A/N: There is so much yet to come and I hope you trust me enough to continue this journey. Star Wars is a love of mine I have so many books, dictionaries, and the like I could fill a small library. Here she is the main character grown like a fresh plucked daisy! XD
Wild mammalians and reptivians of Naboo: Kaadus, Pom- hoppers, Narglaths, Zaalacas, Gullipuds, Nunas, Peko-pekos, Sando aqua, Shaaks.
(Like your frogs, bears, horses, cougars, birds, crickets, sea predators, cows, etc.).
Sending your love REALLY helps)
21 BBY
Rise of the Galactic Empire-Naboo
It was home to the native Gungans, and humanoids known as the Nabooians. Comprised of a conglomerate of rocky tunnels and caverns with a plasma interior. Located in the Chommell Sector and orbiting the Naboo star system, it was a planet of rare beauty in all the galaxies. The exquisite, idyllic planet had an abundance of vibrant panorama and crystal blue waterfalls that framed rolling valleys. Known for its unique domed architecture in the city of Theed, it was renowned as the most beautiful city in all of Naboo. Home to the monarchs of the Royal House of Naboo.
The vast lands stretched across the countryside to the swamplands in the far east. Lush and verdant carrying an ecological atmosphere, it was the ideal habitation for the Gungans and their underwater city Otoh Gunga.
Lianorm Swamp
She could practically taste the humidity on the buds of her tongue. Petrichor laced the air, fresh after a rainfall.
Her favorite.
The groans of engorged gullipuds and the wattles of the two-legged reptilian nunas pervaded the forest. Hovering over the spongy grounds a blanketed layer of fog unfurled in wisps as blunted hooves of a two-legged creature, native to the swamplands a Kaadu-cantered through.
Laughter resounded through the air. Adrenaline rich in her veins from the thrill of the hunt, glimmered in a pair of wide, luminous eyes. "Good boy, Kade! Damned creatures. Keep sniffin' 'em out boy!"
Kaadus were known for their keen sense of hearing and smell. Kade, always the shepherded Watcher, was left to track the creatures if ever the bulbous herbivores wandered too far. Invariably, due to the malfunctioning of their gate system.
Again.
The young woman patted the sleek, yellowed hide with pride. A wide smile stretched across an ecru complexion; accrued from years spent in the sunlit grasslands with the herded Shaaks.
A bead of sweat trickled down one brow, a plaited braid of silver and sun-bleached strands matted against the nape of her neck. A loose beige tunic now stuck to her petite frame like wet paper. "Such kriffing pests they can be huh, boy?"
She rubbed the rounded head affectionately, a gesture that spoke of their long, familial bond that stemmed back to her years as a youngling.
The Battle of Naboo seared into her memory...
The distant, thundering explosions could be heard even from her homestead and the whirring propulsions of assault armored dropships roared through the skies. Word had already stretched far of the Trade Federations blockade. The battle was taking place between Gungans and The Federations army of droids on the Great Grass Plains. Requested by the Queen of Theeds authorization...
The battle would occur years before the Queens untimely passing. Not too far from her family's pasture, the grounds bore the markings of such a time. Singed into the earth were scorched, bald patches unable to cultivate vegetation even still. Just a grim reminder to her parents it seemed, of the events that later led to the assassination of the former Queen Amidala.
Whom Naboo had mourned, deeply.
Her sarcophagus had been laid to rest in the gardens of Theed there to remain, forever. Personally, she'd never met the Queen but knew Naboo had flourished abundantly under her reign. For that she respected her greatly. Never would she have had Kade if not for the events that transpired. In the leftover carnage of war, a wounded Kaadu had been left for dead, incapacitated amongst the charred feathers and foliage of a deceased Gungan.
Under careful diligence, she'd nursed it back to health. Thus, a bond formed with a name bestowed. Bgrhh, the Kaadu responded with a muffled snort as if he understood-from a tethered, duck-billed snout.
She kept a firm grip on the leather reins as they burst through the dense brush. Aged cypress trees hung low, the barks brittle and flaking with tufts of moss that culminated into the moisturized air. Trees echoed of nesting Peko-pekos from above, their vibrant blue tails barely visible as a cloying mist threaded through the trees and settled over the murky waters like an ominous embrace. Across the lily pads with large, webbed feet compared to their dainty forms, leaped several pom-hoppers.
With such vegetal and animal species around, tucked within her frayed satchel was a finger bone that belonged to a slain sando aqua. Having washed up on the shore eons ago it had since, been adapted into a dagger from its intact claw, the handle wrapped in twine for a better grip. It was considered an uncommon, yet sharp instrument for scavenging and weaponizing against wild reptivians and mammalians abound. Her own clever creation. Especially if she ever had to use it against Narglaths. Known to be nasty if preyed upon, by luck she 'd never faced off with one.
Thank the Force.
"That's it, boy, follow the river." A clouded river wove through the east of the swampland. She was well adapted to the ever-changing currents to know which direction to divert. Lake Paonga was not too far from where they were, nestled amongst the Gallo Mountains where the Faambas nested.
As the deluge of rain began once more, the trees provided the perfect, domed canopy. The sound was like static as they drew further into the thicket. The icy blue foliage of the cypress trees drew forth citrus, tangling into the misted air with the brine. Normally the aroma would've settled her nerves further in its encapsulating familiarity. However, the hairs on the back of her neck abruptly stood on end, an indication of danger. The feeling crept down her spine like a spice's spidery legs. The intangible presence had her abruptly holding fast to the Kaadus's neck.
Shifting her weight to her arms, she vaulted off the creature and withdrew her blade. The ebony talon was half of her forearm, glinting menacingly in the shallow light as she stepped precariously forth. She tasted the salt in the crease of her lips as her tongue ran across them in anticipation, the Kaadu stock still.
Rivulets of water trailed down her arms as droplets of rain fell off the overhang of trees, soiling her clothes and soddening the grounds. Mud cleaved to the soles of knee-high boots that made barely a sound as she crept forward feeling the presence drawing closer. The Kaadu snorted, its slick head angled as if it sensed the incoming threat, its lidded eyes flicking back and forth.
Snicket.
Her head perked up as a branch crackled not ten feet beyond.
Then, she saw it.
Luminous, blood-red eyes glistened from the shadowed fortress. Like a preying fiend ready to sink its hooked claws. Its pointed head cocked to the side, slitted pupils rife with intelligence as its fiery orbs fixated upon her.
Oh, Sith.
Razor-like, waxen teeth shone as it sank onto its haunches-
Just before it shot forward.
She barely had time to react, dodging the creature by a parsec. Throwing herself to the ground her bones were instantly bruised from the spidery roots that jutted up from the ornate earth. "K-Kade get outta here now!"
Throwing the first jagged rock she scraped up within reach she aimed for the creature's hide, pulling muck into her nails. The creature's yellow sharp-finned tail reacted with a twitching predatory motion, preparing to attack Kade who emitted a large wail-before the Kaadu bolted.
"HEY!" she shouted. The creature had decided the Kaadu wasn't worth charging. Its claw-webbed feet had dug into the soft mud and deliberately turned on her-
Just as she surged to her feet.
Bearing down before her, its slick elongated body was more gargantuan in the open, larger than an Eqqu with a dysmorphic coloration of blue. A Zaalaca. Its muscled, horned head tilted as if appraising her before it emitted a low, drawn hiss. A descendant of their ancestral line of the sando aqua; Naboo's deadliest sea monster in the planet Core. Known for its speed and visceral strength, its demonic red gaze taxed her from head to foot. Sizing her up for its next meal, no doubt.
"Oh, I don't think so," she snarled, ebony sharpened point of the claw reflecting in the creature's gaze as the Zaalaca slunk forward. But she was ready, back arched, the toe of her boot burrowed into the ground just as its large maw opened. Yellowed, hooked teeth shined with saliva. Although this was not her first tussle with the wilds of Naboo, she'd never faced off with a Zaalaca. So, if she miscalculated her aim, she was as good as dead.
She readied its strike-before it pounced with all four claws extended. The tip of its talon grazed a strand of hair as she ducked, body twisting within that pocket of air. As the blade of her shoulder grazed the ground, she threw her arm forward and plunged the dagger straight into its soft underbelly. Instantly, she was showered with gore as the knife impaled the skin.
The creature cried out with a feral howl, hissing as it skidded off-balance across the muck, before righting itself. Flecks of sludge clung to her bare arms as she leaped to her feet, loose tresses of hair now plastered across one cheek from the downpour. Through gritted teeth, she could taste the bitter remnants of the creature's blood that speckled her lips. It roared-
Just as it swiped a deadly appendage out at her.
But she was already swinging, throwing all 120 pounds of muscle forward as she jammed the blade straight into the slicked, thick skin. The curved end embedded muscle and impaled the spasming appendage to the saturated loam. Blood gushed from the laceration, enough for the creature to howl, instinctively readying to nurse its wound to which she yanked out the dagger with a cry. With one hand braced on her knee, she got to her feet chest heaving as she stared down at the cowering, whimpering creature.
The tremors that wracked down her spine from the mere adrenaline conveyed her inferiority. To deny her trepidation of such a fiend would've been a lie. Hardly did she believe her aim was a true shot, either. So, it was best to leave before it regained its full strength. Zalaacas were known to be unpredictable. Sheathing her dagger into the hem of her tunic to wipe off its sanguine fluid-
The creature suddenly vaulted through the air.
With her dagger sent flying from the force of the impact, saliva expelled from the beast, sticky and blistering as it stung her skin like acid. White-hot stars flashed before her eyes with blinding pain as sharp incisors impaled muscle. The blade of her shoulder became locked in its strong jaw like a vice grip, nearly fusing flesh and bone. Tiny blood vessels in her throat burst, her scream so raw it could practically be felt as it pierced the air, causing birds to scatter from the trees, her tongue coated with a coppery tang.
Dark blood poured like magma over molted rock. Infested with the creature's deadly bite, the pain was so staggering she could hardly move. So when a heavy pulsation suddenly jarred her bones and rattled her frayed nerves seconds later, a strangled scream ripped free once more causing blood to trickle from the corner of her mouth. Right as the jaw of the Zarlaac abruptly snapped open-its massive body collapsing to the side like a dead weight.
Through hot tears, a blurred figure began to take shape even as the agony from her shoulder ricocheted. Grit brushed up against layers of peeled-back skin and clung to the gelatinous fissures. For a moment her vision swam as her limbs quivered beyond control. She sucked in a breath through gritted teeth as she used what strength was left to pull herself upright. It was like trying to walk through quicksand, however. Such a feat nearly caused her to black out and she pulled in another breath as a fiery wave of pain crashed over her.
The shadows before her gradually sharpened into focus, until she realized what she was now facing. It was an amphibious native of the swamplands: A Gungan. Inquisitive, ocher eyes bulged upon short stalks and stared back at her. Their pinkened, lanky stature garbed in faamba skins loomed over her on three-toed legs. Her eyes followed the long, knobbed staff that was held between their four-fingered grip. Followed by a snort from their brazen bill. They extended one hand and she took it without a word, hissing out a curse as the torn muscles strained. It was only once she gained her footing after much struggle, did the Gungan backed up a step eyeing her warily. "T-thank you," she started after a minute or two, biting her lip as her shoulder seared like hot pokers. It left her voice slightly quivering as she added, "I-I'm not sure I would've m-made it."
Their eyes softened seemingly aware of her discomfort. Possibly even the extent of her injuries. "Mm... Youssa berry lucky." They replied in Galactic Basic with just a touch of pidgin; their native tongue. Though it was obvious they were still uncertain and calculative of her, they pointed their white staff with a whetted arrow towards the stiff Zaalaca. "Wee saa take care of Zaalacas, okey-day? Youssa goes now. Youssa shouldn't be heeere dangerous the swamp is nowsa."
Her brows furrowed, able to decipher pieces of their Basic even if she wasn't well versed in Gunganese as her father. In truth, she hadn't known they'd still existed on the planet given the new Galactic Empires' xenophobia. Having heard of their treatments of such in the markets. She'd heard many of the Gungans had disbanded from Naboo because of this. "It is dead though... right?"
The Gungan shook its head, its long floppy ears swinging with the motion. "Nosa. Berry... stunned."
She winced as a cool, dampened breeze flitted through the wetlands setting her skin once more aflame. Beads of sweat chilled against the heated skin. "Ahhh!" She winced squeezing her eyes shut her jaw taught before she added in a low, pained voice, "I-I didn't know... well, I'm forever in your debt for this. There's not a lot I know about Gungans or s-such weapons. Other than what is a m-myth or written. I'm... Azrielle."
"Meesa... Atta." The Gungan hesitated only a moment before giving their name. They nodded towards her shoulder then, a hint of concern in their ocher eyes amidst their formalities. "Youssa goes now, Zaalaca leaves baaad wounds. And mesa can't be caught with a Nabooian. Against orders."
"Oh, I... d-didn't know there was more of you." Her brows rose in surprise, jutting out her chin. "But I won't say anything, promise."
The Gungan, Atta seemed to comprehend her assurance in bits of Basic. A calmness had finally settled in their defensive stance, as if a small trust had been fostered, however brittle. At this their shoulders straightened as if remembering something of importance. "Meesa tanks. Uh youssa lookeen por lost Shaaks by chance?"
She nodded, blinking fast as tears of anguish pricked her eyes. "A-Ah y-yes, h-have you seen them?"
The Gungan nodded. "Yessa. Shaaks wenta thatta way passa statutes of old." The Gungan pointed towards the scallop of mountains that could be seen, another look of caution passing in those ocher orbs. "Not too farsa too. Okeday?"
"Yeah, thanks." Azrielle rolled her shoulder which throbbed like a mini heartbeat, reverberating from her neck and back with a spasm. She winced and swallowed hard before extending a hand and gently shaking Attas as thanks. There lingered a fear in this Gungans eyes that would've been absent years before.
It unsettled her, considerably.
Not too long ago both Gungans and Nabooians had celebrated an annual event that spoke of unity between both sentients. Strengthened bonds that had been forged during their former Queen Amidala's, reign. Only, last year had it come to an abrupt stop after Emperor Palpatine announced, "The Declaration of a New Order." She'd been in the markets that day, trading herbs for mother in Moenia when she'd seen the holovid...
Immediately she knew this was the Galactic Senate as her father had taught her, having once been a part. He'd said it was where millions of sentient beings came to agreements as to how the Republic would be governed. The central hub being on Coruscant.
Although she couldn't place it, a small shiver crawled down her spine as a hooded figure stepped forth from a floating pod in an arena of thousands. Shrouded in a deep maroon velvet cloak their bruised eyes gazed into the holo with a sickly pallor to their skin.
T hey blamed the Jedi for their now, obvious disfigurement and their betrayal to the Republic. Their arms waved into the air as their voice sharply announced, "To ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire! For a safe and secure society!"
Other than what she caught occasionally on the holovid or what gossip permeated the markets and artists of Moenia, she was quite naïve to the outer worlds. Her family didn't even have a holo; her father opposed such. But she knew when she'd seen the screening it had held significance. Importance. Possibly historical as a shift rippled across the atmosphere the moment applause broke across the senate's arena.
Yet, since the Empire's birth, she'd been left with many questions. Emperor Palpatine had explained the greatness and stability the new rule would bring. However, the treatment she'd seen had created her own reservations. Mostly isolated from the world's politics made it hard to distinguish between truth and lies. Yet there they remained, shadowed doubts in the back of her mind as her eyes slid to the Zaalaca one final time. Unable was she to imagine what her fate could've been had the Gungan not intercepted.
Around the raised skin the blood had started to coagulate, thankfully. Regardless of its severity, bacta would-should- be able to knit the flesh back together. Hopefully, they weren't short on such. The family's budget as of late seemed to be tighter at the cost. All because of the Empire's new taxing on trades of imported or exported goods.
However, she wouldn't soon forget what this Gungan, Atta, had done for her and briefly wondered if she'd ever see them again. Given it was obvious the Gungans didn't wish to be seen, she watched as Atta began to sling several corded ropes around the Zalacca. With a bidded reluctance, she forced herself to turn away from the Gungan, retrieving the dagger she found on an uprooted fern.
Under the Gungans directions she headed off to find those damned Shaaks. It was time to round up the cattle so she could finally head back to her familiar homestead at long last.
Gunganese
Youssa: You
Meesa: Me
Okey-day: Okay
Nossa: No
Berry: Very
Pidgin: Native Gungan dialect with their tongue
Basic: Humanoid language