Suffering
Dragon sat in her quarters on the Moff's Star Destroyer. She meditated, attempting but failing, as she tried to recenter herself. But she couldn't. She'd been rattled. All in part of recent events. Her memories of Ethel was getting to her. And she'd been rattled by the appearance of her old friend she believed to be dead.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. She should have immediately reported her encounter with the Emperor. The confirmed existence of a living Jedi Master was of great importance. Yet for some reason she hadn't.
It's not too late. You can come back to the light...You can be redeemed.
Those words echoed in her mind. She scowled, trying to drown them out. She grunted as she shook her head.
I can help you.
She grit her teeth, clapping her hands over her ears. She started whispering lowly to herself, shaking her head as she denied and rejected the words. She couldn't be redeemed. She was who she was. A servant of the Empire. A Jedi hunter. She'd killed countless numbers of her people. Betrayed the very people who once called her friend. Doomed younglings to the darkside and whatever nefarious plans the Empire had in store for them.
This is who she was now.
Suddenly the door to her room slid open. She straightened up before looking at a trooper in annoyance.
"Dragon. You have a transmission from the Emperor," he said respectfully.
With a breath she stood up and straightened herself out. The darkside had no use for weakness. She couldn't be swayed by the words of a ghost. She was Red Dragon.
Gogo rested on her back on the outside of the ship as Wasabi made some repairs and Honey Lemon went on a supply run. It had been a few days since their last encounter with Dragon. Gogo was happy Hiro had passed his test. The darkness within him had been purged as he remembered why he wanted to be a Jedi in the first place.
But while Gogo was happy for him she was sad about the former Jedi Master. She'd been forced to the darkside. And it was sad that her reasons weren't the typical reason most darksiders fell. Most fell out of a lust for power, greed, and just plain arrogance. But she'd been forced, tortured and then bombarded with visions of her comrades dying with her unable to help.
Gogo knew that feeling all too well. When Hiro had been taken she could feel his pain. She could tell he was being harmed and felt distraught that she could not help him.
She sighed aloud, staring up at the sky as her mind drifted and wandered to a time before the Empire.
Flashback
Practicing in an empty courtyard of Coruscant's Jedi Temple was a young woman. She wore gray Jedi robes and carried a lightsaber at her belt as she practiced her skills with a long wooden staff. She had shoulder length black hair and around her eyes were bandages, a common choice for her species, the Miraluka. Her name was Fa Mulan. And while it wasn't uncommon to see a Miraluka around the temple, either as a Jedi or a teacher, she was special. For she had recently reached the rank of Jedi Master. Making her the first of her people to do so in generations, earning her the title of the pride of Miraluka.
But despite her praise and title she never let it go to her head. She practiced her skills diligently, striving to be the best she could be and use her skill and power to protect the Republic. As she thrust her staff at an invisible opponent she suddenly heard a commotion. She dropped her battle stance and turned her head, only to find the cause of the trouble.
"Ethel," she muttered with a sigh. She watched as a young Miraluka girl drove a speeder straight out of the temple with staff and a few Jedi in pursuit. And the little girl on the speeder was laughing and whooping all the while. She sped straight toward Mulan. Mulan simply pivoted out of the way at the last second.
"Hi Master!" Ethel called out with a large smile as she zoomed by. Mulan shook her head before pursuing. Using the Force she kept up an impressive pace as she followed after the speeder, apologizing on the girl's behalf as she narrowly missed hitting a Master, Knight, or youngling. She suddenly took a sharp turn left, cutting through another courtyard and practice field and ascending a level before leaping out an open window.
She dropped low as she slid down the slanted side of a temple wall and then leapt off to before landing in the middle of another courtyard. And as she had foreseen Ethel burst out of the Temple and straight at her. Mulan leaned against her staff, face blank as she waited to be noticed.
Ethel gasped as soon as she saw the Jedi Master in front of her and hit the brakes, the speeder lurched, sliding sideways as she wailed in fear of hitting the master. But Mulan held her ground as the speeder came to a jarring stop, aided by Mulan planting her foot against the speeder and forcing it to a halt.
The girl released a breath in relief, though her relief faded to panic as the temple staff and other Jedi caught up. She leapt off the speeder to run away from her punishment. She ran as fast as she could, only to be confused as she seemed to be getting nowhere. She looked down, only to see her running in midair, floating off the ground helplessly. Her shoulders sagged as she started to float backward before finally she was being held under the Jedi Master's arm.
She looked up, smiling sheepishly into the unamused face of the Jedi Master, and her hero. The Jedi and Temple staff caught up, preparing to take the girl back to her clan for punishment when Mulan assured them she'd see to it the girl was punished. They left it to her as they collected the speeder and left.
Mulan set Ethel down, facing her as she frowned down at her. Ethel had the decency to look guilty as her shoulders remained drooped and her head down.
Mulan moved, causing Ethel to jump back and slap her hands over her ears. "Not the ears!" she yelped. But she was ignored as the Jedi Master managed to pinch her lobe between her thumb and forefinger and started to give it a few forceful tugs as punishment. "OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!"
After a few moments of physical punishment Mulan released her. As Ethel rubbed her sore ears with a pout Mulan began to berate her. "Was it really necessary to drive a speeder through the temple Ethel?" she asked with a frown.
"It wasn't my fault Master! It malfunctioned or something?" she cried shrilly in her defense.
But being a Jedi Master she could sense her deceptions. That and this wasn't the first time the young Miraluka girl had done something like this. Mulan sighed and rubbed her forehead at the girl's reckless antics.
"C'mon," she said as she stepped past her and toward the temple. Ethel followed obediently behind, knowing the Jedi Master was going to ensure she was punished.
The next day Mulan promised to keep Ethel out of trouble for a while by training with her. The other Masters were hoping she could curb the girl's thrill seeking ways. Which was fine with Mulan since she was rather fond of Ethel anyway. She saw the talent in her, the potential she could possibly reach if she could just think more about her actions instead of jumping on the chance to do something life threatening. That and she found her admiration adorable.
"Alright Ethel, time to train," Mulan said as she stood in a shallow pool. Ethel stood by her side, watched the Master as she pointed downward into the water. Ethel looked down at her toes submerged beneath the surface, wondering what she was trying to point out before she took note of the fish swimming near her feet.
"Grab one," Mulan commanded.
Ethel looked up at her with a frown. "How is this training Master? Catching fish isn't hard."
Mulan smiled slyly. "Oh really? Then do it," she said as she motioned to the fish.
Ethel frowned some more and looked down at the water. She kneeled down, only to have the fish scatter. She began chasing after them, grabbing at the water in an attempt to snatch one up. But she came up empty every time, only succeeding in soaking herself after many failed attempts.
Mulan chuckled and laughed lightly at the unamused and empty handed child sloshing back to her. "Not so easy after all, is it?" Mulan asked with an arched brow and a smile. Ethel blushed and looked down in embarrassment. "This isn't only a test of your physical ability Ethel," Mulan explained. Ethel looked up curiously as Mulan spread her feet and cocked back her arm.
"This is a test of patience. Along with speed and accuracy," she explained as she held her stance and kept her gaze on the water. "You must remain still as to not scare the fish away. You must watch carefully, and predict where it's going to move next. And you must use the Force to properly gauge its position, as the water will trick you," she explained. Ethel remained silent and still as she watched the Jedi Master. Mulan remained on the spot, muscles prepared to strike and attention focused solely on the water. She waited and waited until a fish began to swim by her feet. And then like a spring she reacted in an instant.
She held up the wriggling fish in hand for Ethel to see, giving a slight chuckle at the stunned youngling. "Shall we try again?" she asked her. Ethel nodded eagerly and copied her stance.
After the fish catching exercise she drilled Ethel on battle stances and techniques. The other Masters passed by the open courtyard and glanced over with interest. It wasn't uncommon for a Master to take an interest in a youngling of their own species. And it was easier to bond with someone more like you.
Mulan circled Ethel as she watched her form and stance. Occasionally prodding her into proper position. "Now then little sister, what is lesson one to being a proper warrior and Jedi?" Mulan asked.
Ethel remained silent, blinking as she contemplated her answer. "Being tough?" Ethel answered innocently. Mulan giggled in amusement.
"That's part of it. But we must also be gentle."
"But how can you be both tough and gentle at the same time Master? And isn't being tough better?"
"I know it does sound complicated, but look at it like this," Mulan said as she came to stand before her. She held up two fingers. "Earth, sky, day, night, sound, silence, dark, and light. One of these things alone is not enough. You need both together. Inside all of us are two opposite and conflicting natures. And to be a proper Jedi you must bring it all into balance. Do you understand?"
"Oh," Ethel said still a little confused.
Mulan smiled down at her as she gave her head a pat. "I know it's a little confusing, but you'll understand it eventually. We Jedi are more than just warriors. We're protectors, thus we must be gentle yet tough," Mulan explained further. She suddenly reached down and grabbed her lightsaber, Ethel gasped as she ignited the blade, marveling at the blue beam of plasma.
Mulan performed a few slashes and threw a powerful spinning kick. "Like a rock, you must be hard," she pivoted and spun, slashing and twirling her lightsaber in a flurry of slashes before planting her feet firmly on the ground in a battle stance. "Like an oak, you must stand firm." She suddenly threw a slash right over Ethel's head, the speed of which made her flinch. "Cut quick. Now think fast!" She suddenly dropped and extended her leg for a low sweep. Ethel flinched before barely leaping over it.
Mulan stood up, standing strong and firm. Ethel couldn't help but stare in awe as the sun bathed her in light, making her form seem to radiate more confidence than possible. "Be unafraid."
Ethel smiled as she took a battle stance, narrowing her eyes in focus. "Ok Master, I understand now," she said with a nod.
"Uh huh," Mulan said skeptically as she deactivated and clipped her lightsaber to her belt. . To prove her point she pressed a finger against the side of Ethel's head. The little girl blinked as she simply fell over to the side. "But you're still out of balance." As Ethel stood back up Mulan pressed her palms together. "Like a cloud, you must be soft," she said. Then she began to move her arms about in a sort of dance. "Like bamboo you must bend in the wind."
She began moving about the courtyard as she threw attacks, punching and kicking at the air while Ethel mimicked her. "One alone is not enough, you need both together. This is lesson number one," she suddenly stopped before turning to face Ethel. She placed her hands on her hips and smiled down at her. "Do you understand now Ethel?"
The little girl furrowed her brows, trying to make sense of what the Jedi Master had told her. "I think I'm starting to Master," she said hesitantly.
Mulan kept a warm smile as she leaned down. She placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "And now little sister, you have begun," Mulan said proudly. Ethel smiled wide in happiness at receiving praise from her hero. She paid close attention to Mulan's words, keeping them in her mind and in her heart as she continued to train with and without her.
Time passed by, and soon the Clone Wars descended on the Republic. The Jedi led the charge in it's defense, all while the youngling continued to be trained on Coruscant's temple. Ethel grew, both in strength and wisdom, always heeding the words of the Jedi Master she admired.
Soon would come the time where she would take her initiate trials, and if she passed she had the chance to become a Padawan. Thus getting her one step closer to fulfilling her dream to becoming a Jedi Master. Of course due to the war effort she saw less and less of the Master as she was called to the battlefield.
But a few weeks before her trials she was happy to see she had returned, alive and well. Like always they spoke, caught up as the Master regaled the youngling of her adventures and travels.
"You're trials are coming soon Ethel. Are you prepared?" Mulan asked. Ethel nodded.
"Yes Master. I know I can do it," she said confidently. But she suddenly looked down nervously.
"What's wrong?" Mulan asked.
"It's just...I'm not sure anyone will want me as their apprentice," she mumbled.
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Everyone still remembers me for how I used to behave. I don't think they want an apprentice like that," she muttered sadly. If she wasn't taken on by a Master or Knight she'd likely be reassiged to the service corps. Then she could never be a Jedi Master. It scared her.
"Hmm," Mulan said thoughtfully. "Well if no one does choose you it would be quite fortuitous," she suddenly said. Ethel looked to the Jedi Master in shock and hurt. But Mulan smiled at her. "Because then I could take you on as my apprentice."
Ethel gasped, staring at her in disbelief, almost expecting her to laugh it off as a joke. But the Master held her gaze with a smile that didn't falter. And Ethel felt her heart swell with joy. For she would be by her hero's side, learning more from her as she followed the of the path Jedi.
Mulan suddenly stood. "I have a mission coming up. So I'm going to be away for sometime Ethel. But I should be back a little before your trials. When you pass them I will make you my Padawan."
Back in the present Gogo sighed. Mulan never returned. No sign of her was ever seen. The Council searched for her as hard as they could, but eventually the Grand Master had no choice but to declare her MIA and likely dead. After that Gogo left the order, knowing her career as a Jedi was over. Even if a Master did want her, they wouldn't be Mulan.
Gogo unclipped the lightsaber at her belt and held it in front of her face. She'd been forced to keep it on her in case they ran into Dragon. But even while it was only out of necessity she still felt like she were a fake. A pretender.
A failure.
"In short I prioritized the capture of Callaghan over the terrorists My Lord. Callaghan is their contact and has a direct link to the alliance. His worth is much greater to us than two...pretend Jedi," Dragon explained as she spoke to the holographic image of the Emperor, the man who had broken her.
"Indeed. A wise choice Dragon. But nevertheless I want these children of the Force and their comrades found and eliminated. It's bad enough to have to deal with the Jedi fighting directly with the rebels, I don't need anymore Force sensitives undermining my plans," Drago growled.
"Understood My Lord. I will double my efforts to their capture," Dragon said with a nod.
"Indeed you will. I'm am also going to provide you with assistance. Another Inquisitor will arrive within a few hours."
"May I ask who it is?" Dragon inquired.
"It is the Reaper I am sending to you," he stated.
"I see," was all she said.
"Is that a problem Dragon?"
"No sir. It's just that Reaper is quite...unstable, and she can be quite difficult to control," Dragon explained.
"Nothing you cannot handle. I have business to attend you. I expect the next time we speak you will have captured these nuisances," Drago warned. And with that he cut the transmission.
Dragon stood there, face calm and smooth. "Trooper," she said aloud. The trooper outside entered and stood at attention. "There is a small settlement on the field of Lothal, they have regularly received aid from the terrorists," she said.
"What shall we do ma'am?" the trooper asked obediently.
"Burn it to the ground."
The crew stood in the remains of the small settlement they'd provided medicinal and food supplies to in the past in horror. It was razed to the ground, home blasted apart and the very earth black and scorched. Everyone felt their insides twisting up at the sight.
"Where are the people?" Honey Lemon asked.
"No bodies," Wasabi commented.
"They were captured," Gogo reasoned. "Imprisoned by the Empire."
"Well shouldn't we go find them? Free them?" Hiro asked everyone else.
"It's a trap," Wasabi said.
"No doubt," Gogo said in agreement.
"So we do nothing?" Hiro asked in indignation.
Gogo swallowed, looking to him in sorrow. "We leave before anyone else gets hurt because of us," she said. She turned on her heel and began to head to the ship. Hiro watched her go in disbelief. Give up? Was that what she was getting at? he opened his mouth to speak when she looked back at him. "That's an order Hiro," she said quietly, but also firmly.
Hiro closed his mouth, nodding as he looked to the ground and followed her to the ship.
At an Imperial prison Dragon ran her lightsaber through a prisoner's chest as his family and friends watched on.
"Tell me what you know of the terrorists," she commanded.
Everyone was silent, because they knew next to nothing about them. They just came and delivered them food and medicine, that was all they had cared about them. They barely even knew their names. Something they'd tried telling her countless times.
"No one wishes to speak? Fine," Dragon said lowly. She looked to a trooper and nodded. The trooper walked to the prison cells, and to their confusion and shock he began to drop the energy shields holding them in.
"Reaper," Dragon said aloud. From the entrance to the holding cells a figure entered. Like Dragon they wore all black. It was a woman wearing a horned mask with a T-shaped visor. At her wrists, feet, and neck were what looked like shock cuffs, meant to control her if she got out of hand.
She walked up to stand behind Dragon, silent as she awaited a command from the superior Inquisitor.
"Kill them," Dragon commanded as she stepped to the side. Reaper remained where she was, eyes fixed on the civilians before her. But she didn't need the order repeated. She reached an arm behind her, grasping the lightsaber on her back before igniting the blade. She held it out, letting it change to it's ringed saber staff form before the blades began to spin in a blur.
She approached the civilians as they all quivered and cowered away.
Meanwhile Dragon just watched, fists clenching and unclenching subtly at her sides. This was unnecessary, but she had to do this. She had to prove to herself that she'd hadn't become weak. Hadn't let the voice of a ghost, or the memories of who she once was affect who she must be now. To prove she could not go back.
But apart of her, somewhere deep down, a part that she'd thought had been buried so long ago wanted to stop it, was screaming at her to stop this madness. And that part in her suffered and cried out as every civilian was cut down one by one without mercy.
But Dragon did nothing to stop it. She let the voice cry out until the darkness began to reclaim and shroud the memory in shadows.
She just let herself suffer in silence.
new chap.
flashback of Gogo's and Mulans past
