Across The Stars
Chapter 46 of my crossover story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead, Star Wars or their characters.
Chapter 46: Revival of Hope
Clem could only stare in disbelief as Lee, for it was indeed him, walked towards her. He looked exactly as she remembered him, a tall broad shouldered man with light brown skin, short cut black hair and a beard, warm black eyes that watched her with pride and happiness. His Jedi robes and cloak were surprisingly undamaged, unlike the last time she saw him.
"Clem, look at you...you've grown so much." He said.
It was then Clementine realized something was different, there seemed to be an almost ethereal light around him.
"Is...Is this real?" She gasped.
Lee's smile turned sad. "It is...I learned, thanks to an old friend, how to preserve my consciousness within the Force after death. As such, at a time like this, I can help those who are still alive…"
Clementine shook her head. "You didn't...you didn't show up, until now though?"
"I know...and I'm sorry." He replied. "But I didn't expect anything like this to happen to you. I thought you would be alright. You are so strong Clementine, stronger than you should ever have to be."
"No I'm not, I...I killed you-" Clem burst out.
"You are...Violet is right." Lee said, nodding towards Violet. "All that pain has given you strength. But you can't hold onto it forever. Your memories were repressed because of the pain. But the only way you can move forward is for you to overcome them."
Clementine's breath was shaky as she looked from Lee, to Violet and back. Violet was staring at Lee in disbelief, clearly amazed that he was even there.
Clementine held onto a tiny bit of hope but, she had to ask. "You're here but...are you really dead?"
"I'm afraid so." He confirmed.
She bowed her head, she knew it, but to actually hear it was something else entirely.
Violet remained respectfully silent, knowing how important this was for Clem, but still she watched, silently urging Clem to listen to what Lee was telling her.
"You can become even stronger Clem if you just fully accept the truth and see those memories in full." He explained. "Once you know the whole truth, you can stop being weighed down by it."
"I...I can't, I'm too scared." Clem admitted, trembling. "So many have died, all because of me and my-"
Lee shook his head. "You aren't invincible Clem, you are one person, you can't do everything. Everyone that is fighting, everyone that died, they did so for their own beliefs, their own reasons. You can still help them however, you can honour the fallen and aid those still fighting. But you must overcome your greatest enemy to do that."
"My greatest enemy…" Clem repeated.
Lee nodded. "Yourself."
Clem bit her lip and then took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, trying to find herself, calm, peaceful, she let herself be lost to the will and flow of the Force and soon it began to take shape. The last of the repression within her memories began to fade, she saw the scene clearly, saw the full horrific detail.
"I killed you Lee...because I was too weak." She whispered, well aware that Violet could still hear. "We were cornered on Felucia...We'd overcome a large number of them, but, there was just too many. Then he came, Vader."
"Yes, Vader, neither of us could resist him." Lee confirmed. "He used his own Force powers, to make you ignite your lightsaber...right in my heart."
"But if I'd been stronger, if I hadn't…" Clem began to protest.
Lee shook his head. "Neither of us were strong enough. But you've got it wrong Clementine. You were the instrument of my death, not the cause. You didn't kill me, Vader did."
"I...I can see it now...all this time I blamed myself for not having the strength, for not at least fighting to resist." Clementine said quietly. "Lee I...I have to do this, don't I…"
"Yes, but only because you'll never know peace until you do." Lee confirmed. "Do not be afraid anymore, remember. Trust in the Force."
Clementine finally smiled as Lee's words rekindled something within her, even as he faded away, all while she turned to Violet who looked relieved to see the Clementine she remembered was back.
Walking up to Violet, Clem nodded and the two embraced. Violet still wore the dark armour she had been wearing since becoming part of Vader's Fist, but Clem could still feel the warmth from her.
"Are you ready Clem, we need to be ready."
Clementine nodded. "Yes Violet, I am...I already know what to do next."
"Oh?"
"First, we need to get new lightsabers, both of us. I see you left yours behind and I destroyed mine." She explained. "After that, we regroup with the Invisibles and prepare to help them finally put an end to this battle. We've also gotta find you some new clothes."
Violet couldn't help but laugh at that. "That's what you're worried about with me, I thought…"
She bit her lip, reaching up to touch her scar, bringing attention to her blind eye.
"It's part of you now Vi. It's not something to be ashamed of." Clementine reassured her.
Violet smiled at that, nodding. "Thanks. As for new lightsabers, I've got tools and parts in my ship. We could build some, but...we're lacking kyber crystals."
"Don't worry, I know just where to go then, let's go." Clem replied.
Surprised Violet nevertheless agreed. Together they made their way to Violet's ship, which thankfully had enough seats for two. Once on board they lifted off and left the desolate planet, Clem smiling as she returned to the galaxy at last, giving Violet the co-ordinates of their destination.
"So where are we going?" Violet asked.
Clem just smiled and revealed the sacred location to which they were heading.
"Ilum."
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.