^^ new pieeeece 

"That's exactly what you're going to do."

At first Obi Wan was afraid he'd regret his decision. Where before he'd tried endlessly to keep her safe, he was now sending her to the front lines himself. On her own and with permission to use every last bit of that unending power she held in the pits of her heart. He may even be sending her right into the hands of Maul himself.

He'd thought he'd go crawling back before she could leave and never let her go. But as he watched her putting on her armor, her eyes focussed and determined, he knew that no matter what he did or said she would do what she did best. Saving people, not only by using the skills she'd obtained as a doctor, but by making sure they wouldn't be put in harm's way in the first place. Maybe she'd get hurt, but the woman before him didn't seem like one that would give up easily.

A proud smile covered his lips as he stared at her. The black Valerian armour already covered her limbs, the dragon scale almost completely hiding her in the shadows of the cellar. Were it not for the fiery red of her hair, she'd almost been invincible in the darkness. Her red cape had been torn and wrapped around his wound at the river's bend, the remains now hanging on the belt that was bound around her waist.

The belt that had saved him from bleeding out, the belt she had used to keep his heart beating. That very same organ now pounded against his chest at the sight of her. Her hair was bound in braids, away from her eyes, black coal smudged around her eyes, making her look like the fighter she was.

He was wrong before when he'd said he didn't recognize her anymore. For this was her, the warrior queen, and he loved every part of her fierce self.

"I can feel you staring at me." She muttered as she secured the last of the braids at the back of her head. In the light of the tiny flames she'd casted her freckles lit up, the light reflecting in her green eyes in the way he recognized them to. As Obi Wan scoffed at himself, she secured the last of her belts around her waist and turned his way. She spread her arms as if to present herself, bowing through her knees the tiniest bit.

"What do you think, master jedi?" She straightened as the corner of her mouth pulled up in a smirk. "Am I presentable enough?"

"Always, my darling." He crossed his arms before his chest and lifted one eyebrow at the title she'd used. Nevertheless, he couldn't help the smile pulling at his lips. He looked down at the clothes he was wearing after managing to tear his gaze away from hers, the improvised stitches she'd made mending the hole in his tunic. Their hostess had managed to wash out most of the blood but still dark splotches covered the fabric around the area the branch had practically impaled him. "I, on the contrary, -"

She walked towards him with large strides, grasped the collar of his tunic in her glove-covered hands and pulled him down before he could finish. "Look dashing." She muttered before placing her lips against his. He couldn't help the grin as he kissed her back, his hands sliding over her waist until they settled over her hips and pulled her against him. She smiled against his lips after that and retreated. "Are you sure about this?" With every word she spoke her lips touched his, making a shiver run up his spine.

Obi Wan closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers, breathing in deeply. He'd had to bow down to get to her level, even as she stood on her toes to reach him. Now, he could smell her, the aromas of what he could only describe as a cosy fire at the end of a long summer's day wafting his senses.

"Of course." He whispered and then lifted his head only so that he could place a kiss on her forehead. "Unless you're not?"

Her eyes scrunched together when she felt the hairs of his beard tingling her skin, a soft chuckle falling from her lips. "Mmh." She hummed contently as she raised herself further onto her toes, settling her head in the crook of his neck. "I will burn them all to ash."

Obi Wan grinned to himself, almost not believing that the woman who was now nuzzling his neck was also the one that could burn cities to the ground if she'd wanted to. His hand ventured to the side of her face, thumb placed under her jaw, and directed her gaze back his way. "Just make sure you disable the shield first and distract them later, all right?"

Her eyes seemed heavy with sleep as she smiled up at him, both her hands sprawled over his chest. That gaze, the way she looked up at him, it had a shiver running up his spine and his fingers itching with the urge to venture to places he shouldn't be thinking about at that moment. "Yes, Master."

"Force, -" He cursed and chuckled lowly, tipping her head back so he'd have easier access to her mouth. "I said, distract later." Still, he couldn't help himself from bowing down and claiming her lips for his own, tongue gently tracing her bottom lip before she'd let him inside. She groaned softly against his mouth and pressed herself tighter against him, her hands roving over the planes of his chest as she tipped her head to the side.

His mind was getting foggier by the minute, his frustration with the layers of armour she wore growing. The need spiked when she gently bit at his bottom lip. "Blast, Lyanna, -" He swore as his grip on her hips tightened and his breath grew heavier.

"Sorry, love." She chuckled against his lips and withdrew. "Couldn't help myself."

He shot her a playful glare before he managed to right himself. "So, -" He gave her another pointed look as he took a step back. "When the shield is down, I'll be able to reach Anakin. We'll rendezvous at the edge of the city, the place we discussed, and wait for him to get us. You'll have to wreak enough havoc to make sure they don't have the time to search for us and find an opening to disappear. I'll recommend blowing up this building right here, where there are no civilians, but enough flammable supplies to, -"

Her green eyes followed his figure as he paced around the room, his eyes focussed on the map that was splayed on the table. His fingers were gently stroking his beard in thought as he talked, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. Even the force around him felt focussed and sure. The queen chuckled softly to herself, realizing he had fallen straight back into his jedi routine without himself even realizing. His wounds were still healing and his body was far from recovered. Still, she admired him, the way that cold determination was clear in his voice as he talked.

"- Lyanna!" She jumped slightly, adjusting her gaze until she was looking right into those blue orbs again. Judging by his tone, he'd probably been calling her name a few times now.

"Yes?" A hesitant smile appeared.

Obi Wan scoffed and crossed his arms before his chest. "Were you listening to a word I just said?"

"You lost me at the part where you were telling me how to do my job." She lifted one eyebrow mockingly and walked towards him, where she adjusted his collar and patted away the crinkles. "I'm an expert at wreaking havoc, my dear jedi." She lifted her gaze to his and looked at him through lowered lashes. She'd even dropped her voice do a low, tempting one, at which he drew in a deep breath. "As you well know."

"Princess, -"

"I know, I know. Distract later." She drew back a few of the inches she'd unconsciously neared. He could only smile down at her and lifted his fingers, letting them draw through her silken hair until they settled against the side of her neck.

"It's time." He whispered as his eyes narrowed. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." She stood up on her toes and reached up, briefly touching their lips together before she quickly pulled away, as if she was scared she wouldn't be able to let go if she'd remained a moment longer. With a deep sigh she strode towards the ladder, looking back over her shoulder. "Be careful with that wound, I'm not looking forward to stitching you up again."

Obi Wan grinned widely at her, until that suddenly was replaced by an expression she couldn't quite describe. It was filled with fear but also with a steadfast determination and pride. "I love you, my Fireheart."

Those few words had her breath stocking in her throat and her heart skipping a few beats. She halted in her tracks as her eyebrows lifted and her eyes started to line with silver. It took a few moments for her to recover from the shock and turn back to face him.

"I love you, Obi." Her voice was barely above a whisper but he could hear her words echo through his body. "And I'll see you, -" She'd tried to mask her sadness with a smile. "- after I have burned this place to the ground."

The smile that followed was one of the broadest she'd ever seen on him. Still, there was a thoughtful look on his face, as if he was still trying to decide if he wanted to say more. His body tensed with it, his fingers clenching into fists. "Be careful." He spoke finally, his coruscanti accent clear.

The queen nodded at him and started the climb up the ladder, not allowing herself to give him one last glance. Instead, she walked towards the exit after closing the lid, determined and ready. She lowered the dragon scale helm that covered the upper half of her face and had scaled feathers protruding from the sides. Now, only her green eyes and red lips would be recognizable for anyone that dared to get close enough. For those further away, she'd appear like a black phoenix, more creature than human.

In the dark of the night she tracked through empty alleys, stealthing past the few patrols that were in this part of the city. Above her she could see the shield encompassing the entire place, blocking out all light of the stars and casting the buildings in an eery dark. Only the street lanterns drove away the shadows that covered the eery homes. From the multiple streets she passed she heard screams, furious yelling of the inhabitants that were having their homes searched by Maul's henchmen. Every now and then she'd hear a door being kicked in.

The sound made an angry scowl appear on her face, her eyes light up with the flames that burned inside of her. She rounded a few other blocks before she summoned the parts of her she'd kept locked up for too long. With a deep sigh of relief, she stretched the muscles of the two limbs behind her, the feathers spreading till far and casting the street in its shadows.

For a moment she looked like the very Valerian that'd haunted her for months. The black feathers shimmered in the light of the streetlights, its tips already glowing with a faint warmth, distinguishing her from him. While he would always be seen as the darkness, she would be the light that came from it.

She enjoyed the moment for a short while, breathing in deeply, before she fully unwrapped her wings and carried herself far above the ground with one swing, already lightening them up with blazing fire. For a moment she was the only light in a dark cave, great and lonely like a sun, casting the buildings in the vicinity in that warm colour. From the windows of the homes she could see curious eyes watching her, peeking through the curtains.

If it was fear or hope she brought them, she didn't know. All she knew was that she would try to free them from the sith that had taken their city.

The quiet was short-lived. A few moments later multiple spots were directed her way, making her squint her eyes against the bright light. She could even hear guns cocking in the distance and the Mandalorians screaming into their commlinks that they'd found her. Soon, all of Maul's men would be upon her.

"Come and get me." She growled under her breath before she darted through the sky and towards the tower. Fire trailed behind her, sparks falling down all around and remaining smouldering long after she'd passed. Each swing of her wings created a rumbling sound, as if the very earth was splitting and breaking wherever she went. In the corners of her vision, she saw men coming her way through the air, their guns pointed right at her but her figure too fast to follow. Blaster fire erupted around her, but with a few skilful manoeuvres she managed to dodge each one.

Soon all of the city was cast in her warm light as she landed on the top of the tower. She bend through her knee, looking down, spotting the patrols coming her way, inching closer with each passing second. There were at least 20, but she knew there had to be more after hearing the report from their hostess. "Not interested yet, huh?" Her wings stretched behind her mockingly. "I'll give you something to notice."

She darted upward, creating a massive ball of fire in the palm of her hand as she did so. With a great swing of her arms she threw it downwards and towards the tower. It groaned beneath the impact, the shield flickering around her like a dying light. The metal seemed to scream in agony, a sound that echoed through the city and was sure to draw more attention her way. With a smile she summoned another ball and another, until there were multiple smoking spots covering the side of the building, the walls breaking and groaning under the avalanche.

It was only when the Mandalorians came near that those red flames encircling her turned into vicious blue ones and enraged further, until she was covered entirely in them. Their yells were entirely overruled by the crackling of the fire as they shielded their eyes from the blinding light.

There was an unholy fire playing in her eyes as her lips pulled up into a sinister smile while she eyed them. "Welcome to the party, boys."

~

Soon the top of the tower was but a smouldering heap of ashes behind me and the patrols of Mandalorians a pile of unconscious, or potentially dead bodies. I stood amidst the chaos, looking up at the shield as it dissolved into tiny pieces and floated down. The dark night sky was revealed, stars shining down on the buildings. With that shield destroyed, Obi Wan should be able to reach Anakin and call for reinforcements. All I had to do was keep their attention on me before he arrived, and away from Obi Wan as he infiltrated the radio centre.

It all seemed to be going according to plan.

Still, an uneasy shiver ran through me and my eyes narrowed in thought. The force was trying to tell me something was wrong, I was sure of it, but I didn't know where to look. There had been but 20 men coming my way while there had been triple that guarding the hospital before. I'd given them plenty of time to reach me, but even now there were no more coming my way.

Fear wouldn't be something that would hold them back from attacking me. There had to be something else, some devious plan the sith had concocted that we were too blind to see.

All he'd wanted was Obi Wan, and previously he'd thought that the best way to get to him would be to capture me the same way he'd captured Satine. To use me as he used her, to hurt him and potentially break him.

"Come on, where are you, Maul?" I whispered as I walked towards the edge of the balcony, hands tightened around the iron balustrade as my eyes darted around the city from above. It wasn't like I was invisible, for even now my fire lit up the entire neighbourhood.

When an explosion suddenly ripped through the air my entire body tensed. There, in the distance, smoke curled up from one of the buildings, screaming following. "Obi." The name tumbled off my lips the moment I realized where it came from.

I darted off the building before I had the chance to catch my breath. Wind raved through my hair as I descended at an unimaginable speed. Buildings passed so quickly they were but a blur. Like a comet I shot through the sky, my mind filled with worry. The flight seemed endless even though mere seconds were passing.

When I neared the rising smoke I could hear the sounds of a fight, together with the buzzing of a lightsaber and the sound of blaster shots. From the windows of the radio centre flashes of light came, growing more intense with each moment I neared, before suddenly that too vanished. An eery silence followed instead.

I didn't allow myself to think what it meant before I wrapped my wings tightly around my body and slammed through one of the windows, glass following in my wake. It took but a second for me to find my next target as I darted through the air. I landed on the ground and slid further, sweeping the legs of one of the mandalorians from under him and dropping him to the floor.

As I slid further, the alarm lights of the building lightening up the room every now and then, I heard furious yelling from almost every direction. We were in the midst of an empty hall stretching on in the darkness, pillars supporting the heigh roof above us.

The moment my speed had slowed down I jumped to my feet, hair waving around me, throwing another ball of fire in the direction I spotted multiple Mandalorians and turned around to my other side, ready to cast a stream of fire their way.

The flames sputtered in the palm of my hand before I came to a complete stop. The breath stocked in my throat and my eyes widened in fear, even as I heard the fireball colliding with its targets behind me. As my body stilled my hair fell over my eyes, waving with each puff of breath that came from my lips. It was the only part of me moving for a long while. For there, in the shadows, surrounded by smoking bodies, 2 familiar figures stood.

"Ah, the doctor." Maul grinned widely, his yellow eyes flaring in the dark and reflecting the fire I emitted. The red of his skin glowed in the colours of the fire until they slowly diminished.

Unconsciously my hand lowered as my eyes darted to Obi's kneeling figure before him. His face was covered in root, the edges of his tunic smouldering where shots had grazed it. His arms were lifted behind his head and interlaced there, his lightsaber laying a few feet away. Even then smoke was rising off the weapon. He'd managed to down more than 6 fully armoured Mandalorians but it seemed something had kept him from defeating the others.

"Now, we can begin." That malicious voice continued. Pain was laced through Obi Wan's expression and blood sated the spot on his ribcage. When I saw that agony in his eyes, my face turned into a scowl and I bared my teeth at the sith, fire flaring in my eyes. A look that promised a painful death. Were it not for the guns pointed at Obi Wan and the nearness of the Sith's blade, I would've lashed out and killed him already.

"Careful." Maul spoke slowly, lowly, with a growl that echoed through the hall. That sinister expression then turned into an almost excited one, the grin showing his blackened teeth. With the moment of reprieve my eyes darted around the room, finding us surrounded by the other Mandalorians I'd missed previously. They were all eyeing me closely, their hands tightened around the weapons in their grip.

"You're outnumbered, doctor." Maul confirmed my thoughts and trailed around Obi Wan's shaking body, his red lightsaber barely grazing his shoulders, keeping it in proximity of the vulnerable skin of his neck. "Even with those impressive powers of yours, you know you stand no chance." Those yellow eyes assessed me, glowing in the golden and red light.

"How about we find out how impressive they really are, -" My voice was a sneer covering the scratching fear. "- with just the two of us, Maul?" I lifted my other hand and turned my palm towards the approaching figures. "Or is fighting already wounded men not beneath you?"

"Oh, I didn't fight Kenobi." He directed his red lightsaber towards the exposed neck of the jedi before him. Obi Wan flinched away, but his eyes narrowed in determination, nonetheless. I'd expected fear, but it was nowhere to be found in his expression. "He gave himself up willingly."

My gaze connected with his, surprised and hurt, pain flaring in my chest. Obi Wan's eyes widened as his eyebrows lifted, his lips trembling with words he wanted to speak but somehow couldn't. Instead, he pressed them into a thin line as his jaw clenched.

Gave himself up willingly. Fury started to built in my chest. Had he known Maul would be here? My eyes darted to his interlaced fingers hovering behind his head. Was he planning this all along, to sacrifice himself so that I would be left alone?

"Willingly?" I repeated with a frown. My mind ran through the possibilities. Was it all just another of his plans to keep me from harm? I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to control my breathing that had turned into rapid puffs. No, no, he promised. Maul seemed to delight in the emotions I radiated, his chuckle echoing through the hall and his men following with their snickers.

"Poor, poor doctor." The laughter seeped into his voice. "Fooled once again." Laughter filled the hall after that. "First, your titles, now your dignity."

I redirected my narrowed eyes back to Maul's as furious tears slid down my cheeks. I'd been stripped of almost everything I was. If it was true, and Obi Wan had lied to me again, I would be left with nothing.

"Why even bother with him?" Maul's voice seemed distant. "You could've been so much more, but instead, you cling to his jedi, a man who has constantly betrayed you."

Some kind of switch seemed to flick over in my head. The flames around me turned from gold to blue, and then back to a greyish tone that seemed to suck out all the light from the room. An eery silence settled over the men furthest away from us and crept closer.

"Don't listen to him, Lyanna!" Obi Wan's voice echoed through my head distantly. The darkness seemed to creep in all around, shadows edging over the floor, getting closer with each breath I took. Faintly I could see Maul yanking on the jedi's auburn hair, exposing his neck as he hissed into his ear, but I couldn't make out the words.

It was as if water engulfed me and shut out all sound, as if time halted. The silver flames danced, but did nothing against the darkness closing in. It pressed on me, suffocating, until that darkness was all but enveloping me. A rumble followed that had the hall shaking on its foundation. When that deep, ancient voice followed, my breath evened.

Him, I knew. "Light it all up, Fireheart." I could feel his lips close to my ear, just barely above a whisper. Shadows inched over my shoulders, caressing my cheeks. "Burn them all." His voice was like the rumble of a fire.

His fingers trailed over my skin, his presence clearer than ever. It was as if he was standing right behind me, as real as he had been in Eagle's Fall. Arthas. The darkness slipped away, forming a tunnel, and revealed Maul and Obi Wan both in the middle of it. Their expressions were strangely vacant, as if they couldn't see the ancient power behind me. "Finish them both, and free yourself."

Through the shadows I searched for his eyes and found those ocean hues staring back at me, widened in panic. He promised he'd never lie or hide anything ever again. I'd been so sure he was truthful, that he'd meant every word. I'd seen it in his eyes. The notion that he'd tricked me didn't get through, wouldn't get through, as I fought against it with everything I was.

It couldn't be true, I was sure of it.

"No, -" I mumbled and shook my head, trying to get rid of the dark tendrils closing in. "No!" My hands shook but soon I righted them and pointed my palms at the men closing in. The darkness retreated, as if startled by the outburst. The flames turned back to its familiar golden colour that drove away the shadows almost as quickly as they had come.

"I am tired of your games!" I growled through gritted teeth. The shadows prodded at the boundaries I had set but ignored them, instead focussing entirely on the sith before me. "Let him go, or I will burn everything to the ground."

Maul snickered darkly. "You would risk his life?"

"You would risk all your men's and your own?" I hissed right back. "I may not be the best protector, but avenging?" My lips pulled up into a snarl. "What do you think will happen when I've got nothing left to loose?"

When my eyes lit up with the last word Obi Wan darted forward. "Lyanna, he has the entire city rigged with, -"

Before he could finish his hastened message Maul kicked him down with a powerful blow with his metal leg. With a crack that made my heart stop Obi Wan landed on the ground, groaning, breath forced out of his body. His fingers clawed into the concrete as his back bowed in pain and he writhed against the feeling that was overtaking him.

"Obi!" I darted towards him without thinking, not realizing the reaction it would invoke. Soon everyone jumped into action.

Maul quickly extended his arm towards me and send me flying backwards through the air, his men cocked their guns and fired my way but the shots were quickly blocked by my wings as I wrapped them around me.

I surrounded myself by flames and practically turned into them, letting them expand with each breath and take anyone in my vicinity. Meanwhile Obi Wan had reached out to his lightsaber and called it his way, even when Maul still had his foot placed on his back, hoping he'd be distracted by the fire.

I hung in the air, having but a moment to decide my next course of action, watching Maul as he noticed Obi Wan's movement and placed his other foot on the reaching hand. "I will have my revenge, Kenobi." The jedi yelled out in pain, loosing his grip on the force and letting the lightsaber fall a few inches away from his fingers.

It took but a few blinks until Maul swirled his own lightsaber and directed it straight downwards. "Die, knowing she will soon follow you." I watched as he brought it down, poised right above Obi's back and ready to strike through his heart, to finish the vendetta he'd spent almost his entire life on.

But a few moments, and all that I had done, all that we'd been through would've been for nothing. With a single wave of his blade he would've ended the life that had brought meaning to mine, and thus end a part of me. A part I was sure I couldn't live without.

"WAIT!" My scream rumbled through the building like thunder. The Mandalorians halted their firing and even Maul paused mid-strike, his yellow eyes flying towards me as he scowled.

He wouldn't wait long and not for just anything. He'd been waiting for too long to do so. "I know where the Aether is!" I yelled desperately, hoping it would be enough to stop him. Maul frowned, his hands shaking with fury, his expression searching.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself before continuing. "I know where it is." Whispering, I lowered myself to the ground and diminished the flames. It seemed I had peeked his interest, for he hadn't yet taken the kill he had longed so long for. "You have heard of it, haven't you?" Even though my voice was barely above a whisper it echoed through the hall.

Obi Wan looked at me from the ground, trying his best to push himself from the surface, his hands clenched into fists. "Lyanna, don't, -" He groaned and tried to wrestle his wrist free. "He's got... bombs, -" He managed to croak out but Maul shifted his weight, putting more force on his limbs, evoking even more pain.

"Silence." The sith growled viciously.

I had to dig my nails into the palms of my hand to stay calm as my eyes flickered to the jedi. "The most powerful sith artifact, able to transfer life force from one being to another. The very same artifact multiple wars were fought over, the one that was thought to be lost forever." I raised my palms in surrender and lifted my gaze back to Maul. "I know you went to this planet to search for it, but it's not here. I can take you to its true location."

The hold he had on the lightsaber lessened and the blade slowly inched away from Obi Wan's exposed back. "I am the only one who can take you there. Nobody else knows of this." From the corner of my vision, I saw the Mandalorians glancing at each other uneasily, warily. "I will do it. But only, - " I emphasized as I pointed at Obi's figure. "- if you let him go."

Maul's face contorted in anger. "You dare, -" He pressed his foot harder onto Kenobi's wrist, making him stretch out his fingers in agony. I had to try my hardest not to dart forward at the sound of his anguished cries.

"You've been waiting to take revenge for how long now, Maul?" I frowned at him and cautiously stepped closer towards him with my hands before me. "8 years? 10?" Coming to a stop a few feet away from them I let my hands drop by my side. "What's a few more, when you could have the power to stop Sidious?"

The name made him flinch. If it was fear, I wasn't sure, but it did affect him more than he'd probably care to admit. "What do you know of Sidious?" Maul's voice had dropped even lower. My eyes clung to the lightsaber as it hovered just a few inches above Obi Wan's neck.

Ah, a weakness. "Enough." I whispered before redirecting my gaze back to his yellow eyes. "Let Kenobi go for now, and I'll take you to the one object that will ensure your victory against your old master. After that, you can hunt him as much as you like."

Maul looked at me pensively for a few dreadingly long moments. My heart was pounding in my chest, my fingers tingling with nerves, clenching around air at the absence of the valerian sword. While Arthas had been more powerful, the sith before me was more cunning. Defeating him would take more than just the power of time. It would take a well devised plan, and a lot of patience.

The sith elevated his foot and released the jedi's wrist, stepping back and off of him. While glaring right into my eyes he shut off his lightsaber, taking Obi Wan out of the danger zone. I let out a deep relieved breath, my shoulders releasing their tension.

Maul motioned towards Obi Wan as he slowly lifted himself off the floor. "Say your goodbye's then, your majesty." My eyes flickered at the title. "And take me to the Aether."

Hiiiiyaaaaa

Hope you enjoyed that! The plot is finally coming all together, which means we're nearing the end of this story! I really, really hope you guys like it, because I've spent literal years figuring out the entire storyline and plot and am so excited to finnally see it finished.

Anyways, on another note,
OMG GUYS. This series is going to LITERALLY kill me. The way Obi Wan said princess in the second episode, I just... I DIED. I COULDN'T. It was the exact way I'd always imagined him saying it to Lyanna. And then at the last part when he looked at Leia and said she reminded him of someone, I literally immediatelly thought about Satine but then I was like... but LYANNA. it could literally mean Lyanna too. And then, I died even more I had to perform CPR on MYSELF.

okay yeah.

Please, continue, and have a nice day. Oh, and let me know what you thought of the 2 episodes!