A/N: another chapter. And people I can assure this not just another POTO Star Wars crossover….though I'm not sure how I'm going to make this stand out but I will…Haha. p

Please Read and Review. Thank you!

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Chapter 4

After the party, the ballroom slowly emptied out, each aristocrat tired and wishing to head back to their safe and luxurious homes. But the Royal entourage and the Rebel Alliance stayed behind. They had a mission to do.

And besides, Monsieur Belz had invited them to stay over his Château at least until all business associations were over. Belz seemed to be an essential figure really. For over 10 years he had been secretly figuring out a way how to somehow destroy the Empire. Though, for the life of him, he showed support to it but it was only an appearance. He did not wish to risk Palpatine's wrath. He had seen the limits of his mercy.

Lucien Belz secretly fought for the Republic to be restored, for freedom to be bestowed upon them. And because he had been a good pet to the Emperor, Paris had not completely suffered like the other star systems... but it was only a matter of time before it did. When he had heard of the growing Rebel Alliance, he immediately sought a way to contact them, informing them that he wished to cooperate fully with them and that he had hidden secret weapons, fire arms, aircrafts, armory and everything else needed in the war against the Empire under the city. Apparently, Lucien had been busy over the years…

Originally it had been 3 leaders in charge of this secret against the Empire; they had created their own Rebel Alliance specializing on weaponry and supplies. But the 2 other leaders, all Senators, were assassinated almost 4 years ago and Lucien would've been part of that list if it weren't for a wanted masked man, Erik. He had saved Lucien and in doing so, saved the Alliance. If Erik hadn't come in the picture, all would probably be lost now. And so Lucien had not condemned the man. Besides, the Phantom of the Opera could also be essential in the fight against the Galactic Empire as well…

But Lucien had never told his dear friend about this horrific secret and he didn't know how well his Phantom would take it.

The events of this evening lingered in his mind for a few moments. Have a party before getting down to the much more gruesome work, he always thought. And now he escorted the Royal entourage to his enormous study/library to discuss matters without unwanted ears prodding in to listen.

The unexpected arrival of Luke Skywalker had been most welcoming. Lucien had heard of the Rogue Squadron Commander, heard how he had fearlessly and ultimately destroyed the Empire's first Star Destroyer. Thank God for such a brave young man…

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Leia was dumbfounded yet extremely happy that Luke had decided to drop by. The ball was over and they were finally getting into business but she let Corde, still posing as her and the others go on ahead while she finally greeted her brother without the prying eyes of other people.

They were walking out of the ballroom and Leia suddenly pulled her brother to a corner and hugged him. Tears formed in her eyes again and she sobbed on his shoulder. Luke did his best to comfort her, using the Light Side of the Force to comfort her mind. He had secretly watched her sing his song with much emotion, the song truly defining what they had both thought all their lives and would continue to think. If only he could sing the song to his father just to show him he would never go to the Dark Side, he would.

"Luke! Where have you been?" His dear sister asked him, finally parting with him and wiping her tears. "Are you alright? You're not hurt right? I've missed you so!"

Leia had always been the strong one between them. She was the politician after all and the weight of the galaxy rested on her shoulders. She had to keep a strong façade for the people. If she was strong, so were they. They looked up to her and she had a duty to them. So when things would get too much for her, she would seek Luke, go to some secluded place and break down everything she was feeling. Other times, so would he. They would cry and sing songs together and they would comfort each other. And when they left the room, they were back to being strong once again.

"Dear sister, I have missed you as well. I have finally completed my Jedi trainings in Dagobah and I am quite alright. Do not fret, you cannot stress over me right now. I know you have more pressing matters to worry about." Luke expressed rather gently. They both know his words to be true. The night was not over yet.

"So you're Jedi now." Leia said with a touch of pride in her voice. Luke smiled. "And Master Yoda? How is he?"

Leia did not miss the sudden sadness that entered her brother's eyes at the mention of the powerful Jedi.

Luke sighed. "He is one of the Force now." Leia's eyes widened, realization dawning upon her. "He is gone now. He died of old age."

"Oh Luke! I am so sorry!" And she hugged him once again, this time it was she offering comfort instead of him.

They were interrupted by a voice.

"Excuse me, Mademoiselle, Monsieur." The voice said. Luke and Leia parted once again to see who it was that had spoken to them. Leia recognized it to be the Persian man with the intense stare from earlier and…good God…Erik.

Leia tried reading her former angel's expression but it was impossible to see what he really felt. He was good in shielding his true feelings from the world. She didn't know what he thought of being caught hugging this man he didn't know. Erik didn't know Luke was her twin brother...

"Monsieur." She addressed them both formally, her political face back up again. Luke was staring at her and Erik, he seemed to sense something.

Leia… He spoke in her mind through the Force.

Don't even. Not now. Please...

"Forgive me if I am interrupting this reunion." Nadir continued on. "But I wish to have an audience with you."

Leia was taken aback. You simply do not ask for audience with a handmaiden.

"Monsieur, you must've been mistaken. My Lady is in the study room with Monsieur Belz, if you wish to have an audience with the Princess, you may go to her."

"Yes but she is not the Princess and you are not a handmaiden am I right?" Leia paled visibly. She was at a loss for words.

She felt Luke's hand on her shoulder, reassuring her. "He knows." He faced the Persian with an unreadable expression. "I do not know how he knows but he does."

"Know what?" Erik suddenly spoke up; the ice in his tone did not go amiss.

Before either Luke or Leia could answer the masked man's inquiry, Nadir had beaten them to it. "Why Erik, I think you should feel honored being in the presence of a Princess of Alderaan…"

Erik gave his companion a look of bewilderment, his mind working and putting the pieces together and Leia thought she would faint, her Christine traits kicking in. How the hell did this man know?!

When Leia wouldn't say anything, Nadir continued. "I'm sure the one posing as Leia right now is just one of your handmaidens, am I right? To ensure your protection from those who wish to assassinate you, my Lady."

The way he had said 'My Lady' made Leia's blood boil with anger and Luke had to calm her spirits through the Force.

Leia sighed rather in frustration knowing that her secret had been revealed.

"What do you want?"

"My Lady I can assure you, I mean no harm."

But Leia wouldn't quite believe him just yet. She glanced at Erik and saw his eyes filled with confusion. Poor angel. He really had no idea what was going on.

"You're right, Monsieur. I am Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan. Forgive me for the confusion but a decoy was necessary in this mission." She proclaimed her defenses up once again. The look that passed over Erik's features almost made her waver those defenses.

Luke was practically scanning the Persian man through the Force, looking for a threat that could possibly harm his sister or the Alliance. Any little part of the Dark Side in the man. This man was no innocent though. He was a Daroga to the Shah of Persia and that required enough killings to last a lifetime. But other than that he didn't sense any threat coming from him towards Leia and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come let us walk to Monsieur Belz's study. I think I should explain myself for my actions." Nadir glanced at Erik, a truly concerned and worried look for his dark friend. "Forgive me Erik. I just thought it be better if she told you herself."

Erik was simply at a loss for words and merely nodded.

They began walking among the enormous halls of the Château in silence for a few moments, each one in their own thoughts.

"I have heard many stories regarding the Rebel Alliance and its most influential leaders." Nadir began, breaking the silence among the quartet. "At first, they were merely whispers. Then they became rumours. And with each story they became legends to tell the children when they go to sleep." He paused and gazed at the twins with look that neither could fathom. "The Persians think that maybe the Rebel Alliance is the only hope left for the galaxy."

There was a heavy silence when Leia considered his words. The Empire did not spare Persia and many other countries on Earth its cruelties. Blood was shed in many countries and sooner or later, Paris would fall under the list.

Nadir continued. "I have heard of the great stories of Leia Organa, one of the most powerful Rebel Alliance leaders and the greatest threat to the Empire, Luke Skywalker." He gazed at the duo with a look of admiration and respect in his eyes. "To be in the presence of you both is simply an honour."

The twins simply nodded at the man's compliment, motioning him to go on.

"But Persia is dying." And Erik perked up at Nadir's statement, disbelief and utter loss in his eyes. Leia pitied him. She wished to save him from all these cruel stories but knew it was fatal. Once upon a time, Erik had told her stories of the beauties of the city of Persia. Now here she was about to tell him stories about how its beauty was being savagely stripped away.

"And the Rebel Alliance is completely disregarding our cries of suffering."

What?!

Leia stopped abruptly. The change of demeanor in the Persian was strange and absolutely unexpected.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you not hear me? The Rebel Alliance is completely forsaking us. The only things we have heard are stories. But no actions have been made for the sake of us. Only destruction befalls upon us. The Empire's defeat against your forces are being satisfied in torturing us!"

Leia closed her eyes, trying to keep her balance. She had no idea. But how could the growing Rebel Alliance to reach out to every single city, country and planet without getting spotted by the Empire? It was an impossible task and Leia hated herself for not being able to do something.

"I'm sorry Monsieur but isn't that a bit selfish?" Leia began, she didn't mean to sound harsh but she couldn't think of any other way to put it. "We cannot simply reach out to every single city, country and planet without attracting attention to Palpatine. There are simply too many star systems around the galaxy suffering the same fate as Persia, you must understand."

Leia knew no excuses could be made for the deaths of innocents.

"But if you wish to help, join us in our fight for freedom and peace against the Empire." It was a weak offer, but an offer nevertheless. If he wanted to do something for his people, he'd have to help out the Alliance.

"It simply won't work that way." Nadir shook his head and closed his eyes, wary of the topic already.

"And how would you have it work?" Leia challenged.

Nadir sighed. "We need a government or a system that could just sit down and talk about the problem. To discuss what is for the greater good of the people."

"That's exactly what we do!" Leia came in for the defense. "It's just that, not everybody agrees to it."

"Then you should make them agree."

Leia shook her head and scoffed at the idea. "It sounds like a dictatorship to me. And we all know how much tyranny is affecting our lives." She gave a meaningful look to the Persian. "Tell me Monsieur, how exactly is Persia faring under the rule of tyranny?"

"Touché, Mademoiselle."

"These days though, more and more people are willing to cooperate. As a leader we give our ideas on how to handle the situation and if someone raises an idea, we listen...It hasn't been easy on us either. We are all suffering Monsieur! The entire galaxy!"

"Mademoiselle, I didn't mean – "

But Leia wouldn't have it. "No! Have you seen an execution take place before your eyes? As a Persian, maybe yes. But have you seen an entire planet wiped away from the galaxy as if it never existed? One push of the button and the planet is gone! Have you witnessed that?"

"No."

"Why do you hate us so much?" There was a hint of despair in Leia's voice. After all the hard work they had done, they were still being misjudged, twisted into the ways Palpatine had wanted to see them in the eyes of the people.

"I do not, I can assure you that, Mademoiselle." Nadir said with all sincerity. "I do pity you."

Pity?! Is he serious? Leia breathed in frustration. "Pity?" She had to take another breath before she carried on. "Thousands, countless men have died fighting for the Republic, for freedom of life and many more men continue to die fighting. Perhaps we deserve more than your pity."

Nadir was cut out. He had nothing to say against that. The Princess was right about…everything. He sighed. "I wish to accept your earlier offer. If it is the only way I can help, to be able to reach out to my people, I accept."

"Are you sure?" Leia asked. "Not everyone lives in this fight. Our lives could be taken any minute and any day. Could you sacrifice your life for your people as we can? Can you swear yourself to secrecy for the protection of what you fight for? Could you do that Monsieur? Can you live like that?"

The weight of her words reverberated among the quartet, Erik and Luke merely standing by to watch the argument. But they felt each word Leia spoke, felt the emotion, the suffering that lay beneath it, the truth in it.

Now Erik understood. So this was what his Christine had been doing all the years she was gone. Fighting for what's right.

"I can." Nadir spoke, a new determination evident in his voice. Erik had never seen him in such a state. "For the sake of the people, my life cannot matter."

A long silence descended upon them once again. This time it was Luke who finally broke it.

"Come on. We should get going. They are waiting for us in the study and we have much to discuss." Luke turned to Nadir and addressed him solemnly. "My friend, with your help and more, maybe we can finally achieve the triumph against the Empire and let tyranny end once and for all."

Nadir nodded. "I can only hope so, Master Jedi."

Luke took the lead and went on with Nadir following.

Leia stayed back for awhile. She turned to Erik.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way." She began. "It's really a long story. I mean, my real name is not even Christine for one thing. And Luke's my twin brother. We were separated at birth."

Leia glanced at Erik to see if he was listening. He was. All eyes were on her. They began walking slowly.

"I'm not going to tell you why we were separated but from the moment we were born, our lives were in danger. A Jedi Master Obi-Wan had decided to bring Luke to Tatooine and me here in Paris. He brought me to a man named Gustav Daae and well he decided to change my name completely for my protection. He died and I was brought to the opera and then the rest is history." Leia looked up at him with a weak smile.

She sighed. "And now…I'm back…" She said almost timidly, like how Christine used to be.

"So what is your name exactly?" Erik asked, finally speaking up. If he thought the whole idea was too much to take in, he did not show it in his features.

"Leia. Leia Organa…Skywalker." There. She had said it. To finally use her real last name. She looked up at him. "But if you want, you can still call me Christine. You seem to be the only person that could ever remind me of my past." She shook her head slowly. "You know the things that happened back then are nothing compared to the things happening now."

"When you are leader, very few things are simple." Erik commented wisely.

Her heart swelled. She did truly miss this man before her. They shared a past. It ended tragically but she had been under his guidance since she was 10 years old! She couldn't just forget him. And deep down she knew, he couldn't forget about her either.

"I'm deeply sorry for barging into your life like this." She chuckled bitterly. "I don't deserve your civility now but…" She looked into his eyes, trying to prove to him that everything she said was true. "Thank you. I never got the chance to say that when we were together.

"No matter what I do, I cannot regret that I walked out on you. If I didn't…then you wouldn't be the one standing in front of me and I don't think I could handle that. If I didn't walk out on you, I wouldn't have found my purpose and I wouldn't have grown up. If not for you, I wouldn't be here, fighting for my life, trying to make a difference."

Her words froze Erik on the spot and he took it all in. Could it be? That he meant something to her?

As if reading his thoughts, she said, "You mean everything to me. I'm sorry if it took me such a long time to realize such. I hurt you and I hate myself for it. But I can't see it any other way."

Leia began walking on. And Erik was left to stare at her back, just like he had done all those years ago.

But this time, it was different. She turned back and smiled the most beautiful smile at him.

"Thank you for everything you have given me."

Erik felt the tears forming in his eyes but did his best to hold them back. He had meant everything to her, she had said. She was thanking him now.

And maybe, just maybe, he did the right thing in letting her go.

She was indeed the most remarkable woman he had ever met.

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a/n: well how was it?

reviews please! haha.