Princess Celestia, known as Tia to her closest confidants, was no ordinary child. At just five years old, she was as educated as a child twice her age. Her days were filled with lessons in history, politics, and philosophy. Her tutors were often astounded by her intellect, her ability to grasp complex subjects with ease. Despite her young age, Tia had a maturity about her, a seriousness that set her apart from other children. She was a prodigy, the pride of the Zygerrian royal family, and yet, she was deeply lonely.

Tia’s mother, Queen Miraj, adored her daughter. She saw in Tia a reflection of herself—strong, intelligent, destined for greatness. But the Queen also feared for her daughter. Tia was special, not just because of her intellect, but because of something much more dangerous: she was Force-sensitive. From a young age, Tia could move objects with her mind, sense the emotions of others, and influence them in subtle ways. These abilities, though still developing, were a source of great concern for the Queen. The galaxy was a dangerous place, and the Queen knew that if word of Tia’s abilities spread, it could attract unwanted attention.

To protect her daughter, Queen Miraj kept Tia isolated. The princess lived a life of seclusion, hidden away from the prying eyes of the court and the outside world. Her interactions with others were limited to her tutors and a few trusted servants. The Queen believed this was the best way to keep Tia safe, but it also left the young princess feeling desperately alone.

Tia spent much of her time in the palace’s vast library, a place she had grown to love for its quiet solitude. The library was a treasure trove of knowledge, filled with ancient tomes and scrolls that told the history of the galaxy. It was here, in the dusty corners of the library, that Tia first learned of the Jedi. One day, while exploring the farthest reaches of the library, she came across a forgotten book. Its cover was worn, the pages yellowed with age. The title, written in a language she didn’t recognize, intrigued her.

As she carefully turned the fragile pages, she read about beings known as Jedi—warriors and guardians of peace who possessed abilities similar to her own. They could move objects with their minds, influence others, and perform extraordinary feats. The book described the Jedi as protectors of the weak, defenders of justice in a galaxy often plagued by darkness. Tia was captivated. Here, at last, was proof that she was not alone, that there were others out there like her.

The more she read, the more her curiosity grew. Tia spent hours poring over the book, absorbing every detail about the Jedi and their mysterious powers. She learned of their history, their philosophy, and their tragic fall at the hands of the Sith. The knowledge that there were others like her, with abilities she could only partially control, gave her a sense of hope and excitement. She began to dream of leaving Zygerria, of escaping the confines of the palace to seek out these Jedi. Perhaps they could help her understand her powers, teach her to control them. Maybe, just maybe, they could offer her a new home, one where she wouldn’t have to hide who she was.

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But for all her dreams, Tia knew her mother would never allow her to leave. The Queen was too protective, too fearful of what might happen if Tia’s abilities were discovered. So, Tia kept her dreams to herself, hidden away like the secret of her powers. She continued her studies, continued to play the part of the dutiful daughter, but in her heart, she longed for something more.

Despite her isolation, Tia was not completely alone. In the vast, lonely palace, she had found a friend—Zara, a Twi’lek slave girl a few years older than her. Zara was different from the other slaves, not just because she was Force-sensitive like Tia, but because she treated Tia not as a princess, but as an equal. The two girls quickly became inseparable, bound together by their shared secret and their desire to explore the full extent of their abilities.

Zara was the only person Tia could truly confide in, the only one who understood what it was like to have powers that were both wondrous and terrifying. Together, they would sneak away to hidden corners of the palace, places where they could practice their abilities without fear of being discovered. Zara, more experienced with the Force, taught Tia how to lift objects with her mind, focusing on the feeling of the Force flowing through her. Tia, in turn, shared what little she knew about sensing the emotions of others, how to reach out with her mind and feel the world around her.

“Tia, watch this!” Zara whispered one day, her blue eyes gleaming with excitement. She held out her hand, and with a concentrated effort, made a small stone levitate. It hovered in the air, spinning slowly before she let it drop back into her palm.

Tia’s golden eyes widened with delight. “That’s amazing, Zara! Let me try!” She focused on another stone, her tiny fingers twitching slightly as she willed it into the air. The stone floated beside Zara’s, the two objects dancing together like playful birds.

They giggled softly, the joy of their shared secret filling the quiet room. For a moment, they were just two girls having fun, their differences in status forgotten. But even in their secluded world, danger was never far away.

One afternoon, as they practiced in a secluded garden, they were not as alone as they thought. A palace servant, tasked with tending to the nearby plants, had unknowingly stumbled upon their secret. Hidden behind a thick bush, the servant watched in stunned silence as the two girls moved objects with their minds, their giggles a stark contrast to the seriousness of their actions.

The servant’s mind raced with the implications. Force-sensitive children were rare, and their discovery could attract the attention of powerful forces—both light and dark. Fearful of the consequences but feeling a duty to inform, the servant decided to report what they had seen.

Later that evening, the servant sent a transmission, brief and vague, meant for the Jedi Order. The message detailed the sighting of two Force-sensitive girls within the Zygerrian palace. But as fate would have it, the transmission did not reach its intended recipients. Instead, it was intercepted by a darker force, one always vigilant for signs of power that could be exploited.

The Sith, ever watchful and patient, had found what they were looking for.