Promises and Deals | The Mandalorian

.035

Though his head pounds from his encounter with the dark troopers, Mando can't help the wicked feeling of excitement that shoots through his veins as he comes upon the cell guarded by two defenseless stormtroopers. He takes them both out with his spear before replacing the weapon against his back and going to the door.

With the Child safe on the ship they came in and the others taking care of the bridge, Mando can only hope they've done their part as he presses the button to open the cell. His breath catches in his throat when the door opens to reveal Moff Gideon standing above an unmoving body, glowing cuffs on her wrists. Gideon holds a sword of darkness just above her, a smirk on his face as Mando stops dead in his tracks.

She looks like she's asleep, but Mando has never seen Alora quite like this. He has seen her passed out multiple times, but the familiar snoring is nowhere to be heard. Her undone, tangled hair rests over her face as her bound hands lay just in front of her, bruises covering her bare arms.

"Drop the blaster," Gideon orders with that grating voice of his. "Slowly."

Mando does as he is told but keeps a close eye on Alora's figure so close to that weapon held above her that her skin glows.

"Now, kick it over to me." Grinding his teeth, Mando does. "Very nice."

"Give me the High General," Mando says.

Gideon narrows his eyes. "Oh, I think she's fine just where she is." He waves his saber above her, stray hairs sizzling against the blade. "Mesmerizing, isn't it? Used to belong to Bo-Katan." Mando clenches his jaw. "Yes, I know you've been traveling with Bo-Katan. A friendly piece of advice, assume I know everything. Like the fact that your wrist launcher has fired its one and only salvo."

"Where is this going?"

"This is where it's going. I'm guessing Bo-Katan and her boarding party have arrived at the bridge, seeking me, or more accurately, this. But I'm not there. And I imagine that they've killed everyone on the bridge, being the murderous savages that they are."

Mando's gaze dips down in time to see Alora's fingers twitch.

"And now, they're beginning to panic." As Gideon continues, a smile spreads on Mando's lips: the Moff has no idea what's about to hit him. "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 Alora."

Gideon looks down at Alora's body before deactivating his weapon. "Very well. I've already gotten what I want from her. Her blood. All I wanted was to study her blood. You know, like that Child you're so fond of, Alora Naftiri is very gifted and has been blessed with rare properties that have the potential to bring order back to the galaxy, not that she'd use them. Something stops her when she tries. It's surely a thing of beauty."

Mando shifts his stance.

"I can see your bond. Take her, but you will leave my ship immediately, and we will go our separate ways."

Alora's fingers twitch again as Mando makes his way to her, gently brushing the hair from her face to see her eyes still closed shut. "Alora," he whispers, shaking her.

Just as her eyes begin to flutter, Gideon brings the saber down on Mando's back. He groans, thankful for the armor, as Gideon keeps striking, pushing both of them out of the small containment cell.

Rolling away from Gideon, Mando takes out his spear and readies himself for more. Mando deflects, letting the saber hit the spear, warming the center to a bright orange before he flings the tip of the weapon into the wall. Surprisingly, the dark saber cuts through the metal easily as Gideon pushes Mando back.

As Mando goes on the offensive, Gideon blocks his few strikes and cuts his hook shot. It only takes a few more strikes to disarm the old man, aiming the spear at his throat.

"You're sparing my life?" He asks. "Well, this should be interesting—"

A metal pipe slams into his head, knocking the Moff unconscious at Mando's feet. As he looks up, Alora lets the pipe drop from her hands with a tired sigh as she leans against the destroyed wall, her gaze slowly moving from the saber to Mando's helmet. "Fuck that guy," she says, her voice rough despite the smile she tries to wear. Holding up her bound hands, she arches a brow. "Hello, there, Mandalorian. Care to take these off? As you know, I'm much more fun with my hands free."

Without thinking, Mando lets the spear roll to the ground as he lunges forward to wrap his arms around her. She stumbles a bit in his grasp, a small grunt echoing in his ears before she lets her head rest against his armored shoulder with a deep sigh. "Missed you too," she whispers. "But my wrists hurt so—"

Mando pulls back to undo her cuffs, clearing his throat as he takes a step away. He's glad he has the helmet on to hide his blush as the stress and fear he has felt for the past few days ebbs away with each glance at her face.

Rubbing her wrists, Alora looks down at Gideon with a sneer before glancing up and down the hallway. "So, who else did you bring?"

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I know it's a short chapter, but the next one is long and the last one! We've got an AloraxMando reunion! My babies!!!

Hope you enjoyed!

-L