I guess it is time to write another chapter ^.^ I should try to keep writing chapters every week but I'm too busy for that, but I also don't want to get overwhelmed with the awesome episodes that are coming out (*squee!*)! I've decided to answer all reviews at the bottom and keep the top author's notes short.
So it started off like any other normal day. I got up, got dressed, and ate breakfast. Well it has been a week. I've sort of settled in now, and I'm used to Miralay and Varin leaving the house to attend to Senate meetings. Though honestly, I hope we don't have to stay too long on Lothal, 'cause the planet is so dull and boring. Barely anything is happening. Well, besides today. Today's Empire Day! The day this glorious Empire was created and people weren't allowed to speak about how awful the academies run by the Emperor are.
Why am I still ranting about this?! I've got better things to do. Like...uh...fix my hoverboard.
So, after breakfast, I settled down into a cozy chair and started repairing my hoverboard. Luckily, it wasn't too broken, but I wouldn't be flying on that for a while.
Well, I don't think I can completely fix it because I don't have the parts or money. But maybe...maybe I can remake them so they attach to my shoes and I can jump high, or stick to metal upside-down! That's brilliant. I'll work on that now.
"So, what's your decision Coral?" A voice asks. I look up and see Varin smiling at me from the table. I shrug. I guess it would be better than trying to focus on math equations and spelling. He laughs.
"What's that in your hand? Do you need any help? I can always hire a mechanic for you-"
He's too kind. I shake my head. I'm quite sure I can handle this on my own without blowing up myself. It's good experience. Varin sighs, but doesn't bother to push it, thankfully. I continue taking apart the hoverboard and trying to make it attach to the soles of my shoes.
.:A few hours later:.
It didn't take too long, and now I had something wonderful that I liked to call 'Gravity Shoes'! I fixed the latest kinks that ended disastrously, and now they're perfect for running about and stalking -*ahem*- chasing rebels. Varin was browsing the HoloNet when I left the room and entered my own. I started to pack a small bag. My weapon, sketchbook and color-pencil pack, and of course, something I forgot I owned...my HoloPhone! Once I had packed everything I thought I needed, I left the room and was about to leave when...
"Hey! Where are you going Coral! It's dangerous to go alone. Don't worry, there's an aid around your age who can keep you safe."
...There's an aid around my age?! How old is s/he, thirteen? What in the world?! Just imagine. 'Oh, Danny, you don't have to walk your younger brother any more, there's an aid his age who can protect him!' Good grief, this is just crazy! But if I refuse, Varin will make a big fuss and won't allow me to go at all.
So I didn't bother to fight. And in came a blundering girl who looked really familiar. Why...it was Juniper, the girl from the Academy! She looked flustered, and not so professional now that she wasn't wearing the academy uniform. Varin gave an short glance at the girl.
"Now you better make sure she gets home safe or else I'll have to complain about this to your instructor." Juniper nodded, large sweat drops gathering on her forehead. "Okay, bye Coral, don't do anything ridiculous now!" I nodded and left our apartment. Juniper rushed beside me.
"Can I hold you bag miss?" I shook my head. "Do you need anything? Water? Food?" Shaking my head, I pointed to the water bottle in my bag. After my last mishap, I shouldn't leave without any food so I don't have to buy it from a rowdy diner. Juniper twiddled her fingers as she walked beside me.
"So you're father -"
I gave her a stern look. My adopted father.
"Ehh...your..guardian told me you're dumb...is alright if I say that?"
Well's thats what it is called, so I've gotten used to kids saying that...a lot.
"Err, well, your guardian says you can't speak but you have these looks that speak for yourself. So, is there anything you would like me to tell you about Lothal?"
No. Just how old are you anyways?
Juniper frowned. "I'm Fourteen. And a half. Fourteen and a half. But I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself - and you of course! Heh heh, nearly said something I shouldn't. Eh hee hee..." She let out a low nervous laugh. I rolled my eyes.
Since there wasn't much happening, I decided to examine her. She had dirty blonde, short hair and bright amber eyes. From her nervous laugh to her anxious, timid chatting, it wasn't hard to tell that she was naturally timid, shy, and hopefully gentle. Which means, the whole time we were at the academy, she might have been playing an act 'cause someone told her she had to be tough and couldn't be wimpy or something. I gave her a side glance, but she stared straight ahead, staring off into space.
"Sometimes," she said in a dreamy voice, "I wish that there weren't rebels, fighting, or chaos, just peace. Sometimes I just hope that it will just end and everyone can live in peace without being afraid of someone jumping out and attacking them like that kid who is stealing food from those stormtroopers- oh my gosh! Coral stay here I have to help them!" Juniper shouted, pushing me back and pulling out an electric pole. She charged ahead and nearly attacked the kid who was taking food from the Imperial agent, but he dodged and dashed off. And before I knew what I was doing, I was running off after the kid. I ignored the cries of surprise and horror from Juniper and followed the kid through the busy street and into an alley.
When we were alone, the kid turned around.
"Hey, it's you again." The person I followed said. It was Marco. "You didn't tell that girl did you- uh oh, she's here." He murmured. I turned around and saw Juniper. She looked much different. Not horrified and surprised like I expected, but furious and determined.
"Coral get behind me! I'll deal with him myself." She shouted, pulling out her pole again. "What do you think you're doing you lothrat!" She bellowed furiously. "I'm not letting you take her hostage. You'll have to get through me first!" She charged, swinging her pole low to knock Marco over, but he jumped backwards. Juniper whipped her pole back around, but he dodged it again, but instead of leaping back, he stumbled. Juniper put away her pole as stormtroopers arrived. My head started to spin and I started feeling a bit sick.
Why is Juniper acting so mean to Marco! I mean, she probably knows he doesn't have food and that's why he's a lothrat, but she doesn't know that he's my friend and he doesn't need to be treated badly!
And suddenly, I blanked out.
When I came too, Marco was gone. My head was still a bit fuzzy, but I was quite sure I heard a voice calling me. And they seemed worried and wouldn't stop. But, I'm fine now, its just...hold on, Juniper!
I darted up only to see Juniper right beside me. She looked a bit surprised, yet relieved. But I wasn't prepared for what had happened while I was out. Most of the stormtroopers were still knocked out. I gasped. What happened?
"Coral are you alright?" Juniper asked, "I tried waking you up but you wouldn't respond! I don't know what happened. It was just...I was protecting you from that dangerous lothrat and then this shock wave just flung me across the ground. The stormtroopers got knocked into the wall and the kid escaped and you fainted! Please tell me that you are alright!"
This...is...really confusing. I...feel better, just a little funny...like when I 'left my body' or something. It's really weird. Ugh..., I feel stiff...
"We should get you back home. Oh no... Varin is going to be so mad at me because I couldn't protect you from whatever that was, and I'll get in trouble and my instructor will get so mad and no one will ever want me to be their aid again!" Juniper said, her face getting as white as a sheet of paper and her legs wobbling. "But I have to get you back now and you have to rest. I'm afraid you'll have to miss out on Empire Day. It's so...patriotic." Juniper helped me off the ground and dusted me off -despite the fact that I could do that myself without any help-. "I'm sure those troopers will be fine. We have to go."
.:Back at the Apartment:.
As soon as we got back, Juniper blurted out the story and how she was so sorry she couldn't protect me. Of course, Varin wasn't pleased, but I pleaded that he shouldn't report her as bad and just say there was a small mishap, because if I hadn't run off she wouldn't of had to protect me. And, this time, Varin didn't yell or anything, and just let Juniper off the hook.
"Oh thank you Mr. Varin and Coral! Thank you for letting me off easy, I promise to not let this happen ever again!" Juniper vowed. Her eyes twinkled in acknowledgement of her promise. "I'll never let anything happen to Coral, I'll act as if she's my little sister! Now I better hurry back to the Academy unless you need me."
"No, we're fine Miss Juniper. If we ever need your assistance, my aid will send a message to you."
Juniper bowed before leaving. As soon as she was gone, Varin gave me the evil eye.
"You ran off again didn't you Coral..." He said in a furious, yet low voice. Sweat drops started to form on my forehead. I couldn't tell if he was mad and would let me off easy, or if he was really mad and wouldn't let me see the fireworks during the speech tonight (not that I couldn't see them from my room, but...).
I nodded. "Don't let it happen again, you hear?" I nodded again. "Good. Let's have dinner and then we will head to the Imperial Academy were Minister Tua will be speaking."
.:After dinner:.
Varin and Miralay pushed their plates away from their spots.
"Yum..., dinner was delicious. Are you going to finish your fruit salad Coral?" Varin asked me. I picked up my fork and stuffed a few bites of it in my mouth absentmindedly.
"What's the matter Coral? You seem really distracted today. As if something on your mind has taken you far, far away."
I shook my head to show that I was fine, but really, I was trying to think of what had happened this afternoon. It was confusing, and I had to get to the bottom of it. Sure, stuff like this happen to me often, but never this weird. I finished off my fruit salad and pushed my plate away from me before leaving to go in my room.
Grabbing a comb, I started to pull at the knots in my hair, trying to get them out so I could braid them. Ten minutes later, I was done. Letting out a small yawn, I reentered the kitchen. Miralay and Varin were already putting on their jackets, for tonight it was going to be a bit breezy. I grabbed my light green and blue plaid jacket.
"So you've decided to come with us Coral? Great!" Miralay said, smiling happily. "Your hair looks nice too. Now let's go, we want to be their when they start the speech and the pledge..."
I nodded. Yeah...all that diplomatic stuff. Maybe when I'm older I'll understand it more.
We left the apartment building and headed outside into the crisp atmosphere as the sunset over Capital city. We headed towards the Academy and down the streets before stopping at a place with chairs for a bit. I sat down and slumped into a chair. Just then, AT-DPs (All Terrain Defense Pods, which are bipedal walkers), started walking down the streets. Now I realized why everyone was near the buildings. My stomach let out an uncomfortable rumble and I sighed.
Now I realize why they tell you to chew your food. I just find it pretty hard to take tiny bites sometimes. Unless I only have a small portion of it.
"Come on Coral, let's hurry. We want to be able to hear Minister Tua speak, and there's something they're revealing to us and we should see it." Miralay urged. I hopped off the crate and followed, only out of curiosity. We walked down the streets, particularly towards the edges, so we wouldn't stop any AT-DPs or Imperial Troop Transports. It was a little hard, as the people on the edges kind of refused to move from their spots and weren't very happy when we blocked their views. When we arrived at the Imperial Academy and found a place where we weren't blocking people's views, Minister Tua had already started speaking.
"Lothal is just as important to our Empire as anywhere in the galaxy. And she wanted me to show you why." The speakers echoed. "Citizens, I present you with the latest vessel from Lothal's Imperial shipyards, the Sienar System's Advanced TIE starfighter!" She stopped as the crowd started to applaud.
"And who better to take this beauty on her maiden voyage, then one of the best imperial pilots on Lothal, Valen Rudor!"
A few moments later, fireworks exploded above. Wow, they really go all out don't they.
A minute later though, the TIE fighter exploded! The shock wave from the explosion flipped over the platform from which Minister Tua stood. Miralay gasped.
"What in the world was that? What's going on!" Miralay grabbed my hand and rushed away from the burning debris before we got swallowed up in the screaming, terrified crowd. Someone pushed in-between me and Miralay, separating us. I could barely hear her shout to me to meet back at the Apartment Complex. As I pushed my way out of the crowd and into an alley, I saw someone shoot their weapon not far from me. There was another small explosion. I gasped.
The rebels!
I had the urge to follow them, but I knew it wouldn't be safe, since stormtroopers might just associate me with them and get me in a lot of trouble. So I rushed back to the Apartment Complex by the back alleys. I stopped at the back part of it and looked about for any ladders. When I didn't find any, I activated my gravity shoes and connected them to the sides of the building, which were reinforced with a titanium plating exterior. I started to ascend up the side of the building until I was beside the window in my room. I opened it and slipped in. Quickly, I searched around for some binoculars before scrambling back outside. I closed the window and climbed all the way to the top and turned on the binoculars. I had overheard that they had stolen a Imperial Troop Transport and were using it to leave the city. But with all this madness, I'm sure the Imperials are already locking down the city.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see any troop transports racing through the main streets -wait! There! It was headed from the Lower city and probably was either just a normal patrol or the Rebels. And since I wanted to follow my leads, I took a leap. Seriously, I did.
I jumped off the side of the building and tumbled onto the rooftops. I altered the mode of the gravity shoes to hover. Now I was taking long leaps as if the planet had zero gravity. It was much faster and easier, with a hint of danger. Unfortunately, a mysterious freighter swooped in and blocked my view before taking off into space. So I went back to the Apartment Complex. Miralay and Varin still weren't back. I pushed the window to my room, opened it and clambered in. I swapped my binoculars for a telescope and jumped onto the room. Too bad they were already gone. I went back in my room and decided that I minds as well as wait until Miralay and Varin came back.
But being really bored and having nothing to do makes time take forever to pass so I decided to pack an emergency bag, in case I decided to follow the rebels again like when I followed them onboard that transport with LS...whatever. So in a small duffel bag went canned food for a week, clothes, binoculars, my telescope, sleeping bag, pillow, my sketchbook set and a HoloPad with a few spare data chips for collecting information off computers. I zipped it up and slid it under my bed before slumping onto it. I was exhausted and mad I hadn't been able to follow the rebels today. I let out a yawn before dropping off into a deep sleep.
So this is supposed to cover the Empire Day and Gathering Forces episodes since Coral won't be traveling into hyperspace until next chapter. So thanks for reading and please leave a review! Thanks for leaving favorites.
Kingdom Hearts Slayer - Thanks for leaving a review and I'm glad you like it .
Legendoffun - Ahh...so you already know. And well, I feel like I've could have done more, but it would just turn into me writing SWR drabbles in the middle of a story that already has a plot. I like to think of it having a plot similar to the SWR, just a bit different. ^.^
coral. iturbe - Me alegro de que te guste! Sí, Coral / cascabeleo no puede hablar ^. ^ Espero conseguir más en su historia en un poco, al igual que después de la final de la temporada 1 (tengo algunas grandes cosas planeadas o ella que conducirán hasta otra historia). Or for people who don't speak or read Spanish - (Glad you like it! Yep, Coral/Jingle can't speak ^.^ I hope to get more into her story in a bit, like after the end of season 1 (Spoilers in Spanish))
Chiibe The Rebel - I'm glad you like the last chapter! Though honestly, I wish I could have written it a bit longer.
So I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'm sorry it is late! Can you believe that this story is halfway over? Me neither, but I hope you enjoy it.
Spectre AP 11 - Or Spectre Jingle out.