Chapter 198

After Luke and Laetitia left, they were separated almost immediately. Luke's speeder crashed when Leah was busy getting rid of the Stormtroopers. She figured he'd go back to the others, so that's what she did.

"Leah!" Han shouted when he saw her.

"Where's Luke?" Ahsoka asked.

Leah turned around and blinked in surprise. She didn't have time to catch her breath. Luke was missing?!

"What? He didn't come back?!"

"I thought he was with you." Han pointed out.

"We got separated!" She quickly said as she looked down, trying not to panic.

"I'm gonna go look for him."

Han nodded in agreement as he turned to the other Rebel soldiers.

"Take the squad ahead. We'll meet at the shield generator at 0300."

"We'll stay behind. You go find the kid." Rex said as Echo and Kix nodded.

"R2, Beeb, let's go. We'll need your scanners." Leah said as she went ahead, not hearing anything else.

Ahsoka nodded to to the Clones who stayed behind. She had to run to follow Leah and Han. They were walking so fast to find Luke.

"Don't worry, Mistress Letty. We know what to do." 3PO reassured her, but Leah didn't care.

She didn't even hear him. She couldn't hear anything. All she could think about was her brother. She closed off everything around her, and just focused on his presence in the Force. She could feel him, but ... there was something wrong with it.

It was ... faint.

Leah suddenly stopped when she saw something in front of her. It was Luke's helmet! The one he was wearing when they were separated. She breathed out shakily as she held the helmet in her hands. It was looking great.

"Oh, Mistress Letty." 3PO expressed with 'sadness' in his tone.

"There's two more wrecked speeders back there. And ... no sign of Luke." Ahsoka quietly said.

Han ran to Leah and grabbed the helmet out of her hands. He glanced at it as he stayed silent.

"I'm afraid that R2's sensors can find no trace of Master Luke."

"I hope he's alright." Han muttered.

The tensed silence was broken with Chewie's growl. He roared loudly as he walked away from the others. He looked to be looking for something. Laetitia, Han, Ahsoka, 3PO, R2 and BB-8 just followed him, trying to see where he was going.

When he stopped, they all followed his gaze. It was ... a dead animal. Leah and Ahsoka exchanged a look in alarm as Han walked closer to analyze the ... thing closely.

"Nah, it's just a dead animal, Chewie." He stated.

But that didn't mean anything for the hungry Wookiee. Chewie ignored Han as he grabbed the mean. Leah and Ahsoka both tried to run and stopped him.

"Chewie, w... wait!"

"Don't!"

But it was too late. By grabbing the dead animal, the set trap was released. Everyone, living or droid, found themselves hanging from a tree. Chewie howled in regret as Leah inaudibly grunted. 3PO's legs were in her back.

"Nice work. Great, Chewie! Great! Always thinking with your stomach!" Han angrily grunted.

"Will you take it easy? Let's just figure out a way to get out of this." Ahsoka stopped him.

"Han, can you reach my lightsaber?" Leah asked, trying to come up with a solution.

"Yeah, sure."

Leah could feel Han's hand wondering in the net, trying to find her lightsabers or Ahsoka's. Meanwhile, R2 was at the bottom point in the net. He brought out his cutting appendage and began slicing at the net. BB-8 beeped in agreement with the other astromech. Their plan was working.

"R2, I'm not sure that's such a good idea. It's a very long dro...op!" 3PO exclaimed.

He wasn't able to finish his sentence as the astromechs' plan worked. The net was torn apart and everyone fell on the ground. They all grunted as they took a minute to pull themselves together.

"A little warning would be nice next time, R2. Beep, you're supposed to be on my side!" Leah groaned.

When they sat up, they found themselves surrounded by dozens of cute small creatures, who were pointing their spears at them.

Ewoks.

"Great! Hey, Mama Ewok. Maybe talk to your kids. You have experience with 'em." Han snipped to Ahsoka.

She opened her mouth and was about to punch the Smuggler in the face for his comment. Leah interfered, trying to stop both of them. But the Ewoks pointed their spears at them harder, telling them not to move.

"Wha...? Hey! Point that thing someplace else." Han annoyingly said as he tried to move around, but it was fruitless.

"Han, don't. It'll be all right." Leah quietly said.

The Ewoks walked closer to them and tried to confiscate their weapons. Leah didn't let them touch her lightsabers, and willingly gave them away. Ahsoka did the same, but Chewie ... was not very helpful.

"Chewie, just give 'em your crossbow." Leah tiredly ordered.

They didn't have time for this. They needed to find Luke! When Chewie understood the situation better, he also gave up his weapon to get it over with, whatever it was.

"Oh, my head. Oh, my goodness!" 3PO whined as he got free from the net.

Everyone, including the Ewoks, turned around to see what was wrong with the droid. While the Rebels gave him a glare in annoyance, the Ewoks gasped and chattered among themselves. The ones near him immediately dropped their spear and took a step back.

Laetitia and Ahsoka turned to each other with confusion on both their faces.

"Oh, God." Leah murmured.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Ahsoka muttered back.

"Do you understand anything they're saying?" Leah asked 3PO when the Ewoks were done 'talking'.

"Oh, yes, Mistress Letty! Remember that I am fluent in over ..." The droid was gloating, but Han didn't let him.

"What are you telling them?"

"'Hello', I think ... I could be mistaken. They're using a very primitive dialect. But I do believe they think I am some sort of god." He explained.

Everyone fell silent, trying hold back their laughter. Chewie, R2 and BB-8 beeped and growled in amusement. Han and Leah exchanged a 'what next' look. Ahsoka was just processing what the droid just told them. They all had to bite back a sarcastic comment.

"I've only lived 31 years, and yet, seen everything in my life!" Ahsoka snipped.

"Well, why don't you use your divine influence and get us out of this?" Han suggested, snickers not leaving his voice.

"I beg your pardon, General Solo, but that just wouldn't be proper." 3PO seriously stated as he refused.

Leah and Ahsoka turned their heads away for a chuckle when they couldn't resist it. Han just opened his mouth in shock.

"'Proper'?!"

"It's against my programming to impersonate a deity."

"Han's right, 3PO. Get us out of this. I don't care about the programming my dad gave you. You may be a god to them, but I helped build you. I can easily tear you apart." Leah threatened.

"Leah ..." Ahsoka tried to calm her down.

"There is no need for threats, Mistress Letty." He calmly replied.

"Why, you little ..." Han growled.

He was about to throw a punch at the droid, but the Ewoks' spears stopped him. He just struggled to get back and fell into Leah's arms. She grabbed tightly to make sure he didn't do anything stupid, and also ... because she was a bit scared of their spears.

"My mistake. He's an old friend of mine." Han chuckled nervously.

After being captured by the Ewoks, they were about to sacrifice Han in the name of God 3PO, but Laetitia and Ahsoka managed to put a stop to their ridiculous show with the Force. Luckily, Luke also appeared out of nowhere. Leah was so happy he was alright.

She was in the hut with the others surrounded by the Ewok clans. Apparently, they decided to join their last fight against the Empire. She didn't know how but Rex, Kix and Echo seemed to find them with the other Rebels.

When she saw them, she felt a sense of relief. They were all together. Now, she could leave. She knew that when they were together, they were pretty much invincible. So now, she could ...

She couldn't even finish her thought when she noticed 3PO's glare on her. He was ... worried.

"Mistress Letty, I am almost afraid to ask." The droid quietly expressed.

Leah chuckled sincerely. She could hear the concern and fear in his 'tone'. She walked closer to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Good instinct, 3PO. Go with that." She whispered as she walked out of the hut.

Outside, Leah could hear the murmuring and growls in the hut. The lights were shining in the cold night. She sighed as she looked up to take one last look at the sky. Who knew? This could be the last time she ever walked around in the Galaxy.

She had no idea what would happen in the future. Her father ... Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker ... She needed to bring him back. She didn't care if she had to give up her life to do it.

While she didn't want to leave her friends, her brother ... her daughter ... behind, she had to. She had to do anything to protect her innocent little girl. That was the least she could do for creating this mess.

"Hello there."

Leah turned around, already knowing who was behind her. It was her Master, Qui-gon, with Obi-wan. They knew what she was about to do, but they weren't stopping her. She had to do this.

"You here to tell me I can't do this? That it's too risky for me?" She asked, mostly directed to Obi-wan. She knew Qui-gon would never have those thoughts.

"I trust Master Qui-gon ... and I trust you." He simply replied.

"Laetitia, you should have never had this much ... responsibility on your shoulders. Do not blame yourself for anything. This is not your fault."

Leah looked down with tears in her eyes. She knew what Obi-wan said was true from a point of view, but it didn't help her at all. She couldn't help how she was feeling.

"It may not be fair, but ... bring him back. I am looking forward to have my brother back." Obi-wan quietly said in sadness.

Leah exhaled deeply when she heard that. Was he finally acknowledging that there was good in her father? In his ... brother?

"And you? Is there anything you would like to tell me, just in case?"

Qui-gon smiled as he shook his head in disagreement.

"No, because I know this is not the end. This is only the beginning of your life. You will go and bring your father back ... for the right reasons. Not because you feel guilty for him turning, but because you believe in your heart that there is good in him ... The Force will answer your earnest desire." He strongly stated.

Leah understood the meaning behind every word he just said. He was making sure that she actually believed in her father. And ... she did ... with all her heart.

"I hope so. Like mom said, dad is too stubborn to ask for help. That doesn't mean he doesn't need it."

"Good ... And when you do come back, I have an assignment for you.

"Hmm? What it is?"

"Laetitia, I have trained you since you were a teenager, lost in your feelings. You have ... never disappointed me, and become a far better person anyone could ever dream of. Not just a Gray Jedi Master ... but also a person. You have found your purpose. Your prophecy does not define you. You've made your own destiny." Qui-gon said in amazement.

"So when you come back with your father ... I hope you will restore the Order. Not the Jedi Order, or the Gray Order, or even a Sith Order ... but a Force Order. I hope you will build a save place for Force-sensitives who are afraid to have powers and emotions, just like you and your father ... When you come back, I want you to become the Baransu No Kage, Leah."

Leah took a step back numbly. What was he asking her? How was she supposed to found a new Order and lead it? What was she? What right did she have to be in that position? She could barely 'lead' herself to the right path.

Besides, after Darth Sidious was dead and Darth Vader was no longer a problem, she wanted to retire from military life and live quietly with Iliana. She had had enough war in her life.

"Master, I'm ... honored that you think me worthy for the job, but ... I don't have the confidence to build a new Order. That's not what I want." Leah politely refused.

"I understand what you want, and you will have that ... but I'm afraid you are the only one who can do this." Qui-gon pushed.

"No, I'm not. Ahsoka and Luke ..."

"Are both Jedi. The leader of the new Order must be someone who, not only understand the light side of the Force, but also the dark side. One who is not afraid to use the dark side, and does not let it control her ... You are the only person who can do that."

Leah looked down, unsure as to what to say. What could she say? She knew he had a point, but she still didn't know what to do. She didn't feel confident leading an entire Order of Force-sensitives. She had trained Mina and Luke in her life, but ... that was different.

She trusted them. She knew they would never turn to the dark side. But what about the new people? What if they'd fail her, like Anakin failed Obi-wan? How would she survive that?

"We'll talk more about this if I get back." She simply said.

"When you come back, we will." Obi-wan corrected her.

Leah forced a smile on her face, not saying anything to respond.

...

Flashback

In the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, little Laetitia Naberrie was in 500 Republica. She was sitting on a sofa, waiting for her mother to come back from the Senate.

Jedi Master Shaak Ti had just left the apartment. Leah was so tired and exhausted. Her mom and dad always argued that she was too young to be taught this heavily. She was, after all, still a one-year-old little girl ... with no father.

One of the things she couldn't understand was her parents. Why did everyone assume she only had her mom, and not also a dad, like a normal kid? What was wrong with her dad that she couldn't tell anyone about who he was to her? She loved with all her heart.

"What are you watching, kiddo?" Anakin asked as he walked closer to his daughter.

Leah turned to her father, surprised that he was there. She didn't even notice him come in. He couldn't visit them as much as they all wanted. It would have been too suspicious.

Anakin tried to hide his frown in alarm. Normally, she would have jumped into his arms and whisper 'daddy' in to his ears, not shout it happily. But ... she didn't. Something was bothering her. He could feel it in the Force.

When she didn't answer and just looked down, Anakin sighed. He wanted an answer. He needed to know what was bothering his Little Sky. No one would hurt her and live. No one. So he turned to the HoloNet, trying to figure it out himself.

And he did. The news of the battles in the Clone Wars was on the HoloNet. Anakin cursed in Huttese under his breath. A kid should not watch stuff like that. A kid should not have to live a life like that ... His kid should not have to live a life like that.

"Little ..."

"Why are we fighting, daddy?" Leah finally asked.

"Well, the Separatists believe that ..." Anakin automatically started talking like a General, but he stopped when he realized who he was talking to.

He was making the situation too complicated for a one-year-old. But then again, how was he supposed to answer that? There were times that he, too, was confused about the actual reason why the war happened.

"They're the bad people, Little." He simply answered, hoping that would be enough for his stubborn daughter to let it go.

"Why are there bad people?" Leah pushed.

She would not let it go until she found an answer she could understand. As her mom liked to say, she was too stubborn for a kid. Too much like her dad. But her dad always argued that she was like her mother in that area.

"I don't think people are born bad. It's their choices that make them who they are. And sometimes they believe doing bad things is alright. But a bad thing is a bad thing, whether you have good reason or not." Anakin stated.

"What if I do that?" She asked with fear in her voice.

Anakin smiled warmly as he put his arm around her small body to hold her. She was truly scared of herself. Maybe, she was his daughter after all. His biggest fear was losing himself. Apparently, he passed along to his innocent kid.

"You could never. You're my Little Sky. You're supposed to be the sky that's leading me. Besides, you always listen to your heart. And your heart is as pure any heart can get." He softly said.

"If, the impossible happens and you're ever off the path, which I know will never happen ... daddy's gonna bring you back on it." He strongly promised her.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

End of flashback

...

"You weren't running out on us, were you?" A voice asked from behind.

Laetitia was in her thoughts when turned around immediately, knowing who it was already. She sighed in frustration when she saw Han and Ahsoka. She really didn't want to say a just-in-case goodbye to them. She hated those ... but now, she had to.

"Did you really think you could leave without telling us first?" Ahsoka asked.

"I'm sorry, guys. You know I'm not good with goodbyes." Leah quietly said.

Ahsoka nodded as she took a step closer to her sister. Before she could do anything, Leah found herself in Ahsoka's arms. She hugged her back immediately when she felt her tears on her shoulder.

"May the Force be with you." She quietly murmured in her shoulder.

"I'll bring him back. I promise." Leah cried out.

When the girls said their goodbye, Leah turned to Han, who hadn't said a word since he came out. He really didn't understand her. No, he couldn't. How was he supposed to be okay with never seeing his best friend and sister again? How could she ask that of him?

"I don't get why you're doing this." He bitterly said,

"I have to do this, Han. He's my dad."

"But he hasn't been your old man for 2 decades. You really think he's gonna choose you over power?" He angrily asked.

"I will either save him from Palpatine or himself. But either way, I'm getting him back!" Leah loudly said, her voice breaking in sadness and struggle.

She took a deep breath to calm down. Honestly, she, too, was worried about that. She was putting everything she had on the line to save her father, but what if he disappointed her? What if he ... abandoned her? Could she really survive that ... again?

"I started this mess. It's only right if I put an end to it myself. I have to see the end of it with my own eyes ... I owe that to everyone." She quietly said in shame.

This time, Han didn't say anything. He just sighed deeply in sadness and frustration. He didn't understand her, but at the same time ... he did. He actually got what she was going ... and that was why it hurt more.

"Just ... come back, okay? If not for us, then for your little girl. Don't put her through what you went through."

Leah exhaled shakily as she let a tear fall from her eyes. She knew that. She wanted to survive for her ... She had to. But she also couldn't break promise it, as much as she wanted to. She didn't want to have to break her promise ... like Thexan and Padme.

"Leah?"

Laetitia wiped the tears off her face as she turned away from them. She didn't want Luke to see her like that. When she pulled herself together, she walked to her brother and looked him in the blue eyes, hoping to see them again in her father.

"Guys, can I have a moment alone with my brother, please?" Leah quietly asked the others.

The others didn't say anything and and just nodded. They wanted to argue, because they knew what she was going to do, but they kept silent. They felt like they had no right to tell her what to do, so they just left the brother and sister alone.

Luke shook his head in confusion. What was happening? Where was she going? What was she going to do?

"What's going on?"

Leah didn't answer him and just held her brother tightly as she cried quietly in his shoulder. Luke didn't say anything when he felt her tears. Why was she crying?

"I'm sorry." She cried out quietly.

Done :)