Leia

It was strange to see her again. Leia knew that Anakin—better known as Darth Vader—had once been an old friend of Empress Ruby before Palpatine rose to power. In her dreams, she often saw the empress standing beside her, smiling warmly, a stark contrast to the darkness that had surrounded them for so long.

Leia felt a mix of emotions as she studied Ruby. The woman had once walked a different path, one intertwined with her father's legacy. But could she truly be trusted now? The past was fraught with betrayal, and Leia had learned to be cautious.

"Ruby," she said, trying to mask her apprehension. "What do you really want from us?"

Ruby's expression was earnest, but Leia remained wary. "I want to help you stop Palpatine. I know his plans, his tactics. I've seen the darkness he spreads."

Leia considered her words. The pain of losing family and friends to the Empire weighed heavily on her heart. Could Ruby's knowledge be the key to dismantling her father's empire? Or would it lead them into another trap?

In her dreams, Ruby had always been a beacon of hope, an ally against the shadows. But reality was far more complicated. "If we're going to do this, you need to understand the stakes," Leia replied, her voice steady. "Palpatine is ruthless, and he won't hesitate to use you against us."

"I know," Ruby said, her determination palpable. "But I refuse to let him control my fate any longer."

Leia nodded slowly. There was something in Ruby's eyes that resonated with her—a shared understanding of loss and the desire to fight back.

"Then let's talk strategy," Leia said, her resolve strengthening. "We need to be smart about this. If we're going to face him, we must be united."

As they began to plan, Leia couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of a new chapter—not just for Ruby, but for herself as well. Together, they would stand against the darkness.

Out of the corner of her eye, Leia saw something—a flash of blonde. She missed her brother, who was back for his patrol with Han.

"Ruby, let me introduce you to my brother, Luke Skywalker, and his friend, Han Solo," she said, clasping her hands together to gather her thoughts.

Luke stepped forward, his expression curious but cautious. "I've heard a lot about you, Ruby. It's good to finally meet you."

Han leaned casually against a nearby console, arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face. "So you're the infamous empress. What's your game here?"

Ruby met their gazes with confidence. "I'm here to help you take down Palpatine. I know his inner workings and what he plans to do next."

Luke nodded slowly, weighing her words. "Trust is earned, as Leia said. But if you truly want to fight against him, we'll need to work together."

Han raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "And how do we know you won't turn on us when it suits you?"

"I understand your doubts," Ruby replied, her tone sincere. "But I've had enough of being a pawn in his game. I want to fight for something real."

Leia watched as the tension in the room began to shift. Luke and Han exchanged glances, and she could sense their willingness to consider Ruby's offer.

"Alright," Luke said, a hint of resolve in his voice. "Let's hear your plan."

As Ruby began to explain, Leia felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps, together, they could forge an alliance strong enough to face the darkness that loomed ahead.

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It went a long time before Leia finally went to bed. Ruby had left with her appearance, General Hux, and Kylo, and Leia was left alone in her chamber with a few thoughts swirling in her mind.

The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as she replayed the day's events. Ruby's unexpected return, the weight of her past, and the potential alliance were all heavy on Leia's heart. She felt a mix of hope and apprehension about what this new partnership could mean.

As she settled onto her cot, Leia glanced at the small window, where the stars twinkled like distant promises. The galaxy was vast, filled with uncertainty, but also possibilities. She closed her eyes, trying to quiet her thoughts.

What if Ruby truly meant what she said? What if they could find a way to stop Palpatine together?

But doubt lingered. Trust was a fragile thing, especially in a world where betrayal was common. Leia couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking a tightrope, and one misstep could send everything crashing down.

With a sigh, she turned onto her side, the weight of leadership settling on her shoulders. She had fought too hard for the Rebellion to let her guard down now.

As sleep began to take her, Leia resolved to keep a close watch on Ruby. They might be allies for now, but she would remain vigilant. The fight against the darkness was far from over, and she knew that every decision would matter in the days to come.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Ruby had been given a room in the east foyer, but she wasn't sleeping well. Thoughts swirled in her mind, a mix of anxiety and hope. Kylo was in the other bed nearby, and he noticed her restlessness. After a moment, he came over to her.

"Ruby," he whispered softly.

She blinked her eyes open, drawn into the warmth of his brown gaze. A small smile crept onto her lips as she reached up, tracing the scar that ran along his cheek. "You're not sleeping either?"

He shook his head, a hint of concern shadowing his expression. "I could feel you awake from across the room. What's on your mind?"

Ruby hesitated, feeling the weight of her thoughts. "It's just... everything feels so uncertain. The alliance, the plans against my father... I want to be strong, but what if it all falls apart?"

Kylo sat down on the edge of her bed, his presence reassuring. "We're in this together, Ruby. You're not alone in this fight. I know how daunting it feels, but we have a chance to change things."

She appreciated his words, but doubt still lingered. "What if I can't do it? What if I let everyone down?"

"You won't," he said firmly, his gaze steady. "You've already taken a brave step by coming here. Just remember why you're fighting. You're stronger than you think."

Ruby took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. She wanted to believe him. "Thank you, Kylo. I needed to hear that."

He smiled softly, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension. "Get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us, and we'll need all the strength we can muster."

As he stood to return to his bed, Ruby felt a sense of comfort wash over her. In this moment, she was not just an empress or a pawn in her father's game; she was a fighter, ready to face whatever lay ahead. With renewed determination, she closed her eyes, hoping that sleep would finally find her.