Chapter 77 – The Road Home

Author's Note: In which Marr plans! :D

PS. I'm sorry about all the gross reviews a troll left. I don't think they can be deleted, but if you know of a way, please let me know. I reported some of them, but ffnet doesn't do anything about that, I don't think, since they never dealt with some other troll reviews from a couple years ago. And seriously, don't look at them. They're awful, disturbing, and not worth your time. Maybe drop some reviews, though, to kick them off the first page? :)

To Pjo crossovers: Lol same.

To ElvenMatter: Yeah, I know. ;-; I can't delete them since they're signed reviews, but I did block them and put all guest reviews to moderate, so I can hopefully delete anything before it's posted in the future.
But on a more positive note, I'm so glad that you enjoyed this chapter and how Vader ended up acting! ^-^

To Bvh: Thanks.

To Jayden: *cries* Ahh thank you so much for your review! :D I really missed your reviews, and I'm glad you decided to catch up again! xD
Looking back, I wish I'd added more with Bo-Katan and Theseus raising Vizma too, but I was so impatient to get on to Rebels, and now that you're caught up, I think you can see why. xD I'm glad you like how it's gone so far, overall, and that it's so unpredictable. ^-^ The rest of the fic only gets more unpredictable, so I'll be eager to see your next reviews!
And again, thank you so, so, so much for your review! It means so much to me (to us) that you took the time to detail your thoughts in such detail! ! ! 💖

To aprilstools: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! :)

Thank y'all so much for reviewing! :D:D:D 💖💖💖

~ Amina Gila


"Dad!" Vizma launches herself into his arms the moment he enters the shuttle.

"Are you alright?" he asks, pulling her close as they take off. His mind still feels almost detached, far away, hyper focused on the lone presence leaving in a TIE fighter, but he's still present enough to notice the slight damage to his daughter's armor.

"I'm fine," she assures.

"What happened?" Kanan asks.

"Did you fight Vader?" Ezra queries.

"We talked," Ahsoka replies, settling across from the others.

The other three exchange glances. "What happened?" Kanan prompts.

Marr pauses, considering his words. He doesn't know how much they should really say. If anyone hears that Vader was questioning loyalties... "Do not tell anyone else about this," warns Marr, finally, "There is... a lot more of Anakin left in him than I feared, but we need to stop Sidious as soon as possible."

"Why is he staying with the Empire?" Vizma demands.

"I wish I knew the answer," Marr answers, staring out the viewport, "But he seems... too afraid to leave. I can't say why."

"When we first sensed him..." Ezra begins after a pause, "I felt hatred and anger, but fear was the strongest."

He can only imagine why, and he's never wanted revenge on Sidious more in his life. Maul was hardly a pleasant teacher, and the way he talked about Sidious... It was obvious he was much worse to him. A heavy silence hangs in the air. Vizma is frowning, and Kanan seems... very conflicted. "I know Sidious is a far from pleasant master," Marr declares, finally.

"Then why wouldn't he want to get away from him as soon as he could?" Vizma objects.

"It's not that simple. Not when you're trapped in the situation," he replies, "If he left, Sidious would keep looking for him, and I can't imagine what he would do to him if he found him."

Silence hangs heavily over them again, and he can clearly feel Ahsoka's raging emotions. He reaches over, laying a hand on her arm. She reaches up, taking his hand instead. He doesn't know how to feel about any of this anymore, but he knows he already misses Anakin terribly again, even more than he did before. He's pretty sure the same is true for Ahsoka.

"What are we going to do now?" Kanan inquires.

"Keep fighting like we have been," Marr answers, "But... if it came down to it, we might have help. Maybe. I don't know."

"But the Inquisitors are going to keep coming," Ezra objects.

"We're back to where we started before coming here," Kanan agrees.

"Then why don't we take the fight to them for a change," Marr declares, crossing his arms.

Vizma brightens. "Where do we start?"

"We have to take out Sidious, so we need to prepare for that," he replies, thinking through everything he's been considering all this time, "And the only way to do that is to go to him."

"Go to Coruscant?" Ahsoka asks incredulously.

"Yes, but not yet. We need to spread out their forces thinly across the galaxy. We need to make things difficult for them."

"We don't have enough resources for that," Kanan points out.

"Hondo could help!" Ezra offers.

"I'll let you handle it, then. We need all the help we can get," Marr replies, "And... I know where else to go to find more." They'll need far more than this, he thinks, but it's a start.

"Where?" Vizma wonders.

Marr gives her a small smile. "We're going home."

**w**

Now that it's been long enough for Marr to think of something other than Anakin, he turns his attention to what the others were telling him about Vizma. Her eyes weren't yellow anymore, by the time he got back to the ship, but he knows how easily a simple loss of control can start... growing worse.

"Drawing on the Dark Side is dangerous," Marr tells her. "It is easy to lose control."

"I didn't really mean to," she murmurs, "It just... happened so fast, and I was so angry. The only thing I could think about was protecting them."

"Of course," he agrees. He understands it, too. He would have done the same thing. But still, it worries him, because after his mother, Marr understands exactly how dangerous the Dark Side can be. And he doesn't want to wisk losing Vizma like that. "I know how easy that is. But it is always important to try rebalancing yourself. If you cannot at the time, then... focus on doing so afterwards."

Vizma nods. "I will," she replies, "But... how do you do that, in the middle of a battle? When you're trying to protect everyone?"

"It takes much experience, but when you are immersed deeply enough in the Force, it will tell you it's will as you fight. It was hard for me, too. It still is sometimes."

"I'll work on it," she promises, "I'm not going to Fall." Not like her, Marr knows she's thinking, even if she doesn't say it.

"I know," he replies, squeezing her shoulder. "So the next time you face any of the Inquisitors, you'll be ready."

**w**

They're going home. Marr can still hardly believe it, and Vizma is practically bouncing with excitement in her seat next to him. And if she was only a little younger, he knows he'd hear an endless stream of "are we almost there" and "can you make this go faster" from her.

"I wonder what it looks like there now," Vizma comments after a pause, as she finishes rechecking her blasters for no apparent reason for the three-hundredth time since they went into hyperspace.

He knows why she's saying it. "If the Empire did anything there, we would have heard about it." Probably. He can't imagine going back to see Mandalore even more destroyed than it was last time.

They come out of hyperspace, and he's filled with a strange mixture of nervousness and excitement as they fly for the surface. They've been gone for four years. Bo-Katan and Anastasia are expecting them, though.

The two are waiting at the bottom of the ramp, looking... very much the same way they did when he left. "Mom!" Vizma all but squeals. She bolts down the ramp, skidding to a stop in front of her.

"Vizma," Bo greets her, smiling softly, reaching down to rest her hands on her shoulders, "You've grown up so much."

"It has been four years," Marr agrees, moving closer. Years in which they should have been together, but they were separated all because of the Empire.

"It has been," she replies, "I'm glad you're here."

"I missed you," Vizma murmurs.

"We're still fighting together, even if we aren't together," Bo reminds.

"She always gets all the attention, doesn't she?" Anastasia drawls.

Marr groans. "How did I forget how annoying you are?"

"I am mildly offended," Anastasia replies. "How could you have forgotten your sister?"

"Some things are too traumatic to remember," he retorts, smirking.

"It's truly a pity you returned, then."

He never realized how much he missed her until right now. "Good to see you too," he grins, turning to Bo as Vizma scampers over to her aunt, and they start talking.

"I wish we could have come back a long time ago, but it was never safe," Marr says, stopping in front of her. He's been without her so long, but it both does and doesn't feel like it. So much has changed, but they're still... them. Love never dies, no matter how long they're apart. Not if it's real.

"We knew how it would be when you left," Bo replies though he doesn't miss the obvious note of unhappiness there. She was upset when he left. He knows that. They all were, but it was something that needed to be done. It was the Empire that tore their family apart, though he knows nothing will be enough to give back the years taken from them.

Bo missed years of their daughter's life, and Marr was gone when he should have been their most – in the aftermath of Satine's death. It was easier for Marr and Vizma to be away, and for as much as it hurts now that they're back, knowing she's not here, they still had time to process it. They knew they were making a difference. All Bo and Anastasia had was faith.

"I wish we could have stayed," Marr says, though he realizes with a start that's not entirely true. He couldn't be more grateful that he met Anakin, Ahsoka, and Kanan again. "Rather, I wish you could have come with us."

"Mandalore is our home. Protecting these people is our duty."

"That is why I cannot remain as the Mand'alor. I put my family above all. I always will. I only wish we didn't have to be apart, but we're here now." Hesitantly, he moves closer, pulling her into his arms. It's been so, so long. He didn't realize how badly he missed her. Being away is like torture but here on Mandalore, this is his home. Always.

He kisses her, wishing for hardly the first time that maybe someday, the day will finally come that they can just settle down. Maybe with everyone left of both of his families.

"You know there's other places for that," Anastasia says very loudly.

"Ew!" Vizma wails overly-dramatically.

"Did you have to ruin the moment, again?" Marr asks, irritated. He really did forget how completely annoying his sister was.

"You two –" Anastasia begins.

"I think that is quite enough," Bo all but snaps. "I believe we all have a lot to catch up on. We should go somewhere more... private."

**w**

Bo and Anastasia are still living mostly in hiding, but that's not really a big deal when it comes to Mandalorians. They just have to set up camp somewhere the Empire won't come looking for them, and they can settle down, for the most part. It's about the same way Marr and Vizma have also been living all these years.

"We met Sabine again," Vizma chirps, "And Ketsu, but she doesn't stay around most of the time."

"Good to hear," Anastasia replies, who is in fact capable of having normal decent conversations with everyone but Marr, apparently.

"What's she doing?" Bo wonders. He knows she was never very happy with what Sabine did, but it's good to see that she doesn't seem to blame her for it anymore.

"She joined up with the Rebellion," Marr replies, "She's part of the same crew as Caleb."

"You met him again?" Bo asks, surprised.

"And here I thought you said all your Jedi friends were dead," Anastasia states.

"I think they're all still alive," Vizma replies, "At least most of them. We met Ahsoka and Anakin too. And –"

"You met Anakin?" Bo cuts in, eyes widening.

She helped Marr so much at first, trying to recover from his and Obi-Wan's presumed death. With how much he talked about Anakin, she probably almost feels like she knew him longer than she did. "Yeah," Marr replies, "He's... What I was afraid of."

She frowns. "What happened to him? Why would he do that?"

"I don't know, but he's... not in good condition. Physically or mentally, I mean. I'm going to help him however I can, but first, we have to destroy Sidious and the Empire." Even with his current plan, it's not as simple as it sounds. They need to pick all the key locations that they have to attack, and they need enough resources to do so, and they have to do it in a way that the Empire doesn't catch on to what they're doing. He already went over with Ahsoka and some other Rebel command many important Imperial locations, but they need more resources. And he knows of only one place to get them.

He still doesn't know if it will be enough, though. He could try talking to Revan again some time, maybe, but... the ex-Sith wouldn't outright tell him what to do or anything, though sometimes just talking to him gives him ideas.

"Apparently his mom is working for the Empire too," Vizma announces, "She's... a complete disgrace to Mandalore."

"She wasn't Mandalorian," Anastasia points out, "But now I think I'm really glad I never met her. She's not even loyal to her own beliefs." What they're saying isn't exactly untrue, but a part of him still... protests to hearing talk about his mother like that. He's really upset with her too, and unlike Vader, she seems to be past any reasoning, but still.

Unless she's actually telling the truth about wanting him to join her, but she certainly has a funny way of showing it.

"Both our parents have problems," he interjects finally, "I'm beginning to think our entire family is the most screwed up one in family history."

"For the first time in my life, I can somewhat agree with you," Anastasia replies, smirking.

"I have to as well," Bo adds dryly, "Things were far more... normal before I met you."

He can't help but smirk, remembering all of that. "Since when did you like normal, Carrot Locks?"

"Sometimes I miss it," she teases.

"That's unfortunate, because things are about to get a lot more abnormal."

"What are you planning?" she asks, cautiously.

Right. Time to get down to planning. "We need to gather all the Mandalorians to our cause. Everyone who will join," he explains.

"I thought you said that would be too dangerous," Vizma objects.

"That's why we're going to do it in secret," he responds.

"You're certain that will work, that the Empire won't figure it out?" Bo asks.

"I'm counting on them catching wind of something," Marr admits, "That's why the rest of the Rebellion has to be prepared at the same time. I think we can start by finding the covens of True Mandalorians across the galaxy, and if I call, they will come." They'll answer because he's the Mand'alor. He doesn't want to put Mandalore in danger like this, but everyone is in danger now. If they don't take risks, they will get nowhere.

"You're asking them for help?" Bo asks.

"I know they don't get along with Death Watch, but I think we're past those conflicts right now," he replies. He learned plenty of the conflicts, and personally, he's more on the side of the True Mandalorians, though he keeps those opinions to himself most of the time.

Bo doesn't argue the point.

"How are we gonna find them?" Vizma objects.

"Does anyone here know where they are?" Marr asks.

"Not that I am aware of," Bo replies.

That's what he was afraid of. There has to be some way to find them, but he doesn't know what, and they can't cause a scene. "Someone has to know something," he argues.

"I have an idea," Anastasia cuts in.

He looks at her in mild surprise. "What?"

"When I was a bounty hunter, I worked with many others."

"I thought you were always solo."

"That's because all of them were either useless or dishonorable, except for one.," she replies, "Boba Fett. He's Mandalorian."

"He's a clone," Bo objects.

"They're still Mandalorian," Marr reminds, "Even if... differently." They've talked about this in the past. He can understand her reasoning to a point, because what Jango did was extremely dishonorable. Who basically has billions of children and then sends them all away to die for money?! But that's not the clones' fault. It's Jango's. And it doesn't make them not Mandalorian either. "Do you think Boba would be willing to help us?"

"You're the Mand'alor," Anastasia points out, "He cares more for being a good bounty hunter than his heritage, but I think it will still mean something to him. If anyone can find them, he can, but it will take time."

Marr nods. "That's fine. We have to start somewhere. I will... prepare a message that he can take with him."

"What if the Empire saw it?" Vizma objects.

"I'll use ancient Mando'a," he declares, "No non-Mandalorian will understand it. There are always traitors, but it will slow down the word getting out."

"It's a good plan," Bo compliments, "We should get to work."

**w**

He drafts the message first.

For far too long, Mandalore has bowed to the rule of the Empire. They have tried to destroy our people, culture, and planet, as they try to break us into submission. Many of our people say that times have changed, that we must accept this outside rule, but it is they who have changed. We do not bow to the rule of outsiders. Not as they destroy our traditions and heritage, everything that makes us Mandalorians. No one rules our planet except another Mandalorian.

It is not the nature of our people to hide in the gutters, as the Empire hunts us down. We must act, and we must act now, before the Empire destroys our planet and the rest of the galaxy. The longer we wait, the more powerful they grow.

Mandalore must unite. If we are to fight against the Empire, we must fight together. It may not be an easy fight, and many will die, but it will be as warriors. When we are united, they cannot defeat us. We will rise again, and we will be free.

Once that's over with – he still rewrites it a few dozen times afterwards, just to make sure that it's perfect – he leaves to find Boba. That isn't difficult. He is a bounty hunter, after all. If he was impossible to find, no one would ever be able to hire him. The trick is convincing him to help when he works for the Empire.

It's easier than Marr was expecting. Boba is a loyal Mandalorian, though his lack of contact with his home planet makes it harder for him to connect with them. He still stands true to the beliefs of his father, and Jango was a Mandalorian.

But, thankfully for Marr, he's not interested in overthrowing the Empire. He's only interested in overthrowing the Emperor and ensuring it's transition into... better hands.

Not even Boba can argue with that logic.

**w**

Vizma had missed Mandalore so much during the first couple years after they left, she wasn't sure how she'd ever adjust to being gone. It had been the one constant thing in her life, the one thing she never dreamed she would be away from.

It's jarring now, to be back after so long. They aren't in the area where she grew up, but it's still home. Much of the Kryze and Vizsla clans are still living around here, so she can re-meet up with all of the people that she used to know.

And the more she stays here, the more she realizes that she doesn't want to go. This is her home, and she didn't know it was even possible to feel this homesick when she left. She doesn't want to go again, at least not for the indefinite future.

She doesn't want to leave her mother and aunt behind again either, never knowing when she'll see them again. There has to be something she could do here to help with the Rebellion.

But she can't imagine leaving her father. He's always been there, except for that time when he was gone, learning from Maul. She doesn't know what to do, and nor does she usually "get answers from the Force" or whatever, the way her father does, but she knows who to go to with all of her questions.

"Dad?" Vizma asks, settling next to him in their new house. For a moment, things feel almost perfect, being back here together as a family. The only person missing who always will be is Aunt Satine. And for that alone, she knows they can never stop fighting until they win. The Empire will pay for what they did to her. They won't let her death be for nothing.

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking about... being back on Mandalore. The Rebellion. All of this. I really missed being here."

"I have too," he admits.

She shifts. "I don't want to leave. I want to help with the Rebellion, but I don't want to leave again. Not so soon."

He's quiet for several long moments. "You don't have to, if you really don't want to," he says, "Your Force training isn't complete, but it's... enough for now. There is much to do on Mandalore, too."

She nods, though she suddenly feels... The thought of being away from her father hurts. "I'll miss you," she breathes.

"I'll miss you too, little one." He reaches down, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "But if you feel your place is on Mandalore for now, you should stay here."

She scoots a little closer, leaning against him. "I'll think about it."

"We have a few more days, before I have to go," her father assures.

Right. A few more days before she makes a life-changing decision on what she's going to do now. She'll miss Ezra and Sabine, but they won't be apart forever. It's just a temporary thing. Although... she probably won't be able to leave until her father comes back, and she doesn't know when that will happen. It won't be nearly as long as they were gone the first time – unless that's just wishful thinking – but she is going to miss everyone so much.

**w**

The day for them to leave comes far too soon. Marr is not ready. He's leaving his family behind again – true, he's going back to another one but still – and this time, his daughter is staying here. He could hardly blame her for wanting to. This was her home even more than his, and even he wants to stay here, but the galaxy needs him right now.

After that, if they all get out of it alive, they can spend the rest of their lives together.

Although... Anastasia wanted to come with him. That is definitely going to be a nightmare. He almost wonders why he's even agreeing to that.

Now that he's standing here, seeing his wife and daughter for the last time, he suddenly doesn't even know what to say.

"Good luck with Sidious," Bo says, "And getting your brother back."

Marr nods, smiling faintly, "I'll try to contact you with the situation the next time it's safe." He doesn't think he'd be able to stand another extended period of time with no communication whatsoever, never knowing if either of them are safe.

"Tell Sabine that she doesn't get to finish that painting without me!" Vizma adds.

"I'll do that," Marr promises, smiling in amusement for a moment. She's so young sometimes, so concerned with seemingly trivial things. He wishes he still had time for such things. Maybe once the war is over...

"And tell Ezra that he and Zeb can't continue the Meiloorun hunt joke without me!"

What is that supposed to mean? "... Okay."

"Be careful here," Marr says, after a pause.

"You're the one to lead the fight against the Empire," Bo argues, "I believe you are the one who needs to be careful."

"I always am," he replies.

She gives him a pointed look.

"... Most of the time." Force, he is going to miss her.

They both linger for another moment, and he's pretty sure she's thinking along the same lines as him. "I'll see you later, Marr," she says, finally.

He nods. "You too. Good luck."

"I thought it was 'May the Force be with you'?"

He rolls his eyes. "There is such a thing as luck, despite what some Jedi might say." On second thought, maybe thinking about Obi-Wan right now wasn't a good idea, because it sends a fresh wave of grief stabbing through him. What happened to him? He asked Vader, and he'd totally avoided the question. Hopefully not because he doesn't want to talk about the answer.

"This is very touching," Anastasia interjects loudly, as he eyes the other two for the last time, "But we don't have forever here. Someone will see us sooner or later."

Marr glares at her.

"She is right," Bo concedes grudgingly, "You better go."

"We'll see you soon, Dad!" Vizma chirps.

He nods, finally turning and heading onto the ship.

"Did you ever clean this thing?" Anastasia asks, settling into the copilot seat as they take off.

Marr groans dramatically. "Why did I ever bring you along?"

Anastasia gives him an evil grin. "Because you're going soft, and you love me."

"I hate you."

"Good. I heard it makes you more powerful."

"I should throw you out an airlock."

"What good would that do? I have a jetpack."

"On second thought, with how much you'd haunt me from the afterlife, maybe I'll keep you here," he decides, leaning back in his seat.

"Thanks for the idea," she drawls, "I will be happy to."

"Don't worry, I'll do the same to you," he threatens as they make the jump to hyperspace.

**w**

"It's strange being back here," Vizma comments, sitting in the tent next to her mother. Everything feels so... empty, almost. She's glad to be back, but she still misses everyone already.

"I imagine so," her mother replies, "You've been gone for... a long time."

"It's so quiet."

"Anastasia managed to make enough noise to almost compensate for both you and your Dad being gone," she says, mildly amused.

"What do we do now?" Vizma wonders.

"Why don't we start with some sparring practice?" her mother asks, standing, "I'd like to see what you've learned all these years."

"Sure," she grins. It'll be about time they have time for that anyway. "But... what's our next move against the Empire?"

"We need to work on discreetly allying people to our cause. They don't need to know your father is involved in that," Bo responds, "We can start with more of the Kryze clan."

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