Wen, Jebediah and the rest of the crew soon arrive on Concordia.
"So, you're saying I can't wield the Darksaber because I'm not Mandalorian," Wen continues to ask Jebediah as they touch down.
"It's much deeper than that," Jebediah replies, "But essentially, yes."
"So why was I able to use it for so long? Like wouldn't it have stopped responding earlier?"
"I don't know," Jebediah responds exasperatedly. "But she does," he says, gesturing towards the Armorer's home.
"Jebediah," she says as they approach her home. "What brings you to Concordia?"
"We have much to discuss," Jebediah says and points to the Darksaber on Wen's hilt.
"Indeed, we do," she says as she directs them to her home.
When everyone sits, the Armorer tells them the Darksaber's history, created by Tarre Vizsla and passed down by generation until Pre Vizsla was killed by Maul.
"An outsider laid claim to this noble weapon," she continues. "But now it is back in the hands of Clan Vizsla,"
"Did Vizsla have a son to pass his weapon down to?" Jebediah asks.
"Indeed, he did. And he's standing right before you," she says, gesturing to Wen.
"What?!" Jebediah and Wen say in unison.
"But... but I'm Duros, I'm not Mandalorian," Wen continues.
"A half-breed, my child," the Armorer explains. "Your heritage is rich with history and culture,"
"How, ...how do you know all this?" Wen asks the Armorer.
"Jebediah, take a look at his ring,"
Jebediah walks over to Wen and examines his ring.
"...Impossible," Jebediah remarks as he looks underneath the ring to see the clear signet of the Vizsla Clan. "Where did you get this?"
"My mom gave it to me... she said it was something to remember by father by, even though I never met him," Wen replies
The room goes silent for a minute while everyone takes the information in.
"While he may not be one of us, he is from the Vizsla bloodline. And if he won it in combat, the Darksaber is his," the Armorer continues.
"Combat?" Wen asks.
"Yes, to wield the Darksaber you must win it in combat, by Creed,"
"So, like... how do you, define combat?" Wen slowly asks.
The Armorer tilts her head in a quizzical look when an explosion suddenly rocks the platform. A horde of Mandalorian Super Commandos emerge and begin firing on Wen and his crew. Kyreen and Wen deflect as many shots as they can while they desperately run back into his ship.
"Aaaah!" Kay yells out as a shot singes her arm. Jebediah quickly dives in front of her and fires back while Wen uses his rocket boots to fly Kay into the ship.
"What was that?!" Wen asks Jebediah frantically as he starts to power up his ship.
"Death Watch. The ones that are still loyal to Maul,"
"We gotta get that wrapped up," Kyreen says, looking at Kay's burned arm.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't mind getting out of here first," Kay says while wincing in pain.
"I know, I know, almost there," Wen says as his ship powers up. It begins to levitate off the ground when it suddenly slams back down into the ground.
"What the...?" Wen looks around incredulously when the front door of the ship is suddenly ripped off.
"You have something of mine," a voice calls out.
Everyone turns around to see Maul standing where the doorway once was. The crew readies their weapons, and he laughs and casually slams them against the walls in Wen's ship knocking them unconscious. Kyreen rushes him and engages in a brief lightsaber duel before he force pushes her off the platform and into the open space below. Maul then grabs Wen in a force choke, pulls him up close and lifts the Darksaber from his hilt.
"Goodbye, Duros," he taunts and prepares to run the weapon through Wen. However, he feels something pulling his arm back and keeping him from extending. He drops Wen, who gasps for air and turns around.
"Hello old friend," a voice greets him.
"Kenobi," Maul says with a glare.
"I believe this meeting is long overdue," Obi-Wan Kenobi tells him as Republic forces pour in and overwhelm the Mandalorian Commandos.
"Indeed, it is," Maul says and readies a battle stance.
Obi-Wan does the same and beckons Maul to approach. Filled with rage, Maul rushes at Kenobi with the Darksaber and prepares to bring a strike down on his head. However, what seemed like a lengthy duel is quickly ended when Obi-Wan swiftly parries the move, throwing Maul off balance and then fatally stabs his chest.
"And just like that... it's over," Maul says, struggling to keep his breath. Obi-Wan kneels with Maul slowly dying in his arms. "Promise me, you'll make him pay," Maul continues.
Obi-Wan nods and closes Maul's eyes as he takes his last breath.
"Thank you," Wen slowly gets up and walks over to Obi-Wan, "You didn't have to save me..."
"Oh, I think I did," Obi-Wan replies, "But I'm not keeping score," he says with a sly smile and hands Wen the Darksaber back.
"Oh no, I can't," Wen quickly says. "I didn't win it in combat so I can't take it back,"
Obi-Wan stands up, "Then earn it," he says.
"Um, what?" Wen responds.
"Come with me," Obi-Wan beckons. "And let's get Kay some treatment," he continues as Clone troopers begin running over.
On the other side of the bridge, Ahsoka Tano rises on a ship with a very anxious Kyreen shuddering.
"Are you ok?" Ahsoka kneels to ask her.
"...yes. How did, how did you know to come when you did?" Kyreen asks Ahsoka.
"Without Rex's expertise, Bo-Katan and I were unable to capture Maul. He fled deep into the planet with his loyal Mandalorian protecting him. However, Jesse decoded a transmission Maul received about the Darksaber returning to Concordia. When I told Obi-Wan my plan to intercept him, he insisted on joining." Ahsoka replies. "I'm just glad we got here before anything worse happened,"
Kyreen nods slowly, "I'm grateful. He's so powerful,"
"Maul had been a Sith Lord for a long time. But Master Obi-Wan has been a Jedi for longer," Ahsoka says with a smile.
An errant shot rings out and a blaster bolt heads right for Kyreen's face. Before she can react, Ahsoka deflects the bolt, with her twin white lightsabers glowing. Kyreen takes a step back.
"Where did you get those?" she asks.
"The lightsabers?" Ahsoka asks.
"Those are Asajj Ventress', I recognized the hilts. Although her sabers were red, not white,"
"You know Ventress?"
"Yes, she trained my sister and I in the ways of the Dark Side to prepare for the Separatists' invading Dathomir," Kyreen says and ignites her own red lightsaber. "She said was once apprenticed to the Sith Lord Dooku, until he turned on her,"
Ahsoka smiles, "Come with me, we have much to discuss,"
"So, Pre Vizsla... was my father," Wen asks the holoprojection of his mother.
She looks off wistfully, "Yes, he was,"
"Were you ever gonna tell me?" Wen asks.
"We agreed it'd be better if you didn't know. He had so much going on on Mandalore and you would've been in constant danger if his enemies knew you were the governor's son. So, we hid the truth from the world, from you and even each other. We forgot it all so you could be safe,"
"But did you love each other?" Wen asks.
She smiles weakly. "I don't think he loved me as much as he loved Mandalore. But he loved you enough to keep away,"
"This, this is a lot,"
"I know my son. And I didn't mean for you to learn this way. But you'll always be my son. I love you!" Wen's mother replies.
"Yeah, love you too mom," Wen says and ends the transmission.
Obi-Wan rests his hand on Wen's shoulder. "That's a lot to rest on one's soul,"
"Is that why you want me to earn it? Since my dad had the Darksaber, so, should I?"
"I want you to earn it, because I want you to fulfill your potential," Obi-Wan tells him as they both stand up. "I want you to duel me until you can best me and lay claim to this weapon. No force powers, no gadgets, just skill with this," Obi-Wan says as he hands Wen his blue lightsaber. "I know Bane taught you a lot about fighting Jedi. Let's see what you retained," he says and takes his battle stance as Wen rushes him.
Meanwhile, storm trooper medics tend to Kay's arm in the Armorer's home.
"How are you feeling?" Shia asks Kay.
"Real good. Real, really, really really good," Kay responds with her words slurred heavily.
"She's heavily medicated right now. The best thing for her is rest," A clone trooper tells Shia.
"Haha, then sleep my friend," Shia tells her.
Before she falls asleep, Kay looks deep into Shia's eyes, "Do you think I'm weak?" Kay asks her.
Confused, Shia responds, "That's ridiculous, what do you mean,"
"It's just, everybody, got the cool weapons and gadgets and what not... and I'm the one that got shot and everyone had to protect me... I'm useless!" Kay bemoans.
"No, you're no Kay, please just get some rest," Shia tells her as Kay nods off.
"So, it's strength she seeks," The Armorer says as she walks up next to Shia.
"Uh, you could say," Shia replies.
"Have her wake up early tomorrow. We start at dawn," The Armorer replies.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka and Kyreen discuss how they know Ventress.
"I was on the run after my former friend, Baris Offee, framed me for a bombing at the Jedi Temple. I ran into Ventress during that time because Offee had stolen her lightsabers. My name was cleared but I just... couldn't go back to the Jedi Order." Ahsoka tells Kyreen. "However, shortly after I came here to help the Republic find Maul, I learned Baris Offee had escaped her prison. She found me here and attacked me with Ventress' lightsabers. I killed her to defend myself and took up Ventress' old weapons."
"So, you're not a Jedi? Yet you still know the ways of the Force?" Kyreen asks.
"You know the ways of the Dark Side, but you wouldn't consider yourself a Sith, would you?" Ahsoka asks Kyreen.
"Truthfully, I'm not sure what I am. But from what I've seen, all Sith seem to have the same fate." Kyreen says, looking over at Maul's lifeless body, "Death from a cycle of vengeance, hate and betrayal. And I know that's not what I want for myself"
Ahsoka nods. "I can see that,"
"So why are your weapons white now?"
Ahsoka smiles, "That's what I was hoping to show you,"
"Again, young Wen!" Obi-Wan calls out.
"Just... gotta... catch my breath," Wen replies, exhausted from the duel.
"Ah, I suppose we could take a breather," Obi-Wan says sits down next to Wen.
"How do you... just keep going like that?"
"Bane taught you a lot about defending against a Jedi's weapon. Now you're using one. This is not your classic vibrosword or another blade. You're wielding energy. This weapon is not just a tool, it's an extension of yourself." Obi-Wan continues, "And if you're unsure of who you are, it won't be very useful will it?"
Wen slowly nods, taking in the knowledge.
"Excellent, now up again. High, middle, low," Obi-Wan directs as Wen tries to follow, "Good job! Faster this time,"
The next morning, the Armorer greets Kay as she recuperates.
"That bacta tank sure does wonders!" The Armorer tells her, "It's time to begin,"
"Uh, begin what?" Kay asks and looks at Shia.
"She runs the show, not me girl,"
After Kay gets dressed, the Armorer hands her a pole and has her face Jebediah.
"First, I will assess your skills," she starts, "From there, we'll choose a weapon that will suit you," as Jebediah starts sparring with her.
"Close your eyes," Ahsoka tells Kyreen as she nods.
"The Kyber crystals in Ventress' lightsaber were ignited by rage from the Dark Side. This turns the blade red because the crystal is actually bleeding. My lightsabers were green but ever since I left the Jedi Order, I've felt like they didn't fit me any longer. After defeating Offee, I was able to purify and heal the crystals inside the lightsabers. And you can do the same,"
Kyreen holds up her lightsabers, "How?"
"Well all that hate that helped you create these weapons, where is that now?"
"I'm not sure. I mean the Nightsisters sacrificed my parents in a ritual years ago. I thought that was rage for a long time, but I now know it was just pain. All I've ever wanted was a family." Kyreen says. She then softly smiles, "But I have that now,"
"Good," Ahsoka tells her. "Focus on those feelings. Connect them with the Force that flows through the Kyber crystal in your lightsaber. This will purify your lightsabers and strengthen your connection to them. But it's process, it'll take time,"
Kyreen nods and closes her eyes and several weeks soon fly by as everyone continues training.
"Whoa," Jebediah remarks as Kay slams him into the ground with a pole.
"Using your opponents' momentum against them that's a fine tactic," The Armorer tells her. "I believe you are ready,"
Jebediah nods as Kay helps him up. "Ready for what?"
"To see what I've made for you. Jebediah was gracious enough to give you some of the beskar he's collected over the years, so you'll now have these," the Armorer continues, holding up a pair of shiny beskar staffs. She presses a button on them and each end crackles with purple electricity. "You've proven adept with staffs. They won't pierce armor, but you'll be able to subdue your opponent with blunt force trauma or via electric shock. You can even deflect lightsaber strikes with them,"
"Ooooh, I like it," Kay says as starts spinning them around.
"Then you'll love these," the Armorer tells her and hands Kay another weapon. "They're called Whistling Birds. They'll allow you to fire small missiles at hi-speed velocity from your wrist. Use it wisely,"
"Oh my gosh, thank you so much!" Kay tells the Armorer.
"Thank Jebediah, it was his beskar," the Armorer replies.
Kay looks at Jebediah, "I really appreciate this, I won't let you down,"
Jebediah puts a hand on her shoulder. "You never have my friend,"
Kay pauses for a minute and looks at him. "Oh my gosh, are you smiling under there?"
"Time to go," Jebediah abruptly says.
Kay laughs and they approach Wen's ship.
Kyreen opens her eyes.
"I just don't think it'll happen for me," she says gazing at her still red lightsabers.
"It's about letting go of resentment and bitterness as much as it's about focusing on the positives in your life. I had to let go of resentment I had towards Baris because in some ways I blamed her for never becoming a Jedi Knight. But it was buried deep, so I had to dig to find and release it. What are you holding on to Kyreen?"
Kyreen takes a deep breath.
"I have fear," she admits, "Fear that what I've found will be taken away by my sister like Talzin took away my parents." She shifts her gaze to Arran, Wen, Kay, Jebediah and Shia. "But I don't need to worry because they'll always be with me. And I love them more than I fear losing them." She says and grips her lightsaber hilts. Kyreen closes her eyes, and the hilt starts to glow. Suddenly she opens her eyes and ignites them, and the lightsabers shine a brilliant white.
"You did it!" Ahsoka exclaims.
"We did it," Kyreen says with a smile.
Wen slams into a wall and drops Obi-Wan's lightsaber.
"Oooof, gotta love the rib kick," Wen coughs as he responds.
Obi-Wan holds the Darksaber to Wen's next.
"Let's try that again, shall we?"
Wen slowly gets up, "This has gotta be duel number 350 by now,"
"And you only need one victory to earn it," Obi-Wan says with a sly smile.
Wen nods and charges at him aggressively.
"Remember your forms!" Obi-Wan shouts as he parries Wen's strikes.
Wen swings towards his head, but instead of a parry, Obi-Wan ducks and kicks the back on Wen's legs causing him to drop to his knees. As Wen tries to turn around, Obi-Wan hits his face with the Darksaber hilt and Wen drops the lightsaber.
"Um, ow," Wen says while clutching his face
"Huh. You know I had faith in you," Obi-Wan taunts as he circles Wen. "But you must not have it. Your uncle must've been right about you." He leans into Wen with the Darksaber in his left hand humming next to Wen's cheek. "You're nothing but a disappointment,"
The words brought back images of Cad Bane training Wen over the years, repeatedly calling him a disappointment over the years. "Not today," Wen whispers.
Wen quickly thinks of a soft spot on Obi-Wan's left side and sucker punches him in the joint between his ribs and quickly rolls to his right to pick up the lightsaber while Obi-Wan cries out in pain. Wen swings the saber towards Obi-Wan's back and he parries it with the Darksaber behind his back. Obi-Wan flips up and exchanges strikes with Wen. As Wen ups the aggression, Obi-Wan shifts to take a more defensive stance. However, after weeks of watching him, Wen anticipates where his right foot is going to plant and swiftly kicks his ankle throwing him off balance. Wen then rams his shoulder into Obi-Wan's chest and grabs his left arm that's holding the Darksaber. Using Obi-Wan's lightsaber, he swings it towards the Darksaber, knocking it out of his hand as Obi-Wan falls backward. Wen catches it with his other hand and spins around holding both sabers to his neck.
"It appears you have me bested," Obi-Wan remarks as Wen catches his breath. Wen helps Obi-Wan and hands him back his lightsaber.
"And this," Obi-Wan says, pointing to the Darksaber, "Is now rightfully yours,"
Wen looks at the ground and then back up. "I don't really know what to say..."
"Then go DO, Wen Vizsla Bane," Obi-Wan tells him. "Go be who you were meant to be. And if you ever need me, here's where I'll be," Obi-Wan says and hands him coordinates.
Wen nods, "Um yeah thank you. Thank you, Obi-Wan,"
The rest of his crew soon gather together towards his ship.
"We'll take off within the hour, I just gotta take care of something real fast," Wen says and briefly run off.
"Odd," Shia remarks, "But so is he," she laughs and boards the ship with the crew.
"You shouldn't blame yourself," Ahsoka says, walking up to Obi-Wan.
"Blame myself?"
"For Anakin. His fall to the Dark Side that led to his demise.,"
"Why do you think I blame myself?"
"Because you're trying to succeed with this Wen guy where you failed with Anakin. But he's not a Jedi, he's not your Padawan. And you didn't fail my master, he failed us. He failed himself."
Obi-Wan looks off into the distance. "Maybe I just want him to see succeed where I couldn't," he muses.
In dark area on Concordia, Wen approaches a familiar shadow.
"What are you doing here?" Wen asks.
"What do you think? I've got a job for you kid," the shadow says and steps forward, revealing itself to be Cad Bane.