Dark Angel
By Serena
A/N: Okay, everyone. You deserve a dang good explanation for why I haven't updated in ages. Some of you might know that I'm writing a novel. I'm a little over halfway done with it now, and I want to get it done with as soon as possible. So, right now, I'm focusing on that. When I'm done, I'll update sooner. This will be the last update for a while, a few months, anyway. But NONE of my stories are on hiatus. I WILL finish them. Promise.
But I'm really excited about my novel - it's a sci-fi/fantasy/romance novel. Just like Star Wars... JUST KIDDING! But I have taken an element from this story and put it into my novel - I took Elena's name and made her a character. Hehe.
So, that's the explanation. I thank you all so much for your support and time in reading and reviewing this story and others of mine. I want you all to know that you've been my main inspiration for writing my novel, and if I do get it published, God Willing, I'm going to dedicate it to all of you because you guys absolutely rock. The title of my novel (still in the works), by the way, is "Unleashed." I hope to make it a series. We'll see!
Love you all!
This author's note was way too long. Sorry.
Elena then shut her mouth. Ooops…
Kier's eyebrows rose, and he gave her a dark warning look. Vader glanced at Elena questioningly.
"You are acquainted?" the Emperor said silkily with a hint of deviousness in an undertone. "How… fortunate." He glared at Kier.
Elena's eyes darted from Kier's to the Emperor's, and her glare deepened as she studied the pair. "We've met on one occasion," she admitted coolly. Her eyes flickered back to Kier, and she sent him mentally, I know what you are. Kier's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, but she continued, What are you doing with the Emperor? Or are you just some kind of sick mutant experiment?
"We… ran into each other earlier this week," Kier said, folding his arms over his chest.
Elena frowned. What was he playing at?
"At the small coffee shop down in the Fifth Sector," Kier continued. "Isn't that right?"
Elena's eyes narrowed. Is he trying to cover his tracks? Or is he hiding the fact that he's not human?
"Yes, that's right," she said quietly, playing along. Her eyes dug into his.
"Would you care to dance, Your Highness?" Kier asked.
"Certainly," she replied coldly, and took his hand. He pulled her away from the group and into the center of the grand ballroom where other couples were dancing a slow waltz.
She put her hand on his shoulder, and he slipped an arm around her waist. Both were still glaring at each other. They began to dance along with the other couples, silent, until she said in a low voice, "He doesn't know."
Kier let out a small sigh. "No."
"How can you do this?" she whispered angrily.
"Do what?" he challenged.
"Support, follow a man who would experiment on you if he knew the truth – if he isn't doing it already with other mutants."
He paused. "Is that what we call ourselves?"
"Don't change the subject," she snapped harshly.
"You forget, Skywalker," he growled, "that your father follows him as well."
Elena's lips pressed tightly together. "My father knows what I am."
Here Kier faltered. "He does?"
"Yes."
"Does the Emperor…"
"No, he doesn't know. Nor will he ever, if we can do anything about it."
Kier's glare softened slightly. "Are there others… like us?"
"Yes." Elena's gaze darted over to her sister, who was talking with her parents.
Kier studied her closely. "What can you do?"
"What can you do?"
"I thought you already saw."
"It wasn't clear," Elena said.
"Animals," he said quietly. "I can shapeshift into any animal."
"People, too?"
"No, just animals. What about you?"
She paused. "It's… complicated to explain." She scowled. "But how can you work for a man who would experiment on you the moment he knew what you were?"
"Are you saying you're not loyal to him?" he goaded.
Elena stiffened. "I'm loyal to my father." And you're still avoiding the question.
"But not the Emperor?" He raised an eyebrow.
Elena sighed. "My father is loyal to the Emperor. I'm loyal to my father. That's enough."
Kier didn't push it. He opened his mouth to say something else, but a silky voice cut him off.
"May I cut in?"
Elena froze. No, no… Force, no.
Kier looked at the newcomer who was standing behind Elena, and then to her. Her face was panicked.
No, Kier, please, don't! she begged mentally.
Kier frowned slightly. "I'm sorry," he said with a quick smile. "But I've already reserved the next two dances with Lady Skywalker."
Elena felt chilling eyes on the back of her head.
"Oh, come now," said the smooth voice as it moved beside the couple. Elena didn't look at him. "Surely you can spare the lady one dance."
Kier flashed him another smile. "Surely you can wait until the lady is free to dance with you, Your Highness," he said, a joking tint to his voice. Elena was amazed at how quickly he could change his personality and behavior.
Probably because he can change shape so quickly.
"Indeed," said the prince. His eyes flickered to Elena, but she didn't look at him. "Until then, Your Highness." He bowed slightly and moved fluidly away. Elena let out a breath and glared at his back.
Kier continued the dance and murmured, "Want to tell me what that was about?"
"Not really, no."
"You know, you owe me for that."
She turned her glare to him. "I don't owe you for anything."
"Yes, you do. But don't worry, I'll collect my debt on a later date."
Elena's eyes narrowed, and she returned, "You know, I could just control your mind and erase your memories. Then you'd have no memory of this conversation." She threw him a smile.
Kier halted and stared at her in shock. "You can... you can do that? That's your power?"
"I'm sure all-Force users can do it, but I can do it better. I'm not going to tell you anymore, though. You're working directly under Palpatine," she said darkly. "I can't trust you."
"Likewise," replied he, but Elena thought she could sense hesitancy in his answer. Maybe this wasn't hopeless after all. But the next moment, his demeanor returned to its darker state, and he said in a colder voice, "So, enjoying the evening?"
"Not really." Especially not with you and Xizor around. I hope Guri's not here. Elena glanced around for the HRD, but there were so many people in the grand ballroom, she couldn't spot the familiar blonde head. "You?"
"Not really," he parroted. "I find the company is... lacking."
"You don't say," Elena shot back. I really wish Jix would be here. I need him right now. Pulling away from him, Elena said, "Thanks for the dance. But I'm a little tired." She flashed him a false smile and walked off towards Leia, who had moved away from her parents and was now talking with some diplomats from the outer rim. Coming up behind Leia, she tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Leia."
Leia turned around and broke into a wide smile. "Elena!" She engulfed her sister in a hug, then pulled back to study her. "How are you?"
Elena shrugged. "Good, more or less. But I need to talk to you, if that's okay."
Leia noted her sister's serious tone and nodded. "Excuse me," she said to her company, and brought Elena into a more secluded corner where no one would hear them. "All right, Elena," she said, folding her arms over her chest. "Talk to me. What's going on? Has the Emperor chosen... your husband?" Her voice lowered to a whisper.
Elena shook her head, frowning. "No, not yet. But I don't have much time. But I have to warn you, Prince Xizor's here. The guy who kidnapped me. And I'm afraid of losing control and just going after him. I... I'm not sure I can control my anger." She looked down, ashamed.
Leia put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's going to be all right. Just calm down. I'll stay with you for the rest of the night, if you want."
"I'd like that. Mara's off playing the dancer - Emperor's orders." Elena made a face. "I can't believe the things she does for that... sadistic, evil... ba... creep."
"She is still one of his Hands, no matter what secrets she keeps for you," Leia said grimly. "We can only hope that some day, soon, we'll be able to defeat Palpatine."
"That day can't come soon enough," muttered Elena. "Come on, let's get something to drink. I'm thirsty." She moved out into the open with Leia, going across the center of the ballroom to get to the drinks, when she heard a scream. Halting, she glanced to her left and was horrified to see a young girl, maybe around the same age as her, dressed in scanty clothing, racing towards her. The girl stumbled, fell, and picked herself up, continuing towards her, pushing past people frantically. Her jet-black hair, once put up into an elaborate hairdo, now hung uncontrolled in her face and down her neck; and her deep blue, almond-shaped eyes were wide with fear.
"By the Force!" Leia said, alarmed.
Elena saw a group of stormtroopers and palace guards chasing the girl, and they were gaining on her. The girl, much to Elena's surprise, rushed up to her and flung herself at her feet, gasping something in a strange language. "Whoa, hey, calm down!" Elena said, crouching down in front of the girl. She took her arms and motioned for the girl to stand. "Hey, it's going to be okay. C'mon, you can stand."
The girl, wide-eyed, slowly rose to her feet, trembling. She looked back at the approaching officers and turned back to Elena and started speedily chattering in a foreign language. She pointed back at the officers, clearly frightened.
By now, the majority of the crowd had parted to make a circle around the two unknown sisters and their new companion and were watching the scene with interest. Including the Emperor and Xizor. Vader and Kier drew forward, and Vader came up to Elena and demanded: "What's going on?"
The girl squeaked and pleaded in her own language, looking back at Elena. Elena said, translating, "She's been a slave for the past five years and is trying to escape. She's asking me for help."
"Oh, poor girl!" Leia exclaimed.
"She wants me to help her get offplanet," Elena continued as the girl prattled on. "She doesn't have anywhere else to go." When the officers came up to them, Elena snapped, "You will not touch this girl. Am I clear?"
The officers hesitated. "But Your Highness, we're under direct orders from-"
"Do I look like I care?" snarled Elena, glaring at him. "This girl is coming with me. I don't care what her former master says or not. No one is touching this girl again, do you understand me?"
"I believe her master would have some serious objections to that," said a new, smooth voice. Elena froze, and Leia put a hand on her arm. Prince Xizor, accompanied by Guri, drew forward into the cleared circle. He looked postively pleased with the situation. The slave, on the other hand, started to beg Elena for help. "Now," Xizor said, drawing closer to Elena. "I believe the girl is coming with me."
Elena's eyes narrowed, and her hands curled. "I don't think so."
"She is my property," Xizor reminded her.
"My jurisdiction," Elena shot back. "You're not on Falleen. So she stays in my care, under my protection. Just try and stop me." She straightened, trying desperately to control her raging anger.
Xizor, in the meantime, was studying Elena carefully. "Do I... know you?" he asked.
"No," Elena hissed. She turned to the girl and spoke something to her in her own language. The girl nodded, but her nervous eyes darted to Xizor.
"No, I believe I do," Xizor argued. His face grew surprised. "I do know you. You're the slave girl that escaped from my palace some years ago. The rebellious one."
The crowd gasped and started to murmur incredulously. Leia's eyes narrowed, and Vader took a menacing step forward. "Leave my daughter alone," he commanded in an ominous tone. "Or you will suffer the consequences."
Xizor merely smiled. "I thought you looked familiar, Your Highness. How ironic. We meet again... and you defy me while trying to help another slave girl."
That's it. Before Leia could stop her, Elena gave a cry of rage and, holding up a hand, hurled Xizor into the wall facing her with the Force. He hit the wall and fell into the large pond below, and emerged dripping wet and furious. Guri started towards Elena, but the youngest Skywalker flew forward and whirled up behind her and twisted the HRD's arms behind her with a startling strength. Elena gave a yank, and Guri went down as her metal limbs cracked under the pressure.
"Elena!" Leia and Vader both gasped in shock.
But Elena didn't listen to either of them. She lunged into the air and landed some yards away in front of the pool. Leaning over Xizor, she growled in a low voice, "Talk to me like that again... or attain more slaves - and believe me, if you do, I will find out - and I will make you pay." Turning around sharply, she strode back to the astounded crowd and looked at her father and Leia. Mara had joined in the crowd, and her emerald eyes were wide with astonishment. Elena shot her a grim look as well. "I'm leaving," she muttered, and motioned for the girl to follow her.
Vader didn't bother to say goodbye to the Emperor: he strode after his daughter, both proud of her and disapproving of her rash actions.
Mara slipped after them, hoping the Emperor wouldn't notice her disappearance.
"That did not go well," Vader rumbled on the ride home. Elena rode shotgun in the dark speeder; and the girl, who Elena had discovered was named Kelsati Kutwol, sat silent and nervous in the back, fingering her see-through aqua skirt.
Elena didn't respond but stared glumly out the window.
"Can the girl understand me?" Vader asked.
"No." Elena's short reply caused her father to look at her.
"You could have revealed your powers," Vader continued in a darker, sterner tone.
"I didn't," Elena grumbled. "The crowd probably thought that it came from being your daughter. Force stuff. Sith stuff."
"But it wasn't," Vader said. "I know that you used some mutant power to aid throwing Xizor into the wall."
"Phoenix power," Elena replied tonelessly. "But no one noticed. Except for maybe Kier."
"What do you mean?" Vader demanded, alarmed.
"He knows, Dad. He's the mutant I ran into on Alderaan - the one that can turn into animals. He knows that I'm a mutant." Elena heaved a sigh and rubbed her forehead.
Vader said grimly, "This is bad."
"It gets worse," Elena groaned. "He's a new apprentice for Palpatine."
Vader fell silent.
"He's going to replace you, Dad. With someone he thinks is more powerful and younger and stronger."
"Does he... does the Emperor know about Kier's ability?"
"No. At least, Kier said that he doesn't. But I can't trust him." Elena cast a glance at her father. "What are we going to do?"
Vader didn't reply for a long time. Finally, he said heavily, "There's nothing I can do right now. The Emperor has taken on second apprentices before - as have I. Like you, for instance."
"But I'm not training in the Dark Side," Elena reminded him. "So technically, I'm just a Force-user. Not an apprentice." She hoped that Vader wouldn't suggest that they start training in the Dark Side. She held her breath, waiting for his response.
But Vader didn't respond to that question; instead, he abruptly said, "How do we know that the girl isn't a spy for Xizor?"
"What?" Elena said blankly.
"The girl. She could very well be a set-up spy," Vader snapped.
Elena shook her head. "No, she's not. Kelsati is not."
"How can you be sure?"
Raising an eyebrow, Elena said, "Mutant, remember?" Suddenly frowning, Elena paused. Wait a second... "A mutant?!" Elena exclaimed in astonishment, and glanced back at Kelsati, who curled up tighter into a ball.
"What?" Vader asked.
"A mutant!" Elena said. "Kelsati... she's a mutant!"
Ooh, and the story continues! But not for much longer. Only a few more chapters, maybe more - at least, if they're this length. But I'm going to write a sequel to this, don't worry. All loose ends will be wrapped up eventually.
And in the next chapter... our favorite hunky Corellian special agent returns! And Elena's got a big surprise for him in store... :D
Reviews are more than appreciated.
- Serena
