Lux POV

Something big just happened. The Emperor held an emergency meeting of the senate a few days ago where he told us of a plot by the Jedi to overthrow the senate. Doesn't surprise me really, they were always corrupt and never the "peacekeepers" they claimed to be. He told us that he had the clones carry out a command called "Order 66", which was an order to turn on and execute the Jedi for treason. For a second, my mind wandered to her, but I quickly stopped the thoughts. She was strong and could take care of herself. 

The chancellor went on to claim that a majority of them were killed, but some had survived and would rise again to try to overthrow the senate, so to prevent this he would have the remaining Jedi hunted down and killed. Seemed like a good idea to me.

He then went on to say that the Republic would be reorganized into the First Galactic Empire. It was honestly a good move in my opinion. Everyone would be united under one rule, to ensure justice and security for all. It didn't really matter to me what it was called, or who was in power, I would continue to do my job as normal.

Speaking of my job, the chancellor asked to speak to my privately. I was confused at first, but he told me he was very proud and happy with my work the last couple months, and he wanted me to be the new king of Onderon, Dendup had recently passed, and a new king was yet to be named. I graciously accepted, I would now be able to rule over my people and help them more directly.

The Emperor sent me back to Onderon to be coronated. He gave me a squad of stormtroopers and walkers as an escort, and to help keep order during the transition of power from not only Dendup to me, but from the Republic to the Empire. He really was a great man, so wise and kind.

I arrived to Onderon to massive crowds. Everyone was excited for me to be named king. There was a general consensus throughout the planet that I would take over for Dendup, but nothing had been made official yet. Now that it was, they celebrated for their new king. The coronation was beautiful, and I was made the youngest ever king of Onderon. It was one of the best days of my life.

The Emperor was king enough to send me more storm troopers and walkers to help keep the people safe and in order. It greatly helped my rule, as the crime rate plummeted. Onderon was finally safe and virtually crime free.

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Ahsoka POV

It was a good few months before I finally had to go into the city. In those months, I had lived in relative peace and quiet. No one had bothered me save the random curious animal. My reason for going into the city was that I needed to buy bandages, as I had cut myself falling down a hill while hunting. It wasn't a bad cut, but it made me realize that I have no medical supplies, which could be a problem if I were to get more seriously injured.

Throwing on my cloak, and brining a backpack to hold the supplies, I made my way into the city. I was lucky that I had a few credits left, which I hoped would be enough for a small first aid kit, or at least bandages or gauze.

When I reached the city gates, I froze. There was tons of security. People in armor similar to the clones, but slightly different, roamed the outskirts along with large grey walkers. It was an intimidating sight, and I wondered why there would be such heavy security.

After getting my wits about me, I continued to walk across the bridge to the entrance. right before I could enter the city, I was stopped by a trooper.

"Identification please," he asked extending his hand.

I was confused, what identification was he talking about? I'd never needed any identification before, and I certainly didn't have any. "Uhm I don't have any," I said trying to hide the panic in my voice.

"Then you cannot enter," he stated, "come back with identification if you wish to enter the city."

Well this is just great. I had no way to get into the city. I had no identification and I couldn't sneak in because the walls were too heavily guarded. I took a deep breath. I knew what I would have to do, but just hoped it would work.

"You do not need my identification and you will let me pass," I said as I waved my hand in front of his face. Come on please work! I wasn't sure it would because I had largely cut myself off from the force when I got here, using it only to aid in hunting.

"I do not need your identification. You may pass," the soldier replied almost as if he was in a trance. 

It worked! I quickly walked past the trooper and into the city. My first goal was to figure out what was happening here, and then I would worry about medical supplies.

Upon entering the city, I looked around and was stunned. The usually bustling city of Iziz was now desolate and abandoned. There were no people in the streets, save the troopers, and looking around I saw propaganda for a "Galactic Empire". I had no clue what that meant, but I could only assume that the Republic had fallen and been replaced by this Galactic Empire.

Thoughts raced through my mind. How did the Republic fall? When did it fall? Did this Galactic Empire have anything to do with how Iziz has changed? What did King Dendup think of all of this? He would never let this happen, unless... I gasped. He must've died.  A pang of guilt went through me, I never knew, missed his funeral, never mourned him.

I decided that I would visit his grave. I assumed he was buried in the same place Steela had been. Steela, I thought, I should see her too, say my peace. I still have never gotten over what I did and I still blamed myself despite what everyone told me. Maybe if I talk to her I could ease my soul.

I started walking towards the cemetery, seeing more and more propaganda and troopers, and less and less people. I still didn't know why this was happening, but I could only speculate that a new evil had arisen. I had felt a shift in the force a few months back, but ignored it. This must be what that shift was. Whoever was in charge of this new Galactic Empire must be ruling through fear. 

I hated seeing Onderon like this, and could only assume it was the same everywhere. While I wanted to see peace and security in the galaxy, it shouldn't come like this. People should be more free and not controlled by fear. I wished I could do something, but what's one former Jedi turned hermit going to do?

As I reached the cemetery, I pushed the thoughts from my head to focus on the task at hand. It didn't take long for me to find King Dendup's grave. The gravestone was among the biggest in the cemetery. It was a stone sculpture of him that rested on top of a stone block. The whole thing was  almost 15 feet tall. On the base was an inscription:

Here lies

King Ramsis Dendup

The true King of Onderon

May he rest in peace

I knelt in front of the grave. I stayed silent for a few seconds, observing a moment of silence for the fallen king. I then spoke, "King Dendup, I am deeply saddened by the news of your death. You were so kind during the rebellion when I was here, and the people loved you. I know it must have been hard on them when you passed. I wished I could have been at the funeral, but I've been selfish, hiding out in the forrest. Not anymore though. I will help to free your people from the grip of the Empire, and I will do it all in your name. That is my promise to you." With that said, I rose. I had one more stop to make.

Coming to Steela's grave made me feel a lot of emotions: pain, sadness, guilt, regret, anger. I tried to compose myself as I knelt in front of the grave and observed another moment of silence. It was hard for me to find words.

After a while, I spoke. "Steela..." I began, "I'm sorry. Sorry that I wasn't strong. Sorry I couldn't save you. Sorry that I felt a little bit of happiness because I could have Lux to myself. It's my fault that you're gone. It should have been me instead. I know we didn't get along at first, but you were a great person, and even better leader. You were kind, caring, strong and, most importantly, the people loved you. Maybe if you were here, the people of Onderon wouldn't be suffering as they are now. I'm going to give you the same promise I made to King Dendup: I will fight for the people of Onderon and free them from the clutches of the Empire. I don't think that I will ever be able to make up for what happened that day, but the least I can do is make sure your people are free." 

I hadn't realized that I was crying at this point, but when I did, I wiped the tears from my eyes and stood up. Taking one last look at Steela's grave, I walked out of the cemetery.