"Rise, Nala Robain, Jedi Knight."
Pride swelled in my chest, I rose from my genuflect, and stood facing the prestigious Jedi Council. My former master, Master Ataru Duran stood behind me. A proud smile on his face.
"You've done well, Child."
"Thank you –" My words were cut off by a massive sound from one of the lower levels of the temple. My hand flew instinctively to my belt, the force bringing my lightsaber to my palm as I ignited the activation switch. A silver bar of plasma hummed to life, the blade giving off a deathly glow around the room. I set to form III, watching and waiting, the sounds of explosion drawing closer to the council chamber. Master Ataru took his own lightsaber from his belt, ignited the blade and stood behind me. The doors flew open, a raven haired woman stood in the doorway, a wicked smile played on her crimson lips.
"Oh, I'm oh so sorry to interrupt." She smirked, her voice an evil hiss. "But I came here to welcome you!"
"To what exactly, Anuba?" I glared at her, my voiced pricked with irritation.
"To my very own Order 66"
Ataru's eyes widened, "You didn't."
"Oh but I did, Duran." Darth Anuba mused, proud of herself.
Dread struck me dead in the chest, "Shayla. . ."
Master Ataru nodded, and I set off running. Shouldering past the Sith, not caring the she was screaming after me.
"You're too late little Jedi! Run all you want, whatever you seek will already be dead!" Anuba almost laughed as she called.
A sickening feeling spread over me as I ran through the temple's hallways, stepping over the mangled bodies of fallen Jedi.
A small voice echoed somewhere in the rubble of a destroyed wall.
"Nala?"
I sighed in relief, "Kailana, come. Hurry."
A pale green Twi'lek emerged from the rubble, dusted herself off, and powered her double bladed lightsaber. The electric green plasma gave off an intense glow, illuminating the entire room. Her lavender eyes glinted in the pale green light.
"Darth Anuba. . . She –"
Kailana cut me off, "I know. And I know where you're going. I'm coming with you."
I simply nodded, rushing down the stairs, almost tripping over another mangled form. I finally stopped in front of a large pair of double doors, they stretched upward, all the way to the high ceilings.
I held my breath as I pushed one open, tears came to my eyes as I gazed around the youngling's chambers. The small bodies strewn across the floor made me choke up, young lives cut too short, the force almost cried in sorrow as my gaze fell on each young form.
Kailana ran up beside me, "Nala are they- Oh force. . ."
I stepped slowly into the room, a sharp pang of sadness tugged at my soul. "Shay. . .? Please be okay. . ." My sights fell on a small shape in one of the corners. "No. . ." I ran to it's side, and rolled the body over, brushing the long blonde hair from it's young face. "Shayla. . . Wake up." I shook her, "Shay! Please!" I blinked hard against the threat of tears. "Shayla!" I hugged her limp body close to me and cried into her hair, cradling her against my chest. Kailana stayed back, he hand held to her mouth in shock. A small whimper echoed from the other side of the room. Could there really be a survivor? I thought to myself, laying Shayla down to investigate. I crossed the room with silent steps, following the source of the sound to a ventilation panel on the wall. Prying it away, I saw a young boy, tears streaming down his face from his dark brown eyes. He flinched away, scrambling backwards as far as the small compartment would allow.
"P-Please don't hurt me!" He cried, he couldn't have been more then eight.
"It's okay, I'm a Jedi. My name's Nala, what's yours?"
"C-Cody" He stuttered, the poor kid was obviously scared out of his mind.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. Are there any other survivors?"
The little boy nodded, "M-My friend Kylar. But these other people came and stole him! So I kept hiding. . ."
"Clever boy. I'm sure this, Kylar is just fine. Let's get you out of here, okay?"
Cody climbed from the vent, and looked up at me. "Where to, Miss?"
"We need to get back to the Jedi Council, I came to collect the body of my sister" that lump came back up into my throat as I spoke, "Do you have a lightsaber?"
He shook his head, "No miss, I'm only seven."
I sighed, and took one from a fallen Jedi, and handed it to him.
"Be careful, don't cut off your own appendages. Easy enough, right?"
"Right!"
"Good boy"
* * *
I was standing outside the Council chambers, Cody and Kailana at my side. Pushing the doors open, I stepped inside. Everything looked normal, everything except, one missing seat. "Master Solace. . ."
Ataru stepped forward, his face grim. His dark gaze fell on Cody, his expression turning from sorrow to hope.
"A survivor" he said with a kind smile. "And who might you be young man?"
Cody gave a slight bow, "Cody Solo, Master Duran."
"A Solo! Look at that. You must be a clever boy."
The young boy allowed himself an embarrassed smile, "Thank you Master!"
Master Ataru stood up from Cody's eye level and addressed the small group of people.
"Who you see here is all that's left of the Jedi as we know it. But have no fear, we will survive. We will go on and continue our duties." His gaze fell on me, "Nala, I know you have just been initiated into Knight Hood. But I think it is best if you take Young Solo, as your Padawan Learner"
I could only manage an overwhelmed nod, "Y-Yes Master Duran"
Cody looked up at me with scared brown eyes. I returned his gaze and gave him a reassuring smile.
"We'll be alright" I took his small hand in mine, "I promise"