Power Tribes - A Star Wars Fan Fiction
Power Tribes.
C. H
Warning: Story on writersblock. Read at your own risk.
Will probably leave off on a cliff-hanger.
Prologue
“Mother!” A girl with tan skin and long, jet black hair called.
The river rushed by and flowed over rocks in streams of blues. The wind whipped the girl’s hair around her face, forcing her to brush it away and squint at the woven basket she was looking at.
“What is it?” A woman with identical matching tan skin and shoulder-length black hair asked.
A little boy with light skin and brown hair ran up beside her. The women's lavender dress swayed in the wind, in sync with the wild flowers.
The girl pointed at the basket struggling to float.
The woman frowned and knelt next to her.
Neither noticed when the little boy ran back into the house.
The mother reached out a tender hand toward the basket, gently winding it over. She placed another hand on the top and slowly opened it. A small face with big brown eyes stared back at them. The baby had fiery red hair and light colored skin. The crunch of stones announced the arrival of a man and the little boy
“What’s going on, Alex said. . . ?”
The voice trailed off as the man’s eyes met the baby’s. Small, innocent, and scared. The woman looked up at him, pity in her eyes.
“Miya. . .”
“Qui, we can’t just leave her,” Miya pleaded.
Qui looked from Miya to his daughter, and from his daughter to the baby. He sighed.
“Alex will be going to the Jedi Temple soon. . . and Shonock will go to Nawiff to train. . . maybe the Jedi Temple instead. . .”
His long brown hair swayed in the wind as he thought. He floated the baby into his arms.
“Hello there, little one,” he murmured, cradling her in his arms.
She opened her mouth and yawned. Her big brown eyes stared into his. He could sense that she would be strong and powerful one day.
“We will keep her,” he decided.
She’d be destined for powerful things.
Welcome to Nawiff.
Tribes:
Tangwan: Fire Tribe. Single: Hestia-girl, Atesh-boy. Connects to fire. Live near dryer places.
Terrays: Earth tribe. Single: Terra-girl, Terran-boy. Connects to the earth. Live in forests.
Draven: Sky Tribe. Single: Aster-girl, Tarak-boy. Pulls light from the stars and forms beams of light and force fields. Extinct.
Salish: Water Tribe. Single: Anahita-girl, Arno-boy. Connects to water. Lives near swampish and lake areas.
Daenerys: Ice Tribe. Single: Hima-girl, Todoroki-boy. Controls ice. Live near colder places, mountains.
Zephyr: Wind Tribe. Single: Anemone-girl, Nodin-boy. Connects to the wind and hears the soft whispers of a song it sends. Live near higher places, mountains.
Stormur: A special type of wind trick only Zephyr warriors use.
Leoht: Amber Tribe. Replicates the power of whoever they touch. Lives in unknown places. Believed to be non-existent. Some believe only the royal family are able to harness the power.
One
1
Josephine
Josephene jumped over a fallen tree, her fiery hair smacking against her face in the wind. Azula-her white wolf ran up beside her. She raced through the forest, barely registering a few of the cuts from the twigs on her arm.
“Better luck next time Zara!” Josephine called as she sprinted past Zara, the most competitive runner in her class.
Zara rolled her eyes and tried to run faster, but Josiphene was already gone. She jumped up to the small platform in front of the waterfall. She looked around a bit, hoping to find Kailani.
She spotted her running up the path, sweat running down her forehead. She looked out of breath and had to squat to catch her breath. Zara ran past her and climbed up the rock.
“Still afraid of water, Fire Girl?” She asked, smirking as she dove through the powerful falls.
Josephine glared at the thundering falls. It wasn’t that she was afraid, she just didn’t like water. None of the Fire Tribes did. It was their weakness. Kal brought her out of her thoughts as she dragged herself up the rock. She was panting so hard Josiphene was afraid she might be dehydrated and faint.
“Can you part the falls for me?” She asked, helping Kal stand. Kal took one look at the falls, then at Josephine. A spark of energy lit up her eyes and she suddenly seemed less worn out. That’s when it hit her. Josephine had always won every race they’d had against each other. This was the opportunity Kal had been waiting for.
“Kal. . .”
Kal rushed past Josephine and dove through the falls. She sighed. Well, only two options left. Either jump over it and get disqualified for cheating, or face the fear she’d already had to face a week earlier. She’d rather get drenched head-to-toe before she got disqualified. Taking one deep breath, Josephine sprinted toward the falls and. . . went tumbling under the weight. It felt like she was getting whacked with solid bricks.
The fall felt endless, and she could feel herself needing air. Right before she started to suffocate, the water spit her up and she gasped for breath. She was alive!
She watched as Kal surfaced a few feet away. Her deep ocean blue air sticking to her skin. Josephine swam up next to her.
“Look, you survived!” Kal teased, panting.
“Ha ha ha,” Josephine said sarcastically, giving her a look.
They both stared at the other competitors swimming closer to the island. It seemed so far away, and all Josephine wanted to do was sleep. She was too exhausted to swim anymore. But she needed to pass.
If she passed this, she might finally be stationed as a spy, maybe team up with Sarcen. . . She shook the thought. She could think about that later. Right now she needed to get back in first.
“See you at the finish line!” She panted as she started swimming.
Unfortunately, Kal was a way better swimmer than she was. She passed Josephine in seconds and was halfway to the island when Josephine had barely made any progress.
“Salishers,” Josephine muttered.
They were good at anything that involved water. Josephine swam as fast as she could. Kal had made it to the island by the time she’d gotten halfway, and had disappeared in the forest when Josephine had gotten a few feet away.
Azula was already waiting on the shore when Josephine dragged herself to the island. She’d somehow found a different path that didn’t involve water, since her fur wasn’t even the tiniest bit wet.
Josephine and Azula ran into the forest, dodging palm trees and over obstacles that had fallen over. She accidentally tripped and fell on top of Azula-who was not happy.
They passed so many competitors, but Josephine’s vision was blurring by the time they reached the last course.
La Petite Mort Canyon.
The hardest one. If you passed that one, you were practically a legend. They mostly kept track of who made it the farthest, since only three people in hundreds of years actually finished.
They also banned powers, since that would guarantee a Terran-someone from the Earth Tribe-to win. You could only use your power if you were in danger.
Azula chose to chicken out and ran back to the Tangwan village. Josephine sighed as she took a map and slowly jogged into the canyon.
It was an orangish brown color that looked like clay. The cliffs were high and steep, and it looked like it could all come crashing down at any second.
Probably why they pair us with a Terran, Josephine thought.
She looked around for her assigned partner. No one was there. Just a daunting canyon. Fun. After a few minutes she decided she’d go alone.
I can’t wait here forever, she thought. I mean, for all I know, they could’ve left me- Josephine snapped out of her thoughts as a twig snapped.
She whipped around to find a girl with darkish skin and brown eyes. She had a green streak on the right side of her chocolate brown hair which had been tied in a tight ponytail.
“Please say you’re Josephine,” she gasped. “I’ve been waiting forever!”
“Um. . .”
“I got bored and went into the cave-” the girl pointed to a narrow, jagged entrance to a dark cave. “And got lost.”
“I’m Josephine,” the curious redhead told her. Her golden-brown eyes shone with curiosity. She’d never met a Terran before.
“Skylar. Nice to meet you.”
“Wait. . . isn’t that a Zephyr name?”
“Ha! You’re the fastest one to notice! My parents are Zephyr. So they figured I’d be one too. I’m not.” Her voice sounded almost sad.
Then Josephine caught on. If she was a Terran, and her parents were a Zephyr, that would mean they’d have to be split up. You never knew what power you’d have until you’re ten, so at least she knew her parents, but that still had to hurt. She was in a village where she probably didn’t know anyone when she was forced to move there.
Josephine had a similar thing happen to her. Her real parents had abandoned her, and her step parents had sent her to Nawiff alone. She’d lived with Kal until she was nine, when she found out she was a Tangwan. She’d had to move immediately. Though she moved in with Kal’s cousin, Sarcen.
Then something else tugged at her consciousness. If Skylar was Terran. . . and both her parents were Zephyr. . . that was the rarest thing possible. To have a child with a power different from the parent’s.
“Yeah,” Skylar mumbled, watching Josephine as she calculated everything in her head.
“Sorry.”
Skylar shrugged. “There’s still a race going on, you know that, right?”
“Oh! I forgot.”
They cautiously ran through the canyon, dodging fallen trees and the small rocks and dirt that fell from the steep canyon walls. Everything was muddy from the rain the day before, and they both tripped multiple times-though Josephine slipped a lot more than Skylar did.
“Are we almost there?” She panted, stopping to catch her breath.
Skylar went on one knee and touched the ground with her finger tips. She silently hummed to herself and closed her eyes. A few minutes passed before she opened her eyes.
“We’re over halfway. . .” Her voice hitched.
“What?”
Skylar did a spin roll and tackled Josephine out of the way just as a huge rock fell from the canyon. Josephine stared at it with wide eyes as it rolled down the canyon.
“That was close.”
Skylar offered her hand.
“We better hurry. It’s getting dark, and there’s a reason other than the constant falling rocks why they named it La Petite Mort.”
Josephine grabbed it and they continued, constantly dodging more falling rocks. Skylar thought there might be a mudslide and did a root trick thingy.
“It’s not against the rules to try and prevent danger. Trust me. I endured several hours of what I can and cannot do,” she’d said.
They reached the entrance just as the sun began to set. They were both so tired they didn’t notice the gawking coaches or the shocked students as they stumbled out into the clearing.
No one seemed to be able to say anything. Just parted so Josephine and Skylar could walk through.
“See you tomorrow?”
Skylar nodded wearily.
Josephine returned to her small hut to find Azula waiting for her on her bed. Josephine collapsed on her bed and fell into a weary sleep.
2
Sarcen
Sarcen crept silently through the halls. He’d barely managed to get past the security, now he was actually walking in the jedi temple. This was either the most amazing or craziest thing he had ever done. Probably both.
But he was there for two reasons. For two people he would never let down. Queen Atahalen, and Josephine.
Queen Atahalen because she wanted to see if she could trust them and form an alliance with the jedi. Josephine because she wanted him to spy on someone named Obi Wan Kenobi.
Sarcen looked at his holomap. The library was straight, left, left, right, straight, right. His brown cloak swayed as he walked through the hallways, calculating how many steps, where to turn, when to stop.
Left, left, right, straight, right.
Right, straight, right.
Straight, right.
Right.
Two doors lined the metallic wall. Sarcen opened them and walked in. Padawans and younglings sat at computers and looked through shelves. A woman with white hair and blue eyes came up to him.
“Can I help you?” She asked. Her voice was kind.
“I’m hoping to find something in the archives,” he said. “But I’m sure I can manage.”
“Very well.” She walked towards a group of younglings.
Sarcen strode to the shelves he assumed were archives and started looking. He honestly didn’t know what to look for. Alliances? History? He found one shelf devoted to jedi. He searched through it, peeking at cubes and opening folders.
Bingo.
Obi Wan Kenobi, Jedi master. He had an apprentice named Anakin Skywalker, who had a padawan named Ahsoka Tano. His master was. . . Sarcen reread the name. It matched Josephine’s.
Qui Gon Jinn.
Josephine shared the same name. . . but Jedi didn’t have families, did they? Apparently he died in battle against Darth Maul. It matched the little that Josephine had said about him.
“I'll take that.”
A cloaked figure took the file from his hand in one spin and tried to leave, but Sarcen grabbed her arm and dragged her back. She spun and tried to twist away, almost succeeding. They tried to make as little noise as possible so no one would hear.
“Who are you,” Sarcen grunted as she elbowed her in the gut.
She didn’t answer. He grabbed her arms and yanked her to face him. He pulled the hood down and gasped.
“Shonock.”
Shonock’s hair was as black as coal. Her eyes were hard as ice. She didn’t look in the mood to talk, but Sarcen wasn’t about to let her go without explaining. He subtly dragged her to a sitting area and forced her to sit down. Her icey eyes glared at him.
“Long time no see,” she muttered.
“Shonock.”
She didn’t pay him any mind, just fidgeted with her black cloak. She looked as bored as can be, and in a hurry.
He sighed. “Shonock. Why are you here? Didn’t you form some kind of clone rebellion?”
She laughed. “It’s not a clone rebellion. I take in runaways and “beyond hope” injured clones. The Jedi force them to fight in this war. They don’t have a choice, Sarcen. I take them in and let them freely choose what they do. To help us fight, or to live in peace. Everyone, no matter who they are, should freely choose what life they live. It shouldn’t be forced.”
“It’s not as easy as you think-”
“I know that,” Shonock interrupted, her cold eyes scanning the library. “But I help them as much as I can. I help anyone as much as I can. It doesn’t matter their past. What matters is the present. The future.”
“For some reason I feel like we got off topic,” Sarcen said.
Shonock sighed. “Really? I say all that and that’s the answer you come up with?”
“Yep. And I noticed the topic change,” Sarcen told her.
Shonock rolled her eyes. “It’s none of your concern why I’m here.”
Sarcen sighed. “You’re the stubbornest person I know.”
Shonock just shrugged and stood up. “I have to finish my mission. Good luck on yours,” she said, not bothering to return the scroll.
Sarcen dragged a hand through his fiery red hair and sighed. Well, that went well. Last time she threw him off a cliff.
By the time he remembered she still had the scroll, Shonock was long gone. He shook his head again and stood to walk out of the library.
“That’s him!”
Sarcen whipped around and saw three clone troopers pointing guns at him. He took off running. They shouted and ran after him. Joy. They were going to play tag. Unfortunately for them, he always won tag. They didn’t stand a chance.
Sarcen ran and ducked as they chased him, barely missing the shots they fired. He came to a dead end. A hall full of only windows. He unclipped his dagger holder and drawed the glowing yellow dagger. He plunged it into the window, causing it to shatter. He jumped out and landed on a ship.
The clones shot at him, but the ship was too far away. They retreated. Sarcen let a small smirk spread on his face.
“Maybe next time!” He called as they watched him leave.
Two of the clones started shooting at him again. The other-who he assumed was the leader-pressed a hand to his helmet, probably calling in backup.
Yay! Sarcen thought sarcastically. More tag!
He sat on top of the ship, being as unseen as possible. Ships and speeders raced by. It was so noisy, he wished he was back on Nawiff so much. He wished he could see how much Kal had grown since he’d left.
Wished he could see Josephine. Her teasing smile, mischievous eyes. Her rare laughter. He knew she hid the pain from her past. She’d told him that her real parents had abandoned her, and how she had been found by her adoptive ones.
He had been the only one she had ever told. He didn’t know why. Her and Kal were like sisters, yet she had told him. He didn’t think she had told the queen, though Alex probably had.
Sarcen sighed and put a hand under his head to cushion it as he laid down. He stared at the sky, full of ships and speeders. He was on the cargo ship for a while before it stopped at a platform.
He jumped off, careful not to be seen, and headed through the market. There were vendors selling different fruits and meats. Some sold droid and ship parts. Others were bounty hunters for hire.
He walked for a while, passing bars and sketchy people that probably had bounties on them. He probably had a bounty. He’d gone to how many planets? Each time he’d won “tag”.
A blaster shot barely missed him. Sarcen ran without wasting time to look behind him. He pushed confused and frightened people out of his way, in his hurry to get away. He’d almost lost them when he tripped. He got up in seconds, but he ended up spraining his ankle, making him go slower. An easier prey.
He ran into a sewer system and ran as fast as he could, trying to lose them by going in zigzags. He only ended up making himself dizzy. He turned one tunnel that led to a dead end. He tried to run back, but a blue and yellow marked clone secured the exit.
Sarcen put one hand on his dagger holder, the other on his sniper. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. It was just a backup.
All of a sudden two Jedi appeared at the tunnel entrance. Both wielding blue lightsabers. Sarcen didn’t recognize the brown haired one, but the other one. . . Obi Wan Kenobi, his mind instantly flashed to the archive Shonock had stolen.
“Hands up!” The blue clone ordered.
Sarcen quickly grabbed a holocron. “I’ve been captured on Coruscant. Mission compromised-”
Someone shot at him. Where, he didn’t know, but he felt the electricity run through his veins, like everything was on fire. His knees hit the ground hard, and he only saw blurs of movements as more clones rushed in to arrest him. The world tilted sideways, then it all collapsed.
3
Josephine
Josephine groggily opened her eyes. Kal was standing over her with a raised eyebrow. “You missed class.”
Josephine stretched. “How many?”
“All of them.”
Josephine stared at her mid-stretch. “What?!”
Kal shook her head. “Since when do you care if you miss a day?”
“Since I won the race yesterday and could be a spy! I have to show them I’m more than ready-”
Kal faked a yawn. “Skylar missed today too. The coaches said you guys can take the rest of the week off and it won’t change their vote.”
Well, that was a relief-even though they only had two days left of the week. But still, she needed to prove she could handle whatever was thrown at her.
“What time is it?”
Kal gazed out a window. “The sun should set in an hour or so.” Her voice sounded different. More quieter and sad. She avoided Josephine’s questioning glance.
Josephine nudged Azula, who let out a groggy yawn and shook herself. Kal crossed the room and poured a jug of water.
“Queen Atahalen received a transmission last night,” she said quietly.
Josephine could tell by her voice that it was bad news.
“Sarcen’s mission has been compromised. He sent a message last night before he was captured. He’s on Coruscant. . . Josephine, I’m scared.”
Josephine quickly stood as Kal started crying. She wrapped her arms around her friend, hugging her tightly. Sarcen had been captured before. Sometimes he made it out fine, other times. . . he wasn’t as lucky.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine, Kal.” she whispered. “This isn’t the first time. Most of the time he’s okay.”
“But what if he isn’t?” Kal hiccuped. “What if this time he doesn’t, he doesn’t come. . . back?”
“Kal, look at me.” Josephine ordered. She repeated the command again. Kal slowly raised her head and looked up. “I’m not trying to be mean. But he’s been captured before. He will be okay. We go through this every time. He always comes back. This time won’t be any different.”
Kal nodded slowly, then again, more confident. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and took a shaky breath. She gave Josephine a shaky smile.
“Thanks, Josie,” she whispered.
Josephine hugged her gently. “Any time. I’m gonna go see what I can do about Sarcen. Stay here, okay? I’ll leave Azula with you.”
Kal nodded and pulled away. Azula didn’t look happy that she didn’t have a say, but curled up next to Kal and stuck her tongue out.
Josephine put on a pair of sturdy brown boots and a leather bag, then grabbed her cloak. She took one last glance at Kal and Azula, who were curled up on her bed, then swung the door open and left.
The palace wasn’t what you'd think a palace would look like. It was made of wood and stone on the outside, while the inside was decorated with different woods and tiles, but still had luxuries.
“Clearance,” A guard calls at the gate, blocking her from entering.
“Josephine Jin. I’ve come to speak with Queen Atahalen.” Josephine told him.
“Rank.”
“Rank Hawk-Starling.” Josephine answered.
Someone in training normally wasn’t allowed in without an invitation, but it was better to tell the truth than lie. You could get at least a chance of going in. Though it was a slim chance.
“Permission denied!” The guard said.
“It’s urgent!” She insisted.
The guard didn’t answer. He just stood position next to two other ones.
“Let her in!”
Josephine looked up to find a white cloaked figure standing on the castle pavilion near the wall. She could see the rich amber color of her dress, and the golden cufflinks on her arms. The figure jumped down when the guards hesitated.
“Let her in. I’m taking her to Queen Atahalen.”
The guards glanced at each other.
“Rank.”
The figure sighed and threw back her hood, revealing golden blonde hair and blue eyes that looked almost white, nearly matching her milky white skin.
“Rank Alpha.”
The guards fumbled to open the gate and bowed.
“We did not mean any disloyalty, your highness,” they said, keeping their heads low.
“At ease, soldier,” she said, and motioned for Josephine to follow.
Josephine hurriedly followed her through the gates.
“Your highness, I-” Josephine started.
“No need for formalities. Amber will do,” the princess interrupted.
“Um, Amber, I uh, I need to speak with your, uh-”
“My mother, about Sarcen,” Amber said plainly. “He was captured last night. You want us to send a team to go with him.”
“I would like to go,” Josephine clarified.
“I already have someone in mind. He’s our best spy, second to Sarcen.”
“Who?”
“His name is Carsen. He graduated the same year as Sarcen. They were both the top in their studies. If anyone can rescue Sarcen, it's Carsen.”
Huh. Sarcen. Carsen. They rhyme, Josephine thought, then shook off all thoughts and focused on what mattered.
“You haven’t sent him yet? I-”
“Only Carsen will go. I have a different task for you. And I need my mother’s permission first,” Amber explained, saying the last words more quietly.
“Wait, you don’t have the Queen’s permission?” Josephine asked.
“It’s a. . . work in progress,” Amber said slowly.
Josephine opened her mouth to say something, but Amber held up a hand. A tall, carved, wooden door opened, showing the throne room. Queen Atahalen sat on a grand marble throne, holding a golden scepter with an opal in the middle.
“You’ve come for permission to send Carsen the Terran to rescue Sarcen the Atesh. I’ve considered this, and grant permission. But if the Terran is captured, I am holding you two responsible,” Queen Atahalen warned.
It took longer than Josephine liked for her to find the words to speak.
“Thank you, your highness,” she said, bowing.
Amber walked Josephine back to the gate.
“Thank you, Amber.”
Amber looked at her. “I wish I could do more for my people. I feel like I’m trapped in the palace, not allowed to come out. I’ve felt like that ever since I was little. I feel as if I barely know my people and this planet.”
“You shouldn’t feel trapped. These are your people. Your planet. The best way to help them is to know them. Beyond the castle’s view are poor families. Not everything is sunshine and roses. It might seem colorful on the outside, of what you can see, but it sure isn't as colorful on the inside.”
Amber smiled faintly. “It sounds like you should be in line to rule, not me. You know these people way better than I ever could.”
“It’s not just about knowing them. It’s about knowing the planet. Every village, every animal, everything around you. It’s about knowledge and trust. Trust is what brings us together. Without trust, we’d be broken. We need it. Trust is the only thing that keeps us together. Like I trust my wolf not to eat me.”
Amber laughed. “Did you literally just make that up?”
“No. My adop- my father used to teach me and lecture me about the needs of our world. I did add the wolf part, though. Azula is the moodiest wolf in the world, and is the pickiest eater. She licks me constantly. I’m pretty sure she’s tasting me.”
Amber laughed again. “I’ve never had any friends before,” she said softly.
Josephine smiled. “Well, now you do. Wanna meet Azula?”
“Will she eat me?”
“I can’t promise anything.”
Amber rolled her eyes and laughed. “Sure. I’m hoping she’ll consider me a friend.”
4
Carsen
“Alright. We need to come in through here. I’ll fly down to the bottom and we can head up that way. The cells are probably somewhere over here,” Carsen said, tapping a part of the map with a wooden stick.
“We’ll have to dodge some cloney clones. Be especially careful around there, that’s where Sarcen was caught. . . I think. BUT. My expertise and experience and knowledge and such WILL get us out of there-here, wherever we are. Where are we again?” He stared at the empty room full of empty chairs.
“You know, just cause my girlfriend dumped me doesn’t mean everyone has to leave me!” He yelled.
Silence.
“Whatever! I’ll just go by myself! I don’t need anyone!”
Carsen stumbled through the streets of Coruscant. For some reason everything kept turning sideways and blurred every few seconds. He finally made it to The Detention Center.
He somehow managed to walk up undetected. He walked inside the building and was met by the shock trooper.
“I’m here to see that Oh So Mystery Prisoner they brought in a few days ago,” Carsen said.
“Sir, are you okay?”
“Who, me? I’m fine! I need to see that prisoner. Like, right now.”
The clones looked at each other, unsure.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“What? NO! I NEED to see that prisoner! I need to rescue him and bring him back to my planet so I can finish the mission my queen gave me!”
The clones looked at each other again, then started shooting. Carsen ducked, then jumped into a vent in the ceiling. The blaster shots continued. He slithered on his stomach through the vents for a while before falling face first down to the floor.
Unfortunately, clone troopers were right across from him. He stumbled to the sides, miraculously not getting hit once. Then he ran through the halls. He turned the corner and bumped into someone. He didn’t get to see who before an electric shock coursed through him and knocked him unconscious.
Something nudged Carsen, then whacked him when he refused to move. He groggily opened his eyes to find a guy with red hair standing over him.
“Sarcen?”
“Wakey, wakey, Mr. Heartbreakey,” he muttered, shoving Carsen with his foot.
“Wha–what happened?”
“My guess is Jenise dumped you, you got drunk, and then got sent on a rescue mission–which wasn’t the smartest move. Who knows when we’ll get out of here.”
“It wasn’t my fault. Jenise is cruel.”
“Then why did you date her?”
Carsen didn’t reply. Instead he stalked to the glowing red force field and yelled, “YOU CAN’T KEEP US IN HERE WE WILL GET OUT!”
“You know, shouting threats isn’t really the smartest thing to do,” Sarcen told him.
“Yeah, well, I’m bored, my head feels like it has a laser boring through it, and the beer’s slowly wearing off. I wish we were back on Naw–”
“Don’t say it!”
“Say what?”
“Anything that could make them suspect who we are or where we come from. They have security cameras.”
“Oh. Well, LET US OUT OF HERE!”
“Shouting at the ceiling won’t help.
“Eh,” Carsen shrugged.
Sarcen sighed. “We’re doomed.”
“Why?”
“Let me remind you of our wonderful conditions: We’re both kidnapped. We can’t get out because there’s a red forcefield in front of us. And there’s no vents or any access points in here.”
“Ha! The forcefield is no match for me!” Carsen yelled, facing the red forcefield.
“How much did you drink and why is it not wearing off? I almost want to stop you from running into a forcefield, but it might be entertaining,” Sarcen muttered to himself, wincing as Carsen ran, and was thrown back into the wall with a loud thump.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a voice called.
Sarcen looked up to find a man with orange hair. He wore a brown robe over his garments, and had a beard that matched his hair. The man next to him had dark brown hair and wore blue and red garments.
“Who are you?” Carsen groaned, rubbing his head.
“That’s a better question to ask you, my friend. Since you were caught trying to rescue one of our prisoners.”
He turned to Sarcen. “Care to tell me who you are?”
“No, not really,” Sarcen retorted.
“It would be wise to.”
“Eh.”
“I see you’ve managed to somehow get the ignorant one to talk.” A voice called.
Carsen looked up to see a man in uniform and gray hair walk down the steps. He looked at Carsen.
“And who’s this?”
“I’m not telling!” Casen said, then looked at Sarcen. “Right, Sarcen?”
Sarcen facepalmed. “Seriously, why are you still drunk?”
“I’m not sure,” Carsen said, like he was pondering life.
“I have some ideas of how to lure the truth from them, if I may,” the uniform guy said.
“Of course,” the red-bearded jedi said.
“I’ve been wondering about all the myths lately. And one I came across seemed rather intriguing. One about a tribe of people who have powers beyond our imagination. And when I heard about you two, that same legend came to mind. One about a place called Nawiff?”
Carsen flinched ever so slightly, but the uniform guy still noticed. He smiled.
“What we have, jedi, are a couple of Nawiffians. Which one of you would like to take us to your planet?”
“That’s just a legend” the brown haired jedi said.
“It is and it isn’t. I suspect most of it is legend. But others. . .”
He threw a bucket of water at Carsen, whose instincts took over. He brought up a boulder to block it. Even though it was just water.
“Remarkable,” one of the jedi breathed.
“I believe,” the uniform guy said, “we owe your queen a visit.”
5
Sarcen
Sarcen stood on the plane, watching as Obi Wan, Anakin Skywalker, and Grand Admiral Tarkin, along with a bunch of clone troopers and Skywalker’s padawan began to set a course to Nawiff.
He honestly didn’t remember what had happened or who had told them coordinates. All his mind kept coming back to was how will our queen punish us?
They had strict rules that no one was to ever show their powers, tell anyone about their powers, tell anyone about themself, never lead anyone to Nawiff, and to never, under any circumstance, betray their tribe and people, especially their queen. And that was exactly what he and Carsen had done.
Carsen was slowly getting back to his regular self, but that was still a long process. Sarcen sighed as he shifted his weight again. How long was he going to have to stand? His escape plan wouldn’t work until Carsen was fully back to himself, which he wasn’t exactly sure when that would happen, since they were standing across the room from each other.
But when his feet had started to go numb, he decided to try it.
“So, what are your guy’s plans for the day?” He asked the clone troopers.
They were both part of a blue squad or something. One had a blue handprint on his armor, and the other was just blue. All Sarcen knew about them was that their names were Fives and Echo–at least he guessed. The Captain had come over earlier and called them Fives and Echo, so that was what he was going with.
“Not much.”
“Anything fun?”
The clones looked at each other.
Sarcen shrugged. “Well, that was short.”
He squatted down so fast the clones lost balance, then he shot back up. Then made a wall of fire to separate himself from them.
“The prisoner’s escaping!” Someone yelled.
Sarcen ran down the halls to the Bridge. Hopefully there was some way he could convince the Jedi not to invade his home. Clones shot behind him. He ran as fast as he could, and made another wall of fire behind him.
He arrived at the Bridge in a few minutes, and everyone looked up when he entered.
“You can’t go to Nawiff. Please. My queen–”
A shock like electricity shot through him before the world dimmed and tilted sideways.
Sarcen’s eyes opened with a start as ice cold water splashed him in the face. He sputtered and looked up to see the two clones that had been holding him standing over him.
“That’s payback,” the one with the handprint said.
“Splashing someone with water as cold as that is just cruel,” he told them.
“You’re just sad cause Kal wasn’t here to block it,” Carsen told him.
Sarcen was about to reply when the Jedi and Admiral Tarkin showed up.
“Take us to your village,” Tarkin ordered.
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” Sarcen and Carsen said in unison.
“We’ll go by force if necessary.”
The two exchanged looks.
“No.”
“So this is how it is, then. You’re going to be stubborn. Well, I–”
Before Tarkin could finish, a figure in a white cloak had him on the ground with a dagger pressed to his throat. More figures rushed out, some holding daggers or staff, others wielding guns and swords.
“Call your clones to stand down,” the figure in the white cloak ordered.
“Only if you stand down first.”
The figure didn’t hesitate to stand and call off the attack.
“I was hoping we could settle this without a fight,” she said as the Jedi ordered their clones to stand down.
“As long as you don’t pull anything–”
“I would never put my people in unnecessary danger.” The figure whipped her hood off, and Sarcen stumbled to bow.
“Your majesty.”
“No formalities. We don’t have time. Our queen is expecting us.” Amber said, rallying her warriors.
“I demand to know where we’re going,” Tarkin ordered.
“You do not give orders. You have invaded my Planet, and if you pose a threat to my people, I will not hesitate to end your life,” Amber warned before mounting a white stallion with gray spots coming up its legs and stomach that one of the warriors had brought her from the forest.
A few other figures came out riding horses. All wore cloaks, but Sarcen recognized the girl riding a snowy white horse even before she jumped off and strangled him with a hug.
“Kal!” He laughed, hugging her back.
She pulled back and punched his arm. “That’s for scaring me half to death.”
“You got a lot stronger since I left,” he said, rubbing his arm.
She rolled her eyes. “Man up, Cous.”
Sarcen’s eyebrows shot up. “Taking after Josephine, are we?”
Kal took the handcuffs off. “Maybe.”
Sarcen watched from the corner of his eye as a girl with dark hair helped Carsen out of his handcuffs. Carsen was looking at her like she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. He sighed. Looked like Carsen was about to get on another roller coaster of emotions.
“How have things been since I’ve been gone?”
“Pretty much the same. Except now I’m friends with Princess Amber, oh! Josephine and Skylar–” she pointed to the girl with Carsen– “made it all the way in La Petite Mort Canyon.”
“Where is Josephine?”
“She’s over there, on Avalanche.” Kal pointed to where a figure mounted in a dark
cape sat on a brown mare.
The figure glanced at them, then quickly rode to the front. Sarcen raised an eyebrow.
“She said she wanted to talk to you about something, but won’t say what. And I don’t think it’ll be a fun conversation.”
“That sounds. . . fun.”
Kal sighed. “Yep.”
She mounted Twilight–the snowy white mare she’d jumped off of to greet him. “I have to tell the queen that we’re on our way. Be safe!” She called before galloping off.
Sarcen watched her go, then looked around for Carsen and Skylar. He found them walking by themselves, and decided to leave it like that, since Skylar seemed to be enjoying it. But if they started dating and broke up, he wasn’t to blame.
A white wolf trotted up next to him, slowly wagging her tail and sticking her tongue out.
“Hey, Azula,” he greeted the wolf. “Good to see you.”
“Trying to steal my wolf?” A familiar voice asked.
He turned to see Josephine riding Avalanche. The brown mare looked calm, but he knew Avalanche could be wild at times. His focus wasn’t on the mare, but the rider. Josephine held his stare.
“We need to talk.”
6
Josephine
Josephine dismounted Avalanche and sank into Sarcen’s arms as he wrapped his arms around her. He felt so, so warm. She soaked it all in, wishing that was the reality. Feeling so peaceful and warm. She hugged him as tight as she possibly could.
He laughed. “I wasn’t gone that long.”
“But you got kidnapped! By Jedi, no less! I expected more from you.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Not at all.”
Sarcen sighed. “What did you want to talk about?”
Josephine glanced around, then whispered, “did you get it?”
“Get. . . what?”
She facepalmed. “The holocron!”
“You didn’t ask me to get a holocron.”
“The info I asked for. Is that better?”
He looked around before grabbing her arm and pulled her towards a huge tree with vines hanging down to camouflage them.
“Qui Gon Jinn,” He whispered. “Was Obi Wan Kenobi’s master. The Jedi with red hair. Josephine.” He pulled her back to look at him as she turned. “Why didn’t you tell me he was our father?”
She sighed. “Jedi aren’t allowed to have families. And he wasn’t my real father. My real parents abandoned me, and he and his family found me. They gave me a home—until they dumped me here.”
“You still could’ve told me. I’m here for anything you need.”
“I know. I wanted to. But I just. . . I’m not good at opening up to people.”
He nodded. “We should catch up with everyone. It’s gonna get dark soon.”
“Azula! I’ve told you a thousand times, never under any circumstance are you allowed to catch a snake and bring it back here!” Josephine yelled, jumping on top of her bed as Azula dropped a snake from her mouth.
The white wolf might act calm and laid back, but she was a vicious hunter and could catch any prey she wanted. Unfortunately, she chose to always bring her prey back to Josephine, dead or alive.
The snake slithered on the ground, its tongue flicking in and out. Kal screamed and knocked Josephine off the bed as she flailed to get away.
“Kal! Do you want this thing out or not?” She muttered, getting to her hands and knees.
Sarcen laughed, walked over to the snake, and picked it up right behind its head. Kal screamed and ran over to Skylar, using her as a shield from the snake. He laughed as he walked out of the hut to put the snake back where it belonged, Azula trotting behind him.
“Well, that problem has been solved,” Josephine said. “Who wants dinner?”
Skylar had to pry Kal off of her, for she still thought the snake would come back.
By the time Sarcen had returned, Josephine had managed to burn just about everything in her pantry—including soup. How do you even burn that?
“What are you doing?” Sarcen asked, coming up behind her as she finished scraping away the burnt food from all the pans.
“Trying to feed you,” she replied, sighing. “How do you burn soup?”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Ha, well I made it possible.”
“Of course you did,” he sighed.
“I use up everything in my pantry to try and make you food and this is the thanks I get?” She said disapprovingly.
“We both know you barely had anything in that pantry. Besides, we’re supposed to meet with Queen Atahalen for dinner with the jedi and clones.”
“All of us?”
“Yep. I—”
“And you decided to tell us only five minutes in advance? Sarcen, I can’t look like this in front of the queen!”
“Oh, you’ll be fine. You’re always beautiful,” Sarcen assured her.
Despite how much she tried, Josephine could keep from blushing. She cleared her throat and looked away. “I’ll get Kal and Skylar.”
Kal was beyond excited to go to the palace and kept ranting on about going somewhere so beautiful and magical, and Skylar just wiped grease off her hands and braided the top of her hair on their way in silence.
Josephine was still trying to figure her out.
They arrived at the Palace gates at the same time as Carsen. Josephine had only met him briefly, but he seemed. . . interesting. His eyes were practically full of her stars when he looked at Skylar.
Sarcen nudged him and gave him a firm look, but it seemed to have no effect on him. They called out their names and ranks to the guards, who let them in without a word. They walked through the grand halls to the dining room.
When they arrived, the heavy, wooden door was pulled open. Queen Atahalen and Amber were talking quietly in the corner of the room, but they stopped as the door opened. The five friends bowed deeply, keeping their heads low.
Queen Atahalen dismissed their bows. “Not necessary. Tonight will be a simple dinner, no formalities—but I do ask for table manners,” she said, glancing at Carsen particularly, who was swooning over Skylar. “I’m glad you could come.”
“Your majesty, we wouldn’t miss it. Though I must apologize for giving away our location.”
Carsen snapped out of his trance and looked at the queen. “Your majesty, I am in love, and I desperately ask not to be killed or imprisoned from this fair maiden, my love.”
Skylar put a hand over her mouth in shock, and Kal was in a coughing fit, trying to cover her laugh and couldn’t seem to stop no matter how many stern looks Josephine and Sarcen gave her. Amber’s face was still, but there was laughter in her eyes.
Queen Atahalen looked bemused. “I was not going to punish you. I’ve wanted to set up a meeting with the Jedi for some time. I suppose, though, it was. . . an unexpected turn of events.”
“Oh.” Carsen reddened. “Uh, thank you, my queen.”
She nodded and went back to Amber, and Josephine could see the raised eyebrow she gave her daughter as she turned. Kal’s coughs started to sound more like laughs.
“Shh!” Josephine scolded.
7
Skylar
Of course Skylar had thought Carsen was swooning over her, but she didn’t know why. And she certainly hadn’t expected him to blurt his feelings out to the queen. After that he started trying to hold her hand, but she pretended to need it for other things, like helping the servants with food or using hand motions while speaking.
She’d never felt so awkward in her life.
The jedi came in some time later with the clones, and one noticeably looked at Carson and Sarcen with a meaningful look, cracking his knuckles. He had a blue handprint on his armor.
Josephine gave the boys a questioning glance, and Amber led the clones to the end of the table. She had an amused look in her eyes, and Skylar noticed the two boys were assigned to sit next to them. That could only end so well.
“I trust you’ve been treated respectfully?” Queen Atahalen asked.
“Yes, your majesty,” the jedi with red hair said. Skylar noticed that Sarcen and Josephine were looking at him intensely. “And I am eager to meet with you about this. . . situation. I assure you, the Jedi want nothing but peace.”
“That is why I sent my spy. I have wanted to have a peace treaty, or some sort of agreement with the jedi for a long time. But I wasn’t sure or not if I could trust you. Trust isn’t easily found for people like us,” Queen Atahalen told him.
“Why is that?” The Governor asked sharply.
Queen Atahalen smiled tightly. “I am Queen Atahalen. I don’t think it’s right that we haven’t been properly introduced.”
“Of course. I’m Master Obi–wan Kenobi, and this is my Padawan Anakin Skywalker and his padawan, Ahsoka Tano,” the red–head jedi said, gesturing to the brown haired jedi and the Togruta padawan. “And this is Governor Tarkin.”
Queen Atahalen nodded. “I hope we can smooth things over during dinner.”
“I, for one, will not stand this! You sent a spy to attack us! That is amateur! If you expect a peace treaty you should ask for one!” Governor Tarkin said.
Queen Atahalen sent a sharp look his way.
If you only knew, Skylar thought.
“Let’s eat,” she said, gesturing to everyone to sit.
Carsen to a seat next to the clone, the three exchanging looks as Sarcen took a seat next to him. Josephine sat next to him, scooting her chair a bit closer, Skylar noticed. Kal sat on Josephine’s other side, and Skylar sat next to her. Amber took her seat between Skylar and Queen Atahaulen, who sat at the end of the grand table.
Master Kenobi sat on the other end, who was seated to Master Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. Captain Rex sat on her side with his squad, while Commander Cody sat next to Master Kenobi with his squad.
Servants came through the door and brought silver plates and bowls full of different foods. There were salads—which was the most common food among the Tribes—and other foods that Skylar had never seen before, even though she’d grown up on Nawiff and hadn’t been anywhere else.
“I’ve been very anxious to meet with you, your highness,” Master Kenobi said. “I’d like to make a peace treaty once we see more of your people. It would be foolish to do one on such little intel.”
“Again, exactly why I sent my spy,” Queen Atahalen said, glancing at Sarcen. “We have a Training Competition tomorrow. Perhaps you could come and view it—all of you. If we are to negotiate a peace treaty, there shouldn’t be any secrets to hinder our trust and safety.”
Every Triban in the room tensed, even Amber and the servants. Everyone noticed.
“Agreed,” Master Kenobi said.
It will be a change for my people. We’ve been in hiding for many years. But I think now more than ever we need to come to the fight and do whatever we can to stop the Separatists—before they defeat us,” Queen Atahalen said, addressing not just the Jedi, but the Tribans as well.
“I would agree, but I question how we can trust you, given you’ve kidnapped us into your custody and sent spies to the Jedi Temple. All of this could just be a cover for learning our weaknesses to take over the Republic,” Governor Tarkin argued.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes, as did Josephine, who was kicked under the table by Sarcen, making her glare at him. Kal looked down at her food, looking like she wished she could be anywhere but at the table of arguing politics.
Queen Atahalen somehow resisted the urge to sigh. “As I said, my people are very hesitant to trust outsiders. In the past, whenever we did, our people ended up being slaughtered and sold into slavery. Surely you can understand something so gruesome to cause trust issues, Governor. If not, then you are welcome to return to Coruscant and fight in a war that may last for many more decades. It’s your call.”
“And what do you possess that could help us?” Tarkin questioned.
“Come to the Training Competition tomorrow. You’ll see.”
8
Josephine
“I can’t believe Queen Atahalen is inviting the Jedi to the Training Competition! Doesn’t she know how dangerous it is?” Josephine fumed.
Sarcen held her shoulders, forcing her to stay still. “Calm down. Whatever her reason, we have to trust it.”
“I don’t want to be slaughtered for simply being who I am. She’s putting the whole planet in danger!”
“Shh!” Sarcen warned as Amber walked up.
“Oh, don’t be sorry. I’m just as furious with my mother as you are,” she told them. “I’m starting a revolt. Whose in?”
“Put me down,” Josephine offered.
“Seriously, if Queen Atahalen thinks it’s okay to trust the Jedi, then we should listen. Why are you two so cranky?”
“See, the key word there is think,” Kal jumped in. “She thinks it’s okay to trust the Jedi. I would prefer a solid yes, I trust them with my life, not I think. Put me down, Amber.”
“Yes! We have Kal!” Josephine rubbed in. “Take that!”
Sarcen ran a hand down his face. “She is trusting the Jedi with her life. She’s trusting them with all of our lives.”
“But we never asked for any of this,” Kal pointed out.
“Look—”
“Competitors! Take your positions!” Queen Atahalen announced.
“See you later,” Josephine said as she and Kal headed to their positions.
Sarcen and Amber had completed their training and would stand with Carsen and Queen Atahalen next to the Jedi and Clones in the stands.
“Oh, good. Some competition,” Skylar said as they approached. They were close to Queen Atahalen’s box. “Buster over there kept ranting on and on about he’s gonna win. Guess he didn’t hear: I’m the Queen’s favorite!”
“No you’re not!” Skag called back.
“Keep telling yourself that,” Skylar smirked.
“You’re doing great, Skylar!” Carsen shouted from the stands. Josephine saw Sarcen shake his head and the two clones laugh.
“Oh, hush! It hasn’t even started, blockhead!” Skylar shouted.
Carsen looked taken back but still in love. The two clones laughed even harder until Captain Rex ordered them to stop.
Skylar rolled her eyes at Josephine and Kal. “Boys.”
“Attack Positions!” The Announcer called.
Josephine turned and faced her opponent—a boy much taller with freckles covering his tan face. He had ruffled brown hair and dark eyes. He looked friendly, not much of a threat. But there was something about him that seemed fierce.
Skylar faced Skag, both looking ready to pounce as soon as the Announcer called ready. Skag had pale blonde hair and ice blue eyes. He had too much energy, in Josephine’s opinion.
Kal’s opponent had jet black hair and dark skin that made his unusually bright blue eyes stand out. He seemed probably about a year or two older than her. She was acting all shy and cute and—
“Oh no, not you too! Don’t go all lovesick on me, Kal!” Josephine cried.
Kal blushed crimson from head to toe. “Josephine!”
Her opponent didn’t seem to pay attention.
“Ready!” The Announcer called. “Round One!”
All the Tribans tensed in anticipation, even the ones in the stands.
“Fight!”
First round was skill only, thankfully. Josephine didn’t want to use her power unless absolutely necessary. She didn’t care what Queen Atahalen thought. She didn’t trust the Jedi enough to reveal her powers.
Josephine’s opponent launched at her with a striking speed she wouldn’t have expected. She quickly dodged and twisted his arm behind his back in a painful way, but he barely flinched.
Instead, he flipped her on her back and put a foot on her chest. “Nothing personal,” he said kindly, smiling. “And no offense, but I thought you’d be harder to defeat.”
“I am,” she muttered.
She made a quick movement and kicked him, but he got up in half a second and almost pinned her back on the ground if she hadn’t gotten out of the way.
She threw a punch at him but he deflected it. He was much more skillful than she had expected. After a few more dodged and deflected punches, Josephine managed to get thrown into a wall a few times before pushing on the ground.
“Nothing personal,” she said, gritting her teeth from the pain in her back. “Friends, okay? Just please, no more walls. Why do you like them so much anyway?”
He tried to shrug but she had him pinned down too hard. “It’s just easier than punching. I’m not a good—ow—puncher.”
“Sorry, but I hope you understand if I don’t let you go,” she told him.
He nodded. “All good.”
Josephine gave him a look. “You are way too nice for your own good.”
“Yeah, I’ve been told that before,” he sighed.
She looked up to see Skylar struggling to hold Skag. They both looked like they were equally impressed with each other but also wanted to tear the other to pieces. They’d been frenemies since birth.
Kal was being pinned by Clay, her opponent. He was pinning her gently where she could’ve gotten up easily but didn’t for some reason. He asked her a question that made her blush and nod.
“Kailiana!” Josephine yelled. “Fight him!”
Kal’s face turned nuclear as she swung and knocked Clay against the ground with a thud. He grunted but smiled at her, giving her a nod that just made her smile and loosen her hold. He didn’t try to fight her.
“Kailiana Kyde and Clay Killa, stop staring at each other and actually participate in the tournament!” Amber yelled, getting a sharp look from her mother.
The two blushed, Kal looking anywhere other than Clay. He flipped her over and tried pinning a little more forcefully, but she fought back, a little hesitant, but enough for them to start fighting again.
Josephine held her opponent down until everyone else defeated their opponent, then it was time for round two: weapons.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for taking a while to update. I didn’t know how to end the chapter and I kept getting sidetracked with Runaways and all the other books on my blog. But I’m starting to remember how much I love this book and hopefully I’ll be able to update more easily—for all my books.
Anyways, I hope y’all liked this chapter and remember to check in weekly or at the end of the month for new updates!
—C. H
9
Amber
“Round two!” Queen Atahalen announced. “Fight!”
Round two. This time they used weapons. There were three rounds: hand–to–hand– combat, weapons, and powers. Amber was really hoping some kind of accident would happen before they got to round three. Nothing too life threatening, just something bad enough to stop the tournament.
Thankfully, Skylar seemed to have the same idea. She somehow got launched over the wall and ended up at Amber and Sarcen’s feet, groaning and earning shocked looks from the clones and jedi. Tarkin looked unamused.
“Are you okay?” Sarcen asked.
“Fine,” she grunted. “My queen?”
Queen Atahalen sighed. “I know what you’re trying to do, Skylar, and it’s not going to work.”
“Awe, dang it! Hey Skag! It didn’t work!” Skylar yelled down the wall. “Maybe you should try stabbing me!”
“No, my love!” Carsen objected, jumping out of his seat. “Don’t do it! I won’t allow it!”
Skylar rolled his eyes. “Blockhead,” she said before saluting and jumping back into the arena.
He stood at the edge of the wall, watching the fighters—watching Skylar.
Amber leaned over to Sarcen and whispered, “they’re kinda cute, in their own strange way.”
He looked at her. “Don’t go all matchmaker.”
She smirked and said in a sing–song voice, “you still need to ask Josephine out.”
He rolled his eyes. “Drop it.”
“Did you seriously just tell your princess to ‘drop it’?” She asked in all seriousness.
He leaned back. “Deal with it.”
Amber’s lip quirked as she leaned back too, looking down at the fighters.
Josephine was trying to fight her opponent with knives when he had a spear, which wasn’t going very well. They both had minor cuts along their arms, Josephine with a thin slash across her torso.
Skylar and Jag were fighting with two swords—though Skylar’s was more of a stick. She had a bruise forming on her cheek and Skag was favoring one of his arms.
Kal and Clay were barely fighting. They held large sticks—sticks—and were barely touching each other, more talking than anything.
Amber sighed. “Your cousin is a terrible fighter, Sarcen.”
He shook his head. “She’ll do anything to get out of a fight.”
They watched as the fighters continued their matches, more opponents winning and more being sent off to the sidelines as they were beaten to watch. Soon round two ended and round three started. Powers.
“Mother,” Amber protested.
“Calm down, Amber. If we are going to be allies with the Jedi, we have to trust each other,” Queen Atahalen told her. “Round three: Fight!”
The Tribans were hesitant at first, but Skag was the first to act. He shook the ground and sent a boulder flying out and at Skylar, who dodged and attacked him with weeds. Obi Wan stroked his beard. Ahsoka, Anakin, and Rex exchanged looks, General Tarkin looked proud of himself, and the rest of the clones talked amongst themselves.
Josephine and her opponent shot fire at each other, dodging and rolling to get out of the way at the other’s blast. Kal shot waves of water at Clay, who froze them and tried to create a pair of ice cuffs around her hands.
“Interesting,” Tarkin mused. “What powers do you two. . . possess?”
“Everyone within the royal family has the power of replication,” Queen Atahalen told him. “Amber?”
Amber suppressed a sigh as she held up her hand and held a flame in her hand, which then turned to water, then froze into an ice sphere. Then a weed sprouted from a crack in the stone and bloomed into a flower.
“So you are the most powerful?” Tarkin asked.
“Our powers only work if there is another Triban close by. That way we are not overpowered,” Queen Atahalen explained.
“But you’re always surrounded by them?”
“There’s a certain distance they have to be in. But yes, we are always surrounded by Triban. We are a small community on the Upside.”
“What do you mean on the Upside?” Obi Wan asked.
“There are two parts to Nawiff,” Queen Atahalen told him. “The Upside and Underside. We are the Upside. The Underside. . . well, they are not as peaceful as we are. Our sides have always disagreed with each other. Whenever we meet, there is war. So we stay separate. Their way of life is. . . much different from ours.”
“I’m guessing we won’t be able to negotiate with them?” Anakin said.
“Certainly not,” Amber said. “You could try, but I doubt you’d make much progress. They would without a doubt kill you.”
Amber found herself thinking about Torin. How he found her when she’d fallen and was vulnerable, but was gentle and helped her. She still didn’t know where he was from, but she had a suspicious feeling. . .
Her thoughts were interrupted when Josephine was thrown over the wall and landed with a loud thud. She was covered with fire and smoke. She groaned and muttered something like “what is it with that guy and walls?”
“Two throws over the wall in one practice?” Queen Atahlen mused. “I’m surprised. Usually we have at least ten, but we’ve made it over half-way with only two.”
“That’s. . . interesting,” Anakin said.
Josephine grunted as she stood and looked over the wall. “I’m going to jump on him, smack him with a brick and throw him into the wall a couple of times to see how he likes it.”
“Careful, Josie,” Sarcen advised. “Don’t hurt him too much.”
She looked at him. “Do you know what it feels like to be thrown into a wall non-stop? No, you do not. Now goodbye, I have to go give this buster a taste 0f his own medicine.”
“It’s nothing personal!” Her competitor yelled up.
“Sorry, but this is going to be personal,” Josephine grumbled, jumping back into the arena.
Amber and Sarcen exchanged looks of amusement as the Training Competition went on, advancing until it was down to Skylar, Josephine, and Zara. And when the three started to battle, the arena nearly exploded.
10
Josephine
Josephine woke up exhausted the next morning.
The fight had to be made a tye, since Josephine, Zara, and Skylar nearly destroyed the place. They’d been tasked with cleaning up the arena since it was their fault it was wrecked.
She groaned and rolled over in bed, not wanting to get up. Sun streamed through her window and she threw the covers over her head. She did not need to wake up at dawn after a full day of over using her powers. Not happening.
“Rise and shine,” Sarcen said, entering her room.
She’d nearly forgotten they shared a hut, and that he was actually back on Nawiff. Each morning he was back, made her heart flutter and her lips twist into a smile. It was silly and out of character for her, but he always brightened up her day.
Literally.
He ripped open her blinds to let the light in, laughing as she buried herself under the covers even more. She twisted and turned and eventually fell off the bed with a loud thump.
“I forgot how much you like to sleep in—especially after events like yesterday,” Sarcen said as he picked her up, blanket and all. “Come on. I made lunch.”
“Lunch at dawn?” She yawned, her voice muffled from the blanket.
Sarcen sighed and dumped her out of the blanket and onto the shaggy couch, then dragged her to her feet and over to the kitchen table.
“It’s a little past noon, Josie. Come on, wake up. I will hang you from the ceiling, I’ve done it before and I can do it again. I still have the rope. Kal even volunteered to help last night.”
Josephine rolled her eyes and took a seat at the table as Sarcen brought over two stone plates. They contained two sandwiches on each, with leafy plants from the garden in the back and finely sliced pieces of meat.
Josephine remembered how Sarcen had made them before and dug in, sometimes lazily leaning against him. He didn’t seem to mind.
“So,” she said. “How did the Jedi react to yesterday?”
Sarcen eyed her warily. “They’re talking to their Council about what to do. I don’t think they fully trust us, but I also think they’d prefer if we were officially on their side. I’m not sure what’s going to happen, though.”
“Anyway,” he switched the topic. “I think Carsen’s finally back to normal. I saw him apologizing to Skylar on my morning run.”
“How do you know he was apologizing?” Josephine questioned.
He shrugged. “It’s on my running route.”
She raised an eyebrow only for him to return the gesture. The two finished lunch before Josephine changed into black cargo pants and a matching tank top with boots. It was a tradition to go to the obstacle course within the first week of Sarcen’s return.
And most of the time it was right after a big training event, so Josephine was always tired out and Sarcen always won. She said it was unfair but he just told her she was a sore loser, which then caused him to end up being buried with sand.
Kal was already at the training course with Clay, her special friend aka obvious crush aka future boyfriend, as Josephine decided to nickname him. But there was another girl with them who looked younger than Kal by a year or two. She looked identical to Clay.
“Aww, she’s already meeting the family,” Josephine teased as two older tribans with features like Clay’s and the other girl’s came up and started talking to Kal.
Sarcen rolled his eyes and led her to an empty training spot. There was a bridge suspended in the air that was rather unbalanced and not very stable. It was like a ropes course, just the tiniest bit more stable.
She grabbed two training sticks and climbed up to one side of the shaky bridge. Sarcen loved this course, while she almost despised it. She hated heights, along with water. But she knew Sarcen was using it to his advantage, so she wasn’t backing down.
Sarcen started onto the bridge and Josephine took her first step, taking a deep breath and it swayed to one side. She really wished there was a net to catch her if she fell, but there was only the ground part of the course.
“Ready,” she said, trying her best not to look down.
“Begin,” Sarcen countered, walking closer and barely faltering as each wooden plank swayed under his weight.
Josephine had learned that there were two ways to counter the swaying rope bridge. One was to hop to each board, the other was to run fast in the center. The less you were on the board the less it could move directly under you and it would be the closest to balance as you could get.
She’d learned that after falling off five times and deciding she’d had enough.
Sarcen advanced on her, raising his stick to strike. She raised hers in return and shook as they connected with hard force. The two fought and struck, counteracting each hit with another.
At one point he struck her in the arm and she wobbled, the fear of falling taking over, and she fell off the bridge. She let one of the sticks out of her hand and used the now empty hand to grasp the rope, her skin burning as the rough rope scraped against her flesh.
Struggling to hang on, she swung herself and let go, grabbing hold of another rope in between two wooden boards. Sarcen stumbled and fell on the bridge, gripping the rope but somehow managing to hang onto both sticks.
Josephine swung herself up and landed shakily on the now viciously swinging bridge. She clung to a rope for dear life and watched with fear as Sarcen rumbled off the bridge and tucked and rolled to the ground.
He looked up for her to do the same, but she was too busy clinging to the bridge like a koala. Having been through this before, Sarcen sighed and started heading for the stairs to carry her down.
But one sight of Obi-Wan Kenobi walking in the distance and admiring the training tribans with the two other Jedi, made Josephine drop off the bridge.
Sarcen looked up in surprise and barely managed to get out of the way as she fell to the ground, falling on her ankle at an angle. It cracked but she couldn’t register the crippling pain until she stood and stepped on it.
She fell to her knees and tried to stand again, but the pain was searing and prickling and worse than before. They’d been through this before, with Josephine spraining her ankle, but it hurt so much more. Sarcen was by her side in an instant and she bit her lip to stop from screaming as he touched it, tasting the iron taste of blood in her mouth.
Kal looked in their direction, took one look at the scene and their sheepish faces, and her whole face fell as she realized she’d have to take them to the Infirmary. Again.
— — – * – — —
“I should have expected you two would get on the swinging bridge again,” Kal grumbled as she examined Josephine’s ankle. “Even after the warning the Head Doc gave you.”
Josephine had to suppress a scream every time Kal touched her foot, and Sarcen looked more concerned as he read her expression. They’d gone to the Infirmary multiple times, courtesy of Sarcen choosing the swinging bridge for their training. She’d always sprained her ankle, arm, shoulder, or wrist. She’d never broken any bones.
But They both knew it was more than a little sprain.
Kal pulled an X-ray machine over and carefully put Josephine’s foot in. Blue and white lights flashed as the machine scanned it, then it quickly beeped when it finished its task. Kal gingerly placed Josephine’s foot back on the cot and examined the X-ray.
Her brow creased as she looked over it, only adding to Josephine’s concern. She gripped Sarcen’s hand, not even aware she was doing it until she looked down and saw how tight she was holding it.
“Kal?” She was barely able to voice the words, but she had to. “How bad is it?”
Kal looked up from the X-ray and tapped her fingers against the edge of the cot, biting her lip as she thought. Eventually she opened her mouth to speak, but she didn’t seem as certain as Josephine would have liked.
“The Head Doc is out today, but I’ll make sure she sees this first thing tomorrow.” She bit her lip until it started bleeding. She quickly wiped away the small dot of blood before continuing. “From what I can make out from the X-ray, you broke your ankle pretty badly and there might be some sort of ointment and tea you can drink, but I’m pretty sure you’ll need surgery.”
Josephine squirmed. Surgery. Not after last time. There was no way she would be put under in another hospital or infirmary or clinic or whatever. No way. She still had memories of the pokes and pricks and surgeons and—
“You’re sure she’ll need surgery?” Sarcen asked.
Kal was back at biting her lip. “I mean, I’m just the Intern, but yeah, it’s pretty bad. . .” She stood up quickly. “I should file this and make a copy and. . . you’ll probably want to stay the night, since it’ll hurt whenever you put the slightest pressure on it. Unless you want a wheelchair?”
Josephine shook her head and Kal fled the room with the X-ray. It was all she could do not to faint or vomit or pass out or—
“Hey,” Sarcen said, giving her hand a tiny squeeze that she was sure was meant to be reassuring but only made it worse. “You’ll be fine, alright? The Head Doc has been doing this for almost fifty years. And besides, I’m sure she’ll let Kal assist. It’s not going to be like that one time, I promise.”
She nodded but didn’t feel reassured. The violent memories came back stronger and harder and more fierce that she had to squeeze her eyes shut until all she could see was darkness.
It would be fine.
She wouldn’t be experimented on again.
11
Carsen
The next day Carsen finally felt back to normal, and he remembered every single embarrassing detail of what had happened while he was drunk. How much he had embarrassed himself, but especially Skylar. Skylar. He needed to apologize to her.
He got out of bed and changed, putting on a brown tunic and pants with sturdy black boots. Skylar spent her spare time at the Workshops and Armories, crafting and meddling and fixing tools, weapons, and things. So that’s where Carsen headed.
He found her rolled under a speeder, repairing it from what looked like the Tangwans and Zephyrs got into a fight again and used it for target practice.
He stood there awkwardly shuffling back and forth for what seemed forever before he spoke. “Skylar,” he said.
She rolled out from under the speeder and looked at him, her hands shaking as she took off her goggles and left them on the top of her head. “What’s up, Blockhead?”
Carsen fidgeted. “Look, Skylar, I. . . I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting these past few days. I was drunk and that stuff took a long time to wear off. I did mean what I said, that I love you. And you’re beautiful. I only dated other girls because I thought you’d never be interested in me.”
He looked at the ground. “Anyway, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let myself get drunk and I know I embarrassed you a lot. I’m really, really, sorry.”
Skylar stood and walked over to him, taking his hands with her shaking ones. “Look, Carcen. You were a bit of a Blockhead—but you’re my Blockhead.” She blushed when he looked up at her. “Look, let’s just try to be friends, okay? I don’t know if I have feelings like that for you, but I do know that I love being around you. So let’s start with that, okay?”
A smile slowly spread across his lips as he nodded. “That sounds great.” His smile vanished when he felt her shaking. “Are you okay?”
Skylar waved his concern away. “I’m amazing. I was tired so I had a bunch of energy drinks and now I literally cannot feel anything. Punch me.”
Carsen tried not to, but Skylar provoked him and he punched her shoulder. She faltered from the impact but overall didn’t feel a thing, making Carsen look worried. He fought to take her to the Infirmary and eventually had to settle with keeping an eye on her as she finished up repairing a couple of other projects.
But when he walked her back to the hut he made a detour and forced her into the Infirmary so that Kal could check on her. Kal announced that she was fine but wouldn’t be able to have any energy drinks for a long time—and would have a headache in the morning.
Carsen walked Skylar home and stayed to make sure she was okay, throwing out all her energy drinks while he was at it. He tucked her into her bed and went back to the main room, reading one of the few books she had on the bookshelves.
He fell asleep at one point and woke up around dawn. The book had fallen on the floor and he picked it up, placing it back on the bookshelf before checking on Skylar. She was still sleeping, curled up in her blankets like a burrito. He smiled. She looked so peaceful and cute when she was sleeping.
He closed the door to her room gently before opening the hut door and heading out to get groceries (since Skylar lived on snacks). He bumped into Fives and Echo on the way.
“Hey,” he said to the two clones.
They looked at him and cracked their knuckles.
He rolled his eyes. “Your problems are with Sarcen, not me. Good day, clonies. See ya later.”
They stared at him confused as he walked away with two arms full of bags. Once he got back to Skylar’s he put the food up and started cooking. The smell must’ve woken Skylar up, because shortly after he started she slumped into the kitchen, still wrapped in her blankets and hair all over the place.
She took one look at Carsen and the food and mumbled something he couldn’t hear as she grabbed a cup of water. Clearly she wasn’t a morning person.
As Carsen cooked he found the randomest stuff in her drawers. Wrenches and work tools were scattered and were where the bowls, cups, and utensils were supposed to go. The bowls, cups, utensils, and pots had been stuffed into a single cabinet and the overflow was on the counter and tables.
Carsen cleaned up and organized the place all the while still cooking and trying hard not to burn the food. Skylar came up behind him and put her head on his shoulder, looking at what he was cooking.
“What’s that?” She mumbled, her voice groggy and deep from just waking up.
“Rice, beans, and some fresh herbs, spices, and plants. Also some deer meat. You like that, right? I would have made breakfast but it’s close to noon.”
She looked at him and smiled, then looked around her kitchen. “Yeah, but you didn’t have to organize everything.”
“Uh, yes I did,” Carsen told her. “Have you seen the place? It was a mess. Wrenches and tools are in that drawer, but I really think you should consider moving them, oh, I don’t know, somewhere less with less. . . food.”
Skylar’s laugh sounded tired as she said, “yeah, I know. I haven’t cleaned this place up in nearly two years.”
Carsen divided the meal onto two separate stone plates and set them down on the wooden table, one in front of Skylar and the other at the chair next to hers. Before sitting down he grabbed utensils.
“Why not?” He asked.
Skylar rushed a forkful of rice into her mouth, delaying her answer. Carsen looked at her, sure she would just say something sheepishly like “I was busy” or “I didn’t want to” but she just stayed quiet.
“Sky?”
She flinched, then seeing his reaction, whispered, “it’s nothing.”
Now she had him worried. It was much more than just a lazy excuse. It was something personal, and Carsen was scared that he’d stepped over the line. But she forced a smile and commented that his cooking was good to fill the sad silence.
Carsen hated seeing how pained Skylar was, and how much she was hiding it. He hadn’t thought that she was hiding something, but now all he could do was worry. He didn’t want to barge in on her life or sound nosy, but he wanted to to help her.
She flinched when he touched her shoulder. “Skylar. If there’s anything I can do—”
She stood up so fast it happened in the blink of an eye. Carsen stumbled to stand with her, and as soon as he did she buried her face into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her protectively, his worry increasing.
“Skylar,” he murmured into her hair. “Please let me know what’s going on. Please let me help.”
She pulled away and looked at him. “I–I can’t. . . I can’t see you, Carsen. I can’t talk to you, not without thinking of. . .”
It dawned on him. She’d had a boyfriend. Or perhaps an ex-boyfriend, by how she was acting. Or even a dead boyfriend. . . then it hit him. Something he wanted to kick himself for. Almost two years ago a Draven boy had died in the La Petite Mort Canyon. He was the last of his tribe, and Carsen remembered seeing him and Skylar together often.
“Oh,” was all he could say. “Skylar, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you two were. . .”
“We–we were. . .” she couldn’t finish the sentence, but Carsen knew.
“It’s okay,” he told her. “I’m sorry for any pain I caused you, Skylar. I should go. I hope you have a good day.”
“Carsen—”
But he was already gone.
A/N: Hiiii peoples! I finally did it! I finally updated this book, after months and months of waiting (or was it weeks?) I have finally written two more chapters! I put some stuff in here that I didn’t originally plan on having. Like the content of these two new chapters weren’t originally planned, I didn’t come up with the reason for Josephine's fear of doctors until I was writing, and I didn’t plan for Skylar to have a dead fiance. . .
Anyways, I hope y’all are enjoying the story so far and I promise to try to update this book better. Please bear with me! I’m planning on adding in the action and a bit of the backstory soon.
Until the next update, be safe and have a great day/night!
—C. H
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