Clarke's power was nothing compared to that of the Sith and she certainly had no delusions that a direct attack would be nothing short of a suicide attempt. There were however other ways that she could interfere with his plans.

Whilst the two siblings were engaged in an intense battle, an opportunity arose as a force wave threw the Sith Lord further away from the unguarded holocron, Kaan's face contorting into a hateful snarl as he blocked the flurry of blows that the Jedi advanced with in quick succession. She was fighting with a ferocity that Clarke hadn't witnessed before, the light glow of the lightsabres highlighting the merciless expression shared by the two siblings. This was no minor skirmish.

As unsettling as it was to witness the destructive conflict that was unfolding, Clarke tore her eyes away from them and headed for the holocron. If Kaan needed the artefact for his plan then she would make damn well sure that it was destroyed.

Her fingers were tight around the blaster as she neared the dark object, almost within a comfortable range to shoot the pyramidal device into a thousand pieces. She had no idea if it would work but it was worth a shot, without it they might just be able to defeat the vile Sith.

The Sith caught a downward strike with his blood red sabre, the two blades locking together in a struggle of power when his dark eyes darted towards the blonde, the movement just on the edge of his peripheral vision vying for his attention.

An unintelligible growl split through the hum of light sabres as he threw every ounce of effort up at the offending Jedi, utilising the Force to empower him further, propelling her back far across the room, giving him the split second he needed to deal with this new threat.

Clarke gritted her teeth and fired the blaster, her aim true and accurate as she released several shots at the holocron. In a blur of motion the Sith leapt towards the precious artefact, barely making it in time to deflect the energy bolts harmlessly to the side.

'You should have left whilst you had the chance,' sneered Kaan, flicking his lightsabre with expert precision as he advanced towards the blonde. 'It would seem that your usefulness has expired. You're nothing but a hindrance to me now.'

Clarke stumbled backwards a few steps, knowing that her blaster was of no use against his sabre. A swipe of his hand easily ripped the weapon from her grip and sent it skittering far across the floor with a harsh clatter.

'Enough Kaan,' his sister interjected, crossing the open space to regain his attention. 'This has gone on long enough.'

Kaan paused and flashed a malicious grin at his guests. The dramatics of this encounter were becoming tiresome. It was time to conclude the event once and for all.

'You're right about that.'

He turned slowly away, as if pondering some matter deeply, apparently not concerned about his vulnerability. His confidence held no bounds, for he was so certain of his victory.

'You will join the dark side whether you like it or not,' he continued, finally turning away from the Holocron to address the room. 'Now, observe what real power looks like.'

Without delay, he threw his arms forward, a cascade of electricity shooting from his fingertips to strike the Jedi, a harsh cry ripping from her lips as the sabre dropped from her grip. It was excruciating, a fire dancing over every inch of her skin, enveloping her very being.

Clarke looked on in horror, unable to do anything to intervene. The only glimmer of light was the knowledge that Kaan did not want to kill his sister, but it was still heart wrenching to witness the agonising brutality of the dark side.

The Jedi dropped to one knee as the assault came to an end, a brief respite as Kaan continued to pour hateful commentary down upon his sister, a torrent of dark side propaganda in the hopes of persuading her with the lures of immense power. Clarke knew it wouldn't work and very soon it would dawn upon the Sith that a new strategy was necessary.

Lexa reached out a shaky hand for the fallen sabre which was only kicked away by the frustrated Sith. Kaan was running out of patience. He wasn't used to such strong resistance. Another cry ripped through the room as a second bout of searing lightning was directed at the Jedi.

'Open the holocron and this will all be over! Break your chains and be free!'

Clarke had seen enough. This couldn't continue. Her gaze focused on the discarded sabre on the floor barely a metre away. There was no time to think, only act. She strode forwards and retrieved the weapon, intent on distracting the Sith for even a few moments if that gave Lexa enough time to regain some strength.

'Enough Kaan!'

Her voice projected over the dancing electricity, drawing the cold stare of the Sith as she thumbed the green sabre to life.

Much to Clarke's relief, the assault on the Jedi ceased as the Sith turned to the blonde incredulously.

'You just don't know when to give up do you? It's as if you both have a death wish.'

Clarke remained defiant, more than aware that she would not be able to hold the Sith off for more than a few second if he chose to attack. A brief glance past the advancing Sith confirmed that Lexa was rising unsteadily to her feet, pain and fury evident in her expression. Clarke willed her to remain clear headed, it would not do to fall into the Sith's trap.

Kaan sighed lightly, as if some minor convenience was weighing on his mind. He had no remorse over death, he truly was a monster.

'If you are so eager to die then so be it.'

A spark of fear ignited in Clarke's chest for the first time during their encounter. It was as if some shift had occurred. Kaan had finally accepted that his methods were not working - it was time for drastic action.

Kaan swiftly began his assault, his blows barely deflected by the inexperienced blonde, with his final disarming strike easily leaving her defenceless. In one fluid motion he spun behind the blonde, one hand tight on her shoulder to keep her still as the Jedi froze.

'Open the holocron. You know I won't hesitate to kill her.'

Lexa paused, assessing the situation. She stood calmly in the centre of the room, her training allowing such a state when she wanted to do quite the opposite. She had no intentions of opening the holocron on Kaan's demand.

The Sith's gaze was unfaltering, free from deceit or treachery as he made a solemn promise to his sister. Only she could stop this from happening.

'Let her go Kaan. This is between us.'

'Final warning, now is not the time for words. Open the holocron or watch the girl that you love die.'

Lexa hesitated, her calm exterior masking her frantic mental calculations of how to proceed in this deadly situation. She could not open the holocron, but she would not watch Clarke die at her brothers hand. She had no delusions that any persuasion would convince him to free her.

'All of this, just so that I would open the holocron? What is contained within it to go to such lengths?'

Clarke's shaky breaths hitched into a choking silence as Kaan ignited his lightsabre, void of any emotion as the red blade sliced straight forwards through the blonde's stomach. She dropped her head slowly, as if in some horrific nightmare as her watering eyes glimpsed the humming red blade protruding from her body before vanishing from existence as quickly as it had appeared.

A piercing noise contrasted with the sudden silence, and it took a moment for Clarke to realise that the agonising scream had ripped from Lexa's throat, this pain far beyond any physical agony that the Sith could subject her to.

'I did warn you. Now suffer the consequences.'

Kaan's grip had been the only thing keeping her upright, the absence of which sent her crumpling to the ground, her face contorted in response to the searing pain.

Lexa was by her side in an instant, concern tracing her expression as she momentarily ignored the threat of her brother, fully focused on the injured woman who held her heart.

'It's okay, you'll be okay,' the Jedi uttered with a shaky breath, her words lost on the blonde woman who was beyond coherence, her mind gripped with the shock of trauma to her body.

Lexa collected what focus remained, tearing her gaze away from the woman's face to the wound at her stomach, gently placing her hands over the ripped material of the shirt.

Even as Lexa fought to summon the strength to heal the mortal wound, Kaan was observing the situation with detached curiosity. He was far more interested in the emotions that he could sense rippling from the Jedi in waves than the broken body on the ground.

A satisfied smile curled his lips upward, bathing in the torrent of rage, fear, and sorrow pouring from the woman. It was exactly as he had predicted, this blonde woman was destined to be the Jedi's downfall.

The force flowed through Lexa as she worked intently to guide the healing of torn muscle and skin, her absolute focus required for it's success.

'That's enough of that Jedi,' Kaan objected, raising an arm to pull his sister away from the still form, suspending her in mid-air before she could complete the process.

'No!' Lexa cried, her muscles tense as she fought against the restraining power, aware that Clarke's life was draining away with each second that passed.

Kaan ignored the shouts and retrieved the powerful holocron, bringing it before the struggling Jedi as if it were some kind of gift in her darkest moment.

'I feel your suffering. The anger and passion are strong within you,' Kaan began, stepping directly in the Jedi's line of sight to block her view of the unmoving blonde. 'You wish to save her? Then open the holocron and revive her with your power. There is no other way.'

Beads of sweat were beginning to form on the Jedi's brow, her struggles useless in the face of her brother's dark power. Her thoughts were working in overtime, desperately searching for some way out of this nightmare. There had to be something.

Even if she somehow broke free of this entrapment, she was still weakened from her brother's earlier assault to have any chance of beating him in combat. His powers with the dark side were far stronger than she could overcome. Besides the near impossibility of beating her brother, there was also the heart-wrenching knowledge that Clarke could be dead before she could even get around to finish her healing.

A flurry of emotion swept through the Jedi as she acknowledged what she would have to do, a hatred burning in her soul for what Kaan was forcing her to choose, but it was the only viable option.

'I'll do it.'

Kaan grinned with satisfaction, his plans finally coming to fruition.

'That was all I needed to hear.'

The invisible force capturing the Jedi was gone in an instant and Lexa landed unsteadily, her knees almost buckling under the sudden weight.

Kaan held the holocron out and she took it with only the briefest hesitation. There was no time to waste.

The life force flowing from Clarke was weak and Lexa wasn't even certain if she was still conscious, but she uttered the words anyway.

'Forgive me.'

Uncontrolled tears traced a path down her cheek and she tore her gaze away from the woman, fixing her attention on the holocron held cautiously in the palms of her hands. She did not know who she would become after this, but she would not stand by and watch Clarke die.

She closed her eyes and projected the Force into the holocron, the ancient inscriptions lining its perimeter glowing a deep red as it was activated.

A gasp slipped from the Jedi's lips as the once confined power of the holocron was released, the immense power and darkness overwhelming all of her senses as she knew nothing but it's presence. Her vision went dark and she was overcome with the true contents of the ancient artefact, the world around her lost to the darkness.

Octavia paced the unfamiliar ship anxiously. Her, Bellamy and Murphy had found their way to the Jedi's ship as guided by Clarke's instructions, but the crew had refused to escape the Imperial vessel until both Clarke and the Jedi were safely on board.

The airlock was sealed and whilst the Imperial guards were unable to board the smaller ship, the smugglers could not attempt a rescue without fighting their way through the numerous enemies.

'We can't just sit here forever,' Murphy grumbled, seated on one of the many storage containers, tapping his leg impatiently against the metallic surface, eager to be far away from the Sith and his minions.

'We do not abandon our people. You on the other hand are free to leave if you believe you stand a better chance alone,' the large Cathar growled in return, gesturing towards the exit for emphasis.

Cal and Murphy had been engaged in trivial disagreements for some time now, and there seemed to be no dissolving of the tension that gripped the ship.

Everyone was eager to leave but there was still no sign of Clarke or Lexa. It could only be imagined what horrors were unfolding onboard the Sith vessel.

'Right, that's it,' Bellamy exclaimed, standing abruptly to address the mismatched individuals. 'Murphy's right, we have waited too long already.'

Murphy threw his arms into the air in exasperation. 'Finally, someone listening to good sense.'

'I'm going back to get them,' Bellamy continued, bringing Murphy's early victory to a rapid end. The smuggler's smug satisfaction evaporated into a defeated sigh.

'I was thinking more along the lines of getting this ship into the sky and getting the hell out of here.'

The comment earned a dark glare from the majority of the Jedi's crew, none of which were willing to abandon their leader even in such dire circumstances. An argument was on the verge of breaking out when Toril came flying down the set of stairs from the control room, his expression full of concern as his feet pounded against the floor.

All eyes were drawn to him at his sudden appearance, one that could bode nothing but terrible news.

'A larger ship is closing on us, they must be planning to secure the second airlock and board the Imperial vessel.'

His breathless revelation was met with hard expressions. Events were turning from bad to worse.

'That settles it then,' Bellamy confirmed, releasing his blaster from its holster. 'We collect our people then we leave this Sith business far behind.'

'I agree,' Octavia volunteered, more than ready to commit to action. 'It does no good to hide in here.'

Murphy rolled his eyes and jumped down from the storage container, shaking his head in despair.

'I'll put my abilities to good use here, but don't let me stop you from risking your lives for some Jedi that has caused us nothing but trouble.'

Without a backwards glance he disappeared upstairs, heading for the control room from where Toril was monitoring the situation.

Murphy was no hero, but he would always survive, and that was what had aided him as a smuggler for all these years. He knew when to back away from a fight - some would call it cowardice but he believed it to be the smart choice, there was nothing to gain from being a hero other than an early grave.

Cal was more pleased than anything else to see the back of the irritating human and gladly offered his services to the smugglers, together the three of them would have a much better chance of fighting their way through the enemy.

Without time to waste, the trio made their way back through the airlock, surprised to find no resistance on the other side.

'What's going on?' Bellamy inquired through his ear piece, kindly gifted to him by Toril so as to remain in contact with the ship. 'Where have they all gone?'

The corridor was empty, absent of the hordes of soldiers that had previously been guarding the airlock.

It took a moment for Toril to respond.

'I believe it's the presence of this new ship. They don't appear to be receiving further orders from the Sith. It looks like they've regrouped their efforts to greet the ship at the second airlock.'

This was not good news. Whoever was arriving on the second ship must be far more powerful than the Sith if the soldiers would abandon their strict commands to retrieve further instruction.

The trio continued their path through the ship, their advance fast and purposeful without any enemy soldiers getting in their way.

It was without warning that a sudden quake began to ripple throughout the ship, forcing the rescue party to brace themselves against the walls as their footing became unsteady.

Bellamy and Octavia exchanged a concerned look, for a moment fearing that the ships core itself was about to be ripped apart. The quaking eventually subsided to weaker tremors, the group left unsettled by the occurrence.

The battle between a Jedi and Sith was not something that most people would attempt to interrupt for fear of their lives, but they could not abandon their people.

'We should hurry,' Cal advised, leading the group at a steady run as they neared the site of conflict.

Their footsteps echoed down the corridor as they approached the cavernous room from which they had only recently escaped. Their pace slowed as they crossed through the doorway into the chamber, momentarily stunned by what they found within.

In the centre of the room the Jedi had her back to them, her attention fixated on something within her grasp. Stood before her was the Sith, his own gaze so centred on his sister that he hardly took note of the intruders. His mouth moved rapidly, words pouring forth that were inaudible to the visitors who were at a loss as to what was happening.

It was Bellamy who first caught sight of his friend, diverting his attention from the spectacle in the centre of the room to glimpse Clarke's unmoving figure lying on the ground.

'Clarke!' he cried, diving across the short distance to arrive at her side, first taking in her lack of response and then the ripped material that only partially hid the recent wound beneath. 'What have they done to you?'

Octavia joined her brother and instantly took charge of the situation. They needed to get Clarke back to the ship if she was to have any chance of survival.

'Carry her back to the ship, there is nothing we can do for her here.'

Bellamy didn't need telling twice and gently scooped his friend up with strong arms, quietly alarmed by how her body lay limp in his grip.

As the smugglers focused on their friend, Cal was taking a cautious step towards the two Force users, unaware of the danger that he faced.

The Jedi was caught within the realm of her own mind, aware of nothing but the swirling darkness that was enveloping her from the holocron, hushed whispers from bodiless entities filling her ears. Power surged within her, the like of which she had never felt before, and it was ripping her apart.

'Embrace the darkness, it is your destiny, it is who you are. Break your chains and finally be free.'

The voices continued to swirl around her, or was it a single voice? Lexa couldn't tell any more. She didn't even know who she was. All she knew was the darkness.

'Clarke!'

A distant voice pierced through the veil and ignited a fire in her chest, it centred her very being.

Clarke. There was something that she had to do, something terrible that had to be done. She just didn't know what.

Pain burned deep within, a raging emotion that grew and expanded, encompassing a multitude of emotions. Rage, love, sorrow, hatred.

Hatred. That was it. She centred on it's existence and finally a memory returned to her.

Kaan. The name was burning in her mind like a scorching brand, this was all his fault. He had hurt Clarke and for that he would pay. It was as if a flood gate had opened, her realisation was the final key to the holocrons activation and she felt it's full power engulf her, it's seeping existence guided by her own fatal intent.

No longer was she drowning in its dark depths, but rather she had embraced it, utilising it to her own ends like a wild beast at her command.

'Lexa?'

The world around her began to fade back into existence as a voice called to her. She knew the voice, but did not care to associate it with a face. She had only one objective and nothing would stand in her way.

Cal observed his leader cautiously as he sensed something out of place, something was very wrong here.

'Lexa?' he repeated, his booming voice filling the chamber.

The Jedi released the holocron from her grip, easily levitating the artefact in place as she slowly turned towards the voice that continued to vie for her attention.

It was with horror that Cal took a step back from his friend, taken aback as Lexa rested her gaze upon him, her eyes as black and empty as a void. They conveyed nothing but an unsettling emptiness, far from the glimmering green depths that had once held so much kindness and compassion.

Cal did not recognise this being, and he knew that this was not the fearsome leader whom he would follow to the ends of the galaxy. She was gone.

Octavia hurried out of the chamber with a shout for them to follow her lead, Bellamy close behind as his eyes widened in shock at the dramatic transformation that the Jedi had undergone. He was reluctant to even think of her as a Jedi any more.

He paused for the briefest of moments by Cals side, pity in his gaze as he took note of the dismay on the Cathar's face.

'It is too late for her, we need to leave. Now.'

He did not wait to see if his words were heeded, more focused on returning Clarke to the ship for treatment. This Jedi business was no concern of his.

Lexa was barely aware of her surroundings, her mind clouded by the holocron that continued to pour darkness into her mind. Then she caught sight of Clarke.

Her vision cleared in that second, aware of nothing but the lifeless body of the one that she cared for so much, her head falling back as the blonde hair cascaded down in waves, flowing gently as the man carrying her raced out into the corridor with a fearful expression.

He thought that his friend was dead. Lexa felt the panic seeping from the smuggler as he wondered whether there was anything that could be done for her. Perhaps it was too late for them all.

Cal watched his leaders sightless eyes fixate in the distance and reluctantly began to back up, turning away from the lost Jedi and followed the smugglers back to the ship. There was nothing that he could do for Lexa, not right now, not like this.

The three of them raced back to the ship, a heavy silence falling amongst them as they were all fixated upon their own private thoughts. This was not how the mission was meant to end, this couldn't be happening.

Toril's voice chirped into existence in Bellamy's ear, startling him for a moment as he forgot about the earpiece that he was wearing.

'Guys, you've got to hurry. The second ship has now docked at the other air lock, it's time to get out of here before all hell breaks loose.'

Bellamy and his sister exchanged an ominous stare, aware that their return would not be met with joy when the others heard what had taken place. Now was not the time, it was not something to be discussed over the earpiece.

'Ready the ship, we take off in five minutes.'

The group settled back into a heavy silence as they paced down the corridor, their only hope now that there was still a chance for Clarke, they could not lose both her and the Jedi.

Bellamy looked down upon the still expression of the blonde, willing her to open her eyes, make a sound, just to do anything that might signal that she was still clinging to life.

Hold on, he willed silently, just hold on a little longer.

Kaan could hardly contain his satisfaction as he watched his newly reformed sister come to terms with her new existence. Finally, this was everything that he had waited for.

She was to be his creation, his prodigy, and together they would rule the Dark side.

Unbeknownst to him, Lexa had other plans for what was about to take place. Her rage burned hotter than ever as the image of Clarke's lifeless body remained at the forefront of her mind and she knew that she had failed. This had all been for nothing. No, she would not allow this to go unavenged.

'She's dead. I was meant to save her,' Lexa finally spoke, her voice empowered with newly acquired strength, low and dangerous as she addressed the Sith behind her.

Kaan reached out and gently pulled his sister around to face him, his touch sending tendrils of disgust curling through the Jedi as she came face to face with her brother.

'Yes, but that is of no matter now,' he said dismissively, satisfied to sense the depths of darkness that now dwelt within the once true Jedi, planting it's roots and settling itself at her very core. 'You are reborn in pure darkness, the perfect creation.'

His words did nothing but stoke the fire within his sister, the voices in her head demanding revenge for this act of evil.

'You did this.'

'Yes, I made you what you were destined to be. We can finally be united by the dark side of the Force. Together we will be unstoppable.'

'You misunderstand me,' Lexa interjected, preparing herself to unleash the newly empowered emotions that fuelled her to new strengths.

Kaan's satisfaction dwindled momentarily as he tried to decipher what his sister was trying to communicate. He had led her here and created this version of herself, she was indebted to him.

'Clarke is dead because of your actions and now you must die.'

There was nothing but darkness in Lexa's gaze as she took a devilish joy in the flicker of fear that crossed her brothers face, further developing into confusion and concern as he became aware that he had created his own destruction.

'No...,' he uttered softly, eyes wide as he stepped back unsteadily, 'I created you! I gave you life!'

There was no remorse to be found in the Jedi as she advanced upon the retreating Sith, finally able to overpower and defeat him after all this time. He had failed, and no one else would suffer at his hand.

'You gave me new life, and now I will take yours.'

Thank you for reading this chapter!

I hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you thought in the comments, it's great motivation to write the next chapter faster!