Author's Note: I don't own Star Wars: The Clone Wars or its characters, but I only own Nadia Aomori and my other OCs.
Enjoy!
Threads of Destiny
Chapter 58: Back to Corellia
Nadia sat in one of the meditation chambers located in the upper structure of the Tranquility Spire of the Jedi Temple.
However, the raven haired girl was sitting down with her legs crossed while being utterly lost in her thoughts.
It's been a few weeks since Ahsoka left the Jedi Order.
Since her best friend left, Nadia herself developed a bit of a bad temper.
She had also become sort of lonely.
It wasn't just her.
Anakin was feeling the exact way Nadia was.
Ahsoka had been his Padawan after all.
Things were not as they used to be now that Ahsoka wasn't no longer around.
Suddenly, an irritated scowl escaped from Nadia's mouth.
How quickly the Jedi Council just thrown her best friend out, leaving her fate up to the Republic Senate.
How they'd watched emotionlessly as Ahsoka was found guilty and given whatever sentence. Even if it meant death.
How could she ever trust them again?
How could she put her faith in them or their orders?
Nadia still had the ever-growing tiredness and frustration over never getting the chance to prove herself and longs to finally prove her worth, no longer wanting to be sidelined or overshadowed.
But how can she ever become a Jedi Knight after what the Council did?
Nadia came out of her thoughts when she suddenly sensed that she was being watched causing her to smirk a little.
"You known I can sense you all, right?"Nadia asked.
Then out in a nearby pillar came three younglings; Sors Bandeam, Jeswi Ele and Shia Letap.
The three younglings walked up to Nadia.
"Hello, Nadia."Jeswi greeted.
"We heard about what happened to Ahsoka."Shia admitted with an apologetic look."We're very sorry."
"Are you okay?"Sors asked.
Nadia gives Sors, Jeswi and Shia a soft smile.
"Just a little bit."Nadia answered simply."Things are different now. But I do believe still that I'll see Ahsoka again."
Obi-Wan was making his way to the High Council Chamber upon being called to attend a meeting.
Upon arriving inside the chamber, he was surprised to see Valerie Horn; Nadia and Maybelline's paternal grandmother.
Valerie Horn was now an old woman in her late 70s. She wore a long dark lavender purple dress with butterflies and streaks embroidered on it and mountain designs at the bottom of he dress, orange teardrop-shaped circles on her collar, and flower-like symbols on certain parts of her clothing like ones that appear slightly above her elbows and black high heels.
"Ms Horn?"Obi-Wan said.
"You must be Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."Valerie responded with a smile."My granddaughter has spoken a lot about you."
Obi-Wan and Valerie shook hands with each other.
"What brings you to the Jedi Temple?"Obi-Wan asked.
"Ms Horn is simply here upon the report what your Padawan did this morning, Obi-Wan."Mace Windu admitted.
Obi-Wan frowned, feeling utterly confused and concerned at what he was told.
"What did Nadia do?"Obi-Wan asked.
Flashback…
It was early in the morning, Master Luminara Unduli was walking her way to the Room of a Thousand Fountains until she notice Nadia walking over to her.
"Hello, Nadia."Luminara responded."I'm sorry about-"
Before Luminara could finish her sentence, Nadia slapped her across the face.
"That was for not keeping an eye on Barriss!"Nadia scowled.
A stunned looked appeared on Obi-Wan's face.
"Nadia did that?"Obi-Wan asked in disbelief.
"Well, Barriss was Master Unduli's Padawan."Valerie reminded with a frown."And since Barriss was her responsibly, she has failed to keep an eye on her pupil from betraying the Jedi Order you attend to protect."
Mace Windu gave Valerie a suspicious glare.
"Are you defending your granddaughter's insult towards a Jedi Master?"Mace Windu questioned.
"I didn't clearly say what Nadia did was right. But she has a reason to be upset with Master Unduli."Valerie clarified simply."However, Luminara and Barriss weren't always together, they were often sent to separate ways, so she didn't always have the one person she trusted the most. Her loneliness, the trauma of war and the bottling of her emotions broke her hard and she never looked for someone else to help her. But there's still no justification to be a terrorist and blame your friend for it."
"It seems Padawan Aomori is being clouded by her emotions from Ahsoka leaving the Order."Ki-Adi-Mundi stated.
"With Ki-Adi-Mundi and Mace Windu on this, I agree."Master Yoda stated.
A glare appeared on Valerie's face.
"And whose fault is that, Master Yoda?"Valerie questioned, his voice sounding calm and irritated at the same time."Ahsoka was a best friend forever to Nadia from the moment she stepped into your Temple after the deaths of my son and my other loved ones. Yet after all the battles she fought for the Clone Wars, you strangely accused her to be a criminal and didn't care if she received a sentence for the crime she didn't commit."
Valerie brought her attention on Plo Koon.
"And you, Master Plo."Valerie retorted."You're the Jedi Master who brought Ahsoka to the Jedi Order and she looked up to you as a father figure. But in return, you immediately turn your back on her after she was framed on bombing the Temple. Are you going to keep saying you did the right thing as well?"
"I don't argue you on that, Ms Horn."Plo Koon responding, looking down."What happened to Ahsoka, the Council share a lot of the blame here."
"But we handled the situation the way we saw fit."Mace Windu admitted.
Valerie gives Mace Windu a dirty look.
From the messages that Valerie sent her, Mace Windu was, after all, the one that told Ahsoka that being wrongly accused of the bombing on the Temple and murder was 'her big trial' and that she would be a better Jedi because of it.
"You mean your lack of compassion that you claim a Jedi should have, Master Windu?"Valerie scowled lightly."I can clearly see why granddaughter doesn't like you. You're far too arrogant, condescending, and at times, unsympathetic to the emotional plights of other people to even be near pure good."
Mace Windu glared back at Valerie, but didn't say anything.
"Calm down, Ms Horn. This is about Nadia."Shaak Ti reminded."I have an idea. A retreat would do her good by taking a week away from the War. Find herself some peace. She can also get a little bit of her training done in the side time."
"I agree."Agen Kolar replied."I found the best path to handle loss is through reuniting oneself with the Force. But one can find peace again. Through concentration of the Force and the realisation that they may be better off than what they were before."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
"Nadia does miss her old life on Corellia, so perhaps a trip back to her homeworld could make her feel better."Obi-Wan suggested.
Valerie notice the members of the Jedi Council were waiting for her respond, making her let out a sigh.
"For once I agree with all of you."Valerie answered.
The following morning, Nadia left Coruscant to take a passenger ship back to Corellia with her loved ones.
Nadia, Hal, Maybelline and Valerie sat close to each other.
"Thank you again for coming for us, Grandma Valerie."Maybelline thanked.
"Yeah."Hal agreed."I don't think the Jedi Council wouldn't have a thought to give us a small vacation if you didn't stop by to visit."
"You're very welcome. A war zone and training for it is no place for children. Regardless, if they're Force-sensitive or not."Valerie admitted."I am actually relieved that you three still follow our homeworld's Jedi Code."
As her loved ones chatted with each other, Nadia was lost in her thoughts.
She was going back to Corellia after 6 years.
6 years since-
Nadia immediately crushed her thoughts in order to stop remember the painful memory that changed her life forever.
"Finally going back home."Nadia murmured softly.
RG-G1 stood next to Nadia and gave her a comforting beep to reassure his friend that everything was going to be fine.
Meanwhile…
Ferus sat in the living room of Padme's apartment, fiddling with an object.
In the Jedi Knight's hand was an engagement ring that had an oval royal blue sapphire centre stone with tiny white diamonds between it.
Padme walked over to Ferus and sat next to him.
"Hey, Ferus."Padme greeted."Are you alright?"
"Not really, Padme."Ferus declared."I'm lost."
Padme gives Ferus a small smirk.
"The fact that your proposal to Nadia was ruined?"Padme assumed.
Ferus let out a scoff.
"Yes."Ferus answered as he looked at the engagement ring he held."The Clone Wars is causing so many problems for people in the galaxy. I begin to highly doubt that it's time to include another wedding during the conflict. But-"
Padme gave Ferus a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I know your feelings for Nadia are truly strong, little brother."Padme stated kindly."But if you look back at what happened to Ahsoka, a lifetime commitment's probably the furthest thing from Nadia's mind. She needs to have space and enjoy being on Corellia with her loved ones. In other words, now's not the time for you to ask her to marry you."
Ferus sighed upon knowing Padme was right before looking at the engagement ring he held one more time and placed it back in its box.
"But then how will I know when it's the right moment to ask Nadia, Padme?"Ferus asked.
"Just remember to follow your heart and that's how you'll know, Ferus."Padme declared."Not your head."
Anakin walked into the living room to join his wife and brother-in-law.
"And when the time does come, we need to have a serious talk about the ceremony decorations beforehand."Anakin admitted.
Padme covered her mouth to giggle while Ferus rolled his eyes.
"Easy for you to say, Anakin."Ferus responded with a frown."You two secretly married on Naboo right after the First Battle of Geonosis at the beginning of the Clone Wars and you were still Obi-Wan's Padawan. In addition, me, Threepio and Artoo were the only guests on your wedding day."
Anakin chuckled and placed his hands up in defence.
"Alright, I have no clue for the ceremony decorations."Anakin admitted and smirked."Though I have a clue for the right babysitter to babysit the children of me and Padme."
"Oh really, Anakin?"Ferus said, raising an eyebrow."And who would that be?"
Padme chuckled and ruffled Ferus' head.
"You, Ferus."Padme remarked."If Sola and Darred trust you with Ryoo and Pooja, why can't me and Anakin trust you with our own children?"
As a response, Ferus became nervous and dramatically lowered off the sofa.
He loved taking care of his nieces; Ryoo and Pooja.
Though he doubted being a great babysitter to Padme and Anakin's own children in the future.
They would probably be more noisy and rebellious than their own cousins.
In Corellia…
In her home within Coronet City, Scerra and her maids finished preparing the meals for the welcome back party of her stepdaughter and children.
Scerra wore a cream-white blouse with long, puffy sleeves and layers of frills across the straight neckline. Worn on top was a long seafoam-green skirt that flaired slightly. The blouse and skirt were both adorned with golden buttons and detailing. On her feet were dark brown flats. Her sandy brown hair was tied in a loose bun.
A maid arrived holding a plate that contained a Corellian air cake; a dessert made from dough and carbosyrup with a fruit core.
"Which side of the table do you want me to put the cake, Lady Scerra?"the maid asked.
"Right in the center."Scerra instructed."This is my children's favourite dessert as well as Nadia's."
The maid nodded and placed the cake on the table.
Suddenly, the doorbell of the house rang causing Scerra and the maids to become alarmed.
"That must be them."Scerra declared.
Scerra made her way out of the dining room to go open the door.
The moment she opened the door, Maybelline tackled her mother with a hug.
"Mummy, we're back!"Maybelline remarked joyfully.
"May, welcome home."Scerra responded.
Scerra gave Maybelline a kiss on the forehead before Hal hugged her as well.
"Hi, mum."Hal responded."We've missed you."
"I've missed you both so much, Hal."Scerra admitted."The house has been quiet without you two."
Scerra brought her attention on Valerie and gave her deceased lover's mother a hug as well.
"Though it seems you've been handling well running the house on your own, Scerra."Valerie praised."Hard work is what makes a woman stronger."
In Onderon…
Lux sat inside his office within the home that officially belonged to him after the death of his mother.
The Senator of Onderon was lost in his thoughts after reading on his data pad about the current events that occurred in Coruscant.
Ahsoka was expelled from the Jedi Order and stripped of her ranks within the Grand Army of the Republic after being framed for causing the bombing in the Jedi Temple.
However, Anakin and Nadia ultimately proved Ahsoka's innocence before a verdict was reached by the Republic courts, revealing that it was Barriss who became disillusioned with the Order, gave Turmond the nano-droids and framed Ahsoka for it all.
The Council apologised to Ahsoka and offered her a chance to rejoin, though she refused and left the Jedi Order.
A scowl escaped from Lux's face as he placed the data pad on his table.
After everything Ahsoka did for the Jedi Order, the people that she looked up to fell for the now grounded Admiral Tarkin's wretched too soon lie and were ready to feed the girl he loved to the Senate like she was a criminal.
Ferus contacted Lux to tell him Ahsoka left the Jedi Order, but neither he or Nadia knew where she ended up going even though she was gonna stay in touch with them and their friends.
Lux would've defended Ahsoka like Ferus and Senator Amidala did, if he was on Coruscant.
But he was needed here on Onderon to help his people recover from the Separatist's occupation.
The Senator of Onderon simply frowned as he glanced at the view outside.
If the Jedi Council really cared about the Jedi around them, they would value their friendships and able to tell immediately who was really their friend or foe.
However, after hearing what they did to Ahsoka and she nearly an unknown sentence for the crime she didn't even commit, Lux realised the Jedi Order were corrupted to the point of not being led by the Light Side anymore.
All the Padawan learners and Jedi Knights were just tools in the Jedi Council's eyes like Ahsoka had been.
"Guess the Jedi Order's losing their way after all."Lux stated in disappointment.
In Corellia…
After finishing eating lunch, Hal and Maybelline decided to give Nadia a tour around Coronet City.
Nadia wore a light green sleeveless buttoned shirt with a yellow collar, pink and blue bracelets, navy shorts with a light blue belt, white thigh-high socks and blue strapped platform sandals. Her raven black hair was tied in its usual ponytail hairstyle with a yellow pink blue coloured scrunchie on it.
Hal wore a dark grey open jacket with a raised collar, a white T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white blue trainers.
Maybelline wore an ebony-black midriff-baring top with short sleeves under an unbuttoned, mustard-and-scarlet safari-vest. She also wore shorts that matched the colour of her vest with thigh-length, black socks and lime-and-flacken sneakers. She also wore an emerald-green choker and a white gem necklace as well as lime coloured wristbands. Her sandy brown hair had a green hairband on it.
Hal and Maybelline stopped near a traffic light as Nadia quietly followed them from behind.
Nadia looked around Coronet City, recognising the Jewel of Corellia's bustling urban metropolis from top to bottom.
It was still a technologically advanced city with beautiful architecture even after she left.
Nothing had changed.
However, Nadia though deep inside her heart felt nostalgic.
Was it because she was finally happy to be back home after so long or because the loved ones that she used to go around Coronet City many times weren't around anymore?
Nadia went out of her thoughts when she caught sight of a little girl crying outside a sweet shop while her older brother comforted her.
The raven haired girl looked at the two children quietly, suddenly remembering all the times Jayden comforted her when she was still sad.
"Nadia!"Maybelline called out.
"Coming!"Nadia answered.
Nadia joined Hal and Maybelline as the three of them walked to another part of the city that led to the spaceport.
"So where are we going exactly?"Nadia questioned."The Museum of Fine Arts is not in this direction."
Hal glanced at Nadia with a surprised expression.
"You don't remember why we usually took the spaceport in Coronet City, Nadia?"Hal asked.
"We are going to the Gold Beaches of Corellia!"Maybelline declared excitedly.
Maybelline took Nadia's hand to lead her to the shuttle with Hal following them in tow.
Hal, Nadia and Maybelline sat on the seats close to each other as other civilians went into the shuttle.
Maybelline looked at Hal.
"Big brother, have you ever seen any other oceans?"Maybelline asked curiously.
"I have seen the Boiling Sea and Drall, the Cloudland Peaks on Selonia beside the Gold Beaches on Corellia, Meibe."Hal complemented and smirked at Nadia."You have never been swimming in a real honest ocean in Coruscant, have you'?"
Nadia gives Hal a smug look.
"Coruscant has only the Great Western Sea."Nadia admitted."But it isn't a place to go swimming in."
"Ooh, scary."Maybelline giggled.
"Tough luck."Hal complemented.
After half an hour, the shuttle arrived to another spaceport causing Hal, Maybelline and Nadia as well as its passengers to come out.
The Gold Beaches of Corellia were often referred to as one of the greatest natural wonders of the Core Worlds.
Eons of exposure to the breaking waves of the surf and wind manipulated the sand crystals into a soft, almost flour-like powder. The beaches also exhibited a highly reflective quality about them created by the gold mica-like particles of the shells of a vast number of aquatic arthropod species as well as microscopic organisms, primarily the douradea species of algae, mixed in with the pearlescent particulate of offshore coral reefs. The combination of these particles gave the beaches their namesake as they resembled gold powder. The rarest of the golden beaches were the black gold beaches of the equatorial regions.
The sand had a heavy load of ancient volcanic silica. These were considered to be some of the most ancient exposed sands of the planet from a time long before the power of wind and the elements smoothed ancient mountains and volcanoes down to the current soft slopes, mesas and hills of the current geology.
They were located between Coronet and Tyrena.
Maybelline squealed in excitement before going off to run the sand.
"Catch me if you can, Hal and Nadia!"Maybelline challenged.
"Challenge accepted, Meibe!"Hal chuckled and glanced at Nadia."Come on, Nadia!"
Hal went to chase after Maybelline while Nadia quietly looked on at the scene in front of her, not sure what to do.
But then a small yet bright smile appeared on Nadia's face when she glanced at the pure blue sky above her.
She still terribly missed her parents, older brother and sister-in-law, but that didn't mean her life was not over.
Yes.
Things were now different.
Looking back to everything she had been through, Nadia realised she wasn't a scared and lonely little girl anymore.
She had a home.
She had friends.
She had a boyfriend.
And she still had a family.
Overall, she had grown up to become a beautiful and strong young woman that her late loved ones would've been proud to see.
Finally accepting the events that occurred in the past, Nadia's smile grew bigger before going off to join Hal and Maybelline.
Life was short, so she should enjoy it to the fullest as anyone else would.
Whether the person was a Jedi or not.
And here wraps up Season 5!
I am planning to add the Lost Episodes of the Clone Wars series since it never got aired.
See you all in the next chapter and have a wonderful day!