10 YEARS EARLIER:

Kyan watched his master carefully, observing him. They were in their living quarters, and his master was teaching him to choke other beings. Kyan knew that most masters didn't approve of this technique, saying it was a power used only by Sith and dark Jedi, but Schca Gaen said that such a power would help in battle. His master taught him many of the darker techniques of the Force, and although Kyan knew it was wrong, at the same time he didn't really care. He liked the feeling of power, of knowing he knew things none of the other Jedi did. And if these powers could help him to protect the galaxy better, was it really so bad?

Kyan watched the gizka; a short, reptilian animal the size of a small dog, with two long legs, dark eyes and a wide, slimy mouth. It stood between Kyan and Master Gaen, both of whom were standing, clothed in dark brown Jedi robes.

"Do you feel that; the creature's life force?" Gaen asked. Kyan stared at the animal and took a deep breath. He focused, and could nearly hear the creatures heartbeat, could almost see the Force radiating off this tiny beast. He nodded, and Gaen continued. "Good. Now focus deeper, feel the gizka's breathe," Gaen instructed. Kyan stared, and felt the creature's breath; could nearly see the oxygen entering the gizka's lungs.

"I can feel it," he said. Gaen smiled.

"Good. Now, visualize the gizka's lungs," Gaen replied. Kyan did as he was told, and attempted to visualize what his master had told him. "Now, use the Force to apply pressure on the animal's lungs and trachea. Make sure no oxygen can enter," Gaen continued, he voice becoming deeper; more serious. Kyan did as he was told and concentrated. Suddenly the gizka's eyes opened wide, and it began coughing; obviously choking from the power Kyan was using on it. After a few moments it began attempting to squeal, but it couldn't due to its shortage of air; and it's usually yellow skin was beginning to take on a blue shade. Finally, after a few more moments of struggle, the gizka fell.

"Very well, my young Padawan," Gaen laughed. He walked over and put his hand on Kyan's shoulder. Kyan had never felt prouder.

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Nube knew something was wrong. He was only fourteen, but even he had the enough training in the ways of the Force to know that something dark was brooding. A year before Master Yoda had told him to be wary, and at the time Nube took no notice. But now he could feel what Yoda had felt. Something bad was going to happen.

Nube, who had been wandering the Jedi Temple, began making his way to the garden. He had sparred there with Kyan everyday for nearly seven years now; there was no way he would miss it. He enjoyed it, more than anything else, but lately he had been noticing Kyan growing more aggressive everyday. Kyan's powers were far beyond Nube's, he would admit that, but Kyan went above being more powerful. When they sparred, Kyan treated it as a true battle to the death rather than a friendly fight. Sometimes, a lot of times, Kyan frightened him.

Nube entered the garden and sat down next to the pond, where he had met Kyan so many years ago. He turned and crouched over the pond, watching the Burra fish swim around. He reached into the cold, clear water and smiled as the fish came over, bewildered as he wiggled his fingers. He felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

"Ready, buddy?" Kyan said. Nube smiled and stood up.

"Are you?" he replied, and did a back flip, activating his blue lightsaber in mid-air and landing behind Kyan. Kyan whipped around, his blue lightsaber turned on too, and swung, his blade connecting with Nube's. Nube continued to block as Kyan continually assaulted him with blow after blow. Nube could already feel beads of sweat developing on his brow, and could feel his arms weakening from the intensity of Kyan's strikes. He noticed how Kyan's usually calm and relaxed face was now scrunched and angry. He almost looked like a different person.

"Hey, take it easy," Nube said. This only seemed to increase the vigor of Kyan's attack. Nube tried his best to keep defending, but he knew he couldn't. Quickly he extended his hand and used the Force to push Kyan backwards a few feet. Kyan flew back a good ten feet, falling face first into the grass. He quickly stood, and reached out. Nube yelped as he was thrown back with a Force push, although this blast was much harder than his own. He soared backwards, slamming into the wall of the Jedi Temple. He felt his vision blur, and before he could fall to the ground he felt something tighten around his throat. He looked down and saw nothing, then looked to Kyan who was still reaching out, his hand tightened into a fist. Was he doing this?

"Stop!" he heard his master yell before everything went dark.

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Kyan stood, more afraid than he had ever been in his life. He was in the room of the Jedi Council, waiting for them to begin questioning him. He had done something bad, he knew that. He had been too aggressive, let his emotions take control of him; but wasn't that how Master Gaen had instructed him? So really he didn't do anything wrong, did he? But Nube… he had hurt his best friend, hurt him bad. He had choked him; given him a concussion… how much farther would he have gone if Yoda had not stopped him? He shuddered at the thought.

He looked at the masters sitting in there chairs: Master Jorax, a great Jedi Consular who used the Force to solve many problems the galaxy had; Master Dorunt, a powerful Zabrak Jedi Guardian who was one of the top swordsman of the Order; Master Jone, a fellow Guardian who was as wise as she was beautiful (which was very), and who wielded a lightsaber with a rare, unique purple crystal. The final master was Yoda, powerful Jedi who didn't really fit in a Jedi role, but really took bits and pieces of all. He had the saber skills of a Guardian, the Force power of a Consular and the problem solving of a Jedi Sentinel.

"No what wrong you've done, do you?" Yoda asked. Kyan nodded.

"Yes, master. I went too far in our sparring," Kyan replied. Yoda sighed, and Master Jorax began to speak.

"Kyan, is that the only thing you believe you did wrong?" he asked. Kyan, although now slightly confused, nodded again. "Padawan, you fought with an aggressiveness most Sith don't come close to achieving, and you used a power that is forbidden by all but the Sith," Jorax explained. Kyan didn't understand. He had simply done what his master had taught him! Why was he being punished for following his teachings?

"I don't understand, master," Kyan responded. Master Dorunt gave him a stern look, as though he didn't believe the young Padawan.

"Padawan, who taught you how to choke another being through the Force?" Dorunt asked. Kyan didn't know what to say. Should he lie, and protect his master? Or should he tell the truth, as the Jedi should?

"My master, sir. Schca Gaen," Kyan replied. The Zabrak master frowned, and leaned back deep into his chair, rubbing his brow. The master looked over to Yoda.

"Would you like to speak with Gaen, or should I?" he asked Master Yoda.

"Speak to him, I will," he replied, and then looked back to Kyan. "Free to go, you are. Be with Nube, you should," Yoda told him. Kyan nodded, but knew he needed to find Master Gaen before he visited Nube.

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Kyan entered his living quarters to find his master meditating in the middle of the room. Before he could even speak, his master began talking.

"Ahh, they questioned you about my teachings, didn't they?" he asked, and opened his eyes. Instead of the usual cornflower blue, they were now a dark yellow. Kyan was afraid, but trusted in his master. He nodded, and walked farther into the room, closer to Gaen, who was rising to his feet. "Then you should know now what we truly are," Gaen said.

"What?" Kyan asked, not understanding anything that was happening. Not only was his master's eyes different, he was clothed in a dark black robe, and his skin was visibly paler.

"Since you were a child I've taught you to be better than everyone else; stronger than everyone else, in ways beyond what the Jedi teach. The Jedi are weak, and won't last long in this world the way they are. Now, you may not admit it, but I know you like power, and I know you want more, isn't that right?" Gaen asked, his voice much darker and deeper than it had ever been before. Kyan didn't want to admit it to himself, but his master was right. He liked power, and he always wanted more. But even still, he couldn't help but feel immense anger; all his life he had been lied, been practically taught the ways of the Sith since childhood, believing himself to be a Jedi.

"Haha, gooood. I can feel your anger. Use it and you could become more powerful than any Jedi ever," Gaen laughed, his smile a nasty snarl. Kyan was afraid and enraged, but was attracted to the thought of that much power.

"How could I achieve that power?" he asked. Gaen's smile widened.

"Fully embrace my Sith teachings. I'm leaving this Temple soon; join me, become my apprentice, and together we shall rebuild a Sith armada and take over this Republic!" Gaen smiled. Kyan had to think. He wanted the power, but at the same time he didn't want to be evil; he wasn't even sure he could be evil. All he had ever wanted to do was help the galaxy, and now he was being asked to destroy it. But being stronger than any other Jedi; any other Sith… that would definitely have it's advantages. And he loved his master; Gaen had practically been his father for his whole life. He couldn't betray him. He slowly got on one knee.

"I will be your apprentice," he said. Gaen laughed maniacly.

"Good. I've been hiding my true face from these Jedi for far too long. From now on they shall feel the wrath of Darth Masa, and my apprentice Darth Sanai," he said. Kyan stood and smiled. Sanai… it wasn't the greatest name in the world, but it would work.

"What would you have me do, master?" Kyan asked. Masa pondered for a moment.

"I feel Master Yoda, probably coming to confront me. Go to the hangar bay and wait there; when I arrive we shall take a cruiser and find an ancient Sith factory I've heard of… a Star Forge, its called," Masa explained.

"Star Forge? I've heard of it, wasn't it destroyed by the Jedi Revan?" Kyan asked.

"True, but the Rakata surely built more than one; we just have to find it," Masa replied. "Now, wait for me there. Be careful; the Jedi surely know of our treachery, they will send someone you trust to eliminate you. Kill them."