episode two — THE BIRTH OF UTENA
after : The Phantom Menace

          When the old sun of Valérian finally awoke its people, it shone greatly upon them. Haakon and Solae were now well hidden beneath the horizon, but set to rise after nightfall, when the stars would twinkle and dance in celebration. Lillia Val'eaon danced around in the marble hallways of the palace, a smile brightly illuminating her young face.

She made her way out of the palace, finding a route to the Jedi Temple once more. Lillia was intrigued by their powers, she studied them for hours on end in Istores Ton Asterion (the library of fallen stars.) She was serious about her role as heir, she looked up to her older sisters, who had served short terms as Queen, and then once again passing it to their mother.

Valérian had weird ways of succession, if an heir simply did not want to be the ruler, it was not forced upon them. Only some could hold the title so easily — her sisters held it for at least a year or two. But Lillia deemed herself stronger, she wanted to rule for a lifetime.

The planet was now well awake, the old dragons had roared at first light, that signaled for dawn. The Temple was south of Selenta, you could see it from the palace, but it was sort of faint, it blended into the sky when it hit the correct lighting.

A soft voice echoed from behind her on the crowded streets of Selenta, as she turned around she was met with her older sister, Helaena. She was sixteen stars old, still navigating the vast galaxy and finding her place in it. "Where are you going at this hour?" She asked, looking down to her younger sister, whose cedar colored hair was a mess across her head. Lillia smiled, her freckles painting her face as stars paint the night sky. "To the Jedi Temple." The girl answered her older sister.

Helaena was a tall girl, with hair as brown and long as Lillia's. Eyes of emerald green, and features softer than snow. She was quite smart — smarter than their older sister, Talia. Despite being smart, she was quiet, she kept to herself rather than to tell her secrets to half of the galaxy. Helaena knew there was a duty for her to fill — she must find a husband, one to care for her until she grows old, and to protect their children. She knew that she was young, but she dreamed of love like no other. Truthfully, she wanted someone that could help the Val'eaon name succeed.

"The Jedi Temple?" Helaena started, crossing her arms over her body like a mother. "Why?" She examined her little sisters expressions. "I want to talk to the Jedi." Lillia beamed — but Helaena was still muddled. "You shouldn't bother them, father would not like it." She walked closer to her sister, grabbing her hand lightly as she guided her back inside. Lillia sighed, grumbling slightly as she stared back at the temple that sat in the far distance.

⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　..　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　⋆✴︎　   　　　,　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　 　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.
An average day for a princess is most fulfilling. First, Lillia Dione Val'eaon must attend her public speaking classes — the most important lesson she is offered. Her tutor, Mrs Daleoren, is most miserable. Lillia had always described her as
dull — perhaps even stale and tiresome. She was older, but nonetheless, she was a discourteous woman.

Lillia stood in front of the podium before her, the room inside the castle set to look like the town of Selenta. Her tutor sat far in front of her, a paper and pen fluttering in the slight wind of the open windows. "Now, begin." The woman's voice was tedious and uncaring.

"The hold within our system is.." Lillia stopped, her voice slowly treading off into the distance. Mrs Daleoren looked up from her neat papers, her eyes looked uninterested. The young girl looked down toward her, then shook her head and began again. "The hold within our system is stronger than any other system in the galaxy. Valérian was born to monarchy, our leadership has always been about unity and strength." She finished. It was not much, and not a very strong statement — but Lillia Val'eaon had too much on her mind at the moment, and dealing with a grouchy despicable woman was the last on her list.

"Weak." Mrs Daleoren called out. Lillia trailed, looking from the window, back to the woman. "What?" She asked, blinking slowly. "Your statement was weak," She paused. "but you are free from classes today, be thankful of your older sister." The older woman got up from her seat, and then walked out of the ancient hall. Lillia hopped down from the little stage that held the podium.

As she walked out the doors, her oldest stood against the wall. "Always in some trouble." Her silken voice rang, "Talia!" Lillia shouted as she saw her sister. Talia had moved out several years ago, and it pained her to wave her youngest sister goodbye. But Talia Val'eaon knew what she wanted, she wanted a family. Lillia engulfed her sister in a tight hug, Talia grunting at the sudden physicality, nonetheless, she hugged her sister back lovingly.

"I did not expect you so soon, Father said you weren't coming back until the next several moons!" She pulled back, gazing at her sister with admiration.

"I decided to return early, I heard that there are new guests — it would be rude of me to not introduce myself." Talia smiled, grabbing her sisters hand and beginning to walk down the hallway. The Jedi were a huge deal on Valérian — since the old temple was sort of run down from the lack of force users, which meant new Jedi could help restore it.

The celebrations of the newcomers were going to last four days, until they would be off into the galaxy once more. Lillia gripped her sisters hand tightly as they neared the families quarters. The guards nodded as they entered and were met with the pair. "Ah Talia, what a surprise." Kier Val'eaon smiled as the twenty star year old woman walked into his presence.

"No Circe today?" He asked his daughter, who laughed and answered. "She has been with her father all evening, he has taken her out to see the lakes." She hugged her father, then walked over to her mother. "It's been so lonely here without you, I'm so happy you are back." She squeezed her shoulder.

Talia chuckled, "it is only for a short time, unfortunately, I have to get back to Meldyrn soon enough." She responded. Lillia plopped herself down on the small love couch where her younger brother laid, reading some Valérian tales. "Why can't you stay forever? Helaena bores me, she never explores anymore!" She whined, kicking her feet beneath her as Helaena shouted a small but very offended "Hey!"

"I'm sure Helaena will take you on some adventures soon enough." Talia looked back to her and raised her eyebrows. A guard walked into the room, eyes shifting all over. "Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker." His raspy voice echoed in his metal helmet.

Lillia's face furrowed, the Jedi? Why were they here so early, the celebrations did not start until Solae and Haakon (the twin moons) were facing each other from opposite sides of the sky.

Regardless, she stood up, the shiny lilac material of her shirt flowing as she did. Anakin and Obi-Wan walked in, looking at the family with gentle eyes.

"Master Kenobi, what could we do for you?" Kier smiled, his right leg bent and crossed over onto his left. "Your highness." The pair bowed. "We have received notice from the Republic that a neighboring system has taken interest in the Elivine mines." (Valérians sacred jewels, said to bring eternal life.)

"We are sure it is nothing to worry about, but we ask you to tread carefully." The Jedi looked into the eyes of every family member, besides Lillia, who had a sour expression on her face. Soteria looked scared, but shook her head and looked down to the Padawan. "Anakin?" Her voice stuttered slightly.

"Yes, your highness?" He asked, bowing his head. "May you accompany Lillia outside?" She smiled, folding her hands over her lap. "Yes, your highness." Anakin bowed his head once again, then looked to the Princess next to him and began to walk out the doors. Lillia followed carefully, but looked back at the whole room staring at her to leave. Soteria nodded her head toward her daughter as she turned the corner from their view.

Lillia was confused. If they had nothing to truly worry about, why was she asked to leave the room? Somewhere deep inside, she wished she would've never left that room, but she also knew it was for the greater good. Lillia would always follow her parent's orders, no matter what they were.

Anakin looked to her, "are you alright, your highness?" Her head was up as they walked, but her eyes looked to the floors. Lillia didn't answer. "Your highness?" He asked once again. She blinked, shaking her head and looking toward the boy. "Sorry." She apologized. "It's nothing." Lillia shook her head once again. "Follow me." She smiled, grabbing the boys hand and leading him out of the palace.

Anakin wondered where they were going, Lillia was quick to change her emotions, which shocked him to say the least. Still, Anakin Skywalker was one for adventure.

It had been a few minutes since they started walking, and the view had changed several times. Valérian was a planet that he'd remember forever, there was no doubt about that.

As they walked further around the castle, Anakin noticed that the far side was now a ruin filled plot. The castle had withered as they ventured through the gardens and onto a small platform in the middle of the ruined structure.

Lillia looked to the puzzled boy, smiling as he looked back to her. "Where are we?" He asked. The ground was full of puddles from the last rainfall Valérian had seen. "Duinkeri" Lillia whispered, the consonant letter rolling off her tongue. With the words, the platform they stood on slowly elevated into the floor. Anakin stumbled, letting out a distressed "woah!" in the process.

The girl laughed, watching his amazement as they lowered into the ground. A whole world lay below them, it was a forest — full of running waterfalls, beautiful butterflies that danced in the sunlight that crept through the big whole in the ceiling. As the rock trembled onto the floor, Anakin looked up. Winged creatures flew around, roaring friendly sounds as they passed by them. "Where are we?" The boy asked, his mouth open in shock.

"Welcome to Skaltari, otherwise known as, the dragon pit." She smiled, looking over her shoulder at the boy. "Skaltari?" His eyebrows raised. "You mean there are actual dragons here?" His response seemed freighted, but there was a huge grin on his face, stretching from cheek to cheek. "That's what I said, isn't it?" She laughed, beginning to walk toward a nest full of three eggs.

A mother dragon sat near it, guarding her babies, she growled slightly as the new presence of the boy. Lillia walked up to her, stroking her nose as she whispered. "Cãllat, cãllat, Slyvaris, iresta." (Quiet, quiet, Slyvaris, rest) She spoke Valéri, the mother tongue of Valérian. "You speak Valéri?" Anakin wondered. "Everyone here speaks it, it's how we speak to our dragons." She told him. "Perhaps one of these days, I could teach you." Lillia laughed, petting the dragon once again.

Anakin smiled, nodding as he looked to her. "This is my mother's dragon, Slyvaris — she is good, just a bit worried, since you are new to her scent." She confessed. Anakin's smile dropped slightly, he did not wish to worry a sacred creature." Lillia noticed, shifting her head to her shoulder and grinning. "It is nothing to ponder about, she will get used to you with time!" She reassured the boy.

Lillia walked over to the nest next to Slyvaris, pointing to a shiny white egg. "This is my dragon, unfortunately she has not hatched quite yet — hopefully it will be soon." She sat down in the nest, some of the dirt rubbing on her purple gown. "How do you know it's female?" Anakin was intrigued, he wanted to know everything Valérian had to offer.

"By the shine of the shell, females eggs shine, males do not." Her finger traced the cracks of shimmer. Anakin nodded, very interested in something he hadn't learned from the old Valérian history books. "Slyvaris laid them moons ago, It is rare that one does not make it to adulthood, but I am quite worried that mine will not." Lillia watched as the egg lay still. "I'm sure everything will be fine, and she'll have a great rider." Anakin smiled slightly, placing a light touch on her shoulder to show his care.

"You're right." Lillia thought she was silly, a dragon that won't hatch would be extremely rare, and for her, it would be sparse.
⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　..　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　⋆✴︎　   　　　,　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　 　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.

It had been a few minutes since the children were rambling about their favorite things to do, and about Valérian's extremely eventful history. As if right on schedule, a crack was heard from bedside Lillia. The girl gasped, looking around to see where the noise had come from. She looked to Anakin, who pointed to the egg a few feet away. Lillia looked down, there was a crack split right at the top.

She got up, quickly shifting to sit next to Anakin who still glared at the egg. She sat on her calves, dress folding neatly over. They both stared intently at the egg, watching as it slowly cracked. It felt like ages, Lillia's heart raced, beating out of her chest with anticipation.

The egg top fell off, and a tiny white creature peaked its head out. Dragons could not smile, but if they could, it would look exactly like this. Its eyes were as blue as Procidens Stella (the north sea) and tiny noises came from its little mouth. Lillia smiled, slowly moving closer to her.

The dragon squeaked, smelling Lillia's outstretched hand, then rubbing its scaly head against her soft skin. "We need a name for her." The girl looked to the boy. Anakin looked down for a moment, thinking of names that could fit the new life he had met. He remembered a star chart he had studied in the temple before he left for Valérian, a star named Utena, it had been his favorite ever since he laid eyes on it — it was surprising he did though, with all the air pollution on Courscant, stars were hard to see.

Lucky for Anakin, Utena was the brightest star in the system, and it could only be shown on very few planets — planets that did not obstruct its view. "How about Utena?" He injected, looking at the girl who now pet the little dragon. "Utena?" Her eyebrows furrowed. "It is my favorite star — the brightest in fact," Anakin started, "I spotted it in the skies on Courscant before I left to come here." He exclaimed.

"Utena.. I like it." Lillia giggled, muttering the name once more as she looked down to the dragon. Utena was fully white, with a shiny almost see through layer that decorated her wings.

Her sapphire eyes reflected the sun, making them glow in the light. Lillia was finally happy to have two friends — Anakin & Utena.

authors note. BITCHHHHH, Utena is here 😭😭😭 And yes Ani named her, which reminds me of the trend with Chappell Roan where it's like "??? you wonder why i'm bitter." Sorry to make yall said after this chapter but lillia's would definitely be "You named my dragon after your favorite star, and you wonder why i'm bitter?!" 😕😕😕😕 MOVING ON! I wanted to show you all how I picture Utena!

This is how I picture her, and all credits go to the original creators! I do not claim them haha. But anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, Act 1 is most definitely fillers for the rest of the story LMAO, but yall please show this some love so I can get to write act 2 😭😭😭 OKAY BYE LOVE YOU ALL!