ALWAYS YOURS ── multifandom

II. New Beginnings

Chapter Two

Y/N

Taking a deep, shuddering inhalation, Y/N dropped to the ground, narrowly avoiding the path of a sprinting clone trooper whose blaster bolts whizzed through the air with lethal intent. The trooper's boots thudded against the packed dirt, sending up tiny clouds of dust with each stride. His crimson-marked armor gleamed in the erratic light cast by the explosions that illuminated the battlefield, and the muzzle flash of his weapon pierced the darkness like a series of malevolent strobe lights. As he sped past, the sound of his breathing echoed through his helmet—quick, shallow breaths that suggested a blend of urgency and fear.

The droid that had been the target of his relentless barrage crumpled to the ground with a metallic groan, a smoking hole in its chassis. Sparks showered the earth around it, casting a brief, staccato light show across the battlefield. The smell of burnt metal and ozone filled the air, a grim testament to the droid's fate.

Y/N remained crouched, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped creature desperate to escape. She could feel the tremor of the earth beneath her as the battle raged on, a cacophony of sounds that seemed to penetrate her very soul—the screams of dying soldiers, the clank and sizzle of lightsabers cutting through the air, the incessant whine of blaster fire, and the occasional roar of a Republic starfighter tearing through the night sky. Her eyes remained fixed on the spot where the droid had fallen, her mind racing to process the sudden, stark reality of her surroundings.

As the dust began to settle, she heard the trooper's voice, strained and urgent. "Oh stars..." he whispered, ducking behind a large rock formation to avoid a volley of incoming blaster fire.

Her gaze flickered upwards, drawn to the distinctive blue accents on his armor and the swirling pattern emblazoned on his helmet. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. This was Captain Rex, a man she had only ever known through holovids and tales of heroism. And she was not just in his vicinity; she was on a battlefield with the legendary 501st Legion.

Panic coiled in her throat, threatening to cut off her air. She had to get out of here. But how? The chaos was dizzying, the danger palpable. Her eyes darted around, searching for any hint of safety.

Rex must have noticed her distress because his helmet swiveled in her direction. "What are you doing out here?" he barked, his voice a mix of shock and anger. His eyes narrowed as he took in her disheveled state—bare feet, thin nightgown, and clutching a tattered blanket around her.

Y/N's voice quivered as she replied, "I... I don't know. I just woke up here."

The clone captain sighed, the sound heavy with resignation and the weight of his own fears. He glanced around the battlefield, the flares of light revealing the lines of tension around his eyes. "You better get out of here," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for debate. "This isn't a place for you."

Before she could react, Rex was back on his feet, sprinting towards the heart of the conflict. Y/N watched him go, feeling a strange mix of awe and terror. How could she possibly survive in this hellish place?

Her legs trembled as she pushed herself up, the fabric of her nightgown clinging to her like a second skin. As she stumbled away from the battle, she couldn't help but feel exposed and vulnerable. The night air was cool against her skin, and she shivered, not just from the cold but from the stark realization of her predicament.

A blaster bolt shot past her ear, the heat of its passing a stark reminder of the danger that lurked all around. She threw herself to the ground again, her heart in her throat as she watched the battle unfold with a kind of detached horror. The ground vibrated with the thunder of explosions, and the air was thick with the acrid scent of burning organic matter.