Thanx to happy dude, BattleBlazer...dude, Lord Destroyer, SmexySmone and Fumarley for the reviews. Thanx a bunch.
Here are two new chapters and things are about to heat up. So to everyone, enjoy.
Jedi Academy I: The Next Generation
Chapter 6: The Wound That Won't Heal
(From Jaden's Point Of View)
"I don't want to talk about it."
I climbed out of my ship which I landed in the middle of the mountains. I was waiting for Kyle, and my voice suddenly asked me about what happened back in Mos Eisley, with the whole father thing. For everyone who hasn't figured this yet, I don't like sharing.
Why not?
"Because it's none of your business," I replied.
That's where you're wrong. It's my business, because it's your business.
"Yeah, well, my business is my own. Who are you anyway?"
Does it matter?
"Yes."
Why? Are you afraid I'm a Sith? Here to deceive you?
"Are you?"
A Sith? Yes, I am. I almost started attacking, only to realize that I had nothing to attack. But, I am not here to deceive you. I'm here to open your eyes.
"To what? The Dark Side?"
Oh, please, Jaden. I'm not some evil Sith Lord, bent on destroying the galaxy. I intend to save it.
"You're kidding, right?"
Jaden, if I wanted you turned to the Dark Side I would have had you kill that man. But that would have brought you nothing. By leaving, you have done the first part of your mission. To forgive.
"I didn't forgive him," I snapped.
But you didn't kill him. And that's good enough for me.
I thought for a moment. A Sith in my head. That's not something you see everyday. Or hear. But, she's right about the dark side thing. That leaves the million credit question: if she's not here to turn me, then why is she here?
"Let's say that I believe that you're not evil. What do you want?"
To repair that which has been destroyed.
What the hell does that mean? Geez, you'd think that after a few thousand years, these force users would figure out that cryptic riddles are wasted on the youth. Before I could say anything, Kyle appeared.
"Ready to go?" He asked.
"Lead the way," I replied.
We walked in silence all the way to the merchant's house. Apparently, using his droid, he recorded a message of people who might be involved with these guys who tried to blow us out of the sky. But, the genius chickened out. He sold it. And after he sold it – not before – he calls us to tell us about it. I mean, are people dumb in this part of the galaxy or what?
We met up with the man who explained what had happened and then pointed us off in the right direction…or so we hoped. But five minutes into the search – surrounded by nothing but sand and mountains and sand and sand (did I mention sand) – we realized we were lost. Wonderful. And what could make this even more beautiful, you ask? That's right, Kyle being all Jedi Master like.
"Jaden," he began, "are you alright?"
"Peachy," I replied simply. "Why do you ask?"
"You seem distracted. And a distracted Jedi is not a good thing."
I faked a smile. "I'm good. Really, I am."
"Did something happen at Mos Eisley?"
"Well, we were attacked. Does that count?"
He chuckled. "Anything else?"
"Nope." It felt wrong to lie to my Master, but I couldn't tell him. Not without telling him everything. And I just didn't have the energy to do that at the moment.
"You know what?" I said. "We're getting nowhere. Should we split up?"
He thought for a moment. "Sure. Good idea."
I was relieved. A little alone time, that was what I needed. We discussed our rendezvous point and then went our separate ways. I walked a little bit, trying to figure out where to go from here. In my life, I mean. I couldn't care less about that droid. I had bigger problems. What was this voice? Where did it come from? And did it have anything to do with what Eric pulled off at the spaceport? How did release so much energy at once? And with an ability that he's never learnt? I hugged myself as I thought of this because it got really cold. But I still walked forward, still thinking. Why did the voice not want me to kill someone? That was Sith gold! Maybe she wasn't joking. Maybe she does want to save the galaxy. I hugged myself tighter. It's freezing on this planet! Anyway…
Wait, why was it freezing? I was in the desert with a blazing sun. And then I concentrated on the feeling. It wasn't on the surface. No, this coldness came from deep within. Like a sixth sense. I spun around, suddenly feeling as though I was being watched. And then I saw him, a man watching me. And then he ran, me quickly taking off after him. I chased him while on the ground – he was on a cliff above me. I turned a corner and saw and couple of boulders which seemed to make steps. At least for a Jedi. I jumped on the first and then the next and then the next, until I got to the level he was at. I chased him down, turning another corner. I ran along side the cliff until I came to an open area, surrounded by giant rocks. If there wasn't a cave or an edge which looked over the area, it would seem like some sort of an arena. I looked at the cave, wondering if he walked into there. I activated my lightsaber and slowly moved for the opening. And then I spun, blocking the red lightsaber with my own. I kicked the man away but he recovered quickly and swung for me. I rolled out of the way and prepared for a fight. And then I gasped when I saw who my enemy was.
"Dad?" I whispered.
"Hello, Jaden," my father replied, as calm as ever.
"But…but your dead."
"Am I?" And then he smirked one of the most evil smirks I've ever seen.
He attacked me and I moved, quickly preparing myself for another attack. I blocked his next swing and then deflected the next, moving to hit him away. I didn't want to strike him. I couldn't. He was my father; I couldn't just strike him down.
Not true.
He's my father, you psycho, I thought back. I can't kill him.
Your father is dead, Jaden. This is an illusion. An apparition, a ghost.
No such thing. I dodged another attack and then struck back, careful not to give a deadly blow. I ducked when he swung for my head and I kicked him away.
It's a test. All a test.
I blocked an attack. A test?
The Trial Of Flesh.
The Trial Of Flesh? That's a Jedi test.
Correct. Your father's death has wounded you. Deeply. You have forgiven. Now you must forget. If you wish to heal, you must forget.
I blocked an attack and spun around him. I blocked another attack and locked our sabers. I pushed him back, trying to get him away from me.
He's my father! I won't forget him!
Not him Jaden. The wound. The wound in you that refuses to heal.
I like that wound. It makes me stronger.
It makes you foolish. Let go, Jaden. Or die at the hands of the person you love the most.
My father pushed me away and moved for me again. Our sabers connected and we began an intense fight. Our sabers clashed like five times every two seconds – or at least that's what it felt like. I moved back as I swung, dodged and blocked. I was heading for the edge of the mountain. I needed to think of a plan and quick. I dodged another attack, trying to hit him away, but he just kept forcing me back. I couldn't go all out. This was my dad. Or was he? No, my dad is dead. It couldn't be him. But he looked so real.
He's not real, Jaden. He is a test. Now pass it.
How?
Your powers, Jaden. The Force is the most powerful energy in the galaxy and you are a rare jewel. You can do things that the greatest of Jedi wished they could.
What?
Concentrate, Jaden! You know what to do.
I ducked and kicked him away. I moved for him and struck. He blocked, so I moved our sabers out of the way and head-butted him. He moved back and I swung again, just missing his head. Was it bad luck or did I do it on purpose? I wasn't sure, but he attacked so fast, I didn't have time to think. He swung for me, but I ducked. He slashed again, but I dodged again. And then he gripped me with the Force and tossed me to the side like I was a rag doll. I hit the ground hard, my saber sliding out of my hands. I got to my feet and moved for it, but he was already in front of me. He raised his hand, a force gripping my neck as I floated off the ground. I was choking and I couldn't do anything about it.
"Come on, Jaden," he said. "I've taught you better than this."
"Let me go," I managed to squeeze through.
"Make me." He gripped harder.
I struggled to stay awake. I felt myself slowly drifting away. I was dying. It felt as though my neck was being crushed. And I could nothing about it. I didn't have my saber. I didn't have Eric's lightning. I didn't even have Eric… I was finished.
Concentrate, Jaden. Concentrate. Feel the force in your body. Let it take control of you.
Icouldn't. I was losing consciousness. But I couldn't die. I refused to. Come on Jaden! Concentrate. I wiped my mind of everything. Of my dad. Of this test. Of Eric. Of Tavion. Of Rosh. Of everything. And then… I felt something. I pinch of something. And then it grew and grew, some kind of force building up within me.
"Let me go!" A wave of energy erupted from me, pushing him away.
My feet hit the ground and I looked at my father. I could feel it. The Force coursing through my veins. I felt as though I was on fire. And I loved it. I looked at my hands, trying to see any hint of power, but there was nothing. I could feel it though, like I was injected with a double dose of adrenaline. What was this?
The Force, Jaden. It courses through you like fire. Power beyond imagination. Use it.
She didn't have to worry. I intended to. My father ran for me, his saber raised above him. He swung down and I just stood there. His hand passed in front of me, but he didn't hit me. I smirked as I looked upwards. His lightsaber was floating above his head. I tossed it to the side and by just looking at him, I pushed him back. It was amazing. This power was unbelievable. I felt as though I could take on the galaxy. My lightsaber flew into his hand and he moved for me again. I raised my hand, palm out and he flew back, leaving the ground. He flew over the edge of the cliff but I wasn't done. I twisted my hand and he stopped in mid-air, floating hopelessly. I swung my hand down and he came forward, smashing into the ground, sliding across it. Talk about kissing the floor. He got to his feet and ran for me again.
End this, Jaden.
I agreed. As he got to me, I raised my hand again and lifted him off the ground, tossing him right over me, into the mouth of the cave. And then I stared. Could I do it? He was my father. Or looked like him, but still, it felt wrong. He was climbing to his feet, so I had to think quickly. I swallowed hard and raised my hands again. The cave shook as I concentrated my power on it and I found myself closing my hand, as though trying to crush something. And then the ceiling started to crack and fall. In one swift swing downwards, the cave gave way and collapsed violently, burying the memory of my dad in a rocky grave. I stepped back, suddenly drained. I wanted to drop, but I stayed standing. But it wasn't because of the victory or the shock. For the first time in ages, even just for that minute of going all out, I felt… free.
Well done, Jaden. I am impressed.
"What the hell was that?" I shouted, not caring if anyone was around to hear.
The Force.
"That was not the Force," I replied. "That was another level."
Exactly. Many believe that there are only two sides of the Force. Light and darkness. But there is another. Another that only the rarest of beings can command. A third Force. A true Force.
I looked at my hands again and even though I was drained, I still felt a tinge of power in me, waiting to burst free.
You are very unique, Jaden. And very powerful. You have the potential to be the most powerful person in the galaxy. The ability to save the galaxy. And only one person can stand in your way. And it is my regret to say that, eventually, you'll need to deal with them.
"Deal with them? Like kill them?"
Yes. Unfortunately, that is exactly what I mean.
Kill someone? Murder someone? Could I do it? Would it matter who this person was? Was it Luke? It had to be Luke. He was the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy. Or maybe it was Kyle. Or someone I didn't even know? Or even Rosh? On second thought, no chance, but either way, I had to know.
"So who is this person that I'll have to kill?" I asked curiously.
Her answer was simple. Eric Kane.
Thanx for reading. Please review and let me know what you think.
