Chapter Text
In the realm of the Celestials, there lives Ninleyn, the Goddess of Space and the Multiverse. Working and living alongside her is Aleratha, the Goddess of Time and Fate. Together, they bring balance to each reality under Ninleyn’s care. Though there is only one of Ninleyn, there are many renditions of Aleratha, each unique to her own multiverse. Though they take great care in their work, there occasionally comes a time when not even they can save a universe where so many things have gone wrong.
This story begins with one such time.
“Aleratha.” Ninleyn’s voice was soft, appearing beside her fellow goddess and reaching out to her. Aleratha beamed up at her, sitting at the control panel of her workplace, the Factory of Time.
“Hello, Ninleyn. Do you need something from me, or have you simply come to say hello?”
Ninleyn pursed her lips before removing her glasses, sorrow in her galaxy starred eyes. “This timeline is unraveling, Ratha.”
Aleratha’s smile fell, nodding slowly after a moment as she looked at the controls in front of her. “I was afraid you would say that.”
“As we speak, another timeline is also inching towards that point.” Ninleyn murmured. “But I have a plan that can save that reality.”
Aleratha nodded again, with more resolve this time. “What do you need me to do?”
“There’s a timeline where the clones don’t exist, and Kanerth died in the Sith’s attack. The Jedi there are in grave danger, but there is time.” Ninleyn told her. “I would like to take both the clones and our Lady Kanerth to this timeline.”
Aleratha considered that for a moment, studying the massive clocks and cogs that filled the factory. “It’ll certainly change the course of things there drastically, if done right. You’ll have to make sure they know what’s happening, otherwise they’ll repeat the mistakes they made here.”
Ninleyn squeezed her hand, nodding. “Of course.” She murmured. “I would like to gather the Alphas, so that I may explain things to them and they may explain to the rest.”
“You’ll have to speak with Ajel, many of their spirits belong to him now. The rest, however, I will gather for you.”
The Alphas appeared all at once, the large number of them filling the grand hall. There was a separation between them, those who had passed on and been brought from Elysium and the Hall of Heroes, and those who were still living and fighting in the mortal world. Among the spirits was Commander Ponds of the 187th, and the young Commander Imp of the 501st. The remainder of the 501st Commanders were among those brought from the living, and Ponds stepped in front of Imp when he saw them.
“You all are lucky I don’t have a physical form right now.” He threatened, crossing his arms.
“Ponds?” Cody stepped forward, past the 501st as his gaze flicked first between him and Imp, then over the rows of other Commanders who had passed on. “What’s happening, and where are we?”
“I’d tell you if I could, Commander.” Ponds answered, his tone growing marginally more respectful as he addressed the Marshal. “But I don’t know. The goddess will tell us, I expect.”
As Ponds said this, Ninleyn materialized at the head of the room, a cloak of stars sweeping behind her. “To put it very simply, your timeline is dying.” She told them, wasting no time. “Unraveling, due to everything that has gone wrong. However, your presence could save another timeline. One where you never existed, and you can save the Jedi of that universe.”
“What do we need to do?” Fox stepped forward from among the rows of spirits, breaking the brief silence. The explanation that followed was lengthy, and left the Commanders with more questions than answers, but such was the way of the gods. And, at the very least, it gave them purpose.
“Do you all understand?” Ninleyn asked them.
“I believe so.” Fox confirmed, speaking for all of them after a glance back over his brothers.
“And you.” Ninleyn singled out the group of 501st Commanders, folding her arms. “You will all behave. What you did in this life, of your own accord, was abominable. It would have had you reaped by Ajel, had you died in this reality.” She turned away from them after that, addressing the whole assembly again. “You’ll be going, now. There’s just a few loose ends to tie up.”
“Very well. Will we arrive together or be scattered?” Fox asked her, already planning.
“You will be separated.” Ninleyn answered.
Fox nodded. “Right.” He turned to the others. “I will retake Coruscant. Regroup there, and we will call that our base of operations once the Sith has been dethroned.”
“Everything is in place.” Ninleyn murmured, cupping Aleratha’s face in her hands. “All we have to do is play our parts. I’ll miss you.”
“There’s always other versions of me, you’ll never be alone.” Aleratha answered. Ninleyn shook her head after a second.
“You’re all different in your own ways. I’ll miss this you, and I’ll miss this version of our family.”
Aleratha nodded in understanding. “It’s for the best.” She promised. “I love you.”
Kissing her quickly, Ninleyn squeezed her hands. “I love you too.”
“This time, things will be better.” Aleratha promised, squeezing her hands one last time before she turned away, sitting at the machines of time for the last time.
And with that, the original timeline was gone.