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There was a new addition to their group. She hadn't met them yet, but there were rumors. Rumors that depicted them as something other than Sister or Brother. No one knew their title—or had even seen them—but Lord Vader himself informed them that they would be dueling with them.
Fourth Sister knew what he meant by that. This was a test for them but also for the inquisitors. She wondered how many would die today.
She lined up with her brethren when it was time, and it was silent before the sound of mechanical breathing entered the room, the hiss-snap that invaded her dreams—that haunted her in the waking world too.
Lord Vader was as magnificent and looming as always. Beside him was a female togruta decked in the usual inquisitor uniform, but something about it was off. It appeared regal in a way that theirs didn't. Something about her appeared familiar, but she shook it off and took note of what she could gleam.
At her hips were two lightsabers, a regular one and the other a shoto-style. She was orange skinned with white lekku and blue markings that resembled rippling water. She had distinct markings, wings on her cheeks and diamonds on her forehead. Her headdress was an extravagant thing, made up of gold and dangling beads. All that could be ignored if not for the fact that she stood beside Lord Vader, and he had allowed it.
She was beside him as if she was his equal.
Lord Vader stood before them now, and she stood up straighter, her eyes back on him. He studied them through the Force, and Fourth Sister could feel him penetrating deep inside of her psyche and fought to not struggle at the intrusion. It was several minutes later when he spoke up.
"I've called you here to introduce you to your new commanding officer. This is Daughter."
Daughter? Not Sister?
She knew not any of them were related, but what did it mean that this togruta was designated as Daughter by Lord Vader. Was it possible she was his actual daughter?
"Hello, Sisters and Brothers. Today, you'll be going against me to determine where your skill levels are, and if they are adequate enough to consider yourself worthy of the privilege of being here. Come at me with the intent to kill or else you will fail. First Sister, you're up."
First Sister walked up, and everyone stepped back. Daughter sounded confident in her abilities to beat them, but they were all here for a reason. Furthermore, this was a chance to prove themselves—and in front of Lord Vader to boot.
Daughter activates her lightsabers, which were a brilliant white, nothing like the red that each of theirs had been forced to bleed to. What did it mean that hers was different? Was that why she was named Daughter and not Sister?
She focused back on the fight, but it was finished in a matter of minutes; Fourth Sister was left reeling.
First Sister was beaten, on the ground, unconscious, but still alive, and Daughter didn’t even seem winded.
Instead, she lifted her up with the Force and moved her out of the way as she said, "First Brother, you're next."
And so it went with Daughter remaining as victor for each fight.
When Third Brother passed out, it was her time, and she stepped forward. She had studied what she could from her and she knew she used an aggressive form of Jar'Kai, Ataru.
She engaged her, trying to get her let up, but Daughter was a force to be reckoned with, and it was then that she realized that Daughter took after Lord Vader greatly, from her demeanor to her fighting. Eventually, she slipped up and didn't block the shove Daughter gave her and then she was on the wall, being held in a choke hold.
"Yield, I yield." Fourth Sister choked out, and she fell to the floor limply.
Watching from her position on the ground, she came to the conclusion that Daughter was dangerous and powerful. It would be interesting to see what new changes would be brought with her at the helm of their organization.
Fourth Sister was technically supposed to be in her quarters but according to the gossip ring, Lord Vader and Daughter would be dueling and she'd be a fool to miss it. Hidden in an alcove, Fourth Sister waited for the two of them to enter the training area, her fellow siblings doing the same.
Daughter slipped in first, practically vibrating with excitement. Her delight was pure in the Force as she waited for Lord Vader, who came in not a moment later. Daughter looked around the room, at all their hiding spots and let out a laugh. There was no hiding, it seemed, not when it came to the two of them.
She had noticed over the weeks Daughter had been there that she always seemed to know where everyone was at, a trait Lord Vader also shared. It was just another aspect of theirs that added to their mystique. Their relationship was... Fourth Sister didn't know how to describe it. It was nothing like what was encouraged. They were close. It was almost like Daughter had known Lord Vader before— before whatever it was that led him to become Lord Vader. He let her get away with a lot of things that others would not dare do unless they wished to die.
Even now, Daughter was up close and personal with Lord Vader, whispering something that made Lord Vader snort—at lease she thought so. It was the first time she had ever heard him make the noise, and then suddenly they were saber to saber, fighting—except, they were matching each other slash by slash.
It was almost like they knew what the other was going to do; it suggested a familiarity beyond what Fourth Sister expected. Yes, she had speculated that they knew each other but not to this degree. This was intimate. Now that she was actually paying attention, she noticed it didn’t hold the heat of a fight or the purpose of a demonstration.
It wasn’t a fight, but a dance.
She had seen this before—before—back in the Temple. It had been a beautiful display and she remembered others attempting to try it and failing because it required an intimacy, a closeness that was forbidden. It took control and balance with the other, a complete harmonization, a melding of minds.
Lord Vader and Daughter continued on, and she couldn’t help but be amazed at the display despite the fact that it was elegant and entirely frivolous.
From her corner, she could see Daughter’s smirk grow and her eyes gleamed a color other than her usual blue. A trick of light? And then the dancing stopped and a fight began in truth. It was interesting to see how similar their styles were. Had they developed them together? It continued for minutes, yet it felt like hours. She was mesmerized by their power.
Would she ever grow to have that much control? Unlikely. Something told her that those two were on a whole other level—a whole other realm, even—when it came to the Force.
Daughter overextended one of her arms, and consequently, her lightsaber, and that was her final mistake because Lord Vader had her restrained with the Force, his saber at her neck. She sighed and dropped her sabers, and Lord Vader let her down. She rubbed at the spot he held her and began to follow him out the room, but not before bowing to the room.
With a wicked look in her eyes, she announced, “I hope you enjoyed the show because at 0500 sharp, you’re getting new assignments.”
She walked out with Lord Vader at her side, talking about some project.
Glancing at the clock, she saw that it read 0200.
Damn it.
Daughter took a shine to her and began training her one day, and Fourth Sister couldn’t figure out why, so she gathered the courage to ask. Surprisingly, Daughter answered.
“You remind me of someone. She was a kind soul, curious, and had a soft heart and because of it, she died. You’d do well to not let the same fate befall you. Now, attack me again.”
So she did.
Fourth Sister decided then and there she would follow Daughter anywhere.
Fourth Sister was walking the corridors when she heard Daughter's smooth voice say, "He misses you terribly. Won't you reconsider?"
A crisp, Coruscanti accent replied, "I'm sorry, my dear, but I fear I am not ready to face him quite yet, not even for Luke's sake."
"The 'he' in question was not Luke, but he does miss you too."
A heavy silence set in, one filled with implications she couldn't comprehend. She had so many questions, but she dared not ask them. She hadn't even meant to intrude on this private conversation.
"I see…"
"I'm sure you do. Since you need time to process this, I'll let you go. I suspect I'll be seeing you soon enough. May the Force be with you."
"And with you, my dear."
Fourth Sister straightened as Daughter exited the room, looking as graceful as ever.
"Come, Fourth Sister. Today, you will be accompanying me to Alderaan."
"Alderaan?"
The planet with the suspected leader of the Rebellion?
"Why yes, we'll be visiting the royal family."
She hadn't realized she had said that out loud.
"I just happen to have a gift of hearing surface thoughts, and before you ask, I don't often use it, but you're projecting loudly today. Do you want to tell me why that is?"
Guilt wracked her.
"I heard the end of your conversation."
Daughter hmmed.
"I suspected you did. You may ask, but I may not answer."
"Who were you talking to?"
"An old friend. We recently reconnected."
Fourth Sister hesitated with her second question.
"And Luke…?"
Daughter stopped in her tracks and looked at her, grabbing her by her chin gently.
"Open up for me."
It was a demand, one that she obliged willingly. Having Daughter inside her mind was odd. It was uncomfortable, yes, but she did not mind it.
She let go and resumed walking and Fourth Sister followed. The rest of the way to a ship was silent, and it wasn't until they were in hyperspace did Daughter answer.
"He is mine. You'll meet him soon enough."
Alderaan was beautiful. She had never gone before, and it was also one of the first times she saw Daughter in something other than armor. She kept her elaborate golden headdress and her sabers, but she wore a dress. It looked perfect on her. She looked like royalty, and maybe that was the point of it. She hadn't missed how Lord Vader treated her reverently. In fact, she had taken his behavior as a cue and treated her the same way, if not more so. There were times when she wanted to call Daughter her lady, but that wasn't allowed. It was traitorous.
"Auntie!" A girl's voice called out and looking towards the entrance, Fourth Sister found a child running towards Daughter with a wide smile on her face. Daughter had a smaller smile on her face—but no less true or affectionate—as she caught the girl when she launched herself at her. The Force shone with joy and possessiveness—from both of them.
Oh.
They shared a bond.
It shimmered brightly, and it was like staring at the sun, but Fourth Sister couldn't look away because she had missed this feeling. Bonds like this weren't allowed in the Empire but Daughter—such a high ranking officer was allowed it. It was said bonds made them weak, but Daughter was not weak. She was the very opposite.
"Oh, my mighty Leia, how I've missed you." She swung the girl around and then held her close and Fourth Sister felt like she was intruding on a private moment, so she averted her eyes and let her mind drift.
She was taken out of her mind when she heard, "Leia! Where did you go?"
And in came Senator Organa, suspected rebellion leader, the Rebel.
He turned white at the sight of Daughter, who was holding Leia's hand. Whether it was because of that action or Daughter herself, Fourth Sister couldn't be sure.
"Hello, Bail. It's been a while. I am Daughter, the envoy sent by Lord Vader to check for Force-Sensitives this year. I hope you will be willing to accommodate my aide and me."
His face switched back to the mask most politicians used—a kind, fake smile with shrewd eyes—but his apprehension lingered.
"Of course. We were expecting you. I see Leia has greeted you before I was able to."
Leia—Leia Organa—nodded serenely, the picture perfect princess, and said, "Yes, it was an honor to greet her and her aid and welcome them to Alderaan and specifically to the House of Organa."
Senator Organa smiled tightly but genuinely at his daughter. "Well, since you've taken the initiative, continue on, Princess."
Leia held her chin high and smiled at the two of them and took charge immediately. She reminded her of Daughter greatly.
Speaking of Daughter, her lady had looked at Leia like she hung the stars, like she was the most important person in the world. She remembered the way bonds had been at the Temple, but this went beyond that.
She looked at Leia and then at Daughter and wondered.
Daughter was ruthless in her training, but Fourth Sister relished in it because that meant she took her seriously and wanted her to improve, and there was nothing more important than that. Most of the time, Daughter had her training until she collapsed or passed out.
This was one such evening.
She woke up in stages.
“— little sister.”
“Oh, I thought I was your daughter, my lord.”
“You are whatever I deem you to be, little one.”
Fourth Sister felt someone petting her lekku and she purred, curling deeper into the warmth. She heard a soft chuckle.
“You know I’m not so little anymore, Master.”
“You’re still smaller than me.”
“With your stilts, maybe.”
“Then your montrals don’t count. Besides, it is not a reference to your frame.”
“Then what is it?”
A pause, deep mechanical breathing. She no longer found it terrifying.
“...I’ll tell you one day.”
“But not today?”
“Not today.”
“Hm, I suppose there are worse things than being yours, Master.”
Blue was a color, but it could also be a feeling and this was blue, not the sad kind, but that of the sky. It was bliss and serenity. Fourth Sister delighted in it and let it consume her.
Quietly, she almost missed it, “And there is nothing better than being yours.”
She fell back asleep.
Fourth Sister chose not to confront Daughter on it. She wouldn’t even know where to begin.
Time passed and she found herself attached to Daughter. There was no doubting it, just as there was no doubting that Lord Vader and Daughter were planning on overthrowing the Emperor and gaining the position themselves. She should report them, as was her duty, but she had already decided that her life was her lady’s and in turn, it was also Lord Vader’s because the two of them came as a package deal.
One night, Daughter asked her if any of her brethren would resist and she answered truthfully, despite knowing she was signing their death warrants. Her lady nodded and kissed her forehead before leaving. In the morning, there were less of them and Fourth Sister couldn’t find it in her heart to feel guilty.
Fourth Sister was loyal to her lady first and foremost.
Later, Daughter thanked her.
With the reverse grip Daughter had taught her, Fourth Sister disarmed Daughter and won her first spar against her. Daughter had smiled widely at her, pride radiating off of her as she picked her up and swung her around like she did Leia all those years ago.
She felt warm.
“Congratulations, my apprentice."
Oh.
Daughter did not scold her for wetting her top with her tears or for hugging her too tightly.
“There is one last lesson I have left to teach you, dear one.”
Her lady then taught her how to purify her crystal.
It was a blinding yellow.
It reminded her of the sun.
“There is something I promised you long ago.” Daughter said as she traveled through the many passages of the hidden area she entered. Fourth Sister did not know what it was she was referencing.
“I trust you and have for a while now, Fourth Sister, but I can no longer hide him from you. There is something I will require your help with when Vader and I take on our illustrious leader.”
Him?
She finally opened one of the many doors and inside it was a boy with blonde hair and blue, blue eyes.
“Mama!”
She blinked.
The boy jumped into her lady’s arms, and it reminded her of another child. Looking at the boy closer, she found shared features.
"Fourth Sister, this is Luke.”
“Hello, Fourth Sister!” He greeted her, and it was then she felt him and just like that time with Leia, she felt the sun shining on her.
“Hello, Luke. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Mama says you’re her padawan, is that true?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes, she is the closest thing to a master in my life.”
Fourth Sister was still reeling at the revelation that her lady was a mother, but if she really thought about it, it made sense.
“If you don’t consider her your master, then what do you see her as?”
She exhaled and kept her focus on Luke. To say it out loud was different than referring to her as it in her mind, but this was important.
“To me, she is my lady. I will serve her in any and every capacity that I am able to.”
She closed her eyes and she felt the gentle caress of her lady as she cradled her face.
“Oh, dear one. Please open your eyes.”
She obeyed and her lady looked incredibly soft.
“There is no other I would rather have as my right hand.” She kissed her cheeks and then her forehead.
Luke broke the moment and said, “So, she’s like what Sabé was to Mother but for you?”
Her lady answered, “Yes, that is an apt description. It is why she will be looking after you and your sister during the final battle.”
She blinked and looked at her lady. That was a lot of information to just dump on her at once.
“There is no other I trust more than her to look after you and Leia. The Empire is not allowed to get to you, and she will ensure that no one gets close enough.”
There was her confirmation, but that created even more questions—questions that she would not dwell on at this very moment.
Fourth Sister looked at Luke and saw her lady in him and knew she would protect and serve him the same way she would for Daughter. This was her son, after all, which meant Leia was her daughter too, so she’d keep her safe too.
Before she left, Daughter kissed her forehead and whispered, “My name is Ahsoka Tano, dear one.”
And Fourth Sister, for the first time in a decade, said her own. “Nadja, Nadja is my own, Ahsoka.”
Ahsoka smiled at her and replied, “Hope, how fitting.”
And then she was gone.
Nadja stayed true to her word as did Ahsoka and then the Force shuddered—the Force that had been clouded for years—and it became clear and bright. She would forever remember the way it sang and hummed.
Emperor Palpatine was dead.
Long Live Empress Ahsoka Tano and Emperor Vader.
Ahsoka was not the one to greet them but Lord Vader.
Luke scrambled to meet him while Leia stayed in her spot, watching the scene.
“Daddy, you’re okay! Did we win? Where’s Mama?”
Again, Nadja was left reeling.
Just what kind of relationship did her lady and lord have?
Then, Luke's question settled in and a heavy weight was dropped on her chest. She was almost afraid to hear his answer.
“Your mother is fine. She is currently resting.”
The weight left her just as easily as it came. Her lady was still alive.
“And my parents, are they fine?”
Lord Vader turned his gaze away from Luke and looked to Leia. “Bail and Breha Organa are alive and well, Princess.”
Leia let out a relieved sigh, and her shoulders slumped and then she made her way to her—to Vader, and then she hugged him.
Leia muttered into his suit, “I’m glad you’re alive, Father. Auntie, too.” And then cheekily added, “Does this mean I’m the heir to the throne?”
Lord Vader chuckled. “Technically, that would be Luke. He was born first, after all.”
“Me?” Luke asked and then smugly said, “I told you I was older, little sister.”
Leia punched him in the shoulder before turning back to Lord Vader.
“Can we see Auntie now?”
Nadja shared her sentiment.
“Yes, follow me.”
He exited the ship and Nadja followed behind them.
The Force screamed and Nadja blocked the blast aimed for Leia and growled at the attackers before killing them.
Lord Vader considered her appraisingly.
“Ahsoka chose well,” was his only comment.
It sounded like approval.
It took several months before the new Empress and Emperor had a stable government to work with. In that time, it was revealed who Lord Vader actually was beneath the helmet and just who Ahsoka was.
Both were famous, or infamous in some cases, Jedi during the Clone Wars. Lord Vader was the Hero with No Fear, Anakin Skywalker, and Ahsoka Tano had been his padawan before she was expelled from the Jedi Order. She could only think of the first time she had seen them fight. It was them who had danced at the Temple too.
Finding this out did not answer her questions and only created more but Nadja was content to stay in the dark. Her lady would tell her eventually. Still, she couldn’t help but be curious about just what the relationship between the two of them was.
Nadja asked one night while they were preparing a speech for the Senate because the curiosity was killing her and her lady seemed to be in a good mood.
Ahsoka smiled and the Force around her hummed when she answered, “It’s simple really. I’m his and he is mine. Isn’t that enough?”
In the grand scheme of things, Nadja supposed that it was.
Lord Vader found her one night practicing her forms.
“I didn’t always like you, Nadja.”
The feeling was mutual, not that she’d ever admit that aloud.
His mouth twitched to the side slightly which meant he probably knew what she had thought.
Oh well.
“But you’re important to Ahsoka. She and the children are your first priority above all else, right?”
She nodded, wondering where he was going with this conversation.
“We’re not so different, you and I. We both want the best for her and isn’t that enough?” He asked, unaware he was echoing his—Ahsoka’s words.
“Yes, we do. Then you must know that I do not belong to this Empire, I belong with—to Ahsoka. I am hers to choose what to do with.”
She had accepted that long ago; she relished that fact, even.
“Indeed, Nadja. I know that all too well.”
He left, and she supposed he did.
There was nothing Nadja wouldn’t give Ahsoka, and Lord Vader felt the same. He had proven that when he had placed the Galaxy at her feet.
In a way, she was just like him.
After all, Nadja hadn't learned to revere her out of nowhere.