatience, but ultimately answered her. "He has something we need."
Ash scoffed. "Still vague."
"I'll tell you about what we need after we meet with Snoke, deal?" He offered.
He had a point and she hated it. "Fine." She said shortly, before releasing her anger and returning to sincerity. "But we aren't going to kill him?"
Kylo shrugged. "Depends on if he gets in our way."
"I hate dealing in uncertainty. I just want a clear answer of 'yes' or 'no'."
"Only Sith deal in absolutes, Ashlyn." He said somewhat teasingly.
Ash frowned. "I'm not on the dark side."
"I know, starshine." His term of endearment said as lovingly as possible. Without much celebration, Kylo Ren pulled them out of hyperspace. StarKiller appearing in the distance. Ash had been so eager to see it and return home. Now? She felt sick. Everything depended on this moment. "You're going to do just fine." He reassured her again.
Ash absentmindedly leaned over to his seat, grabbing for his hand and holding it. Her eyes locked on the base as it came closer; her heart thudding in her chest. This was it. Yet, there was that small glimmer of hope as Kylo Ren squeezed her hand, reminding her why she was going to succeed in this. She was going to do this for them, but more importantly, for him.
Upon landing, General Hux was awaiting their arrival on the main Launch Bay. His hands clasped tightly behind his back; a solemn expression on his face as the ship docked gracefully. Within moments of landing, Kylo Ren stalked out of his personal ship, followed by the red haired girl. Without really realizing it, she offered a small sympathetic smile to Hux; noticing the bruise on his cheek.
The corner of Hux's lips fought to stay down and not contort to a smirk. "Ms. Novafall, welcome back."
Ash kept her smile, yet her voice held concern. "Are you okay, General?"
Hux took a quick look around, noticing no one was listening in as he avoided the conversation altogether. "We are expected elsewhere." He looked to Ren. "Shall we?"
With haste, the trio began their walk towards the far corners of StarKiller. A place Ashlyn had never ventured to before. On their walk, the group passed by the maintenance crew on their way to the oscillator. The group at first was shocked to see Ashlyn back so early. Their shock turning to excitement to see her, only to lose their excitement and replace it with worry as she quickly shook her head to them, signaling that now was not the time. The worried look on Taka's face said it all as she tried to wipe that memory for her mind and concentrate as they walked passed.
Ash began to notice less and less people populated this particular hallway, it was as if they were afraid of its existence altogether. "No one comes down here." Ren chimed in, sensing her concern. "They have no reason to."
"I assume no one speaks to Snoke say for you two?" Ash asked.
"Aren't we lucky." Hux said dryly. The trio reaching the two large doors that lead to the cavern. Hux looked at the two Force Users, nodding. "This is it."
"He's going to pry into your thoughts." Kylo Ren explained. "Just like we practice, build the brick wall and keep it steady. No matter what happens. I'll try and help as much as I can."
Ash nodded. "I can do this." She said confidently. "We can do this."
"Then let's." Hux said, the door sliding open to reveal the large black room at the end of the hall.
The three stepped in, there was no going back now as the doors closed behind them.
Entering the cavern, Ash noticed the immediate change in the Force around her. The nerves that both men tried to keep at bay, the scent of death and decay. They stopped in a large circle at the center of the room. In front of her Ash noticed a large and empty throne. She was confused, where was Snoke and was he really that ginormous? That was when the massive hologram appeared.
While his features weren't clear, Ash could tell he was old and quite honestly; ugly. Immediately, Snoke focused on the newcomer in the room. "You" He barked. "Come closer." His raspy voice commanding. Ashlyn obeyed, stepping forward as she stared down the giant hologram. "You are the grey Force User I've heard so much and yet seen so little about." He said. "I wonder what is so special about you that they're so concerned about keeping you away?" Ash then felt it. It was like a typhoon crashing into her. She had never felt something so unrelenting and powerful as it tried to break into her head. The worst part? He wasn't even physically there and could do so.
She immediately put the brick wall in place in an attempt to keep him out; there was a struggle. There was no way she could protect everything in her mind. Her past, the present, Kyo Ren… she had to give something away to Snoke. She knew what she had to protect and what she'd have to lose to protect what was important.
It felt like Snoke's fingers were now touching her brain directly, scraping and scratching at its surface, trying to force its way in. "You're an orphan." He mused darkly, pulling a piece out of her mind. "The brain rot plague." Ashlyn knew she couldn't keep Snoke at bay for long, but perhaps if she gave him the deepest and darkest parts of her, that would satisfy him. "Your brother drives your ambition." Snoke chuckled. "Sentiment is useless."
Ash's jaw clenched tightly, the brick wall still there as Snoke's fist tried to penetrate it over and over again. Ash released more of what she tried to keep hidden. Anything. "You see him die; over and over again." Ash felt tears beginning to pool in her eyes. She wasn't sure if it was from pain or from the memory at that point. Yet, she felt hatred. Hatred for this thing in front of her. In that hatred brought out the darkness within. It showed her capability and promise if she were to ever go completely dark. "You belong to the First Order now." He instructed her, as though he liked what he saw residing inside her. "An extension of my arm; you will do my bidding along with Commander Ren." Ash began to feel the pressure lessen on her mind, however, she didn't let go just yet. "Now go."
Snoke seemed satisfied with the power he had over Ashlyn. The power she so willingly gave him to protect everything else. The hologram disappeared almost as quickly as it came, Ashlyn felt the pressure subside completely now. She was dizzy, lightheaded and nauseous and she knew Kylo Ren couldn't comfort her now. It was too risky.
The three left the cavern swiftly, the moment the door closed, they realized they had won. Ash wiped the tears from her cheeks, disgusted with the sacrifice she made, but knowing why she did it.
"You did well." Kylo Ren praised, leaning over and kissing the side of her head and ignoring the fact that Hux was standing there was as well. It felt like their brains were almost mush, having used so much energy to block out Snoke. Both Force Users were tired, unfocused, but albeit happy to have survived.
Kylo Ren knew what Ashlyn was doing; throwing Snoke off the scent and sacrificing what meant most to her. He appreciated it more than she could ever understand. He tried to help Ashlyn as best he could, knowing if he gave too much, Snoke could see into his own mind. It was a risk they both played, and were rewarded.
Hux simply scoffed and rolled his eyes at the gesture, at least Ren was tolerable when he was with Ashlyn. He looked away and down the hallway; a moment where he'd take a double take. He thought he had seen someone turning back around the corner. He'd leave it to being under a lot of pressure and stress. No one came down here, they had no reason to. He was also certain Kylo Ren would have caught it; unaware that the two Force Users were out of focus and missed it entirely as well.
Ashlyn stared at the oscillator, examining every angle with her datapad. The oscillator was the only weak point in the entirety of the StarKiller weapon. They made sure of it; it was the switch that could ultimately bring it down if needed. However, getting to it through the shields was almost near impossible. Ashlyn also hoped it never needed to get to that point.
Her team filed in one by one, however a certain member was missing. "Hey guys." She smiled warmly. "Taka?"
Grim shrugged. "Haven't seen him."
"He said he wasn't leaving his room today." One of the twins chimed in. "He's in a slump."
Ash sighed, this was the second day in a row that Taka decided simply to not show up. "We have work to do today, I kind-of need him." She did, he was the second competent team member after her. She did need him. She then remembered how concerned he was at her arrival and how she simply brushed him off. Perhaps it was time to talk to Taka. "I'll go talk to him. Start on the weak points of the oscillator and work from there."
"You got it, boss." Grim said, directing the twins to their position in the large room.
Ash tightened her belt and wandered towards the maintenance hallway. It was her second full day back, surely Taka could be a little helpful. Her brain was still gelatin after her encounter with Snoke. She was relieved when Kylo Ren said they didn't have to train the next few days either. They both needed the rest.
Her job was done for now. She gave Hux the drive with the archive on it. There was nothing else for her to do except go back to work, which she was grateful for. Now, she was back to basics and working on StarKiller.
Ash stopped in front of Taka's door, gently knocking on it. The door slid opened to reveal a somewhat angry Taka. "Hey." Ash tried. "I know the twins said you weren't in the mood, but… I kinda need you."
Taka scoffed. "Need me?" Ash had never heard him take that tone before. "You sure you don't need our Commander?"
Ash was confused and in a slight panic over that. Without really thinking it through, she searched his mind. There it was, the memory. Taka had seen them outside the cavern door. He saw Kylo Ren kissed her head; showing affection. "Taka…"
"Are you serious, Ash?" Taka hissed. "Him?!"
Ash lowered her voice. "Can I please come in so we can talk about this?"
Taka reluctantly moved as Ashlyn entered his apartment. Once the door closed, Taka folded his arms over his chest. "Well?"
"You weren't supposed to know about the Commander and I." Ash tried to explain.
"So it really is a thing?" Taka spat. "You and the Commander are hooking up behind everyone's back?"
Ash frowned. "It's not like that."
"Then what is it?" Taka was fuming, his face turning red. "How can you even be near that monster?!"
"He is not a monster." Ash's tone was warning. "It would be wise for you to remember that."
"So he can try and kill me again?" That stung; he knew he hit a nerve as Ashlyn's face fell. With an aggravated growl, Taka threw his hands up in annoyance. "He's not good for you, Ash." He said a little softer now. "There are so many other people out there who are."
"Like you?" She dared.
Taka swallowed hard. "Yeah. Like me."
Ash simply shook her head, feeling her chest tightening. "It wouldn't work, Taka. There's something the Commander and I have-"
"Save it." Taka spat. "You're smarter than this, Ash. After all the times Sid warned you."
"Don't bring him into this!" Ash yelled back.
"I don't understand it; I don't understand you." Taka said. "You could be just as happy with me, I'd never treat you wrong like he will."
It was then Ash realized that Taka's intentions were always selfish. While Kylo Ren had selfish intentions as well, it never was when it came to her. She began to realize that Kylo had been right all along. "I love him, Taka." She said quietly. "I love him and if you cared for me at all, you'd accept that." This was the first time she admitted it out loud. The first time the words ever really left her lips and it wasn't even to Kylo Ren. Though she wish it were; her mannerisms showed that as she sank into herself again.
Taka let out a sigh of defeat. "I don't want to see you get hurt."
"You know I can take care of myself."
He offered a weak smile. "I know. I just wish it was anyone else but him." The two let a few moments of silence pass as the tension in the room began to fade. "Does anyone else know?"
Ash shook her head. "They can't." She gave him a look now, unsure what this meant for the two of them. Would Taka tell anyone?
"I won't say anything." He admitted in defeat. "I've already lost you to him, I don't want to lose you for good."
Ash felt her chest began to loosen, the tension depleting. "Thank you."
"Just know, if he hurts you…" The two stared at each other for a moment before Taka laughed awkwardly, Ash joined him. "Alright, I can't do anything about it, but…"
"I appreciate hearing it."
"Be careful, Ash." Taka said in all sincerity. "I'm just looking out for you."
"I know." Ash admitted. "I'm sorry it had to happen like this."
"Yeah, well." Taka said in defeat before changing the subject. "Don't we have a base to finish?"
Ash offered him a warm smile. "I'd like that."
Ashlyn Novafall had a fatal flaw in her design. That flaw was the ability to love, trust and protect those who were close to her. Yet, in doing so, being blind to their true intentions.
It's in that misplaced trust where things would go horribly, horribly wrong.
Final thoughts: Oh the cliff hangers! Don't hate me while I leave you in suspense for a while! Remember to review and see y'all next time!
