Author's note: Sorry about the previous update. When I uploaded this I felt that I had rushed it too much, but now it is better. Enjoy the first chapter of Volume 5: Rebirth!

There was darkness...

Darkness billows around me, along with brief flashes of purple lightning.

Then I heard the mechanical breathing.

With a sharp snapping hiss, a blood red lightsaber flared to life, illuminating the tall, menacing figure of Darth Vader, and Ahsoka several feet away.

"We'll see each other again... I believe that," Ahsoka whispers.

"Mom!"

"Ahsoka!"

Jarik was holding Mara back, ignoring his own grief as Kanan was doing the same with Ezra. The doors to the chamber start to close, and Bader slams his lightsaber down on Ahsoka, who raises hers to block it.

"No! Nooo! Mom!" Mara cries, and the doors slam shut, leaving her with Vader.

She shoves her lightsabers up to push Vader away, and whips around to face him. He deflects his next few strikes and then deactivates her lightsabers, rolling underneath him and then popping up with her lightsabers again.

He marches forwards for her, slamming his lightsaber down on her over and over again, his yellow eye glowing with rage. She raises her blades to block him, backing up closer towards the obelisk. Then with one final strike he slams his lightsaber down on an overhead strike.

She raises her blades and blocks his attack, entering a blade lock. The strength behind Vader forces her down to her knees, gritting her teeth. Beside them, the obelisk continues to crackle with unstable energy, sending flickers of violet lightning striking everywhere.

Ahsoka then shoves Vader backwards and, with a fierce and determined stare, stabs her lightsabers into the ground. The floor starts to crack and crumble, and Vader steps forwards to swing his lightsaber for a killing blow, despite the soon to be explosion. He swings with a flash of red.

Vader falls through the crumbling floor as the temple explodes. Ahsoka disappears... and the bond snaps.

*:*:*

I shoot up from my bed with heavy breaths, gasping and panting for air to try and settle my nerves down. Holding a hand to my chest, I manage to control my breathing and panic, realizing it was just a dream... just a dream. I stretch out subconsciously to my left, faltering upon feeling nothing, and look over with a heavy gaze, lowering my head.

Ahsoka wasn't in the bed.

I let out a heavy sigh and pull my arm back, looking up to see the sunlight beginning to filter in through the room. With a heavy heart I slowly pull myself out of bed and stand up to my feet, the events that took place on Malachor still fresh in my mind. Grabbing my cloak carelessly from its stand, I pull it on and walk outside into the cool morning air.

*:*:*

Jedi Temple; Ahch-To

2 BBY - Seven Months after Malachor

Jarik POV...

The cool breeze blew through my cloak and hair softly, betraying the turmoil that continued to plague my mind to this day. Since the loss of Ahsoka, almost nothing has seemed bright or cheerful anymore, even on this peaceful world free of the Empire's influence. The villagers of Berk were all devastated to hear the news when we had returned, and had set up a funeral pyre in her honor. I didn't attend though, the snapping of my Force bond with Ahsoka still too prevalent in my mind at the time. I wish I had though.

Much later now, I've come to notice how the Force bond had snapped as unlike on Mortis when the Son killed her, it wasn't like fractured glass shards stabbing repeatedly in my mind, rather it was swift in its break. It was still agonizing and left my mind throbbing for days afterwards, but it wasn't nearly as painful as when the Son killed her. I suppose it's because she was infected with the dark side the first time, so there was that, but all I can do is speculate. It isn't even important to me how it felt anyways, just that it happened.

Stoick, Hiccup and the rest of the gang have tried to offer their condolences, but her loss had also gotten to them as well, and since most of them were still teenagers they couldn't deal with it as best as Stoick and I could. Stoick knows better than the others though how it feels, as he lost his own wife to dragons when Hiccup was only a baby. Still, while I appreciated all of their efforts, it wasn't able to stem the ache in my heart without Ahsoka to soothe it. It doesn't help that Mara also holds me partly responsible for what happened too, since I didn't try to stop Ahsoka.

A terrible terror chirps on a small rocky ledge next to me, eyeing me inquisitively. I glance at it with a small smile, reaching out to scratch its neck, and then continue on my way. Walking up the pathway towards the Saddle, I eventually find Mara with Zenna in the lush green area, stroking her neck. She was busy fastening a saddle to Zenna's back, constructed by Hiccup on Berk with some input from Astrid.

"You ready for a flight?" Mara asks her.

Zenna chirps excitedly, fluttering her wings for a moment and then takes notice of me, squawking at me in greeting. Mara glances behind her in my direction and sighs, turning back to face her dragon.

"Going for a morning flight?" I ask in an attempt to start a conversation.

"Yeah, we're going to fly around for a bit, maybe head towards Berk and spend a couple nights there, then come back a few days later," she answers in reply.

"It's a long flight," I point out. "A couple hours I'd reckon."

"I'll be fine," she replies stiffly.

I look at her sadly, sighing heavily. "Look, Mara... I know this is hard right now but... can you please just talk to me?"

She falters from climbing up onto Zenna's back for a few moments, sighs irritably, and turns around to face me with a neutral expression.

"Why didn't you go back and get Mom?" she asks quietly.

"I wanted to-"

"I get that she didn't want you to bring her along, but why didn't you still do so anyways? Why would she want to stay with a Sith Lord?!" she demands.

I grimace in aching hurt, knowing the reason why, just unable to muster the courage to tell her yet. "It's really complicated..."

"Typical," she groans, and after a few moments her emotions start to filter through, and Zenna whines in concern. "Why did she have to leave us, dad?"

"Mara," I reply softly, stepping forwards to give her a hug, which she latches on tightly.

"Why couldn't she stay with us?" she asks quietly, tears filtering through a little bit.

"Ahsoka loved us more than the entire galaxy," I say softly, stroking her back. "If there's any chance that she's still alive, then you can bet she'll do everything in her power to find her way back to us"

We hug each other for several moments, and Zenna also joins in on the embrace, leaning her head down to nestle against us with a soothing purr. After several more second of our embrace we all separate, and I reach out to brush some of her hair back, smiling at her.

"Go spend time with your friends Mara," I tell her.

She smiles back, before looking concerned. "What about you dad?"

"I'll be here, continuing with work for the Fulcrum agency," I answer in reply.

"But you'll be all alone," she says.

"The caretakers will be here," I point out. "Besides, I think it's also time I solve the mystery of Elita-One down in the crystal caves."

"Ok dad," she says.

She moves back and climbs onto Zenna, getting herself situated in the saddle, and the Nadder chirps in ready excitement, shifting her legs a little bit.

"Have a good flight," I tell her.

"I will dad," she replies. "Come on Zenna!"

With an eager squawk, Zenna runs forwards towards the edge of the cliff and then jumps into the air, flapping her wings. I watch the two rapidly ascend into the sky with fast wing flaps, and then start zooming away from the island towards Berk. Afterwards, I let out another heavy sigh, feeling depress again, and trudge back down the island with a heavy heart. I should probably get to work with more of my Fulcrum duties.

'If it wasn't for her you could have the power to wipe out the Sith!' The voice of my dark side that I battled so long ago echoed in my mind again as I walked back down the pathway. 'Isn't that what you desire? You could end them all! Vader, Sidious, Snoke, I can give you the power to do so and bring order to the galaxy!'

I shake my head furiously to cast those thoughts aside. I've kept the darkness away for all of my life so far, in spite of all that has happened. I'm not about to lose myself now.

'You are arrogant, weak, and selfish, blinded from what really matters.'

Am I? Ahsoka tried to bring Anakin back, but she failed, and Vader still took over, proving that neither of us are able to bring him back. If she couldn't do so, what hope do I have to do so?

'I thought we could've done great things together for the galaxy, with you by my side as my loyal and trustworthy apprentice.'

Kriffing Snoke.

'You yourself could know, if you retrieve one from Malachor.'

Mara and Ezra reported that the Sith temple stated that it could change reality with its power... is that what the swirling red matter beneath the temple did? Is that why it's so powerful? Nobody is there right now, so maybe it would be best if I retrieve it before anyone else attempts to take it for their own purposes. Maybe a source of power that strong could help me face against Vader and Sidious, as their powers are greater than mine...

"Agh! Stop it!" I exclaim angrily, collapsing to my knees and clutching my head, forcing the gold from my eyes and the darkness from my heart. I breathe heavily in an attempt to calm myself, in and out, in and out. The Bendu and Snoke, and by extent Yoda, have said that the Force bond me and Ahsoka both share kept us rooted to the light, since she hosted Morai's spirit. Yet my bond is now shattered, leaving me vulnerable to temptation.

Unpredictable, just like Bendu said.

"Oh what am I gonna do?" I whisper softly to myself.

If I fall to the dark side, just like Revan and Vader did, then I don't know what I'd do to myself. Without Ahsoka to help keep me with the light, what am I going to do to prevent such an outcome from ever happening?

I haven't seen Morai's convor at all since Malachor, making me fear the worst.

*:*:*

I was currently sitting in my hut on the computer, continuing my Fulcrum work to keep my mind clear of other things for right now, and to give myself something to do. Recently though, I have been getting messages from someone who wishes to defect from the Empire, and use his position and skills to the Rebellion's advantage. Especially now that Thrawn has just been promoted to the rank of Grand Admiral, so it's only a matter of time before his attention is directed towards the growing Rebellion.

Agent Kallus. Ever since what happened on one of Geonosis's moons, where Zeb reported that he and Kallus were stranded, he's been having second thoughts about the Empire. He would be a good addition to the Fulcrum Agency. Not to mention a young man who Bail has also recommended for the Fulcrum Agency, Cassian Andor. Every small bit can help in bringing about the eventual defeat of the Empire. With these thoughts in mind, I shut down my computer and got up, heading out towards the Knight Hawk. It was time to make a visit.

Rebel Base; Atollon

3rd person POV...

"This information will help us keep spreading our ships throughout the Outer Rim. Thanks Rylla," Hera says gratefully, gesturing to the datapad in her hands. She was standing in a small group with Rylla, Rex, Boil, and Kanan.

"It's no problem Hera, make sure to use it well," she replies with a smile, although Hera could tell it was a little forced.

"Oh we will," she replies jokingly, before becoming serious. "And for what it's worth... I'm really sorry about what happened to Ahsoka."

Rylla falters, and then drops the smile with a sad expression. "You don't have anything to apologize for," she says softly.

"None of us do. The only one to blame for what happened is Vader," Rex adds firmly.

"Yeah, Vader..." Boil trails off, growing upset. He was the only person present who also knew the secret of who Vader was before. Yet he felt it wasn't his secret to tell, that lay with Ahsoka and Jarik... although now it's just Jarik.

"How have you and Ezra been holding up?" Rylla asks Kanan.

"It's not been easy," Kanan replies with a sigh. "I'm still learning how to get around. But Ezra... he's changed from the experience."

"He still hasn't talked to you?" she notices.

"We just haven't gotten around to it yet," he answers grimly. "I'm more worried about how Jarik and Mara have been taking it."

"I'm afraid for Jarik too," Rylla says in agreement. "I was one of Ahsoka's best friends, but she and Jarik... they had a Force bond. They were as close as you could possibly get."

"From a professional standpoint, they seem to be holding up. We're still getting some good Fulcrum intel, but other than that not a single word," Hera informs then, sounding concerned.

"The poor guys..." Boil says sadly.

*:*:*

Ezra closes the door into his room on the Ghost, sitting on his bed with a frustrated sigh. He sits there quietly in the dark for a few moments, and then raises his head to stare at his old Imperial cadet helmet, which was glowing a dim red behind the lens. Standing back up, he slowly picks up the helmet and turns it over, taking the Sith holocron into his hand and opening it.

"Every day we keep fighting more missions against the Empire, yet it doesn't seem to be doing anything!" he says anxiously. "Am I not doing good enough?"

"What you need is more power young Ezra, to help you protect your friends and defeat the Empire," the female voice states.

"How can I do that?" Ezra asks.

"Continue to focus on your anger, your passion. Only through that can you continue to grow in strength. To see things more clearly, and to fulfill your desires," she urges.

Ezra frowns thoughtfully to think about what she was saying, and then nods in acceptance. "If I'm going to be facing against Vader and the Empire again, I need to grow as powerful as Jarik, maybe even more so."

"Jarik Shan is an interesting one. I once taught his ancestor, Darth Revan. His power was great, and Shan also holds the same potential... and also a weakness," she tells him.

"A weakness?" Ezra asks. "What weakness?"

"Shan relied upon Tano to keep himself rooted in the Light. He no longer sees things clearly. He is unpredictable, and a threat, just like Revan was so long ago," she hisses.

"Is that why he never revealed why he was related to Revan? Why he couldn't trust us to know about that?" he asks with a hint of anger.

"He fears that others may suspect him of wrongdoings," she states. "Sooner or later his unpredictability will cause him to turn against you, and harm you and your friends."

Despite how he felt about him, Ezra couldn't help but feel a little alarmed. "Are you sure? I'm suspicious of him but, he despises the Empire just like I do."

"He despises all," she replies firmly. "He may not believe it himself, but he will become a grave threat to you, it is inevitable."

"Then I have to become stronger, be able to face him if it comes to it," Ezra says determinedly. "I will never let my friends get hurt!"

Imperial Base; Classified Location

Kallus POV...

Glancing around uneasily, I straightened out my uniform and discretely snuck away from the usual activity going on around me to a more discreet location on the Imperial Base, where not to many people were supposed to be around at the time. I was supposed to meet my contact, who would talk to me about getting involved with the Rebel Intelligence. If I were ever discovered by my superiors to be going behind their back, the consequences would be...

Well, no use thinking about them now.

Closing the door to the empty, mostly dark room, I let out a sigh and waited anxiously. However it seemed like I wouldn't have to wait long, as a tall figure suddenly appeared out of the shadows, an impassive look on his face. I widened my eyes in shock upon seeing who it was, recognizing the status and power he held, instantly becoming uneasy.

"S-Shan?!" I whisper in alarm.

"Relax Kallus," he replies with quiet calm. "We're here to discuss what you want to do next?"

"You- you're Fulcrum?" I ask quietly.

"I am," he replies stiffly. "I'll start off with the basics: what makes you so sure you have what it takes to join the Fulcrum Agency?"

His tone with neutral, but I could recognize the subtle hint of warning. I swallow nervously, recollecting myself and answer him the best I can...

Isle of Berk; Ahch-To

Mara POV...

I angled Zenna in the direction of Berk as it came into a view, smiling a little bit at the sight of the island and the people on it, that bring me so much joy. Ever since Dagur was defeated, and Alvin coming to an agreement with Stoick, and Calder coming to an agreement with me as well, Berk has been really peaceful the last few months. No major conflicts happening, no new dragons trying to destroy the archipelago, no enemies trying to conquer it. All in all it was good... except for the obvious loss.

Once arriving at the island, Zenna squawked in greeting upon flying into the training arena, where the rest of the gang was hanging out in the middle of a lesson. They all looked over at our approach, looking happy as I slipped off of Zenna.

"Hey Mara!" Astrid greets.

"Hey guys," I reply, patting Zenna on the snout before she went off to play with Toothless and Stormfly.

"What brings you out here?" Hiccup asks.

"Nothing really, just felt like visiting," I reply with a shrug. "How's life for you?"

"It's pretty good, we're in the middle of a-" Hiccup starts off.

"Blah blah blah, teaching teaching teaching," Snotlout drones off with a groan. "Can we go already?"

"Snotlout!" Astrid says in disapproval.

"What? It's almost time for Hookfang's head rubbing!" he says defensively, and Hookfang snorts uncaringly.

"Not to mention our daily tricks for Loki!" Tuffnut adds eagerly, and Ruffnut grins sinisterly.

"Uhh... tricks, for Loki?" Fishlegs asks nervously.

"Oh yeah! One time, I shoved a pile of yak-dung up-" Ruffnut starts explaining eagerly.

"Woah, okay, lets not get into that, please," Astrid quickly interrupts.

"Good grief," I grumble in exasperation.

"Fine, class dismissed then," Hiccup says irritably.

Snotlout and the Twins immediately let out triumphant shouts before mounting their dragons and flying out of there. Mara watches them go, and the other three approach her.

"So, any spectacular 'Empire-fighting-news' to hear about?" Astrid asks.

"Not really, the Rebel Base is continuing to grow, so that's good. Other than that nothing major has happened, although my dad is worried that Thrawn is going to enter the picture soon," I inform them.

"Whose Thrawn?" Hiccup asks.

"The Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, and probably the most brilliant tactician in the whole galaxy," I answer with a sigh. "He's outsmarted my dad twice."

"Twice?" Hiccup questions in surprise.

"Uh, how smart are we talking?" Fishlegs asks timidly. I frown thoughtfully for a moment before giving a suitable analogy.

"You all know Hiccup is a genius," I say, causing him to blush slightly. "But if you were to compare Thrawn to Hiccup, I'm afraid to say he'd make you seem the same level of intelligence as the twins."

Fishlegs gulps nervously, all three of them widening their eyes in bewilderment.

"Are you serious?!" Astrid exclaims.

"Oh yeah," I say grimly.

"No wonder your dad is worried then," Hiccup says in concern. "Thrawn sounds really dangerous."

"He is," I reply in agreement.

"While on the subject... are things going, okay with you guys?" Hiccup asks hesitantly in concern.

"It's... it's hard," I say quietly.

"We're always here for you, you know that right?" Astrid adds sympathetically.

"I know, and I'm grateful," I reply with a small smile. "Even knowing about everything... I still can't help but feel a little upset with my dad."

"Why?" Fishlegs asks in confusion.

"He was right there with Mom, but when she told him to leave without her, he didn't attempt to convince her to come," I say bitterly.

"You can't blame him for that. They hav-had... a Force bond, thing, right? They probably talked through that," Hiccup reasons, and I try not to flinch at how he corrects himself, noting the grimace on his face as well.

"I guess," I reply with a shrug.

"Either way, none of us want you blaming yourself, or your dad. The blame falls of this Vader person," Astrid adds firmly, sounding a little upset at the memory.

Knight Hawk; Space

Jarik POV...

R5 beeped at me inquisitively, and I gave him a glance before continuing to focus on piloting the Knight Hawk through space.

"Yes, I think Agent Kallus will do rather well in his position," I tell him.

::What if he gives into the pressure and stress, and tells the Empire what he's doing?:: he asks uncertainly.

"I don't think he will," I reply confidently. "I could tell he's had a lot of time to think about it, and he is holding some doubts about the Empire's true purpose."

::If you say so. But Thrawn might figure it out.:: he points out.

"Maybe, but there's nothing we can do about that right now. We'll just have to trust him," I say in acceptance.

He beeps back at me in agreement, and continues to browse through the holonet. I was inputting the coordinates to Ahch-To, and was just about to pull the lever to start hyperspace, when R5 beeps urgently at me.

"What is it?" I ask him.

::I just came across a secret coded message! From Naboo!:: he squeals.

"Naboo?" I ask in bewilderment. "Why would we be getting a message from Naboo?"

::It's not just to us specifically, it's being broadcasted all across an old Jedi High Council channel, calling all Jedi to meet up!:: he reveals.

I widen my eyes in shock. "What?! Put it on the screen!"

R5 immediately plugs into the astromech socket and sends the coded message to the ship, and a series of decrypted words in aurebesh pop up. I study them intently for a few moments, gasping quietly in disbelief.

"It... it can't be..." I whisper quietly.

::Should we follow up on it?:: R5 asks uncertainly.

I think hard about this for a moment, going over the pros and cons. If this is who I think it is... then this could be a huge turn in our favor. However I definitely do not like him, and I doubt he likes me either. Plus, this could instead be a trap set by the Empire to lure in unsuspecting Jedi. However I can't sense this to be the case...

"Kriff it all," I mutter. "R5, set a course for Naboo. But keep the ship cloaked to the maximum level."

::On it,:: he replies, inputting the coordinates and setting up the ship's cloaking system.

I cannot believe this at all...

Imperial Palace; Coruscant

3rd person POV...

Darth Vader comes to a stop before the throne of the Emperor, and kneels down on the ground with his head bowed.

"What is thy bidding, my master?" he asks.

"I have a task for you, my apprentice," Sidious replies. "A powerful Jedi survives in the Mid Rim, and has sent out a message calling all surviving Jedi to him. He must pay the price for his betrayal."

"As you wish, my Master," Vader replies.

"He hides on my home planet of Naboo, and of course... that of the late Queen Padmé Amidala," he adds.

Vader's breath catches at the mention of his former love, and Sidious grins at him beneath his hood, yellow eyes flaring.

"It is no coincidence. He draws you there because he knows who you are Lord Vader," he continues.

"Is it Jarik Shan?" Vader demands with a growl.

"I highly suspect he has seen the message, and will be there," Sidious replies with a scowl. "But no, it is not him. The stormtroopers that have attempted to apprehend him reports that he wields an amethyst blade."

Underneath his mask, Vader's eyes widened in absolute shock. "How is that possible?!"

"Power... that's how," Sidious answers with a smirk. "And you and I both know that this particular Jedi wields a great deal of it."

"I will see to it that this Jedi is destroyed swiftly, my master," Vader promises darkly.

"I would hope so Lord Vader," he replies. "And when Shan arrives, you must end him once and for all without hesitation, like you failed to do with your former apprentice."

Vader glares at Sidious for the mention of Ahsoka Tano, but bows anyways. Unlike his disappointment and personal feelings for Tano, he knows he will not hesitate to kill Jarik Shan after the amount of pain he had caused him.

"As you wish, my master."

Yay, first chapter! Things are pretty tense right now, not everyone is happy. We'll have to see where it goes! And by the way, Elita-One will be entering the picture soon, just to reassure you guys! As well as a really powerful person, yet long forgotten... one you will all be shocked by.

Once again I urge you guys to watch the Vader fan film if you haven't already! Star Wars Theory needs all the support he can get to continue his epic work! :D

Thanks for continuing to support enjoy my stories, it really means a lot! I'm so excited to continue working on them! :D