Forgre

Chapter 21:

– Silas –

I pulled off my Nightingale armor, placing it back into my inventory so its enchantments could do their thing and repair it, though honestly, I still hadn't bothered to figure out exactly how those enchantments worked. Now dressed simply in a plain t-shirt and blue jeans, I settled into my seat on the spaceship as we blasted once again into hyperspace. 

My system screen popped up directly in front of me, glowing softly.

[Congratulations on completing the side quest path of the liberator! The slaves of Tatooine are free, and most are escaping the planet before the Hutts return in force!]

I read the message quietly and nodded. It wasn't much, but it was all I could offer them right now. I'd given those slaves scattered across Tatooine a real shot at freedom. They would have to take advantage of it themselves, though. I knew a lot would probably die trying to escape, but many others would surely make it off-world safely. I wished I could've done more.

Especially considering how fucked they'd be if the Hutts rolled back in with their massive warships, bombarding the planet from orbit.

Unfortunately, we could only tackle one planet at a time, and right now Naboo needed our full attention. As a hero, that irritated me, but we all had limits.

Suddenly, another blue screen appeared right in front of me, brighter and more prominent this time.

[Congratulations! For successfully completing the mission and slaying Darth Maul, you, Silas Thorn, and your partner Vista will be given appropriate rewards! The young hero Vista has been granted her own special lightsaber! One that she can call to her side at any time, it will never break, and she cannot burn or cut herself with it!]

Missy was gonna lose her freaking mind…

[Silas Thorn has been granted the ability: Wound in the Force. Force powers, Master Abilities, and Thinker abilities will now flow around you, unable to touch you unless you allow them to!]

My eyes widened in shock. Holy shit! That was insanely OP, especially in this universe! A grin spread across my face. Good luck to any Sith asshole trying to fuck with me now! I laughed, excitement bubbling through me. This was a total game-changer.

Barely a second later, I heard a loud squeal of delight coming from Missy's room. She burst out into the main area of the ship, her mask off, her blonde hair bouncing around her face as she excitedly waved a lightsaber—thankfully switched off.

Although I knew that wouldn't be for long. Any kid with a lightsaber will immediately start playing with it. That was just a natural law.

"Oh my gosh, Silas! This lightsaber just popped up in front of me on my bed! It's so freaking cool, and I am totally keeping it!" She flicked it on, the blade humming to life with a vibrant green glow. "Look! It's green!" she cheered, waving it around enthusiastically, her blue eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

I cringed slightly as she swung it dangerously close to the ship's walls and floor. "Whoa, Missy, careful!" I cautioned her quickly. "You're gonna accidentally space us if you're not careful!"

Missy immediately blushed, switching off the lightsaber hastily. "My bad," she murmured sheepishly, though she continued bouncing with barely contained excitement.

A second later, the sound of urgent footsteps echoed through our section of the ship. Obi-Wan Kenobi rushed into the room, his brow furrowed deeply in concern. "I felt a disturbance in the Force," he announced, eyes scanning the room with cautious intensity.

His gaze fell on Missy, who was holding her new green lightsaber, still grinning broadly. Obi-Wan frowned, crossing his arms as he tried to maintain an air of mature authority. "Where exactly did you get that, young lady?"

Missy and I exchanged mischievous glances, a silent understanding passing between us before she straightened her posture confidently.

"THE FORCE GAVE IT TO ME!" she declared proudly. "You know, for helping all those people on Tatooine!"

Obi-Wan sputtered, clearly flustered, and ran a hand through his hair as he struggled to find his words. "That's not—no, the Force doesn't work like that! Why does all this weird stuff keeping happening around you both!?"

I snorted loudly, leaning back casually in my seat and raising an eyebrow at him. "If it doesn't work like that, then how exactly did she end up with a lightsaber? Where else would she have gotten it from?" I teased.

"I—I don't know!" Obi-Wan admitted, looking utterly defeated. His eyes flickered to me briefly, then quickly returned with a sudden intensity, narrowing suspiciously. "Wait a minute," he muttered slowly, stepping closer as he scrutinized me carefully. His eyes widened in shock, a mix of confusion and concern crossing his face. "I can't sense you anymore! Something is very wrong here!"

Missy glanced at me curiously, tilting her head slightly. "I can sense him just fine," she stated plainly, shrugging lightly.

"That's because I'm letting you," I informed her with a casual wink. Turning back to Obi-Wan, I feigned innocence and shrugged nonchalantly. "I didn't do anything special. The Force itself made it so people can't use Force abilities on me."

Obi-Wan's face flushed slightly as he sputtered again, shaking his head vigorously. "No, no way! The Force would never willingly create someone who is essentially a wound in itself! That doesn't make any bloody sense!"

"Well, it seems like it just did," I replied smoothly, offering him a teasing smile.

Frustration radiating off him in waves, Obi-Wan finally threw his hands up and stomped toward the exit of the hold. Neither Missy nor I offered any explanations he wanted, and he muttered irritably as he left, "I'm going to go inform Master Qui-Gon about all this madness!"

As soon as he disappeared from sight, Missy and I burst into quiet laughter, shaking our heads. 

Qui-Gon came in a bit later to give Missy and me some kind of stern lecture. He was going on about not abusing our "unique relationship with the Force" or whatever he thought the source of our powers was. He also added something about not giving his young padawan a stroke, clearly referencing Obi-Wan's earlier freakout.

"Seriously, you two," Qui-Gon said, his voice patient but firm, "you need to be responsible with these strange abilities of yours. They aren't toys."

He even tried to take away Missy's new lightsaber to make his point, but the second he grabbed it, it vanished instantly from his grasp and popped right back into Missy's hands. 

Her eyes lit up with pure delight. "See? I told you, Qui-Gon!" Missy cheered, practically bouncing with excitement. "The Force gave it to me, so it's mine!"

Just like my ghost bike, she could summon the lightsaber wherever and whenever she wanted, a fact that clearly thrilled her. Without another word, she dashed out of the room to go show off her awesome lightsaber to Anakin and his mom. 

With everyone occupied, I was left to chill by myself for the next few hours as we approached Coruscant. I sat quietly, watching the stars pass us by at lightspeed—always a mesmerizing sight.

That's when Padmé and her body double Sabé walked in. Except this time, Sabé wasn't wearing her queenly makeup anymore, and they both wore casual space clothes.

Padmé looked especially nervous as she approached. "Silas," Padmé began hesitantly, wringing her hands, "there's something I really need to tell you. I've been lying to you and everyone else onboard this whole time—"

I smirked and cut off the fourteen-year-old queen before she could finish. "If you're about to tell me that you're actually the real Queen of Naboo and the girl next to you is your body double, don't worry—we already know. Literally, everyone on this ship knows. Except maybe Anakin and his mom, since they've been holed up in the engine room. Anakin's a good kid, making sure our new hyperdrive doesn't explode and kill us all. You know, since we did get it from Watto's junk shop, after all..." I rambled a bit with a shrug.

Both Padmé and Sabé sputtered at me in shock, their faces turning various shades of red.

"Everyone knows…?" Padmé mumbled to herself in disbelief. She let out a silent scream, covering her face with her hands in complete embarrassment.

Sabé sighed, offering a reassuring pat on her friend's shoulder. "Clearly, we need to work on our disguises," she said dryly.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Honestly, it wouldn't matter much anyway. Just assume everyone on Coruscant who isn't a Jedi is going to try to kill you or screw you over at the first opportunity. No disguise is gonna fix that." I finished with a small laugh.

Of course I would do my very best to keep them safe though. Especially since this wasn't canon and any parts of it had been throughout fucked at this point with my intervention...

Padmé lifted her head, pouting adorably. "Well, now I'm even more worried!"

—

Finally, we reached Coruscant. Thanks to our Jedi clearance, we didn't have to wait in endless holding patterns. Considering Coruscant was literally the busiest place in the galaxy, that would've sucked ass.

Don't get me wrong—this sleek Nubian starship was pretty awesome. But cramming over a dozen people into a ship designed for maybe half that number was starting to wear thin, especially since there was only one bathroom onboard, and it wasn't exactly a five-star experience.

Star Wars bathrooms didn't use water...

Yeah... It was better not to think about it. Sonic showers weren't all they were hyped up to be either. 

The moment the ship touched down softly onto the Jedi landing pad, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Missy stood next to me, still decked out in her green superhero costume. Unfortunately, she didn't have any spare clothes with her. My inventory was full of spare outfits, sure, but nothing even close to her tiny size. Honestly, I didn't have the heart to tell Missy she was starting to stink a little. Knowing her, she'd probably die of embarrassment on the spot.

"Hey, once we get inside, maybe we can snag you some fresh clothes," I suggested casually, nudging her gently with my elbow. "You've been kicking a lot of ass, you know. New clothes might be good."

Missy gave me a suspicious look, narrowing her bright blue eyes. "Are you trying to say I smell?" she asked accusingly. 

I forgot for a second she was so smart! 

I quickly raised my hands defensively and lied. "No way! Just thought you might like something more comfortable, that's all."

She stared for another moment before shrugging with a small sigh. "Yeah, that sounds good. This costume's cool, but not exactly made for lounging around."

The sleek ship ramp lowered smoothly, and we followed behind Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Padmé. The Naboo guards and Padmé's other handmaidens stayed aboard for now, keeping to themselves on the increasingly stuffy ship.

As we descended the ramp, an impressive welcoming committee stood waiting on the landing platform. Yoda was there, looking very curious. Mace Windu stood next to him, his expression stern and unreadable. Several other Jedi masters, whose names I never bothered to memorize, stood quietly behind them.

Look, I liked Star Wars as much as the next guy in my previous life, but memorizing every Jedi's name? No thanks. I only ever bothered learning the names of characters—like certain sexy Togruta from numerous rule 34 forums, for instance.

Shaak Ti stood off to the side, and my gaze immediately drifted her way. Her striking red skin was exotic as hell, and the way those tight Jedi robes hugged her curves made it impossible not to stare. 

Damn, alien women in star wars had some nice curves.

Shaak Ti must've sensed my attention, because she glanced over at me, raising an eyebrow with obvious amusement. I quickly flashed her my best charming grin, hoping to smooth over getting caught blatantly checking her out. She just rolled her eyes at me, shaking her head slightly, a faint smirk on her lips.

I also felt Missy kick my leg, although it didn't really hurt. 

"Welcome to Coruscant," Mace Windu's deep voice rumbled as he stepped forward, breaking my distraction. "Master Qui-Gon, Padawan Kenobi, it is good to see you both returned safely."

Qui-Gon nodded respectfully. "It's good to be back, Master Windu. We've brought some… unusual guests."

Yoda hobbled forward slightly, his green eyes studying Missy and me carefully. "Unusual indeed, these young ones are. Feel the Force strongly around them, one of them I do. The other, I feel nothing..." he said while staring at me. I allowed him to sense me for a brief moment, and he looked surprised, before nodding at me. "Mistake I made, sense this one fine I do as well," he chuckled when all the other Jedi masters furrowed their brows since they couldn't do the same.

Yoda was honestly the only one I would outright trust here to use force powers on me other than Missy.

Mace Windu's eyes traveled up and down me before lingering on Missy for a long moment. He pursed his lips, clearly skeptical.

"I see our resident Sith decided not to dress the part," he remarked dryly, folding his arms and staring at me.

I snorted at being openly labeled a Sith in front of everyone. "You may refer to me as Darth Awesome if it pleases this Jedi court," I declared sarcastically.

Qui-Gon sighed deeply beside me, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation, while Kenobi snorted softly, muttering something about my behavior being "uncivilized."

Missy shot me a glare and kicked my leg discreetly, signaling me to behave. She then turned her attention back to Windu, speaking earnestly, "Please ignore my partner's terrible sense of humor, Master Windu. We are heroes, honestly! My hero name is Vista, and his is Dragonborn," she explained with sincerity, gesturing towards me.

The red-skinned Togruta Jedi, Shaak Ti, tilted her head curiously, stepping forward slightly. Her voice was smooth and composed. "Why exactly do they call you Dragonborn?"

"I kill dragons and devour their souls to make myself more powerful," I responded with a perfectly straight face, making sure to keep my gaze locked on hers.

There was a collective moment of silence among the Jedi masters as they exchanged skeptical looks. Shaak Ti's eyebrows rose slightly, clearly unconvinced, and she shook her head gently, dismissing my claim. The others followed her lead, except Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, whose eyes widened with sudden realization.

"So that's why you hunted down those Krayt dragons on Tatooine," Qui-Gon murmured softly, his tone contemplative, exchanging a knowing glance with Obi-Wan.

Mace Windu cleared his throat, regaining everyone's attention. "I'm still not convinced you're not a Sith. And superheroes?" he scoffed lightly, skepticism evident in his voice.

"Hey!" Missy pouted indignantly, crossing her arms over her chest in frustration.

Ignoring her, Windu continued seriously, "I believe you should be brought back to the temple for interrogation. We need to know what you know about the Sith, especially since another Sith— the one known as Darth Maul —was killed by you on Tatooine. That's suspicious!"

Missy stepped forward in front of me. "You realize Silas was the one who killed that Sith, right?"

Mace Windu looked unimpressed, rolling his eyes dismissively. "Records show that Sith frequently kill one another. That alone doesn't prove anything about your allegiances."

Missy's mouth opened again, clearly about to argue more heatedly this time, when Yoda's calm voice broke through the tension. "Under arrest, Silas is not. Authority for that, Jedi do not have."

Mace sighed, visibly displeased, but reluctantly nodded. Yoda glanced around the group thoughtfully before adding, "To the temple, we all should go. Avoid eavesdroppers, we must. Besides, speak with young Missy and young Skywalker, I wish to do."

Mace Windu gave one final irritated look before turning away.

I was kinda bummed he didn't like me very much, but I'm sure I'd turn his opinion around soon enough. Especially with what I had planned…

Well— planned —was more of a loose term, but it would all work out.

—

We reached the Jedi Temple a short while later. Anakin was promptly given a room to stay in with his mother, Shmi. For some odd reason, the Jedi wanted to speak privately with Missy and Anakin without me around. Padmé and Sabé were also assigned Jedi guards and their own quarters. Tomorrow, Padmé was scheduled to address the Senate as the Queen of Naboo, planning to plead for assistance.

I internally snorted at that, already knowing exactly how that was going to turn out.

As for me, I was thoroughly enjoying myself, leisurely exploring the Jedi Temple with a beautiful alien right beside me. Her intense eyes kept close tabs on my every move, though she remained outwardly composed and reserved.

Feeling playful, I leaned in slightly, teasing, "Like what you see, Master Jedi? So, was the attraction from earlier mutual, or is this just business for you?"

Shaak Ti snorted softly, giving me a wry look. "Not a chance. You might be handsome for a human male, but I'm a Jedi Master. I would never forsake my vows to the Order simply to indulge in some fleeting fun."

"Darn," I replied, feigning disappointment. "And here I thought losing my V-card to a sexy alien would definitely make for an unforgettable story back home."

She raised an eyebrow at me, clearly amused despite herself. "Your 'V-card'? Honestly, you humans and your peculiar terms."

I shrugged. I don't even know who I'd tell, anyway. Maybe Vicky—she'd probably get a kick out of it. Amy? Definitely not as much... 

Truthfully, I wasn't exactly being serious. I didn't think I would ever be the kind of guy to randomly hook up, especially not with multiple girls clearly interested back home. That time a week ago with Hildra and Panacea didn't count—it was a chance for a threesome! I'd been intensely attracted to both of them too.

...I was still pretty annoyed that my system had interrupted us...

As we continued our stroll through the elegantly lit halls, Shaak Ti frowned, clearly bothered by something. "It's quite frustrating," she admitted after a pause, "not being able to sense your emotions. I'd very much like to know how you're hiding them so effectively."

I smirked playfully, leaning closer again. "Trust me, Master Jedi, you're better off not sensing my emotions right now. They're all quite… horny," I concluded with an exaggerated wink.

She rolled her eyes dramatically, though a faint smirk betrayed her amusement. "Of course, they are," she sighed. Shaak Ti glanced at me sideways and then shook her head lightly, clearly amused. "Perhaps you should find a way to work off some of that... horny energy." Her voice dripped with reluctant distaste at her own choice of words, making me laugh outright.

"Horny energy, huh?" I chuckled, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow at her. "Well, Master Jedi, what exactly did you have in mind?"

"Well, I've never had the opportunity to duel a Sith before."

I groaned, rolling my eyes dramatically as I ran a hand through my messy blonde hair. "Seriously? We're still on this? How many times do I have to tell you—I'm not a Sith."

Shaak Ti leaned closer, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Qui-Gon's reports were quite detailed, you know. They specifically mentioned your fondness for throwing around lightning. That seems rather... Sithy to me."

"Sithy?" I echoed, my voice filled with mock indignation. "Is 'Sithy' even a word now?"

She shrugged gracefully, her slender shoulders moving fluidly beneath the tight robes that hugged her enticing curves. "It might as well be. Or perhaps you're simply too afraid to face a Jedi Master?"

"Afraid?" I scoffed, feigning offense. "I literally took down a Sith assassin just a few hours ago. Fear isn't really my thing."

Of course, it helped that Jedi Force powers couldn't touch me anymore unless I allowed them. Shaak Ti didn't know that yet, and she was about to find out in a pretty amusing way. With a cocky smirk, I gestured towards the hallway. "Lead the way. Let's see if a Jedi Master can keep up with me."

Her eyes sparked with excitement and something else as she led me confidently down the wide cinematic corridors toward the Jedi Temple's training area. 

Our playful challenge quickly caught the attention of passing Jedi Knights, curious Padawans, and even excited younglings who began whispering eagerly among themselves, following us to see the upcoming duel. I imagined they didn't get a lot of entertainment around here.

"Looks like we have an audience," I observed dryly, glancing over my shoulder at the small crowd forming behind us.

Shaak Ti merely smiled serenely. "Good. Then they'll get to see how a Jedi Master handles someone as overconfident as you."

"Overconfident? Ouch," I mocked, clutching dramatically at my chest. "Right in the ego."

"We'll see how cocky you feel after the duel, Dragonborn."

Chapter 22:

– Silas –

Shaak Ti stood across from me in the Jedi training room, her red skin practically glowing under the bright lights. Her toned alien body flexed as she stretched, and the thin, dark fabric of her Jedi robes clung to her like it was struggling to contain her. Every movement she made pulled the cloth tighter across her chest and hips. When she bent forward, deliberately slow, the robe hiked up just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the taut curve of her upper thighs, her muscles shifting under smooth crimson skin.

She wasn't doing it by accident, either. I think…

And judging by the way she smirked as she turned her head to catch me staring she clearly didn't mind the attention. 

If anything, she seemed amused by it. Besides, I had enough self control to stop myself from popping a boner.

The rest of the room was packed wall-to-wall with Jedi of every rank—Initiates, Padawans, Knights—most of them standing with arms crossed, whispering among themselves, throwing quick glances my way like I didn't belong. Their voices blended together in a low buzz of dismissive bullshit.

"Who is that guy?"

"Master Ti's gonna destroy him."

"He doesn't even have a lightsaber."

They had no idea who I was, and I didn't care. I caught the eye of a cluster of kids standing near the edge of the mat. I grinned, let a cocky smirk spread across my face, and gave them a lazy little wave. "You guys better root for the new guy," I said loud enough for a few nearby Jedi to hear.

The kids laughed. One of them pumped his fist in the air. "You got this!" he shouted.

Shaak Ti stepped forward then, her expression a mix of challenge and something just slightly playful. She ignited her lightsaber with a sharp snap-hiss, the blue blade flaring to life in her hand. 

"Relax," she said, glancing at the younger audience. "I've set it to training mode. It won't cut through you." Her eyes slid back to me. "Although... if you're dumb enough to hold still, it'll still burn." She tilted her head slightly and added with a smirk, "But I'll try not to hurt you too badly."

I chuckled, rolled my eyes. "You're definitely gonna regret saying that," I said, voice low and amused. 

She raised a brow at that. "Oh really…?"

Then I lifted my right hand, palm forward, like I was conjuring something from thin air. She eyed me curiously. 

"What are you doing?" she asked, blinking.

"Just a little magic trick," I said casually. "For the kids." I snapped my fingers, and the Nightingale Blade appeared in my hand. 

The room went dead quiet for a second, then exploded in noise.

"What the hell—?"

"He just summoned that!"

"Is that a Sith technique?"

"No... that's not the Force… I didn't sense anything from him!"

Even some of the older Knights stepped forward, their expressions suddenly wary. The kids, though, were eating it up. Clapping, laughing. 

"That was AWESOME!" one of them yelled.

Shaak Ti's smile faded. Her eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her saber. "What kind of Force ability was that ?" she asked sharply.

I spun the Nightingale Blade twice in my hand, slow and deliberate, before pointing the tip at her. "Tell you what," I said. "You beat me, I'll give you the whole explanation…"

She wasn't gonna beat me though.

She didn't reply. Just dropped into a stance. A classic lightsaber form, two-handed grip, feet planted firmly, knees bent, blade angled diagonally in front of her. She looked every bit the battle-hardened warrior. Focused. Controlled. Dangerous.

Me? I just stood there casually. I had no formal sword training—nothing that would impress a Jedi. I didn't need it. I'd been relying on raw speed, brute strength, and a fuckload of instinct. It worked just fine against Maul. I figured it'd hold up against her too.

She exhaled slowly. Then let out a sharp, fierce cry, her voice echoing through the chamber with a surprisingly cute edge to it. Then she charged. Her blue saber was raised high over her head.

Shaak Ti launched herself at me with no hesitation, bringing her lightsaber down in a hard overhead strike. Her blue blade came directly at my head. The intensity in her eyes was unmistakable— she wasn't holding back. I could feel the force of her body as she threw all her weight and power behind the attack.

I reacted quickly. I raised the Nightingale Blade with my right hand, holding it at just the right angle to intercept her lightsaber. The impact sent a shock through my arm, vibrating all the way down to my shoulder. Her strength surprised me. I could see the muscles in her arms tensing beneath her red skin, and I realized she was definitely using the Force to amp herself up. There was no way a woman her size, no matter how athletic, should have been able to match my strength like that, even when I was holding her back with just one hand.

I was pretty sure I could bench press cars at this point. Although I hadn't tested it yet.

Around us, I heard the older Jedi reacting. Some of them gasped. One of the Knights spoke up, his voice carrying across the training room. "He's actually holding her back!"

"How!? She's a Master!"

The younger kids didn't bother hiding their excitement. They broke out into cheers for me, even though most of them still didn't know my name. Their high-pitched voices bounced off the stone walls. 

One of them started chanting, "New guy! New guy!" and others joined in.

I grinned, actually finding it funny. The contrast between the older Jedi's disbelief and the kids' excitement made the whole thing feel even more surreal. 

Shaak Ti's face tightened as she tried to push me back. Her body was close, pressed against the lock of our blades, and I could see the strain in her arms and shoulders. I took a moment to look her up and down. Her chest rose and fell as she breathed harder, her breasts straining against the front of her robe. When she realized she wasn't gaining any ground, her expression changed.

I decided to end the stalemate. I pushed forward with a little more force, using my strength to break the blade lock. I shoved her back, making her stumble. She took several quick steps to regain her balance. Her breasts bounced against her robe as she moved, the fabric straining against her curves. She steadied herself, glaring at me with a new level of caution. She reset her stance, gripping her lightsaber tightly with both hands.

She spoke up, her voice louder than before, so everyone could hear. "How are you this strong? I can't feel the Force around you at all. No presence, no signature. Nothing." She studied me with narrowed eyes. "What are you, exactly?"

I gave her a smirk and lifted the Nightingale Blade to my shoulder. I tapped the flat of the blade against myself, keeping my voice playful. "I'm just built different," I told her, not bothering to elaborate.

Her eyes narrowed further, and she tilted her head just slightly. "Built different?" she repeated slowly. "Why does that sound like it's meant to insult me somehow?"

I grinned wider, enjoying the way she was getting frustrated. "Maybe I am. Or maybe you're just overthinking it." I lowered my sword again, keeping my gaze locked with hers. "Why don't you come find out?"

Shaak Ti tightened her grip on her saber, her expression caught between irritation and curiosity. I could see her working through her options, trying to figure out what my deal was. Her breathing was still a little heavy from the clash, and I watched the way her chest rose and fell with each breath. The fabric of her robe kept shifting and clinging to her body, giving me a clear view of every curve. Her legs were planted wide apart, her stance solid and ready, but I could see the tension in her muscles as she prepared for another attack.

She licked her lips once, then shook her head as if trying to clear it. "Fine. Let's see if you can keep up." Her voice was lower, almost a challenge.

I noticed something strange start to happen around Shaak Ti. The air around her began to shimmer, like heat waves rising off the surface of her skin. But it wasn't heat. It was the Force—building around her body like a growing storm. A faint blue glow started forming over her red skin, concentrating along her arms, her legs, her chest. I could feel the change in the air, like static pressure building up, bending it around her.

I smirked and tightened my grip on the Nightingale Blade.

She was going all in now. No holding back. She was drastically enhancing herself with the Force. The floor beneath her boots cracked slightly, small fractures forming in the tile under the intensity of her power. It was obvious she wasn't going to give me another playful little tap. 

She was done playing—clearly.

But she wasn't the only one who could amplify herself.

I focused inward, feeling that familiar charge beneath my skin. That low hum that always sat there, just under the surface, waiting. Electricity—raw, instinctual, always present—started to snake through my muscles. I could feel every tendon tighten, every joint sync perfectly with the next. My reflexes shot through the roof. My mind lit up, my thoughts speeding up like someone just kicked everything into overdrive. I wasn't just reacting faster—I was processing faster. Like a true esper.

And that's a good thing too, because—

She vanished!

One moment she was standing across from me, the next—gone. A blur of motion cracked through the air, and the entire room gasped in shock. A dozen Jedi voices reacted all at once, confused and amazed. She didn't even leave a visual trail—just the result of her movement! Deep indents across the floor tiles and a whoosh of displaced air. Her body had moved so fast it looked like she had teleported.

But I saw her. My eyes tracked her easily. She was coming in from the right, saber held tightly in both hands, her muscles drawn back and ready to swing hard. I shifted my weight and turned to face her. She was fast—faster than anyone or anything I'd fought before—even Darth Maul when he was fighting for his life.

But I was faster.

She swung her lightsaber at my side, coming in with a full-body motion. I gripped the Nightingale Blade in both hands and swung to meet her directly. The blades collided with a deep, violent crack.

A shockwave blasted outward from the impact point, sending a pulse of energy through the entire training hall. The kids screamed in surprise. The older Jedi took cautious steps back. The sound echoed against the walls like a small explosion.

But she didn't win the strength contest.

Her eyes widened as she realized it too late. Her feet left the ground, the impact launching her backwards. She let out a quick, high-pitched yelp. Not a scream, just a sharp, involuntary sound that came out of her throat the moment she lost control of her momentum.

She backflipped instinctively, using her natural agility to avoid tumbling like a ragdoll. Her chest bounced again as she spun through the air, landing hard on her feet and skidding back almost ten feet across the floor. She didn't stop until the soles of her boots came within inches of the wall. She crouched low, panting, her saber still ignited, the blue light flickering near her face.

She straightened up slowly, eyes still locked on me. "Your physical strength is… extraordinary," she said between breaths.

I grinned at her, casually resting my blade across one shoulder. "Thanks," I said, smirking. "I work out."

Total lie. I'd only worked out once in the last month, and that had been with Sophia. Technically, it was in a gym, but I'd spent more time watching her bend over doing squats than lifting anything myself. Not that it mattered. 

…And damn, I was more pent-up than I wanted to admit. Missy was cool and all, but I should've brought someone older with me. Someone hotter… With curves just like the alien in front of me.

Damn, my instincts had been going haywire since I ate those two dragon souls. 

I realized I'd been standing there, zoning out with a grin on my face like a horny idiot. Shaak Ti tilted her head slightly, watching me with a blank expression that said exactly how unimpressed she was. "I can't sense your emotions through the Force," she said. "But whatever dumb thought you're having right now, that grin is pissing me off. We're supposed to be fighting, not daydreaming."

I chuckled, not even pretending to hide it. "Sorry," I said, lifting one hand slightly. "Got distracted. Not my fault you're the one showing off your assets every time you move."

She narrowed her eyes at me, but her lips twitched slightly. A tiny smile pulled at the edge of her mouth. "Well," she said, taking a slow step forward, "then I guess I should apologize too. Because I'm not going to lose this match in front of half the Jedi Temple!"

She raised her left hand, palm out toward me. There was a deep thrum in the air, a rising pressure like the Force itself was winding up. Then, without warning, she let out a focused breath and blasted a massive wave of Force energy directly at me.

I saw the ripple of air coming before it even hit. It was fast and too wide to dodge without diving out of the ring!

But when it reached me, something strange happened.

It didn't hit me. Well, it did, but not really.

The Force push flowed around me like wind around a pole, wrapping around my body entirely and continuing past me harmlessly. My clothes didn't even shift. My hair didn't move. It was like I wasn't even there, like the Force didn't know how to touch me.

She stared, stunned.

A few of the spectators cried out in confusion, muttering about what they just saw.

"What the hell…?" she whispered. "Why didn't it affect you? That should've thrown you into the wall!"

I shrugged one shoulder casually. "Because I'm a wound in the Force," I said simply.

Her face twisted in disbelief. "That's not something to brag about!" she snapped. "That's dangerous. That's unnatural. That's—"

"Pretty useful, though," I said with a short laugh.

"..."

I heard a lot of sputters from the older spectators. They obviously knew what it meant to be a wound. Completely cut off from the force. Probably horrified the shit out of them…

"...Fuck it, I give up," Shaak Ti said abruptly, throwing both hands up in the air in frustration. She deactivated her lightsaber with a sharp snap-hiss, the glow vanishing instantly, then clipped it back onto her belt with a swift, practiced motion.

The reaction was immediate.

"What? That's it?" one of the kids near the back called out.

"Lame! I wanted to see more fighting!" another shouted, their voice echoing off the walls.

A chorus of groans and disappointed muttering rippled through the younger initiates as the older Padawans started ushering them toward the exit. Most of the kids looked like someone had just canceled a holiday. I couldn't help but smirk as I watched them shuffle out, grumbling about how now they had to go back to meditation drills and homework.

Even in a futuristic space society no kids could escape homework… How sad. 

…Hey? When's the last time I even did my homework on Earth Bet? It's—definitely been a minute on that one. When I get back, I should ask that sexy transfer student Rebecca Brown for her notes. She seemed like the studious type and there was something about her that just naturally drew me in. Like my inner dragon really approved of her or something.

A few of the older spectators stuck around a little longer, lingering near the doorway. One of them called out to me. "Hey! That was really impressive!"

"Nice fight, man!" another added/

I gave them a thumbs-up and a crooked grin. "Thanks. Maybe one day the Force will bless you all to be as awesome as I am!"

"…What? But you're literally a wound. The Force abandoned you…" one of them muttered while looking at me sadly.

The others did as well, clearly thinking I was just putting on a tough front or something. Honestly, the Force was Missy's thing—and being a wound was awesome! For me at least.

Once the room was empty, I turned back toward Shaak Ti. She had her back to me and was fussing with her robes, running her hands along the creases and smoothing out the fabric. Her lekku shifted with each movement, twitching slightly as she adjusted the hem and tightened her belt again. Her robes were clinging a little tighter than before, probably from the rapid movements and sheer Force pressure she'd been throwing around. Her chest rose and fell steadily, her breathing finally returning to normal.

I walked up behind her casually. "So, where to next on the grand tour of the Jedi Temple? You're still my minder, right?"

She let out a long sigh and gave me a side glance. "Yes, unfortunately for me, I'm still assigned to keep an eye on you. Until the rest of the Council finishes whatever deeply important meeting they're holding at the top of the tower."

I rolled my eyes. "Let me guess. They're probably up there trying to convince Missy and Anakin to join the dark side."

Shaak Ti turned her head sharply to look at me. "The dark side? What are you even talking about?"

I smirked. "Too late for that anyway. Missy already loves cookies, so I'm afraid she's already been converted."

Shaak Ti blinked. "Cookies? What do cookies have to do with anything?"

"They're a gateway vice," I said, dead serious. "You start with cookies, and before you know it, you're force-choking people in board meetings and monologuing about galactic domination."

"That is completely absurd," she said, throwing her arms down in exasperation. "The Jedi do not try to corrupt younglings! We believe in peace, discipline, compassion—and following the light at all times."

I raised an eyebrow. "And being celibate. And boring."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "We are not celibate."

I grinned. "You're saying you can have sex?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "The Jedi Order does not forbid physical relationships. That's a common misconception. Jedi are allowed to have sex. With each other, or with whoever they choose."

I wiggled my eyebrows and leaned in a little. "Oh? So you're saying you could—hypothetically—jump my bones right now and not get kicked out of the Order?"

She shot me a flat look, the expression of someone who had very little patience left. "Hypothetically, yes. Realistically, I have much better taste."

"Ouch," I said, laughing. "That one actually hurt a little."

Her lips twitched, but she didn't smile. "Most Jedi choose not to indulge in those kinds of relationships. Because we are highly empathetic by nature. Intimacy often leads to attachment. And attachment… leads to emotional compromise."

"Right," I muttered as I spun on my heel and started walking toward the door. "Like I said. The dark side."

I could hear her sputtering behind me, her footsteps echoing as she followed, clearly annoyed.

"We are not the dark side!" she protested. "And cookies are not evil! Well, my species are mostly carnivorous so I wouldn't know, but I'm sure they're fine!"

"That's what they all say. Right before they offer you 'just one more' and then you go and destroy the galaxy!" I couldn't see her face, but I imagined she was fuming judging by her heavy breathing. "Hey, on a side note? Do Jedi cafeterias have cookies? I'm kind of hungry after that short little workout."

– Missy –

Missy was annoyed. She stood in the middle of a ridiculously grand chamber at the top of the Jedi Temple, surrounded by a bunch of iconic, robed space-wizard legends, and every single one of them was staring at her like she was under a microscope. She could feel their eyes on her like they were trying to dissect her with their minds. 

It was creepy.

Anakin was standing beside her, shifting from foot to foot like he was either excited or seconds from pissing himself. Meanwhile, the Masters—Mace Windu, Yoda, Yaddle, Ki-Adi-Mundi, a few others she didn't remember the names of—just kept asking her the same bullshit in slightly different ways.

"Is this Silas person a Sith?"

"Is he trying to lure you to the dark side?"

"Are you under his influence?"

Missy resisted the urge to roll her eyes for the tenth time. She crossed her arms tightly across her chest and shifted her weight to one leg, her entire body language screaming "done with this shit."

The worst offender was Mace Windu. The guy had this voice like judgment incarnate and kept glaring at her when she kept saying "no."

"There is something wrong about Silas," Mace said with absolute conviction. "I can sense it. You should stay away from him. He is dangerous. Instead—there is a place for you here, in the Jedi Order."

All the other Masters nodded along immediately. Like they'd rehearsed it or something.

Missy felt her jaw clench. Her eyes flicked toward Anakin.

The poor kid looked like he was barely holding it together. "Is there a spot in the Jedi Order for me too?" Anakin asked, his voice full of forced calm, almost hopeful. "Qui-Gon said I could join."

The air shifted. Every Master in the room shared the same uncomfortable look, and Missy felt something cold tighten in her gut.

Mace looked directly at Anakin. "Sorry, kid," he said bluntly. "You're too old."

Missy's mouth dropped open. She didn't even try to hide the shock on her face. "What the hell?" she said, her voice echoing across the chamber. She put both hands on her hips and glared at the council. "I'm older than he is! I wasn't planning to join, sure, but you're trying to recruit me while turning him down? How the fuck does that make any sense?"

Mace blinked, clearly not expecting that kind of response. "You should watch your language, young lady…"

Then Master Yaddle spoke up. She looked like a tiny, slightly squishier female version of Yoda—still wrinkled, still green. "Rethink your words, you should, child," Yaddle said, her voice soft but piercing. "Powerful in the Force, you are. Come after you, darkness will. Safer it is… in the Jedi Temple."

Missy snorted loudly before she could stop herself. She wasn't from this galaxy. She wasn't from this pristine, marble-floor, temple-top tower in the sky. She was from Brockton Bay. She'd dealt with gang shootouts and psycho villains on a weekly basis. These Jedi didn't know what danger was. She could eat danger for breakfast and still have time to be late to school afterward!

But instead of arguing, Missy turned to Anakin, who looked like he was on the verge of crying. His eyes were red, his jaw trembling. He looked like a kid who had just been handed his dream and watched it get yanked away with zero warning.

She reached out and grabbed his hand without hesitation, squeezing it gently. "C'mon, Anakin," she said quietly. "If these uptight Jedi Masters don't wanna train you, screw it. We'll find someone else who will. Someone who doesn't treat kids like defective merchandise."

Anakin blinked up at her, swallowing hard. "You… you mean that?"

She nodded. "Hell yes, I do."

"Hold on," one of the alien Masters said suddenly—some guy with weird head tentacles, Missy didn't catch his name. He raised a hand, speaking quickly. "If we agree to take the human child into the Order as well… would you agree to stay? To forsake this… Sith Silas, and join us fully?"

Missy raised her eyebrows, then put a finger to her lips and tapped it playfully, as if she were deep in thought. "Hmmmm… I'll think about it."

She had already thought about it. The answer was a hard no. From what Silas had told her, once this mission was deemed complete by his "System" they could literally be yanked away from here at any time. Staying wasn't even possible yet. Not until Silas had completed like three of these missions first or something, he'd told her. 

But they didn't need to know that. 

She glanced toward Yoda, who was watching her with a knowing expression, that tiny wrinkle of amusement on his green face giving him away.

He knew.

The other Masters exchanged glances again—an entire silent conversation happening in less than five seconds. Finally, Mace Windu exhaled through his nose and leaned forward. "Anakin Skywalker," he said. "Welcome to the Jedi Order."

Then Anakin's whole face lit up. He blinked back the tears quickly, wiped his sleeve across his eyes, and then lunged at Missy without warning. He wrapped his arms tightly around her in a full-body hug, squeezing hard enough that her boots slid half an inch on the smooth floor.

She stiffened for a moment, surprised. Then, slowly, she lifted one arm and patted his back awkwardly.

"This is so wizard," Anakin whispered into her shoulder.

… 

A couple minutes later, Missy and Anakin were back in the space elevator, riding the glass tube down from the Council chambers into the main levels of the Jedi Temple. The elevator barely shuddered as it dropped them dozens of floors in seconds. The cityscape outside was dizzying—so many flying cars, towers, endless city blocks. 

The doors slid open, and Anakin was off like a missile.

The sound of his boots echoed off the polished marble floor as he sprinted down the wide corridor, his excited shout bouncing off the columns and walls. "I gotta go tell my mom! I'm gonna be a freaking Jedi!" he yelled, his voice cracking with joy.

Missy chuckled softly to herself as she watched him vanish around the corner at full speed. He obviously had no idea where he was going. But she didn't worry. Anakin had the Force to guide him. And hell, so did she. With an amused smirk, Missy closed her eyes briefly, extending her spatial senses through the familiar haze of her power, enhanced now by the subtle tug of the Force she was beginning to grow accustomed to.

Instantly, she felt every hallway, every room, and every person within the vast Temple complex. It was exhilarating, like she had just unlocked a new level of her abilities. Immediately, she sensed Silas, calmly seated in what seemed to be the Temple's cafeteria, accompanied by Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Missy frowned a bit at that, feeling a small twinge of irritation in her chest. Seriously, why did all the boys she found herself attracted to have to be older and so frustratingly oblivious!?

She focused more intently, finding with a bit of delighted surprise that she could even clearly hear the distant conversation between Silas and Shaak Ti. Her eyes widened in surprise. Well damn, had she just inadvertently become some kind of ultimate spy?

"—didn't expect a Jedi Master to lose to me so quickly, you know," she clearly heard Silas teasing Shaak Ti with a playful smugness in his voice.

Shaak Ti's response was cooler, dripping with mild annoyance. "I underestimated you once. It will not happen again, Silas. Next time, you won't have it so easy."

The rest of the cafeteria buzzed with excited whispers and laughter, the younger Jedi initiates eagerly discussing how epic—even though surprisingly brief—the duel had been.

Missy sighed aloud and pouted. Seriously, Silas got to have this incredibly badass sparring match against a full-fledged Jedi Master, and she'd been stuck upstairs dealing with a bunch of irritating, judgmental old wizards. Wizards who, for some inexplicable reason, kept staring at her like she was some miracle come to life. Like she was… special or something.

Missy froze mid-step, eyes widening dramatically as her mind clicked the pieces together in sudden realization.

"Holy shit," she blurted out loud, startling a passing Padawan who quickly hurried away, clutching an armful of holobooks. Missy slapped both hands firmly against her cheeks, feeling the slight sting of the impact. She let out a brief, incredulous giggle of disbelief. "They think I'm the Chosen One."

Why didn't she realize that sooner!? Qui-gon had been acting so weird around her too…

A couple giggles slipped out, sharp and loud in the empty corridor. No wonder they hated Silas. They thought he was some Sith trying to corrupt their precious space messiah.

She started walking, rolling her eyes as she replayed the Council's reactions in her head. How would they feel if they found out Anakin was the actual Chosen One, and Mace Windu had just told him to fuck off to his face? 

She remembered enough from the movies to know that even when they thought Anakin was special, they still treated him like shit, so whatever.

Missy considered warping herself directly to the cafeteria with her powers—something easily within her ability—but decided against it. The Jedi probably wouldn't appreciate her casually teleporting around their sacred halls. And honestly, she was feeling relaxed enough to enjoy the short stroll. The place was genuinely beautiful, and she had some serious thinking to do anyway.

Of course, that decision turned out to be an absolutely terrible mistake.

Halfway down the quiet, gleaming hallway, Missy noticed an adorable little cleaning droid rolling smoothly toward her. It was shaped like a squat cylinder on tiny, agile wheels, covered in polished chrome plating, and had two bright-blue photoreceptors that blinked and beeped cutely as it approached.

Missy crouched down, not hiding her smile. "Aw, hey there, little guy," she said, getting eye-level with the droid. She'd always liked robots—Star Wars droids were cool as hell, not even Tinkertech, just pure, regular science fiction genius. If she could bring a couple home, it would change the whole world.

The droid beeped again, a little more insistent. It rolled closer, stopped, and repeated the same sequence, like it was trying to communicate something important.

"Sorry, I don't speak droid," Missy said, leaning in a little closer. "Wish I did, though. Maybe Silas can—"

She never finished her sentence.

A tiny panel opened on the front of the droid with a sudden, smooth click. There was a sharp fwish. Something small and metallic shot out, fast. She felt a sting, sudden and hot, in the side of her neck.

She jerked her hand up immediately, her fingers closing around a small dart stuck just under her jaw. "Ow—what the fuck?" she hissed, yanking it out. The metal tip was already slick with blood and clear fluid.

The world began to spin instantly. Her head felt light, then heavy, the corridor tilting at a weird angle. Her knees buckled. The marble floor rushed up to meet her as her vision blurred, everything going grey, then black.

The last thing she heard was the droid's soft, cheerful beep as her consciousness slipped away.

– Silas –

After teasing Shaak Ti a bit more—mostly about Jedi prudishness and the supposedly forbidden delights of cookies—I was happily munching away on one of the deliciously soft, crumbly little pastries. 

I mentally decided to keep calling them space cookies, since they obviously didn't use normal cow's milk in this galaxy. Maybe Bantha milk? 

Shaak Ti cleared her throat, drawing my attention back to her. I paused, cookie halfway to my mouth, and met her gaze. Her eyes had shifted, becoming slightly serious. Her lekku twitched in mild discomfort as she leaned slightly across the table. "Silas, I... have a rather awkward question for you," she admitted carefully.

I waved a hand dismissively. "Awkward is my specialty. Fire away, Master Jedi."

She gave me a faintly amused look. "Well, I can't sense your emotions. Not at all. You're cut off from the Force entirely. Something, by the way," she added pointedly, "you really shouldn't be so cheerful about."

I shrugged lightly, swallowing the bite of cookie. "You had a question somewhere in there?"

Her lekku twitched again as she shifted uneasily. "Are you always this... pent up?"

My eyes bulged, cookie crumbs lodging instantly in my throat. I choked, coughing violently, pounding my own chest hard to clear the obstruction. After a few harsh hacks, the bite finally slid down properly. Wiping my mouth hastily, I shot Shaak Ti an awkward, apologetic glance.

"Sorry. Damn, that's blunt even for a Jedi," I sputtered, a little embarrassed. "Look, about earlier with the staring—uh, sorry again. I didn't mean to come off as a creepy pervert or anything." I paused, wincing a bit. "The real reason I'm probably giving off those kinds of vibes lately is because I'm literally part dragon. Also, I ate two whole dragon souls in the last twenty-four hours. All my senses—especially libido, unfortunately—are cranked up to eleven right now. Once I fully assimilate their essence, though, I'm hoping everything will chill out again."

Shaak Ti's mouth actually dropped open. Her deep, dark eyes widened dramatically as she processed my words. "Wait," she finally managed, her voice slightly higher pitched with incredulity. "You were being serious earlier? About literally consuming dragon souls!?"

"Nothing with the Force, Master Ti, is impossible..." I said, mimicking Yoda's speech.

She immediately crossed her arms defensively over her chest, her expression souring adorably. "Some things definitely should be impossible . Like eating freaking souls," she muttered under her breath.

I smiled wider as I brought the half-eaten cookie back toward my mouth. Just before I could take another bite, though, I noticed movement from the corner of my eye. A cute little cleaning droid rolled quietly toward our table. It chirped out a series of cheerful beeps as it approached.

Shaak Ti went rigid in her seat immediately. Her entire posture shifted, muscles visibly tightening beneath her robes. Her lekku pressed slightly closer against her shoulders, eyes narrowing warily as the droid drew nearer.

I shot her a questioning glance. 

She didn't respond immediately, eyes still locked intently on the approaching droid. It beeped again, faster and more urgently this time.

Suddenly, Shaak Ti leaned forward slightly, her voice taut with tension. "What kind of nonsense are you talking about!?"

The droid didn't respond, merely rolling even closer, its beeping now becoming louder and oddly erratic.

Then, without warning, my Electromaster powers exploded into awareness! A surge of intense, rapidly building energy pulsed aggressively inside the droid's small metal body! Building up very fast to something critical!

"Shit!" I cursed, dropping the cookie instantly. Instinct took over. I lunged across the table directly toward Shaak Ti!

Her eyes snapped wide in surprise as I collided bodily with her, my momentum knocking her clear off her chair and sending us both crashing heavily to the cafeteria floor. My arms wrapped tightly around her body, shielding her completely with my own. 

An explosion erupted directly behind me a heartbeat later. A deafening roar filled the cafeteria as an intense wave of scorching heat and blinding light washed over my back. Pain flared immediately across my skin.

I grunted sharply in pain. Screams and shouts erupted around the cafeteria as Jedi, Padawans, and droids scattered in panicked confusion.

Shaak Ti stared up at me from beneath, eyes wide and startled. Her breath was quick and shallow, chest rising and falling rapidly under me. "Silas—you're hurt," she breathed, voice thick with sudden concern. Her dark eyes flicked urgently to my singed back, fingers instinctively gripping the front of my shirt tightly.

"I'll live," I growled, forcing my voice steady despite the agony radiating down my spine. "What the fuck was that?" Some kind of freaking Plasma Bomb!? Someone really wanted us dead right there… Good thing I was tough as hell, even without my armor on. Which was obviously a mistake in unknown territory.

Shaak Ti helped me get to my feet, but I was shaking. My back was still throbbing with pain. It felt raw, like someone had pressed a hot iron straight against my skin, and I knew it had to look fucked up—literal plasma burns tearing through the remains of my shirt. 

I looked around, taking in the aftermath. It was obvious we were the only targets of the attack. There hadn't been any other bombs, just the one—right at our table, right where I'd been sitting with Shaak Ti. The blast had left a blackened crater in the floor and scorched several nearby chairs, but none of the other tables had been touched. 

Before I could process it any further, I heard the pounding of boots coming from the main hallway. A second later, the cafeteria doors slammed open and all the important Jedi Masters came charging in. Mace Windu was leading the pack, looking pissed, and for some reason Master Yoda was literally hanging off his back. 

And it wasn't just Jedi. Padmé and her handmaiden—Sabé—burst in right behind them. They both looked worried as hell. Padmé's face relaxed slightly when she saw I was still on my feet, but the worry didn't leave her eyes. They rushed over, skirts swishing, heels tapping hard on the tile.

Padmé was reaching out to put a hand on my arm. "Silas, are you alright? What happened?"

Sabé crowded in close too, her eyes jumping between me and Shaak Ti. "Was there an attack? Is anyone else hurt?"

I just grunted. "Someone just tried to kill me. Don't know who yet." I shrugged off Padmé's hand without meaning to, but I was distracted. I barely looked at her or Sabé, even as they tried to fuss over my injuries with Shaak Ti helping to support me.

Instead, my eyes were locked on the old man who entered with them. He wore rich, dark robes and moved with slow, deliberate steps. For a split second— just a flicker —I saw the truth in his eyes. As he looked at the blast crater, I caught anger and disappointment.

It was obvious who just tried to kill me.

The old man was pissed his little trick hadn't worked. Then, just as fast, the mask went back up. His expression softened, all concern and compassion. He stepped forward, putting on a show for the crowd. "Are you alright there, young man? This attack is an absolute tragedy, and I promise you, as one of the Senators of the Republic, I will make sure we get to the bottom of it immediately." He turned, glancing at Padmé for effect. "Ah, but I haven't introduced myself. I'm Senator Palpatine, from Naboo. I was just visiting the Temple today to speak with our illustrious Queen here about the tragedy unfolding on my home planet!"

He was a hell of an actor. If I didn't already have my meta knowledge, I probably would have fallen for it. The Jedi around me didn't have a clue. They didn't notice the Sith Lord in the room, not even when he was standing right in front of them, bullshitting with a fake smile. Of course, Padmé was just fourteen and looked at Palpatine like he was some kindly grandfather.

I started to open my mouth—to say something, maybe even just to push him, to see what I could get out of him—when my system screen popped up right in front of my face.

A blue holographic display flashed open, floating in the air. It startled everyone around me. The Jedi all stopped moving. Even Palpatine froze for a split second, his eyes narrowing, before he schooled his features again.

Mace Windu barked, "What is that? Is this some kind of Sith ability!?"

Yoda squinted. "Mmmm. Curious, this is…"

I ignored all of them. I was focused on the text that glowed in the middle of my vision.

[EMERGENCY QUEST: Your partner Missy has been abducted by Darth Sidious. He plans to brainwash her and make her his new apprentice. OBJECTIVE: Stop him. Rescue Missy immediately!]

Rage started crackling just under my skin, flooding through every muscle, every vein. The world narrowed until all I could see was Palpatine.

Then the air around me filled with crackling noise and bright flashes. I glanced down and saw lightning arcing across my entire body. 

The room gasped as they saw the electricity dancing over me.

With a single thought, I dismissed my ruined clothes, and my Nightingale armor snapped onto my body piece by piece. My mask wrapped around my face. I reached out and summoned the Nightingale Blade to my right hand. It appeared instantly. I stepped forward and pointed the blade straight at Palpatine's throat.

"What the fuck did you do with Missy, Darth Sidious!?"

The room went completely silent at my question. All eyes turned to Palpetine in shock.