6: To Change A Destiny (About a standard year later)


Planet Alderaan: Capital City, Palace

After all her years she trained with Ahsoka, Princess Organa had come very far. Her abilities were incredible. Jedi from the past era took far longer to achieve the distance young Leia had in four standard years. Well, halfway to five standard years now. Physically the teenager had crushed every challenge presented. Run for six standard hours? Done. Speed-climb this mountain? Easy. Her self-discipline and determination were by far her greatest strengths.

On top of physical strengths, Leia's intelligence was abnormally—supernaturally above average. Her mentor, Tano-Bonteri, said this was a common gift for force sensitives. Queen Organa and Viceroy Organa both caught onto this early in her life. At age three she was solving puzzles from toys to daily life quite efficiently. From what the adoptive parents had read up on, the problem solving skills were years beyond her. To keep Leia entertained was always a struggle. As she aged, her cleverness became more obvious. The princess finished Basic Studies early and began Advanced Studies about half a standard year ago. Every study presented to Leia was easily memorized and accomplished. The parents were quite proud of their daughter's learning abilities—especially Bail. He saw great political potential in her. The potential akin to what her biological mother possessed.

Emotionally, however, Leia seemed… problematic. Or at least her parents felt that way. Her emotions were strong, and she had quite the temper. As her powers grew, her parents worried. The princess' emotions were so tied to her special skills. They could feel her emotions in the atmosphere when they were strong enough. Ahsoka said she was fine, that she had a lot in common with her father—that is what worried them. Kenobi, over a standard decade ago, mentioned something about anger being a part of the Dark Side. Would Leia share the same fate as her father all because of a temper? Her parents worked persistently to control Leia and to keep her on a tight leash. Tano-Bonteri did not approve of the strictly managed life young Leia had. Ahsoka cautioned they were isolating Leia and causing her to put on a façade—to not be herself. She mentioned the Jedi did the same thing to Anakin, and it caused him great inner conflict. But they ignored her protests. Leia was, after all, their child. Besides, the discipline will not last forever and Leia would eventually get to live her own life. Her parents held hope that after she grew out of the hormone-drenched teenage years, she would settle down and they would not have to keep such an eye on her. But until then, they will do what they felt was right.

Currently, Bail and Breha were discussing: should Leia go with her father on a so called relief mission, or not? Her majesty was firmly against it, while the Viceroy was fervently for it. Both sides, per say, possessed reasonable arguments. Firstly, however, there was more to this relief mission than met the eye.

On this trip, Bail and other rebel leaders: Mon Mothma, General Crix Madine and Senator Orion Hex were to rendezvous during a relief mission for planet Kuol'eyd. Once they had met, they were to exchange Imperially Classified Information, or ICI. From the outside, the mission appeared as a common charity effort the unpopular senatorial party provided. Planet Kuol'eyd had recently been through a terrible series of quakes. After the quakes came massive flooding. The planet was indeed in need of help, and The Alliance was certain to aid them… so it was a relief mission… just multitasking a little. The young princess could learn a great many things, and hopefully grow her heart just that much bigger by helping the beings in need; neither parents disagreed on that. However, the danger involved in this multitasked mission caused two sides.

"Bail, Leia should not be involved with The Alliance!" Queen Breha protested tired of running into a wall. They had been going at this for hours. "She should not even know the leaders' names or have attended your meetings! I should have never let it happen! But this, this is worse than those meetings—if you were to get caught… I don't want to think what would happen to her!"

Viceroy Bail huffed and broadened his shoulders, "It is Leia's responsibility to know what is happening in the galaxy politically because she is a future leader—she should have gone to those meetings... and we won't get caught; we have never been caught. This will be one of the dozens we have pulled off without a single problem! She needs to be there, needs to see what the galaxy is like now and how to handle it. We can't have her sheltered and blind to her future… she can't be sent away forever, Breha! She will face it one day or another, might as well be today!"

Breha was normally a calm, timid creature. She liked tradition and the past. But now, now she was ready to fling a line of Alderaanian cusses at her husband. "Why you pigheaded traako, utaa, botuu ud'rann!" she finally boomed. After hours—or years— of sitting there peacefully, this was bound to happen. Bail stared at her stunned—rarely did she ever explode like this. "You are putting our daughter in danger! Can't you see that! What if something happens? What if something happens on this trip you'll regret for the rest of your life? Are you willing to take those risks? of losing our miracle of a daughter? Is all she is to you some tool to fix the future? Some weapon in training?" Her brown eyes bored into her husband's daring him to deny her.

Bail stared back at her unable to deny or confess. He was done playing games, done with trying to get her to see it his way. Organa did not care if Breha did not like it, Leia was going with him. His voice became quieter and even. "She is the future, and the future is in shambles. Leia is going for the better of the galaxy— end of discussion." He thought twice about saying something he knew would hurt Breha, but his need for total domination controlled him. "I am sure her real mother would have wanted her to." He knew he would regret saying that later.

Breha's eyes went dim as those words were heard by her ears. Bail had always been the dominant one in the relationship, always been in need of control. The Queen did not really mind, they had never disagreed on much. What they did disagree on never held much weight. Their marriage was wonderful and harmonic; they could not have complemented each other better. Then Leia came into their lives and suddenly a canyon seemed to crack before them. He had never been cruel to her before. Breha stared at the floor, water pooling in her wounded eyes. "At least let her choose…"

Bail fussed with his coat knowing he had gone too far, yet not wanting to lose ground. "If that will make you feel better."

Her majesty then walked out of the room.

Planet Alderaan: Capital City, Outdoors

Leia enjoyed training outdoors. Her benevolent teacher stood nearby, observing as she rehearsed an advanced Soresu pattern. Nature provided such peace and variety that it was whimsical to train in. Today was especially peaceful with the warm blue-sun rays and kind summer breeze. The temperature was not too hot, and not too cold. It might fall a little more to the cool side, but Leia preferred cold to hot. The grass waved and rustled with the playful breeze and the sound was heavenly. Beyond the wind, the mountainous offered such humility and longing for adventure. It provided perfect balance. It was so very gorgeous today.

As Leia finished her pattern, Ahsoka gave and approving nod. "Very good, Leia. Your form is improving greatly. Just remember balance is not always natural at first; you need to keep your knees bent. As you do, it will become natural."

Leia gave a nod, "I understand."

Ahsoka checked the time; it had been four standard hours with physical training. This time span was the usual. "We are done here; let's go inside to practice more Force Techniques."

Leia gathered her practice saber, "Sounds like fun," she said flatly. 'Force Techniques' meant more meditation-like-stuff. She could stand it and enjoyed it sometimes, but the day was so wonderful she would have rather have stayed outside. Also, the Force Techniques being learned as of late were very mentally draining. The goal was to stretch as far into the Force as possible, to eventually be able to become totally submerged within it—to become one with it.

During this time, her mentor instructed her to focus on feelings and intuitions. Taught her how unlike what the Fallen Teachings proclaimed, the Force had neither Dark nor Light dominance naturally, that it all depended on the users present. It should feel balanced, no obvious weight towards a side—it should be peaceful, never completely one or the other. She instructed Leia that she too should be balanced. If you are pulled to one side, indulge in it more as long as it does not consume—whether Light or Dark. As she disciplined herself in this, she will naturally compensate to find the true balance point—it is different for each user. Leia was usually pulled to the Light and she enjoyed watching the dance of lights while immersing in it. The lights were playful and kind. It was a nice break because usually the Force felt dark, and it was hard to be there for a long time.

The Force seemed to groan and whisper with injured voices. It felt red—looked red. It sent chills up her spine. Ahsoka said what she sensed was the Dark Side; right now the Force was dominated by it. Her teacher spoke of something hopeful, however: that within her life time, she will know the Force when it is balanced. Ahsoka taught about a Chosen One. That now he was lost, but one day he will be found and finally bring balance to the groaning, miserable Force. Leia enjoyed these lectures, or break from meditation, yet found them vague and hard to put faith in.

The galaxy was a dark place, full of evil and injustice. For one person alone to set right all these wrongs would literally be a miracle. Leia had a hard time believing in miracles.

Ahsoka gave an all too familiar look to her comment earlier about 'having fun'. "Ha. Ha. You can—"

"…never spend too much time with the Force," Leia finished with an eye roll.

Tano-Bonteri gazed weak daggers at her, remembering possessing the same opinion in her youth. She then smiled as a memory came to her, "My old mentor said that 'The Force was a companion that was forever a part of you. That you were never alone, that it would never leave you.' He also said: 'How can you not want to know everything you can about something that is always with you? Even if it means… meditating.'" She laughed as they approached the palace. "He never did like meditation."

"Sounds like someone I would like." Leia added. She had heard stories of Ahsoka's old mentor, Anakin, before. She had great respect for him, and felt that in some weird way he was a part of her family. Ahsoka did not remember her parents, and was partially raised by him. He was her family. Leia was partly raised by Ahsoka, and that made her family, which in turn made him family.

"You two are very similar, actually. I hope you meet Anakin one day." Tano-Bonteri said sincerely. As they finished their walk back, she held back words she wanted to say. Her gut told her not to tell Leia that Anakin is the Chosen One she talks about. That he is Leia's biological father, and she inherited so many of his gifts and powers—that she is so like him it can be uncanny at times. How she wanted to ease Leia's confusion of her identity, to loosen the fear given to her by her adoptive parents about her Force-sensitivity, to mellow the deep pain of somehow knowing she does not belong in this life. But Ahsoka cannot, not yet… A voice inside her said a great change was coming quickly upon the horizon—she hoped it was a good one. She hoped… how good it felt to hope again.

Planet Alderaan: Capital City, Indoor Palace Gardens

Ahsoka strolled through the palace gardens as she unwound from the day. A calm smile graced her face. The lush garden was a favorite place of hers to meditate. The energy of the mystical room was so soothing and kind. She sat on her rock, and began to meditate. The harmonic sound of the main water feature hummed in the background. Her thoughts amerced deeper and deeper into her subconscious, until finally—clarity. Only her most important and primal feelings dwelled here, in this peacefully dark place.

She missed Lux…

She accomplished something important…

She had to find Lux…

Hm… those were some new ones. She always missed Lux, but the other two… To her start, she sensed someone—or thing, else in the room. She had sensed this presence before, once before. She opened her eyes.

It was him. He smiled, "Hello, Ahsoka."

"Hi…" she drifted unsurely. Might as well get to the point of things, "Why are you here?"

His voice echoed, "I am here to give you a message: Leia's training from you is completed."

It hit her like an electro-shell's shockwave. It burned, it stung— it hurt. She was not done for now! They had just gotten started! No, she was not done!

"No!" she knee jerked.

The apparition stared at her empathetically, "You have done a good job. Leia is now ready to start a new chapter in her life and, soon, Anakin will be as well."

That certainly got her attention.

"Their paths are coming together very soon. From there, things will be… shaky." He turned away and gazed out the wall of glass overlooking the glorious mountains, "If the right choices are made… the future is so ripe with possibilities! The Chosen One will return again, it is only a matter of how." He cringed; she could see the uncomfortable winkles form on the side of his eye. Why did he cringe?! What did he see—know?!

"What is it?" she asked worriedly.

He turned and smiled at her, "Nothing, just a possibility."

"Of what?" she demanded—oh his riddles.

He smiled lovingly, "The future is not to be worried over, or demand about." He kindly chided… A riddling, vague Jedi—great, just what Ahsoka wanted. His face became more serious. "Your training for her was completed today. You feel it, don't you?"

She did not want to answer that… she did not want to let go. She wanted to fight! Fight for what she had, she was happy where she was—with what she was doing. Happiness had left her for so long… She had to fight it—fight destiny! She was not ready!

"No, no. I don't feel anything… I'm not ready…" The fear of unknown— of losing something, started to tremble her commonsense.

This can't be happening, this can't be! It's a nightmare… an illusion… She tried to convince herself.

He became gentle. "Attachment, unlike what the Old Order believed, is not something to fight. 'Attachment is something we all struggle with'…" An old memory jumped to her mind. Her pass mentor had said that to her after a horrifying experience on Geonosis. How would he know that? "…destiny is not to be fought, either. Except it, Ahsoka. Let go."

Let go?! No… she could not… this was all so sudden. Why? It was not fair! Another year—she would be ready then, surely!

He stared her in the eyes seeing straight to her most inner, basic self. "A Master once let go of his Padawan, to let her follow her own path; to complete her own destiny. He felt very much like you do at this moment. He let her go though, watched as his soul shrieked 'No!' Let go as his instincts screamed 'Fight!' That decision quite possibly saved your life."

Her breath hitched. Anakin… Her commonsense surfaced. Her fighting instincts and commonsense battled within her:

This is different!

No, it is not.

I am not ready!

You never would be.

I can't!

Yes, you can. You are strong enough. Think of Anakin. He let you go. The hardest thing he could ever do: let go. He let go of you. Do this in honor of him giving you a future purely your own.

It ended, though! It's all gone now; he's gone, she's gone! This is all I have left!

Is it? What do you feel?

The blue figure spoke again, "He's out there, you know."

Her heart stopped, "Lux?" she dared to hope…

He positively nodded, "Your instincts were right, he did not die as reported. He was captured."

"Captured!?" Her heart clenched.

"Yes. You could not have done anything for him before, but now you can." His time with her was coming to a close, she could sense it. "You've done well and given Leia everything she will need. Her place is not where she is. Let her find her destiny; let her find her place… Let her go."

Tears welled in her eyes as his figure dissolved. His final statement hung in the room.

Let her go. Let her go.

Let her go. Let her go. Let her go.

Let her go.Let her go.

"Okay," she whispered though her tears. "Okay…"

Star Destroyer: Executor

A now quite dead traitor lay face down in a pool of blood. The killer standing in front of the deceased. Under his mask, a smile would have been there if Vader smiled anymore. He had acquired the information needed from the corpse, after some aggressive techniques. It took a while to break this one, but none the less the Sith did.

Truth-serum after truth-serum, slam after slam, choke after choke, cut after cut and shock after shock when finally the man spoke. He spoke about an exchange of information between Viceroy Bail Organa and a group of unknown Rebels. The ICI was to be exchanged with a "Relief Mission". How pathetic and unoriginal.

Vader walked out of the cell, "Clean that mess up," he ordered the Troopers outside. He did not stop to tell them, did not waste another thought on what monstrosities he had just committed. He could not, or an annoying voice within him would speak up.

I have you now Bail… Vader thought, rather proudly.

He knew it was only a matter of time until Organa met his destiny. A destiny Darth Vader would be all too happy to bring. Bail was over confidant in himself and pitiful little gang of Rebels. Soon, this pesty Rebellion would be squashed, cut off at the head. No more angry master, no more punishments… at least not from this matter.

He will meet Bail after the exchange has been made. Oh, to see the look on that smug man's face…

A new age was on the horizon, Vader could feel it in his bones. He knew he would like this new age and that it would bring him great… He searched his feelings, trying to decide what it was he felt… It was so… foreign… was it… freedom?

Planet Alderaan: Capital City, Palace Royalty Quarters

Leia, after her training was completed, walked into the Palace's living space. She wore a smile and brought a bright spirit. Those positives were soon shattered when she sensed the room's presence.

Pain… anger… regret…

The room was toxic, and the toxins slammed into her. Her parents were unhappy with each other. They seemed to be unhappy more than happy the past few standard-years. They had argued—again and the room held no secrets. Her mother had just entered the room and stared outside the window, and her father acted busy.

Bail noticed her first, "Hello, Leia. I have a question to ask you."

She cautiously entered, as cautiously as she would walk through a mine field. "Yes?"

"Would you like to accompany me on another Relief Mission?"

'Yes!' she mentally screamed. Something so freeing seemed to rest on this decision.

Her mother's anxiety rose and it delayed her answer. Leia glanced at her. She really wanted to go, even though she knew her father would probably smuggle illegal information to The Rebellion; he usually did. At least someone was doing something to change the future. But, is she answered yes, what mine would that set off? Her mother wanted her to say 'no'. Her father, on the other hand, wanted her to say 'yes'. She felt the pressure of this decision, something was serious about—from the problem between her parents, to the paths of her future. So much was in this decision, the force screamed at her—flurried around her.

"Yes! Yes! Do it! Please! Say yes!" The force howled in a thousand voices, yet still with only one. Voices from the past, the present and the future seemed to be there. Her own, yet somehow of a stranger, even.

Should she trust her instincts, or answer with a safe option?

"Yes…" she whispered, though she thought in her head.

"What?" her father asked.

It felt so right, "Yes," she repeated surely.

Bail glanced at Breha with a muted proud and triumphant stare. "We will leave in the morning."

Leia gave a respective bow she learned from Ahsoka, "I will be ready."

Planet Alderaan: Capital City, Palace Royalty Quarters

Leia Force Ran to Ahsoka's room. She ran to escape her parents' poison, and just because she could. A huge smile tugged at her cheeks as the racing wind's sound met her ears. Unfortunately, a Palace servant was delivering fresh sheets to an unused guest room. Leia was a little careless and did not sense the woman until it was too late. She was able to slow down and avoid the servant, Estellia—thank the Force, yet she still fell and looked like a complete fool.

"Ow…" Leia whispered as she crashed down head first, rear in the air.

"Leia!" Estellia called in concern, "Are you alright?" The servant was quite used to Leia's tomboy actions—or at least tomboy for Alderaanian traditions. Princesses were still rather dainty here on Alderaan. Yet, Leia was quite allowed to break them by Her Majesty and the people. It just took some time to adjust to…

"Yeah…" Leia said standing up and rubbing her cheek. "Are you alright?"

Estellia smiled as Leia brushed off the bumps and bruises, "Yes, quite." There was a slight pause, "I know your Life Celebration Day is coming up soon. Are you excited for your Gala?" Estellia asked innocently.

Leia rolled her eyes, though she attempted not to. "No…" she grumbled under her breath. Her mother would not let up on this one. This tradition Gala was ancient and unnecessary. On Alderaan, fourteen standard-years of age was when one became an adult. The Royal Family has always celebrated it, and always will. Dancing, presents and celebrations—the works, and oh—the horror. Why could she not have a quiet night to herself alone and in loose, comfy fitting clothes?

Estellia chuckled, and seeing Leia would say no more decided to focus back on her tasks, "I should get back to work. Your Highness."

Your Highness… Leia loathed that title.

The princess curtly nodded and ran off again, soon banging on Ahsoka's door. "Ahsoka!" she called breathlessly. She became impatient and opened the door as she sensed her teacher was there. Ahsoka was, and she was standing out on her balcony. "I'm going on another one of dad's "Relief Missions"," she air-quoted, "…tomorrow. We'll have to adjust the training…" That's when she sensed it.

Something. Was. Wrong.

"Ahsoka?" she called.

She turned to her—she had been crying. Ahsoka never cried.

"I need to tell you something." Ahsoka Tano-Bonteri gently said approaching her. What she told her made her cry, too.

Planet Alderaan: Capital City, Palace, Leia's Quarters (The next morning)

It was early the next rotation now, and Leia still cried. She packed up with blurry eyes, and went to the Landing Platform. "Let's go," she growled as she marched passed her father on the Peuclair Liberté's ramp. Her father did not question her, simply followed orders.

And the ship left; left into an abyss of possibilities.


Author's Notes:

Hello again! Boy, did a ton go down in this chapter! 12 pages and 4,700 words! :D This chapter certainly did not take long… not long at all… (So sorry!) I really hope you enjoyed it, though!

I was so obsessed with this chapter; with perfecting it… It became too big for me to write.

Then, I finally realized: What you do is enough. Just write, just do. What you will do is enough.

So, I hope this was enough.

When I write, I want to give you, the reader, something. I want to give you joy. I want to give you an idea. I want to give you a connection. I want to give you a refuge; I want to give you somethinganything. I want to give you a feeling— a feeling strong enough that you can forget about whatever is hurting your heart, or whatever is bringing you down, or whatever you might want to forget—the fact that you had that dessert you know you shouldn't have, but still did, for example :P. I want to give you something. I happen to have an imagination, and apparently, a writing skill, that can.

So, I hope I gave you enough, that I did enough. That's all I want when I: dream, plot, write, edit, rewrite, edit, second guess, tweak, hesitate, pray—a lot, hold my breath and then, finally… post. When you follow, favorite and especially review, that is when I know. That is when I know I've done enough. This story is nothing without all of your patience and support.

So I thank you:

Readers

Followers

Favoriters

And Reviewers of Last Chapter:

Deathmvp
GiveMeMore
JessChen
Ribke D'Crazy
sodorland
Imperial Commander 5
ccp
Revan3363
Surrealforreal

Thank you for taking the time to give me a glimpse of how and what this story has done. :D


Responses to Guest Review:

GiveMeMore: Thank you so much for your heartfelt review!

I am glad you cannot wait for the story's development. Your words were very wise and I have come to discover their advice over the last months.

The "Leia hates Vader and has to come around after years of persuasion" may have been a little over used over the years. They are great! But why not do something different? Leia may go through some rough patches with her father in this story, but who wouldn't? Hopefully, those two will make it through those patches, or maybe it will fall apart. Relationships can do that… *suspense* :P

I am so glad you felt something! I hope it does wonders… I hope so… :D Maybe Leia will sense Luke…

I love Ahsoka. In my opinion, she has such a great spirit. She reminds me of grace, of water. Something about her is always fluent and flowing, she has some gentle strength within her that resists defeat. I admire that in her character.

Yeah Bail! Cut the BS, we all know what's going on here! :D

I love how you are analyzing the story! I enjoy seeing how others think through the story, and put pieces together.

Hope you read this chapter, and hope you enjoy! Thank you so much for your review! :D


Preview for Chapter 7: Fragile, Fragile, Fragile

The future is always in motion and always changing. Thousands, if not millions, of decisions from thousands of beings collide. Some are from Darth Vader, some from Viceroy Bail Organa and some from Princess Leia Organa...

No one ever tells you how fragile the future is.


God Bless!