The hum of the lightsaber is the only sound in the empty hall. It penetrates the dark, engulfing silence that holds everything in its grip. The figure in black robes strides down the middle of the room, illuminated by the red glow from its weapon. There is purpose and determination in its every step. As the figure walks, it holds its saber at right angles from its body, poised for attack, or defense.
"I know you are here, boy." The voice is harsh, cracked, like one who has seen too much, and lived too long. "You cannot hide forever. But please do so, by all means. It will make killing you far more enjoyable."
Silence…
Then, without warning, there is a hum, a flash of green, and a cry. Out of the shadows, another figure drops, garbed in brown robes, although the difference is hardly noticeable in the gloom. The red saber spins, twirls, and meets a green blade head on.
The green lightsaber's wielder is short. Very short. But it handles its weapon with such grace and poise, that it might as well be a giant. It stands, its blade locked with the black robed figure, with all the confidence in the world. With a controlled, imposing stance.
"Give up now, and I won't make your death too painful." Says the taller. It spins suddenly, and sweeps its lightsaber at the little figure. Who is suddenly simply not there. Gone, melted into the shadows.
"Coward!" shrieks the opponent. It throws back its hood, to reveal a man's face. But not a man's face that is recognizable. Although clearly male, the skin is pale as snow, the eyes blood red. He has no ears, only holes, red and crusted with dried blood. "Come out and face me, boy! Or are you just a pathetic, whimpering lowlife, like all your kind, who cowers before Darth Oino? Well? Answer me!"
The last sentence is screamed to the blackness, a challenge to the night. And out of the darkness, the all encompassing gloom comes a single word.
"Boy?"
And all of Oino's assumptions about the age of his opponent are stripped away, because the voice is layered with age, with weariness. And as the echoes die away, there shines suddenly in the darkness, a bright green lightsaber blade.
"So you have finally gained a backbone." Says the man, but the words are not so confident now, as he realizes that he is not facing a child, but a being far beyond his years.
With a hideous roar, Oino charges at the green light, bringing his lightsaber round in a sweeping, two-handed arc. But much to the his surprise, he is beaten back, the green saber humming and twirling in a series of complicated moves that nearly baffle the taller man. He parries, thrusts and lunges, but he cannot break through the unseen opponent's guard. Finally, in a complex rotating movement, the Darth finds his lightsaber flying out of his hand, and himself being hurled against a wall by an unknown force.
Pinned there by invisible restraints, he cries out in anger, holds out a hand, and summons his blade. But as the handle flies through the air, green light swishes, and the sophisticated weapon drops to the floor in pieces. Oino is released, and drops to the floor in a heap. The small figure, who so easily overpowered the black one, finally comes into the light, and removes its hood.
"Much to learn, you still have." Says Jedi Master, Yoda.
What do you think? Is Yoda's line too much of a cliché? Please review to let me know! If this is liked, then more should follow.