Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the characters I make up…but we all know that…
So…this is my first Star Wars fic…I am writing another for King Arthur…and will soon start a second one for that and one for POTC…so tune in…
Here it goes…
Destiny of Shadows
Chapter One-Truths
What if the galaxy in which Star Wars takes place exists…What if it is more than just a story…What if Earth, our home, is way beyond the Outer Rim…What if it was used as a place of exile and for things or creatures not needed…What if the people of this planet, us, did not know the truth of what was beyond our own solar system…What if all the mysteries could be explained…What if what we think UFO's are really ships of the Republic…What if crop circles were made by the Senate to hide the real truth from us, to make us believe lies…What if Area 51 was the base of the Republic on our planet…What if all those people who were "abducted" were turned into slaves…What if the "green aliens" were Ewoks, or Tuscan Raiders, or Droids…What if Bigfoot is a Wookie…What if the Force is real…
Since I could remember my father trained me to be a warrior, but he never told me why. He taught me to be selfless, calm in mind and strong in spirit. I knew there were secrets he kept from me, but whenever I would ask them of him he would always say the same thing: One day you will know, my daughter. As I grew older my training advanced. He was soon teaching me to use a sword. I learned ways of meditation and other mind calming studies. Then one day, during my high school years he presented me with skills that I never thought were possible. Moving objects with your mind, using an invisible force that is controlled by our minds, but also guides our actions and decisions. I began to question who my father was, and what he was. These were things that are impossible; at least that is what people of Earth are taught. Never did I imagine that I could have such a skill. But the first time I moved the King of a chest set piece I slowly began to believe in all things that I once thought were impossible, instead everything became probable. I started to have faith that anything could happen. My skill in this was improving when I found out that my father was ill, an illness that would not be healed, that he would eventually die of. That day I would never forget. That was the day I started to became Catalina Cavaliere…
Her father walked into the door. Catalina walked into the front room of their two-story Victorian that lay in the empty plains 40 miles outside the city of Wells, England. "Father!" She met him with opened arms, and he hugged her in greeting. She saw a smile on his face, but she sensed tension in him. She backed away from the hug and saw a masked smile. "What's wrong? I sense something," she asked concerned.
His smile instantly dropped from sight and a frown came into view. "Cat, my dear, we must talk." He put an arm around hers shoulders and led her to their living room.
He motioned her to sit on one of the couches and he sat next to her. "You know how I went to the physician today because I have been having flu symptoms," and she nodded. "Well, it was no ordinary physician, and those symptoms are no ordinary flu."
"I don't understand." Cat looked worried.
Her father sighed before continuing. "I have been going to this physician for a few months now off and on. He has discovered that I have a rare illness."
"What kind of illness?" Cat demand, close to breaking down in tears.
"It is a type of…of…cancer," she gasped, "that resides in the lower part of my brain."
"But you are going to be okay," panicked. "He is going to help you."
He sighed again. "No, he can't. It is too far along to hold any hope that it can be gotten rid of."
"So…so what will happen?" she asked beginning to cry.
"He told me I have a year at the most, maybe less before it over takes my brain and I will die." At that moment Cat burst into tears. The only family she has ever had, and probably will ever have will soon be gone. He quickly threw his arms around his daughter, comforting her with his soft wards. "Shh, there is no reason to cry. I am not dead yet," he finished with a low chuckle.
Cat, knowing he was right, slowly ceased her tears and looked up at him. She suddenly felt a wave of warmth fall over her, and the grief she briefly felt was gone, but was replaced with sadness. She slightly smiled at her father, and looked down. He picked up her chin to make her face him. She is the image of her mother, he told himself. Her hazel-green eyes flashed behind long, soft, and wavy raven black hair, except for the streaks of color that always shone in them. It was always something different. At present it was a bright orange, which made her eyes look more hazel. Her amber-toned skin covered and protected well developed muscles, that of any warrior. "You are the mirror of your mother." Cat smiled at that, and he kissed her forehead. "Come, it is time you knew the truth." He led her into the kitchen.
After they sat down with a full pot of tea he began. "First, you should know that my name is not Jack Cavaliere. But it is really Tristan Cavaliere. And your mother's name was not Kathy, but Sharya."
Cat was already confused. "But why? Why did you change your name? And what about mine?"
He shook his head. "Your mother threatened to kill me if we had to change your name, so we didn't. And we did for protection."
"From what?" she breathed out.
"The Sith," he said with a long sigh.
"Who are they?" Cat now asked with a interested tone.
"I will tell you of them eventually, but we must start at the beginning."
"And where is that?"
He smiled. "With this planet." Cat gave him a quirky look. "You see, the universe is mush bigger than you might think. It is part of a galaxy that includes many other systems than just this one." He lost her. "There are planets beyond our solar system. But more importantly there is other intelligent life."
Silence lingered for a moment. "What are you saying? That aliens really exist?"
Tristan smiled. "Oh no," he chuckled. "Aliens were invented to cover up the truth. There are thousands if other races, just like you and me. They of course, just appear different." He stopped and just looked at his daughter for a moment before trying to continue. He could sense the overwhelming clouds rushing over her.
"This is a lot to take in father, and I sense it is only the very beginning."
He nodded. "You have learned much from me since you were a little girl, and it is still not over. We have lots of work to do, and a very short time to do it. Your training will begin tomorrow. You will need sleep." He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and then began to walk out of the kitchen.
"Father." He turned back to her. "I know we are humans and everything, but who are we?"
He smiled. "Knights, my daughter. We are Jedi Knights." Cat seemed satisfied the answer, and he finally walked out of the kitchen to his own room.
Over the next few weeks he told her everything. Of course, it was hard for her to grasp and understand. So, her father decided the day had come to show her what life she is really part of. One afternoon he led her up to the closet in his room. "Father, where are we going?"
He pushed aside all his hanging clothes. The wall behind it was blank. Now Cat was really confused. She looked at her father like he was crazy. He gave her a smirk and stepped into the closet. He placed his hand on the wall and then closed his eyes. He felt around the wall for a moment. Cat thought her father was going crazy when he pushed in a part of the wall. He took off his hand and a small part of the wall flipped up, big enough to fit an out spread hand. It uncovered what looked like a plasma laptop screen. Cat didn't know what to think. Tristan smiled as he placed his hand, palm down, on the screen and it turned bright blue. Suddenly a huge section of the wall moved inward and Cat jumped backward. He just laughed at her.
"What's this?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the doorway that eventually appeared.
He looked at her with a smile on his face that she had not seen before. It was fulfilling. "It's who you really are." He took her hand and led her into the passageway. They both had to bend down to get in. It became a hallway leading down what seemed like a stone winding staircase. A few seconds later a light turned on atop the ceiling, and then a few more. He led her down the staircase until the hallway led to a large room.
Cat gasped at what she saw. She didn't know what any of it was, but was filled with things she could not even begin to comprehend, except for one thing. "Is that a ship?" she asked her father, who stood behind her.
"Yes. It is a small four person transport. This is what your mother and I flew from Corasant."
Then something else caught her eye. It reminded her of those virtual simulators she had seen in the mall. "Father, what is this?"
"What do you think it is?" He always asked that back to her. He liked her figuring things out for herself. Use your feelings, he always says. They will lead you to the truth. "Well, you may think I'm crazy, but it kind of looks like a simulator."
"Well, your right. It's a flight simulator. It will teach you to fly a transport or a fighter. Being an ace pilot runs in the family, so you will learn quickly." Cat then walked over to a table that had objects piled on top of it. "These are all tools of one kind or another." She then walked over to a round table that the entire top looked, once again, like it was made of a plasma screen. "This is a navigation table, a link to the Jedi Archives, and a comlink." She was silent, taking in his words. "It is very dangerous to have a link to the Archives outside the Temple, so it has a security system on it. Only you or I can access it." She nodded then turned around and was faced with a tall glass cabinet filled with various objects. "These are a few items you need to learn basics of our life, and the Jedi way."
Cat looked over the shelves filled with different things. She was sure her father would explain all of them eventually. But especially one caught her eye. It was about an eight inch long metal cylinder. For some reason everything inside of her pulled to this object. Cat began to reach out her hand to pick it up, but looked to her father first for permission. He nodded to her and she proceeded to take it in her hands. "What is it?" she asked in awe.
This time he would tell her. "It is the weapon of the Jedi Knight. It is called a lightsaber." Cat pushed a button and a long strip of blue neon light appeared before her. "It may look like just a light, but this weapon will tear threw you ten times better than any sword would."
"That is why you have been training me with a sword. So I could use a lightsaber." Her father nodded.
"It is a sophisticated weapon for a refined warrior. More so than a blaster, or what you would recognize as a laser gun."
"So I am to be a Jedi?" He nodded at her. She waved the saber around a few times, listening to its low hum. She enjoyed the sound immensely. She did a few routines she would do with a sword. With a satisfied smile she pushed the button again and the light disappeared. She stood there for a moment in deep thought, and then turned back to Tristan. "Father," she asked passively. "Why didn't you show me these things before? Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
He looked down, and then back to her. "Because you were never old enough."
"Father!" she was insulted. "I am 21 years old. I would think when I was 18 would have been old enough! Or when mother died! Was I too young then, even thought I lost a parent?"
"Catalina," he said calmly. "I know you could have handled the news at 17, but I was not ready to tell you then, and your training was not close enough either."
"My training! Maybe not for flying, or for a lightsaber, but you could have at least told me the truth! And now, you are dying. How far do you possibly think my training will go with only a year! Maybe even sooner than that!"
"It will not matter. You training will be completed whether by me, or someone else."
Cat suddenly looked confused. "What do you mean? Are there others here?"
"No, we are the only ones that know the truth. But that doesn't matter. They will come for you."
"What? Who?"
"The Jedi Council. They know I am here, and they know I am training you. I had a dream not very long ago that they come for you, and soon. That is when I decided it was time to tell you the truth. But I did not plan on dying as well."
"So I will leave…Earth?" she asked nervously.
"Yes. But I don't know exactly when. Your destiny does not lie here, it never did. It belongs with the Jedi."
Cat stood there a moment, thinking on his words. Then she turned to him one again, and smiled. "So when do we begin?" A smirk appeared on his face…
About a year later:
Tristan lay in his bed. The hired nurse huddled over him and an IV in his arm. He refused to lie in a hospital. He would rather die at home. They both knew his days were coming to a fast halt. Cat sat in a chair next to the bed, holding his hand. She had a somber look on her face compared to the determined and strong gaze her father had. There was sweat on his brow. He may die, but he would fight as long as possible.
She looked up at him and saw that he was staring at her. "How long?"
"Soon," he replied simply. She nodded as a single tear rolled down her cheek. He was about to say something when there was a knock on the door downstairs. "That's Lance and Jazz." Cat looked back to her father, and he nodded for her to go. Reluctantly, she stood and made her way to the front door where Jazz and Lance waited outside, her closest and most trusted friends.
Cat opened the door and walked onto the porch with them. As soon as the door was shut she fell into Lance's arms, sobbing. She did not want her father to hear her weakness. He had trained her to be strong and hold back her emotion but she couldn't this time. She fell onto to her knees. Lance held his arms around her, rubbing her back soothingly. Jazz knelt down next to them and just threw her arms around her and held her close. As her sobs began to quiet Lance whispered nothings into her ear, calming her nerves.
She didn't know how long it was until she stopped crying, but the sin was setting as they stood to walk back in the house. "Does it look like I have been crying?" she asked Jazz.
She hesitated for a moment, and then replied, "No." Cat nodded, knowing she was lying and then walked back into the house. She led them up the stairs to her father's room. Cat went back to her seat next to him, while Lance and Jazz sat on his other side. "Well if it isn't my other children," he said weakly.
"Hello Mr. Cavaliere." Jazz greeted him.
He shook his head with a weak smile. "How many times do I have to tell you guys to call me Tristan. Humor me at least once before I die," he chuckled slightly.
They all laughed a little, considering the circumstances. Tristan turned to his daughter's dear friends and took Jazz's hand. "Watch over her. The both of you." He particularly looked at Lance with those last words. He knew what his feeling was for his daughter. Catalina would need his love and comfort to get through the coming events, until they come for her.
"We will Tristan, we promise you that." Lance stated with emphasis on the use of his name. They saw him weaken with the effort he used. "Well," Jazz spoke up. "We just wanted to come and thank you, for everything."
He smiled. "You both are good people, and would have become no different even if I was not here. I am not one to thank."
Jazz squeezed his hand leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. She could say nothing more, so she moved to let Lance take his place. They shook hands. "It's been a pleasure," Lance said as stably as possible. Tristan nodded at him. Lance and Jazz, with one final goodbye walked out of the room and closed the door behind them.
Tristan looked at his daughter. She was in the worst state he had ever seen her. "There is no reason to mourn for me daughter. I am to become one with the Force and will be at peace. You should smile for me, not cry."
"Father, how could I not. You are the only family I have left. What will I do now?" she asked on the verge of crying.
"I will always be with you. You are my daughter, how could I ever leave your side?"
"Father, how will I finish training? We both know I am not ready."
"There is not much else that I could teach you. You have done well. All you need is experience." He was getting weaker with every word. "You will be a Jedi."
She was silent a moment, trying to get control of her emotions. "Father, do you think I am supposed to become a Jedi? That it's my fate, my destiny?" He nodded. "What if they never come? What if I am waiting forever?"
"You won't be," he replied simply. "You just have to have hope, for it is a powerful thing. The end of hope is worse than death." Cat started to cry. "My dearest daughter. You are the strongest person I have ever known. You will get through this. I will never leave you. Never lose the fire you have. If you do, all hope is lost. All you have to do is believe in yourself and miracles can happen." She felt his life force slowly slipping away.
"Please father, you can't leave me now. You can't leave me alone," she was freely sobbing now.
He smiled. "Be strong. A Jedi strength flows from the Force. It is their strongest and most trusted ally. You must be strong even if your heart says you're weak." She closed her eyes and released her grief into the Force and instantly felt calm, but still felt pain deep down. "Good." She saw him skip a breath. It was time. "Never give up…on…your purpose…The Force…holds…a place…for…you." A fit of coughing came over him. "I will…meet…you again…I…love you…Cat." She felt him slipping fast.
"Father! No! I love you, Father! Please. Don't go!" But she no longer felt his presence. She felt a sudden pain. A kick in the stomach. Cat fell in a hunched ball to the floor. She could hear the flat line of the heart machine behind her. She could do nothing but cry. For his death. For her pain. For her loneliness, because suddenly, she felt that she was the only one in a big empty world. Cat passed out for cause of her agony.
When Cat woke she found herself lying in her own bed. Lance was sitting next to her. "Are you okay?" he whispered.
Cat sat up and rubbed her face. "What happened?" she asked groggily.
Lance looked down at her question. He didn't want to say 'you passed out as you watched your father die'. It would hit her like a train wreck, for the second time. He just waited for her to remember the pain for herself. After a few moments it all came back to her and she feel back to the pillows looking at the ceiling. She had cried enough. Her father told her to be strong. She had shed her last tear. "Is he still laying there?" Cat asked calmly looking over to him.
"No. We were waiting for you to wake."
"Good. He has given me a final request."
Lance looked intently. "And what is that?"
"He does not want to be buried, but burned. We are to build a small pyre out back, and will perform it at….what time is it?"
"It is the morning. You slept through the night."
"Good," she nodded sitting up once more. "We shall get to work right away, and shall perform the ceremony at sunset."
"Why sunset?"
"That was his request." They looked at one another for a moment. Cat moved to the egde of the bed and took one of his hands in hers. "I want to thank you, Lance, for being there when I needed someone the past weeks and months. Well," she chuckled. "Since I met you actually. You have always been a crutch for me when I was at my weakest."
Cat expected some sort of answer but got a surprise instead. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Cat was too shocked to give him her answer, and he pulled away. She saw a regretful look on his face as he stood. Lance started for the door when Cat took hold of his hand. He looked back down to her. She stood before him, and began to inch closer. Cat linked her arms behind his neck. Lance took the gesture and leaned in to kiss her once more, but with more purpose this time. He wrapped his arms at her waist and picked her up slightly as the tension between their lips grew.
They broke apart a few minutes later and set their foreheads together. As their breathing calmed they stared into each other's eyes. Green eyes into hazel ones. Jazz called to Lance from downstairs. Cat looked at the closed door and then back to him. "We should get to work," she said and they went to greet Jazz.
As the sun began to set as the three of them placed his body on the small pyre they built. They had dressed them in the Jedi robes he had shown her to burn him in. Lance and Jazz wondered what type of clothes they were, but she stayed silent. Cat put on an outer robe out of respect. She lifted the hood over her head and shoved a short log into a fire they had made earlier. Cat stood before the pyre with the torch in her hand. "You led a great life, Master Jedi. We now give your mind, body and spirit into the Force. May it be with us all."
She stuck the torch into the fire and they watched as the flames engulfed his body. He was gone, but Cat could still feel his presence. Her father was right, he has died to join the Force. Cat would never stop training. When they come, she will be ready. She will make her father proud.
So….how was it….?