Author's Note: Just a warning, this chapter contains dark stuff and a bit of torture. Read at your own risk.
The Resolute; Atollon
Jarik POV...
The gang switched over to the smaller hangars on the side of the cruiser, where the Knight Hawk was also kept. If the plan goes right, then the main hangar bay would be extremely dangerous to be in; also the rebels were currently in the process of emptying out the hangar of all of the tanks, starfighters, and other valuable supplies that they desperately needed. A group also set off to collect all of the dead bodies of clones to give them proper burial rights. This I'm sure was at the insistence of Rex and Boil.
Anyways, we were all in the side hangar so that we could watch the Ghost come in, and also so that the Vikings could have their first look at another planet through the safety of the shields that kept in air. Honestly though, getting the twins and Snotlout to keep from being idiotic and sticking their hands, or even walking through that shield, was an absolute horrendous nightmare. It took serious threats from me and Stoick to get them to not be idiots. In spite of that however, they've been staring wordlessly at the planet for several minutes now.
"This is incredible..." Stoick murmurs, breaking the awed silence.
"We're actually seeing another planet!" Fishlegs squeaks. "Do you guys realize how amazing this is?!"
"Eh," Snotlout shrugs in apparent disinterest. He's not fooling anybody.
"This is where the rebel base is?" Astrid asks.
"One of the most major bases anyways," Rylla replies.
"This is nuts," Hiccup says quietly. "I mean, we always knew there were other planets with life when you guys showed up, but... to actually be seeing another..."
Toothless walks forwards and nudges Hiccup's hand, looking at him happily before staring out at the planet with his own draconic expression of awe and curiosity.
"There's always something out there," I murmur quietly in response.
"It looks so different. Where's the water? I don't see any blue," Gobber comments with a frown.
"Atollon doesn't have an ocean," Rylla replies.
"It doesn't?!" he asks incredulously.
"It's just a desert planet mainly," she explains.
A few of the Vikings frown in confusion.
"Uh, what's a desert?" the twins both ask.
"It's like a beach, with lots of sand. Difference is it stretches on for miles," I say in explanation. "Oh, and it's really hot."
Ahch-To doesn't really have deserts.
"Well, it's certainly no Berk," Stoick comments with a chuckle.
"I think I'd hate this place," Calder grumbles.
The Ghost then starts to make its approach towards us, and I gesture for everyone to back away and make room, which they quickly did so. The dragons all growl in confusion and wariness, still cautious about ships flying in despite being familiar with the Knight Hawk. Elita takes a few steps forwards from the other side of the hangar to watch as well.
Watching a ship touch down was something the Vikings were more familiar with, thanks to the Knight Hawk—although Calder was more cautious—but they were still fixed one watching the ship touch down in the hangar with wide eyes, curious at the new ship.
"So these are your allies against the Empire?" Stoick asks.
"They are," I confirmed with a nod. "Aside from Hera and Zeb, they're all human. Hera is a Twi'lek like Rylla, and Zeb is a Lasat."
"What's a Lasat look like?" Gobber asks.
I frown at the question and look over at Rylla, who shrugs. Elita does the same thing, rolling her optics with a smile.
"Oh, you'll see," the Autobot answers helpfully.
"That's comforting," Hiccup replies dryly.
"I'll introduce you all first," I tell them as the ship touches down.
The dragons squawk and growl to each other curiously, inching to move forwards to inspect the new ship. Thankfully they stay back, and I move forwards instead. The ramp of the Ghost opens, and the crew make their way out, Boil and Rex among them. They look around at the ship in awe, the two war veterans looking with nostalgia and recognition.
"Never thought I'd see one of these bad boys again," Rex comments.
"Neither did I brother," Boil replies.
"This is a Republic cruiser?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah," Sabine answers for him. "This is incredible! I can't believe it still works!"
"I'd say 'works' is a loose term," Zeb adds doubtfully, giving the ship a distrustful look. "Did you see all the crud on it?"
"Jarik, Rylla, it's nice to see you again. And you as well Elita," Hera greets, giving the Autobot a nod, to which she nods back.
"How are you doing Jarik?" Kanan asks in concern.
"I'm fine," I reply with a sigh. "I'm sorry about the outburst."
"There's no need to apologize. We understand how close you are," Hera replies.
"So... you dug up an old cruiser?" Kanan remarks curiously.
"Where'd you even find it? I thought the Empire decommissioned all of the old Venator cruisers," Hera says.
"Believe it or not, it was actually on the same planet that Jarik's living on," Rylla says in amusement, and I roll my eyes.
"Wait, seriously? This entire time?" Boil asks in surprise.
"Found it under the ocean," Elita explains.
"Huh. Well how about that," he remarks.
"I see you brought some friends with you," Hera notices with a frown. "And are those... what are those creatures?"
"Dragons. They're native to the planet I'm living on," I tell her in response, gesturing for Stoick to come over. I could see the Vikings were all staring at the crew with a ton of curiosity and bewilderment, particularly in Zeb's case.
"Hey, are those the two that we saw on that medical station a while ago?" Ezra asks curiously.
"Looks like it," Sabine replies.
"They are," I confirm for them. "Hera, Kanan, this is Stoick the Vast. He's the chief of a village that I live near."
"He looks bigger than you Zeb," I hear Ezra murmur.
"Oh really?" Zeb replies sarcastically, making a face.
"Bet he hits harder too. You see those arms?!" Sabine adds quietly.
"It's an honor to meet you both. I've heard stories about your struggles against this 'Empire' of yours," Stoick greets, inclining his head.
"It's nice to meet you as well. We certainly do have our hands full with the Empire," Kanan replies in acknowledgement.
"If you don't mind me asking, what brings you out with Jarik? You don't seem like you've traveled off your planet before," Hera notices acutely.
"Well, we wanted to come along and help out in the rescue mission for Mara," he explains.
Kanan and Hera both freeze up in surprise, looking over at me, the others seemingly confused as well.
"Rescue mission?" Hera asks cautiously.
Stoick frowns in confusion and looks over to me. Rylla also gives me a concerned glance, and I let out a sigh and cross my arms.
"Yes. I'm planning to rescue Mara. Right now actually, after the cruiser is emptied of everything," I say, explaining everything bluntly. "I was hoping you would be able to assist us."
Hera glances at Kanan, who has a concerned frown on his face, and then looks over at me with a hint of disapproval.
"I think we need to talk about this," she states.
*:*:*
The four of us, along with Boil, Rex, and Gobber, all moved up to the control room that overlooked hangar bay, leaving the others to mingle with each other under the supervision of Rylla and Elita. To be honest it felt like Hera was interrogating me, something which I did not appreciate; it showed in how I was lounging in one of the work chairs with my face propped up by a fist against the armrest.
"I'll just be straightforward with you Jarik, I don't think this is such a good idea," Hera states. "She's being held on Coruscant, guarded by who knows how many troops."
"Not to mention the Sith," Kanan adds.
"Glad you pointed that out for me," I drawl sarcastically.
"How would you even plan on getting in there in the first place?" Rex asks.
"What do you think we're sitting in?" I reply with a raised eyebrow.
"I know I'm not expert in warfare on other worlds," Stoick interrupts. "But wouldn't this vessel be of considerable help?"
"It's a very good find, but this is one cruiser. The Empire has thousands of Star Destroyers, each more powerful than this. And Coruscant, is constantly protected by a blockade," Hera explains with a frown.
"Well when you put it that way, it does seem a bit crazy," Gobber shrugs, and Stoick throws him an exasperated look.
"Which is why I think this idea is a bad one," Hera states firmly. "Look, I understand how much Mara means to you. We all want to get her back too but, there's really no way we could ever successfully pull this off. And the Rebellion isn't ready for open war, much less on Coruscant."
"That's why I'm asking for your help," I tell her, leaning forwards. "You've done the impossible against the Empire numerous times."
"There's a huge difference between what we've done, and storming the center of the Empire!" Hera argues in frustration.
"I know exactly how ridiculous it seems Hera," I say, reigning in my frustration, with some difficulty. "I've looked at this every way I can. And I know that we can do it. We can get into the Imperial Palace, using the Resolute."
"Wait, the Resolute?" Rex asks in surprise, doing a double take.
"Yes, this is the same ship. Apparently," I confirm.
"Small galaxy huh?" boil asks with a chuckle.
"And how would we get past the blockade with just one cruiser?" Hera demands.
Kanan frowns, looking over in surprise. "You don't mean to literally blow your way in?"
"That's exactly what I plan to do."
"I can't believe this," Hera mutters, pacing back and forth. "Look, I don't mean any disrespect to you or your friends, but this is foolhardy! You also dragged in people who aren't apart of this war! They don't know how to fight the Empire, and they certainly can't go up against them with just swords and 'dragons!' all you'll do is make them a target!"
"With all due respect, miss Hera, we actually insisted on coming," Stoick tells her.
"Yeah. Jarik was actually against the idea of us coming along," Gobber adds in support.
"I understand your concerns about our wellbeing, but we've seen battle as well," Stoick continues firmly. "And we owe it to Mara, and Jarik; their family has helped our people for years now, asking nothing in return. Now we finally have the chance to return that debt."
Hera sighs in frustration, rubbing her forehead.
"I still don't like it," she says.
Kanan then moves forwards over to her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I think we should help," he suggests gently. "They're also willing to do this, despite knowing how outmatched they are."
"But this is way too risky to try," she protests weakly.
"It won't be. I'm not allow to let anyone else be hurt by Darth Sidious anymore," I state firmly, getting up from my chair.
Hera is silent for a long while, but eventually gives a reluctant nod of acceptance.
"Alright... we'll help," she says.
"Thank you," I say with a soft smile.
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you guys," Boil starts to say, bashing his fists together. "But I'm about ready to get Mara back, and give these Imps a real butt-whooping."
"Heh, I like this one Stoick," Gobber says with a chuckle, gesturing to him.
I smile at Boil's enthusiasm and then glance at the window, seeing the Ghost Crew and gang from Berk conversing with each other, thanks to some encouragement from Rylla and Elita. Astrid and Sabine seem to chatting it up well, which is completely unsurprising. Those two are so alike that I'd be shocked if they didn't, what with being honor bound warriors and all.
Still, the sight of them all meeting each other has me sighing sadly, old memories coming up at well. Older times, when things were much more simple. I so wish Mara didn't have to suffer so much...
She walked timidly through the stark white corridors of the ship, staying close to the man who saved her from the monster lady. Every time somebody walked by and looked at her curiously, she would shy away and press herself closer into his side, and he kept a gentle grip on her hand to let her know he was there for her. They then walked through a door and into what look like an office-type room, where two people were talking to each other. One of them was a human man just like her savior, but the other was a strange alien lady with orange skin and white and blue headtails.
"Oh, hey Jar.. ik?" the strange lady asks, stilling with surprise upon noticing her. "Umm, who is this?"
She nervously presses closer against Jarik's side and grips his cloak tightly in her fists, afraid of this strange new woman. What if she's another one of those... monster ladies? A few words are said by Jarik and she ignores the talking, still nervous of these new people until he addresses her directly.
"...Mara, these are close friends of mine. Ahsoka, and Bail," he tells her softly, pointing them out. "You can trust them."
Spurred on by a warm smile from him, she takes a step out from behind him and timidly waves a hand.
"Hi..." she murmurs.
Mara doesn't fully pay attention to what is said next, but her focus is then drawn to the strange lady, Ahsoka, as she crouches down in front of her with a look of sadness and sympathy on her face.
"I'm sorry about what happened Mara. You'll be alright now, we'll make sure of it," she says softly.
Mara flinches at her approach and grips onto Jarik's cloak tightly, but he carefully nudges her forwards with a reassuring smile on his face. Seeing her unease, Ahsoka also allows a gentle smile to spread across her face.
"It's ok, I don't bite," she reassures her. "I only bite Jarik here when he gets into trouble."
"Hey!" Jarik complains, and Ahsoka smirks up at him.
Mara lets out a tiny giggle at the joke, her fear of this new lady rapidly disappearing. She gets the feeling that she's not so bad.
"He beat that mean monster lady though!" Mara chirps excitedly, before looking down sadly. "But mommy and daddy..."
A sob threatens to break from her again as she remembers what happened...
Imperial Palace - Coruscant
Mara POV...
I open my eyes with a gasp, looking around wildly. I try to move, but finding myself unable to, and I look up to see my hands held in in suspension: I was being held up in a blue containment field. I struggle to pull my arms and legs free with a groan, but as I try to do so I'm suddenly shocked by high volts of electricity. I let out a scream of pain as the containment field shock me, and then hang limply once it stops, gasping for breath.
"Oh, I wouldn't try pulling if I were you," a voice says. "These restraints are meant for Jedi brats."
I whip my head around and catch sight of a familiar figure, and narrow my eyes at them.
"Second Sister," I growl angrily.
"Little miss Jade," she says in response, most likely smirking at me. "So nice to finally see you where you belong."
"Better imprisoned than a miserable witch like you," I retort with a glare.
Second Sister growls lowly to express your anger, and then presses a button on a control panel that she's standing next to. I scream again as volts of electricity are sent through the containment field, the smell of burning flesh meeting my nose.
"That's quite enough Inquisitor!"
The electricity stops, and I hang limply again, groaning in pain from the aftereffects of the lightning. Lifting my head up, my fear starts to grow as I see Emperor Palpatine stride into the dark chamber, two Royal Guards flanking him. Despite recognizing him instantly, I'm shaken and confused by his appearance, as he looks like a regular old man, wearing clean white robes. It's his face, but... it looks so gentle and like that of a grandfather. Nevertheless he looks at the Second Sister with a stern gaze, frowning deeply.
"You have no reason to treat her in such a way, especially considering your success rates," he states.
It's spoken kindly, but the threat is all too clear to the Second Sister. She hesitates for a moment, and then bows before him in obedience.
"Of course my Emperor," she replies reluctantly.
The Royal Guards part to allow her room to walk out, and as she does she turns her head to look at me, and I can just feel the hateful glare behind her mask. Once she leaves, the Emperor turns to face me while his guards stand on either side of the room like silent statues. I swallow nervously as I look into the face of the Emperor, but despite my confusion and fear I steel my gaze into a glare instead.
"Oh, no need to be afraid Mara. I have no desire to hurt you," the Emperor says.
"Somehow I doubt that," I retort.
"You misjudge me child. What reason would I have for causing you such harm? It has never been my intention," he replies.
"Seriously? You had that freak kill my parents when I was three!" I scoff angrily.
Palpatine shakes his head, appearing saddened. "Please my dear, I beg you to understand. Do you not see the opportunity that stands before you?"
"Like what?"
"You could do so much good here Mara. You could serve the Empire, bring order to the galaxy, and help the lives of millions!" he says with a smile. "Isn't that what you want? To help people?"
"Your version of help is to subjugate, and terrorize people," I spit back.
"Oh my dear, you couldn't be further from the truth," he says with a sigh. "Those rebels have led you to believe that I am a cruel oppressor, that the Empire willingly harms its own citizens! The actions of your so-called rebel friends have required a firmer hand to bring order."
"By burning down cities?!" I retort disbelievingly. "I saw what Vader did to Tarkintown on Lothal: he burned it! He had Minister Tua killed just to bring us closer!"
"The citizens of that town willingly supplied arms to rebel terrorists, and continued to bring disarray to many on Lothal," he replies with a frown. "It is regrettable, what's been done, I will grant that. But war leads to unforeseen consequences, including what happened to Tua."
"And yet you started the Clone War, and killed so many, just so you could have power," I state angrily.
"I started the Clone War?" he asks incredulously. "I was merely the Chancellor of the Republic! The Separatists pulled away from us and began a war at the whims of Count Dooku, plunging the galaxy into chaos. I created the Empire from the ashes of war so that we could return order and peace to the galaxy. Whatever has Shan been telling you?"
"My Dad told me enough about you!" I shoot back.
"He told you I'm a ruthless murderer, didn't he? An evil person that has caused the galaxy so much suffering, when I am just trying to save it?" he replies with a frown.
"You killed the Jedi, made the clones mindless slaves, and turned the Republic into an oppressive Empire," I state coldly. "That's more than enough to know you don't care about helping people."
"You were there, over a year ago, in the far reaches of space Mara. Where you encountered the Yuuzhan Vong, did you not?" he asks me, raising an eyebrow.
"So what?" I demand.
"That evil is why I created an Empire," Palpatine explains firmly. "That race of monsters is seeking to destroy our people. A strong, unified galaxy with great military might is what we need to push them back!"
I falter in my glare, looking down for a moment before looking back up at him, narrowing my eyes.
"I don't wish to forcibly subjugate the galaxy to my whims. All I want is peace and stability, as well as protection from threats we have never faced before. Yet this 'Rebellion' doesn't understand my reasons! Because of them I've been forced to make tough decisions, that have led to disastrous consequences! Why do you disagree with what I'm trying to do?"
"But you're a Sith Lord!" I retort, trying to draw back my confidence. "I know what you are, even if you're trying to hide it! Sith think inwards only of themselves, not for others."
"And the Jedi do?" Palpatine challenges in response. "The Jedi are not the heroes you claim them to be."
"They weren't perfect," I say in agreement. "But my parents saw through that. I know right from wrong."
"Do you?" he asks doubtfully. "Tell me Mara, did you know that Shan partook in the execution of a Jedi General during the war? He wasn't the executioner, but he willingly allowed it to take place, in fact he encouraged."
I blink my eyes in surprise, having never heard that. But... that's ridiculous. My Dad would never!
"For many years, Jarik Shan has committed numerous crimes against people throughout the galaxy, and Ahsoka Tano was no better," he continues grimly. "They conspired against the Republic at the end of the war, both of them. They've killed many, deceived many, even went on a quest for murder and revenge."
"You're a liar! My parents would never do that!" I exclaim angrily.
"Are you certain my dear? The Jedi tried to assassinate me you know," he tells me.
"Yeah, is that why your face looks like a shriveled gray bag?" I say sarcastically.
Palpatine frowns irritably at me.
"The attempt on my life left me scarred for some time, though fortunately I have recovered since then, as you can see. If it wasn't for one of my loyal and trustworthy friends, they would have killed me. He stopped Mace Windu and his lackeys before they could deliver the final blow, and put up a heroic effort. By then it was clear how far the Jedi were willing to go for control of the Republic."
"The Jedi of old were crap, but they weren't power hungry savages," I retort.
"And so I thought too. And yet they still took up positions in the Grand Army of the Republic as General's, despite claiming to be peacekeepers. Many had horrible military experience, and their choices caused heavy losses when in the war. The grand scheme was revealed after the attempted assassination on my life," he explains, looking troubled. "They merely wished to weaken the Republic from the inside, despite my efforts of strengthening us. Finally they sought to take my life, though fortunately they failed."
"Unfortunately," I mutter under my breath.
"The reason we never found out about their betrayal sooner, is because Jarik Shan kept the secrets hidden. The one you call your father!" Palpatine says incredulously. "He was the most skilled slicer in the Clone Wars, and he used his talents to keep their secret betrayal hidden. Don't you understand Mara, just why you have been deceived by them? By Jarik Shan and Ahsoka Tano?"
Everything he's said is quite frankly, tough to take in. Honestly, it seems absolutely ridiculous and absurd! And yet when he mentioned Dad being involved in a Jedi's execution... it felt truthful. Completely truthful. It just seems... ridiculous! My parents love me... they love me.
"They wouldn't deceive me," I murmur under my breathe, slowly looking up at him with a glare. "You know why? Because they love me. I am their daughter, and every moment I've spent with them I've felt nothing but love! The only one lying here is you!"
My resolve hardens against this lying, manipulative mask of Palpatine, knowing how wrong he is. He may use pretty words and seemingly genuine sadness, but the love I share with my family is stronger than his words could ever be.
As if sensing my resolve and refusal to believe his garbage, Palpatine suddenly begins to change. First he blinks in apparent surprise, before a scowl splits across his face, contorting his features. He then seems to change, and the visage of a gentle, grandfather figure in white robes fades away into a dark, robed Sith Lord with wrinkled gray skin, and piercing yellow eyes. I flinch as the temperature in the room suddenly seems to drop to a biting cold, and my body fills with fear as I look into the face of evil, the dark side all around me.
"So you believe Mara Jade," he growls lowly. "But in time, you will see the truth."
The Emperor raises his hands, and then shoots out a stream of Force lightning. I scream in pain as the lightning strikes over me, filling every inch of my body with unbearable agony. I thrash in the containment field, trying to get away from it, but there's no escape. Tears forming in my eyes from the pain are evaporated instantly as lightning strikes them, and the smell of burning flesh fills my nose. I can't even tell what's happening any more... in fact I don't even know if I'm still screaming.
All I know is pain and darkness... and then nothing.
The young, red haired girl sits up straight in bed with a terrified scream, backing up against the wall and holding herself, crying with fear. The door is opened violently to allow two people to sprint into the room, instantly rushing over to her side.
"Mara! What happened?!" Jarik asks quickly.
"The red blade monster... she took me again, she killed mama and papa..." she cries, shaken with tears.
Ahsoka immediately wraps her arms around Mara in a tight hug, doing her best to calm her down as she rocks the young girl gently.
"Shh, Mara it's ok. There's no red blades here, no one's taking you anywhere," she says in reassurance.
"We're here for you Mara," Jarik promises her.
Mara sniffles, still shaken with fear and wiping away tears, latching onto Ahsoka tightly. "But the monster lady... she took me to someone... he was so scary!"
Jarik sits on the bed as well, wrapping a comforting arm around Mara so that she was between both him and Ahsoka.
"You're safe with us, you here me?" Ahsoka says, looking down at her. "They won't hurt you again."
"They'd have to get through us first, and that's not happening," Jarik adds reassuring.
Mara wipes her nose and looks up at the two of them, still shivering.
"Do you want to sleep with us tonight?" Ahsoka asks, and she quickly nods her head.
Mara sniffles once, wiping the tears away with her arm before looking up at them with teary, pleading eyes that break their hearts.
"Are you going to be my mommy and daddy now?" she asks hopefully.
Jarik and Ahsoka glance up at each other, taking a moment to respond. They don't have any doubts.
"Of course we will Mara," Ahsoka says softly.
Mara finally offers up a small smile of relief, and the three of them share a long, heartwarming hug with each other for a very long time.
I let out a groan, the lightning still feeling fresh on my skin. I can't even count the number of days I've been here... I lost track after the first few hours. all I've felt since then is pain, lightning, cold, and then more pain. My only reprieve comes from falling unconscious during the common torture sessions of Darth Sidious. Second Sister doesn't really help matters much, and likes to taunt me whenever she gets the opportunity to do so. At least with her its easy to get her enraged. Bad thing is? She retaliates by electrifying the containment field.
I let out another scream of pain as the containment field shocks me, thrashing desperately to try and free myself from the pain, but it's no use. Thankfully, she finally lets up, and I once again hang limply in my restraints, whimpering from the pain.
"That's it girl... just cry like the pathetic weakly you are," she sneers, drawing closer to me.
"Please... stop it..." I plead through tears.
"You want me to stop?" Second Sister asks mockingly. She then grabs my chin, forcing me to look into the red line of her mask. "For years, you have been a constant thorn in my side. Because of you, I have been cast into misery and humiliation by the Emperor and Vader. Because of you, little brat, I am now just a simple errand woman!"
Second Sister lets my chin go with a harsh shove, and I cry out as one of her nails strikes across my cheek along the way, leaving it stinging with pain in the already smoking and burned skin.
"No one has ever made of mockery of me since that Kestis boy," Sister snarls, walking back to the control console. "So you will feel just how badly my masters have treated me!"
"No... no," I whimper in fear, shaking my head pleadingly.
It's no use, and she jabs her finger onto the console again. Another scream bursts from my mouth as the containment field shocks me with electricity, each voltage feeling more painful than the last. It's like my skin is on fire, and all I can feel it immense agony as I'm tortured with the voltage, helpless to do anything or know what's going on, other than the pain: it just dominates every fabric of reality. The only reprieve I can feel from this is that it's not as bad as the Emperor's Force lightning...
Tears run freely down my face, even though I don't seem exactly like crying... just depressed and broken. I don't know how long it's been... the only thing I ever fall asleep and wake up to is lightning and electrical shocks. Second Sister would come in just to watch my suffering, sometimes to taunt me with words that I'm too exhausted to retort against now. And sometimes the Emperor himself would come in, say a few words, try to convince me to join him and end the pain.
I don't even care anymore... I just want it to end. Why can't they just kill me?!
I sniff quietly, ignoring the immense hunger I'm feeling, and anything else in particular. Tingles of lightning continue to shiver across my skin as if it's still there, while complete hopelessness and despair overtakes my mind. Why do I have to be here... why can't I be with my family? Why did Mom have to die? Why did... why did...
"Daddy... where are you...?" I whimper.
"...Mara...!"
I look up with a gasp when I hear the voice echoing in the distance. Was I just imagining...?
"Dad...?" I whisper, daring to hope.
"Mara, where are you?"
A few lightsaber slashes and the sound of blaster fire follow the call.
"Dad..." I trail off, cough as I struggle to speak, mouth feeling dry. "Daddy! Help! I'm over here!"
The lightsaber sounds and blaster fire sound closer and closer, and grunts and shout become louder.
"Mara, where are you?!"
"I'm over here! Help me please!" I shout desperately.
There's more shouting, more yells as the lightsaber slashes sound closer, and I continuously cry out to my Dad with desperate screams, hoping he'll hear. Finally, a blue lightsaber is jabbed through the door and cut open quickly. The door is kicked down, and Dad steps through, settling his gaze on me.
"Mara!" he shouts, relieved.
"Daddy!" I practically sob with joy. He found me...
He rushes forwards and then swings his lightsaber through the containment field projector, releasing me from my prison. I fall shakily into his arms, grasping on tightly and sobbing in relief, hugging him tighter.
"You found me... you found me...!" I sob happily, tears in my eyes.
"I know Mara... you're safe now," he says in reply, hugging me just as closer
"It's crazy right?" he chuckles, holding me at arms distance. "All of this?"
"You found me..." I whisper again, tears of joy streaming down my face.
"I did," he says with a smile. "But..."
My cries of relief stop with a surprised choke as his eyes suddenly turn a glowing Sith yellow. He still smiles at me, but it seems different... cold... I stumble away from him in shock, tripping over the destroyed projector and falling on my back. He approaches calmly.
"It's too bad you can't seem to do anything without my help," he comments. "Where's your sense of independence?"
"D-Dad...?" I ask shakily, scooting back.
"You always need your precious daddy to save you, hmm?" he asks with a raised eyebrow, his expression seeming more cold and evil. "It's why you'll never, defeat, me!"
I blink my eyes, and suddenly I'm floating in the containment field again, the Emperor's laugh echoing around me. I let out a choked sob, looking around wildly to see nothing happened, and the Emperor stands right in front of me with a sickening grin.
"No..." I whisper fearfully, my heart breaking.
"So pathetic. You can't seem to do anything without Jarik Shan," he scoffs.
"No, no, no!" I whimper, sobbing again.
It was an illusion... it was fake!
"Always the young girl, lost without her parents. Always seeking companionship in a father and a mother," Sidious continues mockingly. "You lost your birth parents... you lost your mother, and now you lost your father!"
"Stop it...!" I plead.
"Always alone young Mara!" he declares with a wild grin.
Sidious raises his hands and then unleashed another burst of lightning at me. I let out a scream of agony and despair as it hits, writhing in pain and desperate to get away. But where could I get away to? I can't get out...
I can't get out...
Dad isn't coming for me...
I lay limply in the containment field, no longer thinking about anything. My whole point of existence now is just pain, emptiness, false hope, and despair. No one is coming for me. There's no hope of getting out of here. I want to cling so badly to the belief that my Dad would find a way to rescue me, but...
"Shan isn't coming for you child," the Emperor says softly, walking into the room. "And even if he wanted to, he would never be able to get far."
I lift my head up and peer at him between a mess of red locks of hair, grimacing in what I tried to make a scowl.
"He'd never give up on me..." I growl weakly.
"Are you so sure?" Sidious replies, circling me. "He's fallen closer and closer to the dark side, ever since your precious mother died. Such a shame that he refuses to share those talents with the Empire."
I want to refute him, but at the same time I just... can't. I hang my head limply, shutting my eyes tightly to hold back another wave of fresh tears. Sidious makes a 'tsk tsk' noise and moves closer, resting a hand on my cheek.
"No one is coming for you my dear. So sad you have to realize this way just how cruel people can be. They've given up on you by now, deemed your rescue a lost cause."
Every word out of his mouth makes me cringe, and makes me feel even worse than I did before. It's like losing my Mom that day on Malachor, but continuously hammering against my heart repeatedly, over and over again. Nobody is coming for me... and really, how could they? I'm held on Coruscant, right? How could they get here? It's hopeless...
It's all hopeless...
"But it is not over for you Mara. You could still be so much more, at my side..." Sidious suggests soothingly.
I jerk my head away from his hand and manage a glare in his direction. It's all I can do at this point.
"The pain could stop Mara, the deceptions and heartbreak will cease. All you have to do my dear, is pledge yourself to my teachings. Serve the Sith and the Empire, and become my apprentice. Become one of the most powerful and feared beings in the galaxy! Become the Hand of the Emperor."
He tries his best to offer me a kindly look, despite having yellow eyes and a dark hood over his evil face.
"All you have do... is accept my offer."
I want nothing more than for this pain to end... nothing more than to put the Second Sister witch in her place... nothing more than to be free of this despair. But still... even despite all of that... I'll still be an imprisoned slave.
"No," I whisper. "I... I can't.
Sidious frowns in displeasure, and horrific fear overtakes me once again as I realize what will surely follow.
"So be it," he murmurs irritably. "Tell me young Mara... just what is it that you and your father hide from me?"
He begins to circle me again, making me a little bit confused. Was he... not going, to strike me with lightning?
"All these years in hiding, you must've been somewhere. And that somewhere must've been important. You brought friends from there once... and a strange creature. Seemingly a dragon creature," he comments.
My blood runs ice cold, and a new fear begins to seep into me.
"Jarik Shan has learned much in his years of exile... something he desperately wishes to keep secret," Sidious continues, now walking closer to stare directly at me. "Now tell me Mara: where do you hide? What secrets does your planet hold?"
I instantly go into a panic mode, shutting out everything I could think of that relates to Ahch-To. I shut everything away, but he then starts to reach his arm out for me: I already know what he plans to do.
"No... no!" I protest with a whimper.
"Give, me, everything!" he growls, his eyes glowing yellow.
An invasive presence then begins to shove its way into my mind. I let out a pained cry and try shoving it back, but it feels useless. His presence is so cold, dark, and so... massive! It's like a massive storm cloud, full of lightning bolts that are constantly striking at me. I try shoving his presence away, but he relents further into my mind without a second thought, twisting a massive needle into my brain. I let out a scream of pain from the mental attack, thrashing in the containment field.
"Ah... this planet has dragons... and is exceptionally strong in the Force," he muses to himself, and I sob in despair. "I see it... I see the island... Where is this place?"
Desperate, I use everything ounce of my being that I could feel to shove against Sidious's invasive mind, and he's pushed back momentarily, surprised, just barely avoiding knowledge about what makes our island significant. He doesn't seem to have found the planet's location yet...
"Ahch-To..." he murmurs. "Now where have I heard that before?"
With a yell, I try pushing him further out even more, but he just twists the jagged blade deeper into my mind, switching my yell of rage to a scream of pain. He starts moving closer to the things I absolutely do not want him near...
The alarms of the Imperial Palace begin to blare, pulling Sidious's attention away from me in momentary surprise. He pulls his mind away, and I gasp heavily with groans of pain as the sharp spike is removed from my own mind. I start to hear Sidious growling angrily, apparently having sensed something that's putting him on edge. I also think I can hear the distant sounds of... an explosion? A... really huge, explosion...? The ground is shaking...
And then I fall into the blissful darkness of unconsciousness.
Mara falters from climbing up onto Zenna's back for a few moments, sighs irritably, and then turns around to face Jarik 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.
Jarik grimaces. "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," he replies softly, stepping forwards to give her a hug, and 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," Jarik says 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."
They hug each other a long while, and Zenna also joins in on the embrace, leaning her head down to nestle against them with a soothing purr.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Man, lots of stuff to go over in this chapter. Not to mention, poor Mara... that's so tough to write, putting her at her lowest point. And probably Jarik's lowest point as well.
I'm the first to say that writing interactions between large groups of people is absolutely horrendous, stressful, and annoying, because I don't want to get anyone out of character, and also try and make sure nobody is left out. Interactions between the Dragon gang and Ghost Crew will be in the next chapter, so there's that to look forward to.
Also... next chapter begins the rescue. This is going to be EPIC!