Arani Jakal was not ready to be stranded on an unfamiliar planet, causing her whole life to change. But in the chaos, a friend or two popped up - seemingly from nowhere - wishing to help. Ari gladly accepted and quickly became part of a small town...
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DIN DID NOT EXPECT THE SIGHT BEFORE HIM. The kid sat, unharmed, holding his hands out to show him the cuffs on his wrist. He cooed and glanced beside him where Ari was, the glow from the Darksaber illuminating her face.
"Drop the blaster," said Gideon, moving the blade closer to the two. Ari tried to move away but was unable to, the Darksaber coming to rest at her neck. "Slowly," he added.
Din dropped the blaster, retaining eye contact the entire time, even when Gideon told him to kick the blaster over.
"Very nice."
"Give me the kid and girl."
Despite the situation, Ari glared at Din, not liking being called 'girl'.
"They are just fine where they are." Gideon waved the blade back and forth over the kid's head and then trailed it slowly across Ari's face, making her turn her cheek to him. "Mesmerizing, isn't it? Used to belong to Bo-Katan. yes. I know you've been travelling with Bo-Katan. A friendly piece of advice, assume that I know everything. Like the fact I have your girl now? Or that your wrist launcher had fired its one and only salvo."
"Where is this going." And from that simple question, Ari knew Gideon was getting to him, toying with his mind.
"This is where it's going: I'm guessing that Bo-Katan and her boarding party have arrived at the bridge seeking me or, more accurately, this," he nodded to the blade. "But I'm not there. And I imagine that they've killed everyone on the bridge, being the murderous savages that they are."
Ari scoffed. "That's rich coming from you."
Gideon rounded on her, presenting the end of the blade to her. "I had the chance to kill you but I didn't, don't make me rethink my actions. Now, where was I? Ah, now your friends are beginning to panic. You see, she wants this. Do you know why? Because it brings power. Whoever wields this sword has the right to lay claim to the Mandalorian throne."
"You keep it. I just want the kid."
"Very well," he answered and retracted the blade. "I already got what I want from him: his blood. All I wanted was to study his blood. This child is extremely gifted and has been blessed with rare properties that have the potential to bring order back to the galaxy.
"I see your bond with him. Take him, but you will leave my ship immediately and we will go our separate ways." He stepped away, allowing Din to walk to the two.
Ari hesitantly stood as Din went to pick up Grogu when the sound of the Darksaber cut through the silence. Moving swiftly, Ari shouted at Din, pushing him out of the way, the blade barely grazing against his armour.
