I don't own Star Wars Rebels or it's characters
I own only Lisa Skywalker and my other OCs
Enjoy!
Sparks of Rebellion
Chapter 41: Queen's Shadow Part 1
Lisa watched in silence as her handmaidens; Karté, Yané, Dalné and Saché placed on the traditional queen make up on her face and a new royal dress.
The jedi girl didn't move a muscle as the scar of remembrance was placed on her lips while lost on her thoughts.
The Empire had become as corrupt as the Republic had been in it's final years and it had not even taken as long.
The young girl paused, her thoughts went on her family.
Lisa could remember when her aunt, uncle and cousins stood at her side as she declared her adoption of the name 'Costil' as her name of state.
They had supported her from the beginning.
Her uncle, Darred Janren, told her that when he married Sola, he agreed that they should keep the surname 'Naberrie' because of the power and respect the name held among the citizens of Theed.
Lisa knew many of her family members were being involved in public service.
The most famous member of the family was Padme Amidala.
Lisa's own mother.
Now it was Lisa's job to uphold the ways of her family.
The seventeen year old girl's thought then moved to the rebellion.
It had a few months since the Battle of Atollon and the rebels were forced to retreat to Yavin 4.
The young queen was planning to secretly depart Naboo so that she can check on how her family and friends were doing, but this wasn't the time right now.
But not longer after the rebels arrived in Yavin 4, the Empire has increased security around the entire place.
However Lisa knew deep down, she couldn't deal with that problem right now.
Anyway her place was here in Naboo.
After all, she was the planet's elected queen and the people needed her.
"I really hope there will be a day that the entire galaxy will be free from the imbalanced caused by the Sith."Lisa thought.
"Have you developed any ideas of this year's Empire Day parade, your majesty?"Saché asked.
"Not really, Saché."Lisa responded. "I have not really been in the mood for a celebration lately."
"I miss Miré."Karté admitted.
"So do I, Karté."Queen Costil responded. "But hopefully things well get better for all of us in the future."
"Are you sure, Lisa?"Yané asked.
Queen Costil nodded. "Yes."
In Yavin 4...
The planet was covered by dense jungles and rain forests whose flora included purple-barked Massassi trees, grenade fungi, bioluminescent orchids and climbing ferns.
Nadia watched silently as she watched Zack and Gwen help a bunch members of the Massassi Group prepare their X-Wings.
The black haired woman wore a navy blue tunic that had dark gold line patterns, black leggings underneath, long fingerless dark brown gloves and matching blue boots. There was a brown belt that was around her waist that held her two lightsabers. Her black hair was pulled into two buns near the right ear; the bangs were swept to the same side and the ear tails framed her face.
Right after her ambush on Wayland, Garm Bel Iblis send a group of soldiers to rescue her.
Now she was part of the rebellion and reunited with her family at the same time.
Ferus walked up to his wife.
"Hey."Ferus greeted.
"Hey."Nadia said quietly.
"It's amazing isn't?"Ferus asked. "The Republic might be gone, but there are still people that fight for freedom."
"And you believe they can do it?"Nadia questioned.
"Of course, I do."Ferus answered. "So does our children."
Nadia looked down and didn't say anything.
"It's funny."Nadia scoffed. "I was one of the people that helped Sidious rise to power and now I find myself here."
Ferus placed a comforting hand on Nadia's shoulder.
"Hey, we can't the change the past but we can change the future."Ferus reminded.
"And also tell the truth?"Nadia suggested.
"I don't know about that."Ferus stated.
Ferus began to walk away causing Nadia to follow him.
"Ferus, you have to tell Lisa the truth about Anakin."Nadia commented with a frown. "Otherwise, she's going to get mad that you didn't tell her."
"How can I tell her?"Ferus demanded with a glare. "Anakin was a good friend and Vader is nothing but a twisted machine. They are two different people..."
"But still the same person."Nadia finished firmly.
Ferus scowled and simply shook his head before walking out of sight.
In Coruscant...
Queen Costil calmly walked in the hallway of the senate building with her royal guards behind her.
The transport ride to the senate building rom her quarters was a silent one for her.
The blonde haired queen could easily hear Karté and Captain Voran arguing in low voices from the front, but she did not attempt to prevent their squabble from escalating.
The queen's sandy blonde hair was held back by an ornate red-and-gold headdress. On her head had a red flower with 2 tassels hanging from it on each side of the head, as well as two strings of smaller red flowers coming from a tasselled gold ornament just above the forehead. There was a small golden bird brooch on the top from which two poles stick out. The Queen of Naboo wore a floor-length red dress with large circular golden patterns of birds. There was black on the edges of the sleeves and collar with a layer of white under it. The middle of the dress was bound by black fabric that also had a strip down the front and was adorned with more golden patterns of a bird with long tail feathers. The sleeves were long and form curves as they fall. In between the pieces of the neck was a small bit of white fabric with a red pattern. There were red ruby earrings on her ears and beneath she had red flats with gold patterns on them.
The Naboo queen went to sit on the pod, where Pooja was.
A bunch of senators were listening to Darth Sidious giving his speech.
"The clone troopers, now proudly wearing the name of Imperial stormtroopers, have tackled the dangerous work of fighting our enemies on the front lines."Darth Sidious stated. "Many have died in their devotion to the Empire. Imperial citizens would do well to remember their example. The New Order of peace has triumphed over the shadowy secrecy of shameful magicians. The direction of our course is clear. I will lead the Empire to glories beyond imagining."
A small glare grew on Queen Costil's face as she watched most of the senators applauding at the Emperor's speech.
"Your highness."Karté whispered. "We need to leave."
Queen Costil could feel Karté's hands, uncharacteristically gentle, carefully guiding her out of her seat and towards the exit.
In Yavin 4...
Nadia and Ferus were in a meeting in the main briefing room of the temple.
Mon Mothma and Garm were in the room while Bail and Leia were in the meeting appearing as holograms.
"We agreed that the time for diplomacy and politics have passed."Bail admitted. "It is now time for action. My wealth will fund the rebellion while Garm provides our fleet and Mon Mothma our soldiers."
Bail looked at Ferus and Nadia.
"With the jedi at our side, we have the power of the force on our side."Bail stated. "Therefore we all vow to change the galaxy and one day the galaxy will be freed."
Ferus suddenly felt a unsettling feeling in his heart causing him to get worried.
Something bad was going to happen.
In the Grand Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace...
Queen Costil was attending a party where senators, functionaries and dignitaries were attending.
The corridor held a number of cafes and beverage stands, lining both the ground level and upper balconies that peered out from the inner walls of the hall.
The Naboo Queen smiled when Leia came to view.
Leia's hair was done up in a twin-bun hairstyle. The Princess of Alderaan wore a white senator outfit with a tunic and a hood.
"Queen Costil."Leia greeted with a bow.
"Princess Leia."Queen Costil said with a nod. "Lovely to see you again."
A waiter gave Queen Costil and Leia beverages, which the two girls simply took.
"What's been happening around recently?"Queen Costil asked. "I didn't get the chance to leave Naboo recently."
"The Empire shifts it's focus from hunting down the few surviving members of the Jedi Order that are dealing with the Rebellion."Leia admitted quietly.
"Like my dad?"Queen Costil suggested.
"Yes."Leia responded.
Queen Costil slowly took a sip from her drink while eyeing a grove of ch'hala trees that were planted at intervals along the walls.
They looked like harmless decorations, but in reality they were sinister tools that would transmit data to a secret location that would decipher the conversations held in the hall and relay any state secrets or plots back to the Emperor himself.
"I am going back to Senator Naberrie's office."Queen Costil commented with a gentle smile. "It was lovely to see you again, Princess Leia."
Leia smiled. "You as well, your majesty."
Queen Costil and her two guards left the room, not aware by the royal guards that Darth Vader was watching the elected queen.
However the young queen felt Vader's hidden sinister eyes watching her, which made her feel alarmed but remained calm as she continued walking away with her royal guards behind her.
Through the traditional makeup, did the Sith Lord recognise her face?
No, it's not possible.
Unless...
Later that Evening...
Queen Costil went to talk to Pooja in her apartment.
"Pooja."Queen Costil said.
"Yes, Lisa?"Pooja asked.
"Something is going on…something big and it gives me a bad feeling."Queen Costil admitted. "I think Vader is onto me."
"What do you mean?"Pooja questioned.
"I think Vader knows that I am actually Ferus adopted daughter and will come to arrest me."Queen Costil responded. "He seemed to have been watching my every move without me realising."
Pooja's expression became paled.
Captain Voran walked into the apartment.
"Milady, is everything alright?"Captain Voran asked.
"Yes, Captain."Pooja answered. "Are all of our people nearby?"
"Just as it was planned."Captain Voran stated with a nod. "They are waiting for your orders."
"Good."Pooja ordered. "Start moving them slowly onboard without attracting too much attention."
When Captain Voran bowed hurriedly and left the apartment, Dalné turned to Queen Costil.
"Lisa."Dalné said.
"Yes?"Queen Costil asked.
Dalné stared at Lisa, her dark brown eyes looked completely intense.
"Before we departed, your aunt asked that I give you this."Dalné commented and held out a small hologram projector.
Queen Costil took it and looked it over carefully.
"Thank you, Dalné."Queen Costil replied.
Queen Costil turned and walked into her private room.
When she was alone, Lisa sat down at her small desk and held up the tiny projector, activating it.
Ferus hologram quickly sputtered into view.
"Lisa, if you are seeing this message now, then it means that things have gone badly."Ferus warned. "You are not the only one he visited before you left the Imperial Center. As I was saying, things are obviously deteriorating. Which means you could be in great danger. I'll warn our companions in Rori. Do not return to Naboo."
Queen Costil placed the tiny projector away as Dalné walked forward.
"We must leave tonight."Queen Costil warned. "Inform the Captain."
"Yes, your highness."Dalné answered with a curtsy.
When Lisa heard the door slide shut, the blonde haired queen turned around to stare at the room around her.
This apartment used to belong to her mother and now she had to abandon it.
Sighing quietly, Queen Costil walked towards the door to her bedroom.
When the door opened, she found Karté completely robed and sitting at the dressing table.
"Karté."Queen Costil replied. "You and I must get the rest of these bags on the ship. We are leaving once darkness falls."
Karté stared at her in concern.
"Your Highness?"Karté asked. "What happened?"
"It appears that Vader will be accusing me and by extension, Naboo of being a part of the Rebel Alliance."Queen Costil stated.
Karté gasped in shock.
"I know it is a mad thought."Queen Costil said. "But it appears that we have no other choice. We have to leave Coruscant tonight."
Uh oh...