There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the force.
Emily repeated this in her mind once more as she sat in silence and meditated with her former master. Yet as she went over the code more and more, she found herself to be breaking every part of it and she was raised most of her life to be a Jedi. She was taught by one of the most respected Jedi masters, yet she was breaking the code that she had been taught all her life.
"Emily."
"Yes, master?"
"Your mind is wandering again." Emily peeked one eye open at her master who was watching her with a gentle concern in her eyes.
"I just, I question the code sometimes. I want to be the best Jedi I can be, I truly do. But I wonder why we must stifle our emotions. When I was on Onia a few weeks ago, the Queen mentioned how love gives us something worth fighting for, and I keep thinking on that." Shaak Ti looked at her former apprentice thoughtfully.
"There is no shame in emotion, Emily. We are not made of stone. We all form bonds and attachments, even though we are told not to. Every Jedi who is given the privilege of having a padawan forms a bond with them and feels attached. As much as the Council insists upon not forming attachments, I believe that that connection is wonderful. But some have not been able to determine where the attachment must end, and that is where the problems began."
"Speaking of Onia, have they made their decision?"
"Not yet," Emily said shaking her head. "I'll be returning there today to speak to the King and Queen. I've been in correspondence with the Queen since my journey there and they will come to a decision."
"You communicate regularly with her?"
"Yes, Her Majesty has taken an interest in me. I'm not sure why." Emily said, giving her master an embarrassing smile. Tassa and Emily had kept in contact and while Emily knew it was out of the ordinary the Queen had insisted upon it, and Emily found that in her spare moments when she wasn't with Obi-Wan or on a mission, a conversation with the Queen was interesting. They would speak of the goings on in each of their lives, Tassa would inform her about the progress Ilia would make in her lessons and how the planet was doing. She was very interested in how things on the war front were going and how Emily was. Tassa was very warm and maternal, and it made Emily miss her mother but also enjoy Tassa's friendship. She was a comforting source.
Shaak Ti smiled at Emily. "Are you going back alone?" Emily shook her head. "Anakin is off on a mission with Obi-Wan, he didn't take Ahsoka on this one, so she's coming with me. Other than that, I'm taking Burke and some of my troopers." With that, Emily and Shaak Ti exchanged their goodbyes. Shaak Ti needed to get back to Kamino and Emily had to find Ahsoka and get going on her own mission.
"What're the Royals like?" Ahsoka asked as they were preparing to land on Onia. Emily shrugged. "They're very kind. Opulent." Emily smiled, they certainly lived beyond the ways of a Jedi. "The queen is beautiful. Very intuitive."
"Good, I'm excited to see Onia and I'm curious about the Queen." They waited for the ship to land and quickly made their way out. For the time being, Burke and the few clones she brought with her were going to stay on the ship. Emily peered over to see the royal guards surrounding Tassa. But Tassa wasn't looking as she had before. Her bright eyes seemed dull and she had dark circles under them. She looked tired and worried.
Emily quickened her pace and ushered Ahsoka to do the same. "Your majesty." Emily said, bowing, Ahsoka following suit. Tassa smiled.
"Emily it's so good to see you again."
"Likewise. This is Ahsoka Tano, she's my brother's padawan learner." Tassa smiled at the younger girl. "Your majesty, are you alright?" Emily asked. Tassa's eyes shifted. "We'll talk inside."
The castle in which she and Obi-Wan visited not too long ago was completely different. The windows were dark and curtained, the gate had heavy locks on it and there were many guards surrounding it. The Queen led Emily and Ahsoka to the throne room, Princess Ilia lounged on her mother's throne.
"Ilia, why don't you show Ahsoka around the palace? Ahsoka is a Jedi padawan." Ilia perked up instantly, and waved a hello at Emily and walked off with Ahsoka. "Something strange is going on. Don't let her out of your sight." Emily whispered to Ahsoka before she left.
"The separatists have been increasingly aggressive in their demand for loyalty. My husband went off to meet with Dooku and I have not heard from him. His guards have not communicated to us either." Tassa looked away from Emily, the stress apparent on her face. "I fear for my husband. My child. My people. We are not interested in what the Separatists have to offer us." Emily felt such sorrow for the woman she had come to know. Her world was now in constant fear.
"You see now why we're fighting?"
"Of course. We wanted to remain neutral, but it's become difficult. I do not know if my husband will return." A tear ran down the Queen's cheek as she pursed her lips. "Please inform whomever you must that Onia will join the republic. We need assistance and protection." Tassa took Emily's hand and Emily squeezed it. "I will notify the republic at once." Emily replied softly to the Queen.
Emily quickly walked out of the room into the hallway so she could comm back to the temple.
"What is it, Skywalker?" Mace Windu answered, peering at Emily through the transmission. "I have news of Onia, they are to-" Emily's communication was interrupted by a loud blast and high pitched shriek. Emily ran back into the room, seeing Tassa being held in the air, a double ended lightsaber piercing through her, her bright eyes, wide in shock.
Emily could barely process what was happening. Tassa's attacker had yellow and black skin, horns and a double ended red lightsaber. Emily tossed him aside, forcing him to end his attack on the Queen. Emily tried to get to her but was tossed into the rubble of the thrones, causing her ribs to crack and pain to shoot through her body.
"That was from Count Dooku." Growled the assassin. He shot out of the blasted hole in the wall, stepping over the bodies of the guards.
Emily ignoring the pain, ran to Tassa. Emily knew she could help the queen, and Tassa knew it too.
"Emily," she rasped, "My husband is dead. Please… Please... protect Ilia. Keep her safe, I beg of you." Emily nodded, tears falling out of her eyes as she watched the light in Tassa's eyes fade and her hand went limp in Emily's.
Everything after that was a blur. Ahsoka and the clones rushing in, Ahsoka calling to the temple. Ilia's wail of agony at the sight of her dead mother. She didn't even know her father would never come home. Or that the thirteen-year-old was now Queen.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! I'm so sorry this too me so long. Life has been hectic since summer and now. I'm back at school. I think Savannah is my muse. Anyways, I'm trying to get back into a normal habit of writing at least a little everyday. I haven't forgotten about Emily and her story, or what I have planned. It's going to be a wild ride. I also made a Tumblr for Emily, so if you want to follow, feel free skywalkingems on Tumblr! I will try and update again soon!