Author's Note: Dearest readers, we hit a new milestone! As of last week, "The Frozen Force" has reached 25,000 readers. Thank you all so much for the amount of love you've shown this story. It is my pleasure to strive for quality and keep bringing you exciting adventures. Buckle up, because we've got one wild ride ahead! I hope you enjoy today's chapter and May the Force be with you!

~ Michael

Chapter: 77 (The Hunt - Part: I)

"While adversity tests character, desperation reveals the truth behind it."

Taken! Having learned the truth about her past, Elsa Dellian ventured to Aren alongside her old master. While their efforts to ally with the local Northuldra failed, the Jedi didn't expect a surprise attack from Bry Clayton. With Elsa in his clutches, the Crimson Dawn hunter seeks to make her pay for the alleged murder of his mentor, Cruella...

How different the Jedi Temple had been before the Clone Wars. Politics were always pivotal on Coruscant, but it felt like there was a greater boundary between the Senate and the Order. There was a tranquility to it all which Yelena graciously embraced. Her long, braided hair maintained traces of its golden brown hue. Even her best friend, Mattias, hadn't succumbed to the stresses of the war. His hair was darker then and his skin had yet to wrinkle.

"It feels like only yesterday since they came to this temple," Yelena told him. "Are you ready for this?"

"No matter how much time passes-" Mattias answered. "The beginning will always feel like yesterday. Once we embark on this undertaking, the girls' lives will change forever."

"That still doesn't answer my question," Yelena joked. "Are you ready or not?"

"Always," Mattias replied as the doors before them opened. The expansive chamber was alive with energetic, driven younglings, each determined to further their studies.

"Master Mattias!" An elder Jedi called. "Master Yelena! So nice of you two to make it!" He approached the duo with open arms. His bright blue eyes were kind and inviting.

"Master Adersen," Mattias greeted. "The pleasure is ours."

"Brith Clan is looking as lively as ever," Yelena complimented.

"Oh yes," Adersen remarked. "The Initiates are in high spirits this morning. Especially the Dellian girls."

"That's good, considering why we're here." Yelena jested. "The council has finally granted us permission to train them."

Adersen grinned and bowed respectfully. "Their futures couldn't be in nobler hands," he said. "As their overseer, I now grant you permission to speak with them."

Yelena peered over the master's shoulder and noticed a youngling sitting by one of the windows. The little blonde was trying to read a holobook while simultaneously balancing it in midair with the Force. As Mattias turned his attention to her feisty little sister, Yelena approached Elsa. The child was so calm...so focused. She continued to conceal whatever timidity she'd shown on Aren and kept her nose buried in the holobook. Elsa's thin brows rose as she sensed an approaching presence. The familiar sensation was enough to break her focus and the book dropped into her hands.

"I'm sorry," the master said softly. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Elsa's widened gaze softened as she quickly recognized her. "It...it's you." She hurriedly sat upright and uttered, "Master Yelena."

Yelena simpered. "You can sit back," she insisted. "May I join you?" Elsa nodded and the master scooted in beside her. "How are you liking it in the temple, young one?"

"It's nice," she answered. "I like the holobooks. And Master Adersen's a good teacher."

Yelena observed the other younglings in her clan as a Pantoran and Zabrak scampered about. "And I'm sure that you're making plenty of friends."

Her comment had Elsa fidgeting with the edge of her holobook. "Not exactly," she murmured. "But that's okay."

"Elsa," Yelena inquired. "Is anyone here giving you trouble?"

"No," the child assured. "They just have a hard time talking to me. I understand." She peered down at her book and hugged it for comfort. "I'm not the easiest to talk to."

"Maybe you're just mature for your age," Yelena suggested. She regretted playfully nudging Elsa, as it made her shudder.

"Is that...bad?" Elsa asked.

"On the contrary," Yelena lauded. "It means that you're a step ahead." She faintly grinned at Elsa. "I've read Master Adersen's reports. While you aren't the most engaging with your fellow students, you're quite the little scholar. Your abilities...your

power, will only grow. And with that brilliant mind of yours-" Yelena waved a finger towards Elsa's forehead. "-I get the feeling that you'll always be a step ahead."

Elsa softly smiled at her compliment, yet raised a curious brow. "Master Yelena?" she asked. "Why are you here?"

She can see right through me. Smart girl, Yelena admired to herself. "I'm here because all of your efforts have led to this path." Elsa tilted her head with curiosity as she continued. "The Jedi Council has granted me permission to train you, Elsa. You are to become a Padawan learner and I shall serve as your master."

Elsa gasped and the holobook fell to her lap. "This is all really happening, isn't it?" she whispered. "Me? A Padawan?" Yelena nodded as Elsa tugged at her blonde tresses. "I don't know," she fretted. "What if I'm not ready?"

"Young lady," Yelena said with a smile. "I'm going to let you in on an ancient secret." She beckoned the child closer and brought her voice down to a whisper. "You'll never really be ready to face the trials of life. All you can do is hold your head up high and dive into the unknown." Yelena extended a hand and said, "I believe in you, Elsa. Will you embark on this journey with me?"

The youngling took a deep breath and dared to hold Yelena's hand. Her grip suddenly tightened as a realization dawned upon her. "Wait," Elsa worried. "What about Anna? I can't just leave my little sister."

Yelena grinned. "Master Mattias will be training her. They-"

"That sounds EPIC!" Anna suddenly shouted and caught everyone's attention.

"Anna," Master Adersen intoned and motioned for her to simmer down.

"I'd say she said 'yes' to apprenticeship, wouldn't you?" Yelena teased as Elsa bit back a snicker.

"Okay

master," the child said and sprung up with Yelena. "Let's do this!"

Master Adersen raised his brows from afar, for it was the most confidence he'd seen Elsa exude since she'd arrived. He watched as Elsa and Yelena departed hand in hand. The morning sun basked their silhouettes in a gentle glow while they exited the chamber.

"So where are we going first?" Elsa asked.

"Well," Yelena began. "It seems like you really enjoy holobooks. Something tells me that you're going to love the Jedi Archives. Madame Jocasta is the kindest librarian that you're ever going to meet."

Excitement sparked within Elsa as she clung to her new master. While she hugged her, she focused on the intricately patterned garment tied around her hip. "Your sash is beautiful," Elsa said.

The remark made Yelena's heart sink. On the verge of tears, she peered down at Elsa and pulled her into an embrace.

By the Force, she willed. May I have the strength to guide this child on her destined path. May I fulfill my promise to her mother and grant her a better life. May I always be able to protect her.


"May I always...be able to protect her."

The blastershot...the river...Elsa's scream. It was all a blur to Master Yelena. A whirlwind of various and chaotic sensations flooded her body. Her eyes fluttered open as she observed a blurred and rocky surface. Her midsection felt exposed, yet hissed as if it was on fire. Intense pulses of pain shot up from within her. At first, she thought she was paralyzed. Yelena's body had gone rigid while only her head was swaying out of control. "Hm?" she murmured. "What? Where am I? Elsa!" Yelena loosed an involuntary, belligerent yelp as a silhouette descended upon her. It gripped her shoulders and she nervously tried to break free. "Let go!" she blurted as her warning was met with muffled words. Several other silhouettes hunched beneath her torso and a vicious sting took hold. "Get back!" Yelena grunted and tried Force-pushing her captor.

As she fought to get break free of their grip, she suddenly felt a pair of furred sleeves. Yelena's body froze at her own will and she slowly reclined back. She squinted, letting her vision gently return until Chieftain Ryder's face was over her. "Yelena," he spoke again as her hearing returned. "Can you hear me?"

"Y-...yes," the master uttered as the stinging plagued her core. The heaviness on her soaked robes reminded her of the fall she'd taken in the river. Droplets trickled from her sleeves and formed puddles on the rocky ground.

"Listen carefully," Ryder said. "You've been shot. We're treating you now but I need you to remain calm."

Yelena nodded until another thought spurred her to snatch his wrist. "Elsa!" she coughed. "Where is she?" Her eyes widened when Ryder swallowed hard. Before he could answer, Chieftain Honeymaren barged in with a furious glare.

"What is the meaning of this?" she snapped.

"I found her in the river," Ryder said. "A sniper blast."

"And you're healing her?" Honeymaren responded. "With medicines reserved for our warriors. She and her apprentice shouldn't have been prancing about on Aren. Jedi ignorance at its finest." She gestured to the healers and said, "Cease care immediately."

The apothecaries clutched their vials and herbs, but nervously looked to Ryder. "Don't listen to her," he said. "Proceed."

Honeymaren's nostrils flared. "She is-"

"Enough, sister!" Ryder shouted and his people gasped. "Too long have you forgotten that we are both chieftains. For years, Yelena has done nothing except try and make herself known to us. Whenever a corrupt system like the Union has tried to make such an effort, their real intentions were shown through violence. But you have been more violent towards Yelena than she ever has been to us!" Ryder gestured to everyone in the chamber. "Are we really as divided as the rest of Aren? How long before we start turning on each other too? I'm sure the president would love that for us. It would save him the trouble of wiping us out." Ryder lowered his voice and turned to his sister. "Honeymaren," he said. "Yelena is one of our people, no matter where she's gone or what she's done. We cannot become the Aren and act out of hate like this."

While Honeymaren remained silent, Yelena watched her shifting expression. The young chieftain's brows relaxed as her gaze trailed across the ground. She thought over Ryder's words, glanced at the wounded Jedi, and ultimately departed without saying a word. Yelena wearily reached over and held Ryder's hand. "Thank you," she whispered.

Ryder nodded to her and watched the apothecaries continue their work. "You're lucky the shot wasn't any higher," he said. "We can treat this wound the same way we treat for our warriors. The sting you're feeling comes from the Jenlee plant. Its healing properties have saved many Northuldra in battle. Now that grace passes to you."

"Chieftain," Yelena intoned with a grievous look in her eyes. "While I am most grateful, where is Elsa?"

Ryder knelt beside her blankets and held her hand closed. "I'm afraid she's been taken," he said.

"Taken?" Yelena murmured. She would've bolted upright had Ryder not guided her back down. "By the Aren?"

"I'm not sure," Ryder confessed. "But I don't think so. I didn't like how things had ended when you left the enclave. After some internal debating, I decided to follow your tracks into the woods. I figured that maybe we could coordinate some sort of plan together." Ryder's hopeful grin faded. "But by the time I entered the forest, I heard the sniper shots ring out and saw you floating down the river. I've seen enough combat against the Aren to make grabbing those injured become second nature. So I dashed over the moment I spotted your body. Your wound needed immediate treatment, and as I rushed you back to the enclave..." Ryder bit his lip. "I could faintly make out someone carrying Elsa high above the treeline. I didn't get a closer look at them," he said before Yelena even asked. "They were a blur. I'm sorry. But Elsa's blue robes and blonde bun were easily distinguishable over the person's shoulder. I don't think they're Aren because I spotted a ship fleeing the treeline as I returned. It climbed high into the clouds and I don't know what other craft would be out here."

Yelena slowly nodded as she took in Ryder's words. "The Aren also wouldn't have known where we were," she considered.

"Do you know who else would've taken her?" Ryder asked. Who knew you were coming here?"

Yelena huffed. "I'm not sure," she confessed. "Our trip was kept secret so no one could've known. And with this ship you speak of...the possibilities are endless." As the master's worst fears took hold, she fought to sit up. "I need to go."

Ryder tried to restrain her. "But you're in no condition to-"

"Elsa is Force knows where!" Yelena blurted. "All alone with who knows who for who knows what. I must get back to the Jedi Temple. I-" Yelena grunted and fought through her bandaged blaster wound. "I have to-" She nearly fell over as Ryder caught her.

"I know better than to stop you," he whispered and held out a drenched, violet sash. "But please let me escort you to your ship. It's the least I can do for a fellow Northuldra." Yelena faintly smiled and accepted the sash while he helped her up. As they proceeded out of the chamber, Yelena could only hope that Elsa was safe. Wherever she was...

"Papa? Mama? I had a bad dream."

"Elsa, stay back darling."

Elsa gasped herself awake and immediately sunk into a peculiar cushion. Her breaths hastened and eyes squinted towards a shadowy ceiling. A gentle, compact warmth filled the air as Elsa slowly sat up in a rather cozy room. While her body ached, it was but a mild sting from the shock she'd endured when captured. As she fully regained consciousness, the grievous sight of Yelena's body falling into the river flashed across her mind. She hugged herself for comfort amidst her living nightmare and tried to deduce where she was. A powerful breeze howled from beyond the walls of her secluded room. Shadows crept across the carpeted ground as she slid off of a makeshift bed. Only then did she realize that its cushions had been fashioned from various and authentic animal furs. While she ran a hand across one of the striped pillows, a distinct aroma caught her attention. Sniffing a hint of grilled fish and roasted vegetables had her leaning towards a table. Intricate, culinary delicacies had been colorfully sorted atop it. Each delectable platter beckoned Elsa closer and prompted her stomach to growl. She stopped herself from subconsciously stepping nearer and then analyzed her surroundings.

Elsa briefly flinched when her kidnapper's voice crackled over a wall-mounted intercom. "I assure you the food is quite safe to eat," he said.

The Jedi knitted her brows as she put a face to his deep voice. "Clayton," she uttered.

"You remember me," he remarked while she stared into a camera lens. "I'm impressed." Confused by his comment, Elsa looked back at the banquet. "Consider it a courtesy," Clayton said. "A last meal. It's more than you gave her."

"Her?" Elsa questioned as she thought back to her recent mission for the Republic. She glanced down at her palm and recalled how it'd been soaked in blood. "Cruella," she realized as her emotions sparked. "That's what this is about? I tried to save her, Clayton. I tried to talk her down."

"You can't talk your way out of this," the hunter said. "I'd eat if I were you. The clock is ticking."

"Despite my efforts, a clone took the shot!" Elsa shouted towards the camera. "No one had to die! Master Yel-" Elsa nearly choked just trying to say her name. "You didn't have to kill her."

"Then I suppose you know how I felt," Clayton said. "I'd consider us even, but we're not there yet. This isn't about business, Jedi. This isn't about Crimson Dawn. This is about who you took away from me."

"Clayton," Elsa intoned. "I traveled to Sorgan to stop the operation, but I did not kill Cruella. Whatever she meant to you-"

A sharp screech filled the room and forced Elsa into silence. Gears whirred as the walls beside her parted and revealed an array of blinding sunbeams. "Times up," Clayton said before the intercom powered down.

Mourning would have to wait as Elsa cautiously stepped out of the room and embraced the frigid breeze. Her heels met an icy and rocky surface, making her believe that she was still on Aren. Exiting her holding room allowed her to see just how small the compartment really was. She deduced Clayton had placed her there and was speaking to her from a remote location. As Elsa peered around the snowy environment, she noticed a durasteel shipping container situated in front of her. Elsa could see through its sealed, glass door. Her heart pounded when she noticed a familiar, arcetron hilt. Her lightsaber, utility belt, and even Echani quarterstaff were all stashed together inside. The structure's overhanging lights shined down upon her gear like divine spirits guiding her forward.

Unlike the food, nothing about the container even warranted the benefit of a doubt. Unease festered within Elsa as she figured Clayton was setting her up. He'd tried to lower her guard with a 'courtesy meal' and was hoping she'd see her equipment as another 'favor'. While she continued to face the container, Elsa's eyes swayed across the environment around her. She scoured the snow-capped mountains and frosted trees for any glimpse of a sniper. She mistook the slightest, icy twinkles for potential glint glares from a rifle.

Despite how badly she wanted to feel the security of possessing her lightsaber, Elsa couldn't go for it. There was too much open space between her and the container. She eyed the snowy forest beside it and curiously tilted her head. Unlike Aren's lush, yet snow-covered woodlands, this forest was teeming with frosted trees. Their branches were stiff and crunching in a turquoise hue. Viewing cover as her best bet, Elsa swished her wrist towards the ground. With a powerful Force pull, she sent snow flurrying through the air and into the ground. The results screened her movements as she dashed for the woods. But despite her clever efforts, all Clayton needed was a dark enough silhouette.

A scarlet laser blazed by Elsa's shoulder and scorched the tree beside her. She immediately dove for the ground as a singed branch fell. Elsa was already sliding on the ground when the shot finally echoed down to her. He's far, she told herself based on the sound. But where? Staying low, Elsa crawled between as many thick trees as she could find. Her elbows ached from the sudden drop, but she forced herself to push on. A second laser blazed overhead and its sound wasn't far behind. All of the mystery behind her foe...not knowing where he was with such a deadly weapon...The thought had Elsa's heart racing as she recalled her old master's demise. She stopped crawling and bunched herself into a ball for comfort. All she wanted to do was break down in tears as she panted, "I-...I can't." Her mind replayed Yelena's death over and over again while she longed to be free of such a nightmare. "I can't..."

"Elsa," Evara, Wraith of the Force spoke as another shot blasted the trees above her.

It's over, Elsa panicked within. I don't where I am or where to go. And Yelena...she's-

"Elsa," Evara intoned yet again.

"What?" Elsa whimpered aloud.

"The Force is with you." Elsa had heard that phrase more times than she could count, yet it still brought her comfort. "Even in your darkest hours, the Force does not abandon you. So don't you abandon it."

But there's no way too-

"Find a way, Elsa."

The Jedi snapped herself back into the moment and observed her bleak surroundings. Seeing nothing useful, she briefly shut her eyes and tried to slow her breathing. As she did so, Elsa heard a particularly loud surge of water. She tilted her head towards it and dared to run. While doing so, Elsa Force-pushed multiple trees until they toppled over. Sniper shots rang out around her, each becoming quicker than the last. The powerful bolts split trees and spewed their frosted fractals through the air. While Elsa ducked under a collapsing branch, she tripped over a frosted root and tumbled towards the sound she'd chased. She rolled to a river of rushing, icy rapids and noticed its steep incline. The sniper fire ceased and gave way to the echoes of a speeding transport.

Realizing that Clayton was on the move, Elsa stepped towards the river's incline. Her heart sank at the sight of a tremendous waterfall leading into an unknown, misty lagoon. With the sounds of Clayton's transport closing in, Elsa nervously stepped towards the cliffside. With a deep breath and clenched fists, she thought of Yelena's words to her.

"You'll never really be ready to face the trials of life. All you can do is hold your head up high and dive into the unknown."

Holding on to her old master's memory, Elsa exhaled and took a step back. She then carried herself into a full lunge and leapt off of the waterfall. Fearing for her life at the hands of Clayton or the waterfall, Elsa bit back a scream as she flailed in midair. Her body was at gravity's mercy, picking up speed amidst her harrowing descent. As she neared the lagoon's surface, she straightened her legs and pierced the depths like a human arrow. The cold didn't typically bother Elsa, but even this icy water was enough to chill her veins. She stayed under as long as she could, letting the dark waters carry her.

Back at the cliffside, a bronzium-plated speeder bike halted next to the cascade. Draped in the same wintry camouflage he'd worn on Aren, Bry Clayton disembarked and knelt down. He ran his fingers across the frosted soil and examined Elsa's footprints. As Clayton's eyes listed towards the waterfall, he couldn't help but murmur, "You're daring...I'll give you that."

A ferocious bark sounded from the back of his speeder. Clayton turned to see his pet massiff restlessly snarling while a holocomm chimed in the central compartment. The reptilian canine only quelled when his master stroked his spiky head downward. "Easy Titan," Clayton said and the massiff brought his roars down to mild-mannered growls. He snapped his toothy maw shut and stared at Clayton with black, soulless eyes. The hunter activated his holocomm and watched another Crimson Dawn member flicker into view.

Facilier tipped his hat and offered Clayton a coy smirk. "Having fun on your little hunt?" he teased.

"Ask me again when it's over," Clayton grumbled.

"I intend to," Facilier asserted. "After all, it ain't easy keeping this a secret from Dryden. Especially when you should be out looking for Dr. Morzetti."

"Dryden knows how valuable Cruella was," Clayton retorted. "He also knows how dangerous the Dellian girl is. You saw how easily she infiltrated our meeting. Even if Dryden learned about my hunt, it would make no difference to him. I will make this Jedi suffer and hunt her like the animal she is."

Facilier flashed a toothy grin. "You've always had ambitions, captain. No one can ever take that away from you. Just make sure that you hold up your end of the deal when those little aspirations of yours are sated." Facilier's hologram held up an intricate talisman, one of which contained a lock of Elsa's platinum blonde hair. After all, you wouldn't have even found her if it wasn't for my little 'souvenir' from Felucia."

"Enough," Clayton groaned. "I'll hold up my end of the bargain. I may collect trophies, but I don't need hers. Once I've killed Elsa, I'll send the body to you for your little spell." Facilier nodded as Clayton cut the transmission. Clutching his sniper rifle, he knelt by the cliffside and peered through its scope. "Blast," he cursed, for the whitewater mist was too thick to get a visual on anything.


Yelena's return flight to Coruscant was a blur. Everything from her wound to the encounter in the Enclave had been numbed within her mind. As she sat nearly desensitized to it all in the temple communications center, Master Mattias reached for her hand. His simple, yet prominent squeeze was enough to at least get her looking over. "Hey," he whispered. "We'll find her."

"Yeah," Yelena barely responded as Jedi scrambled throughout the chamber. Datacalls chimed across holotables as a seemingly ceaseless amount of information flowed through. Despite seeing so many of her companions hard at work, Yelena actually felt more anxious. The sight of their vast galaxy flickering on holotables sent her mind into a tizzy. Elsa could be anywhere, she thought. Captured by anyone. The concepts terrified her until she was forced to shut her eyes.

"We're going to do everything we can," Mattias assured and rubbed her back. Master Meliz Sumar and her apprentice Tori Vica approached. "Anything?" he asked.

"Not yet," Meliz lamented. "But the Republic has search alerts posted in every Outer Rim outpost. Even our informants behind Separatist lines have been notified."

"Trying to balance between two missing Jedi is just making things harder to prioritize," Tori added.

"T-two?" Mattias stammered while Yelena raised her head.

Tori nodded grievously. "Unfortunately the reports just came in," she said. "Padawan Ahsoka Tano is missing in action after a skirmish on Felucia."

"No," Yelena mourned. "Not another." Mattias tried to comfort her further, but Yelena only shook her head. "I wasn't strong enough," she confessed. "I couldn't protect her. Maybe she wasn't ready to become a knight. Perhaps I wasn't even ready to mentor her."

"That talk helps no one now," Meliz said. "Right now, we must all remain unified for Elsa and Ahsoka."

A furious clamor caught the group's attention as a belligerent Anna angrily kicked a holotable. Her new, Phase II Jedi armor shifted along with her crimson command kama. "Are we not the most advanced communications center in the galaxy?" she scoffed towards her fellow Jedi. "How can we not find her?" Anna furiously stormed off towards the others. "Unbelievable," she huffed. "Nothing. We have people everywhere, and no one has seen Elsa. This is my fault."

"You can't blame yourself for this," Mattias insisted.

"But I can," Anna refuted. "If I'd just swallowed my damn pride, maybe I would've gone to Aren. Then you could've been there too, Mattias! Maybe we could've stopped all of this."

"Aren?" Tori inquired and Anna immediately winced. The Pantoran turned to Yelena with curious, golden eyes. "I thought you said you two were on a meditative retreat."

"Well," Yelena mumbled, still reeling from her situation. "You see...it was-"

Meliz placed a comforting hand on her elder and leaned in. "Your secret is safe with us," she whispered, prompting Yelena to nod discreetly.

Frustrated and impatient, Anna stormed out of the communications center. A worried Kristoff and Sven were quick to approach her. Having been reprimanded for their insubordination, the duo was punished with janitorial duties for two weeks. Still, word about the missing Jedi had traveled fast throughout the temple. "Anything?" Kristoff inquired while toting a soggy mop. Sven loomed over his shoulder as Anna threw a hand up to both of them.

"Not now," she huffed and barged past them. As she did so, the potent stench of alcohol drifted towards the mens' noses. Anna stomped out onto the nearest verandah and activated her holocomm. Her boot tapped impatiently as the device powered up and reached its designated frequency.

Watcher's stern visage projected into view as she looked over Anna. "General Dellian," she murmured. "If you're calling about your sister-"

"Don't tell me that you have nothing," Anna griped. "You boast the most advanced Venator in the entire Republic Navy. You have an entire team of clones who have never seen the sunlight because their faces might as well be glued to datascreens. Surely one of them has found something about Elsa!"

"The Guardian might have a vast communications network-" Watcher began. "-but that doesn't mean we can just find anything we want when we want."

"Then what good are you?" Anna growled.

Watcher went unfazed by her remark and merely raised a brow. "I understand that you want to find your sister. Just as General Skywalker wishes to find his Padawan. But we are unable to track down either at the moment. Whoever took them has gone well off-grid. We're not ruling out any faction as a possible suspect right now. Although, we feel the Separatists or even pirates would've made a statement by now."

Anna bit her lip, thinking about the possibility of Elsa captured by slavers. She recalled the trauma she suffered at the hands of her captors and was sickened by the thought of Elsa going through the same. "Please," she sighed and recomposed herself. "We just...have to do something. We've got to figure this out."

In spite of their strict relationship, Watcher observed the pain in Anna's eyes and huffed. "If my team found anything, you'd be the first to know," she assured. "Did your sister have any influential enemies?"

"A former senator from Corellia," Anna considered. "But last I heard, Dia Veritaz is locked up in solitary here on Coruscant."

"Perhaps this is the work of the Revenant," Watcher proposed. "The Anti-Jedi Cult has been quiet since its attack on the Lothal delegation. Perhaps they've struck again."

Anna's scowl deepened. "If those sleemos have harmed a hair on my sister's head, I'll-"

"We'll keep searching," Watcher said. "But while we're on the subject of the Revenant, analysis teams have identified the powdery substance you discovered on Mandalore."

"I'm sorry," Anna confessed. "I just can't focus on that right now. Not with Elsa-"

"General Dellian," Watcher intoned, her sympathetic demeanor fading. "I'm not asking you to focus. You and your squad serve under me, no matter what situations are happening in the galaxy. While I will continue to conduct my search for your sister, you and the Deathchasers are to report to the Guardian immediately. We need to find out what the Revenant is doing with shipments of uranium."

"Yes ma'am," Anna grumbled and ended the transmission. While she reluctantly prepared herself to report in, Yelena and Mattias tried to calm their minds. Tori and Meliz watched over incoming datafeeds and scoured them for intel. Anakin Skywalker was just as persistent and checked other panels for Ahsoka. Obi-wan Kenobi found himself concerned for both missing Jedi and pensively stroked his beard. As word spread across the Republic, all people could do was hope and pray for a miracle.

On a tired battlefield, Master Chuza was giving commands to Captain Talon and his Flying 54th. Meanwhile, his Padawan Gav knelt down in a trench alongside several clones. He watched with widened eyes as Elsa's missing persons report flashed across their HoloNet projector.

Since the events of Miss Coruscant, the Anti-Slavery Coalition had seen a drastic increase in its membership. Led by Chela Tuzi, who was a hero of the movement for many, the ASC had been volunteering to provide food and shelter for Sullustan refugees. As Chela finished passing food to a family, she suddenly noticed Elsa's report overhead. "Taline," she hollered. "You should come and see this."

No longer bound to Veritaz's servitude, ASC Agent Taline had grown out her hair into long and wavy tresses. The Mirialan's box of supplies thudded to the floor as she gasped over the news about Elsa.

Amidst the darkness of his secluded office, Chancellor Palpatine observed Elsa's missing notification with an inquisitive stare.

On the planet Avinaria, Senator Ryx Finc paced across his study. His wife and daughter watched as he worriedly kept glancing at a galaxy-wide missing Jedi report, waiting for updates.

Commander Frost traversed the Deliverance's maze-like halls. His plastoid boots echoed throughout the vacuous space while his turquoise kama swayed proudly. While his new Phase II armor was an improvement over its predecessor, it would still take some getting used to. Frost ran his fingers across his new and improved helmet. He appreciated having a wider visor versus the narrow slit associated with Phase I. Gone was the sharp crest atop his helm, for it had been replaced by a smooth finish. His paint job was the only familiarity Frost had transferred from his original armor. A unique snowflake stretched across the front of his helmet while smaller fragments dispersed towards its corners.

His hand quivered as he touched the refined artwork.

"I made this shortly after I was promoted to commander," he had said. "Some clones mark up their armor for intimidation, but mine is a dedication. Elsa, you inspire me. You're not like any other Jedi I've ever met."

Frost sighed deeply, for now those markings were the only reminder he had of Elsa. Since she'd left, not a day had gone by that he hadn't thought about her. Even looking at where her room used to be was enough to wrench his heart. But regardless of how the commander felt, he would never disrespect her decision to leave. But that wouldn't stop him from missing her and thinking back to the tender moment they shared under the saberlight. Their time apart had given Frost plenty of time to think over his feelings. And in truth, he'd never been more sure of his heart.

A peculiar thumping caught Frost's attention and he hurriedly investigated the nearby lounge. "What the?" was all he could mutter when he caught Rip and Doubles punching each other in the helmets.

"These really are stronger," Rip panted. "Oh! Oh! Try kneeing me in the face."

"Ahem," Frost coughed. The troopers panicked and rushed to stand at attention.

"Commander!" Doubles swiftly saluted. "We were just...um...testing the new armor, sir."

"It was Doubles' idea," Rip whispered.

"You traitorous-" Doubles hissed and was about to lunge at Rip when Frost stopped them.

"Quiet," the commander said and slipped between both of them. "Stop."

Confused by his sudden shock, the troopers followed his gaze to the lounge's wall-mounted datascreen. Frost removed his helmet and revealed his astonished visage. "This is Belle O'Har with the Coruscant Rose. Galaxy-wide search efforts are underway for two Jedi: Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Knight Elsa Dellian. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of these women, please contact the nearest Republic embassy or outpost in your sector."

"That's horrible," Doubles remarked.

"Well maybe she should've stayed with us," Rip grumbled. "Then that wouldn't have-" Doubles smacked him upside the head.

"Show some respect," his companion scolded. "What do you think about this, commander?...Commander?" When Frost didn't respond, Doubles turned to see that his superior had already left.

Frost was practically sprinting down the Venator's halls. He ascended through the nearest elevator and dashed onto the command bridge. Admiral Taka turned alongside the 213th's new Jedi General. "Commander Frost?" Taka inquired. "What's going on?"

"She's missing," he panted and came to a halt before them. "Elsa. Something terrible's happened and we've got to-"

"We've got to...what?" a deep and daunting voice bellowed. The new general's hulking silhouette towered over Frost's hunched figure.

Frost swallowed hard, recomposed himself, and faced the Besalisk Jedi. "General Krell," he began.

"Stand at attention when you address me," Krell intoned and forced Frost back into position. "Now what is going on? Speak up!"

Frost took a deep breath when all he wanted to do was scream. "Elsa-" he started saying calmly. "-the former leader of this unit-"

"I know who she is," Krell growled. "Get to the point and stop wasting my time."

"She's in trouble. She and another Jedi have gone missing."

Krell took his time to answer and loomed over Frost. "They aren't the first and they certainly won't be the last," he said nonchalantly.

"Sir, with all due respect." Frost began as Krell raised a scaly brow. "We have to do something."

"Says who?"

Frost looked to Taka as if she would step in. Instead, the admiral remained stone-faced while Frost carried on. "Elsa has done so much for the 213th. The least we can do is commit to searching for-"

"CT-1127," Krell growled and Frost went rigid. He hadn't been called by his designation since Hoth. Since Elsa...gave him his name. "Do you have a malfunction?" Krell asked as if he was some kind of faulty droid. "Because the last time I checked, the 213th was no longer a Search and Rescue Division...You take orders from me, not the other way around...Plus wealready have a mission to retake Felucia, so why would we betray the Republic to aid in a pointless search effort instead?" Each of Krell's jabs were like a hammer strike to Frost's chest, shortening his breaths and picking at his resolve. As if advancing for the kill, the Besalisk leaned in and brought his voice down to a spiteful whisper. He let his bulbous wattle graze Frost's shoulder as he uttered, "And if Dellian has done 'so much' for your unit...why did she leave you then?" Krell scoffed amidst Frost's silence. "That's what I thought." Forced to obey his Jedi General's orders, all Frost could do was angrily clench a fist. His eyes twitched beneath his expressionless helmet as he worried for Elsa's safety. As the Deliverance rocketed towards Felucia, Frost tried to think of her teachings. Although he wasn't Force sensitive, he humored the concept and spoke within. May the Force be with Elsa, he willed. Wherever she is. Protect her...please.

Icy waters bubbled across the flowing lagoon. The roaring cascade echoed in the misty distance as a figure breached the surface and gasped for air. Elsa's drenched, platinum blonde strands clung to her pale cheeks. The lagoon emptied into a series of rivers, each stretching out like watery appendages. Elsa let the freezing current float her downstream as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. A thick mist obscured the lands around her until a set of oblong rock formations came into view. Like grotesque hands reaching out for her, the rocks towered over the river as Elsa floated under. Stalactites and icicles dripped excess water across an eroded cave. Its frosty walls caught Elsa's attention as she swam for a gravely ledge. With a mighty heave, she hauled herself out of the river and caught her breath. Thinking quickly, she clutched the hem of her long robes and made a tear. Having removed a portion of her robe's border, she tossed it in the river and watched the current carry it away.

Hopefully that will throw him off, she thought before falling back against the chilled terrain. She sprawled herself out, caught her breath, and looked up at the cave's complex ceiling. Intricate layers of frost clung together while a forked, whip-like tail rattled several icicles. The sight made Elsa's heart sink as she watched a creature's tail slink around. Its prominent claws clung to ice as it emitted a daunting growl. Elsa was no stranger to nexus, but she'd never seen one so imposing before. Contrary to its tropical relatives, this nexu donned fur as white as the snow. Faint, black spots lined the feline's hide while dreadful spines protruded from its back. Elsa remained absolutely still, even as its four eyes fixated on her.

The snow nexu snarled and peered down at her from an icy ledge. It brandished its sharp teeth while the quills atop its head raised in alarm. Prepared for the creature to pounce at any moment, Elsa tried to formulate an escape plan. Without moving her head, she looked around and noticed several smaller nexus huddled and slumbering in a corner. Some hapless creature's decaying ribcage was propped up beside them. Territorial and determined to defend its cubs, the nexu prepared to strike.

Despite the fact that she was horrified within, Elsa tried to remain calm. As she exhaled, she slowly raised a hand to confront the creature. Calling upon the Living Force, Elsa tried focusing on the creature as a whole. As she reached out with the Force, the nexu's aggressive position faltered. Its hind legs relaxed as Elsa reached upward. "Easy," she whispered. "I mean you no harm." When the creature didn't attack, Elsa dared to slowly stand. "You're just doing...what you feel is right," she whispered and reached for the nexu's head. It snarled briefly and Elsa shuddered. Still, she pushed on and focused on the nexu cubs. "It's going to be alright," she assured. "Easy now." She dared to step up to the creature and brought her hand closer. As the thought of it biting her limb off occasionally crossed her mind, Elsa struggled to stay calm. "The Force is with me," the Jedi told herself and closed her eyes. "The Force is-"

In that instant, Elsa gasped as a furry sensation met her palm. She opened her eyes and observed the snow nexu as it permitted her to pet it. As Elsa strengthened her Force bond with the nexu, she felt its sated hunger. Its aggression quelled as it bowed its head. Elsa shared the nurturing energy it possessed for its cubs. While connecting with the predator, Elsa considered whether or not she should use it to aid in her survival. The closer her bond with the nexu became, the more attached she felt to its young. Elsa remembered the pain she'd felt on Scarif when Ventress murdered the nexu she'd connected with. Regardless of her harrowing predicament, Elsa felt it would be unfair to rob a creature...let alone a mother, of its individuality. To force it to abandon its cubs and risk its life for the sake of her own survival sickened Elsa. She embraced the fact that the bond had spared her and spoke through the Living Force. Having assured the nexu that she meant no harm, it leapt back to its cubs and rested beside them.

Elsa took a deep breath and observed the light creeping in above her. She spotted an icy slit along the upper wall and rose to meet it. Upon taking a closer look, Elsa deduced that it was how the nexus were able to get outside and hunt. Bidding the creatures farewell, she reached for a set of jutting stones and began a steep ascension. Her shuffling heels kicked up fractals and sent distinct echoes reverberating throughout the caves.

Further downriver, Elsa's torn hem remained at the mercy of the current. It swirled and swiveled until a rifle's thin barrel pierced the water's surface. The fabric wrapped around Clayton's weapon as he fished it out. He dropped the soggy piece into his palm and observed the river. Would she really make it that easy? He thought and brought a pair of fingers to his lips. After a sharp whistle, Clayton's pet massiff came scrambling over. His claws scrambled the snow beneath him as his gaping maw swayed over. A neoprene vest was zipped around the desert canine's stocky body, keeping him warm in such a frigid environment. "Titan," Clayton said and dropped beside the creature. "Find," he ordered and held the cloth to the massiff's snout. Titan's coarse skin ruffled as his nostrils flared. He aggressively whiffed the garment and keenly picked up on Elsa's scent. With a wild set of barks, Titan launched himself alongside the river and dashed towards an array of rock formations. "Nice try, Jedi." Clayton hissed and mounted his speeder bike.

Elsa grunted as she hauled herself to another ledge. What little sunlight she could find was getting brighter as she neared the top.

"Hey Elsa," she heard Anna tease. "Race you to the top."

A whirlwind of memories returned as Elsa recalled the days of her apprenticeship. She remembered how Anna had challenged her to a climbing contest on Blúm Island and how she'd looked to her master for permission. "Yelena," Elsa whispered while climbing. The heartache of losing her old master to Clayton was still very real. She just hadn't given herself a chance to fully feel the pain of her loss. She couldn't give in now...not when she was so close to the open air. Elsa pretended she was racing her little sister and reached for another handhold. Her fingers almost slipped on a sleek portion of ice, causing her to briefly look down. Her legs were dangling dreadfully high above the nexu den as she swallowed hard. The vertigo-inducing sight had her struggling to regain her footing. With a final heave, Elsa pushed herself beyond the crevasse. The tundra's icy, evening winds met her face once more as she crawled out of the cave. As a fiery sun set alongside the persistent mists, Elsa continued to wonder where she was. "Is this even Aren?" she panted while shaking out her sore arms.

Peering down across the misty plateau before her, Elsa decided to further tether herself to the Living Force. Still catching her breath, she dropped to her knees and placed her hands on the terrain. She let her palms brush against the plateau's rocky surface and gently closed her eyes. She thought back to the mantra taught to her by Yoda and Yelena. "I am one with the Force and the Force is with me," she whispered. "I and one with the Force and the Force is with me." With each reiteration, Elsa felt herself connecting to the snowy world around her. Its natural state was different than the pain she'd experienced while visiting Aren. This world hadn't been touched by the fires of industry. Apart from its serene vastness, all Elsa could feel was isolation. As she sought to deepen her connection, the Jedi's brows suddenly furrowed. There was a tremor amidst her senses. A brutish and savage disturbance surged towards her. The sensation was enough to have Elsa opening her eyes and rising to her feet. She spun around just as a snarling massiff pounced from the mist.

Still untethering herself from the planet's connection, Elsa stumbled forward. Titan launched towards her with claws and dagger-like teeth at the ready. Acting on instinct, Elsa lightly Force-pushed the beast and tried to connect with him. Her efforts to quell the massiff proved less fruitful than those with the nexu. The speedy, well-trained canine would have to be properly restrained if Elsa wanted to calm him. She was about to reach out with the Force again when Clayton's speeder bike glided through the mist.

Elsa gasped as he swiftly disembarked and aimed his rifle at her. His finger had just grazed the trigger when Elsa threw her arm upward. Her Force-push redirected his shot to the clouds before a second push knocked him off of his feet. Clayton was quick to recover and spotted Elsa darting for the mist. Rather than lose time lining up a shot, he retrieved a set of bolas and flung them. The interconnected, weighted cords spun through the air and wrapped around Elsa's ankles. She yelped and struck the frosted ground with a resounding thud.

The reinforced cords became further entangled around her ankles during the fall. If Elsa had her lightsaber on her, the bolas wouldn't have stood a chance. But without her blade, she was left to quickly try and untangle them by hand. Her heart raced as Titan emerged and bolted straight for her. Unable to get the bolas off in time, Elsa risked everything and rolled into the mist. Her stomach dropped...along with the rest of her body as she tumbled down a smooth incline. Snow yielded to spotted stone and Elsa plummeted into a murky mud pit.

The bubbling, gunky soil clung to her body as she coughed between breaths. Unable to kick with her tied feet, all Elsa could do was try and pull her way out of the thick and loamy pit. Her eyes reddened as mud splattered across her face. She searched for anything sturdy to grab onto, but only found muddied walls and ominous carcasses. The decaying, skeletal bodies of hapless animals bid Elsa a sense of foreboding. As she struggled to free herself from the pit, Titan descended and repeatedly barked at her. Elsa was running out of time and options. Clayton would arrive soon and either finish her off or watch it end slowly. Desperate as the pit consumed her, Elsa harnessed whatever ability she could muster. Tucking her arms and legs together, Elsa unleashed a powerful Force repulse. Her sudden burst of energy caused the bolas to snap and sent mud spewing in all directions. Titan whimpered as loamy chunks bombarded his broad snout.

Clayton dropped from the plateau just as the mud pit returned to its natural state. "Bloody hell," he murmured and examined the surreal scene. Titan came hobbling and mewling over while the hunter positioned himself along the pit's edge. With his pet's sense of smell hindered, Clayton found himself at a loss. He was about to curse again until he noticed a set of muddy footprints leading into a shallow crevasse. "Titan," he commanded with a snap of his fingers. "Get her, boy. Flush her out."

While he sent the massiff to charge forward, Clayton held his position beside the mud wall. He primed his sniper rifle and kept it aimed towards the crevasse. He caressed the weapon's trigger and steadied himself while Titan clawed his way into the hole. "Come on," Clayton whispered while peering through the scope. "Show yourself. Come out and-" As he waited, Clayton suddenly noticed that one of the muddied footprints was flipped. Betwixt the chaos of her Force repulse, Elsa had doubled back to give off the appearance of entering the crevasse.

Wet soil dripped from the mud wall beside Clayton. He slowly turned as a filthy, yet fully-camouflaged Elsa opened her eyes. "Clever girl," Clayton uttered before she lunged at him. Mud spewed across his face as Elsa grabbed his firearm. They staggered back and forth, furiously wrestling for control over the rifle.

If I can just disarm him, Elsa thought. How she wished she had Anna's muscles. Her forearms ached from the cave climb and pit escape. Her trembling wrists felt as though they were on fire. Clayton refused to yield and angrily kneed her in the torso. His toned thigh delivered enough force to nearly knock the wind out of Elsa, yet still she persisted. With her Force powers drained from the repulse, what limited physical strength Elsa possessed was dwindling.

Clayton thrust his arms leftward, spun Elsa around, and put the rifle in front of her neck. He pulled back, strangling her and grunting "This is for Cruella." In her desperation, Elsa tilted her head towards his nearest hand and sunk her teeth into it. She bit down as hard as she could until Clayton was forced to let go. A bite mark reddened across his hand as Elsa pulled away, taking the rifle with her. Enraged but far from unarmed, Clayton reached for his belt just as Elsa turned to face him.

With a savage roar, Clayton swiped an arm rightward. Everything had transpired so quickly. By the time Elsa had seen the glint of his machete, blood had already spurted against the mud wall. The Jedi stumbled back, suddenly feeling an intense sting across her abdomen. She instinctually clutched it and quickly felt more pain. Elsa's eyes widened when she looked down at her bloodied hand. Clayton's machete had torn a horizontal gash through her robes and into her flesh.

Clayton's growl reeled her back into the moment as he charged for another attack. Feeling cornered in her moment of suffering, Elsa felt something spark up within her. This pain combined with the thought of Yelena's death spurred an insurmountable level of fury.

"Elsa," Evara warned, experiencing the dark pull. "Elsa no!"

With an animalistic screech, Elsa Force-pushed Clayton into the mud wall. He howled in pain as a brutal crunch sounded on impact. As his body fell over, Elsa felt every urge screaming for her to finish him right then and there. But as Titan's return echoed from the crevasse and Elsa's wound worsened, she snapped herself out of the dark pull. Blood trickled from her gash and dotted the snow with scarlet splotches. Still clasping Clayton's sniper rifle, Elsa fled into the nearby forest. Hunted and exhausted, she was finally coming to terms with her dire predicament. No one was going to save her. No one even knew where she was. With nightfall approaching on an unknown world, all Elsa could do was seek safety before she bled to death.


Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment of "The Frozen Force!" I am so happy to share new adventures with you each and every week. Tune in for Elsa's test of willpower and survival on the next Frozen Force Friday in (Chapter:78 The Hunt - Part: 2)!

In other news for you spooky fans, I have officially dropped the trailer for my Frozen Halloween Special. If you check out "Haunted Arendelle" on any of my fanfic pages, you will find the teaser for "Haunted Arendelle 2" at the end!

Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You!

 ~ Michael