Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Part 8

"Good, I might need you for the coming days. R4, get us out of here."

The R4 astromech droid beeped excitedly and scooted between the two friends. HE began to access the controls, taking control of the ship and directing it toward the sky of Naboo. Both Crystaall and Grey-Kast sat in their respective seats and fortune smiled upon them since no Tie-Fighter went after them. Once they shot out of the atmosphere, Crystaall punched the hyperspace trigger, launching them out into space, firing past the massive Imperial blockade that barely had time to notice them. It had other plans than taking out another stray civilian freighter.

The fighting wouldn't stop, and it was almost dawn. The brilliant sky would have been beautiful if not for the onslaught that had taken over Theed and its glorious palace. Inside, sat the Queen on her throne. She sat with her legs crossed and all of her make-up was removed, revealing her old, partially wrinkled face. Her hair was brown just like her daughter's and her hands were intertwined and placed on her lap. The hair reached her rear, and she still wore the elegant dress she had been accustomed to wear for parties. Unfortunately, there was no party to celebrate, only a battle that was slowing edging its way to her doorstep. Blades of steel and sounds of blaster fire clashed. These sounds of battle were followed by over-head dogfights and the screams of those who died in battle. To the Queen it was horrifying, but it was even worse for the young men who had so eagerly followed her rule. She knew they would be fortunate to survive, and even more fortunate to die quickly by the Empire's battalions of soldiers. Even the clone squad that gave its oath to protect her was out fighting, holding the ground. And then, as suddenly as it started... the sounds of battle ended. The silence was something of ominous, for it was not expected or wanted.. Doors thrust open with a large kick, and several soldiers filed in as if they were here to make sure the area was secure. A single tear fell from her cheek as the Queen stood up. She walked down off her throne to see a man clad in a different armor than the others approach her. He held an other-worldly rifle than most, she couldn't even recognize the type. Its maker must have been standing in front of her. The Queen breathed deeply and closed her eyes.

"May I know the name of my killer?"

"Jigual, my Queen. Your death will bring rise to a new Emperor."

"My death will only fuel a fire. A fire that consumes everything that threatens its existence."

Jigual raised his weapon and pulled the trigger. The sound of a single blaster echoed the halls of the palace. When it had returned back to its owner, the man under the mask smiled. Another plan had been successfully executed, making his leader another step closer to leading a better and more stronger Empire than the Emperor's.

And just as the excitement of being able to save her mother began to creep its way into her heart, it had died. Pain shot into Crystaall's heart, almost forcing her to keel over as they shot out of hyperspace to see the Rebel Alliance's fleet. Their fighters circled the cruisers and command ships like drones. The Force was a power most could not recognize even if they tried. And this pain represented how powerful it truly was. Tears flowed from her crystal blue eyes as she held her chest in pain. She knew she was too late. A pain that had come from nowhere, and the knowledge of how ridiculous things were in her small world already... she knew the truth. Death had taken her mother. But not of natural causes, Crystaall's ability of the Force sparked up quickly. She began to search past the pain, to try and understand who had killed her mother. The power of even the old Jedi could not perceive how one would be able to tell what this stemmed from. A name entered the girl's mind and that's when she looked up. The tears had dropped from her eyes even faster now. And hidden behind the sadness, lay a fire burning of passion, strength and courage. But it was possibly too late for the fire to ignite into that of something greater.

"Death is a natural cause of life."

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Part 7

Now she was truly running off adrenaline, bursting full of energy and fire in her eyes that revealed her determination to succeed. All of the troops that came down to gun her down, received no mercy. Crystaall jogged down the hallways, expecting to see her mother and the Royal Guard defending themselves against invasion, but what she found behind almost every corner were Imperial Stormtroopers. Each hallway was crowded with dead men and women from each side, fractured paintings and pieces of rubble from walls and decorations. But this couldn't account for the destruction she knew the Empire could cause. They were toying with the Naboo Defense Force and she knew they could annihilate the capital if they truly wanted to. But they obviously had a purpose for not doing exactly that. They wanted her mother alive, to publicly surrender to the Emperor's will. But Crystaall would not allow this, for her small bond with her mother would not be broken easily. She would give her life to protect her mother's life and ideals. Although her hatred for her mother's apathy was strong, she was the only person Crystaall knew was truly family. She thought she had looked through the whole palace until she spotted the entrance. The Queen stood in her make-up and fancy robes with her right hand up against her breasts, as if she was fearful for someone's life. Crystaall ran toward her and stopped suddenly when her mother turned to her.

"Crystaall... please tell the Alliance of the Empire's destruction here. I'll even give you my seal."

The Queen walked up to her, pulling out a small holocron, able to fit into almost any pockets. She dropped it into Crystaall's hands, and the young girl clutched the device between her fingers that tried to form a fist.

"Come with me, we can escape the planet and warn them together."

"It is my duty to stay with the people my beloved daughter."

"I-I-I understand. But I want your word."

"What is it?"

"Stay alive. If I can't leave you, the Empire cannot take your life."

"But you-"

The Queen now looked at Crystaall's eyes and then her in a whole. The girl was breathing heavily, pistols in hands. Her eyes were burning and dust covered her dress and the black boots she wore were scrapped up.

"Ok.......go, and tell about this destruction. I have many men willing to die before I do. Even if the bloodshed is not needed."

Crystaall nodded and began to walk back toward the Hawke. The Queen returned to looking out the entrance, blaster bolts and shouts from soldiers were heard outside the palace walls. Crystaall took one last look at her mother, in her beautiful decorative dress and sighed. She then whispered to herself 'I will come back for you' Crystaall then began to make her run back to the Hawke. Hopping onto the ramp as it began to shut, she turned to face Grey-Kast who frowned at her.

"She chose to stay?"

"These people need her, more than I. We are setting course to meet up with the Alliance. They will be warned of this destruction."

"We can help a hell-of-a-lot more than warning some rebels."

"I will not deny my mother's wish. You can always jump ship, smuggler boy."

Grey-Kast put his hands on his hips as they both entered the cockpit. Crystaall turned to face him and he sighed.

"I have nothing better to do, girl."

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Part 6

"I know... I know."

Crystaall wasn't even listening to her friend anymore. Instead, she was telling herself this as her body was struck with immense pain and adrenaline. It wasn't something she was used to, and she definitely didn't have any way to cure the pain. The strike of her back against harsh metal really hit her spine, which she couldn't even tell if she had shattered something or not. But she decided to keep moving, allowing her eyes to open wide and blink for a moment. She nodded at Grey-Kast and raised her right hand, still holding the blaster pistol.

"Look... I think they can handle this, but you need to bring me to another balcony so I can search for my mother."

"Crystaall-"

"I realize I'm already in pain, but she is my priority. I still don't know everything and I can't let her die. She's doing something most politicians would have nightmares about."

The Queen's ideas and memories was something she would like to have, but that wasn't even half of it. She was Crystaall's biological mother and she couldn't just let her mother die on the battlefield. Although her mother would never truly understand Crystaall's feelings toward anyone nice to her or helpful to her, she wanted to at least tell her story, and hear about her past from someone who lived through it. That was her priority. To save the woman who in a matter of seconds turned into someone she adored and would seek revenge for if death ever came early for her.

"You could die... do you realize this?"

"I realize that I have found a purpose."

"R4... get us to another balcony, and fire up those guns as well."

The droid beeped happily and made his way toward the cockpit, firing up the guns to attack the Imperial Tie Fighters that struck the hull of the Dragon Hawke. The hot blaster bolts fried any pilot that came even close to firing a shot off at them. The Hawke quickly made its way toward another balcony and Crystaall just straightened out her dress and checked her pistols for damage. Slowly and steadily, the ramp soon lowered to another balcony, but it was torn up and the flower arrangements on its guard were covered in dirt and rubble. From a small look inside, the young bounty hunter could see that there was a red rug and many decorative heads in this hallway as well as paintings. She began to walk to the edge of the ramp and then suddenly a hand reached her shoulder.

"Come back alive kid."

Crystaall only smiled and charged off the ramp with a small run, rolling onto the balcony and rising up with pistols pointed at several Imperials, who turned only to get gunned down by the many shots that came at them from one direction.

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Part 5

She had to go off instinct, and she could see the troopers were too eager to pull the trigger. Sweat dripped down her face, afraid of what could happen if she failed to pull this off. But she couldn't worry about it. Her fists clenched as she ducked to the floor, hands taking up the pistol and firing upon the two soldiers. The blasts hit them deadcenter, maikng them fall backwards and leaving their squad leader to stumble away from their corpses. Using the Force unintentionally, her second pistol flew to her left hand. She then turned and darted toward the balcony. Blaster fire whizzed past her and all she could do was hope she was right on her assumptions. She got up to the balcony's ledge and leaped up, her left foot hitting the air and landing on the small fence-like ledge and pushing off into the air. Everything was just a blur. She didn't know what came over her. Perhaps the adrenaline of a battle hit her. Maybe the A.I took control for a small while, afraid of losing its life if Crystaall died. She couldn't make it out of what was the true cause, but it was evident she was capable of such feats. In mid-air, Crystaall had managed to turn around and fire both pistols at the squad leader and his fellow troops who managed to chase her to the balcony. She lit all of them up, with the wind against her face and she could barely care to question how perfect her aim was. Then a moment later, her back hit harsh metal and she curled up, rolling backwards and the floor. The floor lifted up and she began to roll more as she then hit a wall with her back. Breath escaped from her lips with a large moan and a quick, heavy breathing. She blinked serveral times and then managed to look around. She had landed inside the Dragon Hawke, rolling up the ramp and hitting the opposite wall. R4 stood infront of her, his beeping was very excesive.

"Don't worry R4, I'm fine. Just a little winded right now."

Grey-Kast then appeared to her left with his hands against his hips and smiled. She could see a tear from his right eye, but she dismissed it. She knew already that the rodian cared for her life. How much her cared was another story.

"Lucky I got to you in time. We need to hit the Empire hard with a quick counter-attack."

Grunting as she slid her back up the circular wall, Crystaall stood up with her eyes wincing here and there. It was obvious she felt pain, but she couldn't rest. Not when the Empire had decided to strike with an intent to kill. The immediate intent to take control of this system, with no care for the lives that were lost.

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Pt 4

"What will you do?"

"Whatever needs to be done to fend of the Empire without you or the Queen falling. Go help your friend."

"Alright."

At this point they both separated as John began to run toward the nearby armory to grab weapons with sufficient firepower to take on the striking forces. Crystaall ran up the remaining stairs of the Palace entrance, bursting through the halls. The Royal Guards prepared themselves as she made her way toward her guest room. She took full sprint through the halls. Explosions and blaster fire was everywhere. In the confusion, Crystaall could only worry on how her mother was handling this.

The 372nd Battalion waited. Here they waited in the forest closest to Theed. All 900 Imperial soldiers stood patiently. They were armed to take a fortress, with heavily modified and accurate E-11s and dressed in black armor, they acted as the stealth assault force. An assault force meant to annihilate any and all opposition. Today they were here to ravage and capture the city of Theed. Anyone that fired back would be killed, innocent bystander or Royal guard. When the order came, they charged. They charged like a herd of banthas with the force of a Rancor, firing at each turret that guarded the city limits and shot down any soldier willing to take them on. The airstrike team had their fun. It was the 372nd's turn to bring the battle to an end.

Crystaall burst through the door of her guest room to see no one there. She thought to herself was that he had to have ran out and went for the Hawke. Her armor was even more scrapped then before and she saw a note with it. Walking to the wide bed, she noticed what it said.

'The armor no longer functions, and it doesn't even seem repairable. I tried to tinker with it but it broke apart like a toy. Went to the Hawke to see if Vex had any tools. - Grey-Kast'

"Well, at least he didn't bail like I thought he would."

"Hands up girl!"

It was a voice coming from a mechanized helmet. An Imperial Stormtrooper. Crystaall easily picked up one of her pistols and lifted it up in one of her hands while the other hand was open. She slowly turned around  to see 3 Stormtroopers guarding the doorway, and they had her surrounded.

"Put down the gun ma'am and I might think about your survival."

Crystaall complied, and the blaster dropped to the ground with a larger clang on the rugged floor.

"Isn't she the one that escaped on the ship that docked earlier."

"Hey, you're right. She killed a lot of guys, including Xihk. Let's shoot her chest."

"Will you two shut up? I need to confirm this identity, and don't let your eyes dawdle. We need to keep a close eye on her."

Without warning, Crystaall could hear the sounds of a large ship hovering nearby. She knew Grey-Kast was here, how he knew where she was, she could care less. All Crystaall had to do now was rely on her instinct. And she intended to do just that.

500+ Thank You.

500+ pageviews. That is over 5 hundred times someone has looked at my writing and possibly read it. Thank You so much. It means a lot to see that my writing has peaked someone's interest and even if its one guy checking this... I want to thank that one guy. This is something I wasn't expecting for years, but know that we're even nearing 700 pageviews, I'm glad to see the interest. My writing has always been of violence, of prophecy, of heroism and inner struggle. For inspiration, for developing new ways to take down the evil that corrupts our inner being and just telling you guys the story of a girl named Crystaall in the Star Wars Universe stuck in a destiny she can't control and must cope with. Now, the book is slowly getting to the end.... I have a few more Chapters that need working out, but Book 1 will be finished this year, and then comes Book 2. The Story will be intense for that as well, for there will be lots to learn in that one, and more relationships... much better relationships will be established. The loss, the action and the fight of good against evil will get even battle. Unfortunately, Book 1 doesn't have too much of that due to its to develop a past I tell everyone when I role-play with on Jedi V Sith, but I never really went into detail. Oh and this is still the first draft, so even when working on Book 2, i will be trying to find ways to build the suspense and the greatness of Book 1. But either way Thank You for reading, and keep waiting. It just gets better from here on out.

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Pt 3

"Exactly how do you know of my ex-captain?"

"There are many more who watched over you other than your dear friend."

"I assume even those within the Empire watched me then."

"We never saw any, but we had our suspicions when you began to go on with you bounty hunting."

"Why is everyone so interested in me? I'm just an average tomboyish female-"

"With black horns and a slow aging process."

Crystaall pushed the soldier with both her hands and backed away from the man. Now she was worried. He interrupted her own sentence to tell her things she only recently discovered. The horn thing was something she never wanted an explanation for. How come this trooper knew almost everything about her but her mother wasn't aware of anything. To have your soldiers keep secrets from you would enrage any top commander, and possibly a Queen more. But the man seemed to be honest, and by the tone of his voice he was focused on something else rather than keeping the girl safe. He obviously knew she could handle herself. Crystaall fiddled with the black dress she wore and sighed. She felt like she was in a never ending cycle of anger, depression and knowledge. But she stopped thinking as she watched John look up very slowly. His eyes showed the fear a warrior would possess when defeat was almost imminent. Crystaall looked up with him and then the whole party stopped. In the sky were three triangular starships. Three Star Destroyers, with fighters and landing craft coming out of the woodworks.

"We have to move. Now Crystaall!"

"Got it!"

They both began to turn and run when fighters began to close in on Theed and began to open fire and Crystaall could here the blaster fire rather clearly as the fighter went over their heads. John had ducked but Crystaall kept moving, and then grabbed the clone's arm, pulling him with her. He felt demoralized that he was being pulled by her. Not that she was a woman, but she had seen less combat than he did in his first time on Geonosis. A hunter that preferred to never kill was pulling a soldier born to do such.

"Come on John! We have to get in the Palace!"

"No... you go."

They stood on steps that led straight into the Palace, but Crystaall stopped and looked at the man with complete confusion. Was he a madman?

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Pt 2

The man soon stopped a few feet from the Queen and her daughter and took a deep breath. He straightened his legs and saluted the Queen with his right hand straight and barely above the black plate for his vision.He carried two pistols and the mohawk like top was striped in yellow. His armor looked like it had been in many battles, and that he sufferred hardships, but Crystaall could only imagine what he faced.

"RC-113910, at your service M'lady."

"John, you will watch my daughter while she partakes in the party. I want you to stick close to her and keep her safe."

"No need to worry M'lady. She is in safe hands."

"Crystaall, don't do anything rash while I go talk to visitors from other planets. I need to keep the Empire off our backs don't I?"

The Quee smiled and then dissappeared in the crowd. The circle dissipated and everyone went their own way as Crystaall just stood there with the clone. She felt uncomfortable standing someone that was born to serve, or rather created. There were no expressions that came from his voice earlier, and she could not see through his helmet to tell what lay within his face and what he felt. This was a disadvantage she never had, for she was great with telling someone's emotions, something she guessed was a power in the Force most Jedi had. She supposed she learned it early, but she still was halted by the mask and the voice. The clone was unreadable.

"Having trouble with something ma'am?"

"No, its just..... Most clones still serve the Empire."

"Unfortunately, my squad and I served them for a time. We did exactly what your captain tried to do. Eliminate the remaining Jedi."

Chapter 8: A Broken Bond Pt 1

The anger deep in her heart, made the adrenaline rush to her head. Her realization of her strength in the Force, made it even more powerful. The fact that she had such power scared her. But her anger was what moved her. She rand in her black boots and fancy silk black dress toward the party, breaking through the palace's main gates. She moved through the crowd of people and then the adrenaline began to wear off. She hurriedly looked around and soon realized that she was surrounded by nobles and commoners alike. It was a scene she had never seen, and even more stumbling was that they were here to greet her return. A return to a planet she never remembered. They surrounded her like predators surrounded their single prey. A girl, about her same age, walked up to her to greet her, but Crystaall was so lost that all she could do was back up in horror. This was a sight that had made her frozen and confused. Everything was blurry, and she could barely hear.

"He told me about how naive you become with anger."

Crystaall quickly turned to see her mother. She could finally hear clearly and her sight came back. Her sudden fear and confusion was gone. An instance that she hoped would never happen again. Crystaall ran toward her mother and hugged her, gripping her tightly. The Queen hesitated to hug her, and instead decided to place her hand on Crystaall's head.

"I now see why he kept you. You were never suppossed to be here. By the way you have reacted, I understand that you were born for whatever he trained you for. I never thought I'd have to tell you the family secret, but under such circumstances, I believe I can tell you after the party has dimmed. Will you be able to handle the crowd, my daughter?"

"If you can give me someone to stand by me, I think I'll be fine. What happened to Kast?"

"The rodian has decided to watch your equipment, and to think about something. As for someone to watch you, let me offer my best. John!!!"

A man soon rushed up through the crowd to enter the small circle that surrouded the two women. This circle was due to the Queen needing her space in events such as these. This man was different than the royal guards Crystaall had seen earlier. He was fashioning and old, dirty white suit of clone armor. Armor similar to that of clone troopers during the Clone Wars. But all of the remaining clones served the Empire.

Chapter 7: (no current name) Part 9

"If he knew of his death, wouldn't he have tried to prevent it?"

"He must have known something we didn't"

Crystaall and Grey-Kast looked at each other and then sighed, turning away. They both began to wonder what could have stopped Vex from preventing his own death. Was it the future that entailed Crystaall's true destiny that stopped it? Or was it another being in the Force that had halted his attempts? They both came to the conclusion that he might have just accepted his death, knowing he would be saving someone important. But there was a little thing inside Grey-Kast telling him that something else had intervened and allowed him to accept it. But their thinking was cut off as the doors opened and they both looked out the balcony to see that night had finally arrived and many lights colored the sky. Turning toward the door, they saw the Queen in a very fancy red and golden dress with a massive head-ornament that portrayed the same colors. Crystaall's silk black dress couldn't compare to its exquisite design and Grey-Kast's tacky smuggler outfit was not fit for a party. He shrugged his shoulders as Crystaall stood up and bowed her head to her mother, and Kast did the same, only in respect of the woman's position.

"So, are you two conversing done talking about me?"

"But we never were. Grey-Kast was telling me the truth of my past and about Vex."

"Vex? You mean the Vex that kept you from me so you could become something like him?"

"He knew me better than you ever will! He knew I was not fit for this lifestyle. I was born a fighter, not a royal. And you weren't either. You just hide behind a mask."

"How dare you! I-"

"How dare I!? Damn you! Look at me! I am your only child, and you dare throw hatred, and screaming, and extreme violence in my face. I went through hell and back to learn my past. And all I found is this. A Queen that no longer deserves the title of Mother."

Crystaall walked forward and pushed her way through her mother as she stormed down the hallway in anger. Her cheeks were red with frustration and her fists were clenched tight. Her legs were tight and barely bent as she marched toward the plaza. She could see out the windows that that was where the main attraction and party was. A party that celebrated her return to her home. A return she wished she never made.

Chapter 7: (no current name) Part 8

"Crystaall!"

Grey-Kast grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her for a few moments before she pushed him off. All she could do was shake her head and nod for Grey-Kast to continue. The thoughts of her her murders still roamed inside her head, but she couldn't keep them forever. All the more reason to become smarter and wiser, and to never let the A.I inside, roam free.

"Please, continue."

"You're sure you can stand the rest without going into a trance?"

"I'm sure.. just get on with it."

"Alright. Well, during Order 66 your master was killed, and as far as Vex knew you escaped with the help of aother Jedi and-"

"No... I didn't"

"What?"

"I escaped through the vents, crawling my way through smoke and ash. I passed out when I started to fall...."

"But-  How do you remember this?"

"It was in one of my dreams. And my dreams lately have been like that of visions into the past and the future. Its rather disorienting."

"Well, that would explain why you're not acting as naive as Vex descripted you to be. Perhaps you've become smarter due to an unknown effect from these... dreams. The Jedi would call them premonitions, and that they were almost true events from the Living Force."

"How do you know so much about Jedi?"

"Vex needed a background on Jedi when the Death Watch captain found you. Somehow he knew what you were, and how interested I was on learning a culture so different from my own."

"So what, he could tell the future?"

"More or less, he probably had the same premonitions you did. Maybe even one of his own death."

Chapter 7: (no current name) Part 7

"I'm listening rodian."

"Alright, now let me think. I know that your mother was a slave when she was born, and your father was a Jedi. But he was a Jedi who was corrupted and he fled the Temple when it went up in flames during the Executions of Order 66. You were born with a birth defect. Jedi Consulars could not fathom how you gained this defect, but you've seen it first hand. You age twice as slower as a normal Human. This would make you over thirty years old. Now-"

"What!? 30 years old!?!?"

"Will you let me finish? You want to learn don't you?"

"Yes, but 30 years?"

"If anything it'd be a wise decision to ask your mother about that defect. But I wouldn't call it a defect. And as I was going to say, this defect makes you smarter than most of the people your age. But unfortunately, for your mother, she couldn't keep you when you born. Your corrupted father took you to the Jedi on Coruscant to be trained there by him personally. His plan backfired when you were put under special tutelage by Grand Master Yoda... I think. The Jedi had weird names. Can't even remember them all. But on with the story. You were trained by the Grand Master for several years until a proper master took you as his Padawan, or Apprentice. It didn't last long because when you were around 5 years old, Order 66 was executed. I assume you already know what it is. Crystaall?"

Crystaall had gone into shock at that moment. She began to slowly realize that she was a Force-user. But she was not just a Force-user, she was a Force-user who murdered others like her when she was under the command of the Exile of Death Watch. She killed each Jedi in cold-blood, having made believed that Jedi were evil, and that Order 66 was an order meant for everyone to kill the Jedi. She was fooled. This order was meant for the execution of Jedi. Pure man-slaughter. And she did it in spectacular fashion. Crystaall was horrified at herself, more than impressed. She had used the Force unknowingly to help her in almost everything she did. She couldn't believe she used it to kill others like her. And now she closed her eyes and tried to shake away the thoughts, but they stood in place like brick walls. She could not move them and they just threw in her face another realization. Every Jedi she killed told her they could sense her power... and that she was wrong. She had always dismissed it, except for the power part. They perceived her strength in the Force to threaten that of the Emperor. But she was just a mere girl then. What could be her power now? And how strong in the Force could she become?

Chapter 7: (no current name) Part 6

The guard shut the door as the two entered and walked about the room. There was only one main room, with a bed, fireplace, couch and a holoprojector. She presumed it was for entertainment.... not that she needed such an escape. There was a fancy bathroom near the back with a tub and a shower head it gleamed with white tiles and the large sink and counter was very complementary to the size of the side room. Crystaall could only care less and less about the material things that surrounded her. Grey-Kast happily took his pistol as he watched Crystaall grab the dress and head toward the bathroom to change. He wanted to peak in on the young teen, but voted against it. He was too good to do such a dirty act and destroy the trust the two had quickly made. Crystaall quickly undressed herself, not thinking twice about slipping off one pair of clothes for a more fancy pair. She still wore her black boots underneath with her black tights and long dress. She began to feel something though..... a feeling very unfamiliar to her. Perhaps it was because she could finally be proud to be a girl in a dress, or maybe she felt more mature and presentable to the world. But these feeling passed quickly, for she remembered why she was here. Crystaall refused to get side-tracked from her quest of knowledge. In impatience, she burst out of the bathroom and walked straight up to Grey-Kast.

"Tell me everything you know about my past. If I am to somehow carve my future, I believe I must know how I got here. How did I lose my way?"

Grey-Kast sighed and scooted a little on the couch so Crystaall could take a seat.

"I'm not sure how you're going to respond to this. I'll be short and brief, since I can't explain everything, but understand that this is the absolute truth. You're sure you wish to hear this?"

"Grey-Kast I need to hear this."

"Alright, but prepare for a lot of Sithspit."

Chapter 7: (No current name) Pt 5

Crystaall turned to face Grey-Kast as the rodian rolled his wrists. He sighed as one of the guards walked up to them. The guard held out his hand for the rifle Crystaall held. She handed it to him and then nodded to her. She assumed he was the on they were intended to follow. She began to follow him as they walked up to the next floor of the palace. Grey-Kast did not speak to her almost the whole way up, but something was poking him in the chest.

"So, Vex never told you a single thing?"

"No. He kept me in the dark, and he should have kept it that way."

"Look, I know this was not what you expected of your mother, but would you like to know the whole story?"

"How would you know my life story?"

"Vex told me a week ago that he knew his end was near and wanted me to find and tell you everything. I was about to leave Tatooine until I saw you."

"And yet you kept me in the dark as well."

"I needed to make sure I knew who you were, and responding to your name was a big clue."

They soon finally arrived to their destination, the palace's prestigious guest room. It was lined with decorations of gold sculptures and red carpet. It had beautiful plants in numerous places, and a fire was already going. A black silk dress lay on the couch along with a small holocommunicator. Grey-Kast raised an eyebrow and smiled as he saw further past that. R4 and Crystaall's several weapons and her necklace lay in assortment on the bed. Crystaall soon noticed and stared at the helmet. She dared to not to touch it, in fear of hearing the A.I. attempting to persuade her darker side to be unleashed. An evil that she knew couldn't be contained with how peaceful and mature she was trying to be.

"I suppose she does care about you, Crystaall"

"I suppose."

Chapter 7: (No current name) Pt 4

The Queen sighed as she stared at her daughter. She was determined to protect something that could stab her in the back. The room was silent and several of her guards were trained on Crystaall and her rodian 'friend'. A tough decision, but an easy one.

"Uncuff the rodian. If my daughter is so willing to protect scum like him, then there must be a reason behind it."

Crystaall was still infuriated at her mother. Calling her friend scum was an insult to her as her reputation proved that no 'scum' ever worked with her.

"Were you sleeping on Mustafar, Mother? Because your attitude does not represent what I expect out of a Queen, especially a Queen of such a peaceful planet."

"Would you think that you could rule better than I? One who has protected this throne from corrupted children of the Empire for several years? I am glad you are alive and well, but you don't know the dangers I face. I-"

"Dangers!? What do you know of dangers!? I'm 15 years old and my birthdays are every other year. I've faced gangs and dealt with ruthless crime lords who'd have my enemies on a platter if they felt I was capable enough. I've killed men across this galaxy... and for what? To finally find my mother to be aggressive toward the very thing I am? To have no sympathy for another life?"

The Queen walked up to Crystaall and smiled at her.

"My dear child, when you grow up, you will see the pain I see today. But your pain will be far greater than my own and I do hope you'll understand when that time comes. But, as for now, I have a party to organize, to celebrate your coming home. The guards will show you to the guest room."

And with that, the Queen left with an abrupt turn of the heel and her executives following her closely.

Chapter 7: (No current name) Pt 3

"My name is Crystaall, you Highness."

"Recite me your full name, bounty hunter."

"Crystaall Sekera Sehefadu."

The Queen stepped back in shock and then rushed forward to hug Crystaall, the hug was tight and the grip was nearly tearing at the black fabric she still wore. The Queen's advisers looked at what was going on in confusion, and then watched the Queen let go of the girl and hold her by the shoulders with an even tighter grip.

"It has been so long since you've lived here my dear. I can't wait to name you as my-"

"Mom.... I'm here to learn my past."

"What do you mean?"

"I have no memory of you or my life until the age of 8. Everything else is a blur, along with a burning building."

"I see. Well, let's get you uncuffed first. Guards! Execute that rodian and get my daughter relieved of her shackles."

Crystaall immediately broke free of her mother and rushed herself to stand in front of Grey-Kast. The fire in her eyes ignited and her anger began to rose. Did her mother have no soul?

"You will not hurt my friend, and if you do, you will take me with him!"

Her mother looked at her and smiled innocently and sighed as she began to walk toward Crystaall.

"My dear, he is just a rodian and nothing else, do not think you have some bond with the alien."

"No... he is not just A rodian, he is my Friend, and he has gone through a lot to get me here."

"You will step aside, as is my rule!"

"You will not hurt Grey-Kast! Not while I still live!"

With those words, the anger built up and Crystaall could only react on instinct, breaking the shackles that bound her wrists. She took down the nearest guard with a quick punch and took his rifle while standing in front of Kast. Perhaps she acted as harshly as her mother had, but she knew she was in the right.

Chapter 7: (No current name) Pt 2

The walk to the palace was longer than it should have been, or maybe it just felt that way to the two of them. They both did not show any fear in their faces, but they felt it within their hearts as they entered the palace with cuffs on their wrists. They were led to the throne area, where they both stood, facing the Queen of Naboo. She was not covered in jewlery like the others. Instead she wore a ragged whit robe with many scratches on it, as if she was a refugee from another planet. But Crystaall somehow immidiately recognized her as her mother, but not because she already knew it was. What she saw was the same person that had spoken to her as an infant, the small glimpses of her past that she could barely recall. The Queen stood up, using her hands to push herself up as she stared down Kast and Crys. She pointed the ground with her right index finger.

"Fall to your knees."

Both Crystaall and Grey-Kast looked at eachother and then obeyed the command, falling to their knees with thuds bouncing off the red carpet that led the the polished throne. It was now that Crystaall saw the Queen's political advisors, with some of them younger than the Queen herself. The Queen began to walk past the advisors, facing the two exectutees with a devil stare.

"Firing squad, ready your weapons."

Grey-Kast now turned to Crystaall. She knew he wanted her to do something, but she couldn't figure what she should do. All she really knew was to beg and somehow hope she could reach out to her mother. But she didn't beg allowed. She feared she would not be heard, so instead she begged within her mind, 'Please... don't do this'. Crystaall kept saying this in her mind for a while, her eyes closed and her focus far away from the world, even though she knew her mother would not hear her. But then she opened one of her eyes, and she was still alive. The Queen was staring at her with amazement and curiosity.

"Girl... you spoke to me through your mind?"

"Y-y-yes ma'am."

"Who are you?"

Chapter 7: (No current name) Pt 1

The light of day soon shone brightly through the small window that was high on one of the cell walls. Grey-Kast quickly woke up and yawned, stretching his arms as he hoped down. His feet landed with a thud, which quickly woke Crystaall up. She swung up to her feet and tackled Grey-Kast in a record time, making the rodian cough up saliva. The girl soon snapped back to her sense and got off him, stretching her own arms and looking at Grey-Kast innocently as he began to stand up and brush himself off.

"Sorry about that."

"You know, I really am beginning to see the resemblance between you two."

"Such as?"

"You and Vex are quick to make haste and get things done, but you both care for others that follow you."

"Except I'm a 'girl'"

"I never said that."

"Uh-huh."

Crystaall and Kast established a good friendship the previous night, speaking of their hardships and their adventures. With both of them knowing what they were walking into, it was clear they didn't want any regrets. But as Kast began to stretch even more, Crystaall began to think over her dream. It wasn't like the others, where she could actually interact within the dream. She was just shown fragments of her life, most of which she could not recall, or even remember. But as she tried to think more on the subject, the captain from yesterday appeared at their cell door.

"It is time."

With that, he opened the door, and they both walked out.

Chapter 6: The Light and The Dark Pt 7

Hours passed as the two sat in their cell and chatted about their adventures, with the several guards that changed shifts staring at them in amazement. They heard about Crystaall's adventures, her feats of glory. But they never spoke it to their fellows, for almost anyone in the 'dungeon' could hear their voices. It took her hours to find the courage to tell Kast about the execution. He nearly threatened to kill the girl, but he soon realized what this meant for Crystaall. She was to face death for crimes she never wanted to commit and the violation of a ridiculous rule. The rodian hoped something would stop this from happening, but it was a slim chance. He patted Crystaall on the shoulder and smiled at her.

"Hey, we'll be fine. Don't you worry about a thing."

"Why do I have the feeling I should be telling you that?"

"Because you're far more wiser than you look."

"Thanks Kast."

More hours passed and night soon fell. They fell asleep rather quickly and Crystaall felt a dream coming. A dream that intended to show her the future. A future she wished she would she see, and a wish that would ultimately be granted. But with the hollow walls and many empty cells around her, darkness was a heartbeat away from corrupting her mind. And the A.I that was placed inside her smiled delightly. This was a chance to manipulate the child she was attached to. But with all this happening, and night failing to provide a moon, the dungeon became black like the voids of space.

She couldn't move, and all she could do was stare and watch. Events of her past and future passed her by for a single glimpse, and all she could do was stare at them in confusement. There was a burning building, there was Vex finding her and then there were also her older self serving with a militia, a lightsaber in her hand and the same man who attacked her, now fought her fairly, and then she stood in front of a large temple crafted on a planet with so much darkness. She could feel the hatred and anger that radiated off the building. This was the only glimpse that had left her with any effect. But these small glimpse were only the hours counting down the hours to the light of day. She would soon wake, and as the dream dissipated, she soon realized that if this was to be her future.... how would she survive this?

Chapter 6: The Light and The Dark Pt 6

"We will follow. Grey-Kast, are you ready?"

"Its not like I have a choice kid."

The guards beagn to turn around, making their way out of the hangar, but some stayed behind as Crystaall and Grey-Kast followed the majority. The guards that hung back kept a steady pace behind them and Crystaall shook her head in disappointment. She never understand guarding a surrendured prisoner. It wasn't a time of war, and guarding a child and her rodian companion seemed like overkill. She was still in shock at the mention of execution, a word she never expected to hear from a Naboo guard. Crystaall had heard how peaceful the government was, but apparently the Queen;who was supposedly her mother; decided to prepare her people for all out war. Did she expect an Imperial onslaught to take her throne? Crystaall couldn't tell, nor did she worry about it. What faced her and Grey-Kast ahead was something she dared to never question, but wanted to understand its reasoning. Although, she was sidetracked by everything around her. The beauty of the Theed capital was amazing. Its round architecture and its magnificient collumns that supported it stood strong, as if nothing would make them buckle under the pressure of a bomb or the strike of a Jedi's blade. Crystaall had hoped to see such a blade in her life, but now that she was going to face death, she would never get to. She could not imagine the thoughts that ran through Grey-Kast's mind, for he didn't hear about the execution. She imagined he has been here before because he never looked once at the buildings. All he did was stare at the guard in front of him. He wasn't thinking of attacking the guard, but he was observing them. Crystaall couldn't figure out why, but she didn't think about it as they soon entered a dark alleyway with stairs that went underneath the palace. It was difficult to see, but both of the 'prisoner's' managed as they were soon showed into a large open area with cells around them. The captain pointed to one and both of them entered without a word. The cell looked nice, but it had no toilet and it had a bunk bed riveted to the wall. It was not meant to accomodate princes or those of wealth, but its not like Kast or Crystaall were royalty. Crys thought about that for a moment and chuckled. She kind of was royalty, according to her friends.