A/N:

A big shoutout to Mandalore the Survivor for allowing/suggesting to me to use their OC in the chapter below. Hope you all enjoy it, and a Faceclaim/reveal will be at the end in another A/N. The flashback point of this chapter will be taking place directly after the Mortis arc.

Thanks,

The Author

Flashback: 6 Months Ago

Location: The Resolute

(A Few Hours After Mortis)

Third Person's POV

Obi-Wan sighed walked through the halls of the medical bay when he heard someone crying. Once the ship landed from Mortis, and after Anakin explained the situation to Yularen, Rex, and Fox, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Aurora were escorted down to the medical bay to check to see if they're injuries carried over into present day, and to make sure that their overall mental state was alright. But based on the sound of someone crying…it appeared to be the opposite.

He continued to follow the crying sound and when he rounded the corner to the room where he heard it, he was shocked to see who was crying. It was Aurora, and she was crying hysterically as she sat on the medical bay bed. Fox, Rex, and Ahsoka were standing in front of her looking at her in both confusion and in fear, whereas Anakin was standing off to Aurora's right with his arms crossed shaking his head.

"What's going on?" Obi-Wan asked as he walked into the room.

Aurora's head snapped to him. "I CAN'T STOP...I CAN'T…I CAN'T STOP!" She said through the tears.

"Crying." Ahsoka explained for her as Aurora continued to cry. "She can't stop crying."

"I can see that. What did you all do to her?" Obi-Wan asked in confusion.

"Nothing." Ahsoka replied before glancing at Aurora who was still crying.

"She's going to dehydrate." Fox explained. "Princess, do you want some water?"

Aurora shook her head and spoke through her cries. "No…no."

Obi-Wan stepped forward in attempt to comfort Aurora but was immediately yanked back by Rex, Fox, and Ahsoka.

"NO!" They all shouted at him.

"I already tried that…it only made things worse." Ahsoka explained.

"I knew she'd break sooner or later." Anakin began. "It was only a matter of time before she would snap."

Even though she was still crying, Aurora's expression turned into anger as she pointed to Anakin.

"I WILL KILL HIM!" She practically gritted through her teeth.

Obi-Wan sighed before walking over to Anakin, grabbing him by the arm, and started to pull him out of the room.

"You should step out." Obi-Wan explained.

"But I want to watch her go through the process of accepting the fact that she's been lied to." Anakin replied.

"Well, we don't, and neither does Aurora. When she's calm you can come back." Obi-Wan explained before closing the door, leaving Anakin on the outside of the room.

As Rex began to hand Aurora a tissue, Aurora turned towards Obi-Wan.

"MAKE IT STOP…MAKE IT STOP!" She practically begged through her tears.

She angrily grabbed the tissue from Rex, which made him, Fox, and Ahsoka jump back a little in fear. They'd never seen Aurora cry before…nor did they think that she ever did cry in her life.

"SOMEBODY SEDATE ME!" She screamed at them before breaking out into another hysterical crying fit as she's been doing the entire time.

Meanwhile outside, Anakin was standing by the door as Yularen walked by him and attempted to open the door.

"Admiral, don't go in there." Anakin explained.

"Why? I need to speak with General Kenobi." Yularen explained.

Anakin shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Yularen looked at him in confusion before pressing the button to open the door. As soon as the door opened, he was met by Aurora screaming at him.

"GET THE FUCK OUT!" She screamed through her tears making Yularen close the door in fear.

He then turned back to Anakin who crossed his arms and shrugged.

"Told you." He said with a sigh.

Present Day: 6 Months Later

Location: Mandalore

Aurora's POV

"Ow." I explained to Zara as she brushed through my long blonde hair.

"Sorry, I'm trying my best." She explained and I nodded knowing she was telling the truth.

Since encountering the Force Gods and their bug-buddies on Mortis, I've been avoiding the Jedi like the plague. It's not the fact that I don't trust them, (in fact I trust them with my life) but it was the fact that I learned more about myself and my family than I ever wanted to know. I felt betrayed by my mother, and I felt betrayed by my father. Even though I knew he was dead (or alive somewhere…though I doubt it), he could've left me and my brother (who was my cousin, who is now my biological 'twin brother' even though we aren't the same age) a note or a recording explaining how to use and or deal with my powers. To be honest, I don't even know the full extent of mine or Korkie's powers…which is scary to even think about. No one knows what went down on Mortis…except for me.

"Do you want your hair up or down for the Council meeting?" Zara asked snapping me out of my trance.

"I guess down." I said with a sigh.

"You ok Ro?" Zara questioned with concern dripping in her voice.

I just nodded in response. "I'm tired."

Zara said nothing more, as she knew how I was when I was in these types of moods. I would be rather quiet whenever I was in deep thought…especially when something shook me to my core, and when I came back from Mortis, Zara knew something happened that changed me…as I wasn't myself. She knew what happened there was still fresh and new, so she knew not to press and ask for information. That was one of the reasons why I considered Zara to be my sister, and not my cousin, handmaiden, or best friend. She was my other half and knows me like the back of her own hand.

Once my hair was finished, I looked in the mirror and realized that I had a slight curl to my hair, but only at the ends…which didn't bother me.

"I pulled a long-sleeved gown." Zara explained as I got up from my seat to look over the gown. The gown was red, almost a maroon color, and long-sleeved with a high neckline. It was more modest that some of the gowns I've worn in the past…except for the back. The dress was completely backless, allowing for my entire back to be exposed…which would cause an issue.

"It's fine…except for one thing." I explained looking her in the eyes.

"What?" She asked in confusion.

I gave her a small smile. "The tattoo."

Her eyes widened. "I completely forgot."

I gave her a small back before turning around so she could cover the tattoo up with makeup. When I was 13 years old, my aunt gave me a small tattoo, on my lower right shoulder blade of our clan symbol. She then explained that every noble woman in our family had it. She has it, my mother apparently has it, and my grandmother had it. She explained that when my family came into power, my grandmother wanted to honor the fact that we were royalty, hence tattooing our right shoulder blade. And as far as I know, we were the only Mandalorians to do that…at least to my knowledge.

Once Zara covered the tattoo, I put the gown on and grabbed one of the crowns Zara had laid out for me. This crown was covered with white jewels unlike other crowns I've worn. It was rather simple and plain…which didn't bother me at all. Once I placed the crown on my head, I looked myself over in the full-length mirror in my room. I looked so put together…it amazed me every time. I could go from looking so beaten, covered in dirt and blood, to looking so put together, and flawless in a matter of minutes.

"So regal." Zara said with a small smirk making me roll my eyes and smirk as well before I walked toward the door.

"Thank you." I explained before I walked out the door.

"Good luck!" Zara called after me making me laugh in response.

I sighed as I walked out of my room and toward the council meeting room in the palace. Occasionally, I'd come across a servant or guard, who'd curtsey or bow as I passed and would say 'Your Royal Highness', which would make me want to vomit in my mouth. Eventually I made it to the council chamber, where two guards were standing in front of the door. One guard went inside.

"My Lady, the Princess has arrived." The guard explained.

"Send her in." My mother replied and the guard gestured for me to go in.

As I walked in, I saw members of the New Mandalorian Council standing in my presence, with my mother at the head of the table along with Almec sitting to her left.

"Your Royal Highness." The members said in unison with small curtseys and bows, there were 7 members of the council, not including my mother and Almec or myself…originally there was 8 not including the three of us, but since Vizsla tried to kill my mother…members of the council took that as his letter of resignation…the same went for Merrick.

"Aurora, so lovely for you to join us." My mother said with a small smile and gestured me to sit to her right. I wasn't sitting at the head of the table, but I was sitting at the seat next to my mother, as I was the Crown Princess. I tilted my head to the side in confusion, as I noticed the chair across from me was empty.

"Now that we are mostly here," Almec began. "We can begin."

My mother nodded. "Yes, I want to discuss the new bill I will be proposing to the Senate to prevent any future occupation or invasion of the Mandalorian system by The Republic. I want this done as soon as possible, perhaps before the next Senate gathering."

"Duchess," Hald Ress, who was the Minister of the Interior began. "Before the next meeting is risky…not even all the council members are present for this gathering…along with we need the entire council to vote."

I nodded. "Perhaps we should hold off until everyone is here mother."

Larent Shek, who was Minister of Agriculture rolled his eyes. "All of the important members of the council are here Your Royal Highness…we are waiting for no one."

The doors then opened and the guard who informed the council of my presence earlier walked in.

"My Lady, Duke Ordo has arrived." The guard explained.

My mother nodded with a smile. "Send him in."

The next person who walked through the doors I was not expecting…not in a million years…not in a billion centuries or eons. The person who walked in I knew all too well from my childhood. I knew him from when I was in the academy…I knew him from when he'd accompanied his father to many Ruling Council meetings over the years. The person who walked in was none other than Crashun Ordo. He hasn't changed since the last time I saw him with his dark brown hair and blue eyes, but then again, the last time I saw him, I was thirteen years standard. When he made eye contact with me, he almost did a double take…he probably thought I was Zara at first, because he knew how much I hated council meetings…we both did…but then again, things change. He was also 5 years older than me…so at 26 years standard, he probably has an appreciation for the council.

"Duchess," He began as he took his seat directly across from me. "I am so sorry I am late."

"Crashun, so wonderful for you to be here." My mother began with a smile. "First, I want to say, I am sorry for the loss of your father."

Crashun nodded. "Thank you, Duchess, you are too kind."

"Now," Almec began. "That we are all here, we can finally begin."

Throughout the entire meeting, I was studying Crashun. I wasn't admiring his attractiveness (even though he is rather attractive), I was studying his body language, and from what I could tell, his thoughts about the overall Council, was still the same. He was rather uncomfortable in these situations…at least I remember he was. When I was younger, and whenever my mother would through extravagant balls, I would always see him standing by himself observing the crowds. He was so quiet as a child, so obedient, which completely contrasted my impulsiveness and rebellious nature as a child…which I still had a little bit of today, though I could conceal it rather well in the presence of my mother. He was always quiet, always looking for approval from his parents, from his siblings, from his clan…it was so different from me. He wanted the weight of the world on his shoulders, whereas I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.

As the meeting went on, I saw that whenever he spoke, some of the Ministers frowned and shook their heads. I was confused at first, but then it hit me after a while. He was married…to an alien. They had only been married for about a year, as I remember the Holonet was reporting on it…New Mandalorians were not that happy about it. New Mandalorians were almost Xenophobic in a way…aside from my mother, Zara, my brother, and me. I distinctly remember when Ahsoka came to teach at the academy. Almec wasn't thrilled because she was a Togruta, which basically was everything that can be explained about New Mandalorians…they felt they were superior to every other species that ever inhabited or inhabits Mandalore…which disgusts me in so many ways. Every New Mandalorian that I've had somewhat of a civilized relationship with, is rather xenophobic, I've never met one that is accepting to all species...that is outside of my family.

After the meeting was over, many of the council members were speaking in the throne room as the room where the Ruling Council met was just off the throne room. I immediately walked up to Zara who looked at me in both shock and horror when she saw the smirk I had plastered on my face.

"Ok either you enjoyed the meeting, or you're planning something." She whispered as I stood next to her.

I gestured to Crashun who was in deep conversation with my mother. "Want to take a guess who that is."

Zara tilted her head to the side in confusion and was silent for a few moments. "I have no idea."

I looked at her with the same smirk. "Crashun Ordo."

Zara's jaw dropped in shock. "No way."

I nodded. "Way."

She nodded in approval with a small smirk. "When did he get hot?"

"Zara!" I practically scolded. "He's married."

"Who wouldn't want to marry him?" She asked before gesturing to him. "I mean look at him."

"What's going on?" Korkie asked as he came to stand next to me.

"Zara is fawning over one of the council members." I explained before gesturing to Crashun.

"Who's that?" Korkie asked.

"Crahsun Ordo." I explained.

"No way, when did he get hot?" Korkie asked.

"Korkaran!" I scolded again, this time using his full name.

"That's what I said! Too bad he's married." Zara explained with a sigh.

"Who wouldn't want to marry him though." Korkie replied and I rolled my eyes in response.

Just then, Crashun turned away from my mother and began walking toward the three of us.

"Both of you please act civil for once…and normal." I explained and both had difficulty acting calm as he walked over.

Crashun smiled. "Aurora, Zara, Korkie."

"Crashun." We all replied.

"It is so good to see you all again…it has been far too long." He began.

I nodded. "Yes, I hope all is well with your mother and your younger siblings…along with your wife."

He nodded. "Thank you, I will pass on your warm regards to them. I wish I was staying here longer, so we all could catch up, but I am needed elsewhere. I wish you all the best."

He bowed to me before turning to walk away.

"Bye." Zara and Korkie both said in practically a trance.

"Can both of you act professional for one day?" I ask in annoyance. "I hate the fact that I am the most mature out of both of you right now."

Later that night, after dinner, I was walking back to my room. The palace was silent and felt practically empty, and quite frankly I couldn't wait to take the dress and crown off that I had on from the council meeting. I open the door to my room and immediately walked to my bedside table to take the crown off my head when I heard movement in my room. My eyes widened and I carefully and quietly, grab the vambrace that was sitting on the table, and slowly slide it on my wrist.

Just as I turned around, I heard another vambrace powering up and I immediately powered up mine and aimed it at the darkness.

"I know you're there." I spoke.

"I guess I wasn't that discreet." The voice explained.

"I have good hearing…one of my many talents." I said coldly.

"And you're all about your talents." The voice replied as it got closer.

As the person came into view, I noticed they were wearing full beskar, and the only thing that allowed me to see them, was the moonlight that shined through my windows that led to my balcony.

"Take off your helmet, and I won't hurt you." I explained before setting my vambrace to taze.

The person shook their head. "Not going to happen Princess."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Take off the damn helmet Crashun."

The person sighed before taking off their helmet to reveal that they were in fact Crashun underneath.

"How did you know it was me?" He asked in confusion.

"You wear your clan symbol on your shoulder." I explained as I powered down my vambrace and lowered my arm. He however, kept his vambrace activated and aimed at me.

"You know you can lower your weapon, right?" I say in confusion as I turn around to put the vambrace back on the table.

As I turned back around, I was met with a beskar sword being aimed at my throat making me hold up my hands in surrender.

"We need to talk." He explained and I nodded in both confusion and in slight fear as to what would happen next.

A/N:

A big thanks again to Mandalore the Survivor for letting me use their OC, Crashun Ordo in the chapter/story as they will become a big character in Aurora's life. Faceclaim for Crashun Ordo is Richard Madden, as he is very much Robb Stark inspired, per Mandalore the Survivor's request.

Thanks again,

The Author