Author's note: Dearest readers, we've finally made it. Welcome to the last chapter of Season 2 of "The Frozen Force." It has been an honor and pleasure entertaining you all and it seriously feels like we were going after Anna in Chapter 30 just yesterday. But together, we've grown on this continuous journey and I thank you for that. At the end of this chapter, I've got a very special message with some announcements including a special treat for you! Also, be sure to scroll down after for a "post-credits" scene! All of this being said, I hope you enjoy this action-packed and dramatic season finale! Out of every fanfic site, FF. net is the best place to find this story!

Long Live Imagination,

~ Michael

THE FROZEN FORCE SEASON 2 FINALE

Chapter: 60 (Duel of the Fates - Part 2)

"When your back is against the wall, put your faith in those beside you."

It's a trap! Padawan Anna Dellian and Knight Hans Westgard found themselves ambushed by the 'Coruscant Killers' while investigating a lead. They along with Masters Mattias and Yelena soon realized that a betrayal was afoot. Senator Dia Veritaz was revealed to have been working for the slave traffickers all along, and the Jedi raced to save Elsa. While the group engaged the treacherous senator, they arrived too late to spare Elsa from a dreadful poisoning. After an intense hostage situation and fateful blackout, Veritaz escaped into the night. With Elsa in critical condition and a heinous criminal on the loose, the pressure is on to restore peace to a city in chaos...

The city of Coruscant had descended into sheer madness. The bombing of the central power distribution grid had set off a chain reaction across the city. Generators had exploded, triggering citywide blackouts and causing panic in the streets. Looters ran rampant in the undercity while authorities scrambled to get the situation under control. Attack alarms rang out from Coruscant's primary alert systems while citizens screamed in the streets. Unable to see proper traffic signals, airspeeders collided with one another and spiraled out of control. Safety alerts failed to warn pedestrians, who were forced to dive away as flaming airspeeders came crashing down. Amidst the mass destruction and hysteria, a bulky transport zoomed out of the Senate Building. This repulsor-powered ambulance flashed its emergency lights and blared its sirens. The ambulance driver was used to those in the skylanes pulling over to make way, but it was absolute chaos betwixt the blackout. He banked and swerved to avoid spinning ships, all while trying to keep his patient steady.

Medical equipment fell from the vehicle's shelves and banged against Yelena's back. "Are you alright?" Mattias asked while she shielded the stretcher with her body.

"Fine," Yelena grunted. "Just go see if the driver needs help."

Mattias huffed and rushed to the co-pilot's seat. He bumped shoulders with Taline in the heat of the moment. The Mirialan was in shock over all which had occurred. She death-gripped a handhold for stability and observed the dreadful sight before her. Elsa, the very Jedi who'd offered to help her so many times...was sprawled out on a stretcher. The Twi'lek paramedic had just finished securing an oxygen mask on Elsa's face. She then injected the Padawan with a supplement and monitored her vitals. The paramedic's unblinking eyes remained focused on the monitor.

"Elsa!" Anna snapped at her sister's side. Her voice cracked upon seeing Elsa's eyes softly fluttering. "Don't you close those eyes. Do you hear me? Stay with me! We have so much more to say and do!"

Elsa's eyes slowly listed over to Anna as the buaroshade toxin ravaged her body. From the eldest Dellian's perspective, all she saw was a blurry blob where Anna's face should've been. Her sister's shouts and pleas were nothing more than muffled sounds in a fading world. A second blob loomed over her as Hans gestured to the paramedic. "Is this tailhead even doing anything?" he scoffed.

"If you're not contributing to this patient's stability-" the Twi'lek began. "I need you to sit down. Now!" Her voice was like that of a scolding mother. Yet she only made such a remark because she was dedicated to her job. Her bright yellow lekku swayed aboard the shaking transport. As Hans and Anna reluctantly backed off, the paramedic looked at Elsa's monitor. Vitals are dropping, she told herself. Damn it. She glanced down at Elsa and thought, Come on, you. Don't give up on us.

News outlets were losing their minds over the attack on Coruscant. No one could turn on a datascreen without hearing the story on one channel or another. "Our top story tonight," an Avinarian news anchor began. "Terror in Coruscant. Our city's primary power generator has been the target of a devastating bomb. Security footage has given authorities reason to believe that six droids infiltrated the power grid. Disguised as sweeper droids, they were able to enter undetected and self-destruct."

"Reports are coming in from across the city!" one reporter announced from a chaotic scene. "Widespread blackouts have people terrified. If you look behind me, vandalized stores like this one are just the beginning."

"This just in," another station's anchor stated. "Separatist leader Count Dooku and those in his confederacy have claimed responsibility for these attacks on our people. All of this death and destruction is on his hands!"

"There's no rest for law enforcement tonight," the Avinarian anchor continued. "The Coruscant Security Force is on the hunt for Corellian Senator and Ethics Committee member Dia Veritaz. Reports detail that Veritaz has been conspiring with the 'Coruscant Killer's' and has left a Jedi Padawan in critical condition." The Avinarian paused and swallowed hard. The studio around him fell silent as he stopped reading the prompter and peered directly into the camera. "For those of you watching this turmoil unfold, keep the city in your thoughts. Despite all of this horrendous news, we must come together now more than ever. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, hold on to those closest to you and pray for Coruscant."

Like the rest of the city, Coruscant Medical Hospital was in a constant struggle between order and hysteria. Nurses and their mechanical counterparts rushed patients down the halls as more kept filing in. The doors to Coruscant Medical slid open yet again as Elsa's stretcher was wheeled in. "Get clear!" The Twi'lek paramedic shouted while medical droids advanced on the stretcher. "Elsa Dellian, age twenty-one. Vitals have destabilized due to poisoning from a Felucian buaroshade!"

The medical droids' metallic digits clanged against Elsa's stretcher. "We'll take her from here," one of them computed.

Another droid scanned over Elsa's body. "The toxin is spreading rapidly. We must get her into surgery immediately."

"Hey wait!" Anna scolded. "What's-"

"Ma'am," the droid spoke earnestly. "If we don't act quickly, we're going to lose her."

Anna felt like the breath had been taken out of her. She hugged herself for comfort as the droids took her sister behind a pair of double doors. Anna's heart raced as she stood amid the the bustling hospital. Mattias placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and she graciously gripped it.

Elsa had been moved beyond the doors and down the halls. She was taken to an emergency room and immediately hooked up to several supplements. Tubes swayed and pumped bubbling fluids through her veins, all working to counteract the poison within. A droid scanned the monitor and a series of rapid beeps caught its attention. "We're losing her," it warned. "Push an extra bacta supplement." Its metallic brethren followed suit as Elsa slowly convulsed.

In that instant, a gloved hand pressed the nearest wall panel and entered the room. The droids' photoreceptors flickered as a human surgeon stepped into their O.R. Strands of her light brown hair crept out from beneath her scrub cab and as she leaned towards the monitor. Her bright, inquisitive eyes analyzed every detail while she prepared to care for her patient. "Extra bacta isn't going to save her," she spoke calmly through her surgical mask. "These convulsions aren't from the cell damage...she's hypoxic. Get her on a ventilator before her lungs give out."

While the other droids obliged, the lead medical unit craned its head in astonishment. "You're right," it concurred. "Good catch as always, Dr. Grey."

Dr. Mardeth Grey was grateful for the hospital's backup generators. While the rest of her city was descending into a nightmare, she could at least find comfort in knowing her hospital had power. If Coruscant General stood a chance, so too did its patients. Mardeth leaned over Elsa and raised a flashlight to her eyes. The Padawan's pupils had become abnormally small, even before the light had reached them. "Pinpoint pupils," Mardeth whispered. "Get me a thorough, full-body scan." One of the droids nodded while Mardeth withdrew an emerald vial. "Now Elsa," she spoke calmly. "I'm gonna give you some cardinex. This is gonna hurt but I need you to be tough for me, sweetie. Okay?" Whether Elsa could hear her doctor didn't matter. Either way, the flow of the antitoxin was incredibly painful as it entered Elsa's bloodstream. The Padawan's muffled cries echoed beneath her ventilator as she writhed atop the table.

The stress only continued in the hospital's waiting room. Yelena kept to herself and stared down at Elsa's lightsaber. She ran her fingers across the hilt's arcetron plating and thought, By the Force...please don't take her. No matter where she comes from, no one deserves this. Take me instead. Just...let her live.

Mattias shut his eyes and tried to steady himself. Hans tried putting an arm around Anna, but she swatted it away and bolted upright. "Padawan," Mattias worried. "Just take a moment to-"

"To what?" Anna snapped. "Sit around some more? Wait and wallow while Force knows what happens to my sister?" The Padawan glared at Taline and jabbed a finger at her. "This is all your fault."

"Anna," Mattias warned, yet she persisted.

"No!" Anna argued. "You knew," she scolded the trembling Mirialan. "You knew about Dia's ties. All of the deception and you had the audacity to look Elsa in the eye for weeks! You should be the one dying." Anna furiously shoved Taline into the wall and dislodged a decorative painting. "Not her!"

Anna's assault prompted Mattias and Hans to rise from their seats. Before they could intervene, Taline found the courage to shove Anna back. Doing so only enraged the Padawan further. Anna looked like she was about to throw a punch when Hans held her back. "You're right," Taline murmured through quivering lips. "I knew all about Dia's plans. I didn't have a choice."

"Banthacrap," Anna snarled. "You always have a choice."

Taline's teary eyes twitched as she stood her ground. "A...choice?" The Mirialan's brows furrowed and her tone deepened. I didn't choose to have brigands murder my family. I didn't choose for them to spare me and say 'She'll fetch a fine price'." Taline rolled up her sleeves to reveal multiple scars and bruises. As if those weren't awful enough, she used her bunched up sleeve to rub her already-ravaged makeup. Her once obscured contusions were now visible across her cheek and neck. "You think I chose how I'd be tortured for slave conditioning? How I'd be beaten into submission? Yet still I tried to escape and was broken when that failed. I'm sorry about what happened to Elsa...but I was afraid. I thought that if I stayed quiet, maybe she'd be spared from harm."

"And how'd that work out?" Anna grumbled.

"That's enough!" Yelena snapped and clenched Elsa's lightsaber. "We can kick, scream, and point fingers all we want. But none of that is going to change the fact that Elsa is fighting for her life. We're in the present now, people. Would'ves and should'ves can't save us. Do you think Elsa would be blaming anyone?" Yelena's companions fell silent as she sighed. "She needs us together now more than ever."

"With all due respect, Master Yelena." Anna began. "This is Senator Veritaz's doing. We need to hunt her down and make her pay." Anna only grew antsier betwixt the heavy silence. "Come on! I can't just sit here!"

"Then don't," Yelena said as a realization dawned upon her. "Taline...how much did Elsa confide to Dia?"

The Mirialan sighed and tried to recall. "She told her of the Ortolan child and of the Herv Bobak situation. She also mentioned Chela Tuzi."

Yelena suddenly gasped and leaned towards Taline. "Did she tell Dia where Chela was?" The master's urgent tone had Taline regretfully nodding. "By the Force," Yelena uttered. "We've all been so blind. I should've thought this through, but my judgement was clouded over my concern for Elsa."

"Yelena?" Mattias worried. "What's wrong?"

"Chela and Korbi are hiding out in Herv Bobak's estate," the elder explained. "If Dia knows their location, she could capitalize on Coruscant's blackout to cause them harm."

"Oh no," Mattias whispered and readied himself to make haste. "I'll go check it out."

"I'm coming with!" Anna asserted.

"Make that three," Hans added and pried Lumpy from his leg. He scooted the Ortolan next to Yelena's seat and joined the others.

"I'll stay with Elsa and get you an update as soon as possible," Yelena affirmed. "And please...all of you be safe." Hans was nearly down the hall when Yelena called to him. "Knight Westgard, they're counting on you to-"

"Look, lady." Hans growled. "I know you don't like me, but we've got more pressing matters to attend to. "Mattias told me about your concerns, so allow me to share something with you. I may be a screwup. I might even be a sleemo...but I am not a traitor."

There was a long pause until Yelena respectfully nodded and said, "Good."

As Hans departed, Yelena loosed a resigned sigh. She withdrew her communicator and started typing away. "Who are you calling?" Taline asked while Lumpy peeked over.

Yelena glanced at the Mirialan and said, "An old friend."

The news flashed across a grandiose datascreen in Vica Manor. Hoff and Datya watched alongside their associates as the city fell further into disorder. "Power grids are slowly coming back online for affected areas," a reporter stated. "But the damage is monumental. How will our Republic respond to this catastrophic, Separatist attack?"

The Pantoran couple held each other and found comfort in their embrace. "This is terrible," Kristoff said while Sven nodded behind him.

"You can say that again, dear boy." Hoff lamented.

As the group kept their eyes glued to the news report, Ningzi Mo paced across the lounge. The stressed Zeltron pensively rubbed his pink chin. "Ningzi," Datya pleaded. "Look at the news. Look at the city. You have to call off the pageant."

"You know I can't do that, Datya dear." Ningzi insisted. "We must proceed as planned."

"Have you lost your mind?" Hoff retorted. "You're going to host Miss Coruscant in the wake of a terrorist attack?"

"We can have a moment of silence for those affected and everything," Ningzi proposed. "The emotional bits might even boost ratings."

The Vicas, Kristoff, and Sven were all dumbfounded. "I don't believe what I'm hearing," Datya scoffed. "Ningzi, we've been good friends and business partners for quite some time...but the Vica Foundation cannot support such insensitiveness."

"Hoff," Ningzi pleaded. "Help your wife see reason. Perhaps my 'ratings' comment was out of line, but we can't postpone or dare I say cancel Miss Coruscant. Remember that historic parade the Naboo had after their gruesome battle with the Trade Federation?"

"That was a battle for freedom," Datya refuted. "You are proposing a beauty pageant the night after a bombing."

"Coruscant needs this!" Ningzi defended.

"Does Coruscant need it?" Kristoff interjected. "Or do you?"

The Zeltron looked like he was about to blow a fuse. He clenched a fist as his bright pink face darkened. "I'm sorry, pilot." Ningzi scoffed. "Was anyone talking to you?" Kristoff's brows furrowed at Ningzi's response. The pageant director's demeanor had altered since the first time Kristoff had met him. When it came to defending his pageant, Ningzi Mo took no prisoners.

Hoff interposed himself between Ningzi and Kristoff. The Pantoran raised a hand and tried to calm things down. "Now now," he defended. "Young Kristoff here is only exercising that good heart of his."

"And you think I'm not?" Ningzi blurted. "Look, we're all friends here. You don't have to be a four-eyed nexu to see how much things...well...suck right now. I'm just trying to spread some joy. Some healing in a time of crisis. Remember what I told you all, because we're being tested in these moments. We all have a choice here. We can bend to Count Dooku's will and cower in fear...or we can defy his threats and show him we're unafraid. We don't need heavy blasters and millions of clones to win against this kind of terror," Ningzi insisted. "All we have to do is keep living and that alone is a real victory."

Hoff and Datya exchanged nervous glances. "Just tell me this," Datya said. "After everything this city has endured over the last few months, can you guarantee the safety of those involved in Miss Coruscant?"

"I promise that everyone will be safe," Ningzi affirmed.

"That's quite a promise, my friend." Hoff mumbled.

"But it's built on much more than blind faith," Ningzi assured. "The Jedi Order has approved of my requested aid and will be sending us temple guards. If those masked Sentinels can defend a four-thousand-year-old sanctuary, they can protect a pageant for one night. Trust me. Believe in me just as I believe in our Jedi protectors. Surely the great Vicas have taken risks in their innovative ventures before."

The Vicas quietly conferred with each other and left Ningzi fidgeting. They ultimately nodded and looked to him with solemn stares. "Should you go through with this-" Hoff began. "-you must prioritize the safety of those attending and participating in Miss Coruscant."

"Security will be at the top of my list!" Ningzi declared. "You have my word and will not regret this!" The Zeltron flashed an eager grin and departed from Vica Manor.

Sven grumbled in Cevrian and Kristoff chuckled. "You said it, buddy. That guy was pushy."

"Ningzi's heart is in the right place," Hoff said. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't take precautions of our own."

"Buthri," Datya called to her aide.

"Yes ma'am?" he promptly responded.

"Please escort dear Kristoff and Sven back to the hangar. We'll be along to proceed with preparations soon."

"Is...everything alright?" Buthri inquired.

"No," Datya confessed. "But we will make the most of our situation. Hoff and I just need to make a personal call."

"Understood," Buthri bowed before ushering Kristoff and Sven away.

Once they were gone, Hoff lowered the shades while Datya activated the lounge's private holoprojector. The Vica family crest flickered for a moment before their beloved daughter's face came into view. "Tori," Hoff rejoiced. "Are we glad to see you."

"Mom? Dad?" Tori worried. "It's pure mayhem out there. Are you both alright?"

"We are, darling." Datya assured. "But we need your help."

The young Pantoran's brows knitted with curiosity. "What's going on?"

Hoff swallowed hard and said, "The director for the Miss Coruscant beauty pageant refuses to cancel or postpone."

"Please tell me you two pulled out though," Tori said. "He can't go on without the backing of the Vica Foundation." Tori's eye twitched when her parents winced. "You're standing with him?"

"Now Tori," Datya intoned. "I know things look bad but-"

"But you let this Ningzi guy sway you," Tori murmured. "I've seen him on the HoloNet a few times and he can be quite the smooth talker." The Padawan sighed heavily and said, "What do you need me to do about this?"

"He says he'll take every precaution to keep the pageant safe," Hoff replied. "He even mentioned that your Jedi Order has given him guards from your temple. However, your mother and I would feel much safer with you at our side."

"You could come as our bodyguard," Datya said. "But goddess-willing nothing shall happen."

Tori didn't even have to be at the manor to sense her parents' anxiety. Their fear was written across their faces as she sighed. "I will speak with Master Sumar about us going," Tori said and faintly smiled. "Why have one bodyguard when you can have two, right?"

"Bless you, Tori." Hoff said while rubbing his wife's back for comfort.

"We love you so much," Datya added and Tori bit her lip.

The Padawan struggled to answer. She knew what she wanted to say but felt like she couldn't...or even shouldn't. "I-" she began only to have the breath snatched from her words. "I lo-..." Tori sighed as her parents humored her with caring nods. "Yeah...that," Tori concluded before hanging up.

Hoff was the first to break the ensuing silence. "How difficult such a life must be," he told his wife. "To live by a code of compassion for others, yet also one of severing such attachments. It must be heart-wrenching."

A set of plastoid-booted footsteps stomped throughout Coruscant General. Heads spun as a turquoise-tinted kama swayed down the halls. Its wearer sped like he was on a mission and frantically scoured the hospital for any familiar faces. "Dellian," the clone announced to the staff. "Where is Padawan Elsa Dellian?"

"Commander Frost," an older, yet recognizable voice called to him. He quickly turned and observed the tired elder.

"General...erhm...Master Yelena," he said and saluted. Frost tried to compose himself, but he couldn't deny his own worry. "Where is Elsa? Is she alright?"

"The doctors are tending to her now," Yelena explained and placed a hand on his armored shoulder. "As for Elsa's condition, I'm unsure. With so much turmoil unraveling around us, my vision is...clouded. Thank you for being here. I hope I didn't take you away from any pressing matters."

"Unless you count floating alongside the Republic fleet as a pressing matter," Frost murmured. "When I received your message, I dropped everything to get here as soon as I could. The rest of the 213th sends its regards, by the way."

Yelena graciously accepted his words and sat beside him in the lounge. Frost took off his helmet and sighed deeply. "Poisoned by a senator," he mumbled and shook his head. "What is the Republic coming to? Please tell me they at least caught the culprit." Yelena's grimace was enough of an answer and Frost rubbed his temples. "You've got to be kidding. I was really hoping for some good news. To think how many troopers risked and lost their lives to rescue that vile woman. All so she could hurt Elsa."

"I know it's hard to not see our mission to Hoth as a mistake right now," Yelena said. "But not everyone we saved was a criminal." The duo looked over at Taline. Although she was still shaken from the previous night's events, the Mirialan was trying to keep Lumpy comforted by holding his hands. "No matter how bleak things may seem," Yelena continued. "Try to focus on the aspects where we did get things right. Look out for those around you."

Frost glanced at Yelena and asked, "But then who looks out for you?"

The old master smiled faintly and said, "Perhaps that's why I called you here, commander. To keep me in check." Frost tilted his head with curiosity as she continued. "No amount of Force connection can let me see beyond those double doors right now. I don't know what news awaits us and frankly...that mystery is worse than knowing. It leaves too much up to the imagination."

"Well," Frost considered. "We can only control so much. And while we have to wait, we at least don't have to do so alone." Frost extended a hand over his lap and Yelena graciously held it. Together they sat holding hands with their eyes shut. Together, they worked to calm their nerves and breathed deeply to prepare for any news.

Monitors flashed and beeped uncontrollably as medical droids tried to stabilize Elsa. "Dr. Grey," one of the units computed. "The buaroshade toxin is progressing at alarming rates. If it keeps depleting cellular tissue like this, I do not know if cardinex or bacta can save her.

"Push one of neuroprenoline," Mardeth ordered. "Saving her heart won't matter if her brain gives out. I'm going to administer additional supplements." As she leaned in to treat Elsa, she also whispered, "I don't know you and you don't know me...but I have to believe that you're a fighter. I mean...you're a Jedi, aren't you? Stay with us, Elsa. I know I'm giving you a lot right now but your body can take it. Just hold on. Hold-"

A steady beat on the overhead monitor had Mardeth gasping. "Dr. Grey," the droid declared. "Patient is...stable. Buaroshade toxin levels are decreasing and antidotal supplements are holding."

Mardeth breathed a sigh of relief and glanced down at her patient. Her eyes squinted as a joyous smile beamed beneath her mask. She observed Elsa's docile state and whispered, "Thatagirl."

Coruscant's rising sun shined light over the destruction the city had endured. Smoke billowed from between skyscrapers while Mattias' airspeeder glided through. "There!" Anna shouted and pointed towards a ravaged lawn. They'd followed their speeder's guidance systems to a terribly grim scene. Herv Bobak's estate had suffered far worse than a mere blackout. After landing, Anna and her companions noticed that the gates had been blasted open.

"What are the chances that looters did this?" Hans murmured.

"Slim to none," Mattias lamented and pointed towards the carnage ahead. The bodies of obliterated, mechanical canines were scattered across the lawn. While some had heavy blaster holes in their heads, others were riddled with shots running across their bodies.

"Holy kriff," Anna uttered as they advanced towards the mansion. The doors had been kicked down, yet all of Bobak's valuables remained intact. "Definitely not looters," Anna said while observing the laser-scorched foyer.

Mattias flinched when his boot accidentally crunched on a metal paw. "More of those dog droids over here," he reported. "It's a massacre."

"Chela!" Anna yelled and her companions glared at her. "What?"

"It could be a trap and you just gave away our position," Hans scolded.

"We're three skilled Jedi warriors," Anna retorted. "Plus, if that COWARD Senator Veritaz is here-" Anna was sure to intentionally raise her voice. "-she should come out now and maybe we'll go easy on her!" Rather than receive any reaction, Anna's taunts merely echoed throughout the mansion's destroyed halls.

"One thing's for sure," Mattias deduced. "There was one hell of a shootout here. Fan out and search for clues. But if you find anything suspicious, go ahead and holler. No one needs to play hero." Anna and Hans obliged before separating. Each Jedi checked a separate section of the mansion, but only found more robotic destruction. They regrouped at the foyer, lost and discouraged.

"The place is deserted," Hans said. "Whatever happened here, we missed our chance to stop it."

Enraged by their failure, Anna literally flipped the nearest table. "Damn it!" she cursed and let silverware crash before her. As the table collapsed, a lone plate rolled towards the doorway. All eyes followed the dish before it fell beside a pair of trembling, booted feet. Exhausted, disheveled, and seemingly in shock, Chela Tuzi was on the brink of collapse. The Theelin toppled over as Anna and Mattias grabbed her.

"By the Force!" the master gasped. "What happened?"

They sat Chela down as she wheezed through her chapped, violet lips. "W-water...please," she coughed.

"Anna, grab a water from the speeder." Mattias ordered before returning his attention to Chela. "Try not to move so much. I'm going to check you for wounds."

Chela slowly shook her head. "I-I'm fine," she croaked. "I got away. Haven't...stopped moving...since the attack." Anna returned with a bottle of water and Chela chugged it.

The empty container fell beside her as Mattias offered an energy pellet. "This will help keep your strength up," the master said.

Chela nodded and graciously accepted his food. Sweaty clusters of her dark blue locks clung to her forehead. "They hit us shortly after the blackout," Chela explained. "I knew Senator Veritaz was involved, but I never imagined that she was leading those killers. How'd they set off a bomb that large and get our location anyway?"

"The bomb wasn't their doing," Anna said. "And your location...well...it's a long story."

"Chela," Mattias inquired. "You keep saying 'us'. Where's your Gran friend?"

Chela pursed her lips and hung her head. Her nostrils flared as she exhaled deeply. "I don't know," she admitted. When Dia and her goons attacked, they obliterated our defenses."

"So we saw," Hans grumbled and observed the downed droids.

Chela ignored his gripe and continued. "Korbi and I tried to fend them off, but they had us outgunned. So we decided to split up and try to thin them out. The thing is...I think all three of those monsters ended up chasing him down." Chela sighed in remorse. "I hope that old coot got to safety. They were all gone before I could make sense of what further happened. I waited for sunrise to double back here and hoped to find Korbi. Instead...here you all are."

"You just rest," Mattias insisted. "We'll find your friend. As for Senator Veritaz and those thugs, the Coruscant Security Force is searching the city for-"

Chela scoffed loudly. "With respect, Master Jedi...the CSF doesn't do crap. They had a manhunt going after the 'Coruscant Killers' for who knows how long and they couldn't nab'em. With Veritaz on the run too, we have no idea what influences she's toting in her pocket. I've dealt with people like her for years, Master Jedi. Serpents like her can blend in any crowd and assume any role. They'll sweet talk their way through anyone they can't kill and survive every stone you hurl at them. Burn the forest down and she'll still be slithering in the ashes. Make no mistake," Chela warned. "Veritaz is still out there and her fight is far from over."

Elsa Dellian stood amidst a frigid, expansive darkness. The dull beeping of hospital monitors had her peering down towards the ruckus. Elsa was in a peculiar state of mind. Her heart sank...yet it didn't. She was breathing...only she wasn't. Her eyes widened as she observed herself laying in a hospital bed below. It was as if she was looking through an ethereal window from some otherworldly plane. Her mind was intact, yet the rest of her body felt like it was on autopilot. Elsa could see droids working diligently alongside a human doctor. She was so focused on them that she didn't glimpse the light shimmering behind her. She only turned when a familiar voice said, "Elsa."

The Padawan spun to see a vibrant and luminous being. Her spectral, celestial hair flowed and brightened amidst the darkness. Despite the woman's overwhelmingly bright appearance, Elsa was in no way afraid. She felt like she was back on Rhen Var, meeting Evara for the first time.

"Wraith of the Force," Elsa greeted Evara with a bow. "I'm not...dead am I?"

The ghostly being shook her head. Evara's bright and unblinking eyes pulsed with energy. "Your heart still beats among the living," Evara said.

"What is this place?" Elsa asked and stared into the darkness. While she and Evara stood on one plane, clusters of stars shimmered far above them.

"A realm of so many possibilities," Evara explained. "Beautiful dreams and terrible nightmares all scattered on a vergence. It's an archive and also a looking glass."

Evara's cryptic explanation did little to answer Elsa's question. Nevertheless, she could tell that the mysterious locale was strong in the Force. Its energy flowed from all around her as muffled voices echoed from the stars. Elsa was somewhere and nowhere at the exact same time. It was as if she and Evara were standing in a world between worlds. One in which her thoughts seemed clearer and truer than ever. "You've made a mistake," Elsa confessed and Evara floated over. "You've chosen the wrong vessel to carry out your will."

"And why do you say such a thing?" Evara asked.

"You want me to fight for the Light Side and yet I served alongside an agent of evil. She...Dia was right there and I didn't suspect a thing. At most, I worried about Taline from time to time...but it wasn't enough."

"So you blame the wiles of an evildoer and the silence of her prisoner on yourself?" Evara inquired.

"I do," Elsa affirmed. "You trusted me just as countless others do. Who knows how many other crimes Dia was committing right under my nose."

"How many more will she commit if you do not stop her?" Evara said.

Elsa sighed frustratedly. "I don't know! But what I do know is that I failed. And this was just one senator. What if I've been letting other wrongdoers look me in the eye and casually go about their day? Don't you get it, Evara? How can I be this servant to the Light Side when I'm so naive? I'm too trusting and you shouldn't make that same mistake when it comes to me. So please relinquish this connection we have and find someone worthier than I ever could've been."

There was a long and daunting pause across the quiet realm. Evara simply shook her head and said, "Oh Elsa. So mature for your age. Just another reason why I picked you."

"That doesn't matter," Elsa refuted. "I'm telling you why you shouldn't have."

Evara ignored her statement and said, "Tell me this, young one. When a child messes up, do its parents forsake its name? Does it become utterly useless to them so they abandon it far from home?"

Elsa huffed and bit her lip. "No," she murmured.

"No," Evara reiterated. "Because a parent's love is unconditional. A child, like anyone else, is going to make mistakes. But taking a tumble doesn't mean our lives are over. Because when it comes to the errors of the past, you would've done better if you knew better. The past cannot be altered, but your choices now will shape your future." As Elsa hung her head in shame, Evara wrapped her celestial arms around her in a maternal embrace. The Padawan's skin glowed wherever Evara touched her. "Oh Elsa," she spoke soothingly. "You're so patient with others yet incredibly hard on yourself. Your errors do not determine your worth. You are still my chosen warrior, Elsa. Just as you were from the day I arrived in your vision. The Light Side needs you. Will you answer its call?"

Elsa took a deep breath and recomposed herself. "I will," she affirmed. "But I don't know how to stop Dia."

"I believe in you," Evara intoned. "But always remember, Elsa." The Padawan looked into the wraith's pulsating eyes as she continued. "The Light Side of the Force dwells within all of us. Even Dia. Remember, she was once a servant of justice as you were. But she is an example of what would happen should you ever fall to darkness."

Elsa shuddered at the concept. "I understand," she whispered.

"I am with you, Elsa." Evara said.

The voices above drifted further away and the realm beneath Elsa brightened. The darkness around her crumbled as the beeping of monitors intensified. She felt her eyes getting heavier until she was forced to close them. In the ensuing moments, Elsa discovered the sensation of blankets and pillows closing in around her. She softly opened her eyes and found herself waking up in a recovery room. Her fluttering gaze listed over to Yelena, who immediately gasped. Before the master could speak, a certain clone was already calling to the eldest Dellian.

"Elsa!" Frost blurted and rushed towards the table. He dropped to her bedside and let his plastoid armor scrape the tiles. "You're alright!" he rejoiced.

"F-Frost?" Elsa answered groggily. "What are you doing here?"

"I came as soon as I heard what happened," the commander said before his tone grew somber. "I thought I'd be too late. I'm sorry I wasn't here. Sorry we ever even saved that woman from-"

Elsa took his hand in hers and said. "It's alright. What matters is that you're here." She smiled faintly and observed his worried, even teary eyes. "It's good to see you again."

"Likewise," Frost answered before giving Elsa some space.

Yelena approached and pulled up a chair. "Padawan," she whispered. "You had me worried there."

"It sounds like I had a lot of people worried," Elsa jested.

"The 213th sends its regards, by the way." Frost added. "Rip and Doubles wanted me to give you a hug from them but I-" The commander paused when he noticed Elsa staring over his shoulder. He and Yelena followed her gaze to the nervous Mirialan across the room. Taline was an absolute wreck and was mostly holding Lumpy's hand for her own comfort. She couldn't even bring herself to look Elsa in the eye and winced as her own mind berated her.

"Taline," Elsa spoke and the room fell silent. The Mirialan swallowed hard and tightened her grip on the Ortolan. "Might I have a word?" Taline didn't even know what was to be said and she was still shaken. Her rigid body rose from her seat and she made her way to Elsa's bedside. The Mirialan looked as though she already had an answer rehearsed for whatever fury Elsa would unleash. Before Taline could utter a single apology, Elsa extended a hand to her. She glanced at the Jedi's empty, pale palm and found herself on the verge of tears. Still, Taline found the courage to take Elsa's hand as the Padawan said, "This wasn't your fault. You need to know that."

Perhaps it was Dia's violent conditioning or Taline's belief in a judgmental society...Either way, she didn't expect such an answer from Elsa. Especially after what the Padawan had endured. "But Elsa," Taline sniffled. "I-"

"You were a victim of a horrible crime," Elsa affirmed. "One whose perpetrator still needs to be brought to justice. I know it will be harder to forgive yourself, but know that I don't blame you." Taline shut her eyes and let the tears flow freely. Each droplet cleansed her aching heart while Elsa caressed her palm. As Taline nodded to Elsa, a sudden knock came to the door.

"Hey!" a doctor greeted from the doorway. "Look who's awake. Elsa, I'm Dr. Mardeth Grey. I was in charge of your treatment."

"So it's you that we have to thank," Yelena said. "While everything flows through the will of the Force, it's up to us to make the right decisions. Doctors like you perform true miracles and deserve as much praise as we can offer. On behalf of the Jedi Order...thank you, Dr. Grey."

Mardeth smiled and nodded to Yelena. She looked over Elsa's stable vitals and calculated her readouts. "Just doing my job," Mardeth assured. "Although I'll admit, I've never helped a Jedi until today. Are your lives always so dangerous?"

"Oh yeah," Elsa and Yelena answered in unison.

Mardeth chuckled at their jinx. "Well I'm no Jedi Healer-" she said. "-but the cardinex supplement we gave you was able to hold off the toxin until we could properly administer an antidote. This being said, you're in the clear."

Elsa raised her hand and found a thick patch still wrapped around her wrist. "What's this?" she queried.

"That's a bacta stabilizer," Mardeth explained. "The implant will dissolve over the course of a several hours and encourage cellular growth. Think of it as sending building blocks to repair the walls the toxin knocked over."

"How soon can I be discharged?" Elsa asked and Yelena's eyes widened.

"Now hold on," her master insisted. "You were severely poisoned, Elsa. Let's just take a moment and-"

"Dia is still out there," Elsa pleaded. "We need to put a stop to her before more innocents are harmed."

"With that patch, it'd be safe to discharge you." Mardeth answered. "However, I strongly advise against any extreme activities."

"I'll be sure to pace myself," Elsa responded.

"You'd better," Frost teased while Lumpy sniffed his backpack. "Who's this little guy?" the clone laughed and patted the Ortolan's head.

Seeing Lumpy reminded Yelena of the others and she activated her comlink. "Mattias," she called in. "Elsa's awake and stable. They can even discharge her by the looks of it."

"Thank the Force," Mattias responded. "We're with Chela, but you all should really get over here. We're far from out of this mess."

"Sis!" Anna gasped and dashed across Bobak's scorched foyer. "You're okay!" She leapt into Elsa's arms and worried when she winced. "Oh yikes...sorry. I just got a little excited there."

"It's okay," Elsa said. "I'm just getting back into the swing of things." The Padawan grimaced while the rest of her companions entered the ruined estate. "What happened here?"

"Dia happened," Chela grieved. "They attacked during the blackout." The Theelin pursed her lips and regretfully shook her head at the sight of Elsa. "I heard about what happened and I'm so sorry. I had no idea that you were working so closely with Veritaz. I'd only shared what information I thought you needed to know. But if I'd just-"

"It's in the past now," Elsa assured. "Perhaps we can leave it there."

"So you knew Dia was in with these slavers," Hans muttered. "Any other big names you want to share with us?"

Elsa thought about the human and Sullustan senators who met with Dia during a 'difficult time.' Her heart sank when she recalled how each of them had a so-called 'aide' with them. "Senators Detro and Bertz," Elsa said. "They're part of this too, aren't they?"

Chela nodded and sighed heavily. "I've been gathering evidence to initiate my mission for years. If my intel is correct, those two are the ones who recruited Dia into their little syndicate. They took advantage of her naivety when she was only starting out in the Senate. Eventually she rose above them, which leads me to believe that she's some sort of underboss for this organization."

"Then who's actually in charge here?" Anna asked. "Chancellor Palpatine?" she joked.

"The Supreme Chancellor might be a lot of things-" Chela began. "-but I couldn't find anything to trace him back to this slaver group."

"Palpatine's an idiot," Hans scoffed. "There's no way that old coot could orchestrate anything beyond his lunch schedule. You have a better chance of pinning this thing on the Vice Chancellor. I don't like that Mas Amedda."

"For what reason?" Mattias inquired.

"His horns sketch me out. That's reason enough." Hans confessed and Mattias rolled his eyes.

"As sickening as it is, Dia has been using the Ethics Committee as a false front ever since she came into power," Dia explained. "Working in the committee gives her privileges and oversight into Coruscant's worst communities. She monitors them for at-risk teens or adults down on their luck and then reports them to her enforcers. They then kidnap these prospective targets and sell them to the slave markets offworld." As Dia mentioned the kidnappings, those around her related the situation to Lumpy's mother. People already don't care about the underprivileged districts as it is. If there is any unwanted noise, politicians like Dia or Detro make the whole thing disappear. If they can't bribe people into silence, their killers will conveniently make them disappear. But Dia and her crew really messed up when they murdered a celebrity like Herv Bobak. His death didn't just disappear like the others and they've been trying to cover their tracks ever since."

"Kriffing hell," Anna whispered. "So why don't we nab who we can? Those Detro and Bertz guys should still be in the Senate."

"But this isn't about grabbing a few and feeling good about ourselves," Chela intoned. "This is about shutting this entire operation down for good. To do this, everyone has to be exposed tonight. I've trained and planned for this moment for years."

"At the Miss Coruscant pageant?" Elsa clarified. "They're still going through with it?"

Chela nodded as Taline added, "But didn't a bomb go off in the city just last night?"

"Welcome to Coruscant," Hans snarked. "Where your lives never mattered but we'll happily take your wallet."

In that instant, a sudden chime rang out across the foyer. Its beeping was unfamiliar to all except Chela and Elsa as the Padawan looked to her utility belt. She unlatched one of her secured pouches and withdrew a violet, cylindrical device. "It- it's the unmarked comlink Korbi gave me," Elsa stuttered.

A deafening silence filled the destroyed chamber as Elsa activated the comlink. All eyes were on the Padawan and her expressions while she held the comlink close. Elsa cleared her throat and dared to break the silence. "Hello?" she answered.

Hope fleeted as a woman's voice entered. "I shouldn't be that surprised to hear you irksome voice," Senator Dia Veritaz said. "I knew you were stubborn, but too stubborn to die? My my, Elsa."

"What do you want?" Elsa growled.

Dia's sly tone didn't budge as she got straight to the point. "Put Chela Tuzi on the line." Elsa glanced back at Chela, who sternly nodded.

She reluctantly handed the comlink over to Chela. "Senator," the Theelin hissed.

"So formal," Dia mocked. "I never imagined your rebellious type would have any kind of class. But then again...the last few days have been full of surprises." Chela listened closely as a heavy breeze blew against Dia's comlink. Despite the natural occurrence, it still wasn't enough evidence to determine the senator's location. In reality, Dia and her associates were in one of Coruscant's most distant sectors. Without skyscrapers to block off the wind, breeze after breeze struck Dia head on. Her swollen, bacta-bandaged nose only deepened her tone. "You're a smart girl, Chela." Dia lauded. "I'm sure you've heard by now that they're still going through with that insipid pageant."

Chela gritted her teeth and tried to get in Dia's head. She knew they were on to each other, but Dia didn't know the extent of her plan. As far as she knows, I'm going to expose them at the pageant, Chela thought. She just doesn't know how. I still have the advantage.

"Am I right, Chela?" Dia inquired. "Are you a smart girl? Surely you've seen what my associates and I are capable of from these last few months alone. Do you really want to chance it all and show up tonight?"

"You think I'm afraid of you?" Chela responded. "That I'll just back down after everything you've put the Coalition and Coruscant through?"

"Oh I don't think," Dia boasted. "I know." While staying on the line she motioned for Nel and Jobun to grab something. "Hold on a second, Chela." Dia jeered. "Someone here wants to say hi." Nel and Jobun dropped a body at Dia's feet while she held the comlink to it. "Don't you?" she goaded.

Chela's stomach dropped as she listened to heavy wheezes and aching groans. She didn't have to see the ailing elder to know who he was. "Korbi," she uttered.

"H-...hey kiddo," the old Gran panted. "I'm sorry. I...I tried to outrun 'em. Tried to...buy you as much time as I could."

Chela's brows furrowed with sorrow as she tried to calm him and herself down. The others watched with bated breath as she responded. "Oh Korbi," Chela whispered breathily. "You-"

"Okay enough of that," Dia blurted and snatched the comlink away from Korbi's battered face. "As much as we all love listening to your sappy chatter, there's business to attend to." The senator's words turned Chela's sadness into hatred. "I'm honestly surprised," Dia persisted. "The old man's talking pretty well after the beating we gave him. I thought his frail heart was gonna give out at any moment. Especially when my Zygerrian here-"

"Stop!" Chela yelled into the comlink. "What do you want?"

Dia paused and a devilish smirk formed across her lips. "Oh Chela dear," she teased. "My desires are simple really." While holding the comlink in one hand, she drew her DL-44 in the other. "You're going to drop out of Miss Coruscant."

"No!" Korbi pleaded from the ground but Dia talked over him.

"Abandon this futile crusade just as all you justice-seekers inevitable do," Dia continued. "You come to me and you come alone. I'll give you this pathetic Gran and we all leave Coruscant behind."

"I know too much," Chela retorted. "You'd never let me live."

"Is that a chance you really want to take with your friend's life on the line?" Dia hissed.

"Chela!" Korbi called with his last ounces of strength. "Don't you dare give in! I knew the risks! Do this for the Coalition...for those we lost on Tatooi-"

"Shut up!" Dia snarled and kicked Korbi in the stomach. She quickly lowered her tone and returned to the call. "Make the right choice here, Chela. Don't be a fool."

Chela remained silent and stared across the foyer. She lost herself in Herv Bobak's portraits, all of which depicted him helping others. As she focused on those acts of service, she remained true to her own commitment. Knowing what had to be done, she took a deep breath and said, "No deal, Dia. Unlike you, I'm not a coward. Unlike you...I won't yield to some 'easy way out' while others suffer for my gain. You and all of your associates are going down."

The ensuing silence was as chilling as it was lengthy. Dia huffed into the comlink and said, "So be it then. See you tonight." Seconds after she'd spoken, several heavy blaster shots crackled through the speaker. Chela barely heard Korbi grunt after the first blast and the rest of his wails were drowned out by an unnecessarily profuse amount of lasers. Dia unloaded blast after blast, making sure Chela heard every shot through the comlink. The Theelin's body went rigid as she death-gripped her device. Tears streamed down her cheeks while Dia kept firing. The blasts came to a bitter end and Dia immediately hung up.

Chela dropped to her knees and tried to process what'd happened. Like Korbi, she knew the risks and always told herself that she'd be ready. But hearing those blasts took her back to that fateful day on Tatooine. Regardless of who their opponent was, nothing had changed. They were still squaring up against enemies with no regard for life. Vile beings willing to sell innocent people into slavery for some shiny coin. The thought plagued and sickened Chela to no end as she shut her eyes. When she fled the horrors of reality, all she could see was Korbi's face. The old, tired, ever-hungry Gran had always watched over her. The gentle smile across his snout had brought her comfort through many difficult times.

"Chela?" Elsa beckoned. "Chela." The Theelin slowly opened her bloodshot eyes and wiped the tears from her cheeks. The Jedi could sense the amount of pain festering within her. Rather than ask how she was or delve into her loss, Elsa chose four simple words. "We're here for you," she said. She needed Chela to know that she wasn't alone in her suffering and that they could overcome it together.

"Good," the Theelin spoke up and clenched her fists. "Because if that slaver scum thinks what she's done or who she's taken from me will stop what's coming...she is sorely mistaken." Chela angrily scrubbed her face free of all tears and stood atop the nearest table. "As the sole survivor of the Anti-Slavery Coalition, I owe it to my fallen brothers and sisters to see this plan through."

"The Jedi will stand with you," Mattias affirmed and Chela stood tall.

"With our help-" Anna added. "-we'll make sure your plan goes off without a hitch. Dia and her goons would have to be fools to try anything."

"Tonight, we'll unearth these serpents and expose them to Coruscant...to the galaxy!" Chela declared. "We will shut down their entire operation once and for all. And should this plan go down in flames and us along with it...let history remember that we fought for freedom!"

Fireworks were an odd sight over the skies of Coruscant's upper city. The blasts had those still traumatized from the previous night's bombing shuddering at the sound. Meanwhile, plenty of ignorant Coruscanti were ready to raise their glasses and celebrate life beneath the starlit sky. "Ladies and gentlemen!" a prerecorded announcer boomed over a set of loudspeakers. "Welcome...to Miss Coruscant!"

Uproarious cheers filled an extravagant, outdoor banquet venue. The illustrious setup included a massive stage and extended from a glistening skyscraper. Being placed so high above the clouds, it was hard for any attendee to worry about the problems of those beneath them. Extravagant, lavishly vibrant awnings stretched from tremendous balconies. Luminous fireworks continued to set the venue aglow in a plethora of gorgeous, multicolored hues. Upbeat jazzy tunes kept crowds partying while a line of airspeeders flew towards a red carpet. Commander Fox and a detachment of the Coruscant Guard had been deployed to oversee security regarding the incoming guests. Amid the raucous revelry, reporter Belle O'Har could be seen straightening her father's tie. "Come on, dear." Maurice playfully grumbled. "I don't need to look so spiffy if I'm going to be behind the scenes anyway."

"Nonsense," Belle said. "An O'Har always has to look their best. That's what you taught me anyway."

"It almost feels surreal to be out of the Jedi Temple," Maurice confessed. "We'd been cooped up in there for so long."

"Just because threats are on the run and everyone's having a good time doesn't mean we get to relax," Belle insisted. "Keep your guard up but have fun with your invention."

"You know it!" Maurice giddily exclaimed. The elder wriggled his way out of Belle's grip and passed through a backstage entrance.

"Madam," LM-3R called. "What should CO-G5 and I do?"

"You can relax for now," Belle said. "Just don't stray too far okay?"

LM-3R peered over at one of the nearby tables. His tone became rather flirtatious when he spotted another protocol droid dusting. "Understood," he told Belle while she rolled her eyes. Before she could continue her conversation, Belle's camera droid nudged her.

"What is it, Chip?" she asked. The C1-P unit gestured to incoming airspeeders and Belle gasped in alarm. "Celebs inbound!" she realized. "Start recording, Chip. Let's go live in three...two..." Her droid started filming as Belle grinned. "Good evening, everyone! I'm Belle O'Har with the Coruscant Rose reporting to you live from the Miss Coruscant beauty pageant. For decades, Miss Coruscant has brought joy to countless viewers. But this year, the event is trapped in a whirlwind of controversy. The pageant's director, Ningzi Mo, has strictly refused to cancel or postpone the pageant under any circumstance. Here he comes now. Let's see if we can find out more."

A bright blue airspeeder hovered over the red carpet and Ningzi Mo emerged. Dressed to the nines in a glitzy, striped suit, Ningzi merrily waved to his fans. Flashing cameras were like their own electrical spectacle as he strutted down the red carpet. Despite his grandiose entrance, Ningzi's smile faded when Belle leaned over to him. "Mr. Mo!" she shouted. "Belle O'Har with the Coruscant Rose. Is there a reason you refused to postpone the pageant and can you guarantee everyone's safety?"

"Everyone is fine and having a good time," he blatantly answered.

"But Mr. Mo, how do you respond to allegations that this entire event is insensitive towards the victims of-" Ningzi ignored Belle and kept strutting. "Mr. Mo!" Belle huffed as he disappeared into a crowd of fans. She raised a brow when someone coughed to get her attention.

"Hey reporter," a scarlet-skinned Twi'lek jeered. "Aren't you gonna interview me?"

"I remember you," Belle said. "You were on the landing platform when the contestants arrived."

"Well duh," the Twi'lek snarked. "It's cause I am a contestant. Ro Dyla. Only the most beautiful Twi'lek that this drab and grimy city has ever seen. Now go ahead and ask me a question."

Belle had to stop herself from rolling her eyes on camera. "I would," she said. "But it sounds like you've told our viewers everything they need to know about you!"

Ningzi made his way to a private spectator's balcony to find Hoff and Datya Vica. "This is ridiculous!" the Zeltron griped. "I give these leeches one of the greatest, most secure setups that this city has ever seen and they still seek controversy. I swear these reporters are out to bury me."

"They just want to know that their safe," Datya refuted.

"How much safer can this place be?" Ningzi groused. "We have clone troopers monitoring the speeders and we're gonna put a shield generator up once the pageant gets underway. All they want to do is report the bad, but why not the good? That Kristoff boy and his whatever-that-is are doing great with your auction. I've set up a fantastic buffet! For crying out loud, our camera crew is in full, glittered up onesies! Even their masks are glittered up so the spotlights will make them shine like living stars! Plus plus plus, said camera crew was inspected by the Jedi temple guards that we have patrolling our pageant. By the stars, I've got kriffing Max Rebo performing in all of his gloriousness! I have spared no expense and someone needs to talk about it!"

Hoff couldn't help but snicker. "I mean...you just talked about it." Ningzi groaned like a dying bantha while the Vicas chuckled.

The Zeltron started to storm off when a pair of Jedi entered. "Wait," Ningzi sputtered. "Who are these two? Please tell me they're not on my payroll. I already-"

"Relax," Hoff assured and looked to the Jedi. "They're with us. Nothing wrong with extra security is there?"

Tori Vica and her master Meliz Sumar bowed respectfully. The Padawan waited for Ningzi to depart and then said, "Mom...Dad...It's good to see you."

"Tori darling!" Datya rejoiced and pulled her into an embrace. "We're so glad you could make it. You and your master must be starving. Please, help yourselves to the snack trays before my husband devours them all."

"Don't mind if I do," Meliz jested and scooped up several morsels. She caught her Padawan glaring at her in the process. "What?" she said with a mouthful of snacks. "How often does a Jedi get to eat something other than Republic rations? Don't miss your chance, apprentice." Tori couldn't argue with that logic and merrily joined her master.

Back at the primary venue, spectators had gathered around the Vicas' latest invention. The Skybolt airspeeder rotated on a display pedestal while Kristoff and Sven oversaw its presentation. "Remember to smile," Kristoff whispered and Sven quickly nodded.

At the red carpet, crowds were cheering all over again as famous actress Celeste arrived. Her fiery gown was as stunning as its golden highlights. Spray-on glitter shimmered across her dark skin while cameras wildly flashed. Despite having so many adoring fans, the holodrama star eyed the same reporter who'd interviewed her at a previous appearance. Belle's heart raced when Celeste approached her with a beaming grin. "Long time no see!" the actress teased.

Belle had to coax herself out of her awestruck stupor and answered, "I prefer these much less explosive circumstances though. I don't suppose you have time for an interview?" Belle smirked and Celeste nodded. "As Miss Coruscant's host, how do you feel about the event carrying on despite numerous calls for postponement?"

Celeste sighed. "It's a difficult call to make," she replied. "I see both sides and believe the people of Coruscant are all going to heal from this tragedy in different ways. I think 'heal' is a very strong word here because despite its competitive nature, the pageant is meant to bring people together. My hope is that tonight's event will only encourage unity and show the galaxy that our city is still holding strong."

"Thank you, Celeste," Belle said. "We-" A thunderous roar echoed across the night sky. While attendees looked to the clouds, Belle cautiously kept her distance. She tried to relax while Chip filmed from over her shoulder. Realizing that she was still on the air, Belle reported on the spectacle. "It looks like another, rather rambunctious speeder is just arriving! It looks like a stretch...Make it a super stretch!" The luxurious, elongated vehicle glided in for a landing at the red carpet's edge. Chip zoomed in on the speeder's doors while Belle squinted for a better view. She raised a curious brow when a clone ARF trooper exited and jogged over to the passenger seat.

"Hold on," Celeste uttered and leaned in for a better listen. "Is that...my show's theme song I hear?" She slowly smirked and said, "Someone's got good taste!"

"Alright brothers," Sparx called in while gripping the speeder's door handle. "Just like we rehearsed. Remember Anna's choreo."

"Let's do it!" Speedy cheered.

"This is gonna be a mess," Frost worried.

"The things I do for the Jedi," Blazer muttered to himself.

"Enough chatter," Sparx hushed them. "It's showtime!" The rest of the clones emerged as he opened the doors. The theme to Celeste boomed from within Bobak's speeder as the clones formed up together. With his face shrouded beneath his helmet, Sparx was able to discreetly say, "A five, six, seven, eight-" The crowd gasped when all five troopers stomped forward. Cameras flashed and cheers screeched from the moment they realized a dance number was taking place. The stomp was merely an attention-getter as the clones proceeded to twirl their blasters and shuffle their feet.

"Incredible!" Belle reported. "It appears Miss Coruscant is getting treated to a quite the dance party...courtesy of the Grand Army of the Republic!" The Jedi temple guards and clones of the Coruscant Guard all watched in surprise. "But what's this?" Belle gasped. "It looks like these troopers are leading the way. Wh-...who's that behind them?" The pageant's camera crew glistened in the spotlight. With glittery bodysuits and reflective helmets, they were like shining stars as they turned their cameras towards the speeder. They broadcasted their footage to countless viewers just as a shimmering, scarlet gown came into view. "Wait," Belle blurted. "Can it be?...Is that-" Chela Tuzi's presence amidst her dancing entourage of troopers sent the crowd into an uproar. She'd styled her wavy blue tresses into glimmering curls and was boldly escorted down the carpet. Belle checked her status on her datapad. Chela's presence alone had boosted her viewcount profusely and they only kept rising. "In a shocking twist of events, missing pageant contestant Chela Tuzi has arrived! And with quite the dazzling escort if I do say so myself." As she said so, Frost and Blazer bumped into each other during their dance number. "Ms. Tuzi!" Belle called as Chela turned to her. She tried to keep things professional and asked, "What made you want to return to the pageant?"

"A chance to make things right," Chela answered simply. She solemnly stared into Belle's camera and continued on her way.

Another reporter stopped her and yelled, "Chela! Chela! Why now? Why even leave? Was this about publicity? Clout?"

Chela sighed and said, "It was about staying alive." The reporter was left utterly dumbfounded as she carried on.

"This is ridiculous!" a rather fashionable Jedi griped from the crowd. Master Donma Gothel had adorned herself in a fine, mahogany gown...all of which had been stitched and sewn by Rapunzel. "One moment I'm getting compliments over my dress and the next...everyone's losing it over some Theelin. This is your fault, Rapunzel. I should've had dancers to escort me." Rapunzel sulked at her side and embarrassingly sipped her drink.

Despite their rigid and rather clumsy performance, the clones meant well. They were also able to keep everyone's attention focused on them, allowing Phase One of the plan to follow through. While the masses were distracted...Elsa, Anna, and Yelena slipped out of the speeder. They dispersed into the crowd alongside Taline and Lumpy. While the Jedi remained in their easily-distinguishable robes, Taline wore a dark purple dress. The group had even found a tiny bowtie from Bobak's wardrobe to put on Lumpy.

Once in the crowd, each companion activated an earpiece. "Talk to me," Mattias called to all of them. "How are things looking in there?"

"So far so good," Yelena reported. "Chela's joining the other contestants and the shield generator's going up now." A technician activated the generator and coated the venue in a translucent shield.

"No sign of Dia or her thugs," Anna said while scouring the crowd. "And she'd have to get pretty explosive if she wanted to enter with that shield up."

"That's where Hans and I come in," Mattias replied. He and the knight had positioned themselves on a building overlooking the pageant.

Hans observed the nearby rooftops and said, "All's quiet on our end, but things just don't feel right."

"I sense it too," Elsa responded. "I can't quite place it, but there is darkness here. We must be wary." Music blasted from nearby speakers and startled Elsa into a yelp.

"You were saying?" Anna jested.

People found their seats as the curtains rolled back across the stage. The lights darkened until a single spotlight fell upon Celeste. She shined in the limelight and said, "Coruscant...City of Lights and Queen of the Core. An ever-growing community made up of so many talented and brilliant individuals. A diverse community, founded on the beliefs of equality and a chance for everyone to prosper. When I think of this city, I am reminded of the resilience and determination of its citizens. Through its brightest and darkest moments, this city's people have shown us powerful their resolves can be. And on a night like tonight, we host this pageant not out of ignorance...but out of honor. We stand tall, boldly declaring to our enemies that we are still here...rising above the ashes and thriving. Tonight, thirty-six remarkable young women are going to show us what Coruscanti resilience is all about," Celeste had to stop herself from choking up. "No matter who takes the crown home tonight, they're all winners. Because tonight is about celebrating life, not fighting against or grieving it. We honor those we've lost in the tragic acts against our city. We honor Herv Bobak, who should be standing here instead. We keep moving forward, knowing that the future we've chosen is one of celebration." Celeste wiped a tear from her eye and raised her hands. "So without further ado, I welcome you...to the Miss Coruscant Beauty Pageant!"

The crowd went absolutely ballistic as Celeste descended from the stage. Fog machines, swaying spotlights, and Max Rebo's live beats initiated the city's biggest pageant yet. The famous Ortolan musician went berserk on his red ball jett organ. Harmonious melodies heralded the pageant's contestants as they strutted out on stage. While Chela prepared to step out, she was approached by Ro Dyla. "I don't know why you bothered showing up, chubby," the Twi'lek snarked. "That crown is already mine."

After everything she'd been through and lost, all Chela wanted to do was punch Ro's lights out. Instead, she focused on the mission and calmed herself with a deep breath. "A brat like you might find this hard to believe-" Chela began. "-but there are actually more important things than some piece of tin atop your head." The Theelin grinned and strutted on stage to thunderous applause. Ro was left to shoot her a death glare and grumpily trudge in behind.

"Pageant is a go," Elsa called in. "Stay safe everyone. Stay-"

"Elsa?" a familiar voice inquired and had her freezing in place.

The Padawan tensed up and slowly let go of her earpiece. She turned to see a pair of old friends standing in the auction zone. "Kristoff? Sven?" she answered. "What are you boys doing here?"

"The Vicas have us overseeing the Skybolt," Krisotff explained. His brows furrowed inquisitively and he crossed his arms. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story," Elsa admitted while continuously observing the crowd.

"Is...something wrong?" Kristoff worried.

"No. I mean...it could be. Maybe?"

Kristoff and Sven exchanged confused glances. The Cevrian's eyes listed to Elsa as he gestured for Kristoff to talk to her. "You seem really tense," he said. "If you'd like, I could show you the Skybolt's coolest features!" Elsa appeared distracted by keeping a watchful eye on the crowd. Kristoff looked at Sven and shrugged, but the Cevrian urged him to try again. He nervously scratched at his blonde locks and straightened his teal tie. "I um...Elsa...erhm." Kristoff had to smack his chest to try and clear his throat. "C-can I get you a drink? I mean, I don't know if Jedi drink but we have water too! And that's fine. We can just-"

"Okay," Elsa said and Kristoff's eyes lit up. "I'll tell you what's going on," she continued and Kristoff realized she hadn't even been listening to him. "I'm sure you've heard about that rogue senator."

"Veritaz?" Kristoff inquired. "Sure. She's all over the news."

"Well she may not be done causing this city harm," Elsa insisted. "Just be on the lookout for anything suspicious, okay?"

Kristoff nodded to her and Sven. "No problem, Elsa. We'll be on guard."

"Thank you, my friends." Elsa answered and continued on her way.

Kristoff sighed as she left while Sven quipped in Cevrian. "I heard her, buddy," he mumbled. "She said friends." Sven prepared to comfort him, but Kristoff put on a smile. "Hey," he assured. "It's okay." Sven mooed while he polished the Skybolt's windshield. "Well I'm not okay...but I will be." As Kristoff finished wiping down the glass, he noticed another Jedi in its reflection. He turned around and saw Anna wandering through the crowd. "Elsa's sister is here too? How rough is this situation?" Kristoff returned to his polishing until something suspicious caught his eye. He followed another figure in the windshield's reflection and spun again. "Strange," he said. "Shouldn't the camera crew be by the stage?" Kristoff watched as one of the fully-suited cameramen weaved through the crowd. No matter where he crept through, his faceless gear was constantly directed toward Anna. Kristoff swallowed hard when he noticed the cameraman closing in on her. "Sven," he murmured. "Stay with the Skybolt. I'll be right back." The Cevrian tried to stop Kristoff, but he had already dropped from the auction platform.

While the pageant continued, Kristoff followed the anonymous figure. His heart raced as it seemingly followed each of Anna's moves. Although dressed in a unique design, the anonymous staff member became harder to track as the crowd became larger. "Excuse me," Kristoff blurted while squeezing through guests. "Pardon me." It felt like the crowd would never end as Kristoff looked between peoples' heads. Upon losing both Anna and the suspicious person, Kristoff came to a halt. He paused amidst the crowd as multiple people bumped against his shoulders. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath until a hand firmly gripped his shoulder. By the time Kristoff noticed the glittery glove, the cameraman already had a gun to his back. Despite being in such a crowded venue, no one was paying attention to the thin DL-18 pressed against Kristoff.

"You know what that is?" the cameraman taunted through his faceless mask. Kristoff nodded and the cameraman tightened his grip on his shoulder. "Then start walking. Don't even think about trying anything." The stranger discreetly escorted Kristoff at gunpoint while Taline walked by.

She might've noticed the situation if Lumpy didn't pull her away and start pointing at Max Rebo. "He's just like you!" the Mirialan reveled. She made the mistake of trying to pick the heavy child up and failed miserably. As Max played away at his keyboard, he noticed a fellow Ortolan in the crowd and waved. "Look, Lumpy!" Taline rejoiced. "He's saying hi!"

On the adjacent side of the venue, Master Yelena had made her way to the backstage entrance. "I'm in position," she said over her earpiece. "Ready for Phase Two." There were only two ways for someone to get backstage. An individual either had to have a studio access card or be a credible person of the law. Given her exploits over the last few months, Yelena was easily recognized by members of the Coruscant Guard. Two troopers stood at attention as she examined the doorway. "I need to conduct an inspection," she said.

"Of course, ma'am," one of the clones answered and opened the door for her.

Yelena stepped into an elongated hallway and followed the signs to Maurice's computer room. As she ascended a flight of stairs, the master had to constantly reassure herself. This is for the greater good, she spoke within. The greater good.

"You can do this," Mattias called to her as if reading her mind.

"I know," Yelena answered. "It's just that mind tricking is such a sensitive power."

"You're right," Mattias said. "But it's our only shot of getting Maurice to input Bobak's code."

"Belle's father is a good man, but we can't risk his morals escalating into a debate." Yelena reassured herself. "I'm going dark and going in." She silenced her earpiece and entered the next floor. To her surprise, someone was already in front of Maurice's door. An anonymous cameraman was rummaging through his bag just as Yelena stepped into view. Her reflection appeared across his chromium mask as the two remained frozen. Yelena was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt until she noticed the butt of a rifle protruding from his camera bag. As her eyes widened in shock, the so-called cameraman withdrew his CR-2 heavy blaster. He opened fire just as Yelena sparked up her lightsaber.

Her blue blade batted the rapid-fire plasma away as she advanced down the hall. Her assailant alternated between aiming at her legs and face to try and throw her off. Still Yelena surged forward, weaving left and right to close in for the attack. In his panic, her attacker caused his gun to overheat. To buy himself time, he tossed a flash grenade and averted his gaze. While Yelena was able to do the same, it didn't stop the ensuing bang from harming her ears. She winced as a horrid ringing plagued her hearing. As she battled disorientation, her foe lunged at her arm. His claws tore through his glittery gloves and tried to slash Yelena's wrist. Although she wasn't the most agile in hand-to-hand combat, Yelena stuck to her fundamentals. She ducked under her enemy's initial swipe and took a swing with her lightsaber. He kicked her wrist, forcing her to drop the blade as he went in for another strike. Although her dominant wrist was aching, Yelena endured the pain and clenched her fist. Utilizing a technique similar to her Force jump, Yelena gathered momentum and enhanced her lunge. She kneed her opponent with enough power to send him crashing into an overhead light. The collision caused his mask to roll off and revealed the Zygerrian beneath. As Jobun Gorbati fell back to Yelena, she Force-pushed him down into a storage shaft. A raucous clatter sounded while Yelena caught her breath.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Yelena rushed to Maurice's studio. As she nervously snuck inside, she was relieved to see that Jobun had just arrived and had not finished a deed. Maurice was seated at his Data-Crunch 3000, blissfully unaware of his surroundings while wearing oversized headphones. Yelena loomed over his shoulder and observed the pageant through his monitor. "Get ready for some wonderful Q's and A's!" Celeste proclaimed. "It's time for the Interview Category!"

"Not a moment to lose," Yelena intoned and tapped Maurice on the shoulder.

The old man yelped and swiftly removed his headphones. "Whuh? Who?" He spun in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. "Master Jedi? You scared the bajeebies outta me! What are you doing back here?"

Yelena simply sighed and waved a hand across Maurice's face. "You will input 2-5-8-1 into the Q&A for Chela Tuzi."

Maurice stared blankly into Yelena's eyes. His mustache drooped and his speech slurred. "I will input 2-5-8-1 into the Q&A for Chela Tuzi," he reiterated. Without a second thought, Maurice returned to his computer and inputed Bobak's code. Yelena watched as the Data-Crunch 3000 honed in on a question previously created by Bobak himself and designated it for Chela. With her task completed, Yelena nodded and slipped out of the room. As the door closed, Maurice snapped out of his trancelike state and rubbed his eyes. "What the?" he muttered and put his headphones back on. "Did I doze off? I knew I should've had that energy drink."

Anna traversed the venue and continued to search for suspicious persons. "Anything boys?" she asked.

"All clear on our end," Blazer reported.

"Say, Anna-" Speedy began. "Can we dance more often? That was fun!"

Anna snickered. "Sure, brother. Just keep your head in the game now and I'll get you dance shoes when this is over." As Anna observed the pageant's interview segment, she couldn't help but notice the Vica family's private platform. "Well well," she whispered to herself after seeing Tori and Meliz. "I won't say no to more backup." Anna turned and bumped into Kristoff. "Oh hey," Anna blurted. "I remember you. You're from-"

"The roof," the masked cameraman beside Kristoff said. Anna was confused until she noticed the fear in Kristoff's eyes. "Go there," the cameraman ordered. To make matters worse, a call came in from Yelena.

"Good news and bad news," Yelena reported. "Good news is I've successfully gotten the code into the system. Bad news is that it looks like Dia and her killers found a way in after all. They're disguised as camera crew members."

Anna's heart pounded and her hand slid upward. "Don't even think about it," the assassin hissed. "Reach for your lightsaber or that earpiece and blondie here is dead. Now unless you want his blood on your hands, you're gonna do exactly as I say. There's an exit door to your right. Take it and start walking up to the roof. Don't look back, don't scream...nothing. Or else blondie here-"

"I get it," Anna whispered back. I kriffing hate hostage situations, she thought. The masked killer marched her and Kristoff away from the venue while the rest of the pageant unfolded.

Something was stirring beneath a scrap pile in the lower storage shaft. Sore, bruised, but far from dead...Jobun Gorbati rose from the clutter. The Zygerrian snarled and examined his shadowy surroundings. He hastily activated his comlink and said, "Dia...I've been compromised. They know."

A masked camerawoman below the main stage discreetly clutched her comlink. "You useless skug," Dia growled. "Just get ready for the real show. I'll handle this."

"Hey you!" someone yelled and Dia prepared for a fight. Her head snapped over towards an impatient technician. "What the hell are you doing down here, lady? We need some shots of contestants! Get up there!"

Dia calmed herself down and said, "With...pleasure." As she walked passed him, she checked the settings on her camera. While Dia was still out of sight, she revealed a hidden blaster attachment snapped next to the lens. As she mounted the device on her shoulder, she nestled her finger on a hidden trigger just beneath the camera strap. "Top-notch shots...coming up," she whispered.

"Up next," Celeste declared. "We have Ro Dyla."

The Twi'lek contestant took to the stage while Yelena assembled with the others. "Does anyone see other camera crew members?" the master asked.

"I've got nothing," Blazer said.

"Blast," Frost cursed. "I swore they were just here."

"Damn it," Mattias growled. "Hans and I can't get to you with that shield generator up."

Elsa peered up at the giant datascreens broadcasting the event with closeups. "Centerstage," she realized. "Of course! We need to get to the front of the stage!"

"Wait," Sparx gasped. "Where's Anna?"

"Anna?" Blazer called via comms. "Anna, respond!"

"I'm sorry but we don't have time to look for her," Yelena lamented. "We need to get to the stage!"

While her family watched the pageant from above, Tori noticed the amount of Jedi and clones scrambling to reach the stage. "What the?" the Pantoran muttered and nudged her master.

"Elsa?" Rapunzel worried after the Padawan bumped into her. "What are you doing here? What's going on-"

"No time to explain!" Elsa shouted and kept running.

"In conclusion," Ro carried on. "That is why I should win Miss Coruscant."

Celeste humored the contestant with a nod. "Um...I'm not sure how that answers how we can minimize pollution in our city...but okay." Celeste shook off her confusion and smiled to her audience. "Our next question goes to Chela Tuzi!" The Theelin's heart sank as she was called forward. The world seemed to slow around her. Her legs went numb and sweat trickled down her horned temples. "Alrighty, Chela." Celeste said as the randomizer computed a question and sent it to her datapad. The celebrity's brows raised as question sequence #2581 graced her screen. "Oh this is a good one. How do you want to change the world?"

Chela took a moment to think about the trials she'd endured. From the massacre on Tatooine to her capture by the Hutts. But above all, she thought about Korbi and all he'd given for her to stand on that stage. "It depends on what world you're talking about, Celeste." Chela began. "My homeworld, New Bornalex? This world, Coruscant?" She pointed to her head and pursed her lips. "This world of doubt and burden? Well I say...let's change them all. Right here...right now." Dia rushed from the lower stage and tried to climb the scaffolding. The bulky camera made it difficult to ascend. "You know me as Chela Tuzi, this famous model for your glitzy advertisements. But so often are we focused on the fast-paced glamor in front of us that we completely lose sight of those suffering just beneath it all." Gasps echoed as Chela rolled up a glove and revealed a winged tattoo. "While I am grateful to serve as a role model to those in the fashion community, I would rather be known as what I truly am: Agent Tuzi, the last surviving member of the Anti-Slavery Coalition. Celeste, your dear friend Herv Bobak knew of us as well."

The music halted as Celeste dropped her joyous demeanor. "Chela?" she queried. "What are you saying?"

"That year after year, thousands of innocent people are trafficked and sold into slavery. This is enabled through corrupt politicians like Dia Veritaz, who went so far as to have Bobak killed when he tried to help others speak out!" The crowd erupted into murmurs and shrieks as Chela's words were broadcasted across the the Core Worlds. "Entering this pageant was never about winning," Chela asserted. "It was about giving a voice to those who have none! And it is downright shameful that entertainment is the only way to get people to listen to anything!" As Chela shouted to her audience, her emotional speech brought tears to Taline's eyes.

Dia vaulted over the scaffolding and pretended to be getting another angle on Chela. Meanwhile, Blazer put a cameraman in a headlock and said, "Gotcha!"

"Hey man!" the lanky Mon Calamari blurted. "What gives?"

"Oh...sorry," Blazer huffed and released him.

"And Dia didn't act alone," Chela continued. "Others in league with her include Senators Detro, Bertz, Muklo, Geraki, Wadinov-"

Celeste gasped when a red dot steadied itself on Chela's forehead. Dia took aim and prepared to fire her hidden blaster when Elsa leapt onstage. Screams erupted as Elsa ignited her lightsaber and sliced Dia's camera in half. She then used the Force to unmask Dia LIVE for all to see. Belle was sure to get plenty of closeups for The Coruscant Rose. Dia's face was met with savage boos from across the gallery.

"It's over," Elsa growled and dipped her lightsaber towards Dia's face.

Dia's sneer became a smirk as she looked up at Elsa. "Over?" she scoffed. "Oh sweetie, If I'm going down...you're all coming with me!" While Dia kept Elsa distracted with chatter, she flipped a hidden detonator on her belt. Hidden charges she'd placed beneath the shield generator exploded and exposed the entire venue. With the shield down, Dia tapped a second switch and something whirred in the distance.

"Please tell me I'm not the only one who hears that," Frost worried as the sound intensified.

Emerging from a disguised storage unit came a swarm of Corellian-issued probe droids. The hovering, metallic orbs descended on the venue and fired indiscriminately into the audience. Civilians scattered as explosive lasers blasted tables to pieces. "Everything is fine!" Ningzi Mo insisted. "This is fine! Everyone...remain calm. Remain-" A laser skimmed across his neatly-groomed hair. "Holy sh-" Ningzi ducked for cover and yelled to the Jedi and clones. "What are you waiting for? Save me-...erhm...us!"

"Blast'em!" Commander Fox ordered. He and his Coruscant Guard set up a defensive perimeter around the venue.

"Come on!" Rapunzel urged to Gothel. "We have to help!"

"Oh I suppose," her former master grumbled. "The pageant was dull without me anyway." The duo ignited their lightsabers and engaged the probes.

With the shield down, Hans and Mattias were able to leap over and join in the fight. "Try to draw the droids' fire!" Yelena shouted. The pair of temple guards nodded and formed up at her sides.

Blazer shot a probe and sent it spiraling out of control. It crashed into the Vicas' private platform and caused a column to crumble. Thinking quickly, Tori and Meliz leapt down and Force-pulled Hoff and Datya to safety. "Mom...Dad, find a place to hide." Tori asserted. She activated her guard shotos while Meliz went back to back with her.

Several probes descended towards Elsa. She deflected their lasers and focused on Force-pushing them away instead of destroying them. While Elsa was distracted with the probes, Dia snuck behind her. She withdrew her DL-44 from her bag and aimed it at Elsa's back. Frost had just taken cover when he noticed what was happening. "Elsa, look out!" he yelled. He lunged just as Dia fired. The commander tackled Elsa to the ground and the heavy laser narrowly missed them both. As the projectile scorched the stage beside them, Elsa realized Frost had saved her.

Enraged, Dia tried to shoot Frost but Elsa was ready to deflect. Instead of taking her head on, Dia fled into the middle of the chaos. Angered by how many lives she'd harmed, Elsa rose to chase Dia. "Get back here, you coward!" the Padawan scolded.

"She's in a glittery onesie," Frost panted. "How far can she get?"

"Sector is clear!" Commander Fox reported after shooting down a probe. In that instant, Jobun emerged from backstage and fired his CR-2. He cut down several clones and engaged the Coruscant Guard in a shootout. "Not clear!" Fox corrected. "Not clear!"

As the venue battle raged on, Taline tried to keep Lumpy safe from the probes. They hid with Max Rebo under his keyboard, but shuddered when the probe droids found them. Before the metal menaces could fire, a pair of antlers smashed them to pieces. Sven charged into action and battled any probe in his way. He desperately called out for his best friend and wondered where Kristoff had gone.

Anna and Kristoff were marched out high above the chaos. They peered down at the vertigo-inducing skyline as their captor removed his mask. The nighttime breeze blew against Nel Sabwu's eerily pale face. The Umbaran cackled at the carnage multiple stories below them and kept his gun trained on his victims. "You just had to get captured," Anna griped while Nel relieved her of her lightsaber.

"I'm sorry," Kristoff admitted. "I was trying to save you."

Anna paused, glared at him, and said, "Good job."

"Keep walking," Nel hissed and dug his pistol into Anna's back. He scowled when she didn't budge. "I said keep wa-"

Anna waited for him to jab the pistol again and then elbowed him in the face. As he staggered back, Anna pulled her lightsaber off of his belt with the Force. Rather than appear fazed, Nel activated his stun baton. While keeping his pistol aimed at Kristoff, he held the baton up to Anna.

"That thing doesn't stand a chance against a lightsaber, right Anna?" Kristoff asked. He raised a brow when Anna started shivering. "Anna?"

Nel flashed an insidious smirk as the Padawan stared at his baton. "Did you think I'd forgotten?" he taunted and waved the weapon at her. "Tough girl afraid of a little buzz? It's just too good to pass up." The electrical sparks had Anna whimpering and cowering before him. "Pathetic," he said and mocked her cries.

"Anna," Kristoff worried. "Snap out of it!"

Anna dropped to her knees as Nel reveled in her suffering. "Cry until your eyes burn. There's no place for you to run this time, little Jedi."

"Gu-sha..." Anna murmured.

"What?" Nel blurted.

Anna shut off her tears as if they'd never occurred and glared at her opponent. "Gotcha," she growled and sparked up her lightsaber. Anna slashed upward, sending the baton...and Nel's hand plummeting to the street below. Anna dropped her act and rose before the panicking Umbaran. Nel screamed and clutched his cauterized wrist. The once boastful assassin now hobbled away as Anna closed in. "What's wrong?" she taunted. "Scared?" Her straight face and monotonous voice made her look like a reaper approaching its victim. Nel's feet skimmed the building's edge as he looked to Anna with widened eyes. "You should be!" she roared and dropkicked him off of the skyscraper. As Nel fell, he clutched Anna's boot and pulled her down with him.

"Anna!" Kristoff shouted and lunged to save her. He snagged her wrist just in time as she dangled over the edge. "I've got you!" As the wind brushed against their bodies, Kristoff looked into Anna's bright blue eyes and smiled. "Woah," he sighed. "That was...um...close."

"Yeah," Anna said. "So are you gonna pull me up or..."

"Oh...OH! Right. Sorry!" Kristoff laughed nervously and hauled Anna back to safety.

Stray lasers shredded through banquet trays and tables. Amidst it all, Ro Dyla stood at centerstage while the Miss Coruscant banner burned above her. "I just want my crown! Why is life so unfair!" she sobbed and refused to move as the conflict raged on.

"Chela! Celeste!" Elsa warned. "Go to the temple guards!" The ladies ran while Elsa secured more civilians. She leapt to a toppled table and found Ningzi trembling. "You can't stay here, sir."

The Zeltron remained frozen in shock. "How could this have happened? I...just wanted to spread joy. I was so careful."

"I know," Elsa sighed and helped him up. "It's not your fault."

Traumatized, Ningzi kept rambling to himself. "I had a shield generator...I had clones...the camera crews were inspected."

Elsa paused at his final words. She furrowed her brows and said, "Wait...by who?"

"The Jedi temple guards," Ningzi lamented. "I don't underst-"

Elsa set him down to run back to Chela and Celeste. "Wait!" she warned. "Get away from the guards!"

"What?" Chela worried.

Dia emerged from cover and yelled, "Udo! Do it!"

Elsa's heart sank as one of the temple guards spun his double-bladed lightsaber. Udo Klee proceeded to impale his fellow guard with one end and then lunge at Chela with the other. He nearly struck the Theelin when Hans blocked his saber. "Out of the way, Westgard!" the Nikto grunted.

"I always knew there was something off about you!" Hans retorted.

"You wouldn't understand," Udo growled. "None of you ever could!" He spun his saber in retaliation. Its yellow ends slammed against Hans' green plasma. Noticing that Hans was being overwhelmed, Elsa sprung to his defense. She parried two of Udo's strikes before he kicked Hans in the face. The knight went spiraling offstage and crashed into the seating gallery. Elsa gasped as Udo brought his full force upon her. He swung rapidly until another blue blade blocked his attack.

"Get away from my Padawan, you traitor," Master Yelena warned. She shoved Udo away and assumed a defensive stance alongside Elsa. "Together now," she told her student.

"You think you're any match for a Sentinel?" Udo taunted and flourished his weapon. He launched forward to take Yelena and Elsa head on. Their furious sabers clashed as their duel traveled across the stage.

Clone troopers were falling in droves as Jobun fired away. Mattias and Meliz leapt in front of the surviving clones. "Sword and shield maneuver!" they jinxed and nodded to each other.

"Care to elaborate, sir?" Blazer asked.

"Master Sumar and I will block the shots while you men shoot," Mattias explained. We'll slowly advance and take this Zygerrian down!"

"Ohoho," Speedy marveled. "I like."

It didn't matter how many lasers Jobun unleashed. Meliz and Mattias were prepared to block every shot. The surviving clones found their opening and were able to return fire on the sinister Zygerrian. Having lost his advantage, Jobun triggered a smoke bomb and retreated.

"Don't let him get away!" Tori yelled and gave chase.

"Jobun!" Dia called while prying open the doors to the Skybolt airspeeder. "Let's go!" He slipped into the driver's seat while the clones shot at the engines. Before they could deal any significant damage, Jobun was able to hotwire it and rocket away. Anna and Kristoff returned from the roof just as Jobun and Dia flew overhead.

Tori tried skidding to a halt in time but ended up crashing into Anna. Kristoff caught them both and gently stood them upright again. "They're getting away!" Tori yelled. "In the blasted Skybolt too. How could we possibly catch them n-" A sudden honk caught Tori completely by surprise. A sleek and sporty airspeeder hovered beside them as Tori's parents disembarked.

"No one steals our hard work and gets away with it," Datya affirmed.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Hoff insisted. "Take it!"

"Are you sure?" Tori asked.

"We've got a dozen of these hotrods in the hangar back home," Datya said. "Now go stop these crooks! Take Kristoff! He's one heck of a pilot!"

I love you guys, Tori thought as she dashed for the speeder. While Kristoff manned the controls, Tori rode shotgun and Anna slid into the backseat.

"Punch it, Christopher!" Anna exclaimed.

"It's Kristoff," he groaned and floored the accelerator.

While the trio raced off, Ningzi tried to flee in his personal speeder. Several probes opened fire, forcing him to drop his keys and run elsewhere. The Zeltron's keys swiveled to Frost and Blazer's feet. "Are you thinkin what I'm thinkin?" the sergeant proposed.

"Unfortunately," Frost worried.

"Stay close!" Yelena yelled over the crackle of striking sabers. "Keep it tight!" Elsa obeyed her master and stuck to her side. Udo jabbed his weapon forward and they each parried an end of it. "Together!" Yelena urged and they shoved Udo back as one.

The Nikto chuckled and spun his lightsaber. "You're lecturing her mid-battle?" he jeered. "Do you think we're back in the dojo?"

"Don't listen to him, Elsa." Yelena intoned. "He's trying to get inside our heads." The elder remained close to her Padawan and said, "You shame that mask and those robes."

"Shame is subjective," Udo refuted. "You can't feel for something that you've stopped believing in!" While spinning his weapon as a distraction, Udo unleashed a powerful Force push. It caught Yelena off guard, but Elsa managed to save her master with a Force pull. She used that momentum to surge forward and reengage Udo. Streaks of blue and yellow illuminated the backstage area. Elsa, Yelena, and Udo's silhouettes danced across rows of unused curtains. Udo staggered back and sliced several tethers. Light fixtures and set pieces came crashing down as the women took evasive action.

"You were never following me for encouragement," Elsa panted. "You were stalking me! Trying to find out what I knew about Dia and the others. You were her eyes in the temple!" Elsa angrily swung at Udo and he parried. While blocking, he eyed the bacta patch on her wrist and hummed.

"What do we have here?" he jeered. Before he could reach for it, Yelena stepped in to force Udo on the defensive.

"Get away from her!" the master roared. "Padawan," she scolded. "I told you to stay close!"

Udo took advantage of Yelena's exasperation and Force-pushed the master again. Elsa was too distracted by Yelena's words to catch her this time and gasped as her master spun through the air. Yelena crashed into a set of metal scaffolding and the clang rendered her unconscious. "No!" Elsa yelped until Udo stepped between them.

"Time to end this little lecture," he growled and closed in to strike.

Enhanced by her desperation, the Padawan called upon her abilities and unleashed a Force repulse. While Udo was able to block her attack with an invisible barrier of his own, her power still had enough strength to send him skidding into the shadows. As Elsa landed back on her feet, she found herself standing alone amidst the vacant equipment. She steadily stepped forward with nothing but the glow and hum of her lightsaber to guide her. "You little fool," Udo taunted from the shadows. "Still believing in every little hypocrisy the Order tells you." Elsa's head snapped in every direction in which she thought Udo had gone. "So many lies!"

"What greater lies could come from kidnappers and enslavers?" Elsa spat. "The only fool here is you." Udo's double-bladed weapon ignited above Elsa and he was shocked to see her prepared. "Most people never look up," she said and only further angered him.

Udo front-flipped to her level and performed a leaping slash at her. "You think you're so smart, don't you? But where will all that so-called cleverness get you?" Elsa haplessly tried attacking the Nikto. He easily dodged it and countered with a powerful kick to Elsa's gut. The wind was knocked clean out of her and she barely had time to recover. Udo pressed his attack and spun his weapon at disorienting speeds. "All you do is help an ungrateful populace and receive nothing to show for it. Day in and day out!" He backed Elsa into a corner as her breaths hastened. "Yes, I helped enslave the weak. But they chose their paths just as I chose mine. Now yours, regretfully...ends here!"

Elsa was so limited in what she could do. Udo had perfectly trapped her against the wall so that any learned techniques were virtually impossible. His tremendous lightsaber sent sparks flaring each time it struck against hers. Elsa's heart raced as she tried to think of something...anything to survive. But she barely had time to think. Every second was spent countering Udo's saber as her defense slowly crumbled. Dr. Grey had warned against overexerting herself and she was starting to feel it. Elsa's arms weakened as Udo broke through her defenses. The once respectful and calming sight of a temple guard mask had become a haunting, deathly visage. The more he struck her, the more Elsa's bacta supplement started to unravel. Knowing she couldn't hold on much longer, Elsa desperately called upon the Force. Tightening her body and bending her knees as she would for a Force jump, Elsa harnessed what strength she could. Udo raised his blade as she dashed forward. Through the Force, Elsa was able to propel herself off of the wall like a ricocheting bullet. Once freed, her boots skidded to a halt and she spun to keep dueling. Her heart sank...when Udo didn't turn.

Smoke rose from a sizzling, daunting wound which ran across Udo's abdomen. He deactivated his lightsaber and clutched the deeply-cauterized gash in shock. It had all happened so quickly that Elsa was just starting to realize what she'd done. While her dash had saved her, she'd also dealt a lethal blow to her opponent. "No," she whispered and deactivated her weapon. "No! No! No!" Elsa slid to her knees and caught Udo as he collapsed in her arms. She removed his mask and looked into the Nikto's twitching eyes. "I'm going to get you treated," she assured. "Just-"

"Don't bother," he winced. "I...won." Elsa was thrown off as Udo wearily cackled. "C-...congratulations...Padawan." She furrowed her brows as he continued. "You're a killer now...just like the rest of us." It mattered not if Udo had perished, for his final words had poisoned Elsa beyond any others. Tears swelled in Elsa's eyes as his remarks tore her to pieces.

By the Force, Elsa grieved while holding Udo's body. What have I done?

Far beyond the pageant venue, a high-speed chase was underway in the skies of Coruscant. Anna, Tori, and Kristoff were hot on their enemies' heels as they weaved through skylane traffic. "There they are!" Anna pointed from the passenger seat.

"I see them," Kristoff mumbled.

"Speed up!" Tori blurted.

"Already going max speed," Kristoff murmured.

"Don't lose them!" Anna added.

"Does someone else want to fly?" Kristoff snapped. He tried to ignore their backseat flying and rocketed after their foes.

"Jedi," Dia growled from the Skybolt's passenger seat. "They just don't know when to give up." While Jobun kept flying, Dia rolled down her window and opened fire. Her heavy blaster's lasers zipped across the skylanes and Kristoff took evasive action. He flew into a tunneling system and was a immediately met by forward-facing airspeeders.

"Wrong way, people!" Kristoff screamed while weaving to avoid them.

"They're not going the wrong way," Tori scolded. "We are!"

Luckily for Kristoff, his little detour let them out to try and cut their enemies off. Jobun was forced to dive down and Kristoff relentlessly pursued. Both speeders descended at alarming levels, maximizing their thrusters while their passengers held on.

Meanwhile, Dexter Jettster was getting ready to close his diner for the night when he heard something booming outside. The Besalisk peeked looked up and spotted two speeders darting straight for his newly-renovated eatery. "Oh no," he panicked. "Not again. Not again!"

"Pull up, Kristoff." Anna warned upon seeing the ground level diner. "Holy kriff, pull up!"

She, Tori, and Kristoff screamed as they narrowly avoided crashing into Dex's Diner. The Skybolt had gained a significant amount of distance over them. Jobun and Dia were almost in the clear when a another airspeeder flew over to cut them off. It rammed into one of their engines and significantly slowed their ship down. Frost and Blazer sat at the controls of this flimsier speeder as it spun out of control. "Living the dream!" Blazer hollered amidst the thrill of it all.

"Kristoff," Anna said as they caught up to the Skybolt. "Get us alongside them."

Kristoff eyed an approaching tunnel, gulped, yet obliged. "I can try," he said.

"Anna?" Tori worried as she heard the overhead window opening. "What are you doing?"

Anna was too focused to answer and waited for Kristoff to get them in closer. "That's it," she urged. "Just a little bit more."

The tunnel was closing in and Kristoff was running out of room to maneuver. Dia unloaded two lasers into his windshield and Kristoff said, "It's now or never, Anna. Whatever you're planning, go!"

Much to her companions' astonishment, Anna threw herself out of the window and landed atop the Skybolt. The vehicles separated via tunnel and the last thing she heard was Tori yelling, "Is she insane?"

Dia heard Anna climbing on their roof and scowled. As Anna made her way to the driver's window, Dia emerged from the passenger's side and opened fire. The shots threw Anna off and made her lose her balance. She nearly fell off, but instead clung to the driver's mirror. For a brief moment, Anna glimpsed Jobun's furious face in the driver's seat. Once he eyed her, he flew leftward and tried to sandwich Anna against the wall. As the Padawan held on, Jobun's feline eyes focused on a maintenance zone within the tunnel. With a brutal turn, Jobun willingly crashed into it and pushed Anna off. The impact cracked Jobun's window, but at least he'd gotten rid of Anna. Scaffolding, tools, and wiring collapsed as the Skybolt emerged from the tunnel.

There was a brief silence as Dia and Jobun fled into the night. "That's that then," Dia scoffed.

Little did they realize, a piece of maintenance wiring was still connected to their speeder...and Anna was at the end. The Padawan dangled dizzily and shook herself back to reality. With steady, angry pulls...Anna inched her way back to the speeder. She harnessed her strength from everything that had led her to that moment. From escaping Dooku's clutches to training on Ilum...braving Kamino's lightning storm to flying at the Battle of Bespin. Anna had come too far to throw it all away. She boldly ascended the wiring and returned to Jobun's window. The Zygerrian had to do a double take as Anna's boots kicked through the already cracked glass.

Anna carried that momentum into the speeder and propelled herself in. Smashed glass spewed across Jobun and Dia's faces while Anna landed on the center console. Upon entering, she elbowed Dia in the nose and slammed Jobun's face into the steering wheel. As Kristoff caught up, he and Tori watched the Skybolt sway uncontrollably. They tried to make sense of the conflict raging within. While Dia was disoriented, Anna punched Jobun and repeatedly smashed his face into the dashboard. She got carried away and gave Dia the freedom to grab her pistol. Anna heard the DL-44 power up and was able to kick Dia's arm down. The result was a stray laser blasting through the ship's controls. Flames crept from the Skybolt's dashboard as it spiraled out of control. Kristoff and Tori watched in horror as it descended to a nearby walkway.

Noticing the imminent crash, Anna slammed Jobun for good measure and evacuated the speeder. She tucked and rolled against the duracrete while it crashed into a nearby light post. Upon landing, Anna struck a portion of her head and was left feeling fuzzy. The world around her swayed for a moment as she watched two figures exit the ruined speeder. Two silhouettes became one as Jobun stumbled out of the wreckage and snarled. This guy just doesn't die, Anna thought and ignited her lightsaber.

Jobun fired his CR-2 and Anna still took him head on. She ran across the duracrete overhang and forced him to keep shooting. As she blocked his blasts, his excessive shooting caused his CR-2 to overheat. Flustered, Jobun threw the weapon at Anna and she sliced it in half. Jobun activated a pair of energy shields on his vambraces. He used the buzzing, scarlet shields to block each of Anna's fearsome attacks. She came at him with full Ataru fury, striking wildly and keeping him on the defensive. Determined to break through his devices, Anna pressed her blade into one of them and focused on wearing it down. Since it isn't a ray shield, it has to have a limit! she thought. While her strategy had reason, Jobun anticipated her move. He let her focus on one vambrace and then quickly switched off the other. By the time Anna realized it, his hand had already snatched her throat.

The Zygerrian didn't even need to suffocate her. All he had to do was sink his claws into her pale, freckled flesh. Realizing this, Anna was forced to drop her lightsaber and try to pull his hand off. With a fanged snarl, Jobun had her right where he wanted her. "Jedi scum," he growled and punched Anna's stomach with his free hand. As Anna dropped to her knees, Jobun noted her weakening grip and grinned. Before he could gauge her throat, something blue briefly flashed across his torso. Jobun's eyes widened as his grip on Anna loosened. The Padawan backed away and heard a distinct humming in the air. A blue-hued guard shoto spun overhead and returned to Tori Vica's hand. She deactivated her weapon while Kristoff disembarked beside her.

Once Anna understood what Tori had done, she returned her gaze to Jobun. The Zygerrian couldn't speak, and instead croaked his final breath. Only then did Anna see the extent of Tori's damage. As Jobun fell backward from the duracrete overhang...half of him decided to stay behind.

There was an eerie stillness in the air as Anna caught her breath and sirens echoed from above. "Need a hand?" Tori asked and offered to help her fellow Padawan up. Anna graciously accepted her offer while Kristoff shuddered at Jobun's lower half.

Blood trickled from Dia's forehead as she slowly stirred in the passenger seat. She hurriedly unbuckled and shoved her dented door open. Her desperate momentum caused her to fall over and her DL-44 clattered across the floor. She was about to reach for it when a pair of shiny, black-booted feet stood in her way. Dizzied and defeated, Dia looked up to see Lieutenant Tan Divo standing over her. An entire fleet's worth of police cruisers were descending behind him as he withdrew a pair of cuffs.

Destroyed probe droids littered the ruined Miss Coruscant venue. While many of her companions had regrouped, Elsa had gone numb. She was utterly disgusted with what had happened backstage and was only reminded of that failure as authorities covered Udo's body. Elsa gasped when someone placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She glanced over to see a bandaged Yelena gently smiling at her. "Hey," the master said. "It's alright." Before Elsa could respond, she bore witness to Veritaz being hauled back to a police cruiser. She writhed and wriggled in a police droid's metallic grip as it forced her forward.

"That was one heck of an operation, young lady." Lieutenant Divo told Chela. "You'd make an amazing cop, you know. The Coruscant Security Force could use a woman of your talents."

"Thanks," Chela said. "But I need to fulfill a promise to an old friend. His family's still out there somewhere and I've got to find them."

"You idiots!" Dia yelled while being hauled away. "You think exposing some senators and calling out the obvious will fix anything? You've changed nothing!" She tried to retaliate further, but the droid slammed her on the hood of the cruiser.

"That's enough, Dia." Elsa dared to speak up. She stomped over to the disgraced senator and glared down at her.

"Elsa," Dia hissed. "You can't stop us. This is just the beginning."

"The beginning of your end," Elsa countered. She was about to walk away when she noticed something strange. As the droid kept Dia pinned, Elsa observed a symbol through a tear in her uniform. "Lieutenant Divo," Elsa beckoned. "You should take a look at this." Divo approached and examined a bizarre, multi-shaded symbol embedded below Dia's neck. "It looks like some sort of tattoo."

"No," Divo uttered. "It's a brand."

"This is Belle O'Har with the Coruscant Rose, giving you the latest updates in our vibrant city. It's been a wild week since the Miss Coruscant incident, but there's a light at the end of this tunnel. Thanks to the efforts of activist Chela Tuzi, we've seen a record number of arrests citywide. Multiple senators and police officers have been arrested in connection with slave trafficking operations." Footage showed Senators Detro and Bertz being apprehended along with others. The so-called aides serving them had been liberated along with countless others. "Now here is truly a sight to behold," Belle reported and the footage transitioned to Lumpy. "After police conducted a raid on one of the smugglers' holding facilities, they were able to rescue over eighty people. Among those imprisoned there was the mother of this little fellow." Lumpy could be seen eagerly running into the arms of his emotional mother. The Ortolans embraced and joyously wrapped their trunks around each other. "Yes, my friends." Belle concluded. "A new day is dawning over Coruscant, and it's all thanks to a brave few."

"Hey!" Anna cheered while watching the news on a temple datascreen. "That's us, Elsa!" Anna worried when her sibling didn't respond. "Sis?"

Rather than watch the news, Elsa stared out the window and remained lost in her own regret. "I'm sorry," Elsa said. "I just...I-...can't get his words out of my head."

"You're a killer now...just like the rest of us." Udo had said.

"You were defending yourself," Anna disputed.

"It shouldn't have happened," Elsa countered. "No one had to die."

"Well you would've if you didn't attack," Anna insisted. "And I'm sure as hell grateful that you're still alive instead of him."

"I told myself that I was willing to accept death," Elsa said. "I let myself believe it anyway. But when I was in that moment, I didn't want to. I felt like I had more to do, and being backed against the wall...I-"

"Fought back," Anna said.

Elsa slowly nodded. "I just...need to figure this out," she replied. "Process this, you know?"

"I get you," Anna assured as her vambrace chimed. "Looks like processing will have to wait. Our masters are paging us for that meeting."

Anna and Elsa stepped into a darkened room. "Are you sure this is the right spot?" Elsa asked as they entered the shadows.

"I'm pretty sure," Anna replied. "Maybe there's another citywide blackout."

"Don't even joke about that," Elsa said before quivering. "Do you feel that? This place is...strong with the Force."

"Well, we are in the Jedi Temple," Anna quipped.

"No," Elsa groaned. "Like there's someone else-"

In that instant, multiple lightsabers ignited around the room. The sudden sound startled the sisters until they glimpsed familiar faces. Illuminated by their pulsing blades, members of the Jedi Council stood in a wide circle. They were also accompanied by Masters Yelena and Mattias. "Um...Elsa?" Anna whispered. "Is this what I think it is?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted.

"Oh it definitely is," Anna eagerly insisted. "My master looks likes he's about to start crying at any moment."

"AM NOT!" Mattias sobbed and was immediately shushed by Yelena.

"Padawans," Master Yoda began. "Step forward." The sisters knelt before Yoda as he raised his green lightsaber. "Strong in the Force, both of you have become. Anna Dellian...risen from the ashes you have. Through your injuries, endured the Trial of the Flesh you have. Saw through the illusions of your mind and braved Ilum's deceptions in adolescence you did. For this, the Trial of Insight is bestowed. Broken by the Sith, you were not. Defeated by yourself, you have refused to be. For this, the Trial of the Spirit finds you." Anna bowed her head as Yoda looked to her sister. "Elsa Dellian. Looked deep within yourself, you have. Beyond your dueling limits you have gone, and therefore receive the Trial of Skill." Elsa winced at what such an achievement had cost her. "Upheld our ancient values, you have. The preservation of life...precious it is. For this, the Trial of the Spirit has been achieved." Elsa struggled to accept the master's words while Anna couldn't stop grinning. The surrounding Jedi lowered their lightsabers as Yoda dipped his. The Grand Master hovered it atop each of their shoulders and said, "By the right of the council...by the will of the Force...dub thee I do...Jedi Knights of the Republic." With two swift flicks of his saber, Yoda severed Anna and Elsa's Padawan braids. The sisters gasped and rose in astonishment. Looking at their removed braids was almost surreal.

Sabers deactivated and the overhead lights came on. In those blissful moments, Elsa and Anna were quick to hug each other. "We did it, sis!" Anna rejoiced.

"I always knew they could," Mattias sniffled while Yelena patted his back. All they wanted was to fully embrace their students, but preferred to wait until after the Jedi Council departed.

"Job well done," Master Plo Koon said.

"Welcome to knighthood," Shaak Ti added. "Kamino's always open to you, Anna."

"Elsa," Obi-wan beckoned and placed a hand on her shoulder. She was completely awestruck as he gently spoke to her. "As your new journey begins, never forget where you came from. I'm so happy for you and look forward to all that you will achieve. Remember, the Force will be with you...always."

"Thank you, Master Kenobi." Elsa bowed respectfully while squeeing internally.

Once all of the masters departed, Anna was under the impression that Mattias was never going to let her go. His ceaseless hug had Anna repeatedly patting his back as he said, "I'm so proud of you. I looked forward to this day and I told myself I wouldn't cry and I just...I just- GAH!" Mattias pulled Anna even closer while she smiled.

"I never could've made it this far without you, Master Mattias." Anna answered.

"Oh I'm just Mattias to you now," he teased.

"Congratulations, blueblossom." Yelena told Elsa. "How do you feel?"

Elsa was conflicted and chose to answer with another question. "I earned this...right?"

"Of course you did," Yelena defended. "And don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise."

Even myself? Elsa thought.

"Now come on, knights." Mattias said. "Yelena and I have one more thing for you!"

Elsa and Anna were extremely confused as they were led out of the Jedi Temple. Their hearts raced when they found an entourage waiting in a park down the street. Hoff and Datya Vica had set up a humble banquet with cake and festive balloons. "Congratulations!" this cluster of supporters shouted completely and hilariously out of sync.

"This is why I wanted a countdown," Hans groaned. "Hey!" he snapped as Lumpy and his mother were already helping themselves to the celebratory cake. "Get away from...oh forget it."

"Hey fellow knight," Anna teased him. "Just relax."

"Congratulations, girls!" Kristoff hollered while cutting cake alongside Sven.

"You are gonna love knighthood," Rapunzel assured while mingling with Taline.

"Try not to have too much fun without me, Dellians." Tori jeered. "I'll be seeing you soon."

"Anna!" the Deathchasers cheered in unison and nearly tackled her to the ground.

"We already sliced you some cake," Blazer said. "And saved you a seat at the cool kids table."

"Well they are only ten years old," Rip jeered from across the way.

He was immediately smacked upside the head by Doubles who said, "So are we, genius."

Frost shimmied past both of them nodded to Elsa. "It's an honor to share this special day with you," he said.

"Thanks for being here," Elsa replied.

Frost scratched the back of his head and said, "I got in touch with someone else who wanted to extend some words to you." Elsa raised her brows as a Rodian woman stepped out from behind him.

"Frost," Elsa uttered. "Is that-"

Ledai of Rodia approached and said, "Hello Elsa. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Her calm demeanor was a complete switch from burning down the governor's office. Overjoyed to see the Rodian healthily alive and well, Elsa embraced her. "I owe you my life," Ledai said. "While your sister there might've delivered the halkavirus vaccine...You told me my time wasn't up and that I still had a purpose. You helped me realize that I could still make things right and now, I have a chance to. I'll be helping to represent Rodia here in the Galactic Senate. And I just wanted to say thank you. If anyone deserves to be a Jedi Knight, it's you."

"Thank you," Elsa insisted. She crossed her arms and bowed in accordance with Rodian tradition.

Heads turned as a police cruiser landed beside the party. "Uhoh," Rip quipped. "Probably a noise complaint for those Deathchaser guys." Doubles smacked him as Tan Divo and Chela Tuzi arrived.

"Glad you could make it to our little get together," Mattias rejoiced.

"I am too," Chela said. "None of this could've been possible without your help."

"Why am I sensing a 'but'?" Yelena worried.

"Something's come up," Chela answered and looked to Divo.

"That symbol on Dia's back," the lieutenant said. "My underworld surveillance team did some digging and things are much more complex than we presumed. The brand on her back indicates that Dia is a member of Crimson Dawn, a ruthless crime syndicate. The slave trafficking was merely one of their many branches of illegal operations."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Elsa asked. "We need to track them down."

"Now hold on, Elsa." Yelena said. "I know you've just been knighted-"

"And what better way to honor being knighted than to start taking action?" Elsa intoned. "Look at how much suffering Dia's branch alone carried out. We have a chance to make a difference here and show these wicked people that they cannot torment others. I will not stand idly by. I need to see this through."

"The 213th is with you, Elsa." Frost affirmed.

"You know I've got your back," Anna added. "And I'm sure the Deathchasers wouldn't mind kicking some Crimson Dawn butt." Anna's ARF troopers stood ready for action...and more cake.

Yelena and Mattias exchanged worried glances over their former Padawans' new undertaking. With their arms over each other's shoulders, Anna and Elsa watched a new day dawn over Coruscant. As newly-knighted Jedi, an entire galaxy of possibilities awaited them. With hope in their eyes and fire in their hearts...it was time to get to work.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "THE FROZEN FORCE: SEASON 3"

Author's Note: Dearest readers, I am so grateful to be able to share such an ever-growing adventure with all of you. Thank you so much for being part of this fanfiction and for helping to make Season 2 possible. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you enjoyed the season finale and I'll see you in three weeks for the return of this story. Then we will be back to chapters every single Friday! Mark your calendars...The Frozen Force Season 3 debuts Friday, April 16th! And oh my gosh, our girls are knights now! So much excitement awaits as this story only keeps growing. Season 3 is going to be...well...EXPLOSIVE. Get ready to meet plenty of new heroes and villains on this epic adventure.

A major theme throughout Season 2 was that of innocence, as portrayed by characters like Lumpy and even Taline. The innocence of so many is being threatened and robbed in our world. Slavery and human trafficking are very serious issues which plague our world today. But like Chela Tuzi and the agents of the Anti-Slavery Coalition, you can make a difference. How do you want to change the world? See something...Say something. If you or someone you know of is in trouble, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (1 (888) 373-7888). They will listen. They will help.

It's an honor to entertain you weekly and this story comes straight from my heart. If you had fun during Season 2, it would really mean a lot if you left a review for me. Plus, as a special bonus to anyone with a profile/ username on this site, here's where the fun begins. If you leave a review for this story, I will message you an exclusive first look at the Frozen Force Season 3 Cover before it's revealed on my social media! Otherwise you can follow me at GoldenHeart Stories on Instagram and Twitter! Just a fun little gift from me to you, Frozen Force Fan!

Long Live Imagination and May the Force Be with You,

~ Michael

POST CREDITS SCENE

Little Dain couldn't figure out where he was exactly. All he knew...was that he was terrified out of his mind. "Let me out!" the Rovani child screamed from behind a set of durasteel bars. "I want my Papa!" He was on the verge of tears as he tried to call upon his Force powers.

"Subject unstable," a droid computed. "Administering kolto sedative."

"What?" the child wailed. "No!" A pair of metallic arms grabbed him while a third tranquilized him.

Two emotionless droids set Dain down and reported to a hooded figure in a hologram. "He has potential, Lord Sidious," one of the droids said.

"Good," Sidious whispered ominously. He craned his head towards other cells with captive children. "Soon he...and the others shall call me master."