Chapter: 11 Sanctuary!
"To decide another's fate is not power, but privilege."
On the run! A caravan of Rovani wanderers fled to Coruscant with a murderous baron on their heels. Seeking help and sanctuary at the Jedi temple, the Rovani gathered at its ancient steps only to be turned away. Despite ensuing conflicts, a Rovani named Esmeralda managed to sneak into the temple, befriending Elsa and Anna Dellian. Now the Padawans have chosen to aid their new friend, by hiding her in plain sight.
Mattias paced across Elsa's room and occasionally glanced over at Ezzie. Each time he did so, the following groan was even louder. "Do I look that bad?" Ezzie asked.
"This whole thing is bad," Mattias intoned. "I'm all for helping the Rovani people, but you're gonna get her caught."
"No one saw her face during the incident outside," Anna said while mimicking a hood with Elsa's bedsheets. "Ezzie's got a clean slate here. She'll also be one of a thousand Jedi roaming these halls."
"And if she gets questioned?" Mattias interrogated.
Elsa cringed. "He's got a point. And we can give her all of Anna's old hand-me-downs we want, but she still doesn't have a lightsaber."
"And that would be called into question," Mattias added.
"Well you didn't make me look all proper for nothing," Ezzie murmured. "I must get to the other Rovani." She noticed Mattias' relenting sigh. "What?"
"I can't account for all of them, but some were taken in during the fights. Less of an arrest and more of a 'We're detaining you for your own good.' kind of thing." Mattias thought about what he'd said and shrugged. "Which still sounds like arresting. It's going to take some time, but I can try and locate their whereabouts to at least get you a conversation."
"That's plenty," Ezzie said. "Elsa will handle the rest." Elsa looked to the Rovani with raised brows. "She promised me she'd reunite all of my people." Elsa's heart sank at Ezzie's words. She said them with such hopefulness as if Elsa's promise had sparked her belief in Jedi all over.
"Oh yeah?" Mattias muttered and gave Elsa a bewildered glare. "Just try and keep a low profile and I'll call you on a secure comlink frequency. And I think it's for the best that Yelena doesn't know about this one. I'll just tell her Elsa's training with me for the day."
"We should all use codenames!" Anna insisted energetically. "Dibs on Hawk-Bat."
Mattias facepalmed and whispered, "Force give me strength."
As Mattias departed, Ezzie gave herself a whiff. "So about those showers," she prodded.
"Right then," Anna replied. "Elsa, since you're big on the promises today...why don't you take her while I see what I can do about a lightsaber."
Elsa tried to ignore her sister's snide remark, but it seemed like everyone was letting her have it. "Come on, Ezzie." she said and led her down the hall.
It initially felt frightening for the Rovani to walk out in the open. She'd grown so used to the common taunt and witless jeer, that silent passersby were a welcomed surprise. Ezzie gulped hard as an Ithorian Jedi eyed her intently. She suddenly smiled through her slits and offered her a wave. Ezzie truly had a new identity as she and Elsa proceeded into the refreshers.
Elsa activated one of the wall-mounted shower panels and its high-tech doors slid open. Ezzie's emerald eyes were wide with fear and curiosity. "Those buttons will control the temperature," Elsa explained. "When you're done simply-" She gasped and averted her eyes as Ezzie started to disrobe.
"What?" Ezzie asked. "I would've thought Jedi had seen scars before."
"It's not that," Elsa assured. "I just wanted to give you privacy and-...wait what?" Elsa peeked over her shoulder and gasped at the sight. Ezzie had lowered the tunic just below her back and revealed a set of four scars. The pale markings contrasted vividly against her dark skin and sent a chill running through Elsa. She averted her eyes once more as Ezzie entered the shower. While Elsa stood guard, the image of such wounds haunted her mind. In an age of blasters and lightsabers, what device could be so cruel? What person could be so cruel?
The sun was setting over the Jedi Temple. Its legendary archives were filled with brilliant minds seeking to gain greater insights. In Hans' case, he was trying not to Force choke himself out of insanity. The Jedi Knight stood behind one of the counters as an elder Avinarian hooted grumpily. "Sir...sir...sir," Hans spoke monotonously as he kept getting talked over. "Master Chuza."
"Oh in the name of the Old Republic!" Chuza cawed. "What?"
"The Old Republic is exactly the problem," Hans explained. "You've already checked out your limit of ten holobooks, so I can't give you an eleventh."
"No one else is reading about the greatest era in our history," Chuza declared with insurmountable prowess.
"You're right," Hans feigned sympathy. "So just return one of your ten books on the Old Republic and I'll let you check out-" He looked over the title. "The Plight of Revan." Hans couldn't help himself. "Did this stuff even happen?"
"Of course it did!" Chuza snapped as if Hans had committed sacrilege. "Now let me have it."
"I can't because you reached your limit!" Hans told him for the umpteenth time. His outburst caught the attention of nearby scholars. "Return what you have and I'll give you your Old Republic legends."
"They're not legends, you ignorant...featherless blasphemer!" Chuza repeatedly slammed his winged digits on the holobook like it was a holy text. "This is canon history that deserves to be reveled."
"Legends," Hans quipped.
"Canon!"
"Legends!" Hans retorted to stoke the fires of his own madness.
Chuza looked like he was about to explode into a feathered mess when Madam Jocasta arrived. "That is enough," she scolded. "Master Chuza, this Archives makes no exceptions. If you wish to check this holobook out, returns will need to be made to restore your limit. I know an admirer of such older methodologies such as yourself can honor the rules of our great Jedi Archives."
Chuza scoffed. "Oh alright then. I'll finish what I have before I part with them and get more. I'd get a new assistant if I were you, Jocasta. This sideburned sarlacc is a pit devoid of knowledge."
As the Avinarian departed, Hans sat dumbfounded. "How'd you get him to listen?" he asked. "I literally told him the same thing."
"Only difference is, he respects me." Jocasta said. "If you want respect, you must demonstrate patience and kindness while remaining firm. Your probationary period here has been...trying. The numerous complaints I've received about you rival any of your predecessors. Yet still I believe in you, Hans." Jocasta placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are a Jedi Sentinel of the Order. Do not let your rank blind you into thinking you have a freedom the rest of us don't. You are the balance between the branches."
"I already know what Sentinels are," Hans grumbled. "You don't have to lecture me about my own class."
"Then there's your problem," Jocasta replied. "There's always more to learn. The moment you close your mind and open your heart to ignorance, you end up on a downward spiral. And the proof is in the probation." With her final words stinging Hans beneath his resolve, Jocasta stepped away to help a lost youngling.
Hans leered spitefully at the chief librarian. "You old crone," he scoffed under his breath. "Say what you want, but at least I get to leave this prison when my probation is up." How did I get myself into this mind-numbing mess? Hans asked himself. Oh right, sticking up for Anna. What a genius move that was and look where I ended up. I need to keep my distance from a girl like that.
Another Jedi leaned over his desk and he looked up with stern eyes. His gaze soften upon seeing the same freckles he'd glimpsed ever so closely during a duel. He looked into the same bright eyes he'd found roaring determination in...and remembered how he'd risked everything to end up on probation because of them.
"Hello beautiful," Hans whispered secretively.
Anna leaned back after his greeting and was unsure how to respond. Her momentum seemed staggered as she forced words out. "Hello hands-...um...Hans! How are things?"
"Oh you know," Hans huffed while marking holobooks. "Slowly counting my brain cells as they die under this overwhelming monotony, but totally worth it to save you."
"Oh good," Anna completely bypassed any hint of sarcasm. "I need your help."
Hans returned his voice to a whisper. "Please tell me you're not going after you-know-who again because you can count me out on this one."
Anna grimaced. "I'm still trying to figure out how she singlehandedly broke out of prison, but that's beside the point. No, Hans. Can I borrow your lightsaber?"
Hans accidentally marked his hand instead of a holobook. "What?" he choked.
Anna fiddled with her Padawan braid while her eyes trailed across the desk. "I wanted to...work on my dual-wielding."
"Use your sister's then. She's awful with it anyway." Anna felt hurt by his words while Hans glared at her. "Am I wrong?"
Anna hated that she didn't answer. She'd experienced so much more with her sister, yet now she chose to play an angle. "I saw how strong Steadfast was during our fight with you-know-who. I'd be honored to wield your mighty blade beside my own."
Hans stared her down. "You know, Anna...I'd do a lot for you." He gestured to his position. "But my lightsaber? Not a chance."
"Oh come on! You don't even get to use it these days."
"No, Anna. It's part of my uniform." Hans asserted. "I am so close to ending my probation and returning to Sentinel work. The last thing I need is a foul up to set me back now." Hans' brows furrowed with realization. "Unless, that's what you're trying to do."
"Wait, what?" Anna gasped. "No."
"After everything I went out of my way to do for you. I teach you a few tricks and now you try to keep me locked up?" Hans hung his head shamefully.
"That's not true," Anna reassured him and nervously placed a comforting hand on his. "I'm grateful for everything you've done."
"Sure you are," Hans sighed.
"I'll prove it to you," Anna insisted. "Whatever archive work you have, I'll do half of it."
"But it's so much data filing," Hans worried. "I couldn't make you do that."
"It's the least I could do," Anna replied. "I'll come in early before or late after training if I have to."
"Okay," Hans relented. "If you insist. Thank you...Anna."
"Hang in there!" Anna exclaimed before being shushed by several scholars on her way out. As soon as she was out of view, Hans shut his despairing facade off like a well-trained thespian. In its place came a raised brow and devious smirk.
Elsa stood guard outside of Ezzie's shower. "What's this button do?" Ezzie asked before pressing it. "Ah, soap squirter."
Elsa humored her with a chuckle until she heard someone entering. She wasn't sure what to do with her hands and went to wash them. Tori appeared and made her way to the back of the steamy room. Elsa felt the weight of the Pantoran's piercing, yellow eyes on her. "Tori," Elsa greeted her to break the ice.
"Anna's sister," Tori answered.
Her cold reply made Elsa anxiously scrub harder. "Craziness out on the stairs this morning, huh?"
"Yeah," Tori mumbled while Elsa noticed her wandering towards Ezzie's shower. "Craziness." Tori examined the set clothes hanging beside it and then returned to Elsa. She loomed over her shoulder like a jyykle vulture. "Aren't you done washing your hands yet?"
Elsa flinched and hurriedly dried her palms. "Yes, I just like to be extra clean sometimes. I-...have a thing about dirt."
"Well it doesn't matter how much you wash," Tori murmured. "Nothing is gonna scrub the stain of guilt off those hands."
She was on her way out when Elsa dared to speak. "Stop it," Elsa intoned.
"Excuse me?" Tori countered.
"Not a day goes by that I don't have to endure the same insults and 'critical' remarks from this Order about Avinaria. I can't speak against my superiors, but I don't have to take this from a fellow Padawan." Tori suddenly found the tiles particularly interesting as Elsa dug into her. "What is your problem with me? We were all younglings in Brith Clan. Everyone was just gunning for the top while I just wanted to be accepted. I understand that you and Surk got off to a rough start with Anna, but leave her alone. And by the Force, leave me out of your problems as well. I was nothing but nice to you and deserve better. You're not going to get anywhere by dragging everyone else down with you-"
"I know!" Tori snapped and instantly regretted her tone. She bit back a fleet of emotional surpluses and looked into Elsa's eyes. "I know," she uttered and stormed out.
Elsa sighed in the momentary relief as the shower shut off beside her. "That was awesome," Ezzie admired. "If it's not too much trouble, do you mind doing that crazy braid thing again?" Elsa recollected herself and returned to help Ezzie. With the Rovani back in her Jedi attire, the two set off to regroup with Anna. They had just left the refresher when Tori returned.
"Elsa," Tori spoke somberly. "You didn't deserve that. I just feel like I'm the only one not seeing any action around here. You and Anna have gotten to go offworld. Surk got his first assignment with his master, and I'm still here. My master barely grants me the time of day. I feel like he picked me out of obligation, or to further his own position. It's just really gotten to me and you of all people shouldn't get a piece of the mess. For what it's worth, that was pretty gutsy going against what everyone here thinks to tell that bird to fly the Senate coop."
Elsa smiled faintly. Contrary to the others' often grandiose and exaggerated compliments, Tori's felt genuine. It spoke to her at a similar level of understanding and circumstance. "Believe it or not," Elsa said. "It doesn't feel like my master cares much for me these days either. But I have to hope opportunities come to us at their own pace. We can use this time to prepare for them so they don't pass us by."
"Wise words," Tori said. Her calm gaze widened as she looked at Ezzie. "Who's your friend?"
"Surprise! I have friends!" Elsa haplessly joked to buy herself time for a response. "This is...is..."
"Demi," Ezzie answered.
Nice save, Elsa thought.
"Uhuh." Tori's brows furrowed as she asked, "Any particular reason you're wearing Anna's old Padawan tunic, Demi?" Elsa and Ezzie choked simultaneously. "I remember clinging to that sleeve when she tackled me during a sparring session. Can't believe Anna never took the time to repair the threads I tugged loose, yet that doesn't explain why you're wearing it." Tori's attention to detail was remarkable. Her perceptions could help her show promise as Jedi Sentinel in her future.
Elsa gently stepped on Ezzie's boot to signify she'd handle an answer. She only had to decide whether she'd include Tori in the ruse or stretch it further. Before Elsa could respond, a call came in on Tori's comlink. "Padawan," a resonant and thunderous voice called. It was able to not only get Tori's attention, but sadly strike a twinge of fear within her.
The Pantoran jabbed her device to swiftly answer and gulped. "Yes, master?" Her eyes shut tightly as she quickly realized where she was supposed to be.
"You were to report to my quarters thirty minutes ago. This tardiness is unacceptable," the unforgiving voice boomed.
"I'm sorry master," Tori answered as her resolve collapsed. "On my way, master." She hung up and rushed off, but not before glancing at Ezzie one last time.
"The Jedi are crazier than I thought," Ezzie quipped.
"You have no idea," Elsa added while ushering the Rovani out of there. Despite their initially hostile interaction, Elsa couldn't help but feel sorry for Tori. While Yelena was a hard teacher to impress and they'd fallen on hard times, at least Elsa wasn't afraid of her. She asked the Force to be with Tori and left the encounter behind her.
They were relieved to find Anna scurrying over with a bundled up cloak. "No luck with a lightsaber, unfortunately. Just wear these bulky robes at all times and pretend you have one," Anna joked.
"Great," Elsa huffed while Ezzie threw on the robes.
"Perhaps it's for the best," Anna said. "The last thing we need is an inexperienced Rovani swinging a lightsaber and chopping her limbs off. No offense, Ezzie. On the bright side, Mattias has located the detained Rovani."
Mattias flew the speeder casually towards one of the Republic detention centers. With Anna at his side, Elsa was left in the backseat to watch Ezzie press her face to the window. "It's been so long since I traveled out of cargo holds," Ezzie whispered as she observed the nighttime cityscape. "You have a beautiful planet."
"Yet it's capable of such vice," Mattias replied. "Don't let anyone tell you a group of people is responsible for a universal trait. Whatever worlds the Rovani visited had problems before they got there. People just like to find someone to blame for them all. Unfortunately, it's always the latest migrant that takes the hit." He gave his Padawan a nudge. "Let that be a lesson for you too, Anna. Should you ever find yourself on a Separatist world, just remember they're not all evil."
Anna silently nodded and offered her master a proud smile. She appreciated his wisdom more than she had in her earlier years, and could only hope he noticed. They landed beside the facility and were greeted by a silver-uniformed man. The Republic emblems on his shoulder patches were faded and his glower was insufferable. "To what do I owe the pleasure of four Jedi?" the man grumbled.
"I'm teaching these Padawans about immigration and wish to tour the facility," Mattias said.
The man's toothy grin exposed missing canines and rotten molars. "Oh, taking the kids to the zoo are we?" he cackled. "Have fun. Just remember not to feed the animals."
"These are people we are talking about," Mattias snapped and already sensed Ezzie's fury behind him. "You should be ashamed of yourself." The man merely sat back at his post and laughed hysterically.
"How can a pig like that work here?" Ezzie asked as they entered.
"I was expecting the crimson clones of the Coruscant Guard," Anna added.
"Me too, Padawan." Mattias led the way down one of the detention blocks. Rows of tightly packed cells were overcrowded with detained migrants from various species. What few Republic officials were present hardly saw to their detainees and slid unappealing gruel under their cages.
"This is despicable," Elsa said before gagging from the stench. "How can the Republic allow such abuse?"
"They don't know about it," Mattias realized. "These workers are so callous, so disassociated from the world that they don't even feel threatened by Jedi in here to expose this horror. They just don't care."
Ezzie gasped and sprinted towards one of the cells. She threw herself against it and rattled the bars so the weak figure inside would see her. The slender detainee quivered at the sound and slowly turned. His scraggly, shoulder-length hair bobbed as he collapsed to meet Ezzie. "Esmeralda?" he whispered. "Is...it really you?"
"Clopin," Ezzie replied. "What have they done to you? Why do you weep?"
Clopin sniffled and took Ezzie's hand through the bars. "This isn't about me, Esmeralda. I was in here with eight others from our clan. Women...and children." He couldn't fathom their memories and clenched Ezzie's palm. "I'm all that's left."
Tears fled Ezzie's bright eyes. "What...what do you mean?"
"They're gone. De...dead."
That was all he had to say for Mattias to burst into rage. With flared nostrils and a seething glare, Mattias stormed outside. He grabbed the cackling warden and dragged him off his feet. The facility staff watched in horror as Mattias hauled the warden downstairs and slammed him into the Rovani cell. "What did you do to them?" Mattias bellowed in a tone Anna nor Elsa had ever heard.
"I don't know!" the warden panted as his nose pressed against the bars.
"Eight people don't just die in less than a day," Mattias growled. "Now talk."
"I swear I didn't do anything!" the warden panicked. "We did feed'em different gruel though."
Mattias bent his arm past the point of flexibility. "Keep talking," Mattias threatened. While everyone else seemed alright with the situation unfolding, Elsa was worried about Mattias' emotional level.
"Master Mattias?" Elsa mumbled timidly.
"Okay, okay!" the warden yielded. "Some bigshot outlander came in. Wanted to see our latest catch. He paid us a hefty sum of credits to feed the newbies his supplements."
"The food," Clopin realized. "I didn't eat because the others were hungrier. I gave them my share and this whole time it was-"
"Poison," Mattias realized. "This bigshot, was he an old man with an entourage?"
"On speeder bikes," the warden confirmed.
"Frollo," Clopin cursed his name. "He'll stop at nothing. Nowhere is safe."
"We didn't know!" the warden pleaded.
"No," Mattias intoned. "You didn't care. None of you did!" He shouted across the chambers. "But in the name of the Republic you've so ungraciously defiled and on behalf of the Jedi Order..." Mattias used the Force to seal the doors around them. "You're all under arrest for crimes against living beings."
It wasn't long before the Coruscant Guard and more members of the Jedi Order had arrived to make arrests. "When Master Windu said to let action speak for itself," Master Plo Koon said. "You certainly didn't disappoint, Mattias."
Pity he couldn't be here to tell me that himself, Mattias thought. "Thank you, Master Plo." he answered instead.
"You've proven redemption is still possible within our ranks, and those detained here will be given proper treatment."
"Perhaps it'll also go before the Senate and we can get more funding to help these migrants too," Mattias added.
"Yes. Though, it is a dreadful shame none of the captive Rovani survived."
"It really is," Mattias agreed. "Well if you've got things locked down here, I'll be seeing to Elsa and Anna." Mattias departed and made for the alley where he'd moved his speeder. Anna, Elsa, Clopin and Ezzie all stood idly by until he arrived. "That's the last time an atrocity like that will happen on Coruscant," Mattias said.
"Yet it still happened," Ezzie murmured. Elsa placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, but Ezzie slapped it away. "You promised!" she screeched. The Jedi shuddered as her voice echoed down the alley. Tears streamed down Ezzie's cheeks as she haplessly smacked at Elsa's arms. "You promised to reunite us all! Your word is no more garbage than a dumpster is in this alley. I hate you!"
Elsa didn't even feel the sting of the final stab. She'd shut down at the center of the alleyway and stared intently at the muddied duracrete. She'd grown numb to the insults and hardened beneath her fall from grace. All of her emotions swirled around the same, blatant word: FAILURE.
"Hey!" Anna snapped. "Lay off her! All of us have bent over backwards for you so sorry we couldn't get it perfect."
"Anna," Mattias intoned. "People are dead."
"But that's not Elsa's fault," Anna defended.
"It's mine!" Ezzie shouted before dropping to her knees. Tears dripped onto the duracrete as she hung her head.
Clopin reached for her and spoke softly. "You can't blame yourself for-"
"You don't understand," Ezzie sniffled and composed herself. "None of you do." She dropped her cloak and raised part of the tunic to reveal her scarred back. "Shortly before we left Serenno, I was captured by Frollo's thugs. He didn't seem reviled by me, so I thought he wanted to make peace. Instead, I soon learned he'd taken a..." Ezzie brought herself to the brink of vomiting at the thought. "-liking to me. He said if I became his personal servant, he'd let my people reside in peace. I refused and he thought he could break me." Ezzie's eyes listed as she recalled each harrowing instance of trauma. "I had lost track of the days. You know most slavers use electro-whips so they don't scar their merchandise. Not Frollo..." Ezzie rose from the floor with trembling fists. "But I escaped, damn it. I saw my opportunity and made it back home. I only told my parents, and they hid our guise to leave under an unsafe Serenno for all. All of this hunting...this eradication...it's all to hurt me. Frollo won't stop until he has me."
"We're not gonna let that happen," Mattias affirmed.
"Forgive me if I don't take your word for it," Ezzie scoffed and looked to Elsa.
"Enough of our people have suffered," Clopin said. "What's done is done, Ezzie...but we cannot keep fleeing. We have to stop Frollo here."
"If we can nab him, we have evidence to point him to the Rovani murders," Mattias realized. "I think I know someone who can help us."
"I'm tired of falling in his traps," Ezzie said. "It's time to spring one of our own."
Elsa stared up at the night sky while the others formulated a plan. Anna came to her side and gave her a nudge. "You alright?" her little sister asked.
"No," Elsa admitted. "I hurt Ezzie and I think the further I stay out of this situation, the better things will be. I'll just wait in the speeder."
Heavy breathing filled the alleys of downtown Coruscant as Clopin made a break for it. He bolted through musty slums while its downtrodden inhabitants heckled him. Soon the distinct roar of speeder bikes filled the air as their searchlights swayed across the buildings. Clopin cut into a dead end and futilely clawed at the steel foundation. Blinding lights forced him into submission as the bikes cut him off. He backed up as Frollo dismounted first.
"You Rovani rats never learn," he mocked. "Separation has made you even more foolish." Clopin braced as Frollo's men drew their blasters. "Not yet," Frollo calmly ordered. "This one may earn a second chance at survival." He reached into his robes and withdrew a handful of sparkling chips. "Twenty galactic credits for the Rovani Esmeralda." Clopin remained sternly silent. "I'm letting you live in exchange for information," Frollo intoned to no avail. He angrily returned the credits and reached for his personal blaster.
A flash of green sparked above as Mattias frontflipped from the rooftop. He slashed Frollo's blaster and dipped his lightsaber towards his foe's neck. "Baron Clud Frollo," Mattias ordered. "In the name of the Republic, you are under arrest." Anna leapt down to join him while Ezzie rushed to Clopin. A squad of Coruscant's underworld officers took up positions across the alleyway. Their yellow-goggled glares lit up the shadows like specters.
"It's over!" Officer Souz yelled from among them.
As the situation unfolded, Elsa sat in the speeder's silence. She felt chained to the seat, yet was responsible for her own imprisonment. But no amount of self pity could keep her from seeing figures scurrying across the rooftops. She realized it couldn't have been her friends, for they were already in position. Elsa had failed Ezzie, but whatever was going on, she could still control. Elsa forced herself out of the speeder and scaled the nearest service ladder.
"Make this easier on yourselves!" Mattias beckoned to Frollo's men. "We've got you surrounded. Lay down your weapons and come quietly." None of Frollo's underlings obliged. "Do you want to die?"
"I warned you Jedi to stay out of my business," Frollo chuckled.
Frollo's remaining men had snuck up to the roof with long-range blaster rifles. One of the snipers lined up a shot on Mattias' head when Elsa Force-pushed the assailant. The laser still went off, but struck Mattias' back instead. He collapsed as Frollo flashed a devilish smirk. Laserfire erupted all around as Anna's world slowed. Her eyes widened at the sight of her fallen master while rage fueled her body. The hateful pull that'd toyed with her wasn't even kept at bay. It rushed over her like a tidal wave of fury as she charged towards Frollo in full Ataru. The thugs who weren't battling officers fired at Anna, keeping her from reaching Frollo. It mattered little to her as she barreled towards them and wildly cut them down. With each mighty swing, Anna loosed animalistic screeches that struck fear into hardened adults.
After Elsa had Force-pushed the sniper, him and his cohorts turned their attention to her. Her heart raced as she swiftly ignited her lightsaber. Its bright blue hue kept her illuminated on the shadowy rooftop. You can do this, Elsa told herself. Diplomat's form. Form VI. Come on!
Keeping her lightsaber in low-guard stance, Elsa prepared to utilize Niman. The mens' precise blasts came zipping towards her as she rapidly batted them away. What started as simple deflection escalated as two of her four opponents flanked to get an angle on her. Elsa was forced to the rooftop's edge. Her arms grew tired as her hips tightened from rotating constantly. The lasers were increasing and she couldn't keep them off for much longer. It would only be a matter of time before her fledgling technique faltered and one of the shots snuck through. While she was preoccupied with three of the marksman, the fourth seized the opportunity to rush her. If it wasn't for his boot stepping in a puddle to splash her, she would've been too focused to notice him. He was a savage blur in her peripherals reaching out to grab her. Elsa blocked what shots she could from her other attackers and spun with an upward slash.
A sickening feeling gripped her as the foe she'd struck loosed an agonizing wail. She had no time to address him while fending off the other shooters, but at least he was temporarily downed. Elsa had to think quickly to prevent a similar situation from repeating. She called on her strengths and Force-pushed one of the men into a water tower. His head struck durasteel with a resounding clang and he fell unconscious. With two foes neutralized, Elsa could better fend off the remaining duo. They went on the defensive as she closed in, blocking their lasers until they were on the edge this time. Rather than submit, one of the men triggered a smoke bomb to screen their movements.
Elsa coughed but maintained a sturdy lightsaber stance. She shut her eyes and listened through the artificial cloud. Use the Force, she told herself. "Wait," she said out loud. "Just use the Force." She called upon the Force and dispersed the cloud, revealing a bumbling thug attempting to tackle her.
Elsa Force-pushed him on impulse and gasped as he was sent flying off the building. She raced to the edge and caught him before he met a smashing end. The foe came to his senses, realized he was floating upside down, and flailed in horror. His helmet slid off to reveal a very frightened young man. His shocked, dark gaze met his savior's as she held his fate in her hand. Elsa started to bring him back when the final foe grabbed her weapon hand. In her panic, she nearly lost her grip on the man she was trying to save. With a quick thrust of her hand, she flung him to safety and spun to engage her last enemy. By then, he'd already twisted her wrist and sent her lightsaber plummeting to the floor. She lunged for it but was kneed in the chest.
The pain was overpowering as Elsa dropped to her knees. She struggled to catch her breath as the consistent throbbing in her chest turned to swelling. She caught the final glimpse of her lightsaber before her assailant kicked it off the rooftop. He moved to strike her when the man she'd saved tackled his comrade. Elsa watched through her daze as the youthful blonde battled him across the floor.
"Phoebus, what are you doing?" was all the man could grunt before Elsa's foe-turned-friend choked him out.
Phoebus brushed away his sweat-soaked, flowing hair and helped Elsa up. "We're even now," was all he said before disappearing into the night.
Elsa limped toward the sounds of laserfire and looked back at the first man she'd struck. He was still writhing in pain as she realized what had occurred.
"Cho mai is responsible for most of the cybernetic hands you'll see on people," Yelena had once told her. "At least those who tangle with skillful Jedi. Cho man consists of a precise strike that removes of an opponent's-"
Weapon hand, Elsa recalled as she stared at the man's severed palm. Though she felt disgusted at the sight, Elsa reminded herself that she acted in self defense. She reassured herself that the man was still alive and that the Republic would give him a cybernetic hand in prison. Elsa pressed on and observed the alleyway battle. A thug took aim but Anna haphazardly Force-pushed him into the wall. By the time he'd recovered from the collision, Anna was already driving her lightsaber through his torso. The surviving police officers advanced to address the casualties as Anna's hysteria simmered. With wobbly knees and twitching eyes, Anna stumbled towards her fallen master. She scooped Mattias in her arms and rejoiced in his pulse. The blaster wound still smoked from his sizzling flesh.
"Try not to move," Anna insisted.
"I...don't think I can," Mattias grumbled. "There's so much pain...yet there isn't." Anna clenched her fist until Mattias caressed it. "Control your emotions."
"Oh like you did with the warden?" Anna retorted. She was relieved that he was still able to smile.
Officer Souz examined the wound and looked to Anna. "We've got to get him to a medcenter ASAP," she said. "Every second we waste puts him at risk for paralysis."
"Frollo's gone," an officer hollered. Anna and Elsa quickly realized that the Rovani were missing as well.
"I'll find them!" Elsa boldly proclaimed.
"Go," Mattias coughed to his apprentice.
"I'm not leaving you, master." Anna insisted. "We're gonna be better for each other, remember? Elsa will have the police."
"You mean the ones she took off without?" Mattias added.
Anna bit her lip. "Well I did teach her some new saber techniques."
"I didn't see a lightsaber with her," Mattias continued. Anna's widened eyes and quickened breaths were all Mattias needed to see. "Go, Anna."
"I'll take care of him, kid." Souz affirmed.
"You'd better be alright when I get back!" Anna shouted and sprinted down an alleyway. She made it halfway before realizing she had no idea where she was going. "Elsa, what's your location?" she asked over comlink. "Elsa!" Anna huffed when no one answered and paused. I know, she thought. I'll use the Force-detect-where-people-are thing.
Anna shut her eyes and listened to her boisterous mind. The sounds of overhead ships prodded her senses while two, sporadic blips scraped through. They felt alive and moved slightly around the corner beside her. "Ezzie? Clopin?" Anna called as she rounded to investigate. All she did was send two very startled tooka-cats scampering away. Anna sulked as the felines hissed at her from afar. "I think the Force is broken."
Elsa quintuple checked that her comlink was shut off to not give away her position. Without her lightsaber, stealth and the Force would be her greatest allies as she sensed her surroundings. She felt the hunger of scraggly tooka-cats and the frustration of a homeless beggar. Delving further into the maze of alleyways, Elsa sensed a panic. It was accompanied by the same proud heart she'd witnessed during the Jedi Temple riot. Images formed in her mind's eye as she glimpsed locks of raven hair flowing in the shadows. "Ezzie!" Elsa gasped out loud and rushed towards the source. She feared the worst after having sensed a hateful presence in pursuit.
"Did you get it working yet?" Clopin panted.
"Would you give me a second? I've never worked one." Ezzie snapped while fiddling with her find. The Rovani ran straight into a dead end and heard Frollo's footsteps echoing through the smog. Thinking quickly, Clopin clutched a brick and smashed a nearby window. He then hoisted Ezzie up and through it before launching himself in. His foot nicked a massive shard of glass before he fell in. "Careful!" Ezzie gasped as blood trickled from Clopin's heel. Ezzie and Clopin backed deeper into the dusty facility as Frollo entered. He had brutishly kicked down the back door and turned on a searchlight. He feared nothing and wanted his prey to know exactly where he was.
"You've led me on quite a chase, my dear." Frollo called into the shadows. He swayed his light over an array of abandoned, rusty equipment and found a blood trail. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't fun. But alas, all good hunts must come to...an end!" He hurriedly pointed his light towards a figure, only to realize it was a welding sign. Clopin and Ezzie crawled along the floor, using desks to stay hidden as Frollo marched about. Clopin nervously clutched his heel to prevent further bleeding from giving away their position. As their eyes adjusted to the blackness, they soon realized the only exit door was behind Frollo. With their only chance being to get around him, Ezzie cautiously snuck to an adjacent cabinet. Clopin was about to join her, but Frollo shined his light over and separated them. His heart sank as Frollo stepped closer to investigate. Seeing no other option, Clopin removed his ancestral necklace and threw it across the room. The clamor stopped Frollo, only he didn't budge to investigate.
Frollo pointed a finger at the source of the sound and then traced it to where he thought an object was thrown. "Rovani trickery," he hissed. "I should expect nothing less from such heathens!" He viciously overturned the desk and exposed Clopin beneath it. Desperate and wounded, the Rovani lunged at Frollo but was uppercutted into unconciousness. Frollo prepared to stomp on his target, but a lightsaber ignited behind him.
Frollo's head swiveled as he focused on the icy blue glow across the room. The young face beside the scorching plasma was that of fury and determination, yet it was surprised to get the blade working in the first place. Ezzie kept a firm grip on Elsa's lightsaber. "Let him go, Frollo." she demanded. "It's me you want."
It was as if nothing else in the galaxy mattered when the baron rested his sadistic eyes on her. He turned as if entranced and a demonic grin crept across his lips. "Esmeralda," he spoke with a despicable lust. "Do you think yourself a Jedi now?" He took his time walking towards her. He wanted each step to be heavier and more daunting than the last. Ezzie started to grip the saber so tightly that the hilt was digging into her palms. "Put on whatever robes you like, wield whatever toy you wish, but at the end of the day...you still belong to me." That was all Frollo had to say for Ezzie to take a ferocious swing. The lightsaber was heavier than she thought and her overly tight grip caused her arms to strain. Ezzie stepped back but realized she'd landed a hit. Frollo hunched over a counter and clutched his sizzling cheek. He looked to her with hateful eyes as a cauterized scar emerged across his cheek.
Ezzie had nothing to say to the monster and instead went in swinging wildly. The lightsaber severed various tools and desks as Frollo weaved away. Ezzie's downward slash would prove detrimental as Frollo easily caught her wrist. Ezzie struggled in the baron's grip as he reached for the lightsaber. Both combatants bent and flexed to avoid the tipping plasma while continuing to fight each other. Welding equipment crashed and clamored around them in a deafening symphony. Ezzie bit into Frollo's hand but it only made him shove her away. Her temple struck the tile and made her briefly see double. A magenta-clad figure emerged in the broken doorway and flourished its blue lightsaber. Auburn strands completed a familiar look as Ezzie felt herself being dragged off the ground. By the time she realized she no longer possessed Elsa's lightsaber, Frollo already had it to her neck.
"That's far enough, Jedi!" Frollo bellowed while keeping Ezzie hostage.
Anna hated being frozen in place. She didn't bother telling Frollo to release her because he knew a man like him never would. At the moment, Ezzie was the only person keeping him alive. "Baron," Anna intoned. "This won't end well for you. You and I both know it."
"You are in no position to decree fates," Frollo countered. "He who holds lives in his hands holds the power, so listen well. The Rovani and I are getting offworld. You're going to stay put or her death will be on your hands."
"Kriffing hell," was all Anna could mutter. She wanted nothing more than to strike Frollo down, but Ezzie was his human shield. No wonder hostage takers usually got what they wanted, Anna thought.
Frollo backed up towards the shattered window while keeping Ezzie close. He'd occasionally lift the steaming blade closer to her neck to induce an extra ounce of fear. Once he got his bearings, Frollo prepared to take his first step out the window. Suddenly his hand felt an immense amount of pressure. He deduced it was from where Ezzie had bitten him and glared at the wound. "What witchcraft is this?" he growled.
In that instant, the lightsaber shot out of his hand, zipped across the room, and landed in the clutches of its true owner. Elsa stealthily emerged from the shadows, leaving Frollo weaponless. As the Jedi closed in on him and Clopin started to wake up, Frollo panicked. Ezzie squeezed the hand she'd bit him on and struck him with the back of her head. Once free of his grip, Ezzie punched Frollo out the window. Into that punch, the Rovani poured her pains to ignite liberation.
Frollo struck the window pane with a thud and loosened the massive shard above him. Elsa noticed it falling and reached out to catch it with the Force. Anna caught her sister off guard and grabbed her hands, shaking her connection with the Force. "No!" Elsa gasped as the shard fell and impaled Frollo.
"It's done," Anna panted.
Her little sister was surprised when Elsa angrily shoved her. "Why would you do that?" Elsa interrogated. "He was beaten."
"And now he's dead. Are you kidding me right now?" Anna snapped, her victorious grin quickly fading. "Elsa, that man was a monster. You saw what he did to Ezzie and her people. Look what happened to my master. Do you think arresting Frollo would stop him? He'd just break out and do it again. Maybe he'd even do worse!"
Elsa didn't respond. She simply shook her head in disgust and returned attention to Ezzie. The Rovani was focused on Frollo's lifeless body as Elsa dared to place a hand on her. "What can I do?" Elsa asked.
"You've done more than enough," Ezzie answered as they walked out of the facility. "More than I can probably repay." She looked to Elsa and sighed. "I don't...I don't hate you, you know. I just lost hope. But Frollo's demise gives me closure."
Anna glared at Elsa and exaggerated her agreeing nod. Elsa refuted and spoke to Ezzie. "Death isn't a solution," she said. "Life is the constant chance for betterment."
"You might be on to something," Ezzie admitted. "But you Jedi are a little too philosophical for my taste. Clopin and I still have people out there that need to be found. They all still have a future in this galaxy."
"If that's where the journey takes you," Anna said. "All power to you. I think your fellow Rovani are lucky to have someone like you."
Ezzie winked at Clopin. "Yeah they are. Oh, I'm keeping these Jedi threads though."
"I still have your Rovani clothes under my bed!" Elsa blurted.
"Keep'em!" Ezzie insisted. "Something to remember me by plus, maybe you'll have to look like me someday. Now that would be something." Ezzie hugged the Padawans before she and Clopin made for a street. "Thanks for everything, Anna and Elsa."
"Do you need help getting to a spaceport or something?" Elsa inquired.
"We're Rovani!" Ezzie hollered from afar. "No matter the planet, no matter the system...we know the way!"
Elsa and Anna watched as their new friend disappeared almost as uniquely as she'd entered. With vigor in her heart and a spring in her step, Ezzie ventured on to change worlds and lives.