Chapter 1-Hate and Darkness

Jon Snow was crying. He was in a dark corner of Winterfell, his Father's castle, crying his eyes out. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. Robb and Theon would tease him without mercy. Though Robb was warming up to him slightly. Theon being a Greyjoy and acting more like a bastard himself at times seemed to impede the change to a certain degree. Sansa would be indifferent since her Mother would have taught the girl to ignore Jon's plight. Half-brother and bastard that he was in the family, Sansa took to her Mother's lessons like fish swim in the water. The only real friend he has was in little she-wolf Arya. Some said she was Lyanna Stark reborn since the girl didn't act like a lady at all despite Lady Stark's many attempts.

Speaking of Lady Stark, the woman had found him one day when she was making her own rounds throughout the castle, minding his own business after doing his chores for the day. His list of things to do around the castle were much higher given Lady Stark was in charge of the castle while her husband and his Father were away on business on Bear Island in relation to House Mormont.

When she found him, the woman had a look of fury on her face. Apparently, the Septa had informed the woman of his talent for singing. Even more so when she found out that he had bought a harp and began playing it on a whim. Before Jon knew it what had even happened, in mere moments upon approaching the boy, Lady Stark had come up to him with that same fury on her face, ripped the harp from his hands, and slapped the boy in he face. Hard!

"A bastard has no right to sing, much less sing well. I don't know who sold you this harp, but you shouldn't have such a thing. Bastards like you deserve nothing! You are one of the lowest forms of life in the Seven Kingdoms. Born from sin and lust. The only reason that I don't throw you out of Winterfell to freeze to death right now is because my forever honorable husband will not allow it. But if there is one thing I can do, is insure you know your place in life is always beneath those of the true born and never rise above what you were born to be in life!"

And to make it even worse, Lady Stark smashed the harp onto the ground and stomped on it. Not once. Not twice. But thrice! With her work done, Lady Stark walked now away feeling smug about her action, not looking back, not seeing the sadness, the pain, or even the hate that grew within the boy.

Maybe if she did, the woman would feel a sense of guilty, shame, and possibly a hint of fear at seeing the hate that was on his face for that brief moment.

As things stood, it was only through sheer will did Jon not act on an impulse to lash out knowing it would only make it worse. Jon knew on some instinctive level any attack on his part would be turned against him no matter his protests. With Lord Stark not here to less the punishment that would come from such an action, Jon had to sit there and take it.

Something he suspected Lady Stark knew and was glad either way, though he also felt she was hoping Jon would attack. If only to make his intended punishment worse.

But Jon would not give her that satisfaction. No. It was clear she wanted him gone. She wanted Jon dead or gone. Preferably the former, but ultimately forgotten. To Lady Stark, his presence was a constant reminder to the woman that her husband had been unfaithful during their time married to each other. So long as Jon lived, so would the memory of the nameless Mother who Lord Stark laid with and gave him a son.

So Jon would grant her wish. He would leave Winterfell. Seven Hells, he would leave the North if it meant being away from that woman. To be his own person. His own man. If his Father sent men looking for him, Jon would hide. If he didn't, it was clear the man did not care about his well being like everyone assumed of the honorable Lord Stark.

Let the Gods, if they did exist, decide his fate. Let them decide if his life should become glorious or be damned.

It has taken days to prepare. Getting the supplies while doing chores. Getting things ready for the travel he was to undertake. Knowing it could be a long or short journey depending on the first few days if not weeks that followed him leaving the castle. But Jon knew deep in his heart that this was the right thing to do. He could feel it. Something was telling the boy to leave the castle. To leave this life all behind for a life greater than what was here.

And it was telling him to hurry.

So he hurried.

In the dead of night, Jon had left Winterfell. Not even bothering to take a horse from the stable. A horse would have been too loud and the risk of being caught by the guards when it made a noise was too great. It had snowed recently and a large soft pile just happened to be in a position where he could jump from the castle wall into it without damage to his body.

Or so that something in his head seemed to be whispering. Jon wondered if he was going mad and this distant voice was all in his head?!

And yet, the instinctive feeling had told him it would snow. Which it did. The feeling told him of Theon Greyjoy was up to something, and he was. A slight inquiry with Ser Rodrik resulted in the Master of Arms giving the boy a good thrashing as a punishment for the act of spying on some of the female servant girls while they were changing clothes.

Jon should have felt guilty about it, but he chose not to since Theon had pinned multiple crimes he did on Jon himself. After all, who would thing the son of High Born, even one from the Iron Islands would do such things? Not when a bastard was far more likely to be the culprit with how Lady Stark saw him.

And so here Jon was now. At the castle walls where the snow was highest and jumped down to what would have been his death and doom, if not for the snow there.

Once clear, he ran as fast as his fourteen name day legs could carry him into the forest, the instinctive feeling telling Jon to head in this direction. To run quickly. The faster he moved, the sooner Jon would be free of the like of Lady Stark, the snooty Septa, the high and mighty Septon, Theon Greyjoy, and even Robb to some degree. He would miss Arya and Sansa despite the latter acting like her Mother at times.

After what felt like half the night freezing and walking through the North to his unknown destination, Jon collapsed to his knees in the snow. He breathed heavily, his breath was now visible due to the cold, his body shivering from the ruthlessness it unleashed on him. But he would not give up. Something inside of him would not submit to something so simple as weather. He could not submit. It was an impulse, an order, a fucking command to his body to get up.

To get up and keep moving!

And so he did.

Soon, the boy found a cave. A cave that his feelings told him he should enter and go deep within it. Trusting his feelings, Jon went into the cave, finding it to be pleasantly warm inside with his body welcoming the slightly warmer weather. Making his way deeper, Jon saw the inside of the cave had strange designs on parts of it, possibly written during the time of the long night that Old Nan spoke of when telling stories.

And in the far corner of the wall, on some kind of strange altar, was a single black object in the form of a triangle. Or a pyramid as Maester Luwin had once described those type of buildings found in the Free Cities of Essos. The object in question called to Jon, the voice in his head, the instinctive feeling from before had become even louder.

Jon felt himself being compelled to walk toward the object. To touch it. To understand just what kind of power it seemed to have over him and why he was drawn to the object.

And in that moment when Jon touched the pyramid type object, the object shined bright, a presence entering his mind, an unspeakable pain stabbing into his brain, and his scream echoing throughout the cave. The cold winter winds outside drowning out anyone from ever hearing it.

And right when that happened, the world around Jon Snow as he knew it went dark with the light within the cave created by the object fading away and being made to look like any other unsuspecting cave in the North.

(The North-Sometime Later)

Jon groaned loudly as he awoke. His muscles ached. His head hurt. He felt like every horse in the North in full armor had just trampled on him. Getting up from the ground he looked around to see it was morning if the sunlight entering into the cave any indication. Or coming into the room to some degree due to it apparently snowing heavily last night and blocked it off from the rest of the world. If anyone from Winterfell were to look for him in this direction, the snow would prevent the cave from being seen.

"This boy is to be my successor? The Force clearly has a sense of humor if this one found me over anyone else," remarked a highly cultured voice from behind Jon and it made the boy jump in surprise.

"By the Old Gods and New," whispered Jon while seeing an elderly person appearing like a ghostly apparition from the pyramid like structure.

The figure wore strange form fitting clothing, but it was different from what little Jon knew of such things. The elderly man for an apparition wore a cloak not unlike noble lords in the South wore, had a well shaved and trimmed beard, which was grayish to further indicate the man was on the older side. But the boy knew from this man's eyes, stance, and even the sound of his voice the man had been far from frail when among the living.

If it wasn't for the fact the man had graying dark hair, Jon would have sworn this ghost of a man was a Lannister.

"The Force has brought you to me young one. I had hoped my Holocron would be found by someone who would know what to do with it. Possibly even another Jedi or even Sith seeking to expand their knowledge and wisdom. Still, I suppose I shouldn't question who finds me so long as they do," said the elderly man speaking in a refined voice that only a noble would possess.

"I don't understand my Lord. The Force? The Jedi? The Sith? I know nothing of these names or terms," said Jon with the elderly man raising an eyebrow at him before sighing in the end.

"Yes. I suppose given your education and your surroundings, it is understandable. From what I saw within your mind when you touched my Holocron, I was far from pleased to know it was placed on such a backwater world. Still, I suppose being found by a blank canvas from which to work with is far better over the alternative of not being found at all by anyone," said the elderly man with Jon bowing his head slightly.

And he thought Lady Stark could scold him when she was angry. This ghostly man could clearly do it without even yelling with just a few sharp words.

"Forgive me my Lord. I know being found by a bastard such as myself is upsetting, but I can make up for it. I just need a chance to prove myself. Something few have ever given me," replied Jon in the hopes of gaining favor with this entity with some measure of pity.

"I am well aware of your situation young one. I was inside your mind. I know everything you know. Which is sadly not enough. Knowledge is power and from what I have seen, you are next to powerless in the ways of the world. Unacceptable if you are to be my apprentice and learn everything you need to advance yourself beyond your station in life," said the elderly man with distain in his voice over the idea of having such a boy so dimwitted for a student in the ways of the Force.

"My station as a bastard has limited my education my Lord. But I am eager to learn from you. I want to learn. To better myself. To cast aside the title of bastard so it will no longer be a stain me or my Father," explained Jon with the apparition nodding in agreement.

"You thirst for knowledge. Like a man in a desert seeking water. You are hungry for it. I sense a great desire to rise above the lowly position people have placed you in. I sense you wish to cast off your chains that were forged from the past and be free to embrace a future where your station is not so low," remarked the ghostly form of the elderly man.

"Will you teach me? About the Force? You mentioned it earlier," said Jon with a hint of curiosity and eagerness in his voice.

"I suppose I could. However, the Force is not something one can easily understand well into your adult life. I should know. I have spent much of my time when I was alive trying to know as much about the Force as possible and only scratch the surface. You will no doubt go farther, but still scratch the surface of it all the same. Though I suppose one is not meant to understand the true mysteries of the Force. Only what it wants us to know," said the elderly man with his mannerisms telling Jon he was still hesitant to teach the boy anything.

"Please my Lord. Teach me! Teach me to become greater than myself. Please! I feel my destiny is calling to me through you. But I cannot pursue it properly without your help. Please my Lord. Show me the ways of the Force," pleaded Jon while on his knee before the ghostly figure.

"Very well. I will test you young one. If you are worthy, I will teach you all that I know. I will help you reach out to the Force to learn some of its secrets and to see beyond the primitive things you have already seen. If you surpass my expectations, I will empower you with all my knowledge, all my power, skill, and wisdom accumulated over my many years alive. What you choose to do with it in the end, I will leave to you. Provide you pass my test," replied the figure with Jon looking happy to be given this chance to prove he was worthy.

"Before we begin my Lord, may I have your name?" asked Jon with the elderly figure nodding.

"Dooku. Count Dooku. Or you can refer to me as...Tyranus. Darth Tyranus," answered the now revealed Count Dooku.

"I am ready learn my Master," said a determined Jon Snow with Dooku looking slightly amused.

"Doubtful. But we will see all the same," said Dooku with his smirk not leaving him.

In truth, Dooku already knew the boy was worthy. The moment the boy had found his Sith Holocron through the Force on an instinctive level was enough. Still, it wouldn't be proper to simply accept Jon as his apprentice without making him work for the right. In order to bring out Jon's maximum potential Dooku had to give Jon the drive, the desire, the want, and the very need to learn more about the Force. The planet his Sith Holocron was residing on was backwards. Primitive in so many ways from what he saw through Jon's memories.

Seven Kingdoms. Men using swords and shields. Bows and arrows. Riding four legged animals called horses. Knights who followed Lords when called upon and died for them when battles and wars broke out.

And yet Dooku knew Jon would thrive in this world because the Count would give the boy the edge to stay ahead of the curve in every way necessary. He would ensure the boy grew to be a powerful Force user, whether Jon used it to be a Jedi or Sith was irrelevant at this point. Jon's path with the Force in the end of his training would be his own. What was important right now was ensuring the boy not only had brains, but the brawn, and the wit to use them all properly.

Dooku could already tell that Jon Snow would become something incredibly powerful and would ensure his legacy continued long after the boy left the cave they were in. This boy was his legacy. His apprentice. Student. Successor. And someone Sidious could not touch or reach no matter if the man was still alive or not.

Jon Snow was his apprentice and Dooku would not be denied this moment in life.

(Winterfell-Several Weeks Later)

Lord Stark entered his castle and home on horseback with a scowl on his face. He had not been pleased in the slightest due to his trip/mission to Bear Island had ultimately been a failure. Jorah Mormont had been accused and caught practicing the act of slavery, which was illegal as well as taboo in Westeros. And all for profit no less. As the Warden of the North, it was Ned Stark's duty to ensure Jorah Mormont neck was put to the sword for his crimes.

However, the man had known of his approach ahead of time and fled with his wife to the Free Cities of Essos where the King's justice as well as Northern justice could not reach the man. The rest of House Mormont assured Lord Stark no one else had done such an evil deed and once more pledged themselves to House Stark to further prove their loyalty to Ned's House.

Their continued pledge had satisfied Ned since he knew House Mormont had been loyal to House Stark for over a thousand years. It would take a major event to make them break away from House Stark or the North in general, which Ned didn't see happening anytime soon.

"My Lord Husband. Winterfell is yours once more," said Lady Catelyn Tully Stark with her children and one prisoner/ward present to greet him along with the castle's Maester Luwin at the ready.

"My Lady Wife. It is good to see you once again," said Ned before hugging and kissing the woman he loved.

Sansa thought it was romantic while Arya silently gagged, which earned the latter of the two girl a smirk from Robb and a rolling of the eyes from Theon. Brandon and Rickon were too young to understand the affection so he didn't really say or do anything about it.

"We missed you deeply," said Catelyn with Ned smiling at her and looking at his children with pride.

Only to notice one among them was missing.

"Where is Jon? He should be here," said Ned with Catelyn smile leaving her and a scowl formed on her face.

Ned turned to the others and found Sansa looking nervous. Arya was now clearly sad at the mention of Jon's name. Robb grimaced and winced. Meanwhile Theon had smirked slightly before trying to hide it.

"He's not here Father. Jon hasn't been here for several weeks," said Robb at last when no one tried to answer his question.

What?! How did this happen? Why was a raven not sent to me on Bear Island? Why is no one searching for him?" asked/demanded Ned with Robb wincing once more.

"We did send some men out Father, but it was after we had learned Jon wasn't here in the castle. The men sent out to find Jon returned later that day stating they had not found him in their search," answered Sansa with Ned looking unhappy right now.

"And when did you learn he wasn't in the castle?" asked Ned with worry.

"Late into the morning. The men came back in the late afternoon claiming they could not find Jon. But I think they were lying," added Arya with Catelyn scowling at her.

"Arya Stark! Don't you dare say those men didn't do their job to find him. They are your Father's bannermen," scolded Catelyn while Arya glared a little at her.

"But it is true! I know it is true. They weren't dirty in the slightest. If they had looked for Jon like they claimed, why weren't their clothes covered in mud and snow? They barely had any snow on them. Like they had been inside and only came out of wherever they were to come back. Plus one smelled like that one building with those smelly perfumes those 'loose women' you mentioned have put on," replied Arya with Ned scowling further since his men had not only not done their duty, but had traveled to the nearest brothel to spend their time with the whores there.

"Maester Luwin, you and Ser Rodrik will provide me with all the names of the men who went on this 'search' for Jon. I want them all brought before me immediately and I will get to the bottom of this," commanded Ned with Maester Luwin nodding since he had hoped the boy was all right given how Lady Stark's past treatment of him was not one would consider great.

"Of course Lord Stark. I will set about my task immediately. Though once time permits, I will need to speak to you further of this matter. In private," replied Maester Luwin though he whispered the last part so Lady Stark wouldn't hear him.

Nodding slightly, Ned had a feeling there was more to this then what he was told to him about Jon. Walking to his office, Ned sat down and closed his eyes in thought over what could have happened with the boy for this to happen. Was he neglectful? Did someone hurt him while he was away? If so, why didn't Jon tell someone? Could the person who hurt Jon be someone Ned also new and cared about? Surely not. But if it was, who could have hurt Jon to make the boy leave?

Promise me Ned. Promise me you will protect him.

His sister's words echoing in the back of Ned's mind. Her last words to him when alive were to protect Jon from Robert. She knew Robert well enough that the man would take his war hammer to Jon's body. Seeing the man laugh at the sight of Elia Martell and her dead children only reinforced those worries. Not only that, but Lyanna most likely feared what would happen if Tywin Lannister learned of Jon. How the boy would grow up and seek vengeance against House Lannister.

And in the end, it seemed Ned had failed his sister. Lyanna had asked him to protect Jon from any future harm. He thought by passing Jon off as his bastard son, it would help protect the boy from his enemies. Ned never thought the boy would make an enemy here in Winterfell where he was suppose to be safe and loved.

But one did exist? And if so, who was the enemy?

A knock at the door broke him from his thoughts and upon it opening revealed Maester Luwin walking in with a parchment to give to the Lord of Winterfell.

"The name of the men sent to search for Jon Snow my Lord. Ser Rodrik is out gathering them as we speak," said Maester Luwin while handing Ned the parchment with a list of names.

"What say you Maester Luwin? Do you believe these men searched for Jon after it was discovered he was missing? Or only pretended?" asked Ned with Maester Luwin looking pensive in order to provide the man with the correct answer.

"No Lord Stark. I do not believe they did look for Jon. Not only did there armor not look stained from any signs or attempts at looking for the boy, but one clearly looked all too happy upon his return. The one that young Arya mentioned 'smelled' like perfume certain ladies at a brothel would put on. What's more, I fear they were only ordered to make it seem like they were looking for Jon. And were actually paid to not look for the poor boy when given the command," said Maester Luwin with Ned's eyes narrowing.

"Who ordered it? Who paid them to pretend?" asked/demanded Ned with Maester Luwin hesitant to say anything at first.

"My Lord, with respect, I only have speculation on my part considering the lack evidence to present in this situation. I do not wish to make accusations without further proof," said Maester Luwin with Ned still not convinced.

"You have seen things I have not Maester. I trust your wisdom and words. You brought my children into the world. I will have your counsel. Speak and tell me what you believe has happened while I was away that could have resulted in this situation," commanded Ned Stark with Maester Luwin sighing.

"I believe it was your wife Lord Stark. It was Lady Stark who paid those men to pretend they were looking for young Jon. I saw her give the leader of the group a bag of coin and speaking to him quietly before they departed. While that in itself is not enough, I know your wife has no love for the boy. As you well know, she never like Jon upon your return from Robert's Rebellion. On more then one occasion I have seen the signs of Lady Stark having struck him multiple times across the face. All during the time you were away from Winterfell either on business or during the Greyjoy Rebellion. Jon has tried to hide it, but I saw the red marks on his face more then once. He flinched when I inquired on who hurt him and saw his refusal to answer me. No doubt in the belief naming the attacker would not do him any good considering it was your wife," said Maester Luwin while Ned was shocked and furious.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell Jon he could come to me?!" demanded Ned with Maester Luwin shook his head.

"For one, Jon would not tell you regardless. His position as a bastard prevents it given his attacker was your wife. Two, I had no real proof aside from the red marks on Jon's face, which faded over time. While you trust my words to be honest and truthful Lord Stark, without proof, you would not be happy with my accusation. Even less if the accusation was made against Lady Stark. Your wife of all people," answered Maester Luwin with Ned nodding since any accusation made against Cat would require proof.

"Do you think these men will confess as much to me if pushed?" asked Ned with Maester Luwin nodding.

"I think they will. Especially, if the threat of losing their heads is made known to them should answering your question as anything except truthfully happen," answered Maester Luwin.

"I have been a fool Luwin. I thought Cat would eventually warm up to Jon. But she is too worried about what Jon represents in her mind. The Seven tell her about how bastards are beings who are evil and tricksters. She fears Jon will try to one day take Winterfell from Robb when they both come of age and my son becomes the new Lord of House Stark and Warden of the North," replied Ned with Maester Luwin shaking his head.

"I have known Jon Snow since you brought him to Winterfell. Same as young Robb from the moment he was born. Jon has not once shown evil or trickster based tendencies. And Robb has nothing to worry about in terms of Jon taking it from him in any form. Jon is a smart boy and understands what his place is here in Winterfell. He doesn't like it, but the boy knows fighting against such a stigma only makes the title of bastard attached to his name that much stronger. He wants to be accepted as himself regardless of being labeled a bastard by others," said Maester Luwin with Ned sighing.

"I was considering having Jon take the Black and join the Night's Watch when he was older. Give the boy purpose. Where the title of bastard would have no real influence on him when there. At least he would have my brother Benjen to make him feel welcome," said Ned with Maester Luwin shaking his head.

"Jon has the potential to be something great Lord Stark. Bastard or not. His talents would be wasted on the Wall. And what if he wished to marry and have children?" questioned Maester Luwin with Ned sighing.

"I don't know. I never thought about it like that. What else can you tell me about Jon and my wife that might have led to Jon leaving Winterfell?" asked Ned with Maester Luwin talked to him about a rumor he overheard some of the servants talking about Lady Stark's latest "attack" on Jon.

And it involved the destruction of the boy's harp along with putting him down for singing really well.

(The Cave-Four Months since leaving Winterfell)

"You have come along way since your arrival here my apprentice. I am pleased at seeing you surpass my high expectations," commented Count Dooku with Jon was hovering off the ground using the Force, his eyes closed and arms crossed in intense mediation, but he still heard him all the same.

"Thank you Master," said Jon while delving deep into the Force through his mediation per his Master's instructions on how to do it.

Since passing Dooku's test, Jon had taken to his training in the Force and the powers that came with it. At first, Jon was scared. Thinking it was sorcery of some kind. A power the Faith of the Seven would consider unholy and should be put down. But Dooku had told him the Force was a cosmic power, meaning it was natural, and part of life itself with a certain number of people being sensitive to its connection. It didn't matter if the person was high born or low born. The Force apparently chose who it wanted to use its power and required only to carry out its Will when called upon.

In the months that followed being in the cave, Jon had grown stronger in the Force, his connection increasing by leaps and bounds. It got to the point where even the Holocron representation of Dooku was impressed and the image of the infamous Count was not easily impressed by him. The Sith Lord didn't lie when he told Jon his expectations for him were incredibly high. Dooku wanted Jon to have a deep connection to the Force and be able to use it power immediately when called upon.

And right now, Jon was using the Force to look into the past. When Dooku told Jon about how one can use the Force during mediations to see the past and look into the future, the boy wanted to try looking into the past. When Dooku asked why he wanted to look into the past over the future, Jon answered that he wanted to see if the Force could reveal who his Mother was. He had never been told and his Father had never told him for one reason or another. Jon suspected whoever his Mother was, she was someone important, a high born lady of a powerful House, but due to being in a noticeable position so she could not take him. OR she was a whore from a one night stand his Father had during a moment of weakness during Robert's Rebellion and only took him back to Winterfell because honor demanded it.

Either way, Jon had to know. He needed to know. Not knowing who his own Mother was made him feel like he was walking around with his soul being incomplete. He deserved to know.

And it was in this moment that Jon saw it. He saw everything.

He was standing in a desert. He could feel the intense heat of the region coming down on him like cold did in the North. A tall tower nearby and two men in armor bearing the three headed dragon sigil of House Targaryen standing guard. He knew one of them was Ser Gerold Hightower and the second man was the legendary knight and Kingsguard Ser Arthur Dayne.

The Sword of the Morning.

Jon soon heard horses coming off in the distance and saw they were Northerners carrying the banner of House Stark. As they got closer, he saw one of the riders was Ned Stark and he was clearly ready for a fight.

"Lord Stark," replied Ser Arthur causally.

"I looked for you on the battlefield at the Trident. Your Prince died there and you failed to protect him," remarked Ned Stark with Arthur not taking the bait.

As for Jon, he was confused by this since the only Prince at the time of this was Prince Rheagar Targaryen. What did the Prince have to do with his Mother? And why was his Father here in what could only be Dorne?

"We weren't there," replied Ser Arthur Dayne casually.

"Your friend, the Usurper, would lie beneath the ground if we had been," Ser Gerold Hightower added.

"The Mad King is dead. Rheagar lies beneath the ground. Why weren't you there to protect your prince?" questioned Ned Stark.

"Our Prince wanted us here," answered Ser Arthur Dayne as if the reply itself was all the group in front of him needed to know.

Ned Stark looked up at the tower above them. The tension between the two sides slowly growing and the anger in the future Warden of the North's face growing.

"Where's my sister?" asked Ned at last with his mind already suspecting something and it was not pleasant.

"I wish you good fortune in the wars to come," replied Ser Arthur Dayne while giving the people in front of him a small smile on his face before putting on his helmet.

And in this moment, Jon saw the look of caution on Ned Stark's face.

"And now it begins," remarked Ser Arthur Dayne before he and Ser Gerold drew their swords.

"No. Now it ends," countered Ned Stark before he and his companions drew their own weapons.

Jon watched in fascination at how two members of the Kingsguard could hold their own against three times their numbers. He was shocked and saddened to see Ser Gerold fall in battle at the hands of Ned Stark, but the real fighting surrounded Ser Arthur Dayne. He cut through the men around him like they were nothing. The man's skill with his two swords could possibly rival the skills of even Count Dooku himself the Sith Lord didn't use the Force to shift things in his favor if called upon.

The Count had shared his own memories of his past sword battles he had when using a weapon called a Lightsaber and how his skills with it were almost unmatched by those the man knew in life. So to see someone like Ser Arthur Dayne fight and cut through multiple opponents was simply inspiring despite the man was killing Stark bannermen with those skills.

And was confused with how when facing Lord Stark one on one, Ser Arthur Dayne was winning since everyone knew the man had fallen in battle to the former. So how is it that a man with such skill with not one, but two swords like Ser Arthur Dayne could lose to Ned Stark?

The answer came in the form of Howland Reed. A loyal bannerman of House Stark Jon had met only a couple times in the past when the man visited Winterfell. A man who was thought to have been struck down first by the Sword of the Morning when the battle first started. In truth, he had only been severely wounded and out for the rest of the fighting. Only for him to see an opening when Ser Arthur Dayne was moving in for the final strike against Ned Stark and stabbed the knight in the back through the chest. With the Sword of the Morning now on his knees and severally injured, but surprisingly not dead, Ned Stark took the man's own sword and struck him down with it.

Not long after Ser Arthur fell, a female cry was heard throughout the tower window right above them. Running up the stairs into the tower and leaving Howland Reed behind in order to rest. Jon however, followed Lord Stark up the stairs to find a woman on a bed, the sheets soaked in blood, surrounded by what he could only believe were handmaidens.

It was here Jon saw events playing out that revealed why the Force had shown him this moment in time. This woman wasn't just anyone. This was Lyanna Stark. The woman who was said to be kidnapped and raped by Rheagar Targaryen, which caused the North to join Robert's Rebellion to bring down the Targaryen Dynasty.

Only now, Jon was hearing her confession of how everything Ned knew about the war was a lie. How she never loved Robert or wanted to marry him. How she even told him as such, but the drinking and whore loving man wouldn't listen. He saw her as a prize to be claimed. A trophy to parade around for all to see while he strut around claiming the she-wolf has been tamed by his hands. Lyanna confessed how Rheagar and even Ned's own brother Benjen knew this, but kept silent to protect Ned's friendship with Robert. How she loved Rheagar and married him. She told Ned the named of the location where they married under the Old Gods and New. She even named who was there to perform the ceremony and how there was no doubt a copy of it at the Citadel to slowly gather dust.

She told Ned how Elia Martell and Rheagar annulled their marriage so the Prince could marry her. She told him where to find the documents needed to prove it. Lyanna even said how she has sent their Father messages claiming Rheagar's innocence and there was no kidnapping. Why those message never reached their family, Lyanna did not know, but suspected foul play on someone's part to ensure the war happened. How someone wanted to take down the Targaryen Dynasty and ensure someone else was on the Iron Throne.

Ned of course was telling Lyanna she was speaking nonsense on her part about that due to her current situation and to focus on the here and now.

Ignoring her brother's attempts to redirect their conversation, Lyanna finally mentioned how she feared Robert's wrath on her now born child. How the child was Rheagar's son, who she brought into the world, and was now the Heir to the Iron throne by right. She had begged her brother to protect the child from Robert and Tywin Lannister along with those who would use the babe for their own benefit when he was fully grown.

She even told Ned Stark the child's name before her death.

And it was here Jon realized that the boy Lyanna Stark had brought into the world was in fact him. Jon Snow was a name Lord Stark had given him to hide the boy from everyone, but his true name was in fact Aegon.

Aegon Stark Targaryen.

He was a true born. Not a bastard.

He was not just true born, but a high born.

No. Not just high born. A Prince!

A Prince and Heir to the Iron Throne and future ruler of the Seven Kingdoms!

And just as that thought came into his mind, the vision shattered like glass with darkness surrounding him once more.

As well as the cave ground.

"You lost concentration. You haven't done that since your first day attempting to mediate and reach out to the Force. What happened?" commented Dooku curiously.

So the boy told him. He told him everything. The truth. All of it. How Robert's Rebellion was a lie. How Prince Rheagar didn't kidnap Lyanna Stark and rape her like everyone had assumed. How they had married and had a child. A son. Him. How his name was not Jon Snow the bastard child of Ned Stark. But rather he was Prince Aegon Stark Targaryen.

And future King of the Seven Kingdoms...provided he made a claim to the Iron Throne.

"My whole life up until I met you was a lie. My name. My position in life. Even my own destiny. Lord Stark was never going to tell me the truth, was he?" asked Aegon with the figure of Count Dooku looking like he was deep in thought.

"Possibly. It does sound like your Uncle cared more about preserving his friends right to be King over protecting you properly. Had Ned Stark really cared about your well being, he would have told his wife the truth later on in private and together they plan to make it look like she was willing to accept you among the family. The fact he did not means the man was worried about you possibly growing strong in all aspects and possibly opposing the current King for your right to rule," answered Dooku with Aegon clenching his fists in anger.

"He had no right to deny me the truth for this long! I can understanding how my Uncle had to protect me from the likes of Robert and Tywin Lannister, but that was when I was a weak and helpless child! Would it have been so bad to tell me when I was old enough to understand? Or tell his wife so she wouldn't hate me so much as she does right now?" questioned Aegon with Dooku shaking his head while not liking how Ned Stark had let this boy become so badly damaged on different levels without even realizing it was happening.

"Indeed. He had no right to deny you the opportunity to stake your rightful claim on the Iron Throne and being King of the Seven Kingdoms. Though I also suspect there is more to this situation then we both know. Or even your Uncle knows. When possible, try to look into the past through the Force. See if it will reveal to you more of the situation and if everything else is above suspicion. Though I have a feeling it is not," commented Count Dooku with Aegon nodding.

"I also want to see into the future. Or possible future I would have had if I didn't run into this cave and found you," said Aegon with Dooku nodding.

"Acceptable. But first, you need to know more about this past which is connected to you. Only by learning about it and the truth can you make a true future for yourself," replied Dooku with Aegon nodding since his Master had a point.

He would rest first before making the attempt again. Seeing into the past takes a lot out of you.

(Winterfell-Sometime Later)

Ned was in his solar. He has spent quite a bit of time going over everything that happened since Jon had been brought to his home. Since Jon's sudden disappearance, the Warden of the North investigating what happened when he had gone to Bear Island, as well as any other time he had been away from Winterfell. From disputes, business, and even when he rode off to fight against the Greyjoy Rebellion.

And he was not happy with what he saw from his investigation.

Jon had never been abused by the servants or guards. That much was clear. But they did not make his life any easier. Some of the servants upon harsh questioning had admitted to giving Jon cold soup or warm like the rest of the family. Food given to him were of the poorer quality or not as large as the others received when eating together. The boy even had a much larger list of chores to do during the day, many of them among the far more demeaning ones Ned himself would try to prevent Jon from doing for that very reason.

But with him away from the castle, his wife was in charge until Robb came of age to fill the position as Lord of Winterfell in his absence or death.

As for his wife, Ned was furious with her on a level he didn't think possible given how much the Warden of the North loved the woman. First, she had made it clear to the staff and guards to make sure Jon was miserable as possible without raising suspicion. Second, Cat had ordered they keep such actions from Ned upon his return to the castle each time he came back. Stating the state of his bastard was not his concern and they had to keep Jon humbled or else the boy would one day usurp Robb of his rightful place as the future Lord of Winterfell. Third, the Tully born woman had struck the boy in the face multiple times, demeaned Jon as being so low on the ground for being a bastard. Even stating it was actually allowed by the Seven to keep bastard like him down due to their birth was formed from sin and lust.

But the final straw was the last action, which Ned had been completely furious over.

She had struck Jon for singing and playing a harp, which he purchased with what little money the boy earned to obtain it.

The argument they had that day echoed all throughout Winterfell like one of the North's more ruthless snow storms.

(Flashback-Shortly after Jon's/Aegon's disappearance)

"How could you do it Cat? Do that to Jon?" asked/demanded Ned with his wife standing there with Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik on either side of her.

"I did what had to be done Ned. He is a bastard. Your bastard. It is my duty as your wife to keep him from performing evil deeds while you are away," countered Catelyn while Ned did not look pleased.

"You do not have the right to discipline Jon when I am away Cat. As you keep on stating time and time again, you are not his Mother! Your actions bring shame to you and to me for being unaware of it. Even more so when Jon has done nothing wrong! I have made it clear in the past that any such punishments, disciplines, or actions were to be handled by Ser Rodrik while under the supervision of Maester Luwin. You went against my explicit orders in this Cat. Even worse, you have the Septa and Septon here making it clear that punishing Jon for simply existing is allowed. I will not have you using your faith in the Seven as your own personal tool or weapon against Jon. Nor will I allow you to use them to poison the minds of our children in the belief Jon should be treated lower than the very snow covered dirt we walk on!" Ned shot back with his fury clear in his voice.

"I am the Lady of Winterfell. I am your wife! The laws of Gods and Man are clear that when my husband, which is you, are away from the castle, I am in charge until your son is ready to lead. I merely used my position to ensure Jon would not rise above his station while living here. I was well within my right," Cat countered while Ned slammed his fist onto his office table and made the woman jump back a bit.

"And my words regarding Jon when I left each time were to be honored! Regardless of your position as my wife and ruling over the castle until my return, you are honor bound to carry out my wishes on the matter just like everyone else in Winterfell. Yet you did the opposite! You made sure Jon's life was miserable on purpose Cat! You did this, knowing full well the boy would lash out, which would give you the right to bring about a harsh punishment of your choosing. Or he would have enough of the abuse and simply leave Winterfell to get away from your cruelty. And since he chose the latter, I would wager you are hoping some random group of wildlings, bandits, or even the cold weather of the North ended his life. Am I wrong?!" stated Ned with Cat keeping silent on the matter.

But it was the silence that was the most telling.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Jon is gone. The stain on your honor and my life is removed from Winterfell and House Stark. We can now truly be a family again without having to see that bastard," replied Cat with Ned slamming his fist on the desk again and shaking the room.

"JON IS AND WAS A PART OF THIS FAMILY! HE IS MY SON! AND YOU HURT HIM SIMPLY FOR BEING BORN!" yelled Ned while the room practically shook with his rage.

"N-Ned I...," said Cat since she didn't expect Ned to be this angry or react this way.

She had always assumed the boy held some kind of evil power over him. A power of a trickster the Seven claimed was created through the sin and lust of his conception. She had believed that with the boy either dead or gone, the power would weaken and Ned would break free form the spell the bastard had put him under. But it seemed the bastard's absence had only made Ned's love for the bastard grow stronger.

"Enough! Its clear I have been neglectful in my duties in the castle and it is a mistake I intend to correct as of right now. Ser Rodrik!" stated Ned getting the Master of Arms full attention.

"Yes my Lord?" asked Ser Rodrik and was awaiting his Lord's command.

"You are to bring every single man who was on the list Maester Luwin provided stating who was in the so called search party for Jon. You are to bring them to the courtyard of the castle. They are to be flogged twenty times in front of everyone and their crimes are to be known so no one will make any similar attempts should Jon be found and brought back to Winterfell," order Ned with Ser Rodrik nodding while Cat went pale in the face.

"Ned! Those men don't deserve such a harsh punishment. Surely another punishment of lesser, yet still harsh standing could be implemented?" questioned Cat while Ned was clearly not finished.

"Second, the Septa and Septon are to keep their own beliefs about bastard away from my children. I have reviewed my children's studies and everything is about how things are done in the South. Not the North. That changes now! My children were born and raised in the North. They are part of it as the North is a part of them. From what I have seen when personally testing the children, their knowledge of the North is not up to my satisfaction. Maester Luwin, you will be in charge of increasing their knowledge of the North, who all the Lords of the North reside, the history of their Houses, practices, and customs when in their lands," ordered Ned with Maester Luwin nodding since he had wanted to do that from the start.

Unfortunately, Lady Stark had brought about resistance to the idea since she felt that the North and her children needed a firm "southern touch" as she called it.

"That will impede their ability to learn!" protested Catelyn with Ned scowled further.

"Your version of learning Cat. This is the North. Not the South. You have them learning Southern traditions, customs, and Houses while neglecting the North. How can Robb be the future Warden of the North if he acts like a Southerner? My bannermen will never follow him if he abandons our ways. You know this. You have known this since coming here to the North as my wife," said Ned while Catelyn huffed in anger.

"Those Houses all swore oaths to House Stark long before today. They should stand by those oaths regardless if their Liege Lord and Warden follows Northern or Southern traditions," said Cat with Ned sighing since they had this one argument about this in the past.

"And I have told you before Cat, the Northern Houses respect strength. Following oaths to them is only as good as the man commanding them. Robb has to be act as a Northerner in order to keep the loyalty and support of the Northern Lord. Anything less from my son speaks weakness to them and the Northern Lords will not continue following House Stark if the Liege Lord is weak!" stated Ned with Catelyn still not happy about this due to her plan to make the North more civilized like the South was being met with more resistance by her husband.

She still could, but would have to wait until Ned's anger over the loss of his bastard had died down before she tried again. Maybe she should contact her Father and ask for advise or maybe Jon Arryn if things became worse. The man could always influence Ned easily enough due to old Falcon from the Vale was her husband's Foster Father for many years.

(The Cave-Two Years since leaving Winterfell)

"I have taught you all that I know young one. About the Force. The Sith. The Jedi. And the paths to walk to become them. But I also taught you that the choice is yours on how to act when the situation requires a decisive response. You are free to choose how you act with others, but must remember to accept responsibility for your actions regardless if they are good or ill towards others," said Count Dooku with Aegon nodding while he was kneeling before the image of man who had become his Master in the ways of the Force.

"I will not forget what you have taught me Master. I will show the world the power of the Force. I will show the world that the dragon is not dead. That we are alive. We are strong. And those who betrayed us...will know our wrath," said Aegon with his voice strong, full of conviction, and ready to face the outside world.

"Go my apprentice. Become your own Master. Forge your own destiny. Your own path in life. But above all else...make me proud to call you my legacy," said Dooku with Aegon nodding before standing tall and proud in front of the Count.

"By your leave my Master," said Aegon with the Count nodding.

"One more thing young one. I wish you good fortune in the battles to come," said Count Dooku before his image retreated back into the Sith Holocron.

Turning around, Aegon looked at the clothing he intended to wear in the outside world to further make himself known to others. It was the same clothing fabric the Count wore, except it was black in color. From shirt to pants to boots. All black. But the final piece of it that he was going to wear was a black mask helmet he had forged using the Force to guide him in its creation. It had taken a better part of the year for him to forge this one item using the tools he found in the cave itself and the occasional travel to White Harbor to visit the blacksmith there in order to discreetly get the materials required to forge the mask.

Putting it on, Aegon took in a long breath and let it out in a long exhale while grasping the significance of what this meant for him. Jon Snow was dead. He was a phantom. A fake. A weak pathetic thing that would have never amounted to anything in life because of everyone around him wanting to keep him that way.

No more.

Where Jon Snow had fallen due to being so weak, Aegon Stark Targaryen would rise! He would rise and fly like the dragons of old did. He would cast down all the pretenders, the usurpers, the betrayers, the schemers, and those who think they can cast down the dragon.

But first, he needed to obtain a dragon or dragons before such a plan could begin. Not to mention an army to further back his claim for the Iron Throne. Meaning he would have to leave Westeros and travel to Essos where the Force told him was where such things were waiting for the young Prince.

And future King of the Seven Kingdoms.

(A/N: YAY! I wrote a new fic. Don't worry. It won't be twenty chapters long. I got this idea from a mixture of GoT fics from Snafu the Great and other fics from other writers doing GoT and those who I have seen mixing Star Wars in them. If you are wondering about what Jon/Aegon's appearance looks like at the end of this chapter, its Kylo Ren from the most recent Star Wars Movies, which includes the mask. I felt Dooku would be fitting to teach Jon/Aegon via the Sith Holocron since the man was had that aristocratic nature and given Westeros has that in abundance, it felt appropriate. Who better to teach Jon/Aegon how to be a high ranking noble or High Born? Also, in terms of age, I know when Season 1 started, Robb was apparently 14 years old, but let's face it, Robb, Theon, and Jon didn't looked like they were 14 years old. The fact Theon was having sex in a brothel during Season 1 started says as much. So when things do happen, they will be 18 years old and full grown adults so this gives time for Jon/Aegon to prepare things when in Essos. Now, in regards to having a Lightsaber, you are wondering if Jon/Aegon has one after finishing his training with Count Dooku. The answer to your question is (spoiler alert!)...NO! Too easy and I don't want to make things too easy for him since that would make things a bit boring. Besides, Jon/Aegon will eventually get a Valyrian steel sword and of course dragons too so a Lightsaber is a bit of an overkill. Not to mention he has the Force so wielding a Lightsaber is a bit much at this point in time. Next chapter will explore Jon/Aegon's journey to Essos and what he has learned of the conspiracy against House Targaryen. Until next time...PEACE!)