Kanan rolled his eyes upon entering his cabin. Once again there were two little Padawan trespassers to greet him. It was bedtime, but the two Padawans hadn't seemed to care nor notice.
Ezra laid on the metal floor, controller still in hand, as Athena was fast asleep on the bottom bunk just behind the blue-haired boy. Her hand dangled off the bunk, controller slowly slipping out of her fingers' grasp.
"Guys, really?" Kanan sighed. "Can't you guys play in your cabin, Ezra?"
"Zeb kicked us out again," Ezra complained in a sleepy voice, eyes still shut. He yawned as he spoke. "And isn't this Athena's cabin too now, kinda?"
"She's a trespasser just like you," Kanan remarked. He looked to the bottom bunk to see his little sister dead asleep. "But she has a knife on her at all times, so I don't wake her up."
Ezra looked up to the sleepy Athena from his spot on the floor and whispered, "Athena? You up?"
Silence. Nothing but her soft breaths and the occasional drool.
"She's a deep sleeper when she first goes out," Ezra yawned, laying his head back down on the ground.
"You two need to stop playing this game so late at night," Kanan palmed his face.
"Meh…" Ezra mumbled, making himself cozy on Kanan's cabin floor.
"Out," Kanan stated. "She wears plates of lava; you'd have no chance of survival if her powers activate."
Ezra turned a little and saw Athena's arm dangle off the bed, the plate of hardened lava still strapped to her forearm mere inches away from him. The boy Padawan grumbled as he stood, collecting the holo-game console and controllers.
Kanan chuckled and gave Ezra a pat on the shoulder as he came over to him in the doorway.
"Let me know if Athena accidentally sets you on fire," Ezra yawned.
"Eh, her bunk is far enough away from mine," Kanan joked. "I got a fighting chance."
Ezra smiled with amusement and soon exited the cabin, heading to the one he shared with his smelly lasat cabinmate.
Kanan soon enough went to sleep on the top bunk. He rested a little easier that night, knowing Athena's schedule would mean she was training with Father tonight. His training sessions rarely ended with any turbulent reactions from the girl.
It felt like he had just shut his eyes when he felt a tap on his shoulder. His back facing the rest of the room, he had to turn to see the figure behind him.
He blinked a couple of times in surprise and looked over his shoulder to see his little sister.
"You want some caf? Hera just made a batch and I know you don't like yours cold."
Kanan groaned and turned over. "Geez, do you and Hera require no sleep? How can you guys wake up so early?"
"Well, I train with the Gods. I don't know about Hera, though," Athena chuckled.
"Fine." the Jedi got up.
He followed his sister down the halls of the Ghost. He raised an eyebrow as he laid eyes on Athena's hair. "Pigtails?"
"Hera likes to play with my hair," Athena shrugged, turning back to Kanan. "This ain't my doing."
The two soon entered the common room and joined their captain for a morning cup of caf. Athena sat on the ground in front of the twi'lek, taking a sip from her mug here and there, as her hair continued to be braided. She had hair all the way down to her elbows - giving the captain plenty of hair to fiddle with.
"I can't believe you put her hair in pigtails," Kanan chuckled before taking another sip of caf.
"Hey, don't you make fun," Athena said. "You got that ponytail thing going on. I don't wanna hear it."
Hera chuckled, "Hey, now you really look like a Syndulla-Jarrus. Now you got the 'lekku' with your hair like this."
Kanan rolled his eyes, "Hera, she's not our child."
"I'm your Space Child," Athena reminded with a smile.
"I just can't believe my dad actually thought she was our bio kid," Hera rolled her eyes.
"I almost had a heart attack then and there," Kanan shook his head. "I just barely met your father and he already thought you and I actually had a kid together."
"You two are a very obvious couple," Athena commented, sipping her caf. "I didn't need mind-reading to tell you two were a thing."
"So you can read minds!" Hera exclaimed. "I thought I was going crazy with you answering questions before I asked them!"
Athena chuckled, "Yeah, sorry. I was just trying to fine-tune them. It's kinda like a radio-station up there. I gotta 'turn the dial' to listen to something on someone's mind. It's still glitchy, though. Ahsoka is helping me with it."
"Dang, you sure are learning a lot, kid," Hera let out a chuckle of disbelief. The chill down her spine was yet to leave from the speech the Emperor gave yesterday. The amount of power this kid must have to where the Emperor himself acknowledged her strength...it made Hera shiver.
"The Sith Lord is dispatched for me already, I know," Athena spoke softly. "Ahsoka and I were talking about it yesterday. I'll have to separate myself from the others if he gets too close. No use putting everyone in danger."
"Athena, you-" Kanan couldn't get the words out.
"That Sith Lord killed our mom, Kanan. I'm not letting him kill you all too," Athena took a sip of her caf. "I don't know if I stand a chance against him yet in battle, but I can probably outrun him for a while and get him away from the rest of the rebels."
Hera let out a sigh, holding the girl's blonde hair between her fingers now. "You...you're very strong, I'll give you that, kid. Strong enough to where the Emperor himself sees it."
"They know the Inquisitors can't get me," Athena sighed. "Ahsoka was right - I took it too far in that fight with Fifth Brother. I showed them what I can do."
"The Sith Lord was hunting you down since you were born, Athena," Kanan drummed his fingers against the mug in his hands, looking to the ground. "This was inevitable. They knew you were powerful from the get-go."
"Is...is he really that powerful?" Athena looked up to Kanan and Hera.
They could see the fear and apprehension in her eyes. They were talking about the monster who killed her mother and left her an orphan. The monster now sent out for her.
"You'll be alright," Hera assured in a soft voice. Though, the captain couldn't be so sure of that herself. She'd seen that Sith Lord with her own two eyes on Lothal. The monstrous machine who lifted a burning Walker off himself.
Athena fell silent and turned back around, back facing the two. Her knees curled up close to her body.
The monster who murdered her mother was now sent to capture her - a girl who was barely a Padawan. Not only did she have to deal with the Gods of Mortis on the daily and the looming threat of Abeloth, but she also had to deal with a Sith Lord and a tyrannical Empire who saw her as a prize upon capture.
This sure was different from Earth.
For the rest of the day, Athena spent her time building her lightsaber in the solitude of the Phantom. She came down the ladder every once and a while to ask about some of the more fine details of the technology.
By the end of the day, Athena could call the lightsaber overall half-complete.
She crawled her way into bed on the bottom bunk in Kanan's cabin and laughed as Kanan rolled his eyes to see her in his cabin once again.
"You just going to become my cabinmate now?" Kanan sarcastically remarked. "You haven't slept in your little closet for weeks."
"Your lower bunk is comfy and you're a quiet roommate," Athena shrugged. "Just be glad I don't take your top bunk."
Kanan chuckled, "I'd have to throw you out by the nape of your neck if ya did."
As Kanan ascended the little ladder up to his bunk, Athena said, "You should be flattered that I chose to become your roommate. I hate sharing rooms with people - especially guys. You, you're cool enough to where I'm willing to be your roommate if that means I get this comfy bunk."
"Suit yourself, kid," Kanan chuckled, laying down in his bunk.
Kanan turned his back to face the rest of the room as he faced the wall closest to him. He began to close his eyes as he realized something.
"It's Son's training, tonight, isn't it?" Kanan softly called down to his sister.
Silence.
More silence.
Kanan turned over and looked down to the bottom bunk where a sleeping Athena laid. Out cold. The girl in dark pajamas was unconscious now - drooling onto her pillow as she clutched it tightly.
He turned back around and closed his eyes, knowing the girl wouldn't wake for hours. She was in the hands of the Ones now.
Knowing it was Son's turn to train her tonight, Kanan mentally prepared himself to wake up in the middle of the night to once again tend to a traumatized Athena.
He was disoriented when he woke up. A hand shaking him awake once again.
He turned to see a pair of teal eyes staring right back at him.
"Athena, are you okay?"
The girl nodded and scoffed. "Yeah, why? I was just waking you up because it's morning. Hera said she wants us to talk to Ahsoka - apparently, she's got something for us."
"Oh," Kanan sat up, soon jumping off his bunk and standing in front of the girl. "It- wasn't it Son's training last night? Are you alright?"
"It was just fighting another demon," Athena waved it off. "Now come on, Ahsoka wanted you and me specifically."
Kanan got up and eventually got ready for the day after a trip to the 'fresher. He soon followed his little sister out of the Ghost and met up with the togruta inside the Imperial fighter carrier.
"Kanan, Athena," Ahsoka greeted. "I have some news for you."
"What is it?" Kanan asked. "I've never seen you just ask for me and her specifically."
"Because the message we received was specifically addressed to you two," Ahsoka said.
"Message?" Athena asked.
Ahsoka held out a disk in the palm of her hand. Soon, a holographic projection of a rodian man appeared.
"This man contacted us recently, asking for Syla and Caleb Dume specifically. He claims to know your mother."
The siblings fell silent for a moment. They shared a confused and concerned glance before turning back to the rodian's picture.
"What did he say about our mom?" Athena asked.
"He says she left behind something for you specifically, Athena," Ahsoka looked to her Padawan. "I am unsure of how legitimate this is, obviously, but there was something he said that stuck out to me."
"What?" Kanan questioned.
Ahsoka looked around to see no other rebels were in earshot before speaking softly, "He said that this 'object' has something to do with the Ones - specifically Daughter and Abeloth. A holocron"
"Remnants of the Ones…" Athena remembered Jalo's speech. She looked up to her Master. "How do we get this holocron? Where can we find him?"
"That's the problem." Ahsoka sighed. "He's on Coruscant. Slum District G17 in a place called Solarburn Repairs and Restorations"
"Coruscant? The literal capital of the Empire?" Kanan skeptically asked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, sounds like a trap."
Athena shook her head, ponytail swaying side-to-side, as she crossed her arms. "The Ones never mentioned anything about this. I think if I needed this holocron for the whole Abeloth thing, they would have blatantly told me about it."
Kanan nodded, "I agree. If they wanted you to have what this guy is offering, they would have told you."
"And with you being now widely-known by the Empire, going to Coruscant is the biggest risk we could take," Ahsoka said. "What worries me is how this man knows about the Ones and Abeloth."
Athena shrugged, "Maybe the Empire figured it out or something. Son is a slippery bastard who could've ratted me out to the Empire."
"Stop swearing so much," Kanan warned his sister.
Ahsoka turned the hologram off and put it back into a pocket on her belt before speaking again. "I will keep you two updated on the situation if this man decides to contact us again."
"Thank you, Ahsoka," Kanan nodded.
"How many people are going to claim they know our mother?" Athena scoffed, rolling her eyes. "First Jalo and now this guy?"
Kanan shrugged, "It seems our mother has lots of surprises for us. First, you being my sister with that note, then that bracelet made from a holocron, her being a Jedi, her knowing Jalo, and now this guy."
Athena chuckled, "I can't imagine what's in store for us if we ever dig up stuff on our dad. But, who knows? We may be half-siblings and have different dads. You are tall with brown hair and I'm short with blonde hair."
"True," Kanan agreed. "But it hardly matters who we're related to."
Ahsoka disagreed, "The Empire would say differently. For some reason, they are hunting you two down specifically - even when Athena was but an infant they were searching for her. They want you two for some reason, and I can only imagine it's because of the blood you share."
"Well, we'll just have to evade capture," Athena stated simply. "Live to fight and fight to live."
Ahsoka let out a sigh through her nose and looked to Athena, "How far along are you with your lightsaber?"
"Eh, about half-way. I'm just trying to figure out some of the components, that's all," Athena said.
The togruta nodded. "Good. Keep working on it."
The girl went off back into the Ghost as Kanan and Ahsoka lingered there for a moment longer.
"The Empire is getting more and more desperate to turn her into one of their own," Ahsoka solemnly stated.
"If she- I- I don't want to imagine it," Kanan sighed as he shook his head.
"If she is ever captured, they'll make her into a monster they themselves wouldn't be able to control," Ahsoka stated.
Kanan looked to Ahsoka, meeting her eyes. "Then what about us? At what point do we have no control over her?"
"We already passed that point," Ahsoka let out a sigh. "All we can rely on is her having a stable state of mind and a family who she loves."
Late at night once more, Kanan got ready to go to sleep. This time, to greet him, was Athena sitting on his mediation seat. To opalescent crystals glowing in the dark above the palms of Athena's hands. She sat with her legs crisscrossed on the meditation seat. Her hair nor eyes glowed this time, but the teal bracelet on her wrist did. The metal pieces and parts were suspended in the air, slowly finding their place.
Athena opened her eyes, catching the pieces of her lightsaber, and looked to Kanan. "Oh, hey."
"You working on your lightsaber?" Kanan chuckled.
Athena nodded. "I'm just fixing up the little things. Since I don't know much of your guys' tech, I'm really just letting the Force guide me."
Kanan smiled, "Good. I'm glad to hear."
"It's time for bed, so imma just put all this away," Athena said. She soon brought her black bookbag by her side and carefully put the semi-complete lightsaber into the bag. She took off her hardened lava-armor plates and sat them on top of the bag before leaping over to the lower bunk.
Kanan went up the little ladder and laid on the upper bunk. "It's Daughter's night, right?"
"Yep," Athena responded. "Hopefully this one ain't traumatic."
"Goodnight."
"G'night."
Kanan shut his eyes.
The Jedi groaned in disapproval as he felt a violent shake on his arm.
"Athena, there is no way it's morning," Kanan grumbled. He soon felt a smack on the side of his face. "Ow!"
"Get up!" Athena's voice was tight. "Get up! Get up! Get up!"
"What is wrong with-" Kanan groaned as he sat up and turned to face the girl. He froze once he caught eye of a bright glow in the corner of the room.
On his meditation seat sat a glowing woman with pale skin, her eyes closed as she peacefully sat there. She was adorned with tan and brown Jedi robes. A glowing teal bracelet floated in front of her. Her long brown hair pinned up in a bun on the back of her head. She sat there with her feet underneath her and hands on her knees - just like how Kanan would meditate.
"M-m-m-" Kanan had wide eyes as he sat there on his bunk. He felt Athena grab onto his hand and squeeze it.
"This is insane!" Athena hissed.
The woman opened her eyes. Her eyes were green. Emerald green.
"Mom?" Kanan was finally able to muster the word.
The woman smiled and chuckled.
"What the heck?" Athena was petrified at the sight of the ghost. "Mom? What- what are you-?"
Kanan jumped down from his bunk and stood next to Athena. He slightly shielded her, not knowing if this apparition of their mother was truly safe.
"I didn't mean to frighten you," the woman's voice was so smooth and soothing.
"What are you doing here?" Athena questioned, wide-eyed. "You- I don't understand. Did Daughter send you?"
"Partially," the woman began to stand.
Kanan stepped in front of his sister as the specter began to move.
The woman stopped moving, seeing the male Jedi becoming worried. A smile grew on her lips. "I see you protect your sister vigilantly, Caleb."
"Daughter definitely sent you," Athena's breath was nearly stolen from her mouth as she saw the pastel green glow faintly dust the air around her mother. She stepped out from behind her brother. "I was supposed to train with her, but she sent you. For what?"
The woman stood from the meditation seat. Her ghost of a body now stood in the middle of the cabin, the teal bracelet now floating above her head.
"You received a message earlier today, correct? From a rodian named Strive?"
"We...we didn't know his name, but yes," Kanan nodded, sweat nearly dripping off his forehead. He placed a firm hand on Athena's shoulder.
"Mom, how did you know Jalo?" Athena asked. "And who's our dad? Or dads?"
"You will soon find all the answers you are looking for, my Syla," Cyla looked to her daughter. "But first, you will need to find my holocron - the one that I left for you."
"A holocron?" Kanan questioned. "So, you really were a full-fledged Jedi? I-I saw you in a vision battle Vader, but I- how could you have had children? What-"
"I was a Jedi of sorts," the ghost looked to her son. "My time here with you is short, so please take my words to heart."
"You're telling us that rodian really does have your holocron, right?" Athena said.
The woman chuckled, "My, you are smart, Syla. Yes."
Kanan spoke, "But, he's on Coruscant. We can't possibly get in-"
"You will find a way," she said. "That holocron is critical to your future battle with Abeloth. You must retrieve it."
"So, you knew about my destiny to fight Abeloth?" Athena asked.
The ghost nodded. "You were destined for great things, Syla. I have much faith that you will fulfill your destiny and save others."
"You…" Kanan gulped, unsure what else he could say.
The woman met her son's eyes. "You are turning out to be an amazing teacher and leader, Caleb. Trust your instincts. They have gotten you this far."
"But, what if I'm captured on Coruscant? What then?" Athena questioned. "Vader is after me. He killed you. I don't stand a chance-"
The door to the cabin swished open. The ghost of the Jedi woman turned to see two wide-eyed Padawans. A blue-haired boy and a girl with dark hair. She smiled.
Ezra and Rae were petrified as they saw this. Each of them had sensed something and woke up, but they didn't expect this. A glowing woman with Jedi robes and green eyes.
The woman turned to them and her spectral hand cupped the side of Ezra's face. "Caleb, your Padawan here is surely turning out to be quite special." she looked to the horrified eyes of Rae and smiled. "And you, I don't quite know you - but you seem to have some sort of connection to my children. You seem very kind. I wish I could get to know you better."
"I- I-" Rae stuttered. She didn't know why she was sensing this odd sensation in the Force. The phantom woman seemed so familiar yet so unfamiliar. It was like she was looking at the face of someone she'd seen only in her dreams.
The woman's ghostly hand petted the dark waves of the girl's hair and smiled. "Do good."
Cyla turned to her children once more and smiled. "May the Force be with you, on Coruscant and throughout the universe."
The woman's glow slowly dimmed as her figure began to vanish. The light dispersed and left them in darkness once more.
The four Jedi looked at each other with wide eyes.
"What the heck?!" Ezra hissed in horror. "Was that a ghost?"
"That was our mother," Kanan slowly paced his breathing. He looked down to his sister. "Apparently she wants us to go to Coruscant."
