Next chapter. I was hoping to make this chapter on Christmas, but that didn't happen.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Fox, Yugioh, or Star Wars, or whatever else I forgot to mention, but I do own some of the characters in here.
Jedi Academy
Chapter 21
Promises
A month has passed as Christmas arrived. Unlike the traditional Christmas', this is a time of year where all the Jedi get together. This makes a good time for reunions with family members as well as the Jedi Temple to come here. The Jedi Council brought some treats for the younglings to have as Christmas songs will be played, courtesy of a special piano player.
Through that month that passed, a number of things have happened. Téa and Serenity had a peaceful talk about Serenity's relation with Yami. Serenity expected the worse, but it seems that Téa is approving her for her feelings. In fact, Téa already found that Yugi is still around for her as they've been best friends for a long time, and she decided to ask Yugi out on dates when he had the time. To Serenity, Yugi and Téa are doing well with each other.
The clones that they had at command have been sent back to Kamino to await further orders. Luckily, the supreme command of them has been given to Luke Skywalker and Thay'lan Hakunsre, so if a Jedi have turned on the other Jedi, then the either of them can call them to stop. However, one platoon of clones has been left at the Jedi Temple to guard it from any intruders.
Fox has been training Serenity to use a Titan Slayer properly, which she has amazingly accomplished within just a week after they began. It's quite strange too, but not as strange as to how Yami mastered the ways of the Force so quickly. Yami's been given the privilege of Jedi Knight by the 4th month of the following year. Bakura has also become efficient enough to become a Jedi Knight as well, but he felt that he should take some more time before he takes any of the tests. Serenity is given privilege by next year if she can complete what she's been working on for a long time. So far, she's doing well. At the same time, Fox was thinking of training Serenity under the arts of Cornerian Jujitsu, despite its lethality.
Serenity was walking by the music room when she began to hear a familiar tune. She opened the sliding door, hearing the Peanuts Gang theme song. The person behind the piano, however, is Krystal. Serenity began to smile, listening to the tune that she grew up with. Krystal finished playing and noticed Serenity clapping to her playing.
"That's wonderful, Krystal," Serenity said.
"Thanks. That song is really one of my warm up songs, including Greensleeves, the Entertainer, and other sorts. I play these Christmas songs every year for the younglings."
"That's great to hear."
Krystal got up as she still wore her Star Fox uniform, which the reason why is because she's not a type for formal attire. However, Krystal still knows some taste in formal attire. She looked up and down Serenity, examining the light pink cotton long sleeve open shirt that Ayame lent to her over a darker shade button up pink shirt that she still had from Kelly. Serenity also had a white skirt on that went down to her knees with dress shoes, not high heels, which looked fine to Krystal. The only thing different about her now is that she's wearing open finger black leather gloves that she began to wear constantly.
"Shizuka, that looks great on you. Just one thing," Krystal pointed down at Serenity's hands at what she means. "Lose the gloves."
Serenity looked down at her hands, noticing the gloves that she forgot to take off. She quickly pulled them off and held them in her hands. Krystal now gave Serenity a thumbs up in approval of how she looked. "There, now it's perfect."
Serenity gave a kind smile to Krystal from her approval. "For someone like you, you sure know some feminine stuff."
"It's actually a trait I have. I know I don't dress formally myself, nor does any Star Fox member…except for Peppy, but I still know this stuff from my mother."
"I see."
Krystal looked down at her wrist communicator, looking at the time. She noticed that she had to be down at the main hall quickly.
"Sorry, gotta go now."
Krystal left in a quick stride, leaving Serenity in the room alone. Serenity left the room in hopes of meeting up with Ayame. This is technically her first date with Bakura, and she requested to Serenity to help her. Serenity arrived at Ayame's room and stood there, waiting for her to come out. That didn't take long as the young girl of 19 came out. Her neck length blonde hair seemed to glimmer as it shone in light with her purple dress as her brown eyes showed a cheerful spirit inside as she stood just an inch shorter than Serenity. Serenity waited there, hoping that she can be any help to Ayame. They both sat down in Ayame's quarters to talk about this.
"What are you nervous about, Ayame?"
"Well…just being with him, that's all. I mean…I just feel nervous around him, you know. I mean…I can't really explain it."
"It's okay to be that way. I felt the same way too for Yami on my first date."
Ayame sat there with her hands on her lap, feeling nervous about this. Despite that she's getting some help for this, it's still nerve racking to be on a first date.
Serenity glanced up to Ayame again, hoping that she's okay. Serenity can feel a lot of stress coming off of her, and it's that same feeling that she felt on her first date. "Here's one more thing, don't ask for a perfect date because the first date won't always be perfect."
"I know, but I don't want to ruin it for Bakura, that's all."
"It doesn't matter what you say. I'm sure my first date will still be worse than yours if you have a bad one."
Ayame sat there, remembering the story that Serenity gave to her about the first date, which is what she's worrying about. "But, what if Thrak comes on over to us and bothers us like how he usually does?"
"Don't worry, Kelly and Al will take care of it then," Serenity said. "Just make sure you relax and just be yourself."
With that, Ayame gave Serenity a smile and a nod. She's hoping that she's ready, but she's still nervous about this. They got up and walked to the main chambers to join the party. Serenity began to make a quick stride over in hopes to catch Joey in time if he's there like he said he would. They got to the large doors to the main chambers and let them open up. As they walked in, they saw that there are tables set up with a number of people sitting at them. In the front, the Jedi Masters have the honor to sit there. Luke Skywalker, Thay'lan Hakunsre, Koynar Jeut, Kristy Amora, Garena Alzok, Phoro Gamoro, Ian Jaxton, and Marlene Zoal are up there with other various Jedi Masters as they ate and spoke of stories through their life.
Fox, Falco, and Krystal were granted the honor to be seated with them, despite that Fox and Falco are only Knights, but they couldn't accept the privilege because of their own tasks. Even though she ranks at Jedi Master, Krystal's obviously on the piano, playing music for the younglings as she takes the time to keep her skills sharp while letting the children be entertained with various music from anything that's in relation to this day. Falco decided to volunteer to help with the cooking as he has a background at some cooking techniques, which are helpful at this time of year. This time, they needed more hands than ever as this year seems to be the highest count in their numbers as more students than ever have joined the ranks to become Jedi Knights. Fox wanted to be away from the others just because of personal problems. Ever since he regained his memories, he could never enjoy a Christmas because of his sister's death. He isolates himself to keep others from harm, just in case of something that could easily happen like the last time he spent Christmas when he wasn't in the battlefield or such, which that day on Earth still haunted him from his own mistakes.
Serenity found the others and walked over to their table with Ayame following close. They finally got to the table and sat down with their friends and ate the meal as they began to joke around and tell stories. However, Serenity's still looking for Joey while the others are talking. She heard the doors open and hoped it was Joey, but it's only a soldier with a small package in his hands. However, the soldier went over to their table. He dropped the package off at their table and quickly walked off again. The package is addressed to Serenity and the return address is to Rogue Squadron, which made everyone worry. She opened the package with great care and found two things in it. Dog tags with hers and Joey's name on it and a letter.
Hey sis,
Sorry I can't be there now. We've been called to the front line to help against a raid on Kashyyyk. I wanted to give the dog tags to you personally, but since I'm on duty, I guess I'll have to give them to you through mail. Please don't lose those dog tags since it took me forever to make. Thanks to Fox, he also helped me with a little something. Go ahead and look on the back side as well as on the inside. No matter what happens, we all will be by each other's side.
Serenity placed the note down and looked at the dog tags more carefully. She found on the backside something that surprised her. Not only is hers and Joey's names on the front, but Fox and Lauren's names are on the backside. She looked at the dog tags as it also serves as a locket as well. She opened it up, finding a smaller picture of her and Joey and the other side has Fox and Lauren. Serenity didn't notice until now that Yami and Bakura are looking at the locket as well. Serenity closed it quickly as if she's trying to keep a secret; however, now's a little too late for that.
"That's pretty nice of Joey to do that, Serenity," Yami said.
Serenity looked over to Yami and blushed a bit. "Uh…I guess so, but it's pretty embarrassing for me to have you two hover over me."
Everyone else began to laugh as Serenity began to feel more embarrassed. Kelly's the first to speak up.
"It's okay, Shizuka," Kelly said. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"I know…I just couldn't help it…but…you get the picture."
For a while now as they ate, Kelly, Al, Serenity, and Yami have absorbed themselves into a conversation that seemed random, yet important to keep at mind while Bakura and Ayame are sitting next to each other listening in to the conversation.
"The clones have become an important part to our operations, and we should make sure they stay in order of our command. If Thrak gets out of control, if his mindset leads him to that, and leads an army against the Jedi, then we may have to dispatch him if we're ordered to, which I'll do without hesitation," Kelly stated.
"Especially now that we have the jurisdiction to command the clones," Al said. "Thankfully, Luke and Thay'lan has the highest authority and can command the clones to…well…stand down if they need to."
"Besides, Luke will never do such a thing as to turn on us," Serenity said.
"But who takes power if both Luke and Thay'lan die?" Yami asked.
"Koynar would be next in line for top command, and on down through the Jedi Council," Al explained. "If they all die, then we have to take a vote."
"If I were to vote, I'd vote for someone that has great strategic abilities and won't turn on us," Serenity stated.
"Me? I'd probably vote for Fox," Al said.
"Same here," Kelly said.
Serenity sat there as she began to become tired, but at this time? It seems odd for her to be tired at only 21:00, but she figured it could've been something that she ate.
"I do remember Kelly telling me that the food I ate actually does cause drowsiness as a side effect."
Serenity got up out of her seat and began to walk back to her room when she noticed something else in the box. She picked it up and looked at it for a minute, then realized what it was after seeing the two A's on opposite of each other around the ring.
"An abstinence ring; I guess Joey's still being the overprotective brother that he is, but he should know me enough that I'm not that insane to do such things.
Serenity merely put the ring onto her finger as a way of saying that she will keep her promise. She went to her quarters, changed into her night wear, which now consists of a tank top and her pink pajama pants, and crawled into bed. As she was about to shut the lights off, she saw Yami come in. He came in and came to Serenity and kneeled to her level as her head rested on the pillow.
"I'll be with the others for a while."
"Okay. How's Ayame doing?"
"Fine, why do you ask?"
"Well…there's something a while back that she told me."
"About her brother?"
"Yes. She said that he got out just a few months ago, and she's afraid that he'll come after her again."
"Okay. I'm sure that Luke and the others know already, right?"
"Yes, and I'll help too if I need to."
"If you need me, then you know where to find me."
"Yami, thanks. Your help is appreciated."
"Anything for a friend."
Serenity smiled to Yami as he knelt there. She wrapped her arms around Yami's neck and brought him to her as their lips met, holding each other in a long, passionate kiss. Serenity released him as Yami did as well as they would like to get back at what they wanted to do. Yami left the room, leaving Serenity in there to sleep. She began to think about a happy life that she can only imagine with Yami.
"It'd be so great if he and I can be married and start a family…"
Serenity drifted off to sleep, imagining her dream life. Despite that she knew it couldn't happen, she wished that she could be with Yami forever.
Outside the Academy, Fox has been sitting on the top of the Great Temple for some time now. He wanted everyone else to be safe so that they can enjoy their partying without his interference. As he sat there, he's been mentally speaking to someone.
"Please tell me more about Serenity's feelings."
"From what I could pick up, Fox, her mind is still clear and pure, but like they said, it's not as clear as you said before."
"I see…and Yami?"
"Yami's powers have grown faster than ever. Maybe we were wrong about him. He may be the one."
"Very true, and I'm sure that Serenity being with him is helping his training."
"And I agree too, brother."
"But what about something that I've just began to sense from Serenity a little while ago?"
"Oh…that. That's something that I'm still watching over. I'll try to help Serenity in keeping her emotions in check."
"Thanks, Lauren. You've been a great help to me."
"When the time is right, then I'll let her deepen her relation."
"…Understood."
Fox regained his mental state back to reality and sat there for a while. He knew about what Serenity's heart has desired and he's feeling concerned for her. However, Lauren's still there to keep Serenity in check. The other concern is Yami.
"In ancient Jedi text, it says that the one-who-will-bring-balance is to be the destroyer of the sith, but our prophecy says that he or she will decide their path and follow it, determining the fate of the Jedi."