Chapter 4: Tearful Reunion

Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, I only own my OCs

Last Paragons

Somewhere in the Outer Rim, an HWK-290 light freighter was currently docked with a docking station. Its owner was a young woman around 21 years old, had shoulder-length brown hair, green eyes, lightly tanned skin tone, stood 5'8" tall, athletic build and 34B cup breasts. Her attire consisted of a white undershirt with a small red flak jacket over it both which stopped above her waist showing off her midriff and black leggings tucked into brown hiking boots. On the belt around her waist were two modified DL-18 blaster pistols and wore a necklace that had a fragment of the rare kaiburr crystal.

This was Leliana Ashford, the most famous or hated smuggler the galaxy has seen recently depending on who you asked.

She was currently sitting on a stool next to the window drinking an alcoholic beverage while holding her chin with one hand. She took jobs to ensure she didn't go hungry or have her ship, the Forgotten Star fall apart. Her two companions were a steel gray and black R2 series asteromech droid named Iron and C-3PO series protocol droid named Violet.

This sector of the Outer Rim wasn't under Empire control though she wonders how long that will last. She had been in hiding for two years after helping the Jedi fight back against the clone troopers they fought side by side with during the Clone Wars after Order 66 was executed. Leliana knew she was labeled a traitor of the Empire. As such didn't remain in one sector for too long, however she still had encounters with Star Destroyers. Fortunately she was able to escape.

Drinking the rest of her beverage, Leliana pays the bartender and boards her ship. Despite having her two droids with her, it was pretty lonely without a human companion there. Falling into the pilot seat, Leliana rubs her eyes, moaning tiredly. She barely gets any sleep, her dreams mostly nightmares of the raid on the Jedi Temple. Her most recent involved a tall figure covered head to toe in dark armor with a respirator producing a cold, mechanical sound chasing her. Every shot was deflected by its red lightsaber and ripped her blasters out of her hands. She was next thrown through walls. Thermal detonators inflicted no damage on the attacker's armor. The armored figure lifts her with the Force, holding her in place as he approached. The deep, bass tone of its voice sent chills down Leliana's spine.

It demanded her the locations of the remaining Jedi. When she refused, the armored figure said she will die like many Jedi before her. The last thing she felt was being pulled toward the red blade and woke up breathing heavily.

Violet's voice brought the smuggler out of her state, "Forgive me for interrupting whatever you were doing, Leliana."

The smuggler groaned, "It's okay, Violet. What is it?"

The protocol droid said, "There's a transmission on the private channel. It's from Hondo, he said it's urgent." Indeed it was urgent because the holocommunicator beeped. Reaching forward, Leliana pushes the button, answering the call.

Soon, a blue hologram of the Weequay space pirate forms.

He greeted, "Hello Leliana, been a while since we last spoke."

The smuggler said, "Two years actually. What do you want, Hondo? I'm sure you didn't call me for some catching up."

Hondo placed hands on his hips while tilting his head in mock hurt, "Come now, Leliana. I'm not that bad."

Leliana mumbled, "Uh-huh, sure."

Hondo's expression changed, "Anyway, I called because the Empire attacked Corellia."

Leliana straightened, eyes wide, "Is this some kind of a joke?!"

Hondo shook his head, "No joke, my friend. It's been on the holonet for days."

The smuggler asked, "Why would they do such a thing?"

Hondo replied, "They're saying it's due to a small rebellion opposing their rule."

Leliana said, "I'm going."

The Weequay exclaimed, "You can't be serious. The Empire's got the planet blocked off, nobody is allowed to pass without proper code clearance!"

Leliana shook her head, "I don't care! Even though I'm a smuggler, Corellia's my home!"

Hondo started, "But..." He doesn't get to finish the sentence because Leliana cuts the transmission.

Sitting upright the smuggler punches in the coordinates for Corellia and activates the hyperdrive, countless stars turn into lines as the Forgotten Star makes the jump to hyperspace. After what seems like forever Leliana pulls the lever forward exiting hyperspace, in front of her stood a fleet of Star Destroyers. Acting fast she activates her ship's stealth system rendering it invisible to most sensors. She sneaks past the Imperial fleet and makes it through the planet's atmosphere.

Leliana can see Coronet City appearing beyond the horizon, she makes out the shape of Imperial walkers guarding the entrance to the city. The smuggler lands her ship outside the city.

Shutting the engines down, Leliana makes her way toward the entrance door.

Violet asked, "Where are you going if I may ask, Leliana?"

Turning her head, the smuggler replied, "I'm going to look for someone."

The protocol droid said, "But miss, Coronet City is crawling with Imperial forces. You won't be able to enter without registry."

Leliana smiled, "And when has that stopped me?" Saying her piece, the young woman steps outside.

Hopping onto her speeder bike, Leliana put her helmet on, revs up the engine and moves out. She enters Coronet City through an unguarded area, as she did she takes in the devastation the city suffered. It was a lot worse than the Separatists' when they invaded Corellia to obtain resources for their Goliath Project. One difference, though was that the Empire only attacked the sector Alexandra lived instead of the whole city. The attack was blitzkrieg style, fast and devastation over precision. It served another purpose.

Darth Sidious wanted to establish his rule quickly and this served as a message: You will bow.

Continuing her course, Leliana notices the buildings of this sector in the process of being rebuilt as long as Corellia didn't rebel. The smuggler's green eyes widen in shock when Alexandra's home appears on the horizon, anxiety gripping her chest Leliana increases the speed of her bike. She soon reaches the mansion, stepping off the speeder bike Leliana shuts off the engine and removes her helmet, placing it on the seat. The anxiety in her changes into horror as she takes in the state of the mansion, reduced to rubble with only the main floor intact. The wood had scorch marks indicating a fire that burnt itself out. Sorting through the rubble hoping to find any trace of Alexandra Leliana only find pieces of splintered wood and smell of smoke. Her eyes lay on one of the maids that served the Wolf family, her lower body buried under debris. She died quickly due to the shock.

Resuming her search, the smuggler's head moves left and right looking for any clues on Alexandra's whereabouts. A faint light catches her attention. Running to the location Leliana crouches down and clears the wreckage. The light belonged to the lightsaber hilt Alexandra found during their trip to Tython. Leliana's heart sunk. Gripping it with one hand and the kaiburr crystal around her neck with the other, tears begin to form at the edges of Leliana's eyes.

'I lost Cynthia, I can't lose Alex.' She thought.

For the entire day, Leliana looks for any sign of the black-haired girl. Unfortunately, there was none to be found. Seeing the sun beginning to set, Leliana heads back to her ship. Retreating to her quarters, she falls onto the bed crying.

The next day sees her continuing to look for Alexandra, this time heading toward downtown Coronet City to look at an Imperial registry. She remembers hearing one of the locals saying the Empire sat up a registry system for every resident. She gets a minor relief to see her friend Gregor and his family survived the attack. She decides to use him as a contact or extra set of eyes in case he received word that Alexandra was found. But there was no sign of her name or picture in the registry. Leliana by now was sure to have heard of Alexandra's parents speaking out against the Empire which is what caused the attack, so if Alexandra did register the Empire would have detained her, but there was no record of that either. So either the Empire never encountered her or she was dead somewhere.

Stopping at a local cafe, Leliana stares at her reflection in the cup of tea she ordered. Her hope of Alexandra being alive was growing slimmer and finding traces of her was equally growing slimmer. She hears footsteps approaching her direction. Looking up, a squad of stormtroopers stand in front of her, blasters armed in case she decided to retaliate. Leliana hides the sneer that wanted to appear on her face.

The squad leader ordered, "I don't recall seeing you in the registry, ma'am. Let me see your identification."

Leliana said, "I came here yesterday so it'd make sense I am not in your registry."

The trooper commanded, "I'd like you to come with us so we can have you registered."

Leliana asked, "What if I say no?" Unknown to them, her hand was reaching for one of her blaster pistols. Just the mere sight of these Imperials was eroding her restraint.

The trooper said more firmly, "Then we'll take you by force."

Leliana replied, "You may try but it won't save you in the end." Faster than they can react, the smuggler stands up and fires her DL-18, killing the stormtroopers. Placing the blaster pistol into the holster, the smuggler gives the corpses a glare. A bouncer comes over to remove the bodies.

She walked up to the bartender and paid him, "Sorry about the mess." Putting her helmet on, Leliana steps onto her speeder bike and departs knowing the incident will draw attention.

It's now been almost four months since Leliana came to Corellia and continues her search, not finding anything on Alexandra's whereabouts. She had given up hope of Alexandra being alive yet she refused to quit. Having searched every part of the city, Leliana decides to look outside the city, toward the natural areas between the next city a good sixty kilometers. She would search there for a while. During her first sweep she found a cave, it wasn't very deep at first glance, but she felt something, an instinct or gut feeling pulling her toward the cave. Loading a fresh cell clip into her blaster pistols, Leliana enters the cave.

Deeper and deeper she went, the blue crystals lining the walls provide light for her. Leliana follows the feeling and remembers what Obi-Wan Kenobi once told about the kaiburr crystal. He said the Force could provide guidance if one needed it. Was the Force guiding her direction? She disliked the Force, not caring about its power or guidance yet it's the only thing she had to go on. As she moves deeper into the cover, the deep red crystal around her neck grew warmer. Was the crystal guiding her too?

Leliana had a confusing relationship with it. On one hand, it was a gift Alexandra gave her following the Separatists' invasion of Corellia. On the other, it gave her visions of future events, some more vague than others. The future was never set in stone. It's always on the move.

The warmth radiating off the kaiburr crystal reaches a crescendo when she reached the deepest point of the cave, her eyes laying on a ship. She could tell it was damaged and covered in dirt, it must have been here for a long time though not exactly how long. One thing was strange though, the ship had power, the door opens when she approached it. She steps inside, lights were on, machines were running, barely, but they were running which meant they were repaired recently. She goes back outside wanting to search the area before looking inside. The sound of boots compressing the dirt ground faintly echo throughout the cave that grew louder as they near the ship.

Instincts kicking in, Leliana runs toward the corridor wall that led here. She pokes her head out to see someone walking around the tail end of the ship, a black-haired girl wearing armor partially covered by a dark robe. Leliana caught glance of a lightsaber attached to the person's belt though its design was nothing like Ahsoka's, it was more robust and of a different era.

The girl carried a basket of food, indicating she just returned from the surface. She silently counts the amount of food in the basket to see if she had enough to live on until she had to go looking for more. A sigh of relief escapes her and tucks strands of black hair behind her ear, unaware that she was being watched.

Leliana lets out a barely audible gasp. It was her, the person she spent nearly four months searching for.

She stepped out of her hiding spot and struggled to gather air into her lungs as she called out the person's name, "ALEX!" The robed girl straightened, slowly turning and seeing Leliana standing made air freeze in her own lungs, her arms fall limp for a moment and drops the basket of food she was carrying. The two rush at each other, their arms wrapping around the other and Leliana falls to her knees, bringing Alexandra down with her, crying into her shoulder.

She sobbed, "You're alive. You're alive." Those are the only words she's able to get out.

Alexandra sobbed harder, "Leliana. I missed you so much. I though the Empire got you as well." The two are overcome with so much raw emotion, happy to see the other alive. They pull back to stare the other in the eye.

Before she knew what she was doing Alexandra kisses Leliana, pouring all of her emotions in it. She wraps her arms around Leliana's back who wrapped hers around Alexandra's neck, the saltiness of their tears the least of their concern. They soon felt their lungs are on fire and have to separate for air. Staring at her, Leliana witnesses Alexandra's cheeks don a pink hue though it made her more beautiful to Leliana. The smuggler buries her face in the slightly taller girl's armored chest, feeling Alexandra caressing her brown hair.

Alexandra calmed down enough to say, "Leliana." A content smile forms on her face before she rests her head on top of the smuggler's.

Kenta's voice rang out, "You okay, apprentice? We heard yelling." Leliana breaks out of her love's embrace and sees three figures step out of the ship.

Moving in front of Alexandra, Leliana fires DL-18s. Kenta raises his hand using Tutaminis to deflect the shots then rips the blaster pistols out of her hands and pins Leliana to the wall despite her attempts to break free.

Alexandra said, "Put her down, Master. She means no harm." Giving his student a wary gaze, Kenta releases his telekinetic grip on Leliana, the smuggler lands on her hands and knees. Leliana was about to charge him when Alexandra holds her waist.

Leliana cried, "Let met go, Alex!"

The black-haired girl said, "Leliana, stop. These three are teaching me how to become strong."

Whipping around Leliana gripped her shoulders, "What are you talking about? Alex, these Sith are the reason the Jedi are practically extinct! Now, they intend on making you part of that Order! Turn back while you still can!"

Yuna objected, "Hold on, smuggler. We aren't like our predecessors seeking to rule with an iron fist! We are different Sith!"

Leliana glared at her, "Shut up you! I won't let you corrupt Alex more than you already have!"

Alexandra said, "Stop, Leliana. I accepted their training of my free will. I am learning how to use the Force." From the look in her blue eyes, Leliana knows the Sith apprentice won't change her mind.

She lowered her head, "Okay. I don't like it but I will respect your wish." She gave Alexandra's masters a warning, "But if I see any of you harm Alex in any way I will protect her. Got it?"

Unfazed by her threat, Kenta nodded, "Totally."

Alexandra said, "Introductions are in order. Leliana Ashford, these are my Sith masters Kenta Stone aka Darth Maelstrom, Yuna Rose no Sith name and Alec Sunrider aka Darth Nova. Kenta, Yuna, Alec, this is Leliana Ashford, one of the best smugglers the galaxy has seen." Kenta, Yuna and Alec give Leliana a cautious nod.

Kenta informed, "With that out of the way, shouldn't we be getting to Dantooine to get your new lightsaber crystal, Alexandra?"

Alec's electric blue eyes found Kenta, "We'll need a new ship, I'm afraid. The Twilight Dawn is on its last legs."

Yuna asked the smuggler, "Can we use your ship, Leliana?"

Alexandra said, "Please, Leliana. They promise to be on their best behavior." Leliana stares at the group, torn between letting them on board the Forgotten Star and leaving with only Alexandra. The Sith rule the galaxy once again in the form of Darth Sidious and no one dared to oppose him. Leliana decides to risk it and allow them on her ship.

They venture to the smuggler's ship and the stealth system deactivates rendering the light freighter visible.

Entering the ship, they are greeted by Violet and Iron.

The droid said, "Welcome back, Leliana." He then spotted Alexandra, "Ah, Alexandra! So good to see you again!" Iron releases a series of beeps, saying hello in his language.

Alexandra bowed, "Nice to see you after three long years, Violet and Iron." Taking their seats Leliana types in the coordinates for Dantooine still not liking the idea of having Sith on her ship.

Remembering the layout of the ship, Alexandra shows her masters where their quarters are.

It's not long before the crew arrives at Dantooine, the air still smelled of peace. Landing the ship, they head for the crystal cave. Upon arrival they see the entrance covered by rocks, Leliana deduces it as the Emperor's way of making sure the crystals inside couldn't be used against him.

Seeing this as a minor deterrent, Kenta and Alec extend their hands. The rocks begin to rattle and with a wave of Kenta and Alec's hands the rocks are sent in all directions.

Leliana leads them through the cave using a flashlight to help guide them. They are soon greeted by the lights given off by the crystals. Green, blue, purple, cyan and a few red ones create a breathtaking scenery. Leliana feels the kaiburr crystal around her neck react to the crystals in front of them. Alexandra walks up to the formation gazing at the crystals with a passionate look, remembering the previous time she and Leliana came here during their trip. Before the whole Death Watch fiasco.

Sorting through the crystals Alexandra contemplates which one will best suit her. All of them make great candidates but for some strange reason, one crystal stands out. It was a shiny silver that resonated with a purity unmatched. Feeling a strong pull toward it, Alexandra walks up to the silver crystal wondering how it even formed. She pulls out one of the side fragments placing it on the ground. Alexandra next spots two other crystals near the silver one.

The crystal on the right was brownish-yellow and the one on the left was a rust brown color. Alexandra knows what crystals these were: Sigil and Rubat.

Her father said that Sigil was mined in the star system of the same name. The Sigil crystal was costly but worthwhile because of the searing effect it had once properly placed in a lightsaber. Rubat was mined on the planet Phemis as it was the only source.

Removing the lightsaber from her belt, Alexandra hovers it in the air in front of her. Closing her eyes, the 19-year old uses the Force to disassemble her weapon.

Leliana bears witness to the components that make up the lightsaber. She next watches the crystal chamber be exposed followed by the synthetic crystal which immediately flies into Alec's waiting hand, the Sith Warrior gives the crystal a look of disdain before crushing it.

Casting outside events from her mind, Alexandra places the new, natural crystal in its place, the Sigil and Rubat crystals reside on either side of it. The crystal chamber cover the crystals and the lightsaber reassembles, opening her eyes Alexandra grabs her weapon and activates it, a silver blade emerges from the emitter.

To the average person, the lightsaber appears normal. A seasoned Force user would see the difference.

The Sigil crystal granted Alexandra's lightsaber greater cutting power without sacrificing maneuverability or control. The Rubat sharpened the appearance and definition of the blade, allowing her to easily track the blade and strike her opponents properly.

Alexandra swings the weapon a few times, testing it. Happy with the result, she shuts her lightsaber off.

Turning around, she nodded to her companions, "We're done here. Let's go." The group departs the crystal cave.

Everything was quiet on the Forgotten Star, the group deciding to spend the night on Dantooine.

Leliana enters Alexandra's quarters to see the black-haired angel sleeping peacefully. Her armored robes lay next to her bedside neatly folded, wearing a gray short top and black shorts to serve as sleep attire.

The smuggler was filled with joy, the person who captured her heart was alive after three years. At the same time, she was horrified that she was receiving Sith training by the same monsters that have been obsessed of wiping out the Jedi Order, which ultimately came to fruition. Leliana tries to shut out the images of Alexandra donning yellow eyes and pale skin that typically happened with a dark side practitioner. She decides to keep a close on Alexandra's masters in case they tried anything.

Leliana walks to the door, turning her head to stare at Alexandra one last time and was about to exit when something stopped her. Walking up to Alexandra's bedside the smuggler removes her boots and climbs into the bed, pulling Alexandra close to her. The day's events catch up to her and the smuggler feels her eyes drop.

A/N: Chapter 4 done.

Leliana and Alexandra have a tearful reunion.

Alexandra got her new lightsaber crystal in addition to power crystals.

Read and review.

Stay tuned for chapter 5.

Vader 23A