Hey everyone! Christmas is right around the corner and I was thinking, why not write a Christmas-themed SWR chapter? This is going to be an AU (alternate universe) where the Rebels didn't know about Zelara's past, and she's very distant from the Rebels during this time of year. Now, on with the chapter!

It was a bright morning on Lothal, and I was outside meditating.

My Master said that meditating is good to relieve stress and tension. He was right.

Replays of my parents getting killed kept passing through, and it made me lose focus a couple of times.

"Ugh, what's the point...?" I groaned.

I got up from the ground and walked back inside the Ghost. I then noticed colorful lights draped all around the Ghost.

What the...?

Then, I saw Sabine slide down the ladder with a box in hand.

"Hey, Sabine, what's going on?" I asked.

"Don't you know? It's almost Christmas!" she responded cheerfully.

It felt like a lightsaber just went through my heart.

"I didn't know you guys celebrated Christmas..." I said, my voice a little shaky.

"Why wouldn't we? Christmas really brings this crazy crew closer together." Sabine said.

I nodded silently.

"So, what's in the box?" I asked.

"Oh, just some ornaments and lights. Want to help put them up?" she asked.

"Well, I got nothing better to do..."

I soon found myself helping Sabine put up the lights and ornaments around the Ghost.

Why am I doing this? I really don't like Christmas...

When Sabine and I finished putting up the decorations around the cockpit, Chopper and Zeb walked in.

"Hey, you two. What's up?" Sabine asked.

"Hera wants all of us in the common room." Zeb said.

"Okay. We'll see you there." I said.

Zeb nodded and walked out of the cockpit with Sabine in tow. Chopper was about to leave but stopped when he saw that I wasn't following. He then asked me what's wrong.

"Nothing's wrong, Chop... It's just... I really don't like Christmas..." I admitted.

Chopper beeped and buzzed.

"I know, hard to believe, but it's true... I lost count at seven, but this is going to be another year where I spend Christmas without my parents... They were struck down by an Inquisitor years ago... Ever since then, Christmas has been the hardest thing for me to get through..." I said sadly.

Chopper buzzed softly, and I smiled.

"Thanks, Chop. Just, promise you won't tell the others?" I asked.

Chopper nodded and strolled to the common, with me in pursuit. When I got to the common room, the Rebels were there waiting for me.

"Sorry, had to grab something from my room." I said.

"It's okay." Kanan said.

"So, what did you want to tell us, Hera?" Ezra asked.

"As you all know, Christmas is in a few days, and we're low on certain decorations. Tomorrow, we're heading to an ice planet called Alvera to pick up a tree." Hera said.

Just hearing about this is making me sick...

"This is going to be so much fun! I rarely ever get to see snow!" Ezra cried cheerfully.

"Back on Mandalore, snow and ice are all you would see, but Alvera is different, I presume." Sabine said.

"Well, rest up. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow afternoon." Hera said.

Then, the crew disbanded into their cabins. I sat on the orange sofa in the common room and sighed.

Guess there's no way out of this...

The new day dawned, and I got up early to do some training.

Nothing wrong with sharpening your skills.

I took off my cloak and was left in a tight, beige top. I activated my lightsaber and began my training.

One... two... three... four... five... six...

When I defeated my imaginary opponent, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around to see Ezra walking towards me.

"Hey, kid. What's up?" I asked, putting away my lightsaber.

"Hera sent me to come get you. We're about to leave for Alvera." Ezra said.

"Oh..."

I grabbed my cloak and slung it over my shoulder as I walked back to the Ghost.

I really don't want to go...

I sat down in a chair in the cockpit and sighed. Soon, the others started to come. Hera started up the Ghost, and we were soon in the endless space.

"Setting coordinates for Alvera." Hera said.

When we entered hyperspace, I got up from the chair and walked into my cabin. I sat on my bed and groaned.

Why did they have to celebrate Christmas...?

Then, there was a knock at my door. Using the Force, I opened it to see Chopper.

"Hey, Chop..." I sighed.

Chopper wheeled over to me and began to warble.

"For once, I'm not okay... I want to get into the Christmas spirit, but, how can I? This is just going to be another lonely year where I don't have my parents to celebrate Christmas with..." I said.

I looked down at the floor and sighed. I then felt Chopper pat my back. I gave the astromech a small smile before patting his dome. Chopper then began to beep and buzz.

"I don't know, Chop... I usually just spend my Christmas patrolling the streets of Lothal with the Lothwolves. The civilians of Lothal would give me gifts as a way of thanking me for protecting them." I said.

Chopper warbled loudly.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the gifts... it's just that... I don't know what to give back... I mean, Christmas is supposed to be the season of giving, but what can I give to the people of Lothal?" I asked.

Chopper went silent. I then heard the Ghost land. I got up and gave Chopper another pat on his dome before meeting up with the others. I saw Hera open the ramp, and chilling air rushed inside. All we could see was glistening ice and snow.

It was like a Winter Wonderland...

"Okay, time to look for a tree." Hera said.

We stepped out of the ship and walked around the ice planet. The sun made the snow and ice shimmer and shine like diamonds.

Mom and Dad would've loved to see this...

I walked further into the snow when I saw Kanan, Hera, and Zeb, wondering what tree is right for the Ghost.

"Hey Zel, this tree is perfect, right?" Zeb asked.

I stopped, nodded, and continued my way.

"What's her deal?" Zeb asked.

Kanan shrugged. He looked to Hera and she shook her head. As I was walking, I noticed Ezra and Sabine, having a snowball fight.

"Take this, Ezra!" Sabine cried.

She released the snowball from her hand, and it smacked Ezra in the face.

"You'll pay for that, Sabine!" Ezra threatened playfully.

A faint smile appeared on my face as I watched them. Then, Ezra noticed me and waved me over.

"Zel, come join us!" the boy cried.

"No thanks, I'm good." I said.

"Aw, come on! It's fun! I could use your help!"

I sighed. Using the Force, I made some snowballs and with a wave of my hand, I sent the snowballs flying their way. The snowballs' impact made them fall into the snow.

"There, happy?" I said.

I then continued my way. Ezra got up and ran over to me.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Ezra asked.

"It's nothing, Ezra, just please leave me alone..." I said, walking a little faster.

Ezra then got in front of me and made me stop in my tracks.

"Zelara, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing is wrong, okay..." I said.

"Something IS wrong. What is it? What can I do to help?"

"Ezra please, leave me alone..."

I walked away from him, my pace quickening.

"Zel, please, what's going on?" Ezra asked.

His questions made my blood boil.

"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!"

My voice echoed throughout the area. The trees and ground shook, and the icicles shattered. The chilling wind came to a halt.

It felt as if time had stopped.

I turned away from Ezra and walked back on the Ghost. Ezra stood paralyzed with confusion. Sabine ran up to him and watched as I got on the Ghost.

"You okay, kid? What happened?" Sabine asked.

"I don't know..." Ezra said.

Chopper greeted me as I entered the Ghost, but I was silent as a statue. I went into my room and shut the door behind me. I then started punching the metal door, frustrated tears flowing down my cheeks. With a final punch, I made a dent into the metal door. I then fell to the floor, letting the walls come down on me.

"I'm sorry, Momma... I'm sorry..." I muttered.

"You have nothing to be sorry for..." said a voice.

I turned around and saw my mother, but as a Force ghost.

"I miss you, Momma... This is going to be another Christmas without you and Dad..." I said.

"What are you talking about? We've always been by your side... and now, you have the Rebels to celebrate with this holiday..." she said.

"But... it won't be the same without you two..."

Mother nodded her head slightly.

"True, but now you're not celebrating Christmas alone... If you just tell them, then I know they will understand..." she said.

"But how? I don't even know where to start..." I admitted.

"You can start by apologizing to them, especially the Padawan."

"I know that, but... how do I explain what happened to you and Father?"

"Whatever your heart tells you to say..."

I placed a hand over my heart and sighed.

"I'll give it a shot," I said.

"Merry Christmas, my little star..." Mother said.

"Merry Christmas, Momma..."

She then disappeared. I walked over to my bed and laid down.

I think I'm going to sleep in tomorrow... I want to apologize, but I don't think they're ready to hear it yet...

The next morning came and I woke up to silence. No chatter or talking of any kind. I got up and walked out into the common room to see it completely empty, only the undecorated tree was standing. I walked into the cockpit and it was empty as well.

I'm dreaming, right...?

I stepped out of the Ghost to see the plains of Lothal. I walked around the plains, wondering where the Rebels were at.

Being as I am here, might as well visit the Loth-wolves.

I walked to the Loth-wolf den and was welcomed by cheerful howls. Atlas walked up to me and bowed his head.

"Happy Holidays..." Atlas said.

"You too, Atlas..." I said.

My smile faded and sighed.

"What... is troubling you...?" Atlas asked.

"It's just that... during this time of year, besides you and the other wolves, I don't have a family to celebrate Christmas with..." I said.

Atlas breathed out before speaking.

"Rebels..." Atlas bellowed.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The Rebels... are your family... as are we... They welcomed you... with open arms..."

"But, my past... What will they think of me then if I tell them?"

"They... will accept you... for who you are... and what... you were..."

I thought about what Atlas said.

"Yeah, you're right Atlas. I know what I got to do now. Thanks, Atlas." I said.

I kissed his nose before sprinting back to the Ghost. When I got inside, the crew were still out.

Good...

I noticed the bare tree and smiled. I grabbed a box of decorations and began decorating the tree. When I was done, I began decorating the common room with lights. When I was done, I turned on the lights, and the room filled with all the colors of the rainbow.

Perfect...

I walked out of the Ghost and was surprised to see Atlas standing in front of me.

"I'm guessing you sensed what I wanted to do, huh?" I asked.

Atlas nodded and bent down. I got on his back and gripped Atlas's fur when he stood up. With a burst of energy, he sprinted across the plains until he reached the marketplace. I got off and walked the market streets, looking for gifts for the Rebels.

Let's see... for Sabine, paint, and parts to make explosives. For Kanan, maybe I can find something his old master once had. For Ezra, a book about Jedi; he'll like that. For Hera, something that symbolizes freedom and flight. For Zeb, a dartboard, but it has a Stormtrooper painted on it. And for Chopper, something to prank the others, especially Zeb and Ezra.

With the gifts in mind, I walked around the marketplace looking for those gifts. Half an hour later, I found the gifts for Sabine, Zeb, Chopper, and Hera, but looking for that one thing for Kanan and Ezra was hard.

Maybe I already have something for them... but what is that something...?

Heading back to the Ghost with what I had, I began wondering what I have of Master Depa Billaba that I could give Kanan, and what books I have for Ezra.

Mother knew a good deal of Jedi Masters, and met a few of them, too... The books she had; I could give some to Ezra, and maybe Momma had something that belonged to Billaba...

I made it back to the Ghost, and the Rebels still weren't back yet.

Wonder where they all went...?

I quickly wrapped the gifts and hid them under the bed. Then, I heard the Phantom reattach itself to the Ghost.

Sheesh, these guys were gone almost all day, the sun is starting to set...

I laid on my bed and pretended to be asleep. Then, I heard the door open. I didn't know who it was until I felt a metal hand poking my shoulder. I sat up and looked down at Chopper.

"Hey, Chop..." I said, pretending to be tired.

Chopper buzzed and warbled.

"Okay, you got me. Where were you guys?" I asked.

Chopper whistled his response.

"Christmas shopping?" I groaned.

I patted Chopper's dome and sighed. Chopper whistled and beeped.

"Yes Chopper, I know tomorrow's Christmas Eve, so what?" I asked.

Chopper warbled his reply.

"A Christmas story, told by Kanan? Okay, now THAT I would pay to see." I said.

Chopper made a sound as if he were laughing.

"Chopper, can you do me a favor? I want to go out tomorrow to get the others some gifts, but I need you to make sure they don't see me." I said.

Chopper buzzed a question.

"Early tomorrow morning. I won't be back until noon, so if you can stall them until tomorrow night, that would be great. I'll be back before the Christmas story starts." I continued.

Chopper warbled his answer before saluting to me. I smiled and kissed the dome of the astromech. I then yawned and laid back on my bed.

"Well, rest up, Chop. Big day tomorrow." I said.

Chopper waved goodbye before strolling off. I sighed and fell asleep.

Hope this plan works out...

Christmas Eve came, and I got up before the sun could rise. I walked out of my room to see Chopper waiting for me. I smiled and walked into the Phantom's cockpit. I powered it up and the Phantom flared to life. I turned back to Chopper and saluted. Chopper did the same. I detached the Phantom from the Ghost and blasted off into space.

"Setting coordinates for Maitlyn." I said.

Once the coordinates were in, I jumped into hyperspace.

Hope Momma had something from Depa Billaba...

When I saw my home planet, I landed the shuttle and stepped out onto the plains. I walked over to my house in the distance and took a deep breath. I opened the door and it was still a mess from 13 years ago.

Next time I come here; I'm cleaning this place up...

I shook off the feeling and walked into my parents' room. I maneuvered around the fallen paintings and books until I reached the shelves. As I looked through the shelves, I saw a little box. I picked it up and opened it. Inside was a hologram, but it looked like it hasn't been touched in ages. I examined the small object and saw writing underneath it.

"To My Dearest Padawan"

I turned on the hologram and I smiled at the image. I then let the message play. It brought tears to my eyes.

Perfect...

I placed the hologram in my pocket and picked up some books for Ezra. I walked out of the house and back to the Phantom. I powered up the Phantom and blasted off into space. When I set the coordinates for Lothal, I jumped into hyperspace. Then, Ezra's home planet came into view. I reattached the Phantom to the Ghost and stepped into the Ghost. I quickly went into my room and wrapped the gifts. When I heard a knock at the door, I quickly put the gifts under my bed. I opened the door, and I was surprised to see Hera.

"Oh, hey Hera," I said.

"Hey Zel. Kanan's about to tell his Christmas story, if you're interested." Hera said.

"Sure."

I walked out into the common room where the others were waiting.

"Alright, time to hear this Christmas story." Zeb said.

(I was cracking up at this! The wordplay is too perfect)

By the end of the story, we couldn't keep a straight face.

What Ezra said in between was too much! Don't worry, I did apologize to him while Kanan was telling the story. I'm just happy he forgave me...

"Okay, out of all the Christmas stories I've heard, this was the best one by far!" Sabine said.

"Only because of Ezra!" I said.

Ezra flashed a triumphant grin and it only made us laugh more. When we all settled down, Hera told us to go to bed.

Tomorrow is Christmas after all.

I walked into my cabin and sighed. I laid down on my bed and couldn't help but smile. I soon fell asleep, dreaming about what will happen tomorrow.

Hope the crew will like their gifts...

Christmas morning came, and I was woken up to what felt like an earthquake. I turned to see who it was and saw Sabine, Zeb, and Ezra, smiling down on me.

"Geez, guys... What was that about?" I groaned.

"It's Christmas! Come on, get up!" Ezra cried.

I shook my head in amusement and got up to join the excited teens and Lasat.

"Come on! Hera, Kanan, and Chop are waiting for us!" Sabine said.

They ran out of my room, leaving me in the dust. I couldn't help but chuckle. I took out their gifts from underneath my bed and brought them out to the common room. I passed out their gifts and saved Kanan's for last.

"Great, new paints, and explosive materials! Thanks, Zel!" Sabine said.

I smiled brightly and nodded slightly.

"A dartboard with a bucket-head on it," Zeb said.

"Now whenever we're not on a mission, you can still bust some bucket-heads at home." I said.

"Thanks Z."

Chopper really enjoyed his gift, as did everyone else. Soon after, I handed Kanan his gift. Kanan opened it and saw that it was the hologram.

"Play it." I said.

Kanan turned on the hologram, and an image of Depa Billaba appeared.

"To my dearest Padawan; Kanan Jarrus. By the time you hear this, I am long gone. I do not want you to feel discouraged. Believe it or not, I have always seen you as my successor; the one to carry on my teachings to your Padawan someday. Whatever the others might say, I want you to know that I am so proud of you; what you have become, what you will be in the future, and what you are now. In the past, I have lost my family, but when I began teaching you, you were like a son to me. Thank you for being a part of my life. I can die happy knowing that you will grow up into a strong and fierce Jedi. I love you so much, and I hope to see you in the stars one day..."

All was silent. A single tear rolled down Kanan's cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Kanan." I said.

Kanan looked at me and then leaped into my arms.

"Thank you..." he whispered.

I smiled softly and embraced the Jedi tightly. I patted his back and we parted.

"We didn't forget about you, Z." Ezra said.

He bent down and pick up a neatly wrapped gift. He handed it to me and smiled. I opened the gift and burst into tears. It was a family portrait of me and my parents.

(I tried to find the perfect picture, but this is going to do for now. Still nice, though)

I looked at the Rebels with teary eyes.

"Chopper told us what happened... We're so sorry..." Hera said.

"So, with a little help from a friend of ours, we dropped by your place and picked it up through the rubble." Sabine said.

"Kanan and I felt what happened there years ago through the Force." Ezra said.

I smiled softly at the Rebels.

"Thank you all so much... It feels like I got them back..." I said.

"Hey, you're part of the crew. It's what we do around here." Zeb said.

I huffed out a chuckle and nodded. Throughout the rest of the day, we listened and sang different Christmas songs and carols.

(Some of my favorite songs)

Thanks to the Rebels, I can love Christmas again. Just because I don't have my parents to spend it with, doesn't mean I don't have a family to spend it with; and that's exactly what the Rebels are... my family... now and forever...

Hey everyone, 🎄Merry Christmas🎄 Hope you're all having a Happy Holidays! If you don't see an update for a while, you can probably guess why. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this part. Merry Christmas and May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔