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Chapter Two: The caves of Ilum
Master Yoda is once again in the temple gardens as usual he is not alone; his latest padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi is at his side. Yoda has been training Obi-Wan in the ways of the force for little over a year; his progress has astounded most of the order. Over the course of their training Obi-Wan has matured, no longer is he a boy at a constant struggle with his emotions but a young man well on his way to being a great Jedi knight.
Obi-Wan's teachings under his master are difficult but they each have a meaning that help him become better. Obi-Wan like many Jedi has taken to believing in the force in his own way; he believes in the living force, Obi-Wan like many of the order now believes that the force links all things in the universe together, the force effects everything no matter how large or small it is.
The master and padawan are currently ready to leave the temple; both have already gathered any supplies needed for their journey; their destination is the planet of Ilum. Obi-wan has been there before but his last trip was of a personal matter; however, this journey is one of a more dire nature. Hour's ago master Yoda received an emergency distress call; the Jedi temple on Ilum is in danger, and master must deal with the situation.
"Come, hurry we must".
"What do you think we'll find master?" asked Obi-wan as he clipped his lightsaber onto his belt and faced his master.
"Uhm, troubled are your thoughts"
The two are now at the temples hanger; their ship ready and prepared to leave. The ship is a simple republican cruiser: one of the many that the Republic Graciously provides the order.
"I remember the last time I went to Ilum". Through the force Yoda could feel Obi-Wan's frustration.
"Remember I do, no crystal would work for you; journeyed to Tatooine to find a pearl".
Obi-wan thought back to the last time he went to Ilum with his master; they were there to construct his lightsaber but unfortunately none of the crystals in the caves of Ilum would work for Obi-Wan whenever he tried one. Obi-Wan tried using over thirty crystals and only two worked but they were not strong enough to stabilize the blade of his lightsaber; he and master Yoda had to travel to Tatooine in hopes of finding a Krayt Dragon Pearl, the only crystal that master Yoda believed would work for Obi-wan.
After their trip to Ilum they traveled to Tatooine and as Obi-wan remembers it was a very long and harsh trip into the desert of Tatooine. They had run into some of the locals, the Tuskens, but thankfully they easily outsmarted the nomadic sand people and were once again searching for the pearl. Much to Obi-Wan's good fortune they found two pearls. After hours of purifying and shaping one of the pearls Obi-wan was finally able to begin constructing his lightsaber which took four hours to complete.
"Come, come hurry we must".
With that said the two boarded their ship and prepared to face whatever obstacle awaited them of Ilum.
-Break
The trip to Ilum was calm and tranquil; by the time the ship exited hyperspace Yoda and Obi-Wan had come out of their meditation. Obi-wan was the first to come out of his meditation and head towards the front of the ship; he looks at the frozen world of Ilum, waiting for his master.
The pilot's seat is empty and the ship is still on auto pilot, the navigation computers are online and all of the ships systems are still running properly. Obi-Wan sits in the pilot seat and access the communicator; contacting the temple is the first thing that needs to be done.
"This is padawan Obi-wan Kenobi, can anyone read me?"
"Yes" answered a calm voice.
"Who may I ask is speaking?"
"I am Jedi Knight Luminara Unduli. We will be ready and waiting for master Yoda and yourself". Luminara cut off communications; apparently not the most talkative person in the galaxy.
Obi-wan and Yoda's ship landed on Ilum mere feet away from the Jedi temple that housed the crystals that all Jedi used to make there lightsabers. They exited their ship both wearing heavy cloaks to protect themselves from the harsh and cold winds of Ilum.
"It's just as I remember cold and windy" said Obi-wan as he looked around.
"True padawan but much power is on Ilum, very important it is to all Jedi". Yoda began walking towards the temple were their fellow Jedi await to greet them.
Obi-wan recognizes some of the Jedi that are waiting for them; one is Quinlan Vos, a good friend that Obi-wan met when he was very young and the other was A'Sharad Hett: personally Obi-Wan has nothing against A'Sharad but the other boy is not one to trust others easily. Knight Luminara was standing next to Qui-Gon Jinn and the other Jedi is someone Obi-Wan didn't recognize: he is most likely Quinlan or A'Sharad's master.
"Master Yoda" said Qui-Gon as he stepped forward to stand before Yoda.
"Uhm, were are masters Mundi and Kuro?" asked Yoda calmly.
"There inside waiting for you master Yoda" said Qui-Gon as he began to lead the way.
The small group entered the temple; in comparison to the temple on Coruscant the temple of Ilum is very empty. There is barely any life on the planet with the exception of the temple inhabitants; which roughly consist of thirty or so Jedi.
"It is good to see you again Master Yoda" said a calm voice.
Obi-wan was quick in recognizing Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi who is accompanied by a white haired woman that he didn't recognize. Obi-wan remembers Ki-Adi-Mundi well: he is a strict man and in Obi-Wan's eyes that was the most bothersome quality about the man, but the woman is a mystery.
"Master Mundi, Master Kuro good to see" greeted Master Yoda kindly.
"That's wonderful but who's the boy?" asked the woman while looking at Obi-wan.
"This is Obi-wan Kenobi; he is the latest of master Yoda's padawan's" answered yet another new comer.
Obi-wan smiled at the speaker it is Rahm Kota; out of all the masters of the order Rahm Kota is one of the few that is more willing to show a greater level of emotion, in his blunt aggression, it is that simple fact that makes him a very unique Jedi; many masters think that Kota's aggression is a bad thing but Obi-Wan believes it is an integral part of who he is. Kota's aggression also makes him one of the best lightsaber instructors the temple has; he's even taught Obi-Wan a thing or two.
"Hello Master Kota" greeted Obi-Wan.
"Good to see you again boy" greeted Kota, his demeanor gruff and blunt as usual.
"Come much to discuss we have" said Yoda as he began to walk deeper into the Jedi temple of Ilum.
As the group made its way deeper into the temple Obi-Wan took the time to talk to Quinlan while A'Sharad listened in and commented every now and then. Yoda was talking to the woman that they had meet earlier, she unlike most Jedi Obi-Wan has meet is not calm in the force; she was very angry, her presence was very intimidating.
As the group reached its final destination; Obi-Wan gazed at two very large doors, the entrance to the crystal caves. For generations these caves have helped many Jedi find the perfect crystals for their lightsabers; the symbol of the Jedi order.
"The taint of the darkside is near" said Yoda as he leaned on his walking stick.
"That's why we called master Yoda" said Qui-Gon sadly, "Xanatos is trapped in the crystal caves and he has a hostage".
"The path of the Darkside, the way of a coward" said Yoda calmly, "Tell, who is this Hostage?"
Yoda turned to the woman and her anger only seemed to intensify, "It is my fallen padawan, Aurra Sing. When I trained her I pushed her too far and later she was kidnapped; I found her but my padawan didn't want to be found".
"Uhm, how came this situation to pass?" asked Yoda as he turned and looked at Qui-Gon.
"I have been seeking Xanatos, I followed him to Ilum but he blocked his presence from myself and the others and made his way into the temple; he attacked master Mundi and myself while we were in meditation. I thought he was alone but he brought Aurra with him to aid him in his attack. We
managed to surround both of them but Xanatos attacked Aurra and turned her from an accomplice to
hostage" answered Qui-Gon.
"As to keep him from killing the girl out of desperation we backed away and he headed towards the crystal caverns. We sealed off all exits and trapped him there but the boy is resourceful, he will find a way out" said master Mundi.
"Why have you not followed?" questioned Yoda.
"We tried once but the boy is strong in the darkside; he has some how learned to become invisible to us, he nearly cut off master Jinn's head wile we were searching for him" said Luminara.
"Padawan come, alone we will go none will go" said Yoda as he walked towards the two large doors.
"Are you mad, you're taking a padawan to face off against that darksider" said the woman outraged.
"The force it guides me to this decision, we must hurry now, come Obi-Wan". Yoda opened the two gates with the force and walked into the dark cave.
-Break
Obi-Wan and Yoda walk cautiously: the doors have closed and the presence of the darkside is now everywhere. Obi-Wan holds his lightsaber in his hand already activated; it glows an intense green and illuminates the dark cave.
"Master the darkside presence has covered the cave tainted the crystals". The clusters of crystals all around instead of being vibrant blues and green's as they were once are now black and cold. It appears as if all energy was drained from them.
"The way of the darkside, to control and destroy" said Yoda.
A powerful surge in the force washed over the two and in the blink of an eye Yoda had his green lightsaber ignited; it was now clashing with a deep red one that seems to be levitating in mid air, the blade soon moved back and Obi-Wan stands next to his master, ready to defend himself from another attack.
"Ah, Master Yoda; the others must have summoned you. It's just like a group of weaklings to gather another weakling to try to save them" said an angry and disembodied voice.
"Show yourself, I can see past your trickery" said Obi-wan.
Another surge in the darkside and then something began to glow in front of the two; a body came into view as a bright red aura disappeared and makes a tall hooded figure appear. The darkside consumers the man and anything near him; in the force he is only anger and hatred.
"Xanatos, the darkside is strong" said Yoda as he stepped forward.
"When I left you I was the apprentice but now I am the master" said Xanatos brandishing his red lightsaber.
"Hate, anger, grief; that all you master" replied Yoda as he looked at Xanatos.
The young man is surrounded by the darkside of the force; he thinks he controls his anger but in reality it is controlling him. It is bending his mind and twisting his judgment.
"Were is Aurra Sing; we know you have her" said Obi-wan as he glared at Xanatos.
"Look for yourself".
Xanatos stepped aside to reveal a very pale skinned woman leaning on the cavern walls; her skin had spots and smears of blood, there are diamonds imbedded in her skin, and her clothes are singed in some parts. Obi-Wan is shocked at the sight but instead of being slowed down by the shock he calls upon the force and lets it calm him.
'She needs medical care and soon'thought Obi-Wan.
"It's pathetic really" said Xanatos coldly, "She was too easy to control; I blinded her with the promise of getting revenge on her former master An'ya Kuro. She was the last tool that I needed, to kill Qui-Gon".
In a flash Xanatos leapt at both Yoda and Obi-Wan with the force. Yoda blocked Xanatos attacks, they are sloppy and violent something a seasoned master could easily block. Obi-Wan ran towards the woman with his lightsaber in hand, he knows his master is more than enough to deal with someone like Xanatos. As he reached the woman; he uses the force and he feels her life fading, slowly but surely.
Obi-wan knells before the woman and deactivates his lightsaber; he has taken classes at the temple about healing and begins to heal the minor cuts and bruises, she is gaining consciousness but just barely.
"It's okay I'm here to help" said Obi-Wan trying to reassure her
Her eyes are glazed over and her strength is gone, "T-tt-e-ll m-mm-y master I'm sorry" said the woman quietly as she fell into unconscious once again.
Obi-Wan turns from her briefly and what he sees next was something he hadn't expected.
Master Yoda had dodged one of Xanatos strikes yet again but the Dark Jedi had done something that Obi-Wan had never seen before. Lightning sprung from Xanatos hand and struck Yoda on his shoulder; the elderly master was pushed back by the surprise attack and he fell on the floor, his lightsaber rolled out of his hand.
"MASTER" yelled Obi-Wan.
His master on the floor lifelessly and all he could here was Xanatos laughing. Obi-Wan looked at the man and all he could feel is his hate boiling inside of him.
"A pity but know you must die as well boy". Xanatos merely smiled at Obi-Wan and Aurra Sing's prone form. His eyes a deep yellow and his smile a menacing smirk.
"YOU"LL PAY" yelled Obi-Wan as he leapt at Xanatos.
With his lightsaber Obi-Wan attacked wildly the power and speed of his attacks pushing his enemy back; Xanatos is amazed at the rage that is pouring from Obi-wan. Obi-wan swings his lightsaber at Xanatos who can barely block the flurry of saber strikes. Out of desperation Xanatos force pushes Obi-Wan and raises his hands: a stream of lightning flows towards Obi-Wan.
Calling on the force Obi-Wan raised both his hands up and stopped the lightning with his bare hands. While Obi-Wan was distracted Xanatos jumped over him and slashed him across the back; if Xanatos had been more focused in stead of afraid he could have killed Obi-Wan but he was merely grazed.
Obi-Wan fell forward on one knee in pain and anger; he quickly turned around and moved forward towards Xanatos, the Dark Jedi and Obi-Wan were going to clash once again. Obi-Wan could feel the pain but he was only driven by the sight of master Yoda lying motionlessly on the floor.
"You have so much anger boy; join me, and I can teach you to be so much better than you are now". Xanatos eyes glowed yellow with fear, he was stalling for time.
"NEVER". Obi-Wan called on the force to speed up his charge.
"A shame".
Xanatos deactivated his lightsaber and sent another wave of lightning towards Obi-Wan. Obi-wan is a feet in front of Xanatos as the wave of lightning rushes towards him; Obi-Wan dropped his lightsaber in order to block the lethal lightning. The two are caught in a struggle for dominance; Xanatos using the maximum power of the darkside to fuel his attack while Obi-wan uses the force to hold back the darkside warrior.
"You will fall boy". Xanatos strengthened his attack and began to push Obi-Wan back; the power of Xanatos attack is becoming too much.
Obi-Wan looks at his master and spotted his masters lightsaber. In one swift motion Obi-Wan side steeped the attack, he feel a blast of heat pass by him as he did but he ignored the scorching heat; he pulled his masters lightsaber towards him with the force. Time slowed down for Obi-Wan as he activated his master's shorter lightsaber and in one quick motion he threw it Xanatos; cutting off the darksiders left arm.
Xanatos fell to the ground clutching his now amputated limb.
While Xanatos screams in agony Obi-Wan calls upon the force and focuses it around his body, he can feel nothing but the force swirling around him; intensifying his senses and making him all life on the planet. Obi-Wan focused his power forced pushed Xanatos into a cavern wall; the fallen Jedi hit the cavern wall with a snap, his body broken and bleeding. Obi-Wan found his lightsaber and pulled it towards him; with his lightsaber and master's lightsaber in hand he calmly walked towards Xanatos.
As his world begins to dim Xanatos looks at Obi-Wan with fear in his eyes; Obi-Wan looks down at Xanatos and wordlessly lifts both lightsabers above Xanatos, ready to end the mans life.
Before he could cut down Xanatos Obi-Wan remembers his master's teachings.
'All life sacred it is; bound by the force is all life'
'To take life in anger will lead to a dark path'
'Respect life. Good, evil they all have meaning in the force'
His master's words are so very true; the anger Obi-Wan feels begins to fade now all he feels is the flow of the force, the tranquility and peace that it has given since he began to train under master Yoda.
"All life has meaning even yours Xanatos".
Obi-Wan levitated the Dark Jedi into another wall; making sure that he merely loses consciousness, Obi-Wan feels lightheaded, falling to the ground accepting the sweet embrace of the force.
-Break
'Were am I'thought Obi-Wan as he opened his eyes.
Blinking a few times in an attempt to focus his vision. He can tell he is in a bed but he doesn't know were he is; he is in a small room that has a verity of medical supplies around.
"Uhm, finally padawan you awake".
"Is that truly you master?" Obi-Wan's voice is rough and full of emotion.
"Yes padawan" answered Yoda with a smile. Obi-Wan reached through the bond that he and his master have; confirming that his master is alive and that this is no dream.
"What happened?"
"I can tell you that" said Qui-Gon from the door as he smiled at Obi-Wan.
"Were are Xanatos and Aurra?"
"Xanatos is in a separate room being guarded by some knights that reside here at the temple. Master Kuro and Aurra are together trying to work on their relationship; the two are very stubborn but their willing to let go off the past and try to reestablish their relationship" said Qui-Gon calmly.
"Thank you for telling but master Jinn".
Obi-Wan turns to Yoda: his emotions raging within the force. "I'm sorry master when I saw you fall against Xanatos I lost control and I almost went to the darkside".
"Fear not padawan, resisted temptation: remained in the light you have" said Yoda as he looked at Obi-wan, "when you look at the dark side, careful you must be …. For the dark side looks back".
"I understand master; I must be careful when facing the darkness because as I look upon it looks back at me trying to plan a course for me to join it".
"Uhm, rest padawan a long journey ahead".
For now the two begin to meditate; to prepare for the journey home.
End Chapter Two
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