Title: Diamond Road (Song by Cheryl Crow on "Come On")

Series: Strength of the Sword

Author: LilTook (Amelia)

Rating/Spoilers: G, and The Unifying Force

Dedication: My IU buddies

Notes: Do review…if you wish. I hope to add on to this series of songfics, because I have a short attention span and not a lot of time.

Diamond Road

It wasn't one of those flashy new holopic holders that allowed sound and animations; it was fairly old, the pictures stretching from years on Yavin 4 to only a few months ago. It was part of a collection of holopics, the others holding more family oriented shots, but in many ways the four shown in this holder were a family. They trained together as Jedi Knights; undergoing great changes in character together. Somehow, the four had survived a great war together, though death had taken people close to them all. To an observer it was just a collection of holopics (albeit of some very important people) of childhood memories, but to the owner it was so much more.

Walk with me the diamond road
Tell me every story told
Give me something of your soul
That I can hold onto
I want to wake up to the sound of waves
Crashing on a brand new day
Keep the memory of your face
But wipe the pain away

It was in the middle of all the holopics grouped on one edge of the desks. The constantly growing pile of reports never once crossed over to block the view. It was an invincible demarcation line that no paper dare cross, and none did. It found itself gazed upon at odd times of the day, allowing brief moments of pleasant memories in the middle of hectic days. It was a tribute to innocence and innocence lost. It was also a painful reminder of friends separated by work, but there could be moments of memories missed.

When you're lonely (you're not alone)
When you're heart aches (on Diamond Road)
It's gonna take a little time
Yeah, it's gonna take a little time
When the night falls (you're not alone)
When you're stumbling (on Diamond Road)
It's gonna take a little time
To make it to the other side
So don't miss the diamonds along the way

The first collection of pictures were from early on in their training, by all appearances it looked like any other school; shots within the cafeteria, shots of each one either reading ancient texts or meditating. It was only until lightsabers appeared on belts or ignited in sparring when one would realize they were Jedi. Locales started to change, interiors of ships, different planets, and interiors of palaces and governmental buildings. Throughout them all, the four students were always together. One picture, the last of the series, was maybe the last time the four were together and young innocents. They sat near a fire, just enjoying each other's company: bad jokes and all.

Every road has led us here today
Little bird, what's troubling you
You know what you have to do
What is yours you'll never lose
And what's ahead may shine
Beneath the promise of blue skies
With broken wings we'll learn to fly
Pull yourself out of the tide
And begin the dream again

It would be awhile until the four were all in the same picture together as war dictated their actions. These pictures were of piles smiling from ships, a queen leading debates and Jedi trying to stop the war. There was one picture of them all together, at least all in one frame. Their Jedi ceremony had brought them all back together again, they wore the traditional black robes showing the weight of the war for the first time on their faces. The eyes weren't sparkling with youthful innocence; death had stricken every one of them, forcing them out of protective innocence and into a cruel and unforgiving world.

So don't miss the diamonds along the way
Every road has led us here today
Won't you shine on
Morning light
Burn the darkness away
Walk with me the Diamond Road
Tell me everything is gold
Give me something of your soul
So you don't fade away

The last pictures carried hope, taken at the formal celebration at the end of the war. They all gathered together in formal attire surrounded by friends and lovers. It paused on this before cycling back to the first picture of the four standing at the foot of a Massassi Temple. Jaina Solo reached out and rewound to the last pictures and flipped back and forth for a minute. She wiped her eyes quickly, missing her friends dearly, and all their memories. She cradled the pictures her hands before her face smiling back at them.

Don't miss the diamonds along the way
Every road has led us here today
Life is what happens while you're making plans
All that you need is right here in your hands.

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