Author's Note:
Dearest readers,
It feels so good to be posting again. Welcome back to "The Frozen Force" for its sixth and final season. This will be the last production of GoldenHeart Stories, which I've been publishing under since 2014. If you've enjoyed my stories, I encourage you to stay tuned when "The Frozen Force" ends, as I will be publishing completely original stories from that moment onward. It's been a ride, and with thirty chapters to go I am most grateful for all of you. Thank you for being part of this adventure and I hope you enjoy the premiere!
Sincerely,
~ Sparks
For Jenna. My love and my hero.
ADVISORY: The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Violence. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.
GOLDENHEART STORIES PRESENTS...
A SPARKS GAVILÁN PRODUCTION...
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
THE FROZEN FORCE SEASON 6 - "The Fate of the Saga"
A contested galaxy! Ever since the destruction of the Death Star, the REBEL ALLIANCE has reignited hope across the stars. Desperate to tighten its grip on occupied worlds, the GALACTIC EMPIRE has gone on the offensive. It is a brutal war with devastation on both sides. For the last four years, Jedi survivor ANNA DELLIAN has aided the Alliance in missions throughout the galaxy. Meanwhile, her older sister ELSA DELLIAN has been training TIANA in the ways of the Force. With the fate of so many in the hands of so few, the battle for liberty is far from over...
Chapter: 151 Echoes of the Fallen
- ACCESSING IMPERIAL NETWORK -
IHC: Imperial High Command to station. Codename: Sanctuary Moon.
SM: Sanctuary Moon reads. Proceed.
IHC: Expect more shipments of quadanium steel within the next rotation. Added security measure swill arrive as necessary.
SM: Understood, command.
IHC: See to it that the work resumes on schedule. This supplies is meant to increase production, not make your staff lazy. The battle station must be operational if the Empire is to win this war. It is the key to destroying the Rebels once and for all.
Fireworks burst over a cloudless sky, causing crowds to erupt into hoots and hollers. No matter how mighty the winds were as they blasted through the valley, people rejoiced in the welcomed air. Tents rustled across the sands while the native Aki-Aki only cheered louder. These hooded, elephantine beings could see no wrong in their day, for it was the Festival of the Ancestors. While such a massive celebration was commonly reserved for every forty-two years, the state of the galaxy had prompted clan leaders to reschedule. For the Aki-Aki, honoring the past and looking to the future meant everything. Especially during such trying times. Handcrafted kites swirled through the air, each representing an Aki-Aki family. Offworld kites users did their best to compete, as travelers from around the galaxy united in the celebration.
Pasana's heat might've been sweltering, but many embraced the coolness of its Forbidden Valley...a name that made a gathering of thousands all the more ironic. Still, the festival was best observed from afar by some onlookers. A pair of travelers had positioned themselves on an elevated dune. The younger of the two sat crosslegged, and found her inquisitive gaze transfixed on the kites. Imperial records had detailed the Festival of the Ancestors as a worrisome gathering. Instructors back at the academy cited the festival as a cover for rebellious operations throughout history. But as Tiana Roze observed the joyous crowds, she only found comfort. In fact, seeing so many so happy during wartime was almost jarring.
"It must be nice," Tiana sighed. "To live blissfully unaware of everything."
"I don't think that's the case," her older mentor considered. Her pale hands gently twisted Tiana's hair, fashioning it into something she hadn't seen in far too long. "I think everyone down there knows how bad things are." Elsa Dellian lifted her head and offered a kindly smile. "They're just finding comfort where they can." Both Tiana and Elsa had let their hair grow significantly over the years. Elsa had been hesitant to fashion a braid for Tiana, but she knew it was the Way of the Jedi. With a final tightening, Elsa let Tiana's Padawan braid swish down her shoulder. "It's a symbol," Elsa explained. "Of your path to knighthood. An-" Elsa's breath hitched while looking down at Tiana. She tried not to visualize Stel and took a deep breath. "An honor," she concluded.
Tiana gently caressed the braid, for she didn't want to dishevel it. Rising to stretch her legs, her new robes gleamed in the sunlight. Pasana's winds rustled against her turquoise fabrics. Elsa kept the pale robes her late friend Ezzie had given her, even if it meant getting the hem stained with sand. Tiana started to descend from the dune, all while looking at the kites once more. She focused on the unique family symbols etched into their fabrics. "Four years no contact," Tiana said and clasped for her heart. "I can't help but wonder if anything's changed back home."
"Wherever your mother is-" Elsa began. "I'm sure she's safe."
"How can you be so sure?" Tiana snapped surprisingly. "My senses may not be as attuned as yours, but she's my mother. I would feel...something."
"If all this time has taught me anything, it's that sometimes hope is enough."
"Not always," Tiana huffed.
"Hey," Elsa had barely raised her voice and the Padawan unintentionally braced herself. The act was enough to bring Elsa to silence. As Tiana stepped away, Elsa was left to think over her impression. Things had never been the same with her and Tiana since the 'incident' four years ago. Any guidance...any lesson about the Force was taken with a grain of salt. Skepticism was Tiana's ally, making instruction even more challenging. Yet despite Elsa's frustration, she couldn't blame Tiana. Elsa had given in, and once was too much. Ever since she was a youngling, she had been taught that the Dark Side would always be a temptation. Throughout her life, she resisted its dreadful pull and always rose above. She'd become disgusted by the Dark Side. And in less than a few minutes, Elsa had still given it everything. The thought of losing control again had kept Elsa on edge since the incident. Any bout of anger...any slight raising of tone...and Elsa would succumb to silence. Harnessing the power of the Dark Side had done more than scar Elsa, it had made her vulnerable. Perhaps she always was, only now she had something to fear within herself. "Conceal," Elsa whispered within. "Don't feel." Grounding herself in the present, she followed Tiana into the festival.
Apart from rhythmic dances and colorful kites, the Aki-Aki were also known for their delectable sweets. Sugary rolls, honey-glazed meats, and sprinkled balumbagumbas combined to create smells that were to die for. While the natives never grew tired of such delicacies, travelers found them equally irresistible. The mouth-watering aromas were like tractor beams, pulling the hungry in by the scores.
"What is that amazing smell?" Anna Dellian queried. She lifted her nose to the kite-filled sky and sniffed with delight. "Chocolate," she sighed and approached a vendor. Contrary to her sister, Anna kept her hair short. The style was easy to maintain and efficient in combat. She also didn't have to brush any locks away while smelling such amazing treats. Anna leaned over a sugar-coated slab. "Holy kriff," she gasped. Entire columns of chocolate-filled rolls were slowly being rotated against the slab. With each spin, more sugar clung to the rolls and left a sparkly coating. One more whiff and Anna was rifling through her utility pouch. She clasped a handful of credits and jabbed her hand at the baker. "How much would this cover?"
"Epna tupe wakunko!" the Aki-Aki rejoiced. His trunks swished with delight as he merrily packaged more rolls than Anna anticipated.
Watching Anna get so excited over sweets warmed Kristoff Bjorg's heart. He knew how long she'd suffered under addiction in the past. But seeing her replace drinking or using with chocolate pastries brought him comfort. Similar to Anna, Kristoff had cut his hair. It made wearing Rebel Marine helmets in missions easier. Stepping closer, he placed a gentle hand on Anna's shoulder. "Did you get enough?" he joked only to burst into laughter.
"Hm?" Anna mumbled as she turned, her mouth already full of chocolate.
"I take that as a yes," Kristoff jested as she tossed him one.
"You've got to try one of these," she said. "It's absolutely amazing." Kristoff happily took a roll and hummed with delight upon eating.
"There you are-" a youthful voice began. Anna and Kristoff turned to see a young adult crossing her arms. Her pants were a deep pink against the fiery sands. Of which had already stained the edges of her pale tank top. Her raven ponytail flowed in the breeze as she stared the duo down. "I was beginning to think you weren't gonna show."
"Waif whaf?" Anna questioned, her mouth full from another chomp. "We've been here."
"We're early, Mel." Kristoff added. "You said you'd meet us after the Aki-Aki ancestral dance was complete." He frustratedly gestured to a horde of Aki-Aki performing rhythmic choreography.
"It is complete," Mel teased. "That's the Aki-Aki welcome dance. Far different from the ancestral one."
"Far different?" Anna scoffed. "Those people have been stomping and throwing their arms forward for an hour."
"Yes," Mel concluded. "But now they're shuffling right instead of left." Anna and Kristoff raised brows at one another before glaring at Mel. "Just saying!" Mel blurted. "Also are you gonna eat all of those?" Anna rolled her eyes and tossed Mel a roll. "Follow me," she said and took her first bite.
Anna switched on her comlink to notify Elsa and Tiana. "We've made contact with Little Fish," she reported. "We'll find out what Big Fish found. How are we looking?"
"All clear from what we can see," Elsa called back. "No ships nor Imperial patrols. We're making our way through the festival and to the opposite dunes."
"Sounds like a plan," Anna replied. "Even if all of this was for nothing, at least I have chocolate."
Anna and Kristoff followed Mel to her tent. Once inside, they sealed its flap and gathered around a low-lying table. Sitting on the blanketed ground, Anna and Kristoff waited patiently. "Alright kid," Anna began. "What've you got for us?"
Mel's blue gaze shifted in the shadows as she retrieved a handful of holoprojectors. Setting them across the table, she activated them in sequence. The first two offered multiple angles of a fiery, swirling space cloud. "My parents were making another run through the Archeon Nebula," Mel explained. "It's a smuggler's route that typically avoids any Imperial eyes. But-" The next projector showed a triangular vessel with four hangars at its base. "A Quasar fire-class cruiser," Mel defined. "Heavily armored and heavily guarded. Mom and Dad spotted this carrier passing through the nebula twice. And Mom says if the Rebellion wants TIE fighters, the Archeon Pass is your best point to attack."
"Nebulas," Kristoff realized. "Very dangerous if you get too close."
"Which is precisely why it's as much of a help as it is a harm," Mel explained. "If you get a team to raid the ship mid-transit, you can steal the TIE fighters and make it look like an accident. Grab the TIEs and leave the carrier to burn up in the nebula."
"It's clever, I'll give you that." Anna admitted. "Good to know Ariel and Erik haven't lost their stride. We'll get this back to the Alliance and prep a team." She collected the holoprojectors and placed them in her utility pouch. As she did so, several blastershots rang out beyond the tent. Anna instantly crouched and reached for her lightsaber. Meanwhile, Kristoff had already unclipped the blaster beneath his poncho. While Mel was suspicious, she barely flinched. "Elsa," Anna called in. "We've got blasterfire."
"You're clear," Elsa assured over comms. "Looks like some kind of shooting competition happening in a ring just west of you. They're throwing up bottles and shooting them out of the sky."
Anna breathed a sigh of relief. As she rose, the gears in her new cybernetic leg hissed. Over time, she'd fully completed her new leg, adding a synthetic coating of skin to it. "That was too close for my liking," she huffed.
"We should get going," Kristoff suggested. "No need to stay longer than we have to."
Anna offered a playful salute to Mel. "Thanks, kid." she said. "Give our regards to your parents."
"Will do," Mel jokingly saluted back.
"Oh and Mel," Kristoff added. "The Alliance could use your family's skills against the Empire. There's always a spot for you all in our fleet."
Mel simpered. "I can try mentioning it again, but Mom and Dad prefer to help from a distance."
"I know," Kristoff assured. "Just...think about it."
"Captain," Anna addressed him formally. "We're leaving." He nodded and stepped out of the tent with her. "We're lucky enough to have gotten intel. You didn't have to push it with a recruitment offer."
"The Alliance needs all the help it can get," Kristoff defended. "You know that as much as I do."
Anna sighed. "I do. It's just...I hate feeling like this war is a constantly tipping scale. It feels like we actually stand a chance at times...then the Empire strikes back even harder."
"All the more reason for recruits to tip the scales in our favor."
Anna and Kristoff flinched as another wave of blasterfire boomed alongside cheers. "I swear to kriffing hell," Anna grumbled before regaining her composure. "Elsa...Tiana." she called in. "We have the intel and-" More blastershots reverberated across the sands. "I said we have the intel and our making our way to you!" Anna groaned and continued on with Kristoff. As the shots kept echoing throughout the festival, Anna suddenly froze.
"Anna?" Kristoff worried. "What's-"
"Hold on," Anna whispered sharply. She squinted her eyes and leaned into the sounds. And as the blasterfire echoed again, Anna's eyes widened. Her breath hitched while the shot crawled into the deepest recesses of her mind. And as she'd found the memory, Anna ran off.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Kristoff called out and gave chase.
Anna kept following the sounds, all while shuffling and shoving past attendees. Her throat ran dry as she picked up the pace and reached the shooting competition. Shards of broken glass plummeted into the sands as the gunslingers lined up. A stocky human blasted two bottles while a Nikto doubled his score. Their garnered applause were short-lived as a well-dressed Muun stepped up. Four bottles clinked between his elongated fingers.
"Looks like the Slinger of Scipio's got to teach you all a lesson again," the Muun quipped. The sun beat down on his bald cranium, yet he smirked. With a thrust of his arm, he sent all four bottles spinning through the air. Moving hastily, he raised a pistol and fired a single, blue blast. Anna's heart sank as she watched him smash four bottles with one shot. Any doubts over her fears crumbled when she got a closer look at the blaster. The sunlight made the winged family crest on the weapon gleam.
It can't be, Anna thought. How could it be?
There was no mistaking it. Anna had seen that weapon for far too long in her life. As if in a trancelike state, she stepped into the ring. "Hey!" Kristoff worried. "What are you doing?"
Anna ignored him and advanced on the Muun. His trench coat's tails swished with an incoming gust as he raised his hands in victory. "What did I tell you?" he cheered. "What did I tell you!"
"That pistol," Anna began and caught his attention. The Muun glanced at her and laughed off the acknowledgement.
"Hm?" he barely murmured.
"Where did you get it?" Anna pushed.
"None of your business, little missy," the gunslinger mocked.
"It's not yours," Anna held her ground,
"Oh?" the Muun scoffed. "And how would you know?"
Anna's sneer deepened as she kept staring at the Onasi pistol. "Because it belonged to my best friend. Now give it back."
The Muun's smile faltered as a scowl took its place. "I don't think I will," he answered sternly. "See I've grown quite attached to it."
Anna clenched her fists as Kristoff tried to calm her. "Hey," he spoke softly. "Easy there, feistypants. What is this about-"
"Give me the pistol," Anna demanded.
"Why?" the Muun jeered.
"Because now I'm not asking," Anna growled.
The gunslinger delicately scratched at his chin. "Look," he said. "I don't have time for your whining. I have a crowd to woo. Besides, if your 'best friend' didn't want to lose their gun, maybe they should've been more responsible." Anna's eyes widened and Kristoff knew the Muun had pushed her too far. But instead of fighting, Anna giggled. Her hysterical laughter was as awkward as it was random. He thought to laugh with her as she closed in. But once Anna was in range, her belly laughter soon became a growl. With a mighty lunge forward, Anna delivered a right hook to the Muun. Her cheap shot sent him staggering, but he was quick to return a punch.
Gasps filled the crowd of onlookers while Anna dodged his fist. Reclaiming the offensive, Anna snatched the Muun's arm and tried to flip him over. She didn't anticipate just how tall he really was and couldn't lift him in time. With his free hand, the gunslinger snatched Anna by the hair and threw her into the sand.
"Laz!" another Muun called as he and three others leapt into the ring. "You okay?"
Laz scrubbed the blood from his flat nose and chuckled. "I'm fine," he said. "But it looks like someone needs to be taught a lesson." His entourage of Muuns was like a swarm of leafless trees. One of them had only been able to lunge at Anna before Kristoff jumped in. Fists flew as Anna's companion beat back the assailant. It wasn't long before he was overwhelmed too and Anna had to jump back in.
One of the Muuns tried to put Kristoff in a headlock, but Anna jumped on his back. Like a rabid nexu, she bit hard into his shoulder until he was forced to fall back. Anna kicked him while he was down and looked to Kristoff. "You okay?" she asked.
"Fine," Kristoff panted. "Just cleaning up your mess-" In that instant, another Muun tackled Kristoff. Anna wanted to help, but the others attacked her. One of them tried to pin the Jedi, but she shoved a chocolate roll in his face. The brief distraction gave her the chance to uppercut.
"Anna?" Elsa called in. "Kristoff? Where are you?"
"Just...a little busy," Kristoff wheezed as a Muun choked him out. He kneed the foe away and broke free of his hold.
"Just bonding with the locals," Anna called back while grappling with two Muuns. She took a punch to the face that was so audible, even Elsa flinched over comms.
"By the Force," her big sister mumbled. "Where are they?"
"I'll bet right there," Tiana pointed to a crowded circle across the festival. Blurred silhouettes could be seen barreling into each other at its center.
"Come on," Elsa sighed to her apprentice. "We'd better make sure they don't get themselves killed."
"Is that all you got!" Anna taunted while enduring another punch. While one Muun held her by the arms, the other wound up another strike. In doing so he'd fallen directly into Anna's trap. She wanted him to hit harder, and thus needed to gather momentum. This gave Anna enough time to propel her legs and kick him in the face. Her cybernetic heel clanged against the attacker's jaw, dislocating it. As Anna lurched forward, so too did her captor. With a swift backwards jerk of her body, Anna struck the Muun with her head. She then spun around and elbowed him away.
Kristoff toppled over and clasped a handful of sand. He tossed it into the charging Muun's face and tackled him while disoriented. As Kristoff delivered several punches to his face, the Muun ironically grabbed a handful of sand as well. He threw it at Kristoff's face to get him off and kept brawling.
As Anna threw her next punch, she suddenly felt...out of it. The soreness in her knuckles was nothing new, but her hand had started shaking. Anna raised a brow and focused on the tremor. "What the-" was all she could mutter before one of the Muuns grabbed her.
"Okay," Laz huffed and unsheathed a knife. He closed in on Anna while she wriggled in his cohort's grip. "Enough of this." Before he could lunge, a sudden burst of energy sent Laz spiraling into the crowd. The action had the rest of the Muuns dispersing. Heads turned as Elsa emerged with her hand raised.
"Are we done making a scene?" she asked.
"We had it under control," Anna insisted while rubbing her sore face. "You're the one making a scene with powers."
"What?" Elsa blurted.
"We kept it simple," Anna defended. "A fistfight. No Force powers. Too late now so help me get that guy."
"No," Elsa denied. "We have the information we need, I don't know why we're picking fights."
"He has Blazer's pistol, Elsa." Anna asserted and silenced her sister. "There's only one like it."
"Blazer?" Tiana asked.
Anna sulked, battling wounds both seen and unseen. "He was my best friend. I need to get it back." She turned to her sister. "I know you might've healed from losing Frost, but I need this."
Elsa's hesitation faltered as she understood a Jedi's bond with their clone companion. "Okay," she said. "He couldn't have gone far. We-" Elsa paused and hurriedly looked around. "Where's Tiana?"
Bruised but far from beaten, Laz continued barreling through crowds. Getting randomly attacked was one thing, but thrown by a magical entity is where he drew the line. The Festival of the Ancestors was so colossal, that the majority of attendees went on partying. The brawl had meant little overall and everyone was too busy dancing or eating their troubles away. While Laz had initially reveled in the crowd's excitement, now it had become an obstacle for his escape. "Out of my way!" he blabbed and passed through another dancing cluster. As he rushed into a section of vendors, he was cut off by a flash of turquoise.
Tiana skidded to a halt and kicked up sand on her heels. "Hold it right there," she said.
"You people are crazy!" Laz panted. "It's just a stupid blaster! Buy you're own if you'd like something similar."
Tiana unclenched her fists and thought of Elsa's teachings. "Sir," she spoke calmly. "Surely we can make some kind of agreement."
Laz's sneer intensified, wrinkling his smooth face. "I'm listening," he mumbled.
"How many credits would it take to buy that gun off of you?" Tiana asked.
Laz immediately guffawed. "More than your little gang can afford. I paid millions for this and its earned me my fame."
Tiana sighed. "I didn't want to do this." She raised a hand to the Muun and called upon the Force. "You will give me the pistol." Laz snickered at her seemingly fruitless demand. Tiana didn't waver and kept up her confidence. Stiffening her palm, Tiana closed her eyes and focused. She pictured the Muun in her mind's eye and channeled the Force. "You will give me the pistol," she willed once more. Tiana slowly opened her eyes and observed Laz. He looked as though he was in a trance and was slurring his words. "I-...I will give you the-"
"There they are!" Anna shouted, snapping Laz from the mind trick and Tiana from her focus. She pounced on Laz while he was still in a daze.
"Wait!" Tiana shouted. "I had him! He was gonna-"
"Tiana!" Elsa gasped in relief while dashing alongside Kristoff. She hurriedly looked over her apprentice and slowed her breaths. "I'm glad you're safe. What were you thinking?"
Tiana struggled to reel in her frustrations as she recoiled from Elsa. "I'm fine," was all she replied with. Her gaze fell to Anna, who was making things harder than necessary.
"Nice work stunning him," Anna grunted while keeping Laz pinned.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Yep."
"Alright, you sleemo." Anna snarled and slammed Laz into the sand. "Hand over the pistol or there's more where that came from."
"Kriff it," Laz wheezed and was still coming out of the daze. "Take the damn thing." He practically threw the pistol up to Anna. "My brother's inheritance will get me a dozen more from her."
Even just holding the pistol brought Anna a sliver of comfort. Knowing that she'd saved one of Blazer's possessions from being defiled any longer. Anna bit her lip, realizing the the blaster still had scrapes and scorch marks from the Aren explosion. "I'm sorry, Blazer," she whispered, still thinking of his sacrifice. "I'm sorry to all of you." Her brows furrowed as she reminisced on the Deathchasers. Laz's grumbles snapped her back into the moment. Anna wanted to make a snide remark, but instead found herself focused on the Muun's last statement. "Wait," Anna said. "What did you mean by 'more from her'?" She shook the Onasi pistol and asked, "Who sold this to you?"
"The Mistress," Laz uttered. "Maleficent."
BEHIND THE SCREENS FROZEN FORCE TRIVIA
1. Film reference: Pasana and the Festival of the Ancestors both made their first appearance in "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker" (2019).
2. Continuity: According to C-3PO, the festival is celebrated every forty-two years. To maintain canon continuity, the festival has been celebrated at a different time due to the war.
3. A return to fun action adventure: While Season 5 was more bleak given the time period, the first chapter of Season 6 pays tribute to the earlier more adventurous seasons of the story.
4. Story trivia: Ariel and Erik first appeared in Season 1 of "The Frozen Force" during the Manaan arc and have not been seen since.
5. Disney reference: Mel's (Melody's) clothing color scheme pays homage to her mermaid form in "The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea" (2000).
6. TV Series reference: The Archeon Nebula first appeared in Star Wars Rebels Season: 3 - Episode: 18 "Secret Cargo." Hera Syndulla used the deadly route to get Mon Mothma away from the Empire.
7. Film reference: Kristoff calls Anna 'feistypants' when he tries to calm her down. This is a reference to their film counterparts when Anna is riled up.
Author's note:
Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of Season 6! Our adventure continues on Friday, February 14th with Chapter: 152 "Return of Wrath (Part: I)."
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with you,
~ Sparks