"That's the thing about books. They let you travel without your feet."

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Special Chapter - Blank Pages

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Othanian Translations

Nersh - fuck

Gyjo - Mix of "ejo" and "gysk", gender-neutral term for parent

Kanez - Elite, the main team (Y/n) works with during the 377th

Mando'a Translations

Meg ni gar - Who are you?

Kyr'tsad - Death Watch

Haat Mando'ade - True Mandalorians

Jetti - Jedi

Dar'jetti - Dark Jedi/Sith

Pirunir sur'haaise - make their eyes water (slang for kill, injure or defeat)

Pare! Ni nu aru'e - Wait! I'm not an enemy

Lek, nayc ni genet - Yes, no, I'm gray

Aliit - Family

Alor - Sir, can be used as a shortened version of Mand'alor

Ade - Children

Buir - Parent

~*~

When the Council ordered you to go retrieve an ancient Jedi artifact from an abandoned temple in the hopes of keeping it out of Sith hands, you were ecstatic. You used to go on missions like that all the time with your master to explore forgotten facets of the Force and remain isolated while you practiced what the temple taught.

When the war started, your normal missions shifted from site exploration and delicate diplomatic missions to protecting planets from invasion. The chance to explore and learn ancient history again was a welcome reprieve from the normal action of your life.

"Considering this isn't a Sith temple, there shouldn't be any traps to worry about," you called back to the Kanez, who were following you at a sedate pace. Drifter had insisted on you going with an escort, and despite knowing you could take care of yourself, you wouldn't pass up the chance to spend more time with your men.

"This might be the easiest mission we've ever been on," Burner called back up.

"Don't jinx it," Screech smacked the back of Burner's helmet, nearly sending him to the ground, "The last thing I want is to end up running from some ancient curse because you couldn't keep your trap shut."

"Surprised you're the one telling him to keep quiet, Screech. Considering your track record and all," Paints teased, earning a smack on the arm in return.

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors with the Force, stepping into the temple felt like entering a new world. The bright, airy nature of the Coruscant temple paled in comparison to the entrance hall of this place. Nature had taken over, but instead of damaging the structure, the two seemed to be working in harmony. Plants lined the area, with native creatures happily roaming. Vines sprouting with types of flowers you knew Screech would love to take notes on.

"Screech, Paints, do you want to stay behind and look over the flora and fauna? I imagine you'd like to take notes or draw it."

The two nodded eagerly, each unclipping a small datapad from their belts and disappearing into the miniature forest around you. Drifter turned to you, and he was tilting his helmet in his I Can't Believe You Just Did That way.

"You just dismissed two men from your squad to explore?" He asked in disbelief.

"This is an easy mission, Drifter. The men can have a little fun if they want to. In fact, if the rest of you want to explore as well that should be fine. Be sure to scan an area before you enter it just in case, but I don't feel anything malicious in the Force."

Without hesitation, the men gave informal salutes and dispersed. It seems none of them were able to resist having unfettered access to an ancient Jedi temple. Not that you could blame them. You were a Jedi and you were still fascinated with the place.

"Ser-"

"You can come with me if you want Drifter, if it keeps you from freaking out," you patted his shoulder twice before moving on.

Behind you, Drifter petulantly muttered, "I wasn't freaking out."

The entire temple was stepped in the Living Force thanks to its coexistence with the ecosystem of the planet, but there was a Force presence that stuck out. It wasn't Living or Unifying, it was something much more... complicated. Whether or not it was the place the artifact was residing, you still wanted to see what that was.

The rest of the temple was the same as the entrance hall, covered in nature that served to emphasize the beauty of the architecture. The windows were broken long ago, letting in sunlight and a cool breeze from outside. The varying scents of wildflowers mixed together into something pleasantly floral.

"This is nice," Drifter finally admitted, still trailing you closely but much less tense than he was at the entrance, "I didn't realize Jedi temples could be so peaceful."

"The silence in the Jedi Temple now is a result of the war," you admitted quietly, "It used to be very different, with Younglings running in the halls and Knights and Masters coming together to meditate or simply talk. It was a safe haven in the middle of the most populated planet in the galaxy. Now it feels like every time I go there I'm suffocating."

"Where is your home, if you don't feel safe at the Temple anymore?"

"With you of course," you smiled, answering his question like it was obvious, "I sleep better on The Gray than I do in my room at the Temple, same with The Negotiator. Anywhere with my family is considered home now, no matter where in space we are."

"Aliit ori'shya tal'din."

"Elek."

You were getting close to the source of the strange Force presence. It was in one of the upcoming rooms. Why ancient Jedi didn't keep their artifacts guarded in the lower levels you would never understand.

"Here," you stopped in front of a pair of unassuming doors, and a small push with the Force opened them for you. The walls of the room were lined with flimsi books, books you'd definitely be taking with you onto The Gray to be given to the Archives when you got back to Coruscant.

At the center of the room, was another flimsi book, this one much thicker and set up so the pages could be displayed. As you approached, you realized that the pages were blank.

"Huh," you hummed in surprise, kneeling down in front of the pedestal in search of the carvings normally present with artifacts. Sure enough, there were words carved into the stone.

"What language is that?" Drifter questioned, kneeling down next to you, "I've never seen that before."

"It's called English. We still speak it- it's Galactic Basic, but our writing changed millennia ago to Aurebesh instead of this."

"Can you read it?"

"Yeah, it says 'With each turn of the page a different story is told'... strange, I've never read an inscription like that before. It might be implying that this book holds knowledge of those that interact with it, or maybe somehow it writes prophecies."

Standing to your full height, you reached out for the book. Your fingers brushed against one of the blank pages, and your stomach lurched.

You were falling from the sky. It took mere moments for your brain to process you were in danger, and when you did you screamed and threw out your hands. The Force caught you before you landed in the sand dune just below you. Knowing there was no other choice, you slowly lowered yourself to lie in the sand.

Pulling yourself to your feet, you brushed the sand from the front of your tabards and looked around. Two suns were high in the sky, the heat blistering and causing sweat to form on your brow within seconds. You were on Tatooine.

"What the nersh am I doing here?" You asked yourself.

"I'd like to know the same thing," there was additional heat at the back of your neck, something you recognized as a lightsaber. The voice was familiar as well, though you weren't immediately able to place it, "Who are you? And why are you wearing Jedi robes and a lightsaber?"

The voice clicked. It was older, more strained, but you'd know it anywhere, "Obi-Wan?"

The lightsaber came closer, and you felt like you'd made a mistake, "How do you know my name?"

"Obi-Wan, it's me, (Y/n)- don't tell me you don't recognize me," the lightsaber didn't move, "Obi-Wan we were raised together, we fought together, we got married!"

The lightsaber moved away, "I've never known a (Y/n). Who are you?"

With the lightsaber no longer at the back of your neck, you took the chance to turn around. Your breath left your lungs. Obi-Wan was... old.

"What... is this?" You whispered, "The last time I saw you was two weeks ago. You were as young as I am. We were talking about our next leave and how we were going to take Anakin and Ahsoka to Dex's." A great sadness filled Obi-Wan's Force signature. "Obi-Wan, what... what happened?"

"We seem to be at a loss. I don't know you, yet you presume to know much about me. Where did you come from?"

"I was with my battalion, the 377th. The Council sent me on a mission to find and recover an ancient Jedi artifact. It was a book, with blank pages. I touched it and ended up here."

"Was there an inscription?"

Your heart stopped, and your eyes grew wide in realization, "With each turn of the page a different story is told. It wasn't talking about prophecies, it was talking about different possibilities! You don't know me because this isn't my universe. Oh nersh."

Sensing your impending panic, Obi-Wan (Other Obi-Wan? Other Obi?) spoke before you could spiral too far, "The afternoon sun can cause great harm, come, I will give you shelter and listen to your story."

Nodding, you dutifully followed after the Other Obi-Wan. Surprisingly, he led you to a bantha. Blinking up at the large creature, you were even more surprised when Obi-Wan easily mounted the creature. Seemingly a gentleman in every universe, he held out his hand to help you up as well.

"Thank you."

The ride to Obi-Wan's home was silent and tense, with both of you struggling to process what was happening. Even when you got to Obi-Wan's apparent home, you struggled to accept the reality of the situation. Obi-Wan lived nowhere near any of the settlements. His home was built to the side of several cliffs, hidden from the world.

Obi-Wan led you inside to a table with a single chair. He gave it to you and disappeared for a few moments, returning with another chair that he set across from you. He lived alone, then, if another chair had to be brought out.

"You being from another universe would explain quite a few things," Obi-Wan started, "I understand that we were married in your universe?"

"Yes, I'm second in line for the throne of Othan and Master Yoda himself approved the special permission form under the guise of securing the line in case something happens to my older sister. I think he just wanted us to get together and he's a meddling troll."

Obi-Wan hummed, "Othan isn't a planet I'm familiar with."

"That makes sense if I don't exist here. But, there are things here that I don't really understand. The Force is Dark and it feels like it's in pain. You're alone on Tatooine of all places and I can't sense anyone I knew back home nearby. You're in exile, why?"

Obi-Wan's face darkened, his emotions growing turbulent before he released them into the Force.

"The Jedi are gone."

Your breath caught in your throat. You couldn't have heard that right but... but it made sense. It would explain why the darkness was nearly overwhelming, and why the Force was in pain. It lost its Light ones and had to live with an overwhelming amount of darkness because of that.

"What... how could this have happened?"

"You said you knew Anakin?"

"Yes. He's like a brother to us, a son."

Another wave of hurt crashed through the Force, so potent that you actually flinched when it hit you. Flash of lava crossed your mind, heat, and pain, and my heart is snapping in two. How could you do this? You were supposed to be the best of us!

"You were my brother Anakin! I loved you!"

"I hate you!"

Sucking in a deep breath, you emerged from what must have been Obi-Wan's memory. Obi-Wan himself had an apologetic grimace on his face.

"I apologize. I'm afraid it's been a long time since I've been around another trained Force-sensitive. Shielding thoughts and memories doesn't come as easily as it used to."

Dismissing the apology, you focused on what you saw, "Anakin he- he Fell, didn't he?" Obi-Wan nodded once, "I don't understand. He's struggled, of course, but he was always so determined to be a good Jedi and to help people. How could that have changed so drastically?"

"He Fell for a reason, (Y/n). The Order, the Republic- we were all deceived. Palpatine was the Sith Lord and he'd been manipulating Anakin since he was a child. None of us realized..."

"Oh Force."

That was why being around Palpatine felt so wrong! The Jedi, firmly in the Light, wouldn't have sensed anything if he shielded himself properly, but you had the Dark Side in you. You used it. Palpatine must not have accounted for that and some of his true nature slipped through his shields just enough so that you could sense something was off.

It all made sense now. Wanting to see Anakin constantly, the little derogatory comments, the manipulations. Anakin came back from meetings conflicted and irritated because the Dark Side was trying to get into his head.

"There's more. He was having visions. He married-" Obi-Wan paused, closing his eyes in what you recognized as an attempt to regain control of his emotions, "He married Padmé Amidala after the events of Geonosis. Did that battle happen in your universe?"

"Yes, but I imagine things went differently considering I was there with you."

"Yes, well, after Geonosis they got married in secret on Naboo. I knew they were involved but I didn't know how deeply until it was too late. Padmé fell pregnant, and Anakin had visions of her dying while giving birth."

"He became scared and desperate," you concluded.

"I don't know what Palpatine said to him, what he offered, but it was enough. After he Fell he... he led the 501st in a siege on the Temple. No one survived, not even the younglings."

Vomit rose in your throat, and you closed your eyes to stop yourself from throwing up. Anakin... oh nersh. Wait, but-

"The 501st are some of the finest men I've ever met. They would never march on the Temple, much less murder younglings."

Obi-Wan seemed just as confused as you at that, "I don't know what happened. I was with the 212th on Utapau on a mission to kill Grievous. I did so and was returning to my men when something changed. It was like they weren't alive anymore. Their Force presences became muted, no longer individual but a single unit. Then they shot me down. I survived. Many other Generals didn't when their men turned on them as well."

"It couldn't have been their choice," you argued, "I know my men, I call them family, just as they call us vod. They love kids, and all of them love their general."

Lips thinning, Obi-Wan couldn't meet your intense gaze, "I've always hoped that it wasn't their choice. I spent three years with my men, fighting alongside them. Cody, he was... I've never believed that what they did was their choice."

"If it was a single order that did it then something must have been programmed into them when they were still on Kamino," you theorized, "Which means that from the start- from the start they weren't created to serve the Jedi. They were created to kill the Jedi."

The two of you fell silent, mourning the wonderful men you knew and the tragedy that befell not only them but the Jedi Order as well. All because a power-hungry Sith wanted to create an Empire for himself.

"What happened to Padmé? And the child?" You finally asked.

"I went to her after the attack on the Temple and asked if she knew where Anakin was. She said she didn't and I knew she was lying, I also knew she would go to him. So I hid on her ship. Anakin was on Mustafar. She was talking to him when I came off the ship and he assumed I had turned her against him, so he Force choked her. I checked on her and she was fine, unconscious but her pulse was steady. Anakin and I fought and I... I cut off his limbs and left him for dead. I couldn't kill him, and for that, the galaxy has suffered. I took Padme to Bail Organa, and by that time she was in labor. She gave birth to twins and died of unknown causes."

Knowing exactly where Obi-Wan's mind was, you reached across the table for his hand. He flinched away at first, and you wondered how long it had been since he'd last had physical contact with someone outside of fighting. Then, slowly but surely, he reached out and allowed you to take his hand.

"What happened to Padme was not your fault. You acted on behalf of the entire galaxy by going onto her ship, but more than that you were trying to bring your brother home," something clicked in your mind, "I know this may be hard to answer, Obi-Wan, but did you truly think Anakin was a dead man when you left him?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan's voice was strained and you felt terrible for dredging up such traumatizing memories, "The shock should have killed him, if not that then the lava rising would have."

"There are rituals, dark rituals, that allow the caster to drain the life force from one person and give it to another."

Obi-Wan caught on to what you were implying, "You don't think-"

"Why else would Padme have died? She just gave birth to twins, and she would have fought with everything she had to stay alive for them. If the med droids and scans didn't pick anything up, then it wouldn't have been anything physical. But scans can't pick up anything related to the Force."

"It was Palpatine that killed her." A fit of great anger rose in Obi-Wan, "Anakin's visions- he went to Palpatine in desperation for help, and he was the one who killed her!"

You felt a pull in your stomach. Remembering the initial jerk that came from touching the artifact, you realized you were about to get jerked out of this dimension to return to your own. Panic rose in you, and Obi-Wan must have felt it because he quickly calmed down and looked at you with wide eyes.

"The twins, what happened to them?" You asked urgently. You had to know.

"Leia was adopted by Bail and Breha Organa, she is safe and loved. I brought Luke here to be raised by Anakin's family. He is safe as well. I'm watching over him. He's all I have left."

Good. Good. Those twins would be the galaxy's greatest hope. No one was better at shaking things up than a Skywalker, mix those genes with Padme Amidala's and you got an unbeatable force.

"I'm sorry you were doomed to infinite sadness in this life, Obi-Wan," you said sincerely, "You are the last person in the universe who deserved such a fate."

Obi-Wan smiled, "Knowing there is a version of myself out there who is happy, and that my family still has a chance is a blessing from the Force itself. It is enough. May the Force be with you."

"And with-" you were gone.

There was no great fall this time. Instead, you slammed against a hard metal floor. Groaning in pain, you rolled to your side and pushed yourself to your knees. A quick glance around confirmed you were on a ship.

"Meg ni gar?" The telltale sound of a gun clicked, and you felt the butt of it against your back. Mando'a? That meant either Kyr'tsad or a rare Haat Mando'ade. For your sake, you hoped it was the latter.

"Jetti," another gun clicked, "Pirunir sur'haaise."

"Pare!" You exclaimed, not keen on getting shot before you could explain yourself and go back back, "Ni nu aru'e!"

"Gar Jetti."

"Naas Jedi Order," you stated, hoping that they'd believe you and back off. It technically wasn't a lie considering you couldn't be entirely affiliated with any order of the sort as a Gray Jedi, but they didn't need to know your deep involvement despite the fact.

"Gar dar'jetti?"

"'Lek, nayc. Ni Genet."

"Genet Jetti?" The two Mandalorians seemed confused, which wasn't an unusual reaction considering Gray Jedi were basically a myth.

"Elek."

"Mand'alor on deck!"

Cautiously glancing back, unsure if you'd be shot for the action, your eyes widened at the sight of familiar armor.

"Jango Fett," you greeted, bowing your head.

"Genet Jetti," Jango greeted in kind, pulling his helmet off and confirming your suspicion, "What is your name?"

"(Y/n) Pavond."

"A traveling warrior, teacher, and healer," a crisply accented voice spoke up behind Jango, and you immediately recognized it as Obi-Wan's, "At least, that's what you are here. But you aren't from around here, are you?"

"No," you said quietly, watching Obi-Wan step up behind Jango, closer than a simple advisor would be but still behind him slightly, "It seems as though things are quite different here."

"How so?"

"You're the Rid'Mand'alor. Where I'm from, you're married to me and Jango Fett all but absolved the role of Mand'alor after the Galidraan Massacre."

"The Galidraan Massacre?" Jango possessively reached out and wrapped an arm around Obi-Wan's waist. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes. You wouldn't go after any Obi-Wan but your own.

"Yes. Jango Fett, the young Mand'alor, led many of the Haat Mando'ade to Galidraan on a bounty, but the governor sent a plea to the Senate claiming they were attacking innocent people. He was working with Kry'tsad. Jedi were sent, and they killed nearly everyone. Jango Fett disappeared for many years and only recently resurfaced."

"Jetti," Jango growled, something feral and dangerous flashing in his gaze that nearly made you freeze. But then Obi-Wan placed a hand on his arm and he calmed, "Do you see now why we rescued you from them?"

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes but didn't answer. Rescue? Were the Jedi evil in this universe and Jango offered Obi-Wan sanctuary? Is that how they fell in love? If Jango was still Mand'alor then Galidraan likely never happened.

"If Jango isn't Mand'alor, then what became of the Mandalorian Empire?"

"Empire? Mandalore hasn't been an Empire for many years. The clans were never able to unite. After the Galidraan Massacre, the New Mandalorian movement rose to power and Duchess Satine Kryze was put on the throne."

Both Obi-Wan and Jango tensed. Satine must exist in this universe, and she wasn't a dear friend either.

"Was she a pacifist there as well?"

"Yes. She banished all of Mandalore's warriors and destroyed nearly all history relating to 'senseless violence'. Basic is spoken instead of Mando'a. Things are... not the same," you tactfully left out the part about protecting her for a year so she could be put into power in the first place. It didn't seem like a smart thing to share, "What of Mandalore here? Is it truly still an Empire?"

"Yes, and a strong one," Obi-Wan stated, and Jango smirked pridefully, "Currently there is a war occurring between Mandalore, the Republic, and the Sith."

"The Sith?"

"Yes, there are many of them here. Not many in your universe I take it?"

"Likely more than we know, but there have been only four in the past thousand years. What of the Jedi here?"

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak again, but Jango shook his head and Obi-Wan silenced quickly. Jango spoke instead, "They are warmongers, far too lost in their pride to remain the 'peaceful people' they supposedly once were."

"Is that why you left?" You asked Obi-Wan.

"No. I was captured as a prisoner of war and put through the Integration Program. I am a Mandalorian now, simply one who can use the Force."

"Integration?" The word formed a pit in your stomach. Obi-Wan was captured as a prisoner of war and somehow ended up as the Rid'Mand'alor? It screamed of manipulation and brainwashing.

"Alor," a Mandalorian interrupted before anyone could expand on the Integration program, "We are in Kamino's atmosphere."

"Understood."

"The Vode still exist in this universe?"

Every head in the room snapped to you, "The Vode?"

"Yeah, the clones of you. In my universe, they were created as soldiers for the Republic. I wasn't aware you'd do the same thing, considering they're treated like slaves and all," your eyes narrowed. Perhaps Jango didn't stick to the Haat Mando'ade ideals in this universe.

Wide-eyed and pale, Obi-Wan spoke, "We weren't aware there would be clones here. I've been having visions of pain and suffering centered around this planet. I was coming here to go undercover and investigate."

"Oh." Well, you perhaps just revealed too much, "Well, you'll want to go to Tipoca City then, that's where the cloning facility is. I'm not sure how many Vode will be there, but I'd be cautious and kind going in. They aren't used to kindness and they'll expect punishment for any sign of individuality. But all of them are wonderful and unique people. I don't... I don't understand the intricacies of this universe, but I beg you to rescue them. They don't deserve to be flesh droids."

"You care for them?"

"Deeply, they are aliit."

Jango hummed, "If they are my clones, then they are aliit. I'll adopt them."

This Jango already cared more about these clones than the one in your universe, that was for sure.

"Vor'e, alor. If you wish to gain their trust quickly, Obi-Wan, you'll want to search for Cody. The Kaminoans will call him CC-2224. The Vode look to him as a leader."

"I'll be sure to reach out to him while I'm there."

Jango looked to Obi-Wan, and the two of them shared a look you couldn't decipher. Obi-Wan then frowned, but Jango retained the same neutral-but-intrigued expression.

"You'll remain here with us," Jango stated, no room for argument in his tone, "Considering your knowledge, you'll oversee the mission from the ship. After, you'll come to Manda'yaim with us. I'm sponsoring you for the Integration Program."

Kriff. That was the last thing you needed. You knew the Force was watching over you because you felt a tug in your stomach that meant you'd be leaving this dimension soon. Wishing that you could somehow influence how quickly you left, you slowly started to back away from Jango and Obi-Wan.

"This isn't my universe. I'm not meant to be here and I shouldn't stay. I have people to return to, my Obi-Wan and my ade."

"You are too valuable to the Mandalorian cause to be left on your own. You will create a life here as a Mandalorian. You may be a part of our clan as you've already proven you care about my ade."

Jango's fingers twitched at his side, and you recognized the sign from working with the Vode. Hypo.

Someone wrapped their arms around your middle, hugging you close to their armored chest. Struggling against their strong grip, you didn't notice the second Mandalorian until it was too late. You flinched as the hypo jabbed into your neck. The pull in your stomach was stronger.

"Get them to the medba-"

You were gone.

Growing drowsy from the sedative, you struggled to slow your fall toward what looked like a large garden. Where it was exactly you weren't sure, but you didn't have the mental capacity to worry about that when all your remaining energy was going toward making sure you didn't break every bone in your body when you hit the ground.

"Obi-Wan!"

"I see them!"

Another Force presence joined yours, so familiar and yet scarily different at the same time. Obi-Wan caught you in strong arms when you were close enough, slowly lowering you to the ground.

"Obi-Wan," you whispered, staring up at your husband in shock.

"I've got you, beloved," Obi-Wan stroked a hand through your hair, and the soothing motion was sending you off to sleep despite your valiant struggle, "You're safe."

"Obi..." you were too drowsy to speak, and your eyes started to slip shut.

"That's it beloved. Just sleep. You're here now, and I won't be letting you go again."

Obi-Wan's gold eyes met yours, and you drifted off under his intense gaze.

~*~

Waking up in a soft bed was heaven. You groaned in protest as you regained consciousness, but basked in the soft, warm blankets over you and the plush pillow under your head. It took a few moments for you to realize you'd never had a bed like this before.

Jerking up, you hissed when your body screamed in protest. It must have been because of your fall onto the Mandalorian ship. Now, however, you were in a lavish bedroom. The size of it was nearly the size of your apartment at the Jedi Temple, not including the walk-in closet and fresher you could spot on either side of you. Right in front of the bed was the door.

Taking a moment to regain your bearings, gold eyes floated through your mind. This Obi-Wan had Fallen far enough to become a Sith, and you thought you'd heard Anakin's voice while you were falling too. If that were true, and he was still with Obi-Wan did that mean...

"General," a voice you'd heard on thousands of men broke through your thoughts, along with a gentle knock on the door, "Permission to enter?"

"Granted," you answered instinctively, wincing immediately after. You had no idea if this Vode meant you harm or not. Though if they did, asking for permission was a strange way to begin an attack.

A Vode stepped in, helmet off, which allowed you to see the tattoo of a star on their left Temple. It was Drifter. Your vod paused when he stepped in, staring at you with wide eyes for a moment before he walked close.

"Vod I- I didn't think I'd get to see you again," he admitted quietly, setting a stack of clothes at the end of the bed, "Sparrow treated your injuries. The Emperor wishes for you to bathe and change before I escort you to the throne room."

"Emperor?"

"Emperor Kenobi," Drifter stated it like it was obvious. You felt sick. "Bring the clothes into the fresher with you. I'll wait here."

Slowly reaching out and picking up the clothes, you held them close to your chest, "Drifter, what... how did Obi-Wan become the Emperor? He's always hated politics and he's a Sith too! I could see any Jedi but him Falling!"

"The Vode don't understand everything that went down," Drifter shifted uncomfortably, "We were on a mission with the 212th and General Kenobi when things sort of went blank. Cody got an Order from Chancellor Palpatine, who called himself Emperor. He passed the order along the ranks and- nothing. The next thing I remember after that is coming to on Utapau. The Emperor had gathered the Senate and declared the Chancellor a traitor. He nominated himself to take over since Palpatine already turned the Republic into an Empire. The vote was unanimous. I've seen the holos of that session and it was... I've never seen anything like it. They call him the Negotiator but the way he spoke- if I was a Senator then I would have voted for him after the first sentence."

"Had he Fallen by that point?"

"His eyes are gold in the recording, so were General Skywalker's."

"And mine?"

Drifter shifted, "You weren't there. The Emperor told us that something happened to you when you, General Skywalker, and Emperor Kenobi confronted the Chancellor and killed him."

"I died?"

Drifter looked away, then turned back to you with a small smile, "It's good to see you again, vod. You should get ready, the Emperor is waiting."

Nodding, you got out of bed and took the clothes with you to the bathroom. It was just as luxurious as the bedroom. Slightly uncomfortable with how fancy everything was - even your room at the palace felt less grand than this - you tried not to focus on it and instead stripped off your clothes.

It was then that you noticed your lightsaber was gone, and there was a thick bracelet on your wrist. A cursory check of the Force confirmed it was a Force inhibitor. That wasn't good.

The soaps in the refresher hinted at this room belonging to Obi-Wan. It held soaps with his favorite scent. You opened them and smelled them for a moment, closing your eyes and imagining you were back home. Not taking comfort in it for too long, you quickly shut the cap of the soap and picked another one. It smelled of danflorn flowers from your home planet, your favorite scent.

Happy to wash the bitter-sweet smell of bacta off of you, you observed some nasty bruises from your fall in the last dimension, though they looked further in the healing process than they should which confirmed Sparrow's treatment along with the bacta smell.

After washing yourself, you pulled on the clothes Drifter brought you. It was a pair of black robes with a purple obi, marking you as a Sith. Though the obi obviously showed consideration toward your past set of tabards- another disturbing thing.

Stepping back into the bedroom, you gave Drifter a smile who was more than happy to smile back. For someone who was nearly as serious as Cody, he was extremely chipper.

"Follow me."

As he led you through the halls, you realized that you were walking through the Jedi Temple. The simple but beautiful grandeur where you'd grown up was the same, but the numerous Force-Sensitive signatures that were ever-present were now gone.

"What happened to the Jedi?"

Drifter grimaced, "Many were killed after Chancellor Palpatine sent out the order. It was meant to take out the entire Order, luckily you, General Skywalker, and the Emperor stopped it before too many could pass. Now, the Order has been relocated to Tython. They are a completely independent organization under the order of the Emperor, requests come directly from planets instead of the Senate now."

That was good. The deaths that occurred by the hand of the Vode toward the Jedi were awful, and obviously part of what the older Obi-Wan told you about in your first universe, but the Jedi separating from the Senate and returning to their ancestral home would likely be a good thing in the long run.

"We're here," Drifter stopped in front of a pair of double doors. On either side was a soldier with 212th paint on their armor. They broke form to take off their helmets.

"Boil, Waxer," you smiled, yelping in surprise when the two tackled you into a hug, "Woah! Okay. It's good to see you too."

"Sorry, it's just rough without you here," Boil smiled apologetically.

Smiling back, you refused to say anything on the subject. If you opened your mouth you'd make promises you couldn't keep. Boil and Waxer pulled their helmets back on and pushed open the doors.

This was a side entrance to what used to be the entrance hall to the Temple. There were slight changes that were obviously made to make it seem like a throne room, with the largest one being the two thrones at the end of the room. Obi-Wan sat in one, his posture the same as it always had been during Council meetings.

"Beloved," Obi-Wan smiled and motioned to the throne next to him. Hesitating, you felt Obi-Wan's frustration permeate the room. Hurrying up the steps, you tentatively sat on the throne. The seat was extremely comfortable, and you settled into it quickly, "This is where you are meant to be."

"You know I'm not your (Y/n)," you stated it as the fact it was.

"Yes," Obi-Wan nodded, unbothered, "But in any universe, you are mine as I am yours. You came here for a reason, the Force tells me so."

"And you think it's to be your what? Your co-ruler?"

Obi-Wan reached under his tunic and pulled out a crystal held on a chain. It was the heirloom necklace you gave Obi-Wan at your wedding. Reaching up, you touched the cuff around your pointed ear, tracing the delicately etched initials on the front. Obi-Wan's eyes followed the motion.

"You see it, don't you? How similar this universe is to your own? This is where you are meant to be," Obi-Wan repeated, reaching out and taking your hand. His skin was like ice. The Dark Side always sucked the warmth out of those who used it.

"My Obi-Wan would never fall."

"I Fell for you," Obi-Wan ran his thumb in soothing circles over the back of your hand, "Because you were taken from me, and I had to avenge you."

You shuddered. That statement made you wonder what your relationship in this universe was like. You and Obi-Wan had accepted as soon as your relationship began that you may lose each other. This Obi-Wan hadn't done the same.

"Revenge isn't the way of the Jedi."

Obi-Wan's eyes flashed, "I am no longer a Jedi."

"Master! Master! Master!" The voice slowly grew louder as it grew closer, and a door to your left slammed open, revealing a flustered and panting Anakin. He straightened up and stared at you with wide eyes, "You're awake!"

Anakin leaped up the stairs and pulled you into a hug. The dark of his Force signature tried to wrap around you and you flinched away because of it. Even with the inhibitor, you could feel his power. Anakin pulled back, pouting.

"Ani," another familiar voice rang out, this one was much calmer, "I told you not to scare them. This is probably very strange."

"Padmé," you sent the woman a smile, glad that there was a voice of reason here. Her entrance to the throne room was closely followed by two hover cradles. Despite the severity of the situation, you couldn't stop yourself from perking up, "Oh! Are those-"

"The twins, yes," Padmé walked up the stairs at a sedate pace, standing to your right while Anakin moved to Obi-Wan's left, "Would you like to meet them?"

"Yes!"

Padmé pulled one of the twins out of the cradle and deposited them into your arms, "This is Luke." Luke had light hair and blue eyes and was just as powerful in the Force as his father. He looked up at you and smiled, and you grinned back. Padmé stepped up with the other twin, dropping her into your free arm after you shifted Luke, "This is Leia." Leia had dark hair and dark eyes, and while her Force presence was more muted she wore a scowl on her face that caused you to chuckle. She'd certainly gained Anakin's disposition.

"Hi, hello there," you whispered, rocking slowly while cooing at them, "You're so adorable, just like your parents."

Padmé watched you with them with a small smile on her face, "You're the reason I'm here to raise them." Looking up, you tilted your head in confusion. Padmé continued, "Palpatine had started a ritual without any of us knowing that was sucking the life force out of me so I wouldn't have the strength to survive after the twins were born. One day you slipped into the Dark Side to protect us and sensed what Palpatine was doing. You undid it, and because of that I'm here."

So you were right about the ritual theory. That was good. You'd have to keep an eye on Padmé when you went back to your universe. There were a lot of things you'd have to do when you got back, starting with taking down Palpatine.

"I'm glad I saved you, Padmé. Now you can stay with your family," you carefully gave the twins back to her, one at a time, so she could place them back in the cradle.

"So can you," Padmé beamed, the intensity in Anakin and Obi-Wan's gazes absent in hers. Her mindset had shifted, darkened, of that you were sure, but she wasn't evil, "There's actually something Obi-Wan should tell you."

Raising a brow, you looked over at Obi-Wan who had the sense to look sheepish, "One of the children you adopted yourself before the Empire rose, the other, well..."

Another set of doors opened, and a pair of boys entered along with a nearly grown Ahsoka. Well, actually it was one boy and a creature of Yoda/Yaddle's species which was weirdly adorable.

"Hello there," you greeted quietly.

The human child walked up the stairs silently, staring up at you with wide eyes before seemingly coming to a decision. He climbed onto your lap without jostling the Yoda creature at all. Shocked, but understanding that this was likely the boy you adopted before you died, you wrapped your arms around him as he laid his head on your shoulder.

"Buir," he whispered, shocking you with Mando'a instead of Basic.

"Din, Grogu, Ahsoka, (Y/n) has returned," Obi-Wan was using this as a chance to explain to the children and introduce them to you at the same time. Din was the human child, while Grogu was the baby Yoda.

"It's good to see you, Gyjo," Ahsoka leaned down and hugged you tightly without disturbing the boys. You blinked in shock at the title. You'd always viewed Ahsoka as a daughter, but now she had claimed you as her parent.

Her eyes weren't entirely Sith gold, but there was a ring of gold around her normal blue. She was Gray, like you, though darker than you'd ever dream of becoming.

Grogu cooed, snuggling closer to you and Din. He was Force-sensitive, and powerful at that. You wondered why he was here with you instead of with the Jedi on Tython.

Running a hand through Din's short hair, you wondered how long you'd be stuck here. You were in the first dimension for hours and the second for mere minutes. Despite the love that filled you as you held your supposed children close to you, you couldn't stop the dread from building. If there was no pattern, who's to say you wouldn't be stuck here for days? Years? Doomed to co-rule with your Sith of a husband, filling the place of your dead counterpart.

Looking over, you nearly flinched when you noticed that Padme, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan were all staring at you with heavy possession in their eyes. They wouldn't let you leave, not when you were the only (Y/n) they had left.

~*~

The rest of the day was tense, but enjoyable when you focused on the children. You took Din and Grogu on a walk through the gardens - with Drifter and Bonus as guards to make sure you didn't escape - and learned that you'd rescued Din from a droid attack during the Clone Wars, while Grogu had been recovered on what was meant to be a diplomatic trip with Obi-Wan.

That night all of you ate together at a large table as a family. It was domestic, and kind of nice, and you hated yourself for thinking that way because your husband and brother-son were Sith and Ahsoka was so close and Padmé still seemed off and the twins were so bright now what if they were corrupted-

You were to sleep in Obi-Wan's bed again. With him.

"I will not try anything, beloved, and you know I am a man of my word," Obi-Wan assured you as you nervously tugged on the sleeves of your ridiculously comfortable sleep-wear, "It will take time but you will grow used to all of this."

Unsure how to respond, you simply climbed under the covers and faced away from Obi-Wan. The bed shifted as he got in, and you tensed when he draped an arm over your waist but that was all he did.

Sleep came uneasily, but whether it was Force exhaustion from being thrown around different universes, or the events of the day catching up with you, you drifted off quickly.

Come back (Y/n)

Jerking awake, you stared at the plain wall across from you for a few seconds as you tried to figure out what woke you up.

You have to get back to them

Glancing back at Obi-Wan, you made sure he was deep asleep before you slowly started moving out of bed. Ever so slowly extracting yourself from his embrace, your feet silently landed on the carpeted floor. Cautiously walking to the door, you opened it slowly and were relieved to find no guards outside.

The Force was calling out to you, so strongly that you felt the pull even with the inhibitor on. It was leading you through the Temple, the once familiar halls foreign and warped due to the changes brought about by the Imperial Family.

Eventually, you wandered into the lower levels. They were colder but stronger in the Force than the newer upper levels. With a final shove from the Force, you were directed toward an unassuming door. Slowly push it open, you reared back in shock at what you saw.

It was you, perhaps a bit older but you knew what you looked like. Your body was floating in what you recognized as a Force stasis field, used in the rarest cases to keep someone alive and their body healthy. These fields were used for issues of the mind.

Slowly walking over to yourself, you noted with slight discomfort that nothing was different here. It was easier to set the others apart when they looked different, older, in armor, or with golden eyes. Your hair was the same, as were your normal clothes. Leaning down, you noted the cuffs on your ears as well. This was you, truly you.

You have to get back, (Y/n)

They're waiting for you

You can't leave them alone. They need you

With a start, you realized the whispers weren't coming from the Force, they were coming from the other you. You were thinking loudly enough to project, struggling to regain enough mental strength to come back to consciousness.

"You didn't die during the fight against Sidious." Nearly leaping out of your skin, you whipped around to face Obi-Wan. He was leaning against the doorframe, gaze distant, "It was a failsafe, one none of us could have expected. There's a ritual that traps one within their own mind. Sidious was already weak from the battle, and he used the last of his energy to enact the ritual on you. Nothing we've done has helped, even our Soul Bond is closed off."

"Can you hear my thoughts?"

Obi-Wan shook his head, tilting his head, "You can?"

"Yes. I think it's because we're the same person," you hovered a hand over the stasis field, "If I'm stuck in my own head, then maybe I can get in and bring myself off." That wasn't a confusing sentence.

Lifting your wrist, you held out the inhibitor. Obi-Wan held your gaze for a few moments before slowly reaching for the pressing, pressing his thumb against a certain piece for a few moments before it beeped and fell off.

Nodding in thanks, you turned back to your other self and closed your eyes. The Force returning was jarring, but you ignored the disconcerting feeling in favor of trying to delve into your other self's mind.

When you felt as if you were secure, traversing the familiar planes of your mindscape, you sought out your other consciousness.

"(Y/n)?"

"You're me," you're other consciousness stated, "This hasn't happened before. You feel different than the others."

"I am. I'm here to get you out."

Excited flooded the other mind, and by proxy yours, "Truly? Or is this another trick?"

"There's only one way to find out."

Wrapping yourself around the other consciousness, you slowly extracted yourself from your shared mind. Returning to your body was disorienting, especially because you technically never left it even when traveling into the other mind.

"Did you do it?" Obi-Wan asked, just as the stasis fell.

You felt a pull in your stomach. It was time to go, "Obi-Wan I need my lightsaber."

Without hesitation, he pulled it from his robes and handed it to you. With nowhere to put it in your pajamas, you simply held onto it. The other you shifted, and the pull strengthened.

"Obi-Wan, you need to reach for the Light again," you said urgently, "You'll never be as pure as you once were, but that doesn't mean you need to be trapped in the Dark for the rest of your life."

"With you returned, so will the Light." The Force rang with the truth, and you had to trust that things would be okay.

You were gone.

Falling only a couple of inches, you landed on a hard, worn floor. It was better than the metal ship but still made you wince.

"General!" Drifter was by your side in moments, "You just popped out of existence! I was just about to ask all the men to start a search when- what are you wearing?"

Looking down at yourself, you frowned in confusion. Instead of your normal tunic, pants, and tabard, you were in a pair of comfortable sleepwear.

"I don't know," you replied. At least you had your saber with you, clutched tightly in your hand.

"Where did you go?"

"I'm... not sure," you answered. There were impressions of talking to people, your family, and of sadness and confusion. But that was it, "I don't remember anything."

Drifter frowned, then motioned at the book, "There's something on the pages now."

Jumping to your feet, you looked at the elegant English scrawl now etched on the books once blank pages.

This story is not yet complete, the pages read must be forgotten

"Weird," you whispered, "Let's get the boys in here to extract the artifact- without touching it this time. I don't know what happened to me but I'd rather not put the men through it."

"Of course, General."

Another look at the book revealed that the pages were blank once again.