A/N:
So, this is mainly a history chapter. It talks about the history of Mandalore…from Aurora's POV to make it interesting. It is important for future chapters, but towards the end it does take place in current day…in other words, Aurora's narration of the history of Mandalore is a dream. This history is told to the extent of Aurora's knowledge about Mandalore, hence why I left some things out, and this will eventually change as the story goes on and as Aurora learns more about Mandalore and the people in her life.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Aurora's POV
Over 9000 years ago, Mandalorians were feared throughout the galaxy, as they gained their reputation of being both bounty hunters and mercenaries. Long before the formation of the Old Republic, war dominated their culture. Their need to conquer turned into dreams of expansion, and group of warriors that were known as the Mandalorian Crusaders, began to rage war amongst the galaxies. With their armor and swords, the crusaders conquered many worlds, and systems beyond their own, claiming them for themselves. Under the leadership of Mandalore the Indomitable, worlds became conquered at a rather fast speed, as many became feared by how Mandalorians made war their own way of life. Krownest and Concord Dawn, a planet that was barren from the hundreds of years of war, allowed for it to be easily conquered due to a third of it being reduced to rubble. Eventually, the crusaders' expansion spread from the outer to Inner Rim, where they conquered the planet Ubduria, as they viewed the native residents as 'dishonorable cowards.' These years were known as the Mandalorian wars of expansion…and made the rest of the galaxy do one thing…fear our people. During this point in time, Mandalorian society was established. Three prominent families; Vizsla, Kast, and Kryze, became a political faction that regrouped the clans: Awaud, Eldar, Saxon, Wren, Rook, Vizsla, and Kryze, all of which served and obeyed the Mand'alor.
The expansion then caused conflict with the Jedi Order along with the Old Republic. It is said that during the time of the Old Republic, the Mandalorians were shocked by the Jedi due to their useage of the force, along with the powers it allowed them to have…however, like the rest of the Mandalorian people, a disadvantage, would not let them succumb to the Jedi. In response to the Jedi's new powers, Mandalorians constructed arsenal and armor that was created out of a metal that could not be destroyed by their lightsabers…known as Beskar. They developed a new fighting style, that allowed for the combination of their entire arsenal, which allowed for the counterattacking of the Jedi's supernatural abilities. With their new skills, Mandalorians began to win conflict after conflict with the Jedi, allowing for their reputation for being able to destroy and murder Jedi Knights to arise throughout the galaxy. The conflict between the two spread through many generations and became remembered even to this day…a millennia later. The Mandalorian-Jedi Wars became permanently remembered through intricate murals that are present in the Capital City of Sundari, and on Mandalore's moon Concordia. The Jedi and Mandalorians did however come to agreement at one period, as there was a Mandalorian who possessed the way of the force. Tarre Vizsla, was the first and Mandalorian inducted into the Jedi order. During his time with the Jedi, he stayed true to his Mandalorian culture, and constructed a weapon that was rather unique to the other lightsabers the Jedi had: the Darksaber. Eventually, he became the Manda'lor, however following his death, the Jedi took the Darksaber from Mandalor and took it back to their Jedi Temple that was located on Coruscaunt. However, this would not be for long, as during time Sacking of Coruscant, towards the end of the Old Republic, a Mandalorian Bounty Hunter, Shae Vizsla, infiltrated the Jedi Temple, and took back the Darksaber. Due to her taking the Darksaber, which many Mandalorians believe to unite the houses and clans, a rule was established allowing for 'he whomever wields the Darksaber, is fit to rule Mandalore.' However, there's a catch, the Darksaber must be won in combat.
Centuries past, and while House Vizsla brought unity to Mandalore and its system, the warrior temperament that Mandalorians possess brought issues amongst the worlds. The constant need for conquering and warfare raged over the planet, which lead to various clans wanted to fight the Jedi once again, along with infighting. It was during this time, that a cataclysmic event devastated the planet, as it went from an ecosystem with flora and fauna to a lifeless, white desert. The Mandalorian cataclysm not only ended the Mandalorian-Jedi War, but it also ended the need and dreams for constant conquering and expansion. The devastation of the planet lead to building sealed dome cities and naming the city of Sundari the new capital, as the original capital Keldabe, had too much devastation from the wars. Many decided to settle on other worlds within the Mandalorian sector including on Krownest, Concord Dawn, and Concordia. The Jedi, now victorious, allowed for the new Galactic Republic to be established throughout the galaxy, however Mandalorians continued to remain isolated within the sector, and their desire to continue to conquer grew which eventually led to what Mandalorians would know as the Great Clan Wars or as the rest of the galaxy would remember it, the Mandalorian Civil War.
In the years leading up to the war, many believed that Mandalorians had been relatively peaceful, as they established a Monarchy to rule over the sector instead of one sole Mand'alor. My Grandfather, Adonai Kryze, was the first Duke of Mandalore, and my mother and her half-sister, became the first Princesses of Mandalore. During in which the time he chose his heir, a great council was called to review both Princesses. A vote was conducted, and the result was that my mother, Satine Kryze would be the next Duchess of Mandalore. Her half-sister, Bo-Katan, became known throughout the sector as 'The Duchess who Never Was,' because unlike my mother, Bo-Katan was a warrior and believed in a martial way of life for the sector.
During the beginning of her reign, my mother installed a new idealistic upon the Mandalorian people, in which they would disregard their warrior-like tendencies and become pacifists. This, however, did not go as planned and thus this civil war began. Traditionalists, who supported the old ways of the sector, were going against the New Mandalorians, a faction that was created by my mother. With help from the Republic and members of the Jedi order, my mother's rule was set and stone, and the members of the clans that wanted to rage war, regrouped onto other worlds in the Mandalorian system, which allowed them to found subgroups such as Death Watch, and or the Old Mandalorians, whom have no interest in revenge against my mother. Shortly after the Great Clan Wars, my mother fell pregnant with me. My father, a warrior all his life, had fallen victim to the outcome of the Great Clan Wars, hence one of the reasons why my mother furthered her ideas for pacifism. She reformed the ways of Mandalore, and established a Mandalorian Government Council, that had several advisors, and was overseen by a Prime Minister who would work closely with my mother. At the time of my birth, my mother, had only been Duchess for about a year, which eventually led to my legitimacy as a potential heir to the throne, as I had no father at the time of my birth, and similarly so my cousin Korkie also had no parents, as they were killed in an assassination. Many believed that I was a foundling, and I became known as 'The Illegitimate Princess,' as no one believed that I was a legitimate child of my mother's, even though as I got older, I looked almost identical to her. When I was sixteen years standard, I became the Crown Princess of Mandalore, which indicates that I am my mother's sole and true heir, which angered many of the members on the Mandalorian Government Council, as they believed and still believed that I am not a legitimate heir, and continuously refer to me as both 'The Illegitimate Princess, and 'The Rebellious Princess', while other members of the Council refer to me as 'Mandalore's Delight'. And at the age of twenty-five standard, I would become the Duchess of Mandalore, allowing for me to reestablish a non-terroristic way of life, that still contributed to the old ways of Mandalore.
My eyes snapped open. Why the hell was I dreaming of Mandalore? Especially its history? I glanced around my room; I realized that I was in my mother's Senate designated apartment on Coruscant. I sighed and glanced at the clock; it was 0:15 in the morning…damn I need sleep. I decided to get out of bed and walk around a bit. I knew my mother and Zara would be sound asleep, and Geenine was also in sleep mode, so I was completely by myself. I then decided to stay in bed and watch the HoloNet, as I really didn't want to walk out of my room and have the guards stationed around the apartment question where I was going or what I was doing.
As soon as I turned on the HoloNet, I immediately started to flip through channels until I came across the generalized news channel. Just as I was laying back down in bed, I immediately sat right up as the news anchors were talking about Mandalore…or more specifically…me, as the headline on the bottom read 'Mandalore's Next Ruler: The Illegitimate Princess.' I rolled my eyes as soon as I saw it.
"Aurora Kryze," The announcer began as a picture of me came up on the screen. At least they used a good picture. "You know her name, you know her face, and she is going to be the next Duchess of Mandalore. The 20 years standard princess will take the title in 5 years succeeding her mother the Duchess Satine Kryze, bringing on another name to the Kryze dynasty as rulers of Mandalore. The current Duchess is the leader and founder of The Council of Neutral Systems, which is a group of worlds who wish to stay neutral in this war, which is something the princess will inherit when she becomes Duchess. However, many within the council believe that despite her beauty and intelligence, she is both unfit to lead the council and to rule Mandalore."
I sighed in frustration as I leaned back against my headboard. Suddenly Zara burst through my door.
"What are you doing awake at this ungodly hour?" She questioned in frustration as our rooms were next door to each other. "I was trying to sleep."
I rolled my eyes and pointed to the holocaster and Zara's frustration expression changed into one of disbelief and annoyance.
She walked around to the other side of my bed. "Move over."
I scooted over to the left side of my bed, and she slid in on the right side, so we both could watch the holonews story about me.
"Some claim that while she may look almost identical to a younger Duchess Satine, other claim that this is all a show." The announcer continued. "As many believe that she had facial reconstruction as a child so that when she grew older, she would look like the Duchess, and not like an outsider or Foundling."
"WHAT?" Zara and I shouted simultaneously.
"How is that even irrelevant to me ruling a sector of the galaxy?" I asked in confusion.
"Maybe they don't like the fact that you are blonde and look like your mother…or look too much like her?" Zara asked and I rolled my eyes.
"And what can we make of her?" One of the other announcers began as they continued their discussion. "She's known around the Mandalorian Sector as The Rebellious Princess as she has a thing for acts of defiance."
"She's not wrong on that one." Zara said in agreement.
"Shut up Zara." I said in frustration as I tried to hear the conversation between the two announcers.
"How can a person of her age be still unmarried, childless, and expected to…" The announcer began but I immediately shut off the holonet out of anger and frustration.
Zara turned to me as I stood up and began to pace in anger, frustration, and annoyance.
"Ok, I know your mad…but I haven't seen you this mad in a long time." Zara commented and I sighed.
"I can't believe they've already started, and my coronation isn't for another 5 years!" I said in anger.
"Calm down, you'll wake up your mother." Zara explained. She's the calm one in these situations especially when I'm like this.
I rolled my eyes. "Sorry, I'm just angry. How can you already be judging how I'll rule when I'm not even in charge yet?"
Zara opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off.
"Don't answer it Zara." I said and she immediately closed her mouth. "Also, why are they wondering if I'm illegitimate? Plenty of ruler's probably have illegitimate children."
"You're not illegitimate Ro." Zara began.
"If I wasn't, my mother would tell me who my father was. Even Bo-Katan didn't have the guts to tell me who he is or was…she's just as bad as the rest. Both are. Korkie has no idea who his parents are, you never met your parents…does this entire family just like to keep secrets from each other? For all we know we're all Foundlings that were adopted down in Level 5 here on Coruscant." I continued as a paced.
We were silent for a few moments before a familiar beeping sound came into the room. Zara smiled as Geenine rolled to her and let out a low moan.
"I know." Zara said as she put her hand on her bronze dome. "Nice job Ro, you woke up the droid."
"And your mother." A familiar voice explained as the lights turned on making both Zara and I turn towards the doorway where my mother was standing.
"I'm sorry mother." I explained with a sigh.
"Aurora, Zara, it is 0100 hours, why are you both awake?" She questioned, exhaustion dripping in her voice.
"I couldn't sleep." I replied in all honesty.
She nodded. "I understand, but that does not mean that you can shout like you are outdoors when people are sleeping. Both of you go back to bed and get some sleep, we have a long day ahead of us in a few hours."
We both nodded and Zara stood up from her spot. After my mother walked out of the room along with Zara, and once the lights were off once again, Geenine beeped at me, and I nodded.
"Yeah, you can stay with me, just don't go into sleep mode, in case I have another nightmare."
Geenine beeped in agreement and stayed by my bedside as I got back into bed. I laid flat on my back for several hours just staring at the ceiling, wondering what the future would entail, along with that what was going to happen in the next few hours could potentially change Mandalore forever.