Penumbra (Sequel to The Rising Darkness)

by Jedi Jesi Jiin

Ignis is now the puppet of Vexa Wran, though to the galaxy he is known as Vexa's Fist. With his help, the Rising heads ever deeper into the Core, gaining ever more support from darker factions in the galaxy. Meanwhile, Shmi and Anya are on a quest to save Ignis, while Luke is trying to find the truth behind Ignis' relationship to himself and Shmi. What will become of them all?

12. Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve:

Anya sat upon her bunk in the Nebula. Shmi was asleep in her bed, since it was technically night time, and Kavis was using the couch in the lobby as his bed. Anya was glad that Shmi was able to rest. However, Anya was finding it difficult to do so herself tonight.

Or much at all of late.

The more Anya heard of Ignis' exploits, the harder it was for Anya to process. She knew, deep down, that Ignis had no choice in what he was being told to do. Anya also knew that Ignis had been doing many horrible things under Vexa's orders, even before the scalpel squid had taken over his free will. But before Ignis' return to his master, his missions had been secret, unrecorded occurrences. There had been no evidence of it being Ignis, if anyone ever found out about what he did.

It had been easy to simply look past Ignis' deeds because they had been invisible to all but Vexa, Ignis, and his victims.

But now that Ignis was on parade by his cruel master, everything he did in the open was televised by the news companies that were following the war efforts. That meant that Anya could no longer live with the anonymity of Ignis' actions. Now she had to see and face them as the very real things they were.

Anya hurt inside at the lives Ignis had taken, and at the things she knew he would yet do. Anya was on a quest to free Ignis from Vexa, but first she had to find the woman.

Anya sighed softly and turned to the small, lockable cabinet next to her bunk. It locked so that while in flight, the items within did not fall out and hurt anyone below. From within she took out Ignis' letter to her, as well as the drawings.

She had re-read his letter several times, and had gazed openly at the images, allowing her imagination to drift into those scenes Ignis had depicted. It had soothed her, if only for a brief time. And while she knew she could not dwell in fairytales; Anya needed those happy scenes to keep her going.

Recently, a particular paragraph from Ignis' letter had stood out to her as she struggled with what Vexa was asking Ignis do as the Fist. She took the small bundle into the galley, where she turned on the light over the tiny table so she did not disturb Shmi or Kavis.

Once there, Anya opened his letter and found the indicated lines.

You... who have always been there for me...

You... who has only ever believed in me, and seen not the monster I can be, but the hurting boy I truly am.

Anya closed her eyes. Ignis needed her, now more than ever, to continue to see past his dark outer shell to the very heart of him. He needed her to keep believing in the victim he was, not the fiend his master was making him become. Anya took several deep breaths as she allowed herself a chance to process her emotions.

Yes, Ignis was leading the Rising forces in each of their attacks, at least in part. But Anya knew that he still had a heart. He had to.

Anya looked to another portion of the letter, this one earlier in the text.

As much as it breaks my heart, this will also be our goodbye.

But though I have gone away, I cannot do so without opening my heart to you, utterly and completely.

Anya delved to her own heart, in which a flame burned for one person in the entirety of the galaxy. That love, though tempered with sadness and loneliness, shined as bright as ever. To her relief, she found that this deep, burning love for Ignis had not diminished in the slightest despite what she overheard on the Holonews.

Remember my love for you when you are sad, Ignis had wrote. Don't waste away... and please remember me.

Anya felt her determination harden, and she whispered in her heart a reply she knew he would not hear. I will never forget you Ignis. Nor will I forsake you. I am here for you to the bitter end.

Anya set the letter aside and opened the drawings, which had been rearranged by her. She very slowly shifted through them until she once more came to the image of Ignis and Anya kissing.

Rahvin, I love you!

Her lips began to tingle as she remembered the kiss Ignis had indeed given her the day he had left Coruscant. If Anya closed her eyes, she could still see when he dropped the bag and strode over to her...

She could feel the way her heart had leapt at the moment of contact between their mouths. How her arms had seemed to fit about him perfectly before he'd pulled away.

... I love you too, Anya.

And then he was gone, like dark smoke in the night air, only to resurface as the new masked menace that the galaxy now faced.

"Oh Rahvin..." Anya whispered, making sure that her voice did not carry, and running tender fingers over his image. "I am trying... I'm coming for you. I don't know how long it will take, but I won't ever give up."

Anya refolded the pages and then folded her arms on the table, resting her head upon them and staring at nothing.

This was how Shmi found Anya when she woke later. Shmi frowned to see Anya still awake, her eyes bloodshot. As for Kavis, he still snored away in his little corner.

"Hey, what's going on?" Shmi asked, sitting across from Anya. Her gaze happened upon the small bundle, and realization lit her eyes. "Oh."

Anya didn't move, and Shmi sighed. "Anya, you can't keep dwelling on the past. You have to move forward."

Anya sat up then. "I use the good memories to help draw myself out of the depressive situations I find myself in. It's hard to remain positive when I feel like we are getting nowhere."

Shmi nodded. "I understand. Do you want to talk about it?"

Anya closed her eyes and spoke.

"I love Ignis so very much, and it is killing me to be separated from him like this." Anya admitted. "I feel like some hopeless romantic, caught in the tangle of their failed love-story, clinging to tidbits of the past and pointless imagination. And all the while, Ignis is out there," Anya's chest hitched, "becoming the very thing he has worked his entire life not to be. And all because of some tiny creature, and an evil Twilek woman."

Anya looked down. "I feel so useless sometimes. We have been at this for weeks, and I know this will take time, but sometimes I wonder if it's hopeless."

Shmi looked to the letter and drawings under Anya's arm. "It isn't hopeless."

"I know, but it is difficult not to become daunted by the task we've given ourselves, Shmi." Anya took a few deep breaths. "I just miss him, and it hurts to know what I do, and see him suffer."

Shmi was the one to reach across the table now, clasping Anya's hand. "Have faith, Anya. Please don't give in to doubt or fear. We will figure this out. Ignis is counting on us to do so."

Anya smiled softly. "I know. That's why I keep going back to his letter and drawings. I use them to give me strength."

Shmi squeezed her friend's hand. "Well then, keep doing whatever you need to do to stay positive."

"And focused." Anya added.

They fell silent for a time, and as they sat that way, Shmi thought of how Anya had been so adamant that Shmi contact her family all along.

"Do you miss your family?" Shmi inquired gently.

Anya turned in surprise. "What?"

"Your parents," Shmi clarified, "and did you have any siblings?"

Anya blew out a steadying breath, shaking her head. "I don't know if I have any brothers or sisters, though I suspect not. My parents were not exactly young when I was born." Anya paused, then went on softly. "After I was kidnapped, I often wondered what my parents were thinking about it all. Did they try to look for me? If so, then for how long? Do they think I am dead?"

Anya looked down. "It kills me, deep inside, to know that I am still alive, and they don't know. They probably never got closure, and I know how important that is."

Shmi studied Anya. The two girls were now close friends, having had many conversations about their personal histories. They'd shared their likes and dislikes, their hopes and dreams, their fears... and their hopes for a future.

Anya had not said it in words, but Shmi knew that Anya was holding out for a future with Ignis. She could see it in Anya's eyes anytime the auburn-haired young woman spoke of him.

Shmi contemplated Anya's words. "Well, perhaps when things settle down, we can go find your family?"

Anya bit her lip. "Perhaps."

Shmi frowned. "Forgive me, but you were all gung-ho about me staying in touch with my family. Can I now offer the same advice?"

Anya looked pained. "Shmi, you haven't been missing from their lives for over a decade. They know you are alive and well. My parents… don't have that."

"But don't you think they should?" Shmi pressed.

Anya sighed heavily. "Of course, it's just that…"

When her friend trailed off, Shmi took a guess. "You're afraid?"

Anya deflated some. "Yes. What will it be like after so long? Will it be awkward? Will they have moved on? Am I dead to them? Will… they still love me after they learn all that's happened to me, and who I have become? When they learn who… I love?"

Shmi said nothing immediately, taking the time to think over Anya's fears, since her friend had taken the time to share them.

"I guess I can only relate in some small way," Shmi said, "because I have been separated from my family before, though for much shorter periods of time. Still, I can say that your parents do love you. How could they not?"

Anya snorted bitterly. "Ignis' parents obviously didn't love him anymore."

Shmi had still not been brought up to speed on that particular fact, though she had asked. Anya insisted that this particular detail was Ignis' to share, and his alone.

"Well, that was one case," Shmi eventually replied. "I don't think it will be that way in yours."

Anya smiled softly. "Maybe you're right. Thank you Shmi."

00000

Leia stood tall and proud in her pod within the Senate chambers, looking out over the assembly with firm determination.

"Members of the Senate, thank you for hearing what I have to say," Leia said. "We are all aware of the recent blows to the New Republic from the Rising. And most recent has been the vile, personal offense against Senator Galland." Leia looked down solemnly. "May he and his family rest in peace, as well as the other innocent victims of that crime."

A murmur of agreement shuffled about the crowd, and a hush fell for a few moments, a light momentarily illuminating the pod that the late Senator had used. A wreath of flowers had been placed on the man's seat, a memorial to his life and service to the New Republic.

After an appropriate amount of time had passed, Leia resumed her speech. "It is time that we admit what we are all thinking: we are done being harassed by Vexa Wran, Furch Phlox and the Rising. They have gone too far, and it is time to take decisive action! Thus, I wish to make a proposal; one I hope will be taken seriously. I propose that, first, the remainder of the galaxy— whether in the New Republic or not— unites against Vexa Wran and her Rising. We do this to protect the entire galaxy, not just Republic space. And to those who question this idea, I would ask the following: what's to stop Vexa from coming after other governments when she's done with the New Republic, if Force-forbid things come to that point?"

Leia paused for breath. "Ask yourselves what kind of galaxy you wish to live in: one run by the illegal, and merciless factions that have rallied to the Rising's cause, or within the peaceful laws and agreements the New Republic has established and maintained? And what are you willing to do to see that galaxy be? What kind of galaxy do you want to leave for your posterity to live in?"

Leia looked around fearlessly. "If we unite together, and overpower Vexa and the Rising, we will win through sheer numbers. But not only that, it will bring us closer together, and perhaps new friendships and alliances can be forged."

Leia lifted a hand. "My second proposal is that if we can offer a deal to those who joined Vexa, we may be able to take her out from the inside as well as the outside. If we can dwindle her numbers to what she had before she took over Scipio, she will be at the mercy of the rest of us for a change. So, what I suggest is this: those who remain with the Rising will be permanently disbanded, their governments taken over by the New Republic, and their militaries revoked to only the bare minimum for self-defense. Or, if those that joined her willingly return to the New Republic, they will receive a far less severe punishment. That punishment needs to be discussed, of course, but it would be a welcome alternative to them losing everything."

Leia took a refreshing breath of air. "Members of the Senate, and to our friends elsewhere in the galaxy, I ask you to think on my proposal. However, in light of the new droid army Vexa has acquired, and with it unclear how many more acquisitions are on their way to her, I would ask for a speedy response. Thank you."

Leia returned her pod to its position, welcoming the scattering of applause that followed her exit from the chamber. Han waited outside the door to her pod, and offered a warm grin.

"That was great, Princess."

Leia offered a weary smile in return. "I only hope it works."

Han wrapped an arm about her shoulders. "Give it time to sink in, and I think they'll come around."

Leia was grateful for his support, though she gave him a searching look. "How is the search for Hobbie coming along?"

"I am waiting for Wedge and Wes to get here," Han replied. "Should be any day now, really."

Leia hummed thoughtfully. "You have been looking at the castle image Ignis drew an awful lot lately."

"Yes, I have," Han said with a nod as they walked. "I am fairly certain that the castle depicted is on Boz Pity, though honestly, we don't even know if Hobbie is there. And still, there's an entire planet to search for one building. It hasn't been easy."

Leia pursed her lips. "It would probably go faster with Artoo to help look."

"It would," Han agreed, "but I have no idea when Luke will be back."

Leia tugged Han into an alcove, then took his hands and looked to him seriously. "Han, I want Hobbie back as much as you do, but if this place is Vexa's fortress… it would not be wise to go without at least one Jedi."

Han ran a hand over his hair. "You're not the first person to point that out, and I hear you both. But if Luke isn't home before we figure this out, I'll need to take someone else, or risk it."

Leia shook her head. "Han, there are probably highly trained Force-sensitives there, you will need a full-fledged Jedi Knight, if not a Master."

Han touched her chin. "Leia, I understand. This time, we will be absolutely prepared."

Leia relaxed somewhat. "I trust you, Han."

00000

Luke sat within the confines of his X-wing's cockpit, watching as the mottled view of lightspeed whizzed by in a constant swirl. And though he normally meditated while in a long hyperspace jump, this time Luke was wide awake.

For there was a final thing he had to do to complete his journey of discovery, a task he had put off because he had not been ready. But now… now he could hold off no longer.

It was time, finally, to open the package that Ignis had left for Luke before leaving Coruscant.

With a slow breath of air, Luke retrieved the item he'd carefully stashed away until it was time to look at it. Once the packet of folded paper was in his grasp, Luke opened it, seeing that the first item was a letter addressed to him.

Luke,

I really don't know where to begin. I was sent to you like a nexu in nerf's clothing. I didn't know the reasoning behind why I was sent, and I didn't question it, because I was afraid of the consequences.

I did what I had to in order to avoid becoming a living, breathing puppet.

I guess I should start further back. I am an acolyte of Vexa Wran. I was abandoned by my mother and father at the age of four. They willingly gave me over to her in exchange for their own lives. Why? Because they were tired of being hunted by Vexa, all because I was Force-sensitive. So, they abandoned me to live in a literal hell, first in the so-called care of Byrec, and later with Vexa, my true tormentor. Life with Vexa was worse than life with Byrec, if you can imagine that.

Luke could now envision just what Ignis meant by that, having both seen the visions, and been to Byrec's house.

Vexa is a cruel, heartless master, able to inflict pain without touching you. Also, she is diligent about making certain all of the kids she trains know that she is Alpha.

She steals children and breaks them down so much that they are left defenseless against her evil tactics. She molds and shapes them into her perfect little assassins. Very few of those in her 'care' are there by their own choice.

I never wanted this life, and yet here I am. I survived the do-or-die training Vexa employs. I either had to get the technique… or die trying. Literally. I cannot tell you how many times I nearly dies in the last several years. But somehow, I made it this far. I have done… many terrible things under Vexa's command. I hate the life she makes me live, and yet I am helpless to do anything definitive to stop it.

I live in terror of the day Vexa would activate me and I would become her puppet. That, ultimately, is what kept me in line.

I tried a few times to defy Vexa, and each time it blew up in my face. So, when she punished me the final time, I gave up trying to beat her. I submitted because I didn't want to lose the last thing that I could truly call my own: my free will.

Luke… I tried so hard to keep myself aloof. I told myself over and over to not let you in, because I knew it would end in tears. But despite all this effort, my heart just wouldn't listen. You found your way into my heart, and it may have taken a long time, but I grew to love you.

I closed my heart after being abandoned by my parents, and I was petrified of finding a father-figure again just to have a repeat. But you were so good to me. You didn't judge me; instead, you tried so hard to help me, even when I made that difficult.

You believed in me, showed me that despite years of being told I was worthless… I did indeed matter. You showed me love and kindness when I was utterly alone. You taught me so many things that you will never know… and being your student has been the best time of my life to date.

Words cannot express what you mean to me. You literally turned my world upside down, sideways, and all other directions. You were there for me like…

…like my father never was.

I don't want to hurt you, or your family; and I am truly sorry for what I have to do. Please know that I am trying to make the right choice. But I can't…

You should know that Vexa has the very literal means of controlling me. If I defy her again, if I fail this mission, she will take away my ability to choose for myself. Then she will send me out to do whatever she orders me to… and I will have no option but to do that thing.

But I teeter on the fence. How can I willingly take an innocent baby to Vexa, knowing— or I think I do— exactly what she will put him through? I don't know if I can do that. I don't want to.

If by some miracle I make the right choice, please focus on that instead of what else I did.

I admit that I have grown to see you as a… a father. I tried not to; I tried not to love you… but it only made things worse.

I do love you, and I can never truly repay your kindness to me. I don't expect forgiveness, but I hope that you can at least remember me, and what good I managed while with you.

Never stop being who you are. It made a difference to a frightened, broken boy like me, and it'll make all the difference to others too. You are sch a special soul, and I am both honored and grateful to have known you.

It is with a heavy heart, and tears in my eyes that I write this. But I cannot just leave without saying goodbye. I will cherish the time I had with you, and I will hold to the imagination that I could ever be your son. That is forward of me, I know… but it keeps me from falling entirely apart.

If we ever meet again… I pray I am not aimed at you. I don't ever want to hurt you.

I have only one other request. Please, watch over Anya for me. Please encourage her to live, not to waste her days mourn for me. I know you said I am too young to profess love… but I truly do love her. She is everything to me, and I would gladly sacrifice myself for her. Please do not be angry at her for keeping my secrets. Both of us have been living in fear for so long…

I must go now. I either walk to my master, having fulfilled my mission… or I walk willingly to my end. The end of Ignis, and the start of her slave.

Goodbye… Father…

~Rahvin… Ignis… Vrei

Luke closed his eyes, fresh tears already sliding from their corners. There was a decent amount of pain in Luke's soul, though the cause was from the mix of Ignis' past, and the boy's actions.

But Luke would no longer hold any anger or resentment against the young man. Looking back, Luke saw with utter clarity every instance that Ignis tried to warn Luke and the others of his true identity. Despite the dangers posed to Ignis for what he'd done, Ignis had still risked it, time and again.

Luke knew that Ignis had done everything he could to alert the others, and in the same way he had ask repeatedly for assistance. It wasn't Ignis' fault that nobody had truly heard the young man.

But now Luke understood; knew it all, and he was ready to take action to free his son from the clutches of the evil woman who held him captive.

Luke sighed and shifted the pages to reveal the next one in line, his eyes falling upon a point of view of Luke, but from Ignis' perspective. It was of Luke, simply sitting in a peaceful state within the Room of a Thousand Fountains. The artwork was exquisite, with not a single detail out of place.

With a warmth growing in his heart, Luke turned to the next paper in line, one depicting Luke and Ignis fighting side-by-side, lightsabers lit as they defended against an unseen foe. Both had calm, yet determined looks upon their faces, and it was clear that the two in the image would not accept defeat.

Luke recalled the brief time spent fighting at Ignis' back in the underlevels, and at how well the young man had held his own, despite his multitude of injuries and how tired he had been.

The third drawing in line made Luke smile lovingly, the warmth in his being spreading. In this drawing, Ignis was held within the safety of Luke's arms. The Ignis in this drawing had his head resting on Luke's chest, and his eyes were closed… while a single tear ran down his face. And Luke was kissing the youth on the head in a fatherly manner.

As Luke held this drawing, he could get a sense of the emotions Ignis had felt as he poured himself into his piece of art. Oh, how much Luke wanted to hold Ignis just like this, to tell him how much he loved the young man… and that Luke accepted the boy as his child, no strings attached.

At the fourth and final drawing, a small noise escaped the Jedi Master. It was a re-hashing of the faceless man, the one that Ignis had done in his early years. Yet, while the man in the other drawing had no facial features, the adult in the new drawing did.

Ignis had re-done the drawing of the faceless man protecting Ignis… this time with Luke as the protector while Ignis cowered on the floor before the tormentor— who was not depicted. Luke suspected it was either Byrec or Vexa. Judging by the age of the child in the drawing, it was likely Byrec that Luke was protecting Ignis from.

Luke held the drawings to his heart, and whispered aloud. "I'm so sorry, my boy, that you had to endure so much! I will find you, Ignis, and I will bring you home."

Thoughts of Ignis turned to Shmi, and Luke felt a fresh stab of pride for his eldest daughter. Shmi had been much more open about accepting Ignis as actual family, not needing the proof that Luke had sought.

Luke could not be angry at Shmi for leaving to do what she felt she needed to, even though Luke felt like the efforts of Shmi and Anya were being used in the wrong way. Still, he would not be angry with them for it.

Luke glanced at the timer, and saw that he still had a bit of time left in hyperspace, so he put away Ignis' gift and settled in to wait patiently.

00000

Omwat hung before them, the orb painted in a collection of greens, yellow and greys. It was different from most of the planets Shmi had seen from space, but no less beautiful for it. Swirling rings of clouds swept through the atmosphere like lines of cotton, making the planet appear mysterious.

"I've never been here before," Kavis murmured from behind the young women. "It's… not what I expected."

"In a good way?" Shmi inquired curiously.

"Yeah." Kavis admitted. "If there is water there, it's not the usual blue color. Or, perhaps it's just all in rivers and such."

"Yeah, I don't see any oceans." Shmi agreed.

Anya swiveled in her seat to look at Kavis. "Where to?"

Kavis leaned forward and typed the coordinates in. "This is where she agreed to meet."

Anya and Shmi looked to the place indicated, which was far from any of the cities.

"Why so secluded?" Anya asked.

"I don't think she wants an audience for this exchange." Kavis guessed with a shrug.

Shmi looked to her friend, who met her gaze openly.

Then Anya nodded once. "Well, we did come all this way. We should at least give it a shot."

Shmi turned back to her piloting, and began to follow their new heading. "Right. Do you think Vexa herself will actually be here?"

She didn't want to admit it, but the thought of coming face-to-face with the Sith Lady was a little frightening for Shmi. The black-haired young woman recalled the last two Sith she had dealt with, and shuddered.

Sensing her friend's unease, Anya touched her hand. "Everything will work out in the end, Shmi, you'll see."

"Well, I don't know if she will come, or send someone in her behalf." Kavis took a seat as they entered the atmosphere. "Personally, I hope it's the latter."

Shmi found herself agreeing with him, much to her chagrin. Where was her courage all of a sudden? Why was it that, now that they were finally getting somewhere, she was finding it harder to be strong?

Shmi thinned her lips, determined that she would not be weak today. She was the daughter of Luke and Mara Skywalker: she wasn't a coward.

Shmi straightened in her chair, pushed the past away and focused on guiding the ship to their destination. As they got closer, a shiver ran through the Force, and both Anya and Shmi reacted to it.

"Did you feel that?" Anya murmured.

"I did," Shmi replied.

"What?" Kavis asked, looking from one to the other. "What did you feel?"

"That would be the Dark Side." Shmi offered a solemn look. "We are definitely in the right place."

Anya nodded. "We all need to be on guard."

Kavis put his helmet on. "Well, I'm ready."

I'll bet you are. Shmi thought morbidly.

Shmi saw out the viewport that the landscape below was rough, with many steep cliffs and a lot of loose rock. There were a lot of trees in the area, though there were meadows in abundance as well.

Shmi found a place to set the Nebula down, and did so with ease.

"Should we leave the ship running?" Anya asked, looking to her friend.

Shmi considered, then shook her head. "No. We don't know how long this will take, so let's not waste fuel."

"Alright."

Anya began flipping switches, and together the ladies cooled down the ship. Once it was done, they all stood, leaving the cockpit. Anya went to the cabin and then reappeared minutes later, opening the hatch and descending the ramp cautiously.

At the top of the ramp, Kavis stepped up beside Shmi, and the young woman gazed for a moment at Anya. A shiver ran up Shmi's spine, a sense of premonition. But she was the reason they were here, and she was going to do everything she could to save that Cathar girl.

Still…

"I am warning you, Kavis," Shmi said in a low voice, looking him in the eye despite his helmet. "If anything happens to Raziel because of you… you will have lost any grace points you might have left with Ignis."

Kavis frowned at her. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Shmi gave him a pointed look. "You seem like an intelligent person, Kavis. Figure it out."

Kavis thought back to his attempt to confirm his suspicion that the red-head was special to Ignis. But how deep did it really run? Kavis stood where he was for long minutes, and then thinned his lips. It didn't matter, because after today he would be a free man, and he wouldn't have to see any of these people ever again. Including Ignis.

So, he followed Shmi, who shut and locked the ship behind them. He spotted Anya a few meters ahead, already scouting the trail that led east.

When Shmi and Kavis caught up, Anya pointed to the ground. "I found fresh tracks. Besides, this is the only trail out of the meadow."

Shmi indicated her understanding, and took the lead now, then paused, turning to Kavis. "Okay, Guide. Time for you to earn your keep."

Kavis looked between them, and then nodded, moving to take point. "This way."

Shmi and Anya shared a knowing look and followed him, both of them on high alert. Shmi sensed a few presences up ahead, and she dropped into Jedi-mode. There were only two Force-sensitives ahead, Shmi realized, while the rest had the sense of foot soldiers.

Kavis stopped at the edge of another clearing, this one near a steep elevation change.

Ahead was a pair of teenage girls, one human and the other a Togruta, with four soldiers standing at parade-rest behind them. Shmi sensed many more than they saw, and placed a hand to her lightsaber.

"Welcome, Kavis," the Togruta said, and Anya stiffened beside Shmi.

"What is it?" Shmi whispered.

"I know that voice," Anya replied evenly. "That's the Togruta that tried to get me to be friends back on Coruscant."

"Acolyte Kida, Acolyte Katya," Kavis replied with a nod of his head.

"Do come forward, the three of you," Kida said. "There is no point in trying to hide in the trees."

Kavis and the ladies stepped clear of the forest and into the grassy area, and Kida's eyes moved to Anya next.

"Ah, if it isn't my shopping buddy!" Kida remarked in a falsely-sweet tone.

"Tirzah," Anya gritted.

"Ah, my alias, yes." Kida waved the name away like it was a bad smell. "My true name is Kida Varik."

"I don't care what it is," Anya replied tartly. "I didn't fall for your tactics."

Kida snorted. "You did more than you know. Anyway, why are you even here?"

"She's helping me." Shmi spoke up, trying to preserve Anya's identity a bit more. Or did Kida already know of Anya's importance to Ignis? "I have been tutoring her as we travel."

"And why would two girls like you be on your own, huh?" Kida asked, tilting her head. "You especially, Shmi. How unlike you to run away from Mommy and Daddy."

Shmi narrowed her eyes. "We didn't come her to swap family stories. Where is the girl?"

Kida smiled in a way that sent warning bells off in Shmi's head. "Don't worry, the girl is… waiting."

Shmi folded her arms. "We will not make any arrangements without seeing proof of life first."

Kida clicked her tongue. "You are not in any position to make demands, Shmi."

Shmi heard the rustling of greenery and then several more Rising soldiers appeared from the forest surrounding the clearing. Shmi had been expecting them, having been able to feel them in the Force.

Shmi and Anya both drew and ignited their lightsabers, holding them at the ready. Kavis readied his own weapon, and for a moment the trio stood back-to-back… until Kavis turned, placing the nozzle of his blaster to Anya's back. The red-head stiffened, but not in shock.

"Here's the new deal: Shmi goes free, but we get Raziel."

"Raziel?" Kida laughed. "Kavis, that is Anya, and she is ever so important to Ignis. She will make a fine prisoner."

Suddenly Kavis was no longer holding to Anya, and the Mandalorian slammed into a nearby tree, as Shmi growled out a reply.

"Over my dead body!"

Kida laughed again, drawing her own lightsaber and igniting it in one motion. "That can be arranged. Katya, take Shmi, I will take Anya."

Without waiting for a reply, Kida sprinted forward, her blade whirling until the Togruta leapt and plunged her blade towards Anya. The red-head brought her blue blade up and deflected the attack.

Shmi made to assist her friend, but the other acolyte, Katya, descended upon Shmi in a similar manner. Shmi deflected the other's attack easily, falling into her training with Luke and Mara both. Dueling with her parents had given Shmi a level of experience that she knew would serve her well.

But little did she know that the acolytes sparred with Vexa on occasion as well. Katya came in at Shmi with a speed and ferocity that reminded the black-haired young woman of Ignis. But though Katya was swift, and her strikes sure, she didn't have near the finesse that Ignis possessed with the lightsaber.

Teal met red as Shmi and Katya dueled about the clearing, each striving to overpower the other.

Katya came in at Shmi with a slash to the upper left, then lower right, and Shmi blocked both, pushing at the girl in response with her own blade. Shmi remained on the defensive for now, recalling how Luke and Mara both had taught her to evaluate an opponent's style before going on the offensive.

Katya kept up the speed of the fight, pushing Shmi about the space. Shmi leapt over large rocks, and then had an idea. Thanking Luke for the split-attention exercises, Shmi grabbed at a rock in the Force and hurled it at Katya mid-fight.

Katya sensed the projectile in the Force and stopped for a millisecond to deflect the attack. Shmi threw another object at the girl, and Katya growled at Shmi, taking up her own collection of stones, and throwing several at Shmi in one go.

Shmi lifted a hand and erected a Force-shield that stopped them all. Then Katya was on her again, pushing Shmi back into the forest, but up the steep incline. Suddenly Katya had the advantage, as she was lower and had a better offensive angle on Shmi.

Shmi drew on her time in the obstacle courses, and knew what to do. Breaking off for a moment, Shmi leapt upon a fallen tree. Katya followed, which evened the playing field; something that Shmi had been counting on.

00000

Anya had her hands similarly full with Kida's attacks. It was obvious that of the two, Kida was the more experienced swordswoman. Anya had training with Mara and Shmi, yes, but that had only been for a short time. Anya was well aware that Kida had years of intense training at her disposal.

Still, Anya knew that Kida was trying to take her alive. But Anya would not just lay down her weapon. Kida would have to earn Anya's capture.

So, Anya put up the best fight she could, keeping pace with Kida for a short time. And she managed a fair job of it, but as the intensity and length of the fight drew on, Anya knew that she was tiring.

Anya still kept with it, blocking each strike Kida sent her way. Upper-right, back, center-left, right, back again, and then their blades locked, and a staring match ensued.

"You fight pretty good for someone who's been in hiding for so long." Kida taunted. "Did Ignis teach you? He always did have a soft-spot for weaklings."

Anya didn't deign to answer her, unwilling to get into a verbal match also.

Kida snorted when Anya remained silent. "Oh, you're no fun. Still, I have orders to take you alive, so…"

With a suddenness that took Anya completely off-guard, Kida shut her blade off, and Anya surged forward. And then Kida was no longer in front of Anya, but behind her, and something slammed into the back of Anya's head, causing her world to go dark.

Kida stood over the fallen form of the young woman, then motioned to two nearby soldiers. "Get her to the shuttle, and lock her in a cell."

They saluted and set to work, with Kida following. She looked up to see Katya still locked in a duel with Shmi…

Then the sound of engines sounded above their position, and Kida looked up to find a one-man fighter zip past, only to slow and land where Kavis and company had landed. Kida touched Katya in the Force, telling her it was time to go. Kida then sprinted for their shuttle, intent on getting the engines running.

00000

Shmi kicked at the other girl, who flipped backwards and then came at Shmi again. The two continued to battle, with Katya beginning to tire, which showed in how her strikes grew less powerful. But the girl had stamina, Shmi would give her that. She didn't give up, and she was resolute.

Shmi bit her lip and tried another tactic. "You don't have to do this, you know. My father can help you; I can help you."

Katya narrowed her eyes. "Sure you can. You'll just save me because I'm so lost, is that it?"

"You are lost." Shmi retorted as they fought, with Shmi still being pushed up the hill. But Shmi was waiting for the right moment to swap to the offensive. "Like Ignis was. But we tried helping him and he started coming around."

Katya snorted. "Ignis… I'm not so sure you did him any good, Skywalker. He's still just as much bound to our Master as he was before he came into your life. He was always a great actor, though, and I know he played you all like fools."

Shmi shook her head. "It wasn't all an act. You could be free too. Do you like being a ruthless killer?"

Katya didn't answer immediately, which said a lot about how she felt. But nor did the girl give any indication that she was ready to turn coat. Shmi opened her mouth to speak further, but Katya's eyes hardened.

"I will not leave." The teen declared firmly. "Not on my own, and not while my master is still alive."

Shmi sighed. "Whatever she has on you, we can…"

"I said no!" Katya snapped irately. "If you care so much, why won't you listen to what I'm saying, Jedi?"

Shmi heard something below their position, and looked through the trees. That was when Shmi saw that Katya had an entourage of soldiers trailing her, ready to also attack Shmi on command. But that wasn't what held her attention so steadfastly.

No, it was Anya, her blade locked with Kida's… before Kida took advantage of the less-experienced girl and knocked her out.

"Anya!" Shmi cried when two soldiers grabbed the now-unconscious girl and dragged her away. Shmi saw Kavis simply standing there, watching, and Shmi hollered at him. "Kavis, stop them!"

Kavis only looked to her and then leaned against his tree.

With a shout, Shmi turned the tables on Katya, and it was the other teen now back-tracking. Shmi threw herself into pushing Katya back the way they had come, and she began to overpower Katya. Seeing this, the acolyte shouted an order, and suddenly a round of blaster fire was racing for Shmi.

She broke off her assault and deflected the laser fire, managing to keep ahead of it for now. But then the men firing at her spread out, moving to flank Shmi from both sides as well as the front. Shmi dug deep and deflected blaster fire back at several of the men, who fell under their own barrage.

That took their numbers down, but then Katya jumped back into the fray, pushing at Shmi from the front with her lightsaber and letting the men who flanked the black-haired young woman fire as well.

Shmi did her best to keep ahead of it all, and Force-leapt back several paces to get ahead a little. She picked up more loose stones and chucked them at a few of the soldiers. Shmi did get some, but more had been sent up the hill by Kida, and Shmi was greatly outnumbered.

She backed up more and more, being pushed by the combination of blaster fire and Katya's offensive with the lightsaber. Shmi stepped once more, and slipped somewhat when her heel did not meet solid ground, but open air.

Shmi used the Force to keep from toppling, and it worked for a moment, but then Kida's reinforcements arrived and added their firepower to the mix. The sheer intensity of the enemy attacks coming her way overpowered the young woman.

Shmi lost her balance, dropping her lightsaber as she toppled over the edge of a steep cliff. Shmi had a moment of sheer terror, and she desperately reached out to grab at the cliff-face, her fingers being scraped raw as her momentum carried her further and further down. On her way down, a sharp spit of rock slashed her forehead, and she shrieked in agony.

Then, miraculously, her feet struck a ledge just wide enough for her to stand on.

Shmi did stop then… only to have most of her tiny ledge crumble under her sudden weight. Shmi's heart leapt into her throat and she grabbed onto the only hand-hold she could. Blessedly she stopped, but was now— quite literally— hanging by her fingers and toes.

Shmi trembled, looking up to find that she had fallen quite a distance. Shmi then shifted her gaze down… to see that she was still several hundred feet above the rock-strewn ground. Closing her eyes, Shmi sought to find a calm center, knowing that for her to panic would surely mean her death.

But though Shmi was confident in obstacle courses, and could Force-leap, there was no leverage for her to use in getting back up.

Shmi nevertheless tried to climb, though after her intense fight, her arms were sore. Not only that, but her fingers were bleeding, which was making her already precarious grip more-so. She felt something in the Force, and heard the faint sounds of fighting, but her attention shifted away from that when fingers started to slide from their hold, the blood slicking the surface of the stone ledge.

Shmi gritted her teeth, digging deep and finding the strength to hold on a little longer. But though she still had some physical energy, her grasp was slipping. Shmi's entire frame trembled uncontrollably as the realization that she was doomed settled upon her.

She closed her eyes, tears leaking from them as she thought of her family. They would never know what happened to her…

"Shmi?!"

Her head snapped up, and the sudden motion caused her to finally lose her tenuous grip. Her fingers fell from their niche, and she screamed, scrabbling desperately at the place her feet had been. Somehow, she managed to secure a temporary grip on the ledge her feet had previously occupied. However, her momentum caused her chin to slam into the same ledge, and she tasted blood, felt it dribble down her neck. Still, Shmi clung to that ledge now, though how long she could maintain her position she had no idea.

But one thing kept her clinging to hope: she had heard her father's voice just now.

"Shmi?!"

"D-Dad?" Shmi called tremulously.

To her great relief, her father's face appeared over the edge, and then Luke extended a hand. Shmi felt her father's sure grip on her in the Force, and released her tenuous hold, trusting him completely. Luke would never drop her.

Luke brought her slowly but surely to safety, and once he had set her down well away from the edge, Shmi collapsed. She shook heavily, gasping as everything caught up to her. A hand touched her shoulder, and Shmi shifted to peer into the face of the one person she needed the most right then.

"Dad!" Shmi wept, surging upward and throwing her arms around Luke. He held her tightly, openly, allowing her to cry into his chest. She reveled in the feeling of security that her father's embrace afforded her.

After a few minutes, Luke held her out to arm's length, and inspected the injuries to her head and face. As he did this, Shmi got a good look at the area, noting the fallen soldiers. Then her thoughts went to her friend.

"Anya?!" Shmi cried in despair, turning her gaze again to Luke. "They took Anya!"

"I know," Luke murmured in return, tugging her gently in an effort to get her standing. "I saw the shuttle leave just as I made my way to the clearing. I sensed Anya on board."

Overwhelmed, Shmi allowed Luke to help her to her feet: they both sensed it was time to leave. She stared at nothing as they walked, feeling the keen sting of betrayal, even though she had expected it from Kavis.

"I knew he would, but it still hurts that Kavis betrayed us." Shmi admitted solemnly. "I guess I had hoped that I could save the little girl regardless, or that Kavis would do the honorable thing."

Luke took her hand, squeezing it comfortingly. "Shmi, you did what you thought was best. I understand that all too well. I don't know what child you mean, but then, I have much catching up to do."

Shmi eyed him. "You mean you don't know?"

Luke lifted a brow, but he also had a somewhat secretive lift to his lips. "I guess you aren't entirely aware either, are you?"

Shmi was openly confused, but then she recalled Mara saying something about Luke being in a mission. She didn't really feel like getting into a summary of recent events at the moment, so she dropped the subject.

Shmi was only mildly surprised to find that Luke had landed his X-wing next to the Nebula. But upon seeing the two ships, something in Shmi wobbled, and she found that she lacked strength again.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Where do we go from here?" Shmi asked, needing to be told what to do in that moment.

"We need to regroup and get reinforcements." Luke told Shmi. "And then we are going to go save my son and the love of his life."

Shmi looked to Luke with open amazement. "Did you just call Ignis your son?"

Luke smiled slightly. "I did. You see, I have been on my own journey of discovery, in which I learned the truth about Ignis. Or enough of it to finally believe."

Shmi, despite her earlier dour mood, couldn't help but grin widely. "I'm glad to hear that, Dad."

Luke placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am proud of you for trusting your gut, as well as the Force in accepting who Ignis is to you."

Shmi felt joy surge through her at his words. "Thank you, Dad." Then she looked down, her cheeks reddening and her voice dropping to a pained whisper. "I… I'm sorry for running off like I did, Dad."

Luke nodded slowly, tipping her chin back up tenderly. "I know, but I think we both realize you needed to. Just so long as this doesn't become a habit." He added with a wink.

Shmi brightened a bit more, grateful that he wasn't angry with her. "I love you, Dad."

Luke kissed her head lovingly, then gestured to the Nebula. "Why don't you go ahead and get her warmed up. I'll clamp my X-wing to the hull and ride home with you. Then I can doctor you up."

"Alright." Shmi agreed, walking into the ship after opening it.

It wasn't long before she heard Luke maneuvering his tiny one-man fighter into position, and felt the slightest bump in the larger vessel as Luke securely clamped the fighter to the hull for the ride home.

Minutes later, both Luke and Artoo-Detoo walked up the ramp, which Luke closed behind them. To her surprise, Luke took up the copilot's seat, and Shmi blinked at him.

"Don't you want to fly?"

Luke gave her a wry look. "You've already been doing so for a while now. I know you can handle it."

Shmi didn't argue with him, pulling the Nebula from the ground and into the sky. Habitually, she looked around for any trace of Kida and Katya, but there was only empty space.

Shmi turned to Luke. "Would you please input the coordinates for home?"

Luke nodded, already typing away at his console. "Almost finished."

Shmi waited patiently, and then pulled back on the hyperspace levers when he gave the all-clear. Once the systems checks were all completed, Shmi sat back, gazing without really seeing at the mottled view of hyperspace.

Luke allowed her a few minutes to collect her thoughts, for which she was thankful. Eventually however, he stood, offering her his hand.

Shmi glanced at him, and then took the offered limb, allowing him to help her to her feet. Shmi followed him to the couch in the lobby, and Luke set her down before leaving momentarily. When he returned, it was with the medkit, which he set on the nearby table.

As he worked to clean the blood from her head, face and fingers, Shmi sat still, lost in thought a while longer. Every once in a while, Shmi let out a hiss as he touched a particularly tender area along her forehead or jaw.

Partway through, about the time he was doctoring her fingers, Shmi finally spoke, curious about something.

"Where all have you been? Mom said you were away, and I assumed it was for a mission."

Luke glanced up from his work. "I took some time to first come to grips with what Ignis did. Then, when I was ready, I sought out the one man who could answer the questions I had."

Shmi tilted her head. "Who was that?"

Luke paused for a moment, and then spoke softly. "Your maternal grandfather."

Shmi blinked. "Venussia's father?"

Luke nodded. "Yes. You never met him, and I didn't really say much, because they were never really a part of our lives. But you have a right to know. His name is Corsair Atriedes."

Shmi turned thoughtful. "What's he like?"

Luke didn't answer right away. "He… is an honorable man, despite the choices some of his family members made. And, despite what he once felt about me."

Shmi looked to him. Luke had never gone into great detail about the circumstances between Shmi's conception and birth, but Shmi understood that this period of time had been one of the most harrowing in Luke's life. She knew when to not pry, and so she let Luke keep that nugget of knowledge to himself.

"Will I ever get to meet him?" she asked instead.

Luke's face warmed. "Funny you should ask, because he requested the same thing when I met with him. Once things settle down, we will go together to see him, alright? Ignis probably as well…" Luke sobered. "If things go the way I hope."

Shmi eyed her father openly. "Do you have a plan?"

Luke sighed. "Not much of one yet, but it's getting there. But I know I can't do it alone."

Shmi blushed, understanding his double meaning, and kicking herself.

"Shmi," Luke murmured, "we all have to learn by doing. We often learn the most from the mistakes we make. Don't beat yourself up, please. It will do you no good."

She decided to take his words to heart, and when he finished with her injuries, she patted the seat next to hers. "Can we snuggle? Please?"

Luke smiled warmly and obliged her request, scooting close to his daughter and holding his arm out invitingly. She curled against him, suddenly realizing how weary she was. But she didn't care: she had missed this, and she lost herself in the comfort of her father's arms.

"Love you, Dad. Thank you for coming for me."

Luke kissed her head. "I love you too Shmi."

00000

Ignis went at his training session with a much greater fervor than ever before. He was a whir of red and black, his lightsabers moving with such speed and surety that it was impossible to see two distinct blades.

The training droid who was fighting against him was taking a beating, yet Ignis didn't care if the droid ended up in pieces. He needed this outlet, or he would lose his mind. He hadn't slept since Vexa's reveal, instead pouring himself into training so that he didn't have to think about it.

He had grown proficient with his double blades, to the point that he nearly always won the match between him and the droid. A limited number of emotions were still leaking through the hole in his numbing barrier, constantly plaguing him after so long without feeling anything.

But today, things had reached a peak, and Ignis was working himself to exhaustion in an effort to dispel the chaos within his heart and mind.

He was a Skywalker… he was Luke's… son.

Ignis gritted his teeth, still fighting against the truth, because he couldn't accept it. Not until he had made things right with Luke, a chance Ignis knew he would never get while he was Vexa's slave.

And finally, the cherry on top of everything… Ignis' parents were innocent. All this time he had held on to his anger and resentment, because it had given him something to cling to that was tangible. It had been easier to hate them when he'd been with Byrec, Giddalti… and Vexa. Yes, it had been simpler to remain angry, than to forgive them, when he was still stuck in his personal hell.

And now that final bit had been ripped away from him, the rug yanked out from under his feet. His parents had fallen victim to Vexa's manipulations, and because of this, had voluntarily sent Rahvin with Vexa. And what Vexa claimed had been a favor to Ignis' birth parents had been anything but.

What reward was it to sentence Merida to ultimately commit suicide, and for Colton to literally drown himself in his pain with alcohol? Looking back, it would have been a greater mercy on Vexa's part to simply kill them that fateful day.

Ignis had spent all this time hating them for a crime they hadn't actually committed.

And now he knew that though they had raised and birthed him, Ignis technically wasn't even their son! Ignis was supposed to have been born to another woman entirely, and raised by the same man who had raised Shmi.

How different would his life be, had Vexa and the other Sith Lords never intervened?

In a moment of raw anguish, Ignis tapped into his full well of Force power… and in the next minute, the droid was lying in pieces upon the floor, with a sweat-soaked and trembling Ignis standing over it, both blades still activated.

Ignis' mind whirled anew at the sudden absence of battle, and it took him several long seconds to realize what he had done. At that point, he put his two blades away and left the training hall, marching through the corridors with an air about him that caused any he passed to hustle away.

For the first time ever, Ignis welcomed this, because it afforded him a degree of solitude and privacy that he needed.

Ignis reached his room, saw Tharan cleaning— uselessly, as there was nothing dirty in their quarters— and Ignis barely reigned in his emotions.

"You will sleep elsewhere tonight." Ignis ordered. "Find a place for the evening and stay there, somewhere you cannot see me."

"Yes, Master Fist," Tharan whispered, grabbing his pillow and blanket and taking up a place in the closet. Ignis hadn't intended for the boy to sleep in such a place, but as Tharan closed the door, Ignis chose to let it be.

Without hesitation, Ignis started removing his armor, hurling the pieces here and there without caring if they got damaged. When he was free of it all, he took a shower, washing away the training session.

When he was out of the shower, Ignis' stomach rumbled, reminding him that he had also hardly eaten since Vexa's reveal. He couldn't stomach anything though, so he hadn't even tried, except for the bare minimum.

At long last, Ignis flopped onto his mattress, beyond exhausted. He didn't bother with the sheets as he fell almost instantly asleep, welcoming the unconscious state…

… He stood in a grassy plain, one alive with the lushest grasses he'd ever seen. Here and there, wildflowers painted the green grass with splashes of the rainbow. The sun was somewhere between noon and evening, though the colors of the sunset had yet to start showing.

He gazed at the peaceful scene before him and allowed himself to breathe deeply, and trying to figure out if this was a real place, or just something from a dream. He decided that it was too idyllic to be reality, and thus gave up trying to put a name to it.

"Hello."

Ignis whirled, falling instinctively into a defensive position, though he bore no weapons. However, his gaze met nothing but more of the field when he looked straight out. Frowning, he dropped his gaze slowly lower.

To his shock, a small girl stood there, head cocked curiously, and an utter innocence about her that set Ignis aback. Who was this? Why was she here? Why was he?

"Hello." She repeated.

Ignis looked about warily, uncertain what was happening. Why would a child be all alone in the middle of nowhere? He shifted his gaze to her once more, and finally returned the greeting, straightening his from his defensive pose.

"Hi."

At the sound of his voice, the child smiled happily, approaching. Ignis took a step backwards, uncertain.

"Who are you?" Ignis asked, waiting for this girl's parents to appear and shout at him to stay away from their little girl. Then an awful thought occurred to him. What if this child was a representation of the girl Ignis had taken to Vexa not that long ago? "Are you Sylva?"

Even as he said it though, part of him thought that this child was a human, not a Cathar.

"No," she shook her head, "I am not. I have no name or physical form yet."

Ignis was growing more confused. "Then… who are you?"

She beamed at him, reaching out and laying a small hand on his forearm, her touch as light as a feather. "I'm your daughter."

Of all the things Ignis had expected to hear, that was definitely not it. He froze entirely, his mind seizing as the girl's words sank in fully. He found himself powerless to do anything but stand and stare as the child hugged his legs with utter love.

"Daddy…" she snuggled herself to him as much as she could.

That single word from her lips snapped him back to reality, and a dose of ice water struck him to the very core. Before he knew what was happening, Ignis was free of her touch, falling to the ground and backing away.

"Wh-what?" Ignis stammered. He had never experienced this kind of fear before, not even with Dr. Giddalti. "N-No… you're wrong!"

The child tilted her head, her green eyes searching Ignis in a way that unsettled him. But even so, something about that gaze felt familiar to Ignis. Mustering his courage, Ignis stopped moving away and really looked at the girl before him. And that was when he saw it: the green eyes that were so much like Anya's, as well as the curve of the girl's cheekbones.

But her raven hair and jawline were all Ignis.

Ignis suddenly found it difficult to breathe, and when the girl knelt beside him, Ignis couldn't help but meet her gaze, his own wet. Why would he dream of a future that he would never be allowed? He was Vexa's slave, and a family was definitely not part of that future for Ignis.

When the girl reached a hand toward his face, Ignis sucked in a breath. Maybe this dream would never be a reality for him, but he decided that if this was indeed a possibility in some small way— likely only in his imagination— Ignis would allow the dream to carry on. Why ruin this tender moment with cold, bitter reality anyway?

The child's warm hand touched his cheek tenderly, and Ignis actually felt it, which made him realize that this was no dream, but a vision in the Force. He would never have been able to feel the girl's touch if it wasn't.

Ignis felt a new emotion leak through the hole Vexa had punched into his numbing shields, one he'd seldom felt in his eighteen years. It was love, pure and unadulterated. Something untainted by his Dark past.

It was so warm and inviting, so… wonderful, that Ignis wept again.

"Why are you sad, Daddy?" the girl asked.

Ignis took her hand from his face, and cradled it within his own. "Because this will never be. As much as I would love for it to be a reality for me."

"Because of the mean lady?"

Ignis nodded. "She holds me captive, Little One. I am… stuck with her."

The girl snuggled to him, offering comfort. "Maybe help is on the way. You will not be stuck forever… if you have faith in those who love you."

Ignis' heart panged. "Nobody loves me except Anya. I… I thought others might, but how could they after what I did to them?"

The child closed her eyes. "Because love is the most powerful thing in the universe."

Ignis woke, drenched in a mixture of perspiration and tears. He looked all around, his eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness of his room after being in the sunny field mere moments earlier. His chest pumped unsteadily, and Ignis felt his heartrate moving at an unhealthy pace. Ignis made to place a shaking hand to his forehead, but paused partway there.

He realized that while most of him was cold, the place the girl had been snuggling to his side, and where she had touched his cheek, were still warm. Ignis touched his face gingerly instead, and though it wasn't a physical warmth, the sensation was still there.

Was it real then? Ignis wondered, trying hard to compute.

He had just seen… his daughter? He couldn't deny that the girl had been a most beautiful blend of both Ignis and Anya.

Ignis had to wonder what the Force was playing at: showing him a future that could never be. Ignis had enjoyed the fantasy of he being a father, of having been part of creating something so… special. But he could not live in a fantasy, no matter how wonderful it had been.

Then the conversation they'd held came back to Ignis, and he focused on the last thing she'd told him.

Love is the most powerful thing in the universe.

Ignis considered that. Had she— a manifestation of the Force perhaps?— been trying to tell him that is wasn't too late to make things right with Luke and his family? Was there still hope for Ignis?

He bit his lip, hesitant to bite. He didn't want false hope, especially with Vexa controlling him.

So, with a weary sigh, Ignis tenderly wrapped the vision like a scroll, and tucked it into a protected corner of his very core. Only there would he have a hope that it would remain hidden from Vexa.

Ignis took another weary breath and admitted that he was still so very tired. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to drift back into sleep.