[Fic]Dvukh ("Two" or, in this case, "Second" or "Lieutenant"

[Jason Skywalker]

Agreed, poor Tysy, although the two last chapters where very good. It seems the Dvukh power is "tuning in"...

[Tysyacha]

Here is this story's first masterful Torthane sketch, this of Luke and Tysyacha:

 

[JediAthos]

I definitely feel a bit of sympathy for Tysy. She seems very unsure of herself despite constant reassurances from Luke. I personally would like to see her find her confidence, and stand with the Jedi, but Jacen's very presence in the story seems to indicate there could be an issue there

[CSI]

Eh, the picture is too modern, but however nice work...

[Diego Varen]

Tysy looks like one of Revan's heads, . Good drawing, but Luke's eyes can't really be seen. It is still good for a first sketch though.

[Jason Skywalker]

Great sketch Torty! Also, Pottsie, that is Luxa's head, if i recall correctly. I always imagined Tysy differently though.

[Torthane]

Great sketch Torty! Also, Pottsie, that is Luxa's head, if i recall correctly. I always imagined Tysy differently though.

 

It is infact Luxa's head, Tysyacha requested that I use it as the reference.

[Tysyacha]

"Don't rush me! I've made that mistake before..." --Taylor Dayne

 

According to his best judgment, Grand Master Luke Skywalker decided to have

his new apprentice practice lightsaber dueling with advanced training droids

only. Tysyacha's unique power did not happen to extend to mechanical things.

Under this new method of training, her combat skills improved, albeit slowly.

She was frustrated, Luke felt, and Tysyacha herself breathlessly admitted this

after one particularly grueling practice session with an armed security droid.

 

"Why am I not getting any better, Grand Master?", she gasped, panting.

Sweat poured down her cheeks and forehead, matting her hair to her head.

"I'm supposed to be a Jedi. How come I'm still so pathetic at this sort of thing?"

 

"You're not." Luke shook his head, his eyes kind. "You're just impatient."

 

"This war with Corellia's heating up." Tysyacha's voice remained firm. "I

need to improve. Fast. If I don't, how will I be ready for the Sith if they

show up? Or the Corellians, more likely? They'll tear me apart before I even

have a chance to charge toward them. What good will that do me, or us?"

 

"A hasty attack can prove far less effective than one patiently executed.

Come at me. Right now. I don't think your power's had a chance to fill me."

 

Tysyacha gritted her teeth and charged. She surrendered her full strength,

poured it all into the blade, and didn't notice when Luke caught her off

guard and sent her sprawling head over heels onto a soft training mat.

 

"That wasn't fair," rasped the girl, crying now but trying not to show it.

"You knew I was coming." Instantly, she sprung forward and charged again.

Luke, although startled, expertly dodged the blow aimed straight at his head.

 

"Good! Even though you did not strike me, you've shown your persistence."

 

"Persistence. Pah!" Tysyacha scoffed. "I'm worth nothing if I can't fight.

What's that Master Durron says? 'Combat's not my style?' 'I haven't seen

much of battle?' He's right. Come now, Grand Master. Teach me more."

 

"Don't rush me," replied Luke, humbly raising his hands as a barrier against

Tysyacha's rashness and wounded pride. "There are some techniques

that it takes years to learn, and you wish to know them now? I'm not

going to say you're not ready, but my father's Master regretted how

little time he spent training him. After all, my father was the Chosen One."

 

"I'm not Chosen," Tysyacha said, "but I'm ready to fight. With real sabers."

 

Luke knelt before his Padawan. "See me?" he asked. "I'm begging you

not to do this. On my knees. Let me teach you slowly, and I assure you,

you'll learn faster than you thought you would. Only take your time. Step

by step. It's the only way good Jedi learn to master all that the Force has

to teach them." He took Tysy's hands, both of which were red and trembling.

 

"Uncle Luke." A voice from the door of the Training Room. "I haven't come

to attack you. Rather, I've come to apologize for doing so before, and to

offer my services as a tutor to the girl. I've come back from the Dark Side."

 

"Have you?" asked Luke. "Then, please assist me as I train her further."

 

Jacen turned and left the doorway, but not before he touched Tysyacha's mind.

 

Biystra. I know you know what that means. 'Fast' or 'rapidly.' I can

teach you far more quickly than Uncle Luke can. See me tonight, and

we'll remedy the lack of training you've had in a matter of hours. Yes?

[Torthane]

Good chapter, I could feel Tysyacha's frustration. The only thing I wanted to mention was that Jacen's apology and luke's accepting it were a little abrupt, last time they saw each other they had been locked in mortal combat, I think it would probably take more than Jacen's promise that he had turned back from the darkside to convince Luke, but it is totally up to you. I don't think it detracted from the story, it just felt a tad rushed. That was the only minor compliant I have with this chapter though, top quality stuff as always!

[Diego Varen]

Another good Chapter Tysy. Perhaps Tysy could fall from the path of the light, but I'll find out in the future. Looking foward to more.

[Jason Skywalker]

Everybody deserves a second chance. The way Luke accepted him is suspicious and i'm guessing Jacen is going to show Tysy the "true ways of the dark side".

 

Good chapter!

[Tysyacha]

"Maybe I'm just like my father. Too bold." --Prince, "When Doves Cry"

 

Jacen knew where Tysyacha waited. The Atrium Gardens outside, as usual.

Peaceful, quiet, serene. The perfect place to bring balance to through battle.

 

"Hello." Jacen strode toward her, igniting his lightsaber. "Ready for training?"

 

"Yes." This girl doesn't know what she's in for, the little dvukh. No matter.

She'll soon learn, and then she'll overwhelm my Uncle with her knowledge.

Mace Windu's art may have been buried, but that doesn't mean it can't

be resurrected again. "Go easy on me, though. My skills are limited."

 

"No. You only perceive them to be because others have imposed standards

upon you that aren't suitable. Master Kyp Durron. Has he tested you yet?"

 

Tysyacha shook her head. "No."

 

"I suspected as much. He believes you're unworthy, and if you duel him now,

or even Uncle Luke, Kyp's unfounded prejudices will most unfortunately be

proven right. Do you know the power you have in supporting others? The

power to serve and to strengthen, but not to protect?" The girl nodded.

"Good. This power is best combined with a combat style known as Vaapad.

What I will teach you now, very few Jedi have ever mastered. Mace Windu

was one of them. He lived in the time of Anakin Skywalker, of Palpatine.

 

"Let us concentrate on the first part of the seventh form," he said. "Passion.

Jedi claim that they never draw upon passion in battle or even allow it to flow

through their veins. What do you say about this?"

 

"I think it's unrealistic." Tysyacha found herself surprised at how natural she

found it to open up to Jacen. She certainly had not been this candid with

Luke, out of respect for his teachings. "Never? Passion can be positive,

like love or the desire to serve the galaxy. In rare cases, even righteous

anger." She remembered her first contact with any Force-user, Jedi or

Sith. "Grand Master Luke killed the Zabrak attacking me by the Force."

 

"Indeed." Jacen nodded. "To focus your passion, think of a word. How

do you wish to learn the ways of battle? At what speed do you want to

progress and improve?" This is almost too easy, but she's no fool.

 

"Fast. Rapid. Biystra." She felt her heartbeat quicken in anticipation.

 

Jacen beckoned her forward, sensing the timing of Tysyacha's pulse to

the word. Biystra, biystra, biystra, biystra-- His student attacked.

 

"Excellent! You let pure desire drive you, not some preconceived notion of

proper battle techniques. Dueling is an art form, not a routine you must do

to stay alive. Jedi view it as a necessary evil, but if you learn to embrace

it, as Vaapad teaches, then you will become so much the stronger for it."

 

Jacen taught Tysyacha all he knew, though it was actually precious little,

late into the evening. He marveled at the way her strength complemented

his. Why was she serving under an old Master like Luke? Ben would be his

one apprentice, but Tysyacha, if she turned to the Sith, would do well as a

diversion. A Jedi distraction. Not to be killed, but used until the bitter end.

 

When the young girl returned to the Temple, she sensed Luke in the

Council Chamber. Wide space, ample maneuvering room. I'm going to

teach him what I've learned--in the space of only a few hours, no doubt!

 

Tysyacha stood at the opposite end of the Chamber from her Master.

Proudly, she took one stride forward and ignited her blue Padawan's saber.

 

She closed her eyes. Biystra, biystra, biystra, biystra-- and charged.

[Diego Varen]

Jacen is taking her down the dark path, please don't fall Tysy. Another good Chapter as always Tysy and I'm looking foward to her surprising Luke.

[Torthane]

You deliver wonderfully again! I quite liked this chapter. It was interesting to see Jacen preying on Tysyacha's desire to gain skill and power. And yes, I too don't want her to fall.

[Jason Skywalker]

"Too easy!" - Kyle Katarn.

 

Tysyacha is being fooled too easily, although i find inevitable for her not to fall to the Dark Side.

 

Good chapter as always.

[JediAthos]

Just read the last two offerings, and enjoyed them very much. I am hoping that Tysy will learn some patience and it did seem to me that Jacen's apology was a bit too quickly accepted. Curious indeed

[Torthane]

"Do you feel it? Every sound sharp in your ears, every blur of movement a threat, the smell of malice and the taste of terror in your mouth." -- Peter Branderson, "Drift"

 

 

Tysyacha surged forward without thinking. Luke stood without even a hint of fear in his face and waited patiently for her to close the distance between them.

 

As she ran across the room Tysyacha's determination quickly faded until she stopped short form Luke. Cold drops of sweat slid down her body as her master spoke.

 

“Is this what you want?”

 

Tysyacha stood dumbfounded by his question and she turned away from her master's calm gaze. Why did it chill her bones so? She searched the room for some source of strength, something to cling to, a friendly face. Jacen was leaning against one of the smooth walls with his arms crossed and a slight smile playing at one corner of his tightly drawn lips. There were others around him too, Jedi masters, Padawans, younglings, chroniclers. They lined the walls all around her and she felt as if their apprehensive stares were burning into her flesh. But Jacen, his face gave her strength.

 

She turned back to Luke and the word flew from her dry lips with defiance, “Yes.”

 

“Very well,” Luke could not hide the sadness in his voice. He reached slowly for his saber and ignited it.

 

Tysyacha pushed off the marble floor and with one leap she was in striking distance. Her humming saber swept through the air and slammed crackling into Luke's long green blade. A swift step to the side and her saber formed another vicious arc. She stepped closer and her blows flew lightening fast in beat with her racing pulse. Left, right, thrust, lunge, right, parry, down, lunge. Each swing was followed instantly by the next.

 

Luke was steadily moving back but his eyes were calm as the harsh glow of the clashing lightsabers danced over his face. Tysyacha's blade smashed into his but rather than start another swing she pressed against his lightsaber with all of her strength. Luke pushed back and the tightly locked weapons spat sparks like fountains of fire. Tysyacha's muscles were shaking with strain as Luke slipped one of his hands off his saber hilt. He reached up and squeezed the girl's shoulder with a kind, fatherly smile.

 

She broke from the lock and backed off. Her sweat soaked head was inclined slightly to the side and her eyes ran over Luke in confusion. Is he playing with me?

 

Yes, he is, but it will be his downfall. You have not yet released the passion that I know flows through you. Jacen's voice soothed her, cooled her burning skin like a fragrant sea breeze, but left a invigorating warmth inside her heaving chest. Do you feel that heat inside yourself? Let it flow out, let your passion flow out. Show your master what you have learned.

 

She took a deep breath and dashed forward. Her nimble feet danced across the floor like delicate moths as she lashed out. Left, right, down, parry, thrust, left, down. Faster and faster until even her pounding heart was left behind. So fierce and swift was the flurry of blows that Luke was forced back to the wall. Tysyacha was sure that she had all but won and yet Luke never failed to deflect her rapid attacks. Every muscle in her body was screaming in agony, but she dare not stop now; Luke's face was no longer calm and surely a few more swings and she would have him. Just a few more.

 

But she never got the chance. Luke jumped into the air and pushed off the wall behind himself. He soared over Tysyacha's head and crashed to the hard floor with a groan, but was back up just as she spun around. They stood panting across from each other for a moment. The only sound was their heavy breathing and the low hum of their lightsabers.

 

Jacen's voice echoed in Tysyacha's head, harsh and grating. Passion has failed, but anger will not.

 

A red film spread over the young woman's vision and her teeth sliced into her lower lip drawing forth a gush of scarlet. She wanted to kill Luke, kill anyone who stood in her way.

 

Luke switched his lightsaber off and shouted, “Enough!” She charged forward. “Tysyacha! Stop!”

 

She sent a mighty blow towards her master's undefended head. At the last instant Luke drew his weapon and deflected the blow with such force that the saber that would have ended his life was torn from the girl's hands and bounced off the wall harmlessly.

 

His voice was a barely audible whisper as he turned his saber off, “Enough.”

 

Tysyacha dropped to her knees, her anger spent and her body exhausted. “Oh, Master Skywalker, please forgive me....I....” the rest of her plea was drowned by uncontrollable weeping.

 

Luke knelt down and held her trembling body against his in an embrace that assured his forgiveness better than any words ever could.

 

 

 

Jacen slipped out of the room quietly, and walked through the lofty halls of the academy in grim silence. His teeth were clenched together as he strode out of the tall building and into the square outside. He paced around in a circle closing and opening his fists. “Fool, fool!” he whispered through clenched teeth. “Subtlety, damn you! Subtlety!” He slammed his fist against the base of one of the mighty statues that stood sentinel in the square, and shouted up at the sky, “I am such a fool!”

 

He looked around the flagstone paved square. What if someone had seen him, what if one of the Jedi had seen him? Out of the corner of his bloodshot vision he saw the flutter of robes, and saw a young man in Corellian garb hastily ducking into a narrow side street. The force flowed through Jacen's legs and he surged after the man. The Corellian had not gotten far down the alleyway when he was knocked from his feet by a swift blast of the force from Jacen's outstretched hand. The man got up off the ground and reached for a blaster pistol at his belt but was knocked down again. This time he did not rise but lay on his back bleeding and groaning as Jacen walked up to him.

 

“Please, please don't kill me. I'm a citizen of the republic.” The man pleaded weakly.

 

Jacen lifted him by the throat and hissed, “You're a slut-loving Corellian rat, and I will paint this street with your blood before you die.” He hurled the man to the ground and brought his boot down on him again and again until the Corellian's battered body ceased to convulse. Jacen left the dead man's crushed body behind and coldly wiped the spattered blood off his boot.

[JediAthos]

Wow...that was pretty powerful stuff. Jacen's coldness surprised me a little bit, but I guess it shouldn't considering the turn he is taking.

[Tysyacha]

"I was wrong, and I admit it..." --38 Special, "Second Chance"

 

The crowd stood shell-shocked, confused. They had just seen one of the

greatest duels that their Grand Master had ever fought. So why did the

Younglings, Padawans, Masters, Chroniclers and even cleaning crew feel

that there had been no victory? Or perhaps so, but a different sort...

 

Even after the fight, Luke carefully hoisted Tysyacha into his arms and

hauled her into the Jedi Temple sickbay. As medical droids checked for

wounds on both of the participants in the melee, she continued to cry.

"I almost killed you, Grand Master. I couldn't help it--the anger, the rage!"

 

Luke whispered, "I know." Then, more loudly, "What were your techniques?"

 

"Jacen Solo taught me something tonight," his Padawan replied, trembling.

"He said that Mace Windu, one of the great Jedi Masters, had perfected

an intense lightsaber form called Vaapad. I told him I wanted to learn..."

 

The word struck Luke like a thousand thunderbolts. "Vaapad?!" This was

beyond the pale. He knew that Jacen was capable of twisting words and

situations to serve to his advantage, but never had Luke imagined that

his own nephew was capable of such methodical malice and manipulation.

 

"Listen to me, now. Practicing that form is as close as you can come to

using the Dark Side without falling prey to it. Mace Windu was a Master.

He had fully learned to channel the passion within him to serve justice.

It took him years--no, decades--to create Vaapad from the basic Juyo

form. He had to make sure that at no time was he succumbing to darkness

while believing he still served the Light. If inexperienced, Mace would have

become corrupted, and Vaapad would have mastered him, not vice versa."

 

Tysyacha shuddered. "How close did I come to that?" Her mouth was parched.

 

"A hair's breadth away." Luke felt like his heart was close to breaking. "If

I hadn't stopped you the way I did, you would have struck me down, and

the Dark Side would have conquered you." He embraced Tysyacha again.

 

"How can I keep this from happening?" she asked. "What should I do?"

 

"Humility comes before honor," Luke told her gently, as a father would tell

his son or a brother would tell his sister. "Renew your pledge to follow Jedi

ways, and I will continue to train you. However, your lessons will not be

quick ones, nor your progress fast. Sometimes the fast way leads to ruin."

 

"As I've learned," said Tysyacha, her voice pleading. "Ya seychas khochu

uchit' tikha, tikha... "I now want to learn, to take it slowly, slowly!"

 

"Good." Luke smiled. "Someday you may be a fine Vaapad practitioner, but

first you must progress through all of the six lightsaber forms before it.

Combat should not be your focus for these next few weeks. Learn to

submit to the Force and see how your actions affect all things, and then

we shall continue our training with the droids. But know this," said the

great Jedi Master. "I shall not forget this duel, nor what I've learned."

 

"What have you learned?" Tysyacha grew afraid. "That I'm impatient?"

 

"No." Luke's eyes were serious. "That you're proud but also penitent. Such

a combination is priceless in a Padawan, and I forgive you a thousand times."

 

Tysyacha crumpled onto a cot in the medbay as her Master touched her mind

gently. Sleep now. Forget the guilt of this duel, and remember the lesson.

[Diego Varen]

Two good Chapters Torthane and Tysy. I'm looking foward to more. The way you both write together is great.

[JediAthos]

Yay! The padawan came to her senses...at least for now I really like the philosophy of Luke's lesson for Tysy though I am a bit surprised the Luke wouldn't have recognized the style she was using for her attack. I was under the impression Luke had done a great deal of research about the ancient Jedi.

 

At any rate...I'm certainly not going to nitpick you on that You have a great story going!

[Jason Skywalker]

Ah, two good chapters. Jacen's coldness was really surprising, and Luke is as forgiving as always. That may cost him something...

 

Good job Torty and Tysy.

 

When's the next sketch coming in?

[Torthane]

Ah, two good chapters. Jacen's coldness was really surprising, and Luke is as forgiving as always. That may cost him something...

 

Good job Torty and Tysy.

 

When's the next sketch coming in?

 

It will likely be a good while before the next sketch. The most difficult part is getting a reference image to work from.

[Tysyacha]

"What you decide is what will bide." --Stephen King, "Hearts in Atlantis"

 

It was to be the day of Tysyacha's formal apology to her Grand Master, Luke

Skywalker, and the Jedi Order as a whole for her unwarranted, aggressive duel.

She had dressed herself in white, as was her intuitive desire, for she wanted

to be cleansed and free of all the guilt that wracked her even though Luke

had told her to forget it. "How in space could I forget almost killing him?"

Tysyacha thought. "One more second and I would have struck him dead.

For shame!" She said this to herself as she coursed toward the Temple

from a meditative walk in one of the more distant Gardens of the complex.

 

Subtly, a presence made itself known in her mind. Jacen Solo's voice

came to her not as a threatening marauder, but as a reasoning friend.

 

Wait, pleaded Knight Solo and all his perpetually-unknown intentions.

I can save you from indignity. You don't have to go through with this.

 

I almost murdered your Uncle, and my Master, in a fit of blind rage,

countered Tysyacha in her own mind. I owe him far more than apologies!

 

He's already forgiven you. Come see me. I can help clarify everything.

 

"Hello," said the Padawan coolly to Solo, now clothed in humble civilian garb

instead of his usual black Galactic Alliance Guard uniform. "Chto vy khotite?"

 

"What do I want?" asked Jacen, taken aback by this rather obvious question.

"I want to show you that this is unneccessary--this whole apology business.

Come sit with me on this bench, and I'll tell you the truth that everyone hides."

 

"What's that?" Skeptical but intrigued, Tysyacha sat down. It seemed strange

to her that she'd first talked with Luke on a bench in the midst of the crowd...

 

"You don't need to kneel down and humiliate yourself before the Jedi Order.

Luke's already taken you back. What more would you gain from bowing to

Kyp Durron and Rosh Penin, whom you have not wronged? Or Corran Horn?

That's not what I wanted to tell you, however. The Jedi are not the saints

they claim to be. Even Rosh Penin and my Uncle, Luke Skywalker, have

fallen to the Dark Side before. They won't tell you this, but they have.

How dare they judge you, when they seem to have forgotten so quickly!"

 

"Master doesn't pretend to be without flaws," countered Tysyacha. "He is

humble and wise, and I hope to follow his example by apologizing today."

 

"Others are humble and wise," said Jacen. "Like Lumiya, my friend and

protector, who called herself Dark Lady of the Sith before she died. Did

you know that she sacrificed herself for me? Lumiya could have destroyed

me to regain her own strength, but she didn't. She died so that one day

I might take her place as Dark Lord." He smiled. "I know. The Sith are dark."

 

"Indeed," sneered Tysyacha, getting annoyed and angry. "Lumiya probably

only died so that she could get out of the trap she would face dueling you.

She probably took the easy way out so that she wouldn't have to die when

you turned on her. That's what Sith do--usurp and betray. I don't believe you."

 

"Of course you don't," replied Jacen, his voice trembling a bit. "However, I

think you're mistaken. Lumiya said she died for my sake, and I detected no

resentment, malice, or deception in her voice. I know the Force well, and

if she had any intentions of lying to me, I did not sense them at all.

 

"Do you wish to know why the Jedi think the Sith are evil? Sith like Palpatine

certainly were, because they cared nothing about sacrifice or serving the

galaxy. All they cared about was increasing their power, and so they lost it.

Sith are said to be selfish, but Lumiya and I wish to show the galaxy the truth.

The only reason I agreed to follow my Master's teachings was that if I did not,

Luke Skywalker would die. I time-walked through the Force and saw it in the

future." Jacen looked at Tysyacha and saw pure horror in her eyes. Good.

 

"So you joined the Sith to save Luke's life?" Jacen nodded, and the girl bit

her lip. It's true, my young dvukh. See if I'm lying. Test me. Ask me why...

 

"Why did you sacrifice yourself to the Dark Side for my Master if he would be

horrified that you've done it? Why am I so confused now? It's almost time for

me to go to the Temple for my formal apology. I'm sorry, Jacen, but--why? Why

must I turn to the Sith if I'm to learn the true ways of the Force and peace?"

 

"I'll go to the Temple with you," reassured Jacen, "disguised as a mere

civilian, an interested citizen, who can be a witness to a formal apology

such as this one. I'll strengthen you as you tell Uncle Luke you're sorry

for what you've done, but you no longer wish to abase yourself as a Jedi."

 

"Huh?" For some reason, Tysyacha felt her face grow hot. "What is this?"

 

"Don't worry. The only humility the Sith require is that between servant

and Master. The Sith present the real and lasting way off of the treadmill

of wrongdoing and repentance. With the Sith, you will eventually do no

wrong! All of your mistakes will disappear in the naked way of the Dark Side.

You will no longer be weak, or untrained, or unsure of yourself. You will no

longer be tempted, and the archaic 'sin' will be a word of the past. Mark

my words. Renounce the Jedi, and your Master, and become Sith. Become

ours. Let go of your attachment to yourself and to the 'goodness' you want."

 

Tysyacha shivered and broke into a run. Before the Temple, she stopped cold.

 

"This will be your final turning point, young one--for now and forever."

 

Brushing back her cloak, the girl, a wave of peace washing over her, entered...

[Diego Varen]

Don't listen to Jacen Tysy! Good Chapter and I could feel the dark side rising there, leaving the Chapter ending with tension. I wonder if Tysy will still apologise to Luke. I'm looking foward to more.