Star Wars: JEDI PURGE - Act One

[Araphas]

 

Act One

 

There is no emotion, there is peace.

 

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

 

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

 

Through passion, I gain strength.

 

There is no passion, there is serenity.

 

Through strength, I gain power.

 

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

 

Through power, I gain victory.

 

There is no death, there is the Force.

 

Through victory, my chains are broken.

 

 

The Force shall set me free...

 

---

 

Night had fallen.

 

The cavernous halls of the Jedi Temple were silent, but for the faint echo of lightsaber combat.

 

In a secluded corner of the temple - a training room flanked by sepulcrhal columns and statues of the ancients - a small group of Jedi practised technique with their hissing energy weapons.

 

Araphas leaned against an enormous pillar, observing the others while they sparred. His crimson skinned face was blank, emotionless - though his eyes sparkled with the reflected light of the sabers as they whirled and sparked in the hands of the duelists.

 

His thoughts wandered, sifting through the horrific memories of the past few months. Images streaked like lightning across his mind. Arboreal landscapes, treacherous jungles, soldiers glistening in their white armor, wave after unified wave of unrelenting Separatist droids. Laserfire. Smoke and flames. Delphi...

 

The Jedi shook his head violently, dispelling the past. Focus on the now, he reminded himself, let the Force heal those wounds.

 

He didn't believe it of course. Some scars ran too deep, even for the Force. The Clone Wars would leave it's hideous mark on Araphas forever. At night, all he could see was Delphi's broken body in his arms. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could see the flickering tongues of flame, rendering her beauty to ashes.

 

Why did you have to die?

 

His companions were deeply engaged in their little contest. The Living Force danced through their limbs, sharpening their accuracy, heightening their senses, infusing their muscles with strength and alacrity. Araphas watched them reverently, forgetting his troubles for the moment. He smiled.

 

"Alright then," he said, springing from the pillar. With an exertion of the Force, his lightsaber flew from his belt to settle comfortably between his fingers. His mind crawled inside the hilt, probing for the mechanism which activated the blade. The yellow beam ignited with a snap-hiss which echoed throughout the vaulted chamber. It hummed gently in his hand. He grinned wolfishly.

 

"Let me show you a thing or two..."

[Master_Archon]

Sib Diya sat up against a one of the monolithic pillars in a dark corner of the room, watching his older peers duel. He was very uninterested in 'the older folk', as he called them, and only enjoyed the fact that they hadn't noticed him, because the initiates were supposed to be off to bed at this hour.

 

He was getting bored though, just sitting and staring at the tall, strong figures; men, women, of all kinds of species. He wanted to duel as well, but he knew if he tryed, they'd be stingy like most adults and just chew him out and tell him to get in bed. He looked down on the sleeping form of his friend, Renda Darkmarj, a Zabrak. She lay sidewise on the floor, resting her head on one of his legs; he slowly lifted her head, then slipping out from his position, he gently set it back down. He got up and looked around, then seeing a perfect spot he slinked to the general visinity, without any notice.

 

He pulled out a long, and obscure datapad, that had many apertures sticking from it, and utility items that went with it. He couldn't see, or do much in that light, so he decided that getting closer would be better, and he did so. With amazing stealth he crept into a secluded, yet well lit area, where he could see better, and if the 'older folk' were too busy, or not paying attention, as most of them were, then he could easily get away with his vantage point. So he did, for the moment, and taking one of the utilities, and pressing on some of the apertures, he began studying the figures. He started with a lady who was doing nothing, he looked her up and down, raised both eyebrows, let out a light, barely audible whistle, and started pressing into the datapads screen, looking from the figure to the datapad as he went.

 

Soon, he was halfway done, and it already looked like a masterpiece. He looked it up and down with a smile, then looked at the lady, then smiled, and continued...his drawing. Only hoping no one would notice him, at least not until he had drawn one of the duels in action.

[Dark_Lady]

Tul Abidijah glanced sideways at the young Iridorian as he sat drawing, his eager attention flipping rapidly from the duelists to his datapad. She smiled slightly, noticing the inconspicuous place he had chosen to work from. It was just as well, most people would have probably sent him off to bed had they noticed. Force knows that happened to me often enough...

 

She turned her attention back to the duelists, watching as they danced around each other in rhythmic motion. As their blades clashed again, Araphas grinned, straightened up from the pillar on which he had been leaning, and activated his lightsaber. His voice rang strong even from the other side of the room.

 

"Let me show you a thing or two..."

 

"Oh, come on Araphas," she said jokingly. "You've 'shown' those two often enough. Care to show me?" Her lightsaber ignited, the blue blade shimmering an unmistakable invitation.

[Diego Varen]

The Jedi Knight, Jorran Corral was practicing his Lightsaber skills on a simple training Droid. These training Droids wasn't the greatest way of practice, but it would do. Jorran concentrated on the way the Droid moved and as it shot, Jorran blocked the shot. The Droid dodged the shot and returned to shoot again. Jorran threw his green Lightsaber at the Droid, which destroyed it. Jorran smiled and walked towards the pillar that Araphas had been leaning on a while ago.

[Araphas]

Araphas swivelled in mid-step, locks of tendril-hair shifting around his shoulders. He regarded Tul with a raised eyebrow, then nodded slowly, accepting her challenge.

 

The two bowed respectfully before shifting into battle stance.

 

Araphas studied his opponent's posture. Weight on the front foot, lightsaber held out, hands tight on the hilt. Agressive Neutral. She was a practitioner of Shien.

 

He shifted his own stance to better counter hers, widening his feet and holding his saber low and closer to his waist.

 

"Very well, Master Abidijah," he quipped, "let's give the apprentices something to remember about tonight."

 

The Jedi swept foward, whipping his lightsaber into a wide sweep. Outwardly, it looked like a foolish move, leaving him wide open to counterattack. But Araphas was in complete control of his movements. He was one with the Force, in harmony with the momentum, the lightsaber as much a part of him as the arm that held it. Even as he struck out, his penetrating mind focused on Tul, gauging her thoughts, trying to predict her reaction.

 

Araphas' blade connected with Tul's, jarring hideously against it. Sparks flew from the conflicting beams of energy, locking together. Araphas grinned at his opponent, predatory teeth glinting.

 

He pressed the assault. This one was stronger then she looked.

 

He liked her already.

[Diego Varen]

As Jorran watched several Padawans and Knights spar with each other, he knew how much he had bored himself to death. Nobody had asked to spar with him, but who would? Most Knights were fighting with inexperienced Padawans.

[Jason Skywalker]

As newly knighted, Alex Skyrider wandered through the halls of the Jedi Temple, he was thinking about his Kel Dor Master, Nedaj Rrok, and the Clone Wars. Count Dooku was dead, and now, General Grievous was all that it remained. He noticed several Jedi training, including Jedi Knight Araphas versus Jedi Knight Tul Abidijah. He smiled, and then looked out to Jedi Knight Jorran Corral. He appeared to be bored, seeing their duel. He took out his datapad, and started writing.

 

Year 3 of the Clone Wars, Day 55.

Count Dooku has been defeated! He was killed by Master Kenobi and Knight Skywalker in a duel, in which Skywalker beheaded him with his Lightsaber. With this loss, the CIS has probably already lost, but one must not celebrate before it happens. General Grievous is still on loose, and the Count taught him everything he knew. The Council has sent Master Kenobi to deal with him on to Utapau, where the General has been reported to be sighted. We have not had reports of the situation yet, but i believe...

 

A Jedi Youngling quickly burst in the room, ready to deliver a bombshell new...

 

"Jedi friends," He said, probably gathering their attention, "Master Kenobi was successful, General Grievous has been defeated!"

 

Alex's smile quickly turned into a grin, the CIS had lost! He then continued writing...

 

Fantastic news, a Youngling burst into the room and shouted that Master Kenobi was succesful in defeating General Grievous, the CIS has lost, and the Republic stands tall! We have won the Clone Wars! The Jedi Order has suffered numerous losses in this war, but it won't take much time to rebuild our numbers, until then, goodbye, and May The Force Be With You.

 

He stopped writing, and then turned to the attentions of his comrades.

[Master_Archon]

Sib sat watching Tul and Araphas's duel, then he saw one of his fellow initiates burst in to give the news of Grievous's death. He stared at him for awhile, which was a bad idea, because he turned in his direction and saw him. The youngling opened his mouth and raised his hand to wave hello. Sib's eyes grew wider, and he shook his head to indicate; 'dont do it'. "Hey Si...oomph..." he was cut short because Sib had flicked his nose with the force. Sib lowered his upraised hand, the boy stopped, thought, and realised his error, then regaining his posture, he stared at the floor and mumbled something, and left the room, rubbing his nose as he went.

 

Sib looked around, no one seemed to have noticed him, though some seemed confused at how the boy's head jerked back so suddenly, when he was about to say something. Sib grinned, "heheh, good," he mumbled. After that he decided to get to a better position to draw Tul and Araphas's duel.

 

Scampering to an area between two pillars, which was less concealed, he studied their positions, which was at a stand still at the moment because of the arrival of the news. He found this a good opportunity to draw them, considering they wouldn't be still for long. But his happy moment was soon interupted; he felt something, no, someone staring at him, he looked up. He saw Tul, she was still staring at Araphas, him doing likewise, he saw another jedi, putting his datapad away, but he wasn't paying attention to him, he knew none of the others noticed him, due to the fact they were all dueling. Then he heard breathing next to him; looking up to his left, over his shoulder a bit, he saw someone leaning on one of the pillars next to him, it was a man, obviously a knight, he seemed bored, except the fact that he was glancing at Sib. "...didn't see that coming," he said to himself as he turned, in his crouching position, and looked up at the man with a sheepish, fake-innocence grin.

[Diego Varen]

The youngling left the room and Jorran thought to himself, well things are certainly on the up. He then walked over to fellow newly appointed Jedi Knight, Alex Skyrider.

 

"Say Alex, fancy a bit of sparring?" He asked kindly.

[steven]

Jack limped through the training room. Observing the padawans and jedi knights as they trained. He was enjoying his new role as a trainer and when things had calmed down he could make a request to the Jedi Council that he could take up this job for pernant. Jack knew the war was almost over, he was also guessing the next missions the council give to the Jedi will to be doing something to restore this planet to it's former glory. It either be clearing up some reminant CIS forces or to help solve diplomatic debates between planet's effected by the Clone Wars. It is going to be a long couple of years Jack thought to himself.

[Jason Skywalker]

The youngling left the room and Jorran thought to himself, well things are certainly on the up. He then walked over to fellow newly appointed Jedi Knight, Alex Skyrider.

 

"Say Alex, fancy a bit of sparring?" He asked kindly.

 

"Sure Jorran," Alex said, igniting his Lightsaber as his white blade, surrounded by the lime-green glow, "Just don't think i'll take you on kindly."

[Diego Varen]

"Sure Jorran," Alex said, igniting his Lightsaber as his white blade, surrounded by the lime-green glow, "Just don't think i'll take you on kindly."

 

Jorran smiled as he ignited his Lightsaber. His Lightsaber like Alex's was white, with a green glow surrounding the blade.

 

"Well, I've been a Knight longer than you've been," Jorran warned, "So, you're going to be suprised by my skills."

 

He brought his Lightsaber towards Alex, wondering if he would counter.

[Jason Skywalker]

Alex grinned, crouched to one knee backwards, and brought his Lightsaber up, the tip of the blade facing his left, as he blocked the blow, pushed Jorran's Lightsaber back, then twirling his own.

 

"Yes, but," Alex said, rushing at him and swinging diagonally from up by the right, "I'm a Jedi Guardian."

[Diego Varen]

Alex grinned, crouched to one knee backwards, and brought his Lightsaber up, the tip of the blade facing his left, as he blocked the blow, pushed Jorran's Lightsaber back, then twirling his own.

 

"Yes, but," Alex said, rushing at him and swinging diagonally from up by the right, "I'm a Jedi Guardian."

 

Jorran grinned back and rolled backwards, avoiding yet another attack. Jorran twirled his own Lightsaber, taunting his opponent.

 

"Yes, but," Jorran began, rushing back towards him, "I'm a Jedi Consular. Brute strength isn't always useful, you know."

[Master_Archon]

Sib's grin faded, and he let out a quiet sigh as the man he thought had seen him went to someone else and started dueling. He looked back to Araphas and Tul, who had moved, and were now farther away, and dueling, thus constantly moving, making it harder for him to catch the two in their previous positions.

 

He got even closer, coming into the open, and out of what little hiding the pillars gave him. He soon found no one was paying a bit of attention to him, because most were too busy dueling to notice. But he didn't take any chances and decided to keep in his stealthy crouching position. He got right near the duel of Araphas and Tul, and started drawing, to the best of his ability at drawing the moving duo. But then when he had completed the drawing after much time, he noticed the one mistake he made at coming into the open. When the two he had been drawing came out of their duel, which didn't look to be too far away, then he would be caught, and he wasn't quite done drawing them yet, not quite yet indeed, and he didn't like leaving drawings unfinished. He sat there, his mind rushing; 'What to do? What to do!? Oh, great, they're gonna finish, I'll be noticed, sent to bed, chewed out first though, then I'll be made to do extra chores and training tomorrow!! Great, why didn't I see this coming!?' shouted to himself in his mind, still etching away, trying to finish as fast as he could before the two finished, whenever they would.

[Dark_Lady]

Tul dodged sideways away from another of Araphas' attacks, then leaped suddenly into the air as she almost collided with the Iridorian kid, still sketching on his datapad. Sailing over his head, she landed next to him, wondering briefly how he had managed to sneak closer without her noticing.

 

"Force, you're hard to keep track of," she said with a good-natured smile.

[Araphas]

Araphas watched, feigning shock that Tul had nearly tripped over the initiate. Inwardly however, he was laughing in good-natured triumph. He had noticed the young Iridorian the moment he ducked into the room, and had planned the entire incident. Sokan was a lightsaber technique that focused on using the environment to one's advantage. Every blow, every movement was executed with perfect precision, aiming to control the opponents movements.

 

It had turned out exactly as Araphas planned, and looked like a complete accident. An'ya Kuro would be proud, he mused.

 

"Are you alright, Master Abidijah?" he ventured, lightsaber lowered casually.

[Dark_Lady]

"Oh, I'm fine," she said. "And stop calling me Master. I'm just an ordinary Knight, as you should well know after witnessing that spectacle." She laughed. "I can't believe the Clone Wars are finally over," she remarked with a smile.

[Araphas]

"Oh, I'm fine," she said. "And stop calling me Master. I'm just an ordinary Knight, as you should well know after witnessing that spectacle."

 

"It was just a gesture. An acknowledgement of respect between fellows." he assured her, his free hand raised palm-up in deference. "If you don't like it, I can just call you Tul."

 

"And the Clone Wars are not over...not yet," he added, his tone becoming somber. For him, they would never really be over. He had lost the only person he had ever truly cared for.

[Master_Archon]

"It was just a gesture. An acknowledgement of respect between fellows." he assured her, his free hand raised palm-up in deference.

 

"No one regards me as a 'fellow," he mumbled to himself, saddly. He looked up at the two jedi, chatting away, quickly forgetting him, he almost felt sad he didn't get noticed for too long, he may have had little interest in the 'older folk', but it didn't mean he never wished to talk to them, he found that, that was the only thing interesting about them, they talked about things he knew nothing about, or talked to eachother as peers, rather than adressing eachother formaly, as he constantly had to do. He gave a sigh as he heard them carry on, he didn't make a move, assuming he would be dealt with when they were done.

 

He wished he could have a chance to duel, but he knew it was too late for that, especially now that he was caught. He decided to at least fill the time in by drawing, so he drew from his vantage point, the two hovering over him, carrying out their conversation. He drew it just as he saw it, looking upwards, he could see the bottum of their jaws, the less attractive, inside of their noses, and the illusion of them being shorter, due to the fact that he was right next to them, and looking up.

[Jason Skywalker]

"He is right Tul," Alex said, parrying the blow and entering in a saber clash, then backflipping, "As much as i would like it, Viceroy Nute Gunray still lives."

 

"Oh and, Jorran," He said, turning his attention back to his duel, "The Force is what really embodies us here."

[Dark_Lady]

"Of course you can call me Tul," she said. Araphas' light-hearted tone changed, and a sad expression began to take over his features. She looked away from him and back towards the boy as he muttered something and began to draw again.

 

"Viceroy Nute Gunray still lives," Alex mentioned as he continued his duel.

 

"Nut Gunray?" Tul said. "Nute Gunray and the other Separatist leaders will simply run at the first sign they might be losing. You know they don't have the courage to fight the wars they start. And it shouldn't be too hard to find them and put an end to this nonsense."

 

Still, something felt... off. She knew she should have been joyous at the news, and yet she felt vaguely worried instead. Brushing away the thought, she turned to the young Iridonian and sat down beside him, deigniting her lightsaber with a bow to Araphas.

 

"And what makes you think that?" she asked him.

[Jason Skywalker]

"Indeed, although, who knows, maybe the Force will deal with them itself," He said, waiting for Jorran to make the next move, then turning to the youngling.

 

"Don't think so negative like that Youngling, emotions lead to the Dark Side." He lectured the Youngling.

[Araphas]

"Do they?" Araphas replied, with an obvious bitterness in his voice. He deignited his own saber with a sigh, letting his hand fall limply to his side. "Do they, Alex? Because I have learnt otherwise. Emotion is not a flaw, it's what makes us living, feeling creatures. The key to achieving balance in the Force is not to stymie one's emotions, but to control them. You of all people should know that."

 

He knelt to stare face to face with the young Jedi Initiate, eyebrows furrowed in sympathy.

 

"Youngling, you are above all, a person. And in that respect, you are equal to all of us. Try to remember that, and I promise you, you will come to be recognised."

 

He smiled, but it was a smile tinged with sadness.

[Jason Skywalker]

Alex smiled, "There is no emotion, there is peace, i wasn't talking about everything, but in general. "