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Author Topic: Fading Starlight ( AU NJO) (J/OC)
ispeaknotruths 
Registered: Apr '04
46181_Padme Jedi
Date Posted: 8/27 6:53pm Subject: RE: Fading Starlight ( AU NJO) (J/OC) - Date Edited: 8/30 1:54pm (1 edits total) Edited By: ispeaknotruths
Chapter 17: About A Girl

=========

Let me tell you a story about a girl.

A young girl has been fighting, running and surviving in a war since as long as she could remember. She knows nothing else. The civil war has swallowed the entire planet, dividing it thrice and has been going on for so long that no one could really remember how it started, only that it has to be fought because there could only be one winner.

This girl had no history; it had burned to ashes when she was nothing more than a toddler but she had a name. So the girl known only as Alia Ventra decided to make a history of her own. Abandoning the life she had with the ruling gang in the eastern lands, she left for the sacred ground of the far western lands on her home planet of Kazu. And she chose a reason to live. There were other kids, just like her, living and surviving through the war the best they could. But unlike her, they didn't have the natural talent and instincts like she did. They didn't have the Force.

She became a leader among them, keeping them alive and giving them hope when there was none. Because to her, nothing meant more than to see her friends leave the planet and war behind, even if it meant she was left alone. Alia Ventra didn't mind--so much. She was used to being alone. After all, she's been alone since as long as she could remember.

Then one day, while fighting with the resistance known as Hai du Aiibu, she ran into a stranger. An off worlder had come to bring peace to the planet by putting a stop to the rebels fighting in the western lands. Everyone who was in the know had told her that he was a Jedi, part of this sect of people who could do amazing, terrible things. They traveled all over the galaxy, bringing hope and much needed help to those who needed it or destruction and death to those in power. This Jedi, cause many in the resistance to quake in fear when mentioned because this was a man who couldn't be bought, led astray or stopped. But not her. In fact, she went to find and face him alone with unwavering courage, unyielding loyalty to their cause, and with a large energy cannon slung over her shoulder.

The stranger looked upon her with a smile, told her to abandon her fight and patted her on the head as he walked by. That smile faded quickly when she fired upon him, forcing them into a fight he had wished to avoid because she was only a child. He soon learned that she was no ordinary child; that like himself she had the ability to use the Force.

But she had no training, no guidance or moral compass than what she had made up to survive day after day. The stranger defeated her easily. Surprised and annoyed for losing to an offworlder and regretful that she wouldn't be around to lead her friends, she sat on the ground as she waited for the final blow to fall, he spoke to her “Why do you fight? You're so young and innocent. You have no right to carry a weapon."

Alia looked up at the stranger bewildered by his question. "You must be blind if you have to ask that. This is war; it doesn't matter if you're young or innocent. It's fight or die cuz I know for a fact that the next guy I meet will be carrying and he won't show mercy."

"That can't be the only option."

"You can always choose to be a victim." Alia said. She pushed herself to her feet, swung her cannon over her shoulder before putting her hands on her hips. "But I'll never be a victim. I'll be the one to save my friends from anyone who tries to hurt us."

The stranger stared into the girl's violet eyes, noting that she never turned away and looked straight at him, before he kneeled before her. "How would you like to keep your friends happy and out of this war? What would you say if I've told you I can stop all this fighting but I would need you're help?"

"I'd say you're stupid crazy." she announced, before scampering over a boulder and disappeared. The stranger watched her leave with a sigh before he went on his way. He managed only a couple of feet when Alia landed in front of him, minus the cannon. "So what do you want me to do?"

They made a deal with each other that would bring an end to the war that ravaged a planet. It brought about an end to the senseless loss of life. But it brought Alia to a whole new world, one that was filled with people just like her, with the gifts and the courage to stand up and use it for the greater good.

She became part of something.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Something greater than ourselves. Jedi fight for peace, for the safety and well being of all life."

The girl Alia was older now, sitting among the students at the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV, listening to Tionne as she spoke to the students about the Force, their duty and way of life. Everything was so new, so clear as she listened and soaked in everything Tionne said. She never dreamed of a life like this, didn't imagine that there was something other than them or us. To fight for or fight against.

“Jedi seek peace before any action. Use words instead of lightsabers. If we are to create a peaceful galaxy it must be through example." Tionne looked out over the students and for a brief uncomfortable second, the girl thought she was looking directly at her before her eyes drifted away. "We defend and protect. Never be the aggressor."

"I don't understand." Alia is going through her practices in the fields in front of the Massassi Temple, sweat falling off her in the humid jungle heat. It was later in the afternoon and the students had been released for private studies. "If I defend myself, can I press the attack in order to further protect myself? To keep those under my care from harm? Or would that be seen as aggression?"

She brought herself up, twirling her stun rod in her hand as she looked over at the stranger who took her under his wing and brought her here to learn. The man, the Jedi who was her teacher and yet wasn't. It was him she went to for answers because he understood what it was like growing up without a compass to guide them through the horror around them. Because he wouldn't judge her and show pity or shock when something horrible from her past came up. She could speak openly to him about anything and often did.

"Of course not Alia."

"Then why am I always reprimanded for being too hasty in a decision, for being unable to connect with others? I'm self righteous, misguided and too aggressive with other students in practice." she performed a rolling back flip, swinging her stun rod close to the ground, stopping an inch away from his feet. "It's not my fault they can't learn to avoid an attack and have to be sent to Medical."

"The student's aren't ready for the no-holds-bar type of fighting you're used to yet Alia."

"It would've helped when the Shadow Academy attacked a couple of months ago." she muttered under her breath.

"What's that?"

"Nothing Master Durron." Alia replied, pushing herself to her feet, brushing herself off as she approached the taller, dark haired man. “I just don’t get it. The rules here are so different from what I know.”

“You don’t have to fight all the time Alia.”

“I know, I know. I’m trying to learn relax, to get my head clear and just let myself feel. I’m trying so hard.” She closed her eyes in frustration, opening them only when she felt a hand on under her chin. “It’s very frustrating Master Durron.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.” Kyp Durron said gently stroking his thumb over her chin before dropping his hand. “’There is no try only do.’ Remember? It’ll come to you when the time is right. You don’t have to play catch up to everyone.”

“But they’ll need me.”

“Alia, you don’t have to be the hero in this. We’re surrounded by Jedi. They don’t need protectors or guardians and they don’t need one person to take on the load of a martyr for them.” Kyp Durron gave her a smile. “How about you learn to smile and laugh?”

“Why would I—“ Alia winkled her nose as she tried to follow the thought of her teacher.

“Because I said so.” Kyp said before she could finish. “Live for a moment. Because that’s all that life is, moments in time.” He turned away from her, to give her time to think. “Give it a try sometime, you might in enjoy it.”

A while later found Alia sitting near the top of a nearby temple, watching as the other students and older Jedi walk, run, play and learn in the meadow below. They were in groups or alone but never for long. Even now, she saw one of the Solo twins, a boy named Jacen run to meet up with his friends. He was smiling and laughing and then as if sensing her, looked up in her direction and waved wildly. She frowned slightly before raising a hand in greeting. The others looked in her direction curiously before turning back to their little group and walked out of the meadow, disappearing into the main temple.

Now with a new puzzle, she laid back and stared up at the sky, the red planet Yavin taking up residence off to the side. That boy didn't even know her, and yet he greeted her like an old friend. She didn't have friends, just fellow students and a roommate. Ever since she came to the Academy, she’s noticed that no Jedi remained alone too long. There was always someone else who came along to join them.

That’s what Master Durron had to be telling her.

Although a Jedi could be alone, she wasn’t. The Force connected them to everything around them. She was connected to everything around her even if she didn’t realize it yet. Alia was so deep in thought, that she was startled when a voice broke through behind her. “Hey roomie, my friends and I are thinking about getting some lunch and heading to the river for a swim. Wanna come with?”

Alia turned around to see Eryl standing with the Rar sisters and Ganner behind her. The Rar sisters were talking to each other, obliviously thinking that it would be another rejection or excuse from her. Ganner was giving her a wide grin and a wink, trying in his own way to win her over. They have always tried to bring her into their little group, to give her a chance to belong somewhere.

So she made a choice and never regretted it.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Skip to a few years later, Alia found herself surrounded by a large group of citizens looking for help, for a way to survive in a terrible war that was sweeping the galaxy like a sandstorm. In her experience, when a sandstorm came roaring across the plains, it was always best to hide until it passed. But that wasn’t the solution for this storm. No this storm, you had to endure it, find a way to pass through it or die. So far, she was enduring but she wasn’t sure for how long.

Her friends from the Academy sent her messages from the front lines whenever they could. Ganner had gotten a scar on his face but was dealing with it just fine. He said it made him more human than Jedi. Eryl was helping Jedi escape from the frontlines and elsewhere in order for them to regroup. Numa and Alema were leading a resistance on some planet near occupied Vong space. And she was on Duro, playing caretaker and handler to the frighten and angry refugee populace. Every instinct in her wanted to fight, to go find the enemy and face them one on one or all at once. But she didn’t know how or where to start. Plus the Force was telling her it wasn’t time---not yet.

The Yuuzhan Vong are different. She couldn’t be angry with them, or hate them for what they were doing to her galaxy even if she wanted to. Because she only saw one side of them, the aggressive side and she knew that there were always two sides to every conflict. The problem was there was no way to see the other side. They knew absolutely nothing about the Yuuzahn Vong even though they had taken over half of the galaxy.

“Why aren’t you doing anything?”

“You can help stop this.”

“Stop running and face this.”

“We need you.”

She’s heard all these arguments time and time again ever since she announced that she wouldn’t fight against the Yuuzahn Vong. She won’t be the aggressor in this war. It shocked everyone who knew her when she said this. After all, she was the girl who grew up holding a weapon in hand, ready to use it. Now she held a PDA in one hand and a multi-tool in another, reading off names and supplies or fixing something that broke. She helped where she could and often sacrificed her time and energy to make sure that no one suffered too greatly under her care. It was what Angel would have done.

“Hey Alia, I’m heading over to Sector Five!” Alia looked up to see a fellow Jedi waving at her from a nearby speeder. She walked over to him, taking in his stained and rumpled clothes before nodding. “What’s up?”

“Nothing major. Just some complaints about the air unit spitting out warm air.” He said, running his fingers through his brown hair and sighed heavily.

“Aw poor Jacen. All work and no play makes for one tired Jedi.” Alia said with a smile. “Let me join you, I have to run to Sector Five anyways and talk to SELCORE about the supplies not making it to Sector Nine.”

“SELCORE again?”

“Always. Can’t stand them myself but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. We need those supplies.” Alia shrugged easily though she was tired of having to go to SELCORE and fight for supplies that were rightfully the refugees. She didn’t take it too hard, after all she’s heard that others been having problems too, Jacen’s mom included.

“Got that right. Hop on and hold tight.” Jacen replied climbing on the speeder. Alia climbed on behind him, wrapping her hands around his waist and held on. Just to make it more interesting, she slid her hands a bit lower than normal watching as Jacen’s eyes widen slightly before a blush started crawling up his neck to his face. Biting her lip to keep from chuckling, she leaned close so he could hear her, “Oops, my bad.”

She moved her hands back up to his waist and held on tightly as he pressed on the pedal and the speeder zoomed forward. She leaned her head against Jacen’s shoulder a smile on her lips. It was always easier being around him, he made her enjoy what little life had to offer and she grabbed every little crumb.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

It’s been a while since Alia had any clear thoughts. Something that would take her away, if only a moment so she can endure. She had to. So she fell back to her old ways, using what she learned from Kazu in the first war of her life in order to survive the current one, the one she feared would be her last. She closed her eyes and fought to open them again. When she did, she saw the liar, the traitor in front of her, and a smug smile on its beak.

“I see that you’re still conscious. Very courageous of you. Most warriors by now would have given up to the darkness of unconsciousness or even welcomed death.” Vergere was waiting and watching, she had to remember that. If Alia didn’t keep on alert, she would steal her most precious possession. Her mind, her heart and soul. Vergere was the worst kind of enemy, the one who cared about you but did terrible things in the name of kindness.

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Alia breathed out, sweat beading on her forehead as the room grew unbearably warm. Her bonds tighten around her wrists and neck, squeezing slightly. The one comfort was that she was allowed to sit even if it was in a terribly awkward way. Her back ached and shot bolts of lighting up her spine but she held back from making any sound of discomfort. She didn’t want to give Vergere anything if she could.

“On the contrary, I’m very proud. You are moving along very nicely. You just might be the person I’m looking for.”

“Oh really? Can I get my cookie now?” Alia snarked as she gave Vergere a large smile. At least she hoped it was a large smile.

“You must realize by now, you can hear the whispers through the walls,“ Vergere motioned to the air duct on the side of her head. This place was old and falling apart. It was one of the first things Alia had noticed when she was brought aboard weeks ago or was it months ago? She couldn’t recall when exactly—“The warriors are speaking of you.”

“Of course they are. I’m jeedai.” Alia said mimicking their accents. “I’m a fool and a disgusting insult to the True Gods. I will be a worthy sacri—“

“Sister.” Vergere broke through Alia’s rant. Alia frown in confusion as Vergere’s smile grew wider. “Ah yes, there is talk about bringing you into their fold. Heresy some say but to other’s a worthy addition to the Domain Ylene. It is said that should you walk out of here on your own two feet, that you will receive a reward of true worth. No one will dare turn from you in disgust or shame. You can walk among them.”

“Someone should cut out that deceitful tongue of yours.” Alia muttered under her breathe. But as always, Vergere heard her every word.

“Oh. Would you like to do the deed? I won’t fight you if you wanted to try.” Vergere said good naturally. Alia tugged at the bonds with a raised eyebrow. “Oh those silly things.”

On command, the bonds unwrapped from her wrists and neck, freeing her. Alia leaned forward slightly, checking herself before sighing and pulled her legs out from under her. She winced as the blood started flowing back to her feet and her legs started to tingle unpleasantly. Across from her, Vergere perched waiting patiently as Alia relaxed against the wall, soaking in this peace as long as she could.

Alia watched Vergere just as patiently before saying. “I’m not going to do anything to you. What I said was hateful and mean and I’m sorry for saying it.”

“You’re apologizing to me, your dear friend Vergere? That’s unexpected.”

“Yeah I am and you’re not my friend. You’re my captor and you are a liar. A very cunning and cruel liar. I don’t want you anywhere need me but I’ll deal.”

“Ah yes. The fighter to the end.” Vergere smirked as she approached Alia. Alia watched her warily, bringing her legs up as far as she could and wrapped her arms around her swollen stomach. “Come now dear, I won’t harm you.”

“Stay away from us Vergere.” Alia hissed as Vergere reached out and touched her stomach gently. Alia couldn’t move, being held in place by the invisible bonds of the Force. The Force was lost to her as her freedom was, torn away from her by this strange creature. She ached for the connection it brought but it had dulled down to a throbbing loss. She didn’t need it as much as she thought she did. Not when she had something else in its place. “I mean it.”

“Hush now child. You’re bringing undue stress to yourself.” Vergere snapped at her. Alia stopped struggling as Vergere checked on her condition, reaching out through the Force to the little sparks of life in Alia’s belly. “You are very close now. Soon they will be born.”

“Not here.” Alia said.

“Not anywhere if you continue to go on the way you do. The Yuuzhan Vong will kill you if you try to escape now. Trust your friend Vergere in this. Stay until the children are born. And then if you still wish to leave, I shall help you do so.”

“I don’t want my children born here. Its poison here, they’re been to weak to defend themselves here. They won’t know any better.”

“Maybe you should have thought of that before you decided to throw your life away.” Vergere said, letting Alia go and stepped back. “I’ve seen fools and idiots before but none so like you.”

“I didn’t know. Don’t you think if I had, I’ve run as far and as fast as I could in the other direction?!” Alia climbed to her feet, towering over Vergere. “This is something I always dreamed about but never believed I would have. It’s something every orphan wants---a family to call their own.”

Alia felt tears slipping down her face but couldn’t bring herself to care. Vergere had hit a nerve, the one that kept her fighting and the one that was her only weakness. Her and Jacen’s children.

“I was stupid and reckless. I was blind and deaf until it was too late. I killed my children before they had a chance to live and I—I hate myself for ruining it for them. It’s not fair and it’s not right and it’s my fault.” Alia cried into her palms, her shoulders shaking. She cried for a little while slowly coming to a crawl when she felt claws cup her hands and pull them away from her face. Vergere blinked at her with wide, deep eyes, a warm glow shining through the lies that seemed to always be there.

“Accept my help and I will assure your safety and that of your soon to be born children.” She said solemnly. Although Alia knew Vergere, more than she wanted and knew how cruel, how deceptive and cunning she was, but as of right now, she was the only one she could trust. She would give anything to see her children born and safe. And sometimes she knew, as she reached out and accepted Vergere’s clawed hand, it was easier to fight when you didn’t struggle at all.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Alia just finished fixing Zekk to the duracrete statue of some long dead hero from the Old Republic with jelly her brother had on him. It was the last of it so now they had nothing to keep her in place when the Jedi come to rescue her and Zekk from the vicious Yuuzhan Vong.

If they saw her free, they might find out that they were walking into a trap and that just wouldn’t do. So she came up with a plan, one that promised to be painful to everyone involved but it promised to be worst for her.

“Ready Sister?”

Alia sighed, finishing placing the jelly on his mouth to keep him from warning the others. He glared at her and if looks could kill----

“I’m ready.” She said. She turned just in time to meet a large jagged fist in the face. She rocked backwards, keeping her balance when she just should have fallen, her vision blurring and darkening from the force of the blow. Her brother didn’t show any mercy as he brought another fist down on her and then another and another until she was on the ground. Then he started with the kicks. All the while Zekk struggled against his bonds, yelling in vain through the jelly as Alia fell without a fight.

 

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Fading Starlight - http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=22956516&brd=10477&replies=
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Darth_Allegiance 
Registered: Jul '08
40710_Jacen Solo
Date Posted: 9/10 7:06pm Subject: RE: Fading Starlight ( AU NJO) (J/OC)
Sorry it took me so long to actually write back. I've had a hard time gettin on for some strange reason. Whatever.

So the story looks great so far. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering what the heck is going on!! Plus you threw me for a loop there with that last bomb.

She has kids, Jacen's kids!!

Crazy!

But now I'm all sad because she doesn't have them with her. I wonder what happened. Oh well I'm sure you'll get to it soon. Like SOON I hope.

Please, post another chapter, pretty please.

 
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