2: Trouble on Tython.

Arielle never got much sleep that night. Any moment of peace she'd found was interrupted by visions of the things she'd read almost as if she were there herself. The gem as described in the story constantly appeared before her eyes and just barely out of reach. Each grasp she'd make for it was rewarded with hollow laughter, the Emperor's voice echoing through the caverns as he taunted her. The prince who'd once stood at the center slowly transformed into Lord Scourge before the lava swallowed him whole and though Arielle tried to help him, something held her down.

At this point she'd suddenly awoken from her sleep only to realize that the obstruction which held her down was actually Lord Scourge's arm draped over her and she sighed quietly. A quick glance at the chrono on her nightstand revealed it was already late in the morning and she took Lord Scourge's hand before gently moving his arm aside and slipping out of bed. She drowsily stumbled across the room snatching her robes from a chair along the way before sneaking out and heading for the kitchen area on her ship where most of her crew was already waiting.

"Good morning beautiful" Doc flashed her a grin and raised his cup of caf to her "Just brewed us a fresh one if you want, got the pot right here."

She managed a small groan in acknowledgement of his words and sat herself down at the dining table before resting her head down against her arms.

"Someone had a rough night" Kira chirped all too cheerfully and gently rubbed Arielle's back "Scourge again?"

Doc half choked on his caf and looked at the two women "A rough night and Scourge should never be in the same sentence, please tell me that's not what you meant?"

"I doubt that would be any of our business if it was." Sergeant Rusk pointed out before turning his attention back to the news updates he was browsing through on his datapad.

Arielle reached for one of the empty mugs and the pot of caf before pouring one out for herself and sitting back "It's fine but you know I don't engage in such things Doc. We simply talked for far too long and my dreams disturbed the rest of the night."

"Do nightmares of the Emperor still plague you? I could get you a refill on the relaxants I gave you a while back." Doc offered remembering the troubled nights she'd experienced shortly after their battle against Vitiate.

She shook her head "That's not it. I simply got too wrapped up in one of my books right before going to sleep."

It was a half truth and all they needed to know for now. She hadn't discussed her intentions for finding a cure with anyone other than Lord Scourge himself and didn't feel like doing so until she had a more concrete plan. The story she'd read made for a good start but she needed to know more first.

"I'd like to visit the Temple." she decided in the hopes perhaps the knowledge the Jedi held there might provide her with answers.

"Alright" Kira got up and grabbed her cup and empty plate "I'll go set course for Tython. I'd actually like to see Master Kiwiiks again."

Arielle nodded and got up as well before retreating to her room where Lord Scourge was already slowly waking up.

"You'd best get up and ready-we're headed for Tython."

He groaned and rolled onto his back "Blow it off and come back to bed. You barely slept and you were tossing and turning all night."

"I'm sorry did I keep you awake? Poor Scourge, if only you had your own bed to sleep in." she commented sarcastically while digging through her closet for a clean set of clothing.

"I didn't mind, sleep is another luxury I can easily do without for quite a few nights." he noted casually and watched her fuss around "My stamina knows no bounds."

Arielle rolled her eyes and pulled her backpack out from under her bed before tossing it into his lap a tad more aggressively than she normally would have "I'm getting in the refresher and I expect you gone by the time I get back."

"Wouldn't you rather I stay and give you a hand?" he smirked and slowly rose up to his feet.

She ignored his comment entirely and disappeared into the refresher. He had a serious knack for getting under her skin and his insinuations bothered her far more than she cared to admit. Doc had quite a hand in constant flirty and suggestive comments too but she could take it from him and not think twice about it yet when Lord Scourge did it his words would elicit a response from every nerve in her body.

The moment they arrived on Tython, Arielle had hurried off to the library while Kira sought out Master Bela Kiwiiks. Sergeant Rusk remained on the Defender while Doc and Teeseven went to visit the nearby Twi'lek settlement. They'd made some friends there during a previous visit and Doc had tended to several ill refugees that he now wished to check up on.

Lord Scourge dug his hands deep into his pockets as he wandered around the courtyard outside the Jedi temple. The trio of padawans that passed him by instantly ceased their giggling and chatter at the sight of the Pureblood and instead hurried along while exchanging hushed whispers. He scoffed at their reaction and kicked a small rock on the pathway aside.

In the past he would have enjoyed the sense of fear that settled within those around him whenever he was near but nowadays it bothered him. It was only further emphasis of the fact he didn't belong anywhere anymore. The Republic, though they'd awarded him a medal, despised him still. The Jedi condoned his presence but kept him under close watch whenever he set foot on their hallowed grounds. The Empire had placed a bounty on his head not only for his betrayal but for the murder on their Emperor.

"There's no shame in redemption-the Light will offer peace and mend your soul."

He scoffed again as he recalled the words Grand Master Satele had spoken to him last they met. Who was she to presume his sense of shame, to pretend she understood the suffering he'd endured for hundreds of years? His soul and body were fine, his heart still beat in his chest and it was merely the rest of him that had gone missing.

Lord Scourge turned the corner and for a moment his train of thought was interrupted by the cries of a child nearby. He looked up ahead to see a group of Flesh Raiders surround two younglings, the drool slobbering down their ugly faces at the sight of their prey.

"Mmm interesting.."

He leapt forward and scooped both younglings up under his arm while with his other hand he'd drawn his sword and held it out to keep the raiders at bay. They hissed and snarled at the Sith as they closed in on him from all angles, their own weapons at the ready.

Seeing little means to get the children to safety first, Lord Scourge tightened his grip on them and dug his heels deep into the gravel path beneath his feet. One of the raiders charged at him from behind, a ferocious growl escaping its hideous mouth and Lord Scourge spun around in time to impale the attacker with his blade. Then the rest of the pack charged at him.

Lord Scourge channeled his rage and roared in anger, he'd been thirsting for a good fight and vigorously swung his sword around as the blade sliced through one Flesh Raider after the other. A set of teeth pierced his shoulder when one of the raiders latched onto him and he reached back to grab the piece of filth by the throat. He hurled the raider back into the nearest tree before driving the sharp end of his sword into another. One of the last raiders left standing took one look at his defeated allies and scurried off, too slowly though as Lord Scourge aimed his weapon and threw it, instantly decapitating the coward.

When all was said and done he looked around at the pile of bodies he'd amassed. His boots were drenched in blood and the rest of his armor was covered in splatters. It wasn't until he put the younglings back down on their feet that he noticed they too had been showered in the blood of their assailants but only one of them seemed bothered by it. The little blonde boy stood back and wailed loudly while his friend, a little brown haired girl instead lunged forward and clung onto Lord Scourge's leg refusing to let go.

"By the stars.. what happened here?" a Togruta woman that Lord Scourge had come to know as Bela Kiwiiks gasped as she and several others arrived on the scene.

"Explain yourself Sith!" Kaedan demanded and immediately ignited his lightsaber.

Lord Scourge gave the man a cold stare as he reached down and tried to pry the little girl's arms free of his leg. She didn't like it and continued to latch right back onto him each time.

"The Red Man saved us from the monsters, they were going to eat me and Paulus!" she exclaimed dramatically and looked at the Masters "He's my hero!"

Her blue eyes then fluttered up at Lord Scourge and though her cheeks were still covered in bloody specks, she smiled brightly "I want to be just like you when I get bigger Master."

Bela Kiwiiks rushed over to collect the little boy in her arms and Jaric Kaedan stepped in to pry the girl away from Lord Scourge "That man is no hero Sierra, he's not even Jedi."

Arielle who too had arrived on the scene along with the other Masters and joined by Satele Shan now stepped in "He's the very definition of a hero Kaedan. I don't even wish to imagine what would have happened to these children if Lord Scourge hadn't been here to protect them."

Lord Scourge glanced her way. He hadn't even noticed her presence until she'd spoken up but she looked at him with pride and gave a tender smile.

"To commit such gruesome slaughter in the presence of children is not heroic. It's unspeakable and vile." Jaric Kaedan spat ignorantly as Sierra struggled in his arms, her hands reaching for Lord Scourge over Kaedan's shoulder.

"What's unspeakable is the fact that these two younglings were all the way out here all by themselves with no one to watch over them and rather than scold Lord Scourge, you should focus your efforts on making sure that'll never happen again."

"Master Arielle you are biased and out of line."

"Hardly. I'm showing support for one of my crew because your own prejudice has you chastise him like some criminal. He's not."

"She is right Master Kaedan. These children should have never been able to stray so far from the temple grounds." Satele Shan cut in "Lord Scourge did us a great service by ensuring their safety albeit through unconventional means and he has our gratitude."

Arielle smirked at Master Kaedan who threw her a foul glare and stomped off alongside Bela Kiwiiks to take the children back to the temple.

"Bye Red Man I will never forget you!" Sierra called out and happily waved at Lord Scourge, something that caused Arielle to chuckle quietly.

"I will send some droids to deal with this.." Satele looked around at the collection of bodies and limbs and cleared her throat "mess. And I'd like to see you both in my chambers after you get yourself cleaned up."

They watched as she too took her leave of scene and then Arielle turned to Lord Scourge, her hand reaching out to wipe some blood from his face and tendrils.

"I don't care what the rest of them have to say, you did the right thing. The only thing you could do."

"It makes no difference. In their eyes I'm every bit the monster and filth as these Flesh Raiders."

"Not to all. You've got a new fan in little Sierra and she's not the only one" Arielle's eyes twinkled up at him "Now let's go get you cleaned up, Red Man."