The Apprentice

"I want the Galaxy you promised we'd build together!" The sound of her Master's voice suddenly roused her; Vera slowly lifted her head and groggily stared around her, the encampment was littered with scraps of metal and other debris, the Jedi and their allies lay scattered among the wreckage, still out cold. The Sith Lord let out a long sigh as her eyes darted to and fro, searching for the source of her Master's voice; they widened as they found him, just in time to see a plasma blade pierce his heart.

"No!" The Sith Lord shakily tried to rise to her feet, only to feel a pair of hands seize her shoulders.

"Lady Vera!" Vera's head spun around, her frenzied eyes coming to rest on the Third Brother and the Fourth Sister, the Inquisitors hauled her to her feet. "They've breached the outer wall, we have to evacuate!"

"Cowards!" Vera snarled as she weakly tried to resist as the two dark apostles dragged her away. "Can't you see the Emperor is-!"

"Which is why we have to evacuate! We have to survive and ensure his legacy lives on!" Vera's eyes screwed shut in a bitter scowl, they were right.

##

The Organa and the rest of Cody's fleet fell into formation alongside the Rebel fleet, weapons turning to take aim. On the bridge of Home One, Admiral Ackbar smiled amusedly as a holographic projection of Captain Rex and another aged clone appeared over the communications console.

"Admiral Ackbar, I'm sorry it took a while for us to get here." The other clone raised his fist and thumped himself on the chest before raising it to the Mon Calamari.

"It's an honour Admiral, I'm High General Cody of the New Regime, we've come to assist you."

"The honour is all mine General, we are grateful for your assistance." The three fleets synchronised as the attack on the New Regime's continued; Star Destroyers blew apart under the intense barrage as the fleet was picked apart piece by piece. Then quite suddenly, the Executor started to turn about, the surviving twelve Regime Destroyers turned to follow it and one by one the remains of the Seventh Fleet blasted into Hyperspace.

##

The Millennium Falcon came into a hasty rough landing next to the Ghost in the dig site, the loading ramp descended and Han Solo came charging down it. Remnous's fortress was swarming with B1 battle droids, the battle long won and the Regime's forces long fled. Han didn't stop running until he found Hera, Kanan, and Zeb all gathered around Sabine.

"No..." The Smuggler slowed to a walk as his eyes widened with horror, the Mandalorian was lying in a pool of mostly dried blood, a crimson-stained estoc lay next to her. "Sabine."

"Hey Han." She smiled weakly up at him before glancing over at Hera, the Twi'lek sniffed loudly, her eyes shining with tears as she tightly gripped one of her hands.

"Don't worry, we'll get you fixed up." Han dropped to his knees and took Sabine's other hand, the Mandalorian's eyes fluttered weakly as she squeezed Han's hand.

"You don't have to sugar coat it. There's no fixing this."

"No." Han blinked heavily as tears began to sting his eyes, Sabine took a ragged breath, her smile still holding out as the darkness pressed in around her.

"Look at that." The Mandalorian's weak chuckle turned into a cough, Han wiped his face with the back of his left hand as he squeezed Sabine's hand more tightly, her grip was beginning to slacken. "Looks like it's my turn, to make you cry."

"Sabine."

"It's OK." Tears began to slip down Sabine's cheeks even as the light in her eyes dimmed. "It's OK, I only wish, I could have seen it." She gasped weakly, her eyes closing momentarily. "A free Galaxy, I was really looking forward, to living again." Her brown eyes met his for the last time. "You'll have to do it for me now." Han nodded, a knot forming in his throat.

"I love you." Sabine smiled as her last breath slipped between her lips and her eyes began to close.

"I know."

##

Across the encampment, Tandi dropped to her knees next to Allana's pale form; the dark-haired girl's eyes were still open, staring blankly up at the night sky above them. Making no effort to stem the flow of tears cascading down her face, the redhead pulled the body onto her lap, her green eyes never leaving her face as she twirled her hair through her fingers. Tandi sniffed loudly, then she reached down and gently pulled the leather cord around Allana's neck free and tightly gripped the moon-shaped pendant. She bowed her head, her chest rising and falling erratically as she began to sob.

##

"On your feet, Regime scum." Dhara Leonis frowned bemusedly as her eyes opened, the former Grand Inquisitor rolled over onto her back and blinked heavily as she stared up at a pair of B1 battle droids. "You are now a prisoner of the Alliance to Restore the Republic." Dhara rubbed her forehead as she slumped back on the ground, she'd been trained not to ever assume, but if droids were arresting her it was probably a safe bet that they'd managed to beat Remnous. "He said on your feet!" Dhara rolled her eyes as one of the droids pointed its blaster her.

"Stand down." Dhara's brow furrowed and she raised her head slightly, Luke Skywalker was striding towards them, the Fifth and Tenth brothers in tow. "I'll be taking custody of them." The droids turned to stare at each other.

"Can a Jedi give us orders?" The left-hand droid cocked its head to one side curiously.

"I don't know, we are on their side now."

"Are we on their side, or are they on ours?" Dhara rolled her eyes as she massaged her temples, the droids turned and walked away, still chattering back and forth. The former Inquisitor groaned in the back of her throat as she sat up.

"My thanks, Master Jedi." Dhara dusted herself down as she climbed to her feet. "But what's this about taking custody of us?" Luke nodded at her as he hurried over to the still prone Sixth Sister.

"As I'm sure you've already guessed, Remnous is dead, the New Galactic Senate has been called into an emergency session to debate the Regime's future." The Jedi offered the red Twi'lek a hand, her single yellow eye turned to settle on Dhara, she nodded. Luke smiled as the Twi'lek took the offered hand and let the Jedi pull her to her feet. "Friends of the Alliance are prepared to call for the election of the Supreme Chancellor."

"What's your point?" The Sixth Sister glanced at Dhara before turning back to Luke, the Jedi Knight squared his shoulders.

"There won't be a need for an Inquisition in the New Republic, and without the political immunity serving directly under the Emperor granted you, you all may find yourselves on the receiving end of a tribunal." The former Inquisitors turned to glance at each other reproachfully. "But, given your little coup, I've managed to smooth over a deal with the Alliance leadership, you'll all be coming to work for me."

##

"Sabine?" Hera paused in the act of opening the cabin door, the clone of Sabine had disappeared after the battle, and if she was entirely honest with herself; she had no idea what to do about the other Sabine. She knew the kind thing to do was to offer her a place alongside them, but in her heart she knew it wouldn't work, having her around would be far too painful. "If you're in there, I'm coming in." The cabin door slid open to reveal an empty room, Hera frowned as she stepped inside and glanced around her, Sabine's armour was laid out neatly on her bunk, next to it was a data disk and the darksaber. The Twi'lek felt an odd weight in her chest as she gingerly slipped the disk into her communicator; a small holographic projection of the clone was projected over her hand.

"Hey, Hera." The clone rubbed the back of her neck, her eyes down. "I thought it was best if I just slipped away, I'm not Sabine, at least, not your Sabine, I don't belong here." The clone let out a long breath through her nose, her face twisting bitterly. "Maybe I don't belong anywhere, I'll have to find out, thank you, for getting me away from him, and I'm so sorry."

##

There had been a fierce debate over what to do with Remnous's body, it obviously had to be disposed of and the decision to burn it alongside the Clone Troopers who had died in battle. So the Alliance leaders had Kalani order the droids to use the huge amount of timber that had been leftover from the excavations to construct a massive funeral pyre for the fallen Clone Troopers and their Emperor, after a short discussion the Rebels had decided to lay Sabine's and Allana's bodies on the pyre as well.

"We won't separate our dead." Mothma had bowed her head sagely, more than aware of Tandi's bloodshot green eyes glaring at her. "Lives were lost on all sides." The bodies of the Clone Troopers were placed on the inside of the pyre while Remnous, Sabine, and Allana were placed on top. Galen; his nose covered in a mass of medical tape and his right eye bruised shut, had offered to carry Remnous's body, Zeb bundled Sabine into his arms while Tandi took Allana.

The small procession quickly made their way through the crowd of Rebels, Remnant Officers and Regime soldiers that had formed around the pyre. A few followed them and stood by waiting to say a last goodbye as they were laid on the platform. Zeb screwed his face up as he set Sabine down, she was still dressed in her clone's armour, the other Mandalorian had vanished after the battle was over.

"'m sorry it turned out this way." The Lasat set the Clone's helmet down next to her head. "We'll make it worthwhile." Hera knelt next to Sabine as Zeb lumbered away, the Twi'lek fondly ran a hand through her hair and wiped her eyes, she opened her mouth to say something, only to give up and shake her head. Kanan placed a warm hand on her shoulder as she got to her feet, the Twi'lek turned to stare at Remnous body as Kanan gently pressed Sabine's lightsaber into her hand. Hera sighed bitterly as her eyes lingered on the young man's face, with his eyes closed, he'd look just like Ezra if it weren't for his scar; slowly, she reached forward and tipped his head to the right side.

"Goodbye." The Twi'lek paused as she straightened up, her eyes lingering on their hands, after a momentary pause she gently placed Sabine's hand on top of Ezra's. "To both of you." She made no effort to stem the flow of tears as Kanan wrapped an arm around her waist. "No matter what anyone says." Hera murmured as she and Kanan looked down on the two of them one last time. "We lost here." Kanan nodded, his eyes slipping over to Tandi; the redhead was still stood over Allana, Mace's flask clutched tightly in her hands.

"Good thing it's empty." Hera nodded, her gaze lingering on the redhead as she bent and softly pressed her lips to the dark-haired girl's forehead, an empty look in her green eyes. Then she turned and walked away, unscrewing the lid of the flask as she walked. "At least I think it is." The two exchanged a look before turning back to Ezra and Sabine.

"I hope all this was worth it." Kanan rubbed her side as they walked away, Hera bowed her head.

"We'll have to make sure that it is." The Twi'lek frowned as she glanced around them. "Where's Han and Chewie?" Kanan hummed in the back of his throat.

"I asked if he wanted to attend, he said they'd already said goodbye." Hera nodded sadly as they descended the walkway down the pyre.

"Where's Sabine?" There was a flash of pain in the Twi'lek's eyes before they widened with understanding.

"I looked for her, she already left."

##

"No, going to watch them burn her body won't make me feel better." Han grumbled as Chewie glanced back over his shoulder, smoke was already beginning to pour into the sky as the pyre went up in flames "Let's just get out of here, that'll make me feel better."

"Wait!" Both smugglers paused at the foot of the Falcon's loading ramp, Han's shoulders flinching, slowly he turned to see the clone of Sabine running towards them. She'd changed into a pair of loose black trousers with a crème shirt and an Alliance pilot jacket. "Wait!" The clone braced her hands on her knees as she caught up. "Are you guys leaving?" Chewie glanced over at Han, the Corellian had an odd look in his eyes as he stared at the clone, eventually he cleared his throat and nodded.

"Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Not much reason to stay." The clone nodded understandingly.

"I understand." She sighed awkwardly. "Can I come with you?" Han grimaced, his brows furrowing into an uncomfortable frown. "Look, I know I'm the last person that you'd want around right now, I know you and Sabine were-"

"Don't finish that sentence." The clone took a half step back, her head bowing, Han's pained frowned quickly turned into a bemused one, that wasn't right. "Sorry."

"It's alright." There was an awkward pause, then Han rolled his eyes.

"Why do you even want to come with us? It isn't glamorous where we're going."

"I don't care about glamour." The clone said to her boots. "I just, for a long time, I thought the only way for me to be real was for her to die, that way I'd be the only Sabine Wren left." Han's eyes hardened. "But now that she is gone, all I feel is emptiness. I might be the only Sabine left, but I'm not her, and I never will be, I can't just slip into her life; I have to make my own way and find out for myself who Sabine Wren is now that she's me."

"So you need to find yourself."

"Yeah, I guess."

"And what makes you think you'll find yourself if you come with me?"

"When Sabine was alive, the happiest I ever saw her was when she was with you." The clone peaked up at the Corellian sheepishly. "You've already helped one Sabine learn to live." Han took a good long look at the clone Mandalorian, his expression indecipherable. After a few minutes he glanced over his shoulder at Chewie; the Wookie shrugged, a soft look in his eyes.

"Listen, Sabine." Han turned back to the clone. "Chewie isn't exactly youthful," Chewie growled indignantly, Han shot a withering glare over his shoulder before turning back to the clone. "He's getting on a bit, and so's the Falcon, I've been thinking about bringing on some extra crew." The clone's head poked up slightly a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"I can come?"

"It won't pay well." Chewie nudged the Corellian. "At all, at first." Han rolled his eyes. "But, if you want to, we have a spare bunk." Sabine Wren's face lit up as she smiled.

"Thank you."

##

Galen stood alone away from the crowd as the flames rose higher into the sky as the blaze took hold of the pyre, his one good eye locked on the inferno as it raged on.

"Hey." A melancholy smile spread across the Jedi's battered face as Juno appeared next to him, the two stood in silence as they watched the flames. "So." The pilot breathed softly as she gently took his hand in hers. "What now?" Galen grimaced, his one eye closing momentarily, he let go of Juno's hand.

"We need to talk."

##

Tandi frowned as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, the redhead was sat on top of one of the inner walls, her gaze set firmly on the funeral pyre as it burned.

"I'm not looking away." The Grey Jedi's voice was void of all emotion as she raised her flask to her lips. "Who's there?" There was a moment of silence as she took a drink, then the metal next to her dipped slightly as Mara Jade sat down, there was a moment of silence as the two sisters watched the fire rise.

"So, you're off the wagon?" Tandi snorted as she offered Mara the flask, her eyes still set on the distant blaze.

"Like you can judge."

"I wasn't." Mara nodded as she took the flask. "I was just asking."

"There doesn't seem to be much point staying on it." The former Sith Apprentice nodded as she took a drink, her slightly greener eyes lingering on her older sister.

"What will you do now?" Tandi shrugged as she took the flask back, her face expressionless. "Look, I didn't know her, but I'm sure Allana would want-"

"She would have wanted to live." Mara bowed her head awkwardly, silence slipped back over the two of them as she turned back to the pyre.

"Luke said you have a place with us." The barest hint of amusement sparked in Tandi's eyes.

"Us? And since when were you two on first name terms?"

"Since he saved my life." Tandi's brows twitched slightly inwards, slowly, she tore her eyes off the pyre and turned to Mara, the former Sith Apprentice had a slight flush in her cheeks.

"As I live and breathe." Tandi almost smiled, her eyes twinkling fondly as she stared at the younger sister. "That's sweet."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Mara snatched the flask back and took another drink. "Are you coming or not? We could use you."

"We'll see." Tandi rose to her feet and flexed her right hand, the flask was pulled from Mara's hands a flew back into the Grey Jedi's waiting grip.

"Where are you going?"

"To fall off the wagon some more." The redhead glanced over her shoulder as she strolled away, a slight sway in her step. "I need to think."

##

The sun was rising as they prepared to take their leave, The Ghost, Dauntless and Rogue Shadow stood together in a small cluster on top of a hill facing the smouldering wreckage of the Loth Wolf; the Venator had crashed into land in a field outside Capital City, smashing through the base of Ezra's old tower before grinding to a halt. Kanan gave a melancholy sigh as he rested a hand on Hera's shoulder, the Twi'lek smiled up at the Jedi before reaching down and patting Chopper on top of his dome.

"You guys ready?" The three turned to see Zeb gesturing to the Ghost, Hera nodded sadly as she turned and took one last look at the tower.

"Let's go." Galen and Ahsoka met them at the base of the Ghost's loading ramp, the Togruta offered Kanan a hand.

"You sure you won't join us?" Kanan smiled as he shook the hand.

"I'm sure." He smiled as he wrapped an arm around Hera's waist. "I've got everything I need right here." Ahsoka smiled as Kanan brushed his fingertips over Hera's stomach.

"Live good lives." The former Jedi smiled as she looked back and forth between the two of them. "And take care of that boy of yours."

"You did alright by us in the end." Zeb rubbed the back of his head as he offered Galen his right hand. "I know what you had to do can't have been easy, so thanks." The Jedi shook his head as he took the offered hand.

"I did what I had to, nothing more." The Lasat frowned sadly.

"You're never gonna forgive yourself, are ya?"

"What gave me away?"

"It isn't subtle." Galen shook his head.

"My penance to Ezra has been paid, but I have another debt I need to make good on." Zeb nodded understandingly.

"If that's what you've gotta do." Zeb patted the Jedi on the arm. "You're a changed man, Galen Marek, don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise." Galen nodded his thanks as he returned the gesture.

"Thank you, enjoy your peace Zeb, you've earned it." The Lasat nodded, an odd smile on his face as he lumbered away from Galen and up the Ghost's ramp. A few minutes later, Kanan, Hera, and Chopper followed him and the ramp hissed shut behind them.

##

Galen and Ahsoka made their way back to the Dauntless and the Rogue Shadow as the Ghost rose into the rising sun, Mara Jade and Luke were stood at the bottom of the Shadow's loading ramp in deep conversation as the turncoat Inquisitors helped each other load the ships with supplies.

"Is this all of us?" Luke tore himself away from Mara, his smile lingering.

"Everyone but Tandi."

"Are you sure she's even coming?" Ahsoka glanced at Mara, the redhead shrugged.

"She said she'd think about it last night, but that was the last time I saw her."

"Well, she better be coming with us." All four of them turned to Dhara, the former Grand Inquisitor had a small crate under one arm. "We've already loaded the Dauntless."

"I noticed." They all jumped slightly as Tandi appeared seemingly from nowhere at Ahsoka's shoulder. "It's a good thing I'm coming along."

"You are?" Luke couldn't help but sigh slightly with relief, the more the merrier.

"My plans went up in smoke." The Grey Jedi muttered darkly. "Where are we going?"

"A planet called Ahch-To, according to ancient records, it was the site of the very first Jedi Temple." The Young Skywalker shrugged. "Seems as good a place as any to start over."

"If you say so." Tandi rolled her eyes as she rubbed her forehead. "Luke, you can fly the Dauntless, I'm going to go lie down." Mara sniggered at her sisters retreating back as she slouched off towards the freighter, Luke shook his head, a small smile spreading across his face.

"Can you feel that?"

"Feel what?" Mara turned to him and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"It feels like, a new beginning."

##

We parted ways that day, each of us taking the first well earned steps down the paths we forged for ourselves in a new Galaxy. The Senate took charge of the New Regime, quickly organising the first election to be held in decades; after an intense and hard-fought campaign, Lux Bonteri rose to become the first Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic. His first order, besides establishing strict term limits, was to pardon the Jedi Order and reinstate us as the Guardians of Peace.

Hera and Kanan retired from active service, choosing to spend their days in peace on Ryloth, raising their new family; but never forgetting their old one, the losses they'd endured to secure their lives weighing heavily upon them each day. A living, constant reminder to make each day of their lives worth the sacrifices that had been made so they could live in peace.

Zeb returned to Lira San as a hero of his people, at last able to enjoy a life that he had thought lost forever amongst his own kind, secure in the knowledge that his home was safe and the crimes of the past would not be repeated.

It was some time before we heard from Han and Chewie again, but soon enough, rumours of the exploits of the Millennium Falcon began to reach us, tales of the far-flung adventures and underhand dealings of its crew, and if they're to be believed, the Clone of Sabine finally found her home as one of them.

In all the years that have followed since we brought down the Regime, only the slightest whispers of Vera have reached us, some say that she is amassing ships loyal to Remnous's vision in the Unknown Regions while others say that the last of the Regime's forces tore themselves apart as they fought to take Remnous's legacy for themselves. Somehow, however, I can feel in the depths of my soul that Vera lives on, gathering power in the shadows. My instincts tell me, we have not seen the last of her.

Luke Skywalker sighed heavily as he closed the historical tome he had been writing in and stood up, the late afternoon sun was shining through the window of his crude stone hut. It had been ten years since the Regime had fallen, each day strengthening the new Galaxy that was being built around them as they watched; the sound of laughter echoed through the open window. A smile spreading across his face, Luke strode over to the opening and rested his elbows on the windowsill as he looked down on the island. A small crowd of young children were gathered in the training yard below him, each held a short yellow training saber, the dulled safety blades humming softly as the Younglings parroted the Form I moves Dhara was showing them. His eyes ran over each of them, his smile broadening; up the mountain, he could see a smaller group of slightly older Padawans gathered in a circle around Galen and Ahsoka, their legs crossed and their heads bowed.

"'Well planted, the seeds of the new Jedi Order are.'" The Jedi Master muttered his mentor's words to himself, pride brimming in his heart as he looked upon his works. His thoughts were cut off as his metal door was hastily pushed open and a small girl with long red hair charged into the room; in a fit of giggles, her blue eyes glimmering with mischief, the girl scurried over to Luke and without a word, pulled his robe up and crawled underneath, quickly wrapping herself around his leg. "Niobe? What are you-?"

"Shh!" The Grand Master cut himself off. "Mummies coming! I'm not here!" The open doorway was darkened again as Tandi appeared, her green eyes wide with exasperation.

"Niobe?" The redhead sighed tiredly as she took in Luke's cabin. "Where-?" She frowned as her eyes lingered on Luke's feet, a pinky fingertip was poking out from under his robe. The Grey Jedi raised an eyebrow at the Jedi Master, Luke shrugged. "Well." Tandi shook her head, a tired smile spreading across her face. "If you haven't seen her." Luke tried to hold back a laugh of his own as Niobe giggled under his robe. "I'll just have to look somewhere else, thanks, Luke." The redhead winked before stepping out of the hut and hiding behind the door; a few seconds later, Niobe poked her head out.

"I'd get going." Luke nudged the girl and nodded towards the window, Niobe frowned curiously up at him for a second, then Tandi stepped out from behind the door.

"There you are!" In another fit of giggles, the girl scurried over to the window and scrambled out of it, laughing all the way as she raced away. "Niobe!" Tandi groaned as she took off after her daughter. "This is getting really old!" Luke chuckled as he stepped out of his hut and watched as Tandi failed to keep up as she chased down her daughter.

"That kid." Luke smiled and glanced down as Mara sidled up to him, her arm snaking its way around her waist. "A never-ending ball of energy."

"She's your niece, you explain her." Luke wrapped an arm around Mara's shoulder as Niobe and Tandi disappeared over the crest of a hill and vanished into the glare of the setting sun.

"You know I can't do that." Mara smiled as leant into Luke's shoulder, her green eyes staring out over the temple as the warm glow of the sunbathed them in orange light. "Best we can do is hope to keep up."

"Truer words were never spoken." Luke pressed his lips to the top of the redhead's forehead before turning back to the temple, his brows furrowed slightly, Mara frowned as he pulled himself free of her and turned away.

"Luke? What's-?" Mara cut herself off, her eyes widening, three Luminus figures stood in the distance, even with the glare of the setting sun, they were unrecognisable. Luke took a half step forward and raised a hand. There was a second of stillness, then the centre figure returned the gesture.

Across the island, the Ghost of Ezra Bridger lowered his arm as Luke and Mara turned back to the temple, the spirit's face stretched into something resembling his signature grin.

"Come far, they have." Ezra nodded as he glanced down at the Ghost of Yoda.

"And they'll go further, this is only the beginning."

"We can only hope." The spectre of Obi-Wan stroked its chin thoughtfully as it stepped up next to Ezra. "Given what grows in the Unknown Regions."

"They'll be fine." Ezra's smile grew slightly as Tandi and her daughter came back into view. "They have everything they need." As the sun sunk below the horizon, the Ghosts faded away one at a time until only Ezra remained. "It's in your hands now." He bowed his head as he began to fade away into the growing night. "Remember, the Force will be with you, always."

##

An impressive fleet gathered around the Executor, when the Regime had fallen, the fleet and military had fractured, many had turned against Remnous and his vision, but some had remained loyal, abandoning their posts and commissions to flee into the Unknown Regions. Over the last decade, they had slowly begun to come together; their strength increasing with every addition.

Aboard the Executor in the main hanger, the shattered remnants of the New 501st joined with the Raven Guard and Salamanders Clone Legions at the head of the Stormtrooper forces. The cavernous space's collective attention was focused on the overhead walkway and the podium that had been erected at the centre of it, despite the vast number of men present, there was total silence, you could have heard a pin drop. A slight rustling swept across the hanger as armour plates clicked against each-other, Vera, flanked by four Mandalorian warriors, one of them holding a small bundle of blankets, had stepped onto the walkway. Her footfalls rang out loudly in the silent space as she strode towards the podium, every eye was fixed on her as she took her place and turned to face them.

"Loyal soldiers of the New Regime." The Sith Lord's voice softly echoed across the still bodies. "You, above all, have suffered in the wake of our Master's death ten years ago, you all swore vows of fealty to the one true ruler of the Galaxy, Darth Remnous, yet, in the moment of truth, your comrades, your brothers in arms turned against you! They broke their owns vows and declared you the traitors for keeping yours!" A silent wave of fury rippled through the hanger at her words. "We are the exiled loyalists! The last remnants of our overlord's vision! Our duty is clear, our purpose, is to restore our Master's works." The Mandalorian holding the bundle stepped forward and offered the Sith Lord the mess of blankets. "For it is not only his vision we are fighting for but his very flesh and blood." The silence of the hanger was shattered as the bundle was opened and the short, harsh cries of an infant cut through the air. Vera turned back to the assembled troops, a baby boy with short, midnight blue locks and piercing golden eyes clutched in her arms.

"Soldiers of the New Regime," Vera called over the child's cries. "It is my pleasure to introduce you all the son of Remnous, the union of the lines of Revan and Vader, our child." The Empress smiled emptily down at the child as it stared up at her with wide, uncertain eyes. "My Kylo Ren." Vera's golden eyes gleamed evilly. "And so, in the name of the son of the Emperor, I give this First Order! We shall be merciless! We shall be ceaseless in our ambitions, and we will not rest! Not until the day the New Regime stands restored, and my son takes his father's throne as is his birthright! For the Regime! For Remnous! For Kylo Ren!" There was a second silence, then there was a clatter of armour plates as thousands of soldiers raised their right arms in unison.

"For Kylo Ren!"

##

Deeper still in the Unknown Regions, an ancient Star Forge turned in the void. The time-worn behemoth rested silently in the void, waiting to come to life and resume its purpose. At the centre, in a large chamber, stood a stone plinth upon which rested a black Sith Holocron. A low, ground-shaking rumble cut through the silence in the chamber as the ancient machinery began to roar back to life, as the forge powered up, a low red light began to shine from the Holocron.

"Well." A familiar voice echoed through the darkness. "I guess you'd call this a setback."

The End

Authors Note: And that's it. That's the Apprentice. It's done. It took four years, but it's finally finished. I never thought I'd actually get to this point. I've known exactly how all of this was going to end for just over a year now, but actually bringing those plans to fruition is another story entirely.

There isn't much to say that hasn't been said already, but thank you all, the last fours years haven't been easy for me, my life has gone through a blender and been crudely glued back together more than a few times, and throughout all of it, this story was there, a constant in the sea of shit. Knowing people were waiting for more kept me going through some hard nights, and for that, I owe you all a debt I can never repay.

So for one last time, leave a review with your thoughts, and may the Force be with you.

So, until we meet again

Regards

Nighttrek