(A/N) Yeah, forgot to mention this in the last chapter, the next episode I couldn't really change much in, so I am going to jump ahead to 2x12. Because I have some fun planned for this one.
Ezra was back on Lothal after getting a vision about his parents. Getting a sense they might be alive after a recent prison breakout, bringing him to find Ryder Azadi, Lothal's governor before the Empire took over. Sadly his parents were killed in the breakout, and the rest of the Ghost crew had to evade the Empire while they snuck to Lothal.
"How's he taking it?" Hera asked over a hologram.
"As you'd expect." Kanan sighed. "We both knew Ezra might not get the news he hoped he would about his parents."
"Governor Azadi, we're grateful you stood by them for so long," Hera said to Azadi.
"Not sure what good it did." Ryder sighed. "Things don't seem any better here on Lothal."
"At the moment, maybe, but we hope to change that in the future," Hera stated. "Speaking of which, Senator Organa heard about our losses on Garel. He's sending us reinforcements. His agent is coming to Lothal with three cruisers."
"Three cruisers? That is good news." Kanan said with a sigh. "Maybe a mission like this is just what Ezra needs."
"I hope you're right," Hera said. "Oh, and we got the news some friends of ours were doing a mission on Lothal, offered to help out."
"Really?" Kanan asked.
"They'll meet you there," Hera said. "They have your disguises ready upon arrival."
"We'll be there as soon as we can to help," Kanan promised.
Mara Jade knelt on the cold, metallic floor, the dim blue glow of Lord Vader's hologram illuminating her anxious features. His iconic, labored breathing resonated through the holographic projector, causing her heart to race as she bowed her head deeply in deference to the towering figure before her.
"What business have you summoned me for?" Lord Vader's voice was low and commanding, sending a shiver down her spine.
"My Lord, I bring news—important news that the Inquisitors wish to keep from you," Mara Jade replied, her voice trembling slightly. She struggled to maintain her composure, the weight of her words heavy with trepidation. "But... I believe this information is imperative for you to hear."
"This had better be important," Vader retorted, a trace of menace lacing his tone.
"I... I believe it is, sir." Mara whispered, fear clawing at her throat. "We have learned that among the Rebels there is one who holds a significant secret... the son of Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight."
She held her breath, scanning for any reaction, any flicker of emotion from the Sith Lord, but he remained eerily still, a statue of darkness. Then, without warning, his gloved hand stretched out towards her, and she felt an invisible vice grip her throat, constricting her air supply. Panic surged through her as Vader's voice boomed, "Do not toy with my patience. What you tell me is the truth?"
"I... I swear!" she gasped, clawing at her neck in desperation. "It is the truth! I heard it from the Spider-Man! He didn't know he was being recorded. He spoke to his fellow rebels, and admitted it."
As suddenly as it had begun, the pressure released. Mara Jade inhaled sharply, relief flooding through her as she gasped for breath. But as she collected herself, she dared to look up at the holographic visage of Vader—still as stone, consumed by contemplation. The only sound in the silence was his rhythmic breathing, an ominous reminder of the power he wielded.
"Do not disclose this news to anyone else," he finally commanded his tone now colder than the depths of space. "This stays between us. I will inform the Emperor myself."
"Yes, my lord," Mara replied, her voice steadied by a mix of dread and reverence, instantly kneeling once more in a gesture of submission.
Without another word, Vader turned, his dark cape swirling around him as he strode away, his hologram flickering out of existence, leaving Mara alone in the shadowy chamber, her mind racing with the gravity of what had just transpired.
Ezra was sitting amongst the rising sun of Lothal as Kanan approached carrying Ezra's helmet from the Phantom. "Ezra, we're gonna miss our rendezvous. Let's go."
"If you're going into Jalath City, be careful," Ryder warned them. "The fleet may be gone, but Imperial security is bound to recognize you."
"Maybe dressed like this," Kanan said as he tossed the helmet to Ezra. "But who's gonna notice an extra stormtrooper and cadet?"
"Great." Ezra sighed, not in the mood.
"They know our ship, too," Kanan remembered. "Ryder, any chance we could-"
"Borrow my bike? Take it." Ryder stated. "But I'm not getting involved any further."
"Even after what the Empire did to you? Come on, get back in the fight." Kanan pleaded with him.
"I won't go back to prison, Kanan," Ryder stated. "Please don't ask that of me."
Kanan and Ezra made it into town where they met up with their friends in the docking bay. To their surprise, it was none other than the Millennium Falcon with the Guardians inside.
"Well, look who needs us again," Quill joked when he saw them.
"Hera filled us in on what happened," Gamora said as he approached. "Sorry to hear what happened, Ezra."
"Thanks," Ezra sighed.
"You got our disguises?" Kanan asks.
"We could only get so many," Gamora said as they headed inside the Falcon. "In one piece."
"Her and that damn sword," Quill said.
"Yeah, and Drax can't fit into them," Gamora said as she gestured towards the crew. "Neither can Chewie."
"And Gamora said she would rather break my arm than wear the armor," Quill added.
"And Quill has some repairs I need him to make," Han stated as he left the cockpit. "And I still owe you guys one for wiping my slate clean with Jabba."
"I mean, technically, that was Peter and Sabine," Ezra said.
"Nevertheless, I am paying my debt with this mission," Han stated as they found the Stormtrooper uniforms laid out for them.
"Then let's get out there," Kanan said.
They made their way to the port and watched as three Hammerhead-class cruisers came flying in. They looked a bit old and beaten up, but they were well enough ships nonetheless.
"Those are our reinforcements? Some old transports?" Ezra asks.
"In our position, you take what you can get, kid," Kanan stated.
They walked up to the ships when one woman walked out, this was Princess Leia of Alderaan, and Han walked out to greet her. "Hey, excuse me, miss. Uh, where's your commander?"
"Not much of a welcoming committee." The woman said.
"Welcoming committee?" Han asked with a scoff. "Not what I signed up for."
"Not high on manners are you, Trooper?" Leia wonders.
"Not for-" Kanan stepped in before Han could finish what he was saying.
"I'm Kanan." Kanan greeted. "This is Ezra. That's Han. We're from Phoenix Squadron."
"Not me," Han stepped in. "I owe a favor."
"How thoughtful," Leia rolled her eyes at him and looked back to Kanan. "I know who you are. And unless you want the deck officer to know, too, I suggest you put your helmets back on and keep your mouths shut."
"Excuse me?" Han asked.
"You heard her," Kanan said, getting everyone to place their helmets back on. "Shut it."
"Deck Officer, I'd like to start distributing my relief aid," Leia said to the trooper in command.
"Stand by. My orders are to inspect the cargo for contraband and detain these vessels until the lieutenant arrives." The trooper said. "Scanning crew, move out."
"Well, this plan's off to a good start." Han scoffed.
"As a matter of fact, it's going perfectly," Leia informed him. "Where's the rest of your team?"
"They'll be here, eventually," Kanan promised.
"Good," Leia said. "Then you can steal my ships."
"What?" They asked.
"I'll explain later," Leia said as the lieutenant approached. "First I have to deal with the lieutenant. Follow my lead and try and keep up."
"Wait. Why does she get to give orders? I don't get to give orders." Ezra stated.
"Do you ever listen to yourself?" Kanan asked, walking to follow Leia.
"Yes, and I happen to be very interesting," Ezra said.
Han scoffed. "Keep telling yourself that, kid."
"You must be Leia Organa, princess of the royal house of Alderaan." The lieutenant said.
"And aide to my father, Senator Bail Organa," Leia stated. "I come with relief supplies for Lothal's needy, who are suffering terribly as a result of the rebel insurgency here.
Surely you don't want innocents to starve."
"No, of course not." the lieutenant said. "Lothal has indeed suffered, as has Alderaan. From what I hear, your ships have an unfortunate habit of falling into rebel hands. I assure you, that won't happen on my watch."
That was when they watched as giant mechanical devices were added into the ships, locking them onto the ground. "What's that?"
"Gravity locks?" Han seemed to recognize it.
"This is hardly necessary," Leia told the lieutenant.
"I insist." The lieutenant said. "Plus a trooper detachment, and for extra security..." They watched as two AT-ATs came and were dropped down by a ship. "Walkers will guard your ships from the rebel insurgency. All for your safety, miss."
Leia put on an irritated face. "It's "Your Highness." As my ships are detained, I will require your shuttle to begin my work."
"Oh? Um, my shuttle? Certainly, I could arrange for other transportation." The lieutenant said.
"No. Your shuttle." Leia demanded. "I need to leave immediately. You three, bring those supplies and escort me to the trauma area at once."
"Yes, ma'am." Kanan and Ezra said as they went to do just that.
"Whatever," Han sighed as he followed along.
They took the shuttle and took off flying. They were heading back to the outskirts of the city where Ryder was so they could regroup and wait for Hera to bring everyone else for them to come up with a plan.
"It's safe to say that whoever came up with this plan severely underestimated the Empire's security." Han scoffed as he piloted them away.
Leia sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" Han asks.
"This was my plan," Leia informed him.
"Seriously?" Han asked with a scoff. "Princesses."
"We need those ships." Ezra came up from behind. "Why didn't you just hand them off to us in deep space?"
"You don't understand," Leia told him. "It's not that simple. If the Empire could prove Alderaan provided ships to the rebels, we'd lose our seat in the Senate and be charged with treason."
"But if they're stolen on a planet controlled by the Empire Alderaan would be blameless." Kanan understood her point. "Have to admit, that was a good plan."
"Well, now we need a new one," Han stated.
That was when Ezra got a call from Chopper.
"Yeah, what is it, Chopper?" Ezra asked, hearing him speak frantically. "Stormtroopers?"
They flew over to the point and saw there was a squad of troopers guarding Ryder and Chopper.
"Friends of yours?" Leia asks.
"Not for much longer, by the look of things," Kanan said as they went in for a landing.
"What are we going to do?" Leia asked
"This time, you follow my lead," Kanan said, getting their helmets back on and heading outside.
Chopper seemed to recognize them, even in uniform and waved his claw at them.
"This is a secure site. State your business." The trooper said.
"I'm taking the princess ambassador here on a... scouting mission for possible refugee relocation." Kanan tried his best to lie.
"This is not a safe area for you." The trooper said. "There's a high level of rebel activity happening at the moment."
"Well, we're finishing our survey," Kanan said, looking for an excuse to get Ryder out of here with Chopper. "We could take these prisoners back to Jalath for you."
"That won't be necessary." The trooper said. "We have orders to terminate one of them immediately."
"Hold on, trooper." Leia stepped in before they did it. "As a representative of the Senate, I demand to know what this man has done."
"He's a fugitive from an Imperial prison." The trooper explained. "Now, depart immediately for your own safety. Where you find one rebel, there are usually more."
That was when Chopper rushed over, his head spinning and trying to alert them that he was receiving a signal.
"Chopper's receiving a signal." Ezra translated. "You know what that means."
"Hera's here," Kanan said.
That was when not only the Ghost came in, as did the Falcon. Gamora and Chewie were flying while Quill and Mantis handled the controls to the guns. They gunned the transports while the Ghost came in for a landing and opened fire on the troops.
"More friends of yours?" Leia asked as they raced to hide.
"Yeah, I'm a likable guy." Kanan joked as he grabbed Ryder. "You're coming with me!"
Chopper made his way to the Ghost while Zeb and Sabine came out.
"No, you can't come on board! You have to go get the Phantom." Sabine stated. "Get moving!"
Peter then leaped ahead and landed ahead of everyone. "Oh, this is going to be fun!" He proclaimed, stretching several tendrils to stretch and grab several troopers. He then tossed him around, smacking the trooper into several others before tossing him far into the air. "Always the same troopers! Come on, give me a challenge!"
"He's getting scary with that suit," Zeb said to Sabine.
"I am starting to agree," Sabine admitted seeing Peter go this hard on the troopers was hard to see. Especially when they first met, he always held back. Now, its like he isn't even bothering to hold back.
"Your friends might shoot you wearing that armor," Ryder told them.
"That's not a bad idea, Governor." Kanan came up with an idea. "Take the princess hostage."
"What?" Ryder asks.
"If I'm seen escaping with you, I'll be labeled a traitor." Leia was getting his idea. "You have to take me prisoner."
"Well, you better make it look good," Ezra said as he walked out. "I'll warn Sabine."
.
Ezra then did a signal, showing Sabine who they were. "We got two incoming."
"What about Ezra and Kanan?" Zeb asks.
"They're the troopers on the left. And Han," Sabine warned him.
"Ugh," Zeb groaned.
Ryder then shoved Han into the Jedi and ran while grabbing Leia. "Help! Help! Commander!"
Kanan ran over while Ezra and Han ran for the Ghost. "Hold your fire! She's my responsibility! I'll get her back!"
Ryder was stopped by Peter who sent a tendril toward another trooper, smashing him into the surrounding rocks. "Kanan's coming. He said to make it look good."
Peter grew a grin as he looked over to the approaching troopers. "Oh, this should be fun."
Peter watched them race over, getting him to leap over and tackle Kanan, grabbing him and then smashing him into the ground hard to leave an indent in the ground, but not break the helmet. "Wait! Easy! That's Kanan!"
Peter then stretched out a tendril and punched Ezra and knocked Han. "I know."
Peter then stretched out three tendrils to grab the three and then dragged them off towards the Ghost.
"They're taking prisoners? They do that now?"
When they got onto the ship, they took off and flew away, leaving the remaining few troopers to live.
" Kanan." Peter lightly tapped his face. "Wake up! Kanan! How's your face?"
"Why did you hit me?" Kanan groaned.
"What? You had a helmet on." Peter shrugged with a chuckle.
"Did you have to hit us so hard?" Ezra asked.
"Hey, you said you wanted it to look good." Peter defended. "And that was me holding back."
"If that was you going easy, I never wanna see you not," Han stated with a groan.
"Where's the princess?" Kanan wonders.
"In the cockpit with Hera." Peter gestured upward.
Chopper flew in with the Phantom as Ryder finished his conversation with Hera. "I owe you my life. You have my gratitude."
"It's the least we could do after leading the Empire right to you," Hera told him as they found Ezra. "We heard what happened."
"Sorry, kid," Zeb said. "Hey, at least now you know."
Peter elbowed him. Really? Sorry, E. I know what it's like to lose a family."
"Yeah. I guess I just need some time." Ezra said with a sigh as he walked off.
"Is he all right?" Leia wondered as she approached Kanan.
"He's okay." Kanan sighed. "He just lost some people close to him. It's a challenge being his age with so much responsibility."
"I know that feeling." Leia sighed,
"Maybe he could use a friend." Kanan said, thinking an outside perspective could help.
Leia took that advise and approached Ezra who was in the gunner. "I know who you are." She said, getting Ezra's attention from his photo. "You're Ezra Bridger. I heard your transmission."
"Yeah? My parents heard it, too." Ezra said with a sigh. "But they're gone now."
"I'm sorry."
"It's just there's so much against us." Ezra said. "Do you ever wonder..."
"If this fight is even worth it? Every day." Leia admitted. "But I'm still here."
"But you're a princess." Ezra reminded her. "You don't have to risk your life doing this."
"I feel like because I can fight, I have to for those who cannot," Leia stated. "And I think you might be the same way."
Ezra nodded as he looked back to his hologram, shutting it off and walking to Leia. "Let's figure out a way to get your ships."
"Wonderful girl," Han said to Zeb as he watched Leia walk off with Ezra. "Either I'm gonna kill her, or I am beginning to like her."
The others approached the main room and saw everyone looking over the hologram of the area. "We did a scan of the landing field, and looking at the Imperial security, I just don't see us living long enough to get near those ships."
"Two walkers are a big problem," Hera said.
"Even if we reach the ships, they're not going anywhere until we can disable those gravity locks." Kanan sighed.
"Those defenses are formidable," Leia said. "Why? Because the Empire doesn't underestimate you. They know how good you are.
"We might be able to get one out, but we'll never get all three." Kanan was sorry to say. "It's impossible."
"I know you need those ships, so don't tell me why we can't get them," Leia said. "Tell me how we will."
"Well, Kanan, Han, and I still have our disguises, so we can get onto the platform," Ezra said. "But to get close to the ships, we'll need a distraction."
"I can handle that," Hera said. "The Ghost can act as air support."
"And I can use detonators to blast off the gravity locks." Sabine offered.
"Won't work," Ryder warned them. "You can't forcibly remove the locks."
"You know this how?" Hera asks.
"In prison, I put those locks together, so I know how to take 'em apart," Ryder stated.
"Ryder Azadi, does that mean you're getting involved?" Kanana asks.
"Just this once," Ryder warned. "It's clear I can't stay on Lothal, so I'll help you if you get me outta here."
"I can speed up the process," Peter offered. "I can use the tendrils to duplicate the results on two rather than one."
The Phantom flew in with the team on board, getting the attention of the lieutenant and a few troops. They rushed over and watched the ship fly and land behind some
"This is the rebel ship we've been looking for."
"Set weapons for stun."
That was when Han, Kanan, Leia, and Ezra exited the Phantom while the others rushed over toward the ships using the containment as cover.
"I'd think you'd be pleased to see me safe and sound, Lieutenant." Leia got the lieutenant's attention.
"Of course, Your Highness." The lieutenant said. "Very pleased. Just, um, surprised."
"We need to cut open that access panel, and bypass the primary power flux coupling," Ryder explained to the others. "Hurry."
"This brave trooper saved us both from those rebels." Leia said, keeping their attention as she walked away and kept the lieutenant on her with the troopers. "He deserves a medal."
"He did it!" Ryder saw Chopper cut through the containment. "Sabine, you take this one. We'll move on to the next ship."
"I'll call in the air support," Sabine said as she raced inside.
"As you can see, your ships are safe and sound right where you left them." The lieutenant said as he didn't notice the ship was beginning to take off.
"If you're trying to impress me, Lieutenant, you're doing a miserable job of it," Leia stated.
"What do you mean?"
Leia pointed to the ship. "You don't know?
The troopers and lieutenant then turned and noticed the ship taking off. "I didn't authorize this! Who's piloting that ship?"
The trooper then noticed Ryder and Peter getting the controls.
"Sir! Rebels!"
"Blast them!"
Peter sensed the blaster fire coming in and grabbed Ryder, getting him to duck just in time. Sabine began to use the cannons to try and take them down, only to be fired on by the AT-AT. That was where The Falcon came flying in, shooting at the AT-AT, giving Ezra, Han, and Kanan the distraction to knock out the troopers. They then watched as the Falcon and Ghost flew off with the ship.
"Sabine's away." Kanan noticed. "Let's get outta here."
"I'm not sure we're going anywhere," Han warned them, gesturing ahead.
That was when they saw that the AT-AT wasn't taken out and got back up. Peter snarled as he saw the AT-AT was working again. "Secure the third ship. I'll handle the walker."
"Handle the walker? How?" Ryder asked, watching Peter rush towards the AT-At.
"Just trust me!" Peter cried, reaching the AT-AT, dodging the blaster fire, and then leaping into the air. He then used the tendrils to reach out and grab the legs of the AT-AT, crossing the arms and causing the Walker to topple and fall over.
Kanan saw there was one still left, and Peter was too far away and getting fired on. Kanan ran past and saw Ryder pulling a blaster when Chopper stopped him.
Kanan ran past them and pointed to Ryder. ""Go! Unlock that ship!"
Ryder watched as Kanan activated his Saber. "He's a Jedi!"
Kanan ran and leaped into the air, using his saber to cut through the leg of the Walker, sending it toppling over.
"Did you see that?" Leia asked Han and Ezra.
"If you like that, watch this," Ezra said, using the Force to knock the weapons out of approaching troopers. The only problem was one came back and knocked him in the face.
Leia quickly grabbed one, picking it up, and Han opened fire on the troopers. "Get down!"
They then shot down the troopers, giving them a moment to breathe as they finished getting the ships free. "That is impressive," Leia said. "Well, mostly."
With the Walkers down, and the ships free, they now had an opening to escape as everyone ran on the remaining ship. Ezra was the last one as he looked to see Han as he looked to the princess.
"Well, princess, looks like your plan worked out after all," Han tells her removing his helmet.
"Is that a compliment from a smuggler?" Leia asked sarcastically as she walked to stare him down. "Or the word of a good man?"
"Don't insult me," Han tells her, watching as she walks over and grabs his arm. "What- what are you-"
"Stop that rebel! He's stealing my transport!" Leia cried out, getting Han to catch on. "Make it look good."
Han then pushed her back, causing Leia to stumble back a little. "You really are something, you know that, Princess?"
Leia watched him reach for his blaster. "You have my permission."
"Catch ya later, Princess," Han said, raising his blaster to shoot her, the blaster set to stun, sending Leia tumbling down and allowing them to fly off.
The lieutenant got up and watched Leia fall over. "The princess!"
Leia got up and watched as her ships flew off into space. "My ships. You lost my ships."
"I'm afraid so."
"You should be afraid! Just wait until I tell the Senate that the Imperial presence on Lothal is helpless against the rebels." Leia threatens.
"No, no, no. That won't be necessary. I-I assure you, Alderaan will be fully compensated for your lost ships."
"Fine." Leia saw her plan work out perfectly. "Oh, and I'll need your shuttle so I can return home.
"My shuttle. Right." The Lieutenant looked around, forgetting what happened to it. "Uh, where is it?"
"Lieutenant, did you lose your ship, too?" Leia asks.
"I'll summon you another right away."
Han sighed as he sat down behind the controls with Peter approaching. "Well, that was intense."
"Yeah, still, she was interesting," Han said. "What do you think? A girl like her and a guy like me?"
Peter considered his answer and chuckled. "There was a time when I would say no way. Now? I'd consider it possible."
Returning with the fleet and dropping Han off with his crew, there was still one more person who needed to be dealt with.
"So, Governor, we need to find a safe place for you," Hera told Ryker.
"I already know where I'm going, back home," Ryker stated.
"I knew you'd come around," Kanan said.
"I couldn't see it before, but going to prison with the Bridgers started something," Ryder stated, looking at Ezra. "That something has grown bigger than I ever imagined. I owe it to them and I owe it to you to see it through to the end."
"Welcome back to the fight, Governor," Ezra said with a smile.
Across the vast expanse of the galaxy, a solitary personalized TIE Fighter, its wings slightly askew, glided silently through the starry void. As it descended toward the emerald green planet of Naboo, torrential rain lashed against its sleek surface, the droplets glimmering like tiny diamonds against the dark backdrop of space. The pilot steered the craft with a steady hand, guiding it to a secluded clearing where, with a low hum, it touched down softly on the damp ground.
As the hatch opened, a figure cloaked in dark armor emerged, heavy footsteps splattering across the mud. He strode purposefully through the downpour, his mind clouded with memories of a life long lost. The rain mingled with the bittersweet nostalgia as he made his way toward a grave that had long awaited his return—the grave of Padmé Amidala.
After a brief search, he finally found the resting place, nestled a small distance from the royal castle—once a symbol of love and hope, now a somber reminder of an era gone by. He approached the tomb, his heart heavy with the weight of regret, the ghosts of Anakin Skywalker flashing vividly before his eyes. He remembered the laughter, the warmth, and the untainted joy of his time on Naboo, all before the Clone Wars cast their dark shadow.
Vader stepped into the small clearing surrounding the tomb, where leaves had gathered like memories, obscuring the marble stone beneath. With a deliberate wave of his gloved hand, he summoned the Force, and the foliage scattered away, revealing the inscription that bore Padmé's name—a name etched in both stone and his heart. His gaze was drawn upward to the glass painting of Padmé that adorned the tomb, her image serene and beautiful, evoking a flood of bittersweet memories.
He lingered there, entranced, immersed in remembrance of the once vibrant life they had shared. But as memories surged, so too did the torment of his actions—the anger, the fear, the betrayal. Was everything he had fought for, everything he had believed, merely a lie?
In a moment of desperation, he reached up and unfastened his helmet—the dark visage that had become his prison and his shield. The cool damp air rushed in, harsh against his lungs, sharp pangs of pain reminding him of his vulnerability. Yet, this pain was pale compared to the heart-wrenching realization that Padmé had carried their son. Palpatine had claimed he had murdered her, but if that were true, how could she have borne a child?
Overwhelmed by grief, Vader collapsed to his knees, raw sorrow crashing over him in waves as he mourned the profound loss of Padmé—his beloved.
As the rain continued to cascade around him, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Padmé's old handmaidens, cloaked figures from his past, had noticed the dark figure of the Sith Lord and approached tentatively, anxiety etching their faces. The momentary sense of compassion that had begun to blossom within him twisted into fury, igniting a tempest of rage. In an instant, he rose, the weight of his anger propelling him to his feet, as he hastily donned his helmet once more.
The familiar sound of his mechanical breathing filled the air, echoing ominously. The handmaidens froze, recognizing the haunting sound that sent shivers down their spines—fear pulsated through them like a palpable force. Without hesitation, Vader summoned the dark energy of the Force, lifting the handmaidens off their feet and casting them aside with a flick of his wrist. They tumbled through the rain-soaked ground, sliding helplessly over the slick terrain.
And with that, he turned away, his heart still heavy, striding firmly towards his ship, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow mingled with anger under the relentless downpour.
Palpatine sat in the dimly lit confines of his office, the ambient light casting long shadows over the walls lined with dark, ornate decorations. He had closed his eyes, allowing the echoes of the Force to envelop him, reaching out like tendrils into the vast unknown. For so long, he had felt confident in his ability to foresee the intertwining threads of fate; they were his to manipulate. But now, an unsettling sensation gnawed at him, like a storm brewing on the horizon. His visions had begun to spiral chaotically, obscuring the future he once viewed with clarity. A creeping doubt settled in his gut—had he truly lost control over the Republic, the impending rebellion, and perhaps even his own apprentice?
The silence of his contemplation was interrupted by a soft voice, authoritative yet tinged with curiosity. "You summoned me?" Wanda Maximoff stepped into the office, her presence filling the room with an air of defiance.
Palpatine opened his eyes, concealing the unease swirling within him behind a veneer of calm. "Your powers have grown," he stated, aware of the heavy pulse of Chaos Energy that surrounded her like a shimmering aura.
Wanda moved gracefully about the room, her hand weaving through the air, causing ripples of chaotic energy to dance before her fingertips. "All this time," she spoke, her voice echoing with newfound power. "All this power has been within my grasp, but I was constrained. They made me hold back. Not anymore."
"And the Stones?" Palpatine inquired, curiosity piqued as he regarded her.
Wanda paused, a frown creasing her brow. "I can sense them," she admitted, the weight of her frustration palpable. "But they elude me. They hide themselves well, and something... or someone is shrouding them from my reach."
"How many of these Stones have they found?" Palpatine pressed, his mind racing with possibilities.
"I don't think they realize how many they possess," she replied, her tone laced with urgency. "There's a girl—she holds one. I sensed its power on Scarif, but it vanished without a trace. The Stone you entrusted to that woman... it slipped from Moff Gideon's grasp. That makes two of the six."
Palpatine nodded slowly, contemplating the rebellion's unexpected ability to locate the Stones. "The rebellion seems to have a knack for unearthing the hidden," he mused, as they strolled toward the grand window, the bustling activity of the planet visible beyond the glass. "Perhaps we should let them continue their search. Allow them to reveal what they have; they might lead us to the others."
"And then we can go home?" Wanda asked, a glimmer of hope breaking through her powerful facade.
A sinister smile crept beneath the folds of Palpatine's hood, his eyes glinting with dark satisfaction. "I keep my promises, child. Soon, you will be reunited with your beloved again," he assured her, his tone dripping with menace.