What Could Have Been Part III: The Destined Warriors

The Prophecy

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      Luke

      Onderon was not as exciting as Rex had made it sound.

      There wasn't a rebellion, a courageous senator, or a fearless Jedi commander on the humid, muddy-skied planet. However, there were weeds.

      Lots of weeds.

       About five miles from were the Alliance had set up camp, the abandoned capital, Iziz, sat entangled beneath undergrowth that must have taken over sometime before Luke was born. It was from there that Luke was feeling a pull. A beckoning from the Force as if something there was waiting for him. As the young Jedi lounged around the camp, he found himself wanting nothing more than to explore the forgotten city.

       "Can I-"

       "No."

       "But you didn't even hear what I was gonna ask."

       "Don't need to. It was coming out of your mouth so it must have been stupid."

       "Oh come on Uncle Rex, there's something about that city over there. Something weird. You gotta let me go!"

       Rex waved Luke away as he studied the holo-map in front of him. "You're not going there on your own. Once a scouting team is formed, we'll all go out together." Luke sighed. "That's gonna take forever..." he muttered. Rex hunched over the map and pretended not to hear him. "In the meantime, why don't you help unload the speeders?" Luke perked up at the mention of speeders. The opportunity was almost too perfect.

       "That's a great idea! I'll do that! Thanks Uncle Rex!"

      The speeders were being unloaded and lined up at the edge of the camp. Their stark white paint jobs glistened magnificently as the sat in uniform down the row. As two cadets worked carefully to move them off the ship, Luke smiled deviously.

      "Excellent work boys. You're doing great. Now I assume you've finished the mandatory inspection on these bad boys, right?" Luke asked the two cadets. "Uh, what inspection?" one of the cadets asked unknowingly. Luke gasped, allowing his eyes to widened in surprise. "Rex didn't tell you? Oh well it's a good thing I'm here. Each of these speeders need inspected due to previous engine recalls." He leaned in close to the cadet and whispered, "They've had a tendency to blow up."

       "We weren't notified about a recall. Are you sure?" the other soldier protested. Luke shrugged his shoulders. "Don't mind me. It's your funeral," he added apathetically. As Luke sauntered away, the soldiers whispered something among themselves. They called after him. "Hey, wait. How do we inspect them?"

      Luke spun around. "Easy! Here, I'll show you. Just take a seat on the bike, like this... and start the engine, like this... and then you grab the handles, like this... and then-" Luke gave the engine full power and the speeder took off. The cadets were knocked back and left clueless behind him as he sped away toward Iziz.

       Sorry Rex, but whatever's out there, I have to find it on my own.

      Leia

      Master Windu had said no.

       "Master, you don't understand. Luke needs me! There is more happening on Onderon than we know." Leia pleaded. If Luke was right, Midas was on Onderon. He was waiting for them. Luke needed her. Master Windu didn't seem to hear the desperation in Leia's voice. "Your mission is here. Your duty is here. You and your brother are too important to be kept together. That is why we split you up," Mace reminded her firmly. Leia bit her lip. She felt her temper slipping away by the second. "But we'll be able to end this war sooner if Luke and I take on Midas together. What about the prophecy?"

       Mace Windu stared her down. His intense eyes silenced her immediately. "Who told you about the prophecy?" he demanded. Leia swallowed hard. She wasn't sure how to answer. "The painting in the Temple. The Destined Warriors of Prophecy? Isn't that us?" she continued. She remembered that painting as clear as day. The two warriors standing side by side; their lightsabers ablaze. She had seen it the first time she visited the Temple and from then on, every time she passed it, she would stop and say a prayer that her and Luke really would be those Jedi one day.

       Mace Windu sat down. His breathing was labored and heavy. "There was an idea. Anakin knows this. Ever since you and your brother were born, we knew that you were special. We knew that training you two was the only way to bring balance to the Force once and for all. You have powers even greater than any of us Grand Masters. There's no doubt that the prophecy refers to you and your brother."

       Leia felt her chest tighten. She was hearing everything she had ever wanted to hear, yet something in Windu's voice told her that there was more. She stared at him; begging him to go on.

      "But there's more to the prophecy," Mace finally said in a low voice. "You and your brother possess a powerful bond. The Force has created this... connection between you two. And while that connection is strong," he said, turning away. "It may be easily broken."

       Leia felt a terrified laugh escape her. She found her head shaking quickly. "That's... That's ridiculous. Luke's my brother. I would never turn against him. I mean, sure we fight sometimes but-" she choked on the thought. "You don't actually we'd ever..." Mace's response took longer than Leia wanted.

      "I don't know."

      Stunned, Leia sat down. She could already feel the knot in her stomach forming at the thought of her and her brother against each other. "No," she whispered. "No. No, that won't happen." Mace was on his feet again. Towering over her made his words that much more intimidating. "If it does, you must be prepared to fight for what you know is right."

       Leia rose up quickly. Her fists were clenched at her sides. "No! I would never fight my brother! My duty may lie with the Jedi, but my loyalties lie with Luke." Leia felt her words spew out of her mouth uncontrollably. Before sprinting away, she found herself say the most surprising thing of all.

       "Even if that means I am not a Jedi!"

       Hey look! Two updates within 24 hours! What do you guys think of that? And what do you think of Leia's claims? Would she really be willing to betray the Jedi? And what will Luke find in Iziz? And of course, who is causing the mysterious happenings on Onderon?? Let me know what you think in the comments!