Peter was spiraling into frustration. Mara Jade had clearly kept her promise — their next encounter was nothing short of explosive. Currently, he found himself on a desolate planet, trudging through the dust with Kanan and Ezra, in search of a supposed secret base. Their expedition quickly took a dangerous turn when the ominous figures of the Inquisitors appeared alongside Mara Jade, igniting a fierce battle.
With a swift motion, Peter unleashed a tendril towards the Seventh Sister, who nimbly ducked to evade his strike. "I don't see this place serving very well as a secret base," Peter remarked, glancing at the rocky terrain with skepticism.
Kanan, ever the pragmatist, shot back with authority, "Seeing that the key part of a secret base is its secrecy, I'd say this location is a bust." His lightsaber flashed as he engaged the Fifth Brother in combat.
"Where's Chopper? I sent him a signal," Ezra asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"He's either lost or simply ignoring us," Peter replied tersely, launching another tendril at Mara Jade, who deftly evaded and countered with a furious sweep of her blade.
"Oh, he's not lost," Kanan assured a glint of mischief in his eyes.
In a bold move, Peter grasped the Seventh Sister's lightsaber, admiring it for a brief moment. "Such a handsome face," she quipped, maintaining a bravado even in peril.
"I don't go crazy," Peter asserted defiantly.
"That's all right. I prefer brains," the Seventh Sister retorted with a mocking smile.
Just then, Mara Jade joined the fray with a powerful push of the Force, sending Peter and his allies skidding toward the edge of a steep cliff. Peter managed to grasp a ledge just in time, while tendrils shot from his fingertips, snagging his Jedi companions and pulling them to safety.
"I got you, guys!" Peter promised, his voice laced with determination as laughter bubbled from the Seventh Sister, closing in with a sly grin. "I could really use some help!" he urged, glancing back at his friends.
"Hold on a sec," Ezra said, concentrating as he reached out with the Force toward the native creatures of the planet.
The air was filled with the strange sounds of creatures reminiscent of flying manta rays, their graceful forms casting shadows against the rocky landscape. Realizing an opportunity, Peter swiftly leaped, twisting mid-air, and threw himself onto the back of one of the majestic creatures.
"Nice throw, man!" Ezra exclaimed, awe spreading across his face. "You're really getting the hang of that armor."
"Yeah, I am," Peter replied, his pride swelling as he steadied himself upon the moving creature beneath him.
Just then, the familiar whir of the Phantom's engines echoed overhead as Chopper navigated the craft toward them. "After you," Kanan said, his tone easing the tension as the three of them scrambled aboard.
Once inside, they launched into the vastness of space, relief washing over them like a gentle tide.
"Phew, that was too close," Ezra sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Yeah, another close call," Peter murmured, his thoughts drifting to the tangled connection he had with Mara Jade.
"What's wrong?" Ezra asked, noticing the troubled look on Peter's face. "You seem uneasy."
Peter inhaled deeply, bracing himself. "I think it's time I shared something important with you guys..."
"What is it?" Kanan prompted, curiosity edging into his voice.
This was it. The moment had come.
As they navigated their way back to the Ghost, an uneasy silence settled over them. Upon docking, Peter quietly slid down the ramp and walked away from the group, his face set in contemplation.
"How did it go?" Hera inquired, her gaze following Peter's retreating figure with concern as he left the room.
Bucky frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion as he watched Kanan and Ezra descend the ladder behind him. "What's up with him?" he asked, worry creeping into his voice.
"It appears that Peter has been connecting with Mara Jade," Kanan explained, a frown forming on his face.
"What?!" Sabine exclaimed, her eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.
"Peter told us that ever since he was interrogated on that Star Destroyer, he's been seeing Mara Jade everywhere," Ezra elaborated.
"What does that mean?" Zeb interjected, his tone curious yet confused.
Kanan sighed, his eyes clouding with uncertainty. "I'm not really sure. I've never encountered anything like it before. I was hoping Ahsoka could provide some clarity."
"Then it's a good thing she's waiting for you," Hera said, a mixture of relief and urgency in her gaze.
Ahsoka was watching one of the old holograms Anakin made for her training back when she was a Padawan. Ezra walked in and saw her watching the recordings.
"Keeping your saber moving is key to deflecting the fire of multiple adversaries," Anakin said. "Fluid motion, one into the next, into the next, and so on. I've made some adjustments to the classic Form IV techniques that I think you'll find work well against droids and other ranged attackers. Here, I'll show you."
"He's amazing," Ezra said, watching the recording. "I've watched these recordings to help me with my own saber training."
"You should have seen him in person," Ahsoka said. "Anakin Skywalker, he was my master."
"Kanan said he was the greatest warrior the Jedi had in the Clone Wars," Ezra said.
"He was powerful, and rarely lost a battle," Ahasoka admitted. "What would have surprised people was how kind he was. He cared deeply about his friends, and looked out for them until the end."
"Practice these exercises mindfully, and you'll see improvement, I promise," Anakin said.
"Do you know what happened to him?" Ezra wonders.
Ahsoka sighed. Even after her talk with Kenobi, she didn't want to believe that he had turned into that monster that nearly killed Peter. "The last time I saw him, he was rushing off to save the Chancellor. Then everything changed. The war ended and the Jedi were accused of treason. One by one, they were hunted down."
"By the Inquisitors." Ezra said.
"Or worse," Ahsoka said.
"Speaking of which," Kanan called their attention. "Did you hear about what we were facing?"
"Yes." Ahsoka turned the recording off and stood up. "I have heard of it before, but never seen. It's called a Force dyad."
"A Force dyad?" Ezra asks. "I've never heard of it."
"It's rare," Ahsoka said. "A Force dyad is a phenomenon where two Force-sensitive individuals share a unique connection, bonding their minds across space and time. Physically separate, they are considered one in the Force, allowing for communication and special abilities."
"But Peter isn't connected to the Force," Ezra said.
"Maybe not the same way that you and I are concerned, but in his own way, he is connected to the Force," Ahsoka tried to explain. "His connection was so strong when Mara Jade dug into his mind, she ended up creating a connection to him."
"Is there a way to break this connection?" Ezra wonders.
"I am not sure," Ahsoka said.
"Well the fact remains as long as Peter and Mara Jade stay tethered to one another, we might not be able to establish a base with him on the team," Kanan was afraid to have to say that out loud. Peter was a friend and ally they weren't going to cast aside, but it had to be said. "And we still have to deal with the Inquisitors."
"And there's Vader," Ezra reminded them.
"At times like this, Anakin or I would turn to Obiwan or Master Yoda," Ahsoka said. "But I already spoke to him. He doesn't have the answers."
"Then why don't we ask Master Yoda?" Kanan asks.
With that, the three of them set off with Peter as they needed him as well. Sabine requested to join considering how important this is and they agreed and Gwen wanted to be with them in case something happened like last time. They couldn't risk the others finding out, so they decided not to tell them about what they were planning until they could at least get near their location.
They blasted into Hyperspace and made their way for the Lothal temple where Ezra once made a connection to Yoda as did Kanan. They made their way to the surface where they exited the Phantom and walked forward to the mountain temple.
"Ezra, you're from Lothal?" Ahsoka asked in surprise.
"Yeah, this place is my home." Ezra admitted. "Here it is. If you and Kanan stand here, you can use the Force to open the temple."
"I cannot." Ahsoka was sorry to say.
"Why?" Peter wonders.
"Because I am no longer a Jedi," Ahsoka explained. "It was my choice, I left the Order. It's probably best if you two open it."
"All right then." Ezra shrugged. "Kanan?"
Then the two of them reached out using the Force and quickly began to use their connection to raise the temple out of the ground. As they watched the temple swirl, they watched the doorway Ezra and Kanan entered begin to head upward.
"Hey, where's the door going?" Ezra asked only for a new dooray to appear further deep downward. "This is new."
"Well, new problem, new door." Kanan shrugged. "Chop, stay here. Keep an eye out."
"Gwen, stay with him," Peter told her. "I've got Sabine for me inside. I need you out here."
"Got it, sir," Gwen gave a salute as she leaped over and landed on the roof of the Phantom. "Should have brought Riri or someone come along."
The others made their way into the temple and found a clearing. The doorway began to close just like last time, leaving them in the temple.
"How did you contact Master Yoda here?" Ahsoka wonders.
"Well, he kind of contacted us." Kanan said.
"I thought I was dreaming when I first heard Master Yoda's voice." Ezra said.
"And I was meditating." Kanan said .
"Then perhaps that's a good place to start." Ahsoka said.
They then got down and started to do just that. Peter shrugged to Sabine as they stayed off to the side.
"I don't get this Jedi stuff," Peter said.
"Neither do I," Sabine said.
"I see a doorway." Kanan interrupted them.
"Where? I don't see anything." Ezra said.
"Neither do I." Ahsoka said.
"Oh, good, not just me," Peter said.
"Last time we spoke to Master Yoda, we were separated." Kanan reminded them. "Maybe this is my path alone."
"Be careful!" Ezra said as Kanan headed for the doorway.
"Don't worry," Kanan said. "I wouldn't do anything you would do."
And with that Kanan vanished from thin air.
"Where did he go?" Ezra asks.
"As you know, these temples can be tricky," Ahsoka said. "Peter, do you-" That was when she looked and saw Peter and Sabine were missing. "Peter? Sabine?"
"I have a bad feeling about this," echoed a voice, laced with trepidation.
"Spider-Man?" another voice queried, a hint of disbelief in the tone.
"There's always a bigger fish," came a cryptic reply, as shadows danced in the dim light.
"You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force," a wise voice intoned, reverberating with ancient wisdom.
"The boy is dangerous," warned yet another, urgency creeping into the words.
"Padmé. It's been a while," someone remarked warmly, nostalgia hanging thick in the air.
"Now this is Podracing!" a voice exclaimed, the thrill of adventure sparking in each syllable.
"We will be watching your career with great interest," another added, their voice dripping with an unsettling anticipation.
"Ahsoka is alive," a proclamation that sent ripples of hope through the atmosphere.
"Guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all," a voice sighed, albeit with an undercurrent of doubt.
"A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one," said someone, the joy radiant in their tone.
"I don't like sand, living in the concrete jungle does that to you," another muttered, almost disdainfully, as if recalling a distant memory.
"I have waited a long time for this moment, my little green friend," a voice purred, thick with dark promise.
"This is where the fun begins," someone declared with a mischievous glee, igniting a spark of anticipation.
"A fine addition to my collection," another chuckled, relishing the thought of conquest.
"What about the Droid Attack on the Wookiees?" questioned a voice, echoing the absurdity of the situation.
"Unlimited power!" a booming voice thundered, a tantalizing whisper of ambition laced within.
"Who are you, and why did you free me?" someone asked, bewilderment playing upon their features.
"Henceforth, you shall be known… as Darth Vader," a voice declared, shrouded in an ominous finality.
"I will do what I must," was the resolute response, heavy with determination.
"From my point of view, the Jedi are evil!" shouted a voice, rage boiling just beneath the surface.
"Then you are lost!" came the retort, fierce and unforgiving.
"Cal Kestis!" the name resonated, full of meaning and history.
"…the son of Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight," someone added gravely, a legacy hanging in the air.
"You underestimate my power!" a voice shouted, crackling with defiance.
"You underestimate me, brother," a softer yet equally intense voice responded, laden with feeling.
"Can the Spider-Man come out to play?" someone taunted, a challenge woven into the very fabric of the air.
"We're the Protectors of the Nebula," declared a strong and determined voice, fierce and unyielding.
"Fives was telling the truth. The Senator cannot be trusted," another warned, their tone grave and serious.
And then, as if spun from a dream, a great web appeared before them, shimmering and ethereal; it stretched wide, intricately woven like the threads of fate itself. Voices echoed within the threads, rising in a crescendo until, at last, the center of the web burst forth, launching Sabine and Peter onto the ground with a jarring thud. They landed with an astonished cry, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
Giant webs of possibility and uncertainty curled around them, and as they groaned and regained their footing, Sabine brushed off the dust from her armor, a look of confusion etching her features.
"What just happened?" she asked, disbelief mingling with curiosity.
"I don't know, but it would be really great... if we didn't do that again," Peter replied, his voice tinged with a mix of humor and apprehension.
Sabine's gaze roamed, her eyes wide with shock. "Peter?" she shouted, the worry creeping into her voice.
Peter turned, equally startled, as he surveyed their surroundings; they stood in a vast labyrinth of twisting pathways, each route seemingly leading to a myriad of destinies, yet none providing a clear escape.
"Where are we?" he breathed, the overwhelming sense of uncertainty hanging heavily in the air around them.
Gwen lay sprawled atop the sleek, metallic surface of the Phantom, a wave of restlessness washing over her as she eyed the distant entrance of the temple. With a soft sigh, she let a tune escape her lips, the sound mingling with the gentle rustle of the leaves around her. She pulled her mask down, revealing her face but kept her hood drawn up, seeking refuge from the relentless sun above. Suddenly, a prickling sensation shot through her senses, jolting her upright as she cast a wary gaze around.
"Chopper, is there anything nearby?" Gwen inquired, her voice steady despite the tension creeping in.
Chopper emitted a series of mechanical whirs and groans, his robotic voice confirming, "Nothing detected in the vicinity."
Just then, a swirling black vortex materialized, tearing through the air with a haunting howl. Gwen gasped, adrenaline surging through her veins as she activated her invisibility, the world around her fading into shadows. Chopper, responding to the urgency, deftly maneuvered the Phantom away from the ominous rift.
From the depths of the portal, ominous figures began to emerge—a chilling lineup of villains: the Spot, his presence unsettling; the Rhino, imposing and brute; Mysterio, cloaked in mystique; Shocker, electric and twitchy; and the sinister Doctor Octopus. They stepped out with a sense of purpose, surveying their surroundings.
Serena Patel, with a confident grace, lowered herself onto her forearms, her sharp eyes scanning the landscape. As her gaze fell upon a looming mountain, an eerie calm settled around them. The robot version of Electro marched out of the portal, his metallic body gleaming ominously as he surveyed the area with a soulless stare.
"This guy still gives me the creeps," Shocker remarked, a hint of trepidation lacing his words.
"The Inquisitors said they would be here, right?" the Spot retorted, his gaze darting around. "But I don't see anything."
Serena stretched her arms, a calculated move as she focused her attention on the mountain before them. "That mountain isn't just a mountain," she declared, her voice thick with intrigue. "It's a temple. A Jedi Temple…" The air crackled with anticipation, the promise of secrets waiting to be uncovered within its ancient stone walls.
"Oh, then this should be fun!" Shocker said as he marched forward, aiming his gauntlets at the temple. "Let's send it toppling on top of them!"
As Shocker began to charge up the gauntlets, Gwen began to grow worried and wondered if she could actually fend them off. She had to do something. But if the Inquisitors showed up through the black hole, it was going to turn into a completely different ballgame. But right now, her friends were busy and weren't aware of the trouble they were in. She needed to act.
In a quick leap of bio-electricity, Gwen tackled Shocker, causing him to groan as he hit the ground, but his suit absorbed most of the impact. "Sorry, guys, mind if I cut in this dance?" Gwen asked as she saw everyone turn to face her.
"Gwen!" Serena cried when she saw her stepdaughter. "How delightful to see you, dear!"
"Can't say the same!" Gwen cried, ready to defend her friends.
Mysterio take flight and shoot beams at her. Gwen leaped out of the way, ddoged their strikes, and sensed the Rhino coming, quickly dodging him and allowing him to run into Mysterio only to reveal he was a illusion and the real Mysterio revealed himself. Gwen landed and saw she was now surrounded by the six of them as they all shook off the attacks and prepared to fight her.
Gwen charged up more Bio-electricty and prepared to defend herself and her friends.
"Savior, conqueror, hero, villain. You are all things, Revan... and yet you are nothing. In the end, you belong to neither the light nor the darkness. You will forever stand alone."
"For the republic!"
"I can take you in warm, or I can take you in cold."
"You know, you're pretty heartless for such a pretty lady."
"We... are Venom."
"For Mandalore."
"What is going on here?" Sabine asked as they walked across the platform.
"I'm pregnant."
"Who are those voices?" Peter wonders. "They sound... familiar."
"And what are these doorways?" Sabine wonders.
"Avengers... Assemble!"
"Captain?" Peter asked in shock, looking around when he heard that voice. "Steve Rogers?"
"I am Iron Man."
"Those voices... they're the Avengers," Peter said in shock.
"Infinity stones."
"Thanos did exactly what he said he was going to do."
"What is this place?" Sabine wonders.
"I don't know," Peter said in confusion. "But this place... I feel connected to it somehow."
"I can explain that," Someone said.
The two of them quickly reacted. Peter morphed the V252 around him as he spun and prepared to fight whoever it was. Sabine drew her blasters and aimed at the voice. But who caused them to freeze? It looked to me like a normal man. He had a scruffy beard, and he was wearing a purple cloak and some sort of medallion around his neck.
"Hi. There is no need for that." He said, gesturing to their weapons. "In fact, I'm here to greet you. It's... been a while since I've had visitors."
"Who are you?" Sabine asks.
"Well, I don't really have a name." He said as he walked ahead of them, seeing they weren't lowering their weapons. "But I do have titles. Protector of The Web. Guardian of the World Between Worlds. He Who Remains. We had to do something about the big spiders. They were scaring the bejesus out of everyone who came here."
"Jesus?" Peter was surprised to hear that. "You're from Earth."
"Earth." He Who Remains repeated the word. "I don't really remember where I am from. It's... It's been so long."
"How long have you been here?" Sabine wonders.
"Well, for as long as there's been a concept for other worlds," He Who Remains supposed.
"Other worlds?" Peter asks.
"Yep, welcome to the World Between Worlds," He Who Remains said as he gestured all around them.
"I've been taught by Anakin Skywalker since I was 17. THE Anakin Skywalker. The greatest Jedi and pilot back in the Clone Wars."
"When this war is finally over, look me up. We'll get together."
"Our children will grow up knowing their father fought for a better galaxy."
"Those voices..." Sabine wondered.
"The voices of infinite other worlds," He Who Remains proclaimed as he gestured all around them. "All of the portals you see... they lead to dozens of points across your personal life."
"My life?" Peter asks. "Why mine?"
"Well, more like your timeline." He Who Remains corrected himself. "The portals always change for certain people. When someone connected to the Web appears, it rewrites itself. Opens to different locations. People you have touched, people you have met. All of their lives are scattered around you. In this life or the next."
"Amber Morgan."
"Sabine."
"I didn't know she had a sister. Or a brother for that matter. She doesn't really talk about you guys."
Sabine flinched when she heard herself introduce herself. "Why are we here?"
"That was my question for you," He Who Remains said. "You came to me."
"I wanted to know how to sever my connection with Mara Jade," Peter explained.
"Oh, well, mission accomplished," He Who Remains proclaimed as he looked around. "This place likely did that for you."
"What?" Peter asks.
"You are at the heart of everything," He Who Remains explained as he looked around. "This is where the Force, your spider-sense, everything you have experienced comes together. Here, your connection was created, and here your connection was destroyed."
"You're still hiding something."
"Get out of my head!" Those voices continued to echo through the emptiness of this place.
"So, is that it?" Sabine asks. "Do we just walk back through that doorway and go back home?"
"Well, you can," He Who Remains admitted. "But... I will admit, I might have done some tampering to get you both here."
"What?" Peter asks.
"You see, you were supposed to arrive alone," He Who Remains tells Peter. "But I did some manipulating and dragged her along with it."
"Why?" Sabine asks.
"Because... I thought you both deserved to hear what was coming," He Who Remains warned them. "You've been messing with a lot of things. And if things go down the path that they are... you are going to be dealing with something big."
"How big are we talking?" Peter asks.
"The Emperor... has learned about the Infinity Stones," He Who Remains intoned, his voice reverberating with an unsettling calm.
Peter's heart raced. "What?" he exclaimed, a chill of terror running down his spine. "How?"
"I can't tell you that," He Who Remains sighed, his expression heavy with a burden of knowledge. "But you need to be cautious. If you fail to stop him, you'll be facing a monster far beyond your imagination."
"What kind of monster?" Sabine inquired, a flicker of dread crossing her features.
"Me," He Who Remains replied cryptically, motioning behind them with a subtle, foreboding gesture. "Or... more accurately, him."
A collective shiver coursed through Peter and Sabine as they turned to see a looming figure approaching. Clad in emerald green armor with intricate purple trims, he resembled a futuristic pharaoh. A holographic mask shrouded his face, and a sleek purple helmet crowned his head, casting an eerie glow.
"We finally meet, Peter Parker," the man proclaimed, his voice smooth yet menacing as he strode confidently forward. Both Peter and Sabine instinctively shifted into defensive stances, ready for confrontation. "You've been nothing but a thorn in my side for years."
"Dude, I've never seen you before in my life," Peter countered, bewildered.
"Not yet," the figure acknowledged with a dark promise. "We haven't met yet. But we will."
"You're from the future?" Sabine asked, her curiosity tinged with apprehension.
"A future," He Who Remains clarified, his tone steeped in ambiguity. "One among countless possibilities."
"And yet, I often find myself questioning, 'What makes you so special that you've become my incessant annoyance?'" The man continued, peeling off his helmet to reveal a visage strikingly identical to that of He Who Remains. The resemblance sent a shudder through both Peter and Sabine. "Why are we so inexplicably tethered together?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," Peter said, casting a worried glance at Sabine, sensing the grave danger that lingered in the air. "Who are you?"
"Just a man... who's lost a lot of time," he stated simply, his eyes glinting with bitterness. "I've been known by many names. A ruler. A conqueror. I suppose that's the title you can assign me. A Conqueror."
"Yeah, that doesn't scream evil at all," Sabine retorted, her sarcasm barely concealing the fear bubbling beneath the surface.
"I am a necessity," he proclaimed, his voice darkening. "And you... you are perpetually in my way."
With a sudden, swift movement, he unleashed a searing beam of energy from his hands, forcing Peter and Sabine to leap aside just in time. But He Who Remains wasn't capable of getting out of the way. He was struck and turned to dust in seconds. The air crackled with the promise of chaos as the confrontation escalated.
Sabine opened fire, shooting at the Conqueror, but he easily blocked her blasts with his armor. He then marched over, quickly lifting Sabine with his levitation in his suit.
"What the-?!" Sabine was then flung backward, falling into one of the doorways. "Peter!"
"Sabine!" Peter cried, morphing the V252 as he leaped over and tackled the Conqueror to the ground. "Where did you send her!?"
"Nowhere. Everywhere," The Conqueror scoffed, sending a blast that sent Peter through one of the other doorways.
Peter groaned as he hit the ground of something hard, getting him to look around and wonder where he was. When he looked at the desert wasteland, he recognized the world of Tattooine. He looked down and saw that the Symbiote was replaced by his old Iron Spider suit. He then heard lightsabers clashing, causing him to look over and see a man fighting a hooded figure wielding a red saber.
"Peter! Get Anakin to the ship!" The man wielding the Jedi robed as well as the green lightsaber told Peter.
"Anakin?" Peter asked in shock. He couldn't mean Anakin Skywalker, could he?
"Peter!" A young boy rushed to his side. "Let's go!"
Peter just got up and rushed his way to the ship. But as he was running, the hooded figure used the Force, grabbing Peter and pulling him backward. When he was being dragged over, Peter found himself being yanked out of the portal and he was back in the World Between Worlds, facing the Conqueror.
"What was that?!" Peter asked in shock, wondering what he just experienced.
"A past. A future. A past that has been. A future that could have been." The Conqueror explained to him, marching over Peter who crawled away. "Many other things." He then charged up another blast like before. "Not that you'll live to understand."
Peter quickly looked to one of the portals, quickly rushing inside one to escape the Conqueror. When the light cleared, he found himself on what he believed to be Courusaunt. He looked down and saw he looked much older than he was a minute ago. Then he looked and noticed there was a woman who was coming to sit alongside him.
"I am so happy that you managed to get time away from the war," She said with relief. "What did you have to tell the Jedi?"
"That..." Peter wasn't sure what to say. "I needed some time."
She smiled at him. "Smart. Dont give too much detail. I doubt they care that much. Especially since your little mission on Ryloth."
"Yeah," Peter wasn't sure what to do. "Sorry, my head is... everywhere right now."
"I understand," She said with a smile.
That was when the C-3PO droid wandered into the room. "Apologies, Senator Amidala. But there is someone to see you."
"Amidala?" Peter recognized that name. "Padme."
"Yes?" Padme asked.
Peter was shocked when suddenly he saw something coming at them in a ship. "Get down!"
It fired an explosive at them, causing the two to be flung backward. Peter was sent flying outward and ended up falling out into the World Between Words yet again. He stumbled and rolled down, groaning as he crawled to his feet. He looked around, wondering where the Conqueror was.
His spider senses warned him just in time as the Conqueror came up on a holographic platform on his feet and he shot two beams of energy to strike Peter. Using the infinite walkways as a projectile, Peter swung around them, avoiding the blasts as they ended up striking the area and leaving nothing but smoke behind. Even his beams weren't strong enough to break through the barriers.
The smoke was strong enough so that he could start looking around. Peter tried to remember which one that Sabine was flung into so he could save her. But all of the portals look too similar. There was no real difference to find the difference between them all. He was going to have to try and look through them one by one.
Peter then leaped his way into another one of the portals, wondering if this was the right one. When the light enveloped him, Peter wasn't sure where he was. There were a bunch of shield generators around and when he looked ahead, he was shocked to see his mechanical spider legs were driven through the heart of the hooded figure from earlier. His red tattooed face and double-bladed lightsaber were clear as day. The man then fell off of Peter's legs, sending him falling down a pit that went who knows where.
"Peter." The man who wielded the green lightsaber said as he had a wound in his hip. "You killed a Sith Lord."
Peter was shocked to see what happened and looked down at the pit in shock. There was no sign of Sabine. This was the wrong one.
Running in the direction that he came from, Peter learned how to exit and enter these portals more easily. He leaped from the portal and saw the Conqueror was looking away from where he was. Seems he was still searching for Peter. Running around the area, he leaped through another one of the portals and wondered where he was about to be sent to next.
"All occupants, take cover! Knowhere is… ALIVE!"
Peter saw that he was in the decaying hull of a massive Celestial, strange, luminescent tendrils surged forth, twisting and writhing like mechanical serpents. They ensnared not only Peter but also the Pykes, Hondo, and his raucous pirate crew, pulling them into a chaotic swirl of energy and confusion. He looked around and noticed that Kate Bishop was there, as well as Captain Rex, and what looked to be a Jedi and Mandalorian he'd never met before. And a dog wearing a space suit.
Weird galaxy.
Something broke Peter out of it as he fell and hit what felt like sand instead of steel. He groaned when he heard gears turning, causing him to jump to his feet as he looked around. He turned and saw there was a giant doorway. He recognized this place. This was Jabba's temple.
"Help me!" Someone said, getting Peter to look and see a green Twi'lek in what looked to be slave attire considering how she was dressed and the collar and chain locked on her neck. "Please!"
The Rancor came out of the doorway and roared, causing Peter to flinch, remembering the last time he was forced to fight this creature. Back during the Hulk confrontation, who was the only one capable of killing it. Now he was forced into the same predicament.
"Alright, come on!" Peter ran and leaped into the air to strike at the creature with a roar. "Let's go!"
That was when Peter was flung from that reality and ended up punching a Clone Trooper. He saw they were aiming their blasters at him, getting him to turn and see he was on a planet that looked like it was full of plants almost like he was on Pandora from Avatar. Then he turned and saw there was a Jedi fending herself against the Clone Troopers. Seems he intervened either at the worst or best time. The Jedi was a blue Twi'lek. He was starting to see a bit of a pattern among the realms.
Peter leaped into action as he quickly shot two webs to latch and fling the Clones to help save the Jedi. He tackled another one when a giant tank turned and aimed at them. The blue Twi'lek rushed to the left so Peter rushed to the right. He leaped into the air shot a web to swing around and kicked in the window to the tank, attacking the clone inside. The Twi'lek made it to the roof where she quickly cut the tank and stopped the tank from firing.
"Thank you, Peter," She said in relief. Seems the two of them have a history, which makes sense considering Peter saw how he was in the body of an older version of himself. "We have to figure out what is going on. And why our Clones would have turned on us..."
Gwen was still fighting her way through the entire group as she ran up the temple while being chased by Mysterio. Running to the top of the temple, she quickly shot a web to spin around and swing to take down Mysterio. But when they hit, Mysterio turned into smoke, revealing to be another one of his illusions.
"Come on, Beck!" Gwen cried in anger. "Stop hiding amongst your illusions! Or are you too scared to fight me!?"
Then a black hole opened up underneath Gwen, causing her to flinch as she leaped upward to dodge the portal. Then another opened up above her, and Gwen ended up falling through that one. Gwen hit the ground with a thud as she groaned. Climbing back up, she crawled around only for Rhino to come and grab her. She was then lifted into the air and quickly used her bio-electricity on him. She zapped Rhino, causing him to moan as he released her, allowing Gwen to use him to leap off of and get free.
Electro then came flying over, the mechanical robot sending a blot of electricity at Gwen. Gwen was prepared to feel the pain of the droid, but to her shock, the droid didn't actually harm her. The energy it shot off actually began to infuse with her, causing Gwen to chuckle.
"That's new," Gwen comments, sending her own blast of electricity at the droid, sending it toppling over. "Anyone-"
Before she could ask, a shockwave sent her flying across the open area, causing her to try and regain her footing. She quickly got back up unharmed and Shocker and Serena Patel were still up and ready to fight.
Gwen wasn't done yet as she charged at the two of them while they in turn charged at her. She wasn't going to stop until her friends were safe.
And they just kept getting weirder.
Every galaxy that Peter was continuously traveling to got weirder and weirder as things went on. He found himself what he had to guess was the hull of the Death Star. He was making his way through the station wearing Stormtrooper armor. He approached a cell and pushed a button that revealed to be holding Princess Leia.
"Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?" Leia asked.
No sign of Sabine. Wrong one.
Going to another one, Peter found himself at what looks like the set of Goonies in a cave. He saw a group of kids and an older man as well as some beaten-down-looking droid. The man walked around the piles of treasure and was revealed to be carrying a golden lightsaber hilt.
"You really thought that you were going to get these kids home?" He asked Peter. "You?"
"Okay, really?" Peter asked with a scoff. "We're pulling at Goonies now?"
"What's a Goonie?" The kid with curly hair asked.
"Shut up, Wim," The girl said, giving him a smack.
"Get him, Peter!" The blue Heffalump-looking one cheered.
Peter sighed as he crawled up and activated his mechanical limbs, only to see two of them were missing, and one was cut in half. "I hate these worlds."
Peter then charged at the man wielding the lightsaber, going in to strike.
That was when Peter was transported out and into another portal, finding himself on Coruscant. But his mechanical arms were replaced by tendrils that wrapped around the Emperor himself. Peter gasped as he dropped the Emperor and backed off in shock. The Emperor was dead?
"You did it," Someone said, causing Peter to turn and see Mara Jade approaching, dawning what looked to be a Symbiote costume. She approached Peter and smiled. "And now all of this... is yours."
Peter looked outside and was shocked to see the forms of some of his friends surrounded by Symbiotes. They were wearing Symbiotes as was the entire planet. Peter was not fully aware of the fact that they were Symbiotes or how it was possible, but he was terrified at the idea that his friends would be consumed and turned into these creatures.
Gwen used two webs to latch herself to some nearby rocks that came in handy when Shocker sent a shockwave at her. When she got over the shockwave, she used the force to slingshot herself back at them. Serena sent one of her mechanical limbs at her, but Gwen quickly leaped over them, using her momentum to leap further and then tackle Serena to the ground.
"You could have been such an ally to the Empire," Serena sighed in anger.
"Sorry, I don't kneel to the Emperor," Gwen proclaimed, charging a blast of Bio-electricity.
But one of the other mechanical arms grabbed Gwen by the leg, dragging her off Serena and getting her a chance to get back up. Gwen quickly leaped and dodged another swing of the mechanical arms, doing a quick charge of ber bio-electricity to shut it down.
"That's one!" Gwen cried, leaping into the air to then dodge another swing of her arms. She then charged up another blast, grabbed the claw end of the machine, and fried its circuits. "That's two!"
Then her senses went off, but they went off too late as Mysterio came back, shooting beams that caused Gwen to leap out of the way. But as she was dodging that one, one of the last mechanical arms reached out and grabbed her, wrapping her around it. Gwen tried to free herself, but that was when she was smashed into the ground, causing her to groan.
"That's one," Shocker mocked as he approached her.
Gwen tried to get back up, but Shocker hit her with a shockwave that knocked her down. Then the black hole opened up again as Spot came through with the Inquisitors and Mara Jade.
Peter was currently fighting a man who had metal covering his entire jaw as if it were his jaw as well as a large black cape as well as two markings on his bald head. Peter was wearing an Advanced Suit's design is based on athletic wear and compression clothing. The most prominent aspect of the suit that distinguishes it from other Spider-Man suits is the white spider symbol.
The suit has a dark-red-and-blue color scheme, and features large white spider emblems on the chest and back instead of the smaller, traditional designs. These spiders have much longer legs, and the one on the chest ends at the thin blue piping of the suit. The shoes have also been modernized, now featuring a sneaker-style design instead of knee-high boots.
He shot out bio-electricity that he turned into a blade of bio-electricity. His red blade cut through the air as he attempted to strike him down.
"I am empowered by, not only by captured Jedi you see before you, but the Star Forge itself. You cannot win. You may have formidable strength but you're still as weak as any Jedi." Malek told Peter.
Peter swung his bio-electricity blade and struck Malek's blade, pushing against him. "We'll just have to see about that! I am pretty stubborn!"
"You've made that painfully clear but today will be different. My victory is only a matter of time." Malek scoffed as he shot lightning out of his free hand.
Peter leaped to dodge his attack, shooting a web to swing across the bridge and to the higher platform. Malek leaped over and raised his blade, making the same distance Peter made. Peter raised his blade and caught Malek's before it could strike him down.
"You know this sorta reminds me of the first time we ever fought 2 years ago on Hoth." Peter mocked. "Where you stabbed me and I blew off your jaw!"
That seemed to irritate Malek when he heard him say that. "This time our battle won't end in a draw or retreat. No one will interfere. Not Bastilla. Not the republic. Not Revan. No one!"
"Sorry, but I'm not planning on losing." Peter proclaimed, pushing Malek off and raising his blade to block another strike. "Bastilla would kinda kill me if I didn't come back to her... especially after I just saved her." Peter joked while not only fighting for his life but also the galaxy itself.
That was when Peter was taken over by his universal counterpart. He flinched and grunted, trying to figure out what just happened and where he was which caused him to lose focus. That was something Malek noticed and he used the Force, sending Peter flying and slamming him into the wall.
"Ow!" Peter exclaimed in pain. "Where the hell did I land in now?" Then he was released from the wall, only to be slammed into the ground of the bridge of the Star Forge.
"I tire of this game!" Malek said as he charged Peter.
"Okay, wrong world..." Peter groaned.
That was when he made his way back to the World Between Worlds, leaving the correct Peter to continue the fight. He shook off whatever happened and leaped into the fight, leaping into the air forming his blade again, and charging back into the fight.
Peter groaned as he crawled his way out of that portal. He groaned and tried to get up when suddenly he was kicked in the back, getting him to look up and see that the Conqueror was there. The Conqueror stood over Peter as he finally found him, kicking Peter again, and sending him flying.
"My powers are limited here. Seems time and space are not exactly eseental here. But I can still stop you," The Conqueror promised, approaching Peter.
Peter groaned as he got back up, trying to morph the Symbiote, but these realities began to take a lot out of him. "Come on, you're going to bore me to death here, pal. Get it over with."
"As you wish," The Conqueror stated.
The Conqueror then marched over, and grabbed Peter, sending him flying. The Conqueror marched his way over and prepared to continue the fight when two blasts flew out of one of the portals, sending The Conqueror flying. His armor saved him, but he was still sent flying. Peter looked in surprise as Sabine came leaping out of the portal and returned safely.
"Sabine!" Peter was happy to see her.
"Come on, I have a feeling he isn't going to stay down!" Sabine said, gesturing to their portal.
"Run!" Peter cried, the two of them running forward towards the portal to get home.
The Conqueror groaned as he struggled back to his feet, his armor battered and scorched, yet he still harbored the determination to stop them. With a fierce intensity, he aimed his gauntlets, unleashing an earth-shattering roar that echoed across the horizon, sending forth two brilliant beams of energy that tore through the air, aimed directly at his foes. Peter and Sabine caught sight of the lethal arcs of light just in time, their hearts racing with panic.
"We've got to hurry!" Sabine shouted, her voice laced with urgency, her wide eyes reflecting the danger they faced.
"Like I'm not trying!" Peter retorted, adrenaline surging through him. "Just a little further!"
With their resolve strong, the duo sprinted towards the shimmering portal of webbing, a tangled mass that flickered with a kaleidoscope of colors, and they leaped into it, clutching desperately to the hope that it would transport them home.
"NO!" The Conqueror bellowed in rage, his frustration boiling over like a tempest.
As a furious cry of anger erupted from deep within him, he unleashed a shockwave of energy from his suit that rippled outward, the force of it momentarily calming the storm within him. He surveyed the myriad of portals that surrounded him, each one a potential path to disaster. Although he understood he could not change their course, he realized with a grim determination that he could indeed manipulate what came next.
"Well... this is a place as any to begin my conquest. We will meet again, Peter Parker... only a matter of time."
The chaos they returned to was quite the surprise as when they showed up, Kanan had returned, Ahsoka was still meditating, and Ezra came out of somewhere as they saw the entire temple was shaking.
"Guys, you are not going to believe who I-" Ezra was saying when the temple shook.
"Tell us later!" Kanan said.
"Yeah, let's run!" Peter cried, all of them rushing to find the exit.
The Inquisitors entered with Mara Jade as they drew their blades.
"The secrets of this temple will be ours," the Seventh Sister promised.
But as they made their way inward, they stopped to see a figure in the distance. It drew a yellow blade revealing to be the Grand Inquisitor wearing Jedi Temple Guard attire.
"The Grand Inquisitor?" Mara Jade asked in shock.
Several more Temple Guards came out and marched, activating their sabers. They closed in, circling the entire group as they closed in.
"Up ahead, a way out!" Kanan cried.
But when they got outside, they were met with chaos as they saw dozens of troops already there. Gwen was captured, and there was too much for them to fight through.\
"Gwen!" Peter cried, seeing she was captured.
"We've gotta go!" Kanan cried, drawing their sabers to block the attacks. "We'll have to rescue her later!"
"We'll be back..." Peter promised as he rushed to the Phantom.
They took off in the ship and flew away as fast as they could. Peter was angry at himself. Because of his fight back in that World Between Worlds, he was too weak to even consider fighting the Empire and now Gwen was captured.
"Hey, we will get her back," Sabine promised him.
"Yeah," Peter sighed as he sat down. "I know... I just... I'm mad at myself for not being strong enough today."
"We will save her," Ahsoka promised. "Once we find where they are taking her. But... did you find what you were looking for?"
"I think so," Peter nodded. "I think the connection between Mara Jade and I has been severed."
"That's some good news," Kanan said in relief. "So we can work out a plan without her finding out."
Peter nodded and looked at Sabine. "So, what happened to you?"
"What?" Sabine seemed lost for a second. "What do you mean?"
"Where did you end up?" Peter asks. "I saw some trippy things in those portals."
"Oh," Sabine seemed to blush. "Nowhere worth talking about."
Peter seemed to accept that as he shrugged and laid back and sighed.
"I saw Master Yoda." Ezra finally said.
"Saw him?" Ahsoka was surprised to hear that.
"What did he say" Kanan asks.
"He said to bring Luke and Kenobi to Malachor," Ezra said. "Who's Malachor?"
"Malachor isn't a person." Ahsoka recognized it. "It's a place."
Sabine felt a surge of brilliance wash over her as she drifted in a haze, memories of the Conqueror's portal fading into the background. As the dazzling light subsided, she squinted her eyes against the dim surroundings, her heart racing with uncertainty. Where was she?
"Hey," a familiar voice pierced through her confusion. She turned to find Peter, his armor gleaming under the cavernous glow. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm... fine?" Sabine replied hesitantly, glancing down at her own armor, which had transformed dramatically. Intricate designs now adorned the once-familiar metal, sparking her curiosity even more. She surveyed her surroundings, and it suddenly clicked—she was in the fabled mines of Mandalore, a place she recognized from the ancient records she once scoured.
Ahead of her, a figure approached the shimmering pools of water, carrying something that made Sabine's heart skip—a helmet. The young woman appeared to be the youngest among the group of adults gathered there. Her eyes were bright with determination, contrasting sharply with the somber ambiance of the mines. Beside her stood a golden-armored Mandalorian, radiating authority and strength. The Armorer.
"You may begin," the Armorer commanded, her voice echoing softly within the cavern.
In a moment imbued with reverence, the young one stepped forward, her hands delicately cradling the helmet. "This armor shall become a part of me," she declared, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. She cast her gaze down toward her own armor before lifting her helmet to the assembled Mandalorians, eyes sparkling with resolve. "This armor shall help me evolve into who I was destined to be."
With a radiant smile, she glanced toward Peter and Sabine, her excitement palpable. "My journey begins here, but I will honor the paths forged by those who came before me." Turning back to the Armorer, her voice now a powerful anthem, she placed her helmet on her head and continued, "I shall walk the path while charting my own course through the galaxy. I shall leave my mark upon the stars. I will not falter, and I will not tire; I shall be the spark that ignites the fire. Like my ancestors before me."
"This is the way," the Armorer intoned, her words resonating with ancient wisdom.
"This is the way," echoed a chorus of Mandalorians, their voices rising in a powerful affirmation, filling the mines with a sense of unity and purpose.
Sabine finally seemed to put together what was going on. She landed in a possible future. That means that the young girl was... looking over to Peter, she noticed a few small alterations to his armor, including what looked like the fact it was made from Beskar. And there was something else. It looked like a... lightsaber hilt?
After a tense silence, the imposing figure of Darth Vader strode into the ancient temple, his black cape billowing behind him like a storm cloud. As he descended into the depths of the sacred site, the atmosphere grew thick with anticipation among the Inquisitors gathered there. Mara Jade, recovering from her skirmish with the spectral remnants of the past, straightened up, her eyes narrowing in focus.
"My master will be most pleased with this discovery," he intoned, his voice a menacing echo in the vast chamber.
"Lord Vader," Fifth Brother bowed slightly, his eyes betraying a mix of respect and trepidation. "The Jedi are growing in their power."
"It will be their undoing," Darth Vader promised, his obsidian helmet reflecting the dim light, casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone walls.
At that moment, an unexpected figure strode confidently into view—Wanda Maximoff. Her presence was electric, and as she stepped forward, the air crackled with an otherworldly energy. She raised her hand, and a surge of her Chaos Magic unfurled like tendrils of lightning, reaching out and cracking the foundations of the old temple. Confusion spread among the gathered figures as they watched the stone begin to splinter under her command.
Suddenly, the fissures in the rock began to glow with an intense blue light, illuminating the chamber in a surreal hue. From the fractures, something began to emerge—a stone, shimmering with untold power. With a deft movement, Wanda seized it, dragging it toward her with an undeniable force.
"I sensed its power..." she declared, her voice laced with awe as she held up the glowing Infinity Stone, the light reflecting off her determined gaze. "Hidden by the Jedi… in their own sanctuary."
One down. Five to go.
Ahsoka sat cross-legged on the floor of her dimly lit room, the gentle hum of the Force wrapping around her like a soft blanket. Her mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, tangled in a painful truth she could no longer ignore. Anakin—a name that once filled her with warmth and camaraderie—was now forever linked to the dark figure of Darth Vader, the lord of the Sith. Each recollection felt like a shard of glass, cutting deep as she grappled with the weight of this revelation.
The door creaked open, breaking her reverie, and Bucky entered. His presence brought a slight warmth to the cool air, and he settled down across from her with a cautious expression. "You okay?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice. "You guys didn't talk much about what happened back there."
Ahsoka raised her brow, disbelief washing over her. "They haven't?" she questioned, a hint of desperation creeping into her tone.
Bucky sighed, the lines of worry etching deeper into his face. "Well, you haven't," he clarified. "The kid's been growing worried about that girl."
Ahsoka let out a soft chuckle, the sound tinged with bittersweet nostalgia. "Masters and Apprentices have... special relationships," she mused, her eyes glazing over with memories. "They always seem to worry about one another no matter what they've been through. You should have seen me and my master back in the day."
"From what I've heard, he was a good man," Bucky replied his words a salve for her aching heart.
"He was..." Ahsoka's voice trailed off, her thoughts drifting to the man who had been her guiding star, now lost to darkness.
"You okay?" Bucky asked again, his voice a gentle anchor in her sea of emotions.
"Just thinking about things... friends and enemies," Ahsoka sighed deeply, the weight of her thoughts palpable. "And what happens when friends cross that line."
"Yeah, been there," Bucky admitted, his expression one of understanding, shaded with his own scars from the past.
"You have?" Ahsoka's eyes searched his, seeking a connection in their shared pain.
"I was the friend who became the enemy," Bucky explained, the shadows of his history flickering across his features. "I thought I told you."
"Your mind was manipulated," Ahsoka reassured him, recollections surfacing. "It's not quite the same as what I am grappling with."
"What are you thinking of?" Bucky inquired, genuinely curious.
Ahsoka's gaze turned distant, memories flooding her mind. "Back in the Clone Wars, my best friend betrayed the Jedi because she lost faith in what they stood for," she revealed, her voice heavy with regret. "Last I heard, she had succumbed to the Dark Side."
Bucky nodded, the gravity of her words settling over him. "Back in the war, we had to deal with the betrayals of soldiers ourselves. They all had reasons. But... when you fight alongside someone, you think you know them."
"And then, when they reveal their true nature, you're left to wonder if the version of them you cherished was ever real, or just another false side of them," Ahsoka reflected, a shiver running down her spine.
"I like to think that some people show their true face," Bucky said, a hint of hope in his voice, "but they often prioritize their duty first."
"And when your friend becomes your enemy, what do you do then?" Ahsoka pondered aloud, a frown creasing her brow.
Bucky chuckled softly, a shadow of humor dancing in his eyes. "Well, when I became the enemy, my best friend refused to fight me and let me knock him upside the head until I remembered who I was."
Ahsoka laughed lightly at his comment, the tension easing slightly. "I don't think that's going to work in this case," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes.
"You'd be surprised," Bucky shrugged, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Some people just need a reminder of who they were to spark change."
"Did that work for you?" Ahsoka inquired, intrigue piquing her curiosity.
"Well, that, and a few months in a Wakandan Bacta tank to erase the HYDRA protocols in my mind," Bucky admitted with a nonchalant shrug.
"I'll take that into consideration," Ahsoka replied, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Bucky. I think I really needed to hear that."
"Don't mention it," he said, rising to his feet, and preparing to leave her secluded space. As he reached for the door, he turned back, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh, and don't tell Sam we had a moment alone. The guy seems to be obsessing over us now."
Ahsoka laughed, the sound filling the room like sunlight. She stood up, closing the distance between them. "You're saying you're not obsessed with me?" she teased, her tone flirty and playful.
Bucky hesitated, caught off guard by her boldness. "I feel if I answer that, I'll walk into a trap," he replied, a smile playing on his lips.
"And what if not answering is the real trap?" Ahsoka countered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You didn't seem to have any problem back on Tatooine."
"That was..." Bucky started, struggling for a good retort as her gaze held him captive. "I knew this was a trap," he finally conceded, unable to mask the laughter bubbling in his chest as he walked off.
"Hey, Bucky?" Ahsoka's voice broke through the stillness, pulling him from the shadows of his own thoughts. Her gaze, bright and unwavering, found him as she spoke. "You know you don't have to keep shackling yourself to the past, right? You can keep striving to make amends for everything you've done."
Bucky's expression remained steely, burdened by an unseen weight. "I feel like I do," he replied, his voice heavy with a mix of regret and determination.
Ahsoka shifted her stance, crossing her arms over her chest. A small sigh escaped her lips, a sound laced with empathy. "Well, one of these days, you'll have to find a way to forgive yourself," she said, her tone firm yet gentle.
"Not likely," Bucky muttered, his eyes cast downward, avoiding the spark of hope in her words.
Ahsoka let a moment of silence linger between them, allowing her resolve to shine through as she met his gaze again. "Just know this," she continued, her voice steady and sincere, "I don't hold you responsible for the actions of your past. The true blame lies with those who manipulated you. And when you find it within yourself to forgive, I'll be right here, ready to listen."
Bucky was left grappling with the weight of her words; they echoed in his mind, intertwining with the memory of their kiss on Tatooine—a fleeting but poignant moment amidst the turmoil of their lives. Conflicted feelings bubbled up within him, and he struggled to process this unexpected bond. Ahsoka represented something rare and revitalizing for him. She saw not the Winter Soldier cloaked in darkness, but rather James Buchanan Barnes, a soldier yearning to reclaim his purpose and do good in a galaxy searching for hope.
(A/N) For those who don't recall, Ahsoka gave Barnes a kiss on the cheek during the Christmas special/Chapter 19.