Academy Wars: Episode III "A Quest For Freedom" Official Battle Thread Sequal

[Guest Jed]

*desires to be included somehow*

 

[whitedragon]

Originally posted by Jedi220

*desires to be included somehow*

 

ill try and fit you in somehow

[Reb Starblazer]

The sound of footsteps and voices echoed through the hallway as Obi-Wan13 and Kylaa made their way towards the small room where Reb was waiting for her.

 

“I like the new look Obes. That younger, more reckless version of yourself.” Kylaa said to Obi-Wan13 in jest. “I especially love the braid.” She said, reaching out and twirled his padawan braid around in her fingers.

 

Obi-Wan13 caught her hand, looked at her and smiled. “Quiet you.” He said jokingly. “You took a great chance coming here Kylaa, you know that right? We’re in the middle of a war, any and all ships in this area run a risk of coming under fire. The Sith are spreading and growing more powerful all the time, while the people of the galaxy are turning against us.” Obi-Wan13 said.

 

“Then where better to be than in the very heart of the Jedi fleet? This is most likely the safest place in the galaxy at this point in time Obes, so I would probably take a greater chance if I didn’t come here. You’ve seen the reports, the riots, and the attacks on Jedi. And even more so, I had to come here Obes, it’s time he knew. This isn’t just something you call and tell someone over the Holonet.” Kylaa said.

 

“You’re quite right about that. I’ve kept this from him for his own good for too long now. Either you tell him… or I will.” Obi-wan stated firmly. Having reached their destination Kylaa moved over slightly and gave Obi-wan a small peck on the cheek.

 

“I have every intention of telling him Obes. He deserves to know… he NEEDS to know.” Kylaa said and Obi-wan nodded slightly, and then turned and made his way back down the hall.

 

“Good Luck.” Obi-wan said quietly, but just loud enough for Kylaa to hear him. He chuckled to himself on his way down the hall, as in his experience; there was no such thing as luck. Kylaa stood motionless facing the door for a few moments, which seemed like an eternity. She breathed out, and stepped through the opening door.

 

Inside Kylaa could see a figure in a dark robe, turned back on to her. Though she could not see the face, she knew who it was. “Hello Reb.” She said quietly, slightly smiling.

 

“Hello Kylaa.” The figure said, not moving, not turning to face her. “It’s dangerous here, you know that right? Coming here without telling anyone, giving no warning, no time to arrange an escort. And worst of all, arriving unexpected and on such short notice gave me very little time…” Reb said as he turned around, the dark hood of the robe obscuring his face. “… To pick these.” He finished, and held out to the Kylaa a half dozen light blue flowers, native to Thedonias. “They’re so beautiful, yet they must be incredibly resilient in order to survive and flourish in such harsh conditions. They almost remind me of someone I know…”

 

A wide smile spread across Kylaa’s face as she accepted the flowers, and then inhaled their scent. “Now I remember one of the reasons I fell for you. You, Reb Starblazer, are a charmer.” With her free hand, she reached towards the hood of Reb’s robe, but he gently grabbed her by the wrist, and shook his head.

 

“I’m… not quite the same as the last time you saw me Kylaa. I’ve… I’ve changed.”

 

“Oh, is that so. Are you still Trebor Starblazer? A Sith who decided to follow his own path and fight for the Jedi? Is there still a good, decent man hidden somewhere inside that black robe?” The hood nodded slightly, seemingly answering all the questions at once. “Then you’re the man I once fell in love with, no matter what else has changed about you.” She said slowly pulling the hood down unhindered this time. Kylaa drew in a slight breath, and Reb turned away from her.

 

“You’re growing a beard!” she said referring to the thick stubble on his face, and then slapped him lightly on the shoulder. Reb once again turned to face her, and gave her his best attempt at a smile.

 

“It’s good to see you haven’t lost your sense of humour. Besides what you see, my right leg is now gone as well, replaced with a mechanical one just like my eye was. But this doesn’t bother you at all, the scar, the eye?”

 

“You have dozens of scars already Reb, one more won’t make a difference. And you have kind eyes, you always have and you always will. No matter what colour they are.” Kylaa said. “ A scar here or there doesn’t matter to me, and I wouldn’t care if half your body were mechanical. Although, I’d prefer certain parts to be still organic, intact, and working of course.” She said with a smirk and a wink, and Reb did his best to go unaffected by that last statment. “I need to head back to my ship Reb, will you come with me.” Reb nodded in silent agreement, and Kylaa then turned and headed towards the door, with Reb walking after her.

 

After peering out the windows and walking quietly through the hallways for a few minutes, Kylaa spoke up and said, “ I find it so strange being here, because to me the Academy will always be on Oriden. But I suppose that’s in the past now. Do you think they’ll ever reclaim it? Do you think this war will ever end?”

 

“I honestly don’t know Kylaa. It’s something I’ve thought about a lot in the past six months, but I’m unsure of my role in the coming conflict as well now.”

 

“Because you’ve lost your Force abilities right?” Kylaa said rather nonchalantly, and Reb nodded slightly.

 

“How long have you known? I knew that you would find it strange that you couldn’t sense my presence, but wasn’t sure if you would know why.”

 

“Obi-wan told me when I arrived, which explained it all. I can normally find you anywhere, but this time it’s as if you weren’t even there. It was just emptiness. It’s because of what happened six months ago isn’t it? When you… died.” She struggled to finish her last sentence.

 

“Yes. My punishment I’m sure, to be returned to life powerless and have to face my conscience everyday. But it is no less than I deserve after all I’ve done. But it’s not fair Kylaa. After all the horrible things I’ve done, after all the people I’ve killed, I get to live and they don’t…” Reb lowered his head as he spoke.

 

“The Force works in mysterious ways Reb.” Kylaa said, doing her best Obi-wan13 impersonation. “Perhaps it’s not a punishment, as you believe, maybe you’ve been given a second chance. Another chance to do right, to help end this war.”

 

“No, I’ve had enough of this war. After killing over a million people on the Flesh Render, I swore that I would never kill anyone ever again unless I truly had to. I will not fight this war Kylaa.”

 

“Then what now?” Kylaa asked, and then they both realized that they had reached the door to the hangar where Kylaa’s ship was.

 

“Well for one thing, you should leave. The Academy could come under attack at any moment and I’d prefer that you not be here if it does. I have a few things to work out with Obi-wan and the others first, so I’ll meet you in orbit around Angmar. Wait for me there, I shouldn’t be more than a few days.” Reb said as they stepped through the doors into the hangar. “I just need to know that you’re safe, otherwise I won’t be able to concentrate on anything else. From there we’ll decide on somewhere to go, somewhere safe. Credits are no object.” Reb finished as they made their way towards Kylaa’s small ship, an old 720 freighter.

 

“Oh really? And just how did you manage that Starblazer?” Kylaa asked with a smile.

 

“Before I set up the explosives to destroy the Flesh Render, I made a stop at a computer terminal. Being a high-ranking member of the Empire, I not only had a small personal fortune of my own, but I also had access to certain other funds. I transferred my personal credits and also set it up so that a few credits would be taken from each of these accounts, and transferred to another account, one in your name Kylaa.” Reb said with something resembling an evil grin crossing his face.

 

“Just how much did you transfer Reb…”

 

~ Meanwhile at the Sith Academy ~

 

------------------------------------------------------

A figure entered the private chambers of the Dark Emperor, visibly shaking. He had a report to make to the Emperor, and knew that he wouldn’t like it.

 

“Sir, we’ve just come across something strange in the accounts. It seems that a worm was set into motion some time ago, one that would take a few credits from certain accounts and transfer them somewhere else. The worm was set on a six month time period, and it just ended today. We never knew something was wrong up until today when all the credits were transferred out. It was very well hidden Emperor. We have however traced it back to its origin, and it appears to have been started on the Flesh Render before it’s destruction.”

 

The Emperor sat in quiet contemplation, reaching out for the Force. Starblazer. It could only be that wretched Starblazer. It was one more final act of defiance from him.

 

“How much has been taken?” The Emperor asked coldly, his eyes piercing through the officer in front of him.

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

“TWO MILLION CREDITS!” Kylaa exclaimed.

 

“Call it my Sith severance package.” Reb said with the slightest hint of a grin on his face.

 

“Are you smirking?” Kylaa asked, as a smile spread across her face.

 

Reb’s face once again took that serious look, his mouth a straight line, and he spoke in that cold emotionless tone of his. “I don’t smirk.” He stated flatly. “But if I did, now would probably be a good time to do so.” He finished in a somewhat more playful tone. Kylaa could have sworn she saw him wink. “We have more credits than we’ll ever need Kylaa. We could find some place on a planet near the outer rim, somewhere safe and quiet, away from this war and away from the Empire. We’ll go somewhere that they’ll never find us, just you and I.”

 

Kylaa realized now was the time she told him the secret. About why she hadn’t helped the Jedi during the war, why she hadn’t even contacted Reb in the two and a half years that had passed since he left for the Academy. It was time he learned about the new love of her life, no matter how much it might shock or affect him.

 

“Reb, there’s something I have to tell you.” She said as she took both his hands into her own. “There’s someone else in my life now, and he’s very important to me. I wanted you to meet him but I didn’t think he, or I for that matter, were ready up until now. ” Kylaa said as she released his hands and walked up the ramp into her ship.

 

Reb stood waiting at the bottom of the ramp very confused at the moment. He heard her approach, and lifted his head to meet her eyes. She seemed to be holding something in her arms, something that seemed to be moving a bit in her arms. As Kylaa walked slowly down the ramp, Reb could make out details better, a head, arms and legs, a body.

 

As Kylaa got closer, Reb could see two small nubs on the back of it’s head, the beginnings of the long Lekku that would once be there. Kylaa stopped at the bottom of the ramp, a metre away from Reb. She shifted the small being in her arms, so that Reb could now see him face to face. The confusion turned to shock, turned to happiness, turned to a thousand different emotions all bombarding him at once as the realization truly came to him. Reb looked into the small eyes that were staring at him, the same shade of green as his, and on the tiny forehead he saw five small, blue horns, a mirror of his own.

 

“This is Alex.” Kylaa said, as she moved a little closer to Reb to let him get a better view of the child in her arms. As Reb reached out and took the tiny blue hand into his own, a wide smile spread across his face. ‘His wonderful but seldom seen smile, one he probably hadn’t shown in years’, Kylaa thought to herself as she just stared at the loving look on Reb’s face.

 

“Alexander Trebor Starblazer” she said almost proudly, a smile spreading across her face as she looked Reb in the eyes and then quietly finished…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“… Your son…”

[Darth Slayne]

Hmmm......*scratches head*...been a LONG time...*Grumble*

 

Attempting to resurect thread..................

 

............adding missing parts.................

 

 

Parts added: Enjoy

 

 

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“It is with the deepest regret that I am forced to agree with the senator from Duro.” The Corellian senator stated with a hint of sadness. “How long can we just sit here and allow the Jedi to continue manipulating us like this?”

Throughout the senate chamber on Coruscant, delegates from across the galaxy hummed with anger and more than a little confusion. Things had gotten out of hand and now four planets had been stripped of all life. He still could not bring himself to believe that the Jedi had done nothing to save them. Yet the cold hard facts stared him in the face every day since. The hawkish looking Corellian was almost willing to believe that the evidence against the Jedi was certainly manufactured by the Sith. But could he be so sure? What if it really was the truth? How could he just stand by and let countless innocent beings suffer? If the New Republic did that, then they would be no better than the Jedi. He let out a long breath to calm his nerves before committing himself.

“For thousands of years the Jedi have treated the republic as puppets, helping us only when it suited their own agendas. Keepers of the peace they call themselves. And yet they sat idly by while billions of people died!”

“That is not true!” The Naboo senator interrupted. “They were under imperial blockade at the time and could do nothing to assist.”

“That battle was staged by the Jedi to fool us into believing they were helpless!” The Ithorian delegate yelled.

The Naboo senator looked like he was ready to snap. “There is no proof of that being the case! You are all fools! Can you not see..”

“Order!” Came the yell from the centre podium.

When finally the chamber was reasonably silent, the Corellian continued. “And what of the recent reports concerning Jedi involvement in the planetary bombings? Evidence that points to the attacking fleets as belonging to the Jedi Academy. We lost a lot of good agents uncovering that shameful fact. Are we to just disregard the evidence provided by our own intelligence network?”

Not even the Naboo Senator had a response to that one, he thought with growing satisfaction. Now was as good a time as any to make his point. “I propose that the New Republic break all ties with the Jedi Academy. Furthermore, we should prepare the Republic fleet to defend against future Jedi treachery. The Corellian shipyards even now stand by to…”

But the Corellian’s words were cut off as a flash of green light flew from out of the crowd to sever him in two, before returning to the hand of a man dressed in Jedi robes. At that moment the snap-hiss of lightsabers reverberated throughout the council chamber prompting shocked silence from all in attendance. Among the senators and their aides was the signature green, blue, yellow and violet glows that could only have come from the classical weapons of the Jedi Order. Weapons that were being used to hold the chambers populace prisoner. In the midst of the enormous room stood a lone figure wielding a white glowing blade. When all eyes finally rested on him, the figure stepped forward an pulled back the brown hood of his robes before addressing the gathered politicians.

“I am Tidus Darklighter, and I am here to claim Coruscant to be under the sole rulership of the Jedi Order.”

 

* * * *

 

Even as the green lightsaber flashed out to murder the Corellian senator, Admiral Corrick gave the order to make an in-system jump to Coruscant. Furiously he turned the Holonet projector off, before issuing the most foul curses known to the Corellian language. Damn it! The senator was right. He knew the Jedi would pull some sort of stunt! Now he knew why the senator was so insistent that he have a portion of the Republic fleet hold station just outside the Coruscant system.

Within minutes the city covered planet materialised in view as the hyperspace “tunnel” vanished, and what Corrick saw made his blood freeze; there, in orbit around Coruscant was a fleet of Calamari cruisers, and in their very midst was one of the very ships suspected of destroying one of the four planets.

“By the Force!” He cursed. “The Jedi mean to destroy Coruscant!”

“Sir!” An officer yelled out to him. “We have a wave of X-Wing and B-Wing fighters converging on our position!”

“Well don’t just stand there! Launch everything we have!” The admiral then activated the fleet communications system. “All capital ships engage that asteroid launcher! We cannot afford to let it open fire!”

The battle turned savage within seconds as Calamari cruiser engaged Calamari cruiser and X-Wings fought against X-Wings. Corrick found himself in the middle of what was fast looking like a civil war, and even as his ship closed within firing range of the asteroid launcher he could clearly make out the symbol of the Jedi Academy painted onto its massive hull. At least they aren’t hiding the fact any more, he found himself thinking.

 

* * * *

 

Captain Darsha of the Asteroid Launcher Bombardier could not believe his misfortune when the Republic fleet showed up out of nowhere. But he took it all in stride. His fleet outnumbered the incoming warships, and he was confidant that he would be able to defeat them. Everything was set in motion and all he need do now was to pull up a seat and enjoy the show. One by one, the Republic ships blossomed out of existence until there were only two capital ships remaining. They stood no chance even though his own losses were heavy.

And then more ships came out of hyperspace. He didn’t need an expert in ship specifications to tell him that a fleet of Star Destroyers had joined the fray. What in space are they doing here? He wondered angrily. This was not part of the plan, and they stood a great chance of destroying everything the Emperor was working hard to accomplish. Besides, he was more than capable of protecting the Bombardier with what ships he had.

“What are they playing at?” He questioned aloud to himself.

And then he was flung out of his command chair as the Bombardier bucked under heavy turbo laser impacts.

“Sir!” A frightened crewman screamed. “The Star Destroyers are firing on us!”

“What the…?” Was all Darsha could blurt out before another series of impacts tore into the side of his ship…

 

* * * *

 

Admiral Corrick was almost relieved to see the imperial ships arrive and open up on the Jedi blockade. It took no time at all for the Bombardier to be reduced to so much molten slag. The tide of battle had turned for the worst for the Jedi, and now it was their ships that were systematically being destroyed.

“I think its time we got out of here.” Corrick stated to the helm station crew. “Set a course for Corellia and make the jump to hyperspace.”

“Gladly, Sir.”

 

* * * *

 

Far, far from Coruscant, Darth Slayne sat at the Stygian Wraith’s controls and watched the reports as they came in. An icy smile spread across his pale features. All had gone well. Though the loss of the Bombardier was a little extreme, it would serve to bolster galactic opinion against the Jedi. He as well as the Emperor had foreseen that the Republic fleet would intervene, and it was for this eventuality that Slayne had ordered the imperial fleet to stand-by until the Republic made an appearance. Now the Empire looked like the saviours of the Galaxy, while the Jedi lost even more standing. Yes, things were definitely falling into place, and Slayne would finally see the Jedi exterminated once and for all.

“My lord.” A feminine voice behind him interrupted his musing.

“What is it, Miekah?” Slayne asked the green Twi’lek woman with mild annoyance.

“One of your espionage droids is transmitting from Thedonias.” She smirked, not caring that her master was not one to anger lightly. “I think you might find this interesting.”

Slayne regarded the transmission coldly before recognising one of the tiny holographic figures standing in what appeared to be a hangar.

“Well, well!” The Sith Lord literally dripped sarcasm. “My old friend returns from the dead!”

As he watched, a tiny blue figure of a Twi’lek female walked down a ships ramp to stand in front of the object of Slayne’s hatred.

“This is Alex.” The female said softly. “Alexander Trebor Starblazer.”

There was a brief pause, and again the female spoke.

“….Your son.”

Darth Slayne, ancient lord of the Sith was most intrigued.

“Lord Malice.” He hissed quietly between gritted teeth. “You will be made to suffer terribly before the end. Your days have been catalogued and numbered. You are but a dead man walking….”

[obi]

Hmm..so it continues, the great accounts of our order.....I'll tell it the best I remember it....(notice the change to 1st person)

 

_________________________

 

It was late in the evening when I finally was able to meditate again. I had went to my private chambers for some rest, and some contemplation on what was going on exactly in this war. The propaganda machine that was the Sith's went too far, and there had to be a way to stop it. This was what I was thinking on when I had a vision, a terrible vision......

 

It was an old man, in old black robes, in a chair. He was looking out of a window at the nearby stars. His wrinkly face was strived with sadness and grief, probably as a result of a lifetime of evil deeds. Thats when I recognized him, the emporer himself! He appeared to be thinking of something when the door behind him slid open to let some light into the room. The Emporer knew who it was, as well as I.

 

"What is it, apprentice Slayne?" The Emporer asked.

 

"I've received some news, my lord." Slayne said.

 

"What news?" The emporer asked.

 

"There has been an important change of leadership." Slayne replied.

 

"Oh, where? What region? What organization?"

 

"Here." Slayne said, taking out one of his lightsabers and immidiately slashed off the head of the emporer. Slayne smiled, and removed the corpse from the chair, as he sat in it with an evil grin.

 

I quickly came out of this vision in a cold sweat.

 

I must inform the others to these new events! I thought, as I rushed out of my chambers...

[Darth Slayne]

“I want that clone destroyed Lord Slayne.”

“Yes my master.” The Sith Lord said before the tiny image of the Dark Emperor vanished with a swirl of static interference. He then proceeded to punch the systems coordinates into the nav-computer with a growing sense of unease. Coruscant rightfully belonged to the Sith, and yet his master had recalled the fleet; effectively placing the planet back into republic hands. It left the galactic seat of government open to the risk of Jedi intervention. And sooner or later they would intervene. His master was also giving up a major source of power, and that was what disturbed Slayne the most.

Then there was the matter of the two traitors; Malice and Talliusc. Why hadn’t his master taken real steps to make an example of them? Slayne himself was more than willing to look into this disturbing case, and indeed he was looking into it. He was so close on Malice’s vapour trail that he could almost smell him. Then the Dark Lord of the Sith had called him off, and for what? To dispose of the Darklighter clone they had used on Coruscant as well as the numerous Sith apprentices that were masquerading as Jedi. It was a waste of potential Dark Jedi and it was a waste of his talents.

And why was the military pressure on Thedonias slowing down. The imperial fleet was more than capable of crushing the Jedi, and they still had three more asteroid launchers. Tactically speaking, the Jedi didn’t stand a chance. His master must to know this. So why hadn’t he acted?

For the first time Slayne wondered if his masters control was as absolute as he had been led to believe. It was a thought that shook him to the core. What if the Dark Emperor’s resolve was weakening? Could he be leading the Sith into yet another catastrophic collapse?

Darth Slayne shook with violent anger at his own treasonous thoughts. Who was he to question the Masters authority? He was just a Sith assassin that was content to follow a masters orders. It was the way he had always been for the last two thousand years. He had never entertained the idea that he would assume rulership. It was not his style; until now. But no. He had to resist such temptations of power. In time the Emperor would make his plans clear to all. Slayne grasped onto that feeble justification and tried not to dwell on what he knew to be the truth; he was beginning to crave absolute power.

The force was pushing him inexorably now toward a destiny he could not be certain of. And Slayne did not like uncertainties. With annoyance he reached forward and took hold of his ships controls. “Time will tell.” He muttered before pulling back on the hyperspace lever.

The dark and angular Stygian Wraith plunged forward on a straight course for Coruscant, and perhaps on a course toward destiny…

 

* * * *

 

Tidus Darklighter kept the hood of his robes low over his head as he moved silently through the shadowy alleyways of lower Coruscant city. He could not afford to be recognised by anyone; not since the Sith had somehow discredited him so completely in public. Things were falling apart quickly and Darth Slayne was somehow behind it. He could feel it in his bones.

For weeks the Imperial fleet in orbit had prevented him from safely leaving the planets surface, and he was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to be able to leave. Not that he would have if he could. There was too much going on here and he felt it was his duty to try and get to the bottom of it. The revelation that there was a “Darklighter impostor” just made the situation a personal one. Then the fleet had mysteriously left over three standard days ago and he had no idea why. It did make him breath easier though.

Tidus came to an abrupt halt and melted into the shadows to allow a group of late night revellers to pass before moving on. He could easily sense that they had not spotted him but he double checked just to be sure. When he was satisfied that the coast was clear, the young Jedi moved silently from alley to alley. The safe house where he was to meet Obi-Wan was nearby but something was nagging at him. A growing sense of unease that started not long after the fleet abandoned Coruscant. Something was terribly wrong but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Reaching out with the force, Tidus determined that this disturbance in the force was not emanating from the safe house. It was somewhere else. He broadened his awareness but after a long while still couldn’t locate it. Just as he was about to withdraw he felt the disturbance suddenly spike. Someone had just died terribly. His feelings told him it was a Dark Jedi that had just expired. This should have made him feel glad, but it didn’t. Something just didn’t add up. Perhaps with Obi-Wan’s help they could uncover this mystery as well…

 

* * * *

 

“Such a waste.” Darth Slayne sighed as he watched the lifeless Darklighter clone crumple at his feet. He deactivated his sabers and regarded the corpse with disappointment. There was still a lot that could have been achieved by keeping this clone in use. But the Emperor didn’t want it to fall into Jedi hands. Not that they would have gleaned much information from the impostor; its sole purpose was to make a show of itself in full public view.

So Slayne had done what was required of him. He had quietly slaughtered every last one of the Sith apprentices here on Coruscant. He had unwaveringly followed the Dark Emperor’s will. So why didn’t he feel at all satisfied? He felt no remorse for the Sithlings he had murdered; he merely felt it was a wonton waste of precious recourses. Nothing more. And yet he felt discontent. Was this perhaps how the traitorous Darth Malice felt before the destruction of the FleshRender? No. His own feelings were vastly different and he knew it. Malice was a traitor and he was…he was what? Slayne tried to shake the thoughts from his mind but could not. He had done what he was ordered to do, and that made him loyal…didn’t it?

Slayne crouched to plant a device that would reduce everything in the area to its basic atomic components, before setting the timer for ten minutes. It would give just him enough time leave the vicinity before the device permanently removed any incriminating evidence. It was what he was ordered to do. And Slayne always followed orders.

The Sith Lord slipped out of the gloomy apartment with a high degree of stealth, gaining as much distance as he could before the low budget apartment building lit up the Coruscant night with its fiery destruction. He cared nothing for the innocent civilians that were killed in the blast; he only cared that he had pleased his Emperor…

 

* * * *

 

“Your vision is disturbing my friend.” Tidus agreed with a little scepticism. “But can you even be sure that it will come to pass?”

Obi-Wan glared at his long time friend. “You know as well as I that such visions shouldn’t be ignored lightly.”

Tidus couldn’t argue that point. “Would Divine’s downfall be all THAT bad? It is what we have been trying to achieve since this war started. And Slayne isn’t exactly one of the highest ranking members of the Sith Academy.”

Obi-Wan mulled this over in his mind as the pair walked along one of lower Coruscant’s deserted streets. Both he and Darklighter had determined that they would again pump Sar for information. Assuming he even had any.

“True enough.” Obi-Wan answered. “But something tells me that there is more to Slayne than meets the eye. I had a brief insight into his mind when he was our prisoner on Thedonias, and the amount of hatred he has is staggering.”

“Don’t all Sith have that trait?” Tidus broke in.

“No, this is different.” The Jedi Master turned to face his younger friend. “Tidus. You could live harbouring hate your entire life twice over and still fall far short of the amount of hatred in that one.”

Surely his friend was mistaken. But then when had Obi-Wan ever been wrong with such matters?

“Then there was something Reb told me before I came looking for you.” Obi added almost as an afterthought. There was a long silence before he continued. “While Reb was serving with the Sith he noticed that Slayne seemed to display a mastery with the lightsaber that no mere apprentice could possibly have learned in so short a time. Reb seems to think that he’s hiding a deeper understanding of the force than he lets on. And from my own encounter with Slayne I would agree. Its almost as if…”

Darklighter suddenly froze where he was and gripped Obi-Wan’s arm in warning. “Did you feel that?

“Yeah.” Obi said as he reached out with the force. “We’re not alone.”

From out of the shadows ahead of them emerged a pair of angry red lightsaber blades. Seconds later a tall black robed figure stepped forward. It was a sight that would have paralysed most men with fear. But Obi-Wan and Darklighter were not ordinary men. They were Jedi.

“Why Slayne,” Obi-Wan quipped, “we were just talking about you.”

Slayne’s response was to twirl both blades with a menacing hum before assuming a ready posture. One energy blade was held back and over his head, pointing directly at the two Jedi, while its twin was held perpendicular to its mate on the horizontal plane.

The two Jedi ignited their own sabers in return, one blue, the other white. Darklighter slowly moved to the Sith Lords right while Obi moved to the left.

“Life is just full of surprises!” Slayne sneered. “First Malice returns from the dead and now you.” He said, giving Obi-Wan a cold look. “Though I must admit that I didn’t recognize you at first. You’re not as old as I remember you to be. Perhaps you’ll prove more of a challenge this way.”

“I am more than you can handle Slayne. Even before I died.”

“We shall see.” The Sith Lord hissed even as he moved to attack.

Darklighter was impressed with how fast Slayne could rain down a barrage of attacks while simultaneously countering their own combined assault. He wondered if perhaps there really was more to this Sith than met the eye. Tidus saw an opening and lunged with his blade. Slayne’s deceptive vulnerability was so subtle that Darklighter didn’t even see the trap until he nearly lost his arm. The ploy forced him to be more wary.

Obi-Wan pushed forward with a flurry of blows, causing tiny sparks to fly out into the dark shadows that surrounded them. He was watching the Sith’s technique carefully but couldn’t recognize it. It made it so much harder to anticipate the direction his routine would be moving in next. And it only confirmed that Slayne was far more experienced in the art of saber-play than was previously assumed. He was indeed a dangerous opponent, he only hoped that Tidus came to the same conclusion.

Slayne was no fool. Already they were pushing him toward a landing that plunged into the darkness below the level they were on. He knew that if he didn’t even the odds quickly the two Jedi might very well overwhelm him. And they were good with their blades. Damn good. But he was better. The Sith Lord’s red blade locked with Obi’s blue and even as he struggled to overpower the Jedi, he lashed out at Darklighter with an immense pulse of force energy.

The resulting shockwave literally slammed into Tidus and sent him flying toward the perilous drop into the streets below. He hit the durasteel platform hard enough to knock the wind out of him, but that was the least of his concerns. The shear momentum of the blast caused him to roll upon impact and straight over the edge…

Seeing his friend tumble off the platform only made Obi-Wan’s resolve even stronger. He had no time to ponder whether Tidus was alive or dead. He only had time to defend against the murderous series of blows that were intent on cutting him down. Now it was he who was being forced backward. The rapid saber impacts in the dark was almost blinding, but he didn’t need his eyes; he had the force. Obi-Wan parried an overhead attack and kicked out at his opponent, catching Slayne hard enough into the upper chest to send him stumbling back several steps.

The Sith Lord recovered quick enough to resume a ready stance. “You’re better than I though.” Slayne stated with a twinge of contempt. “But you’ll soon learn that I am the more powerful.” A mere gesture of his hand brought an above catwalk crashing down to toward Jedi before him.

“You won’t get me with that old trick Sithling!” Obi said, even as he used the force to hold the wreckage just inches above his head. He held his saber at the ready with his free hand.

“That may be, my foolish friend.” Slayne gloated with a sinister smile. “But are you strong enough to prevent this?”

A sudden burst of red energy shot from the Sith Lords hand and too late Obi-Wan realised his dilemma. Before he could act, the red energy tendrils enveloped him and sucked the very force right out of him. The ruined catwalk came down with a mighty crash and Obi-Wan knew no more.

After sensing no life within the wreckage Slayne moved toward the ledge and saw that Darklighter had landed heavily upon a bridge not far below…

 

* * * *

 

Tidus ached all over as he regained his footing and looked up toward the landing from which he had fallen. It was too high even for a Jedi leap to reach. Hell, he was amazed he had even survived the fall. He could sense Darth Slayne’s presence somewhere above but not his friend. And that troubled him greatly. He didn’t know if he could take Obi-Wan’s loss a second time. Yet with each passing moment the terrible truth became more and more apparent.

Anger raged in him. He knew he should hold it in check but he could not. No, would not. Far too many friends had died in this conflict and yet more were yet to die. It was almost more than he could bear. Even in his anger he was able to feel Slayne getting closer.

A slight hiss alerted him the opening of a door that granted access to the bridge he was standing on. Tidus didn’t need the force to tell him who it was. It was Slayne. And it was past time this Sith was dead. He turned toward the door and blasted at his opponent with lightning.

But the deadly bolts of energy merely shorted out on the Sith Lord’s lightsabers. Darklighter ignited his own saber and regarded Slayne with contempt. “You will pay dearly Sithspawn!”

“No, weakling.” Slayne literally oozed malice. “It is you who will die this day. It is the destiny I have foreseen.”

Tidus didn’t want to listen to this twisted man. He wanted to set things back to rights, and he would start with Slayne. He charged forward to do murderous battle with the man who had just killed his friend. So furious was his battery of attacks the Slayne was forced on the defensive. Anger drove the young Jedi into a vicious frenzy that would stop only when his enemy was dead. There was a brief but small explosion and he saw the remnants of one of Slayne’s sabers fly over the edge of the bridge. Then suddenly a booted foot caught him jaw and knocked hi backwards.

“My, but the dark side is bursting out of you!” Slayne taunted even as he tried to catch his breath. “But not even that can save you now. You’ve seen this day coming, I know you have! Think back and you will know that it is the truth.”

A sudden peace fell over Darklighter then. How could he have allowed the dark side of the force dominate him like this? He raised his brilliant white saber and embraced the light side once more. “No Slayne. I won’t turn into the wretched creature that you are. I am a Jedi Knight. Your lies mean nothing to me.”

He advanced once again on the Sith Lord. Only this time the odds were even; Slayne only had the one saber now. An instant later sparks flew as red and white death danced and darted in an effort to gain the upper hand. For the two combatants the world around them did not exist, there was only each other. And there was only the Force.

And then there was the unthinkable. Tidus had moved to parry a blow that was meant to remove his head. He could not have foreseen nor defended himself at that moment against the possibility that his rival had a backup saber. A saber that even now came in low and dealt a mortal wound.

Darklighter stared into the red-yellow eyes of the man who had just killed him. He never could have imagined the shear pain he felt now, as the crimson red saber burned deep within his chest. And that was exactly as the vision had showed him back on Thedonias. It was exactly the thing Slayne had tried to tell him.

Then there was the pain caused by the energy blades withdrawal. Tidus groaned just once before he sank to the metal floor. He looked up and watched the Sith Lord raise both blades to finish him off. But it was too late…

Darklighter sank into darkness even as Slayne readied himself to remove his opponents head. This one would not be returning from the dead.

Once more the bridge door opened to reveal none other than a battered and bruised Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master was so quick that Slayne was caught off momentarily guard. But it was more than enough time for Obi to drive him back with a savage attack.

Out of nowhere a single blaster bolt tore into Slayne’s back giving Obi-Wan just enough time to remove the Sith’s right arm. He then followed through with a cut that sent his opponents head tumbling along the metal bridges deck plating.

The headless Darth Slayne stiffened for a brief moment, then hit the decking with a dull thud.

Obi-Wan looked up to see the tiny form among the rooftops and knew it was Yom. Who else would so brazenly wear Mandalorian battle armour in full public view? Then the tired and worn Jedi master dropped to his knees and carefully lifted Tidus’ limp form onto his lap. He checked the dead man’s pulse only out of habit…

…And found that there was a pulse! Weak, yes. But there none the less. He grabbed at his comlink and switched to a certain frequency. “Yom! Get a transport fast! We have to Tidus to a bacta tank NOW!”

“I’m on it, Obes.” Yom’s voice crackled through the tiny speaker.

For a while Obi-Wan regarded the ruined body that was once Darth Slayne. He should have been glad of his demise, but he wasn’t. Somehow he knew he had not seen the last of this mysterious Lord of the Sith. He didn’t know how or why, he just knew…

 

* * * *

 

Far below them in the darkest extremes of Coruscant, the Stygian Wraith’s engines powered up and the ship left the ground. Her long angular lines smoothly pointed skywards as her scrambling device automatically kicked in. Then with a loud boom, the black star ship blasted its way into the cold of space. Her automated systems plotted a lonely course for home before she slipped unnoticed into hyperspace…

[Darklighter]

There was nothing. He could feel nothing. Nothing except a universe around him, blank, empty with black space. A place devoid of all feeling, all memory, there was nothing, a hole in space and time. He had no recollection of where he was, what he had been through, how he got here, or even what was to come; only a strange feeling of peace and tranquillity formed from this emptiness. It hadn’t seemed long until something started to change about him. A brightening hue of white light began to emerge far off into the distance, glowing dimly at first, but soon becoming brilliant, illuminating the pitch-black space around him.

 

At that moment, Darklighter became aware of himself. Standing in a wide-open space, facing forward directly into the origin of the bright light. Nothing else was visible. Not until a faint outline of a figure began to approach him from where the light was emanating. Slowly, the creature glided away from the light, and as it did, its features became more visible. At first, Tidus was scared, but he did not know why. Staring into the figures direction, he squinted to try and make out who it was. Though as it came closer and closer, he started to realise, without even looking. He could feel the presence inside of him, enveloping his heart, his mind and his soul with a warm, uplifting rush. He sighed heavily before opening his eyes, and the figure had slowed down, as he saw her face appear from out of the light. At length, he spoke, his voice slow and calm.

 

“I thought I’d never see you again…” said Tidus, giving a faint smile, still staring wonderingly at the woman before him. Taliara was dressed in all white, her face pale, her long blonde hair over her shoulders. She was so beautiful. He spoke again, reluctantly, fearing but at the same time longing for the answer “Am I dead?”

 

“Far from it, Tidus.” Her voice was a song, a whisper of light and warmth, soothing. He had not heard it in so long, as Tidus began to move closer towards her. “You are not meant to stay here for long. You are not meant to die, not yet. Your part in this war is not over. You know what you must do; help those in need, fight together with the Jedi, your friends. You must go on.” She still spoke softly to him, and smiled gently. Though Tidus could not hold back his emotions, his feelings, as he walked up to her and held his hand out, as if reaching for hers.

 

“Not without you…” his lip quivered, as he felt his heart sink to the bottom of his soul. He knew he would have to leave her, again, to go back to his world and to fight once again. For that moment, he was willing to give up everything for her, but knew he could not. He looked longingly into her eyes, as a single tear began to drift down onto his cheek. She smiled back at him, and spoke again.

 

“Do not grieve, my love. In time, we will be reunited. But until then, my spirit will always be with you. You have a gift, Tidus, and you must use it. Use it to save those who need you, who need you more than I. I love you, I always will.”

 

Suddenly, a surge of energy began to move through him, weakly at first, but gradually getting stronger. He reached out to Taliara, but she moved away, still smiling sweetly at him. His eyes began to well up, tears streaming.

 

“No!” he cried in a moment of heartfelt agony, as her final words, I love you, echoed through the illuminated space. “Come back…please…I love you…please…no!” He cried out again, his voice harsh and wavering, as his love passed back into the light. He broke down crying, as the space began to brighten. Slowly, he seemed to slip out of the unreality of this dream world, as he started to feel the sensations of life again. His heart beating, the blood through his veins, the cold touch of physical objects. The feeling of agony remained in his heart, pounding, making him feel disorientated, miserable and wretched, like he had lost everything. Again. Familiar voices rang through his ears…

“Get me another bacta tank!”… “Quickly, we’re losing him!”… “Check his vital stats!”… “We’re losing him!”…

 

It was instant. Tidus’ eyes opened wide, as the intense lights all around him blinded his vision. He couldn’t help himself. He immediately jumped from where he was laying, crying out, tears still streaming from his red eyes, as he leapt clear of the bed dizzily and turned half-dazed to face those behind him. Medical droids and personnel stepped back as Tidus staggered forward, stunned and bewildered by the lights surrounding him. This was the first time he felt the wound in his chest, and memories of his previous encounter with Darth Slayne came flooding back to him. He fell onto one knee and clutched the wound, groaning in pain, and tried to calm his breathing, though he was still delirious from shock. A recognizable cloaked figure rushed into the room, taken aback by the state Darklighter was in. Slowly he approached Tidus, leaning down by him and speaking reassuringly.

 

“It’s okay…” Obi-wan spoke calmly. “Everything will be okay, my friend.” Tidus’ eyes opened and shut, and he would have fallen flat on his face if his former master had not been there to catch him. “Try and rest. You’re in shock. You’ll only heal with time and rest.” Obi-wan lifted the injured Darklighter to his feet, setting him down once more on the medical bed. As soon as his head fell back, and with a long exhale, he was motionless. Obi-wan read his vital stats…he was fine. Soundly asleep.

 

--------------------------------

 

Obi-wan walked along the narrow corridor of the small Academy transport ship, as the murmur of the shuttle’s engine hummed loudly, and the ship mildly shook to and fro. He arrived at the entrance to the medical quarters…Darklighter, his good friend, lying in ruins on the bed, with droids consistently working to heal his wounded chest, as he lay still, eyes shut. Obi-wan gave a distressed look at his former padawan, followed by a low sigh. It had been hours since Tidus’ dramatically leapt from his quiet rest, before he had passed out. Later, Obi-wan proceeded down the corridor to the cockpit. As he arrived, the automatic door flicked to one side, and he stepped in, greeted by one kind-faced Zabrak.

“How’s our boy holding up?” Darth Groovy said, sitting at the controls and steering the small vessel through empty space, without a planet in sight. Obi-wan took a while to respond, but when he did, he nodded reassuringly.

 

“He’ll be ok…” was his reply. “He’s lucky to be alive. Very lucky, I’ve never seen a Jedi survive an attack like that before.” Obi-wan was shocked, amazed, but so glad Tidus had not suffered a worse fate. “It was lucky you all arrived, or Slayne would have finished him off…if that really was Slayne…”

 

After Obi-wan had defeated the Sith on Coruscant, Yom had called Groovy on the comlink to rendezvous with them. Trying to escape from the system was a dangerous mission, but they could not risk hanging round on the planet’s surface, waiting for more of Divine’s Sith to bump into them. However, after picking up Obi-wan, the injured Tidus and Yom, the Academy vessel had been identified by the Sith’s detection systems (all over the planet, they were still secretly maintaining control, looking out for any disturbances), and half a dozen fighter vessels had chased them down beyond the planet’s atmosphere. They managed to escape, but barely; the hull had been damaged, and the right engine was failing. They needed to get back to Thedonias, but the galaxy was crawling with imperial ships.

 

“We’ll have to be careful” Groovy commented, glancing up at the navigator above his head. “With this detour, it’s gonna take a lot longer to get back to the Academy.” Groovy’s brow lowered. “What is Divine playing at? Why the hell would he go through so much trouble again to frame the Jedi? And then retreating from Corruscant…” He slammed his fist into the metal beside him. “Who the hell does he think he is?” Obi-wan shook his head.

 

“He’s making all the moves right now. Him and Slayne. I don’t know what the mystery behind Slayne is…even after I destroyed him, I can still feel his presence in the force. We need to find out what they plan to do. It’s about time the Jedi made a move, don’tcha think?”

 

“Hell yeah…I don’t carry this double-bladed saber for nothing!” Both men chuckled slightly, as a voice came over the intercom.

 

“Master Obi-wan…I need to speak with you Sir.” Jed’s voice echoed through the speaker. Without pause, he rose from his seat and Obi-wan marched down the walkway to meet Jed at the door to the infirmary.

 

“He’s fine, Master…” Jed said, with a tone of nervousness and uncertainty before continuing, “…well, he’s more than fine. His wound has nearly fully healed, and it’s been less than a day! I can’t explain it. It’s a miracle he survived, let alone recovering in just a few hours. He hasn’t spoken a word since he woke up. Please go in and see him.”

 

“Thank you.” Obi-wan replied, manoeuvring around Jed and walking into the medical room. Darklighter was standing alone, looking out through the glass as the ship slowly glided along. At length, Obi-wan approached him and spoke.

 

“Tidus…how do you feel?” He gave no answer. Obi-wan searched for something to say to fill the silence. “Has something happened?” An obvious question, with a not so obvious answer.

 

“They say…” he began, pausing for a long time, “…it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.” Right then, Obi-wan knew of what and who he spoke. He let him continue after another silence. “How is that true, Master? How can you lose everything, and be expected to go on? How can you go on, being constantly reminded, tormented, tortured, by the thoughts of the things you want, you need…but cannot have?” He slowly turned his head from the glass. His tears still ran from his bloodshot eyes, his long black hair nearly dangling down to his shoulders. He looked a mess. Obi-wan searched for a consoling thought to say to him.

 

“It is what life is.” He began. “But life is not the end. Those we love are never lost, they always remain with us.” He did not expect Tidus to be comforted by his words.

“Heh…I’ve heard this from you before.” Darklighter looked at him sorely. “In the end, we’re all alone…once we’ve lost everything, what is life worth living for?…”

 

“To try and find some good out there, Tidus Darklighter…” he replied abruptly, severe and serious, “…some good that’s worth fighting for. I’m sorry my friend…but as much as you hate to deny your destiny, you are here for a reason…can you not see that?” His question demanded an answer, though none was given. Tidus only turned his eyes away to face the wall at his side. “We are here for you, Tidus, even if you cannot realise that there are still people out there who care for you, who want you to fight alongside them. I understand what you’ve gone through…I understand the pain you’ve felt in your life, and I’ve been there every step of the way. We need you, old friend…will you not fight with us?” He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to either. Obi-wan knew Tidus would not leave them. Despite all the tragedies the young Jedi Master had faced in his life, his loyalty remained with the Jedi, the Academy; his friends. Obi-wan turned to leave the infirmary. As he was stepping out, Tidus spoke.

 

“Thank you.” Darklighter smiled faintly, as Obi-wan turned his head to face him.

“Get some rest. You look like death.” With that, they both quietly chuckled, and Obi-wan left the room. Tidus thought about everything that was happening…indeed, what Taliara had said was true. His part in the war was not over. He knew he had to stick by those who cared for him, those who had been there for him all his life at the Academy. Darklighter smiled again, and turned to face out of the side window, watching the stars swiftly flow by. In the corridor, Obi-wan leant on the sidewall and laugh quietly to himself.

 

“That boy is too emotional for his own good…” he whispered, and continued into his quarters.

 

--------------------------------

 

Sorry if this entry doesn't advance the story much...I got a bit lost in the character development ^^; lol. I'll make a better one soon if no one else is willing to. Keep up the good work guys

[obi]

I walked to the kitchen after I spoke to Tidus. It was a rather small kitchen, but that's too be expected on one of these transports. I was hungry, very hungry. I hadn't had food for almost a day and a half. I went to the chef's counter, but I remember leaving him behind, telling him it was too dangerous.

 

Instead of a fresh, hot, delicious steak, I would have to settle for something more...artificial. I walked to the food synthesizer to place my order.

 

I pressed the communications button and spoke the words "Correlian ale andan order of Sealian ribs." Darn it, it had been a long time since I had some of those ribs....

 

Instead of what I orderd, however, I got a plate of potato peels and a glass of water. "What the...?" I thought to myself, as I took the plate and glass and removed them so I could try again.

 

I pressed the com button and spoke again; Correlian ale and an order of Sealian ribs. This time, a plate of vegetables cameout, with a cup of tea. This sparked my attention.

 

I got down on my back, and removed the panel that protected the computer circuitry. I looked at the wires, and a few of them had been chewed. "Great, now we have rodents aboard."

 

I put the panel back on the wall and stood. I turned, to find a very large Female Ric-nack. For those who do not know what these are, they are like Rats, with sharp teeth, a single pointed horn, and stand about four feet tall. When there was a female, there was usually a male. And children. Hopefully, they left the extended family back elsewhere....

 

In the middle of a very bloody and nasty war with evil and powerful sith, I had to fight these beasts as well? The thought sickened me.

 

The Ric-nack began to growl at me and stare at me with those evil red eyes. It charged for me, and I ignited my light blue lightsaber, decapitating it. Soon, I heard footsteps and more growling. I was faced with an entire heard of these creatures.

 

Perfect.

 

I used the force to push a few of them back, while I force-choked another. Another tried to attack with it's horn from my left, and I quickly lobbed at it with my blade. Another charged, and another whip of my blade took him down. Then there were 3 of them left. They all charged at me at the same time, and I thought on my feet and held out my arm, as bursts of lightning shot from my fingertips and put them out of their misery. I felt a small amount of pain, and looked at my leg. One of those little rats had managed to stab my leg with one of their horns. In the excitement of battle, I must have failed to realise this.

 

I walked to the com panel, and pressed the button.

 

"Obi to Darth Groovy." I said. Groovy answered back.

 

"What is it, Obes?"

 

"We have some clean up to do...get the janitorial droids and bring them down here. We had an infestation of critters....and it looks like I'll be spending more time with Tidus in Sick Bay. If you need me, I'll be there." I said, as I limped to the infirmary to heal my wound.

 

_______

 

Heh, this isn't very important, but I thought it would be rather ironic to have a war hero almost get killed by rats.

[whitedragon]

wow people have actually been posting sence ive been gone its a mirical ive got alot of reading to do when i get home. dose anyone have the origional storys. ide like to print them out and well...itll give me something to read in the bathroom

[Darth Talliusc]

wow has it ever been a long time since ive dropped in here.

 

i miss the days when this thing was the talk of the swamp. but alas it seems very few of the old crowd i came to know is still here.

 

i feel confident however, that with the approach of ep3 this thing will be picked up again by the originals (too bad thats a year or so off). i plan on dropping by more often to see you crazy people, maybe ill even get in touch with some of the authors and figure out how/where i can add in a new piece.

 

to all you crazy forum goers: good luck at all your endeavours and may you always find happiness (unless its at my expense). you deserve it.

[whitedragon]

forget it guys the story has been dead for sooooooo long that its beyond rejuvination