So, the last chapter. I've kinda had this in mind for a while. It's going to be short because this is more of an epilogue than anything else.
The Jedi Temple, Coruscant, the Core Systems
19BBY
Mera fell onto her hands and knees as she climbed out of the small grate – it was mainly used for maintenance droids. If she'd been an inch taller, she doubted she'd have been able to make it through.
Mera peeled off her grey tabard, stripping off the dirtied rags until her simple undershirt, britches and boots remained. She ran a hand across her freckled cheeks before pulling the band on her red hair loose. She could pass for a common civilian – maybe visiting from the lower levels.
Mera traversed the alleyways, stuffing her lightsaber hilt down the front of her britches and pulling her overshirt over it. She heard noises – a commotion. Her first instinct was to run, but… people – she'd be safe where there were people.
Mera crept closer down the alleyway until she peered around the corner to see red and black banners billowing in front of the smoking wreckage of the Jedi Temple. Throngs of people were jumping up and down, cheering and shaking their fists as clone troopers stood in front – as if they were peacekeepers. Mera knew the truth…
"Today," called the voice of a man standing in front of the temple, behind the clone troopers, "marks the day that the nefarious fanatics of the Jedi Order met a just end!" The crowd cheered and Mera looked around; they couldn't hate the Jedi – they were being lied to! She had to tell them what really happened…
The girl began to push her way to the front. "It's not true!" She tried to shout over the crowds.
"After the savage attempt on our Emperor's life, these traitors have been rooted out and destroyed! All were offered mercy, but all chose to die!"
"That's not what happened-" Mera tried to shout in hopes that anyone would hear her. As she tried to move through the crowd, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to a strong body. She was carried out of the crowd and into the darkest alley.
Mera's heart hammered as she began to kick and punch and scream. A hand covered her mouth and she bit down hard. The figure yelped – a man. She wriggled free and reached into her britches, producing her lightsaber. Before she could even activate it, it flew from her grasp into the man's hand. He wore a black jacket and gloves over a white shirt. His dark hair was slicked back, his beard groomed well. His sapphire eyes stared into hers with warm familiarity.
"You remember me?" The man asked.
Mera nodded slowly, swallowing. "Master Xyras…"
"Xyras died in that temple," he informed her. "So did Mera Asola. You understand?"
Mera let out a breath. "I understand."
Xyras approached her, handing her back her lightsaber. "You never use this unless you have to. Never."
Mera hugged Xyras' waist. "Master Skywalker…" she said in a muffled voice. "He tried to… he almost…"
Mera felt Xyras' hands pat her back. "It's okay, it's okay…"
"What happened to the others? The other Jedi?" Mera looked up at the man with her bright green eyes.
"Mera, the Jedi are all gone."
Mera licked her lips as she looked up and down the alleyway. "What happens now?" She asked Xyras. He scratched his brown hair, muttering under his breath as his deep blue eyes fell on the young girl for a moment.
"Let's just… let's find you some new clothes first. And maybe some food…" Xyras wrapped an arm around Mera's shoulder. "Where are you from?"
"Naboo."
"No chance of hiding out there… Sheev Palpatine is from there- it'll surely be watched for fugitives."
"For what?"
"Don't worry."
"Well… where are you from?"
"Not somewhere you'd like to visit."
"Why not?"
Xyras paused and crouched down so he was looking into Mera's bright green eyes. "Mera, where I was born was not a nice place. It was very dangerous and very scary. It's no place for a child-"
"But we'll be safe there, won't we? Safe from the clones-"
"But not from others."
"Master," Mera said quietly, "Master Skywalker will be nearby. I don't want to be around him- not the same city, the same planet- the same system! Please."
Xyras let out a long sigh as he glanced around the alleyway. He removed his black and red jacket, pulling it over Mera's shoulders. "Let's just get you some clothes first."
The two of them walked away, Mera clutching onto his hand as they disappeared into the crowds of civilians in the megatropolis, beginning the search for their new life.
And I think I'll leave it there. I was originally going to end this at like 500 words but decided to add a teensy bit extra. So, yeah, this is uber-short, but I think it's a fitting end for the story.
So, Fall of the Order has ended – I hope you all enjoyed. Honestly, it felt a little lacklustre for me, but that's because there's no real story here – it's a prologue of sorts. Now, as for when I'll start the second instalment, it won't be for a short while, as I'm going to start on my almost-neglected 'West' series (RDR). So, I hope to see you all when I post the next instalment of this. My current working title for it is 'Reign of the Sith'.
See you for the next one!
R.