Kendra

She pushed her glasses up on her nose and struggled to keep hold of a large bundle of papers. They teetered precariously in her arms. Her balance gave way, and she spilled to the floor. The papers slowly rained down on her head. Sighing, she sat there for a moment on the edge of tears. This job was harder than she anticipated.

Her ears picked up the sound of approaching footsteps. Jumping to her hands and knees, she began to hurriedly rake the papers into a pile. He glasses slid off her face and crashed to the floor. The lenses cracked.

"Oh no," she wailed. The footsteps shuffled to a stop. Her eyes trailed upward to reveal dark blue boots, a dark blue duster coat, large chest wrapped in a grey shirt. Continuing up, her eyes fell on a distinguished face topped off with cool grey hair.

She gasped, "Senator Palpatine! Forgive me sir! I’m so sorry, I got tripped here in the hallway, I’m on my way to your office right now, sir."

He laughed and locked his hands behind his back. "Kendra, you worry too much. I’m not upset in the slightest. Allow me to help you," he said. He stooped down and collected the papers, placing them gently in Kendra’s hands. His blue eyes sparkled into hers.

Suddenly, Kendra’s heart began to flutter, and she felt her face blush. This man was her boss, she shouldn’t be having these kinds of feelings.

Throughout the day, she found herself subconsciously reliving the events of that afternoon. She twirled her long red and white hair around her fingers as she sat at her desk. The more she tried not to think about the Senator, the more her mind flooded with him.

She had only worked at the Imperial Senate for one week and had never met Senator Palpatine before. The meeting in the hallway was the first.

Over several weeks and months, her feelings for the Senator grew. She had dreams about him; she lived to see him everyday. She made sure she was always near him. Her life revolved around the worldly dignitary, from early morning meetings to late night compromises; Kendra was the dutiful assistant.

It was one late afternoon, the eve of Kendra’s seventeenth birthday, when her life changed. She was unusually late returning from lunch and found Senator Palpatine sitting in his office alone. The red interior seemed almost sinister to Kendra as she entered. Palpatine was stroking his face and drumming his fingers on the desk. He was so lost in thought he didn’t notice a small vase was slipping off of his desk. Kendra noticed however, and as it began to fall, she stretched out her hand, and the vase stopped in midair.

Senator Palpatine looked up and was surprised to see his young assistant. Her chest was heaving with fear. She had always known she was capable of using the Force, but she never had an opportunity to use it. Kendra felt tears come to her eyes as the vase remained unmoving - in midfall. She was afraid she would lose her job now that the senator knew about her Force talents.

His soft hand caressed the vase. He felt how rigid it was; the sheer strength of Kendra’s will was amazing. He picked up the vase and delicately placed it back onto the desktop. He strolled over to Kendra and took her hand in his. He moved her face so that her eyes met his. He smiled, leaned forward and kissed her mouth.

"Kendra," he purred, "my dear. Why didn’t you tell me you were capable of such feats?"

"I-" she stammered, "I was afraid, sir."

"That’s ridiculous. Ability such as yours is remarkable; it is nothing to fear. As a matter of fact... it is highly desirable." He ran his fingers along her cheek.

Kendra felt an electricity emanate from his fingertips. It ran around her face, then down to her heart, where it lazily flowed in circles. She closed her eyes to take in the experience. She felt drunk and dizzy. A smile spread across her face, and she would have said something if only she weren’t so ecstatic.

Senator Palpatine cleared his throat and said, "Kendra, why don’t you meet me tonight? After the Senate has dispersed for the evening? We’ll have dinner... just the two of us."

For so long she had wanted to hear those words, so long she had waited to feel his touch. Her hair fell about her face as she looked to the ground. "I would be honoured, sir."

"Excellent. Meet me in my office at 9.30 standard tonight." He cupped her chin and kissed her again.

Her hair was twisted into the familiar tear-shaped odango. She was wearing a black dress and crystal earrings. She was never trained in the use of the Force, so the techniques she used to calm herself that evening were ones she had read about in books. They seemed to work as her nerves had relaxed, and she was comfortable.

Now, as she was standing outside of the door leading to the senator’s office, her heart did flutter a bit. She smiled at the reminder of her emotions. She was grateful to be alive and in the time and place. Her hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob. Right as her hand touched the cold metal, it turned and the door swung open to reveal Senator Palpatine. He looked breathtaking in a black suit; it was a welcome change from his usual blue senate attire.

"Kendra! You look splendid. Please come in," he said. He led her by the hand into the room. "I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay for dinner, something urgent has suddenly come up. But, I do have a present for you." He reached into his breast pocket and produced a small card. Written in big block letters on the card were the words, "Drell Ubreck Antiques."

Noticing her confusion, Palpatine explained to Kendra, "The present is an antique mirror. It has been in my family for generations. A friend of mine, Drell Ubreck, is restoring it for me. I’d like you to have it."

Kendra’s mouth fell open; she couldn’t possibly accept this gift. The senator put his fingers to her mouth to stop her objection.

"I wouldn’t have given the mirror to you if I didn’t want you to have it. Please, don’t refuse," he kissed her hand then left the room, accompanied by three guards in dark navy blue uniforms.

Later the next evening, she brought the full-length mirror to her apartment near the Senate Chambers. The mirror’s dark wood frame was inlayed with intricate patterns and rare jewels. Her reflection grinned back at her; she looked more radiant than ever. She seemed to be glowing. A strange presence entered her room; she could sense it. Her vision became blurry; she gripped the side of the wall. Her head was throbbing, and she dropped to her knees. Her consciousness faded to blackness.

Her mind flashed with images, images of her. She was wearing a black dress and standing next to a cloaked figure. Her hand rested on his shoulder, and a malicious grin was plastered over her face. The image distorted, and she was a small child. She didn’t recognise herself; her hair was different.

This must be a past life, she thought. She watched the little girl who was sitting next to a few other children. The same malicious grin spread over her face, and she raised her small hands. Lightning bolts shot out at the other children. They ran away screaming. The little girl grew dramatically into a woman before her eyes. The girl, now a woman, was in a battle. Flying around the woman were several winged women. They hurled strange attacks at the past-life Kendra. She slumped to the ground, her life energy exhausted. The winged women gathered around her and lifted her body. It disappeared into golden dust.

More images fluttered in her mind; more battles, more lost lives to the same women. Anger built up in Kendra. She felt something awaken inside her, something long dormant. Her eyes snapped open, her consciousness fully aware. Her body teemed with energy; she felt electrified.

She caught her reflection in the mirror as she got to her feet. She was wearing a black dress that was adorned with crystals. Admiring herself, she smiled. A black shadow appeared in the mirror.

"Welcome back to life, Kendra," the shadow whispered. Its voice was dark and full of static.

"Thank you. What happened to me? Why can’t I remember anything? Where have I been all this time?"

The shadow chuckled, then explained, "A powerful binding spell was placed on you, causing you to forget your past, forget who you truly are. I began to doubt you would ever be found again. Now that we have, it is time for you to reclaim your place as Evil Queen."

Kendra nodded. "I still remember very little."

"That is why I am here, to assist you in your training. A spell was placed on me, forever trapping me in this mirror, by the same women who bound you. I will be honoured to help you and Lord Sidious in destroying them."

Lord Sidious. A familiar feeling blushed over her body, and she remembered something.

The shadow in the mirror laughed brutally. "I see your talents in the Force are still as strong."

"Indeed they are. I am ready to begin my training," she smiled.