Here it is, next chapter. I will try to work on the next one as I'm available. I'm still working out the plot details.

Disclaimer: Star Wars The Old Republic is property of Bioware and all Lantern elements belong to DC Comics. All rights go to their respective owners.

Chapter 2 – In Defeat, Thou are Chosen, Part 2

Alderaan, 10 ATC

Cayden knew he was in danger. Fighting Thuls and Imp scum was one thing. Fighting a Sith was another thing entirely.

With a red lightsaber ignited in one hand, she walked with the aura of a predator, a predator who had cornered her helpless prey. Beautiful green eyes glared at him with unrivaled hatred, rich light-brown hair tied in a pony tail with a few bangs resting on her left eye with a red marking which crossed her right eye and formed a symbol just in the middle of her forehead. All with a sharp, angular face accompanied with rich plump lips that were further accentuated with her creamy, slightly tanned skin. To top it all off, she was wearing an armored gray and black suit with knee-high boots that somehow was tight enough to accentuate every one of her wonderful curves. All in all, she was easily one of the hottest and most beautiful women he had ever seen. She could easily give Aressa a run for her credits… if it wasn't for the immense hatred he felt from her.

Cayden watched her wearily, getting to his feet and taking a few steps back to gain some distance. She was radiating power, anger and hatred like Tatooine radiated heat. Her eyes narrowed even more when he activated his lightsaber before her lips formed into a cruel smile.

"And here I was getting bored, spilling the blood of these dogs." She spoke in a deep Imperial accent, somehow sounding elegant yet mocking at the same time. "At least now I can begin to enjoy myself."

She began to circle him as Cayden kept his lightsaber trained on her, matching every of her moves.

"Tell me Jedi," She spat the word. "Did you enjoy my little artwork back there? I did try my best after all." She finished with a cruel smirk.

Cayden growled softly, feeling his anger begin to fester. This Sith killed those he found in the convoy, and took pleasure out of it.

"How can someone so beautiful be so vile?" He asked to himself.

"Ugh, disgusting pig." Seems she heard him and seemed quite revolted by the look of things. "I'm immune to your pathetic and worthless slobber, dog."

Wow… just wow. That hurt. Not even the girls back on Tython were this cruel with their gossip, and they could be some mean bitches.

"Now then," She twirled her lightsaber nonchalantly. "Let's kill you, shall we?" And then she moved.

She blitzed over to him so fast he almost didn't have time to see it. Cayden brought his lightsaber to halt her strike and was scared when he was knocked back by the mere strength of the blow. He tried to bring his saber around to block another strike only to be blown further back. He struggled to even bring his lightsaber on time to match her powerful blows, being pushed back on every strike. Faulting on an overhead strike, Cayden screamed in pain as a powerful burst of lightning came from her finger tips and sent him flying. He rolled on the ground until he stopped, groaning in pain.

Her cruel laughter filled the empty area. "Is this really the best the Republic has to offer? Why, if Jedi are really this pathetic, then no wonder we kill you off so easily."

She's strong. Too strong.

"But alas, the fun must end." She twirled her lightsaber, watching him with that dammed smirk on her face. "Don't worry, I'll make this very, very painful." She switched to a familiar opening stance and charged once again.

That's Ataru, Form IV. It's an aggressive form, focusing on fast and powerful strikes.

Cayden waited for her before he suddenly moved to the left, the overhead strike missing him completely. She turned around, bringing her lightsaber to strike at his right side, only to be meet with a blue blade. She pushed and broke the lock by kicking him back and jumped, using her own weight to give a more powerful blow. What she didn't expect was that instead of raising his blade to block, the blasted Jedi evaded her attack once more.

It's common among Jedi and Sith for its effectiveness against single opponents but requires a fast-paced rhythm.

Cayden stepped back, only for Thana to continue her attack, hoping to kill him quickly. A quick slice aimed to his arm met his blade, a powerful blow to the legs was dodged and he ducked under a strike aimed for his head.

However, she has three disadvantages.

Cayden blocked a strike aimed for his midsection, bringing the combatants into a saber lock. Pushing with all his strength, Cayden felt his opponent do the same. Seconds went by and Cayden felt his muscles strain as the Sith little by little gained the upper hand.

Ataru requires to be on a constant offensive and, unless you've mastered it, you cannot be in prolonged combat for long, unlike Soresu. And most importantly…

Cayden suddenly leaned back, her lightsaber sizzling a few strands of his hair as it passed overhead. He blocked an incoming strike, rotated his body around and used his own momentum to bring his elbow directly to her face. He heard a resounding 'crack' as his elbow made contact and the scream of pain that followed. Finally having the chance to be on the offensive, Cayden struck with quick blows, all aimed at her left side as she desperately tried to block the unexpected attack. Still dazed by the pain, Thana didn't notice the last strike and was too late to block it, the force of it sending her lightsaber to the side. Cayden focused all his strength into a single Force push, and for the first time in the fight, she was sent flying.

She doesn't defend her left.

Cayden watched in satisfaction as she impacted a transport and fell to the ground. She quickly got on her knees and lifted her head. Blood was running freely from her now broken nose and she was glaring at him with so much hate, he shivered from it. Steeling his nerves, Cayden adopted the famed opening stance of Soresu, lightsaber above his head.

I don't have to overpower her. I only need to outla-!

A familiar pain in his chest returned violently. Alarmed, Cayden touched his nose and was horrified to find blood. His hands were beginning to shake.

No, no, no, no, no!

Panic began to set in, the familiar symptoms coming back at the worst time possible. 'Not now! Not now!' He though in despair before remembering he had been facing a Sith. He looked back only to get Force lightning to his face.

The mere strength of the attack sent him flying again, the pain too much to handle. Hitting the ground hard, Cayden's body twitched in agony, the pain in his chest increasing exponentially. He couldn't even groan in his anguish, it was as if his body shut down because of the pain. He tried to rise, only for more lightning to hit him.

"You insolent dog!" Thana Vesh screamed in pure hatred as she sent another volley of lighting at the Jedi, making him scream in pain. "You dare touch me?!" She sent another volley, making him scream once more.

He couldn't think, the pain was too much. Just when he felt himself about to pass out, the onslaught suddenly stopped, only to be replaced by a force around his neck. Eyes widening, Cayden hands went to his throat to try to hopelessly alleviate the invisible force as he was lifted in the air and brought before his foe. He watched with fearful eyes at the completely murderous expression on her face.

"You will die," She started slowly, her body shaking in rage. "A slow, and painful death, Jedi." She uttered the last word with so much venom as Cayden struggled helplessly before her. Just when he was about to pass out, Thana threw him at the transport. Before he could fall to the ground, she choked him again and threw him at another transport. She repeated this process a third time before finally throwing him at the ground ahead of her.

Cayden couldn't move. There was so much pain. He could only watch as death was walking towards him, with every step sending waves of power everywhere. She radiated so much anger, it was increasing his pain. Trying to find his strength, Cayden slowly and painfully crawled away as far as the pain allowed him.

"Oh no, you Jedi dog. We're not done yet." She was getting closer.

Blood was now running from his nose and his entire body was shaking. As he crawled, Cayden desperately searched for his pills, only to find the pouch empty.

Thana was walking deliberately slow now, wanting to enjoy every moment she spent tormenting this dog until she decided to kill him. No one touches her, even less a Jedi filth. He would die slowly for that. Summoning lightning in her hand as she got closer to him, Thana was momentarily confused when she felt absolute panic coming from the Jedi, but not caused by her. Happy to remind him exactly who put him in this state, Thana increased her pace only to pause at the sound of something crushing beneath her boot. Looking down, she saw red pills scattered all over ground. Gazing back at the Jedi, she noticed he was looking for something in his belt. She watched as blood flowed from his nose and for the first time, felt a pain he was radiating, increasing in strength. She promptly put two and two together and smiled wickedly.

"Well," She called out, gaining his complete attention as she levitated the pills into the air before him. She was delighted to see his eyes widen in fear.

"What's this?" She asked as playfully as she could. "Are you sick perhaps?"

She tilted her head. "Do you need these?" She asked innocently, bringing the pills in front of him.

"Do you need these to live?" She asked huskily. He was shaking his head lightly, his eyes pleading her. It was delicious.

She shrugged indifferently. "Oh well." And crushed all the pills into dust before his very eyes.

Cayden watched in horror as the very things keeping him alive were pulverized right in front of him, helpless to stop it. Before he could form words in his state of horror and disbelief, powerful force lightning shocked him again. He screamed as his body was once more covered in unbearable pain.

"Oh, don't worry, for what you just did, you will live." Her hands were charged with lighting again. "Live long enough to feel everything!" She put much anger behind this particular attack, the force of the blow sending Cayden away again, landing roughly on the ground.

With his body beginning to numb and feeling himself losing consciousness, Cayden tried to crawl away. The pain in his chest was almost excruciating now and he could feel his hands shaking. He needed time. He didn't know what to do, the panic was taking control. He needed time to do something, anything! She was getting closer. He can't get away. He needs time.

A sharp pain went up his chest, causing him to gasp and fall onto the ground. He tried to pull himself off the ground only to fall again. Coughing at the dust, Cayden laid there unmoving, breathing unsteadily. He could hear her laughter as she got closer and he could do nothing but wince at the burning sensation of the dirt in his eyes.

… Wait.

Suddenly having an idea, Cayden tried to think of a plan as quickly as possible. He looked back, beyond the approaching Sith, to where his lightsaber laid. If he could time it right, there was a chance he could survive this. However, he needed her distracted, but she was solely focused on him. Cayden fought over the pain as he tried to crawl away to get some distance. He needed her distracted, but if he was the only thing on her mind, then he needed her angry, he needed her angrier. He needed her too angry to think straight.

Thana walked at a leisure pace, content to watch the worm try to wiggle away before eventually crushing him beneath her feet. She could feel his pain increasing even more as he fought to crawl away, and she was loving every second of it. It was just so amusing watching such a pathetic waste of life desperately try to stay alive. She gave a laugh before wincing in pain. Tenderly touching her nose, she lifted her fingers, coated in blood. She was enjoying tormenting him so much she had almost forgotten the bastard broke her nose. Another reminder she had to make his end specially agonizing when she finally decides to kill him. Maybe she'll cut off a limb or two, his legs so he can continue to crawl away in pure agony. Maybe cut off his arms so he can wiggle about helplessly, crying and begging for mercy. Maybe she can use her power and break his mind, making him watch his worst nightmares come to life. Oh, decisions, decisions.

No longer willing to wait, Thana advanced on him. She watched as he got on his back, raising his hands to her on a desperate and silent plea before she brought her armored boot down on his chest, hard. She was in delight as he coughed and groaned in pain, futilely trying to push her off. She made a show of lifting her saber high, a wicked smile on her face to make sure he knew she was about to have some fun.

"Wait, please wait!" He screamed, fearful eyes watching her, begging her to stop. She kept her lightsaber where it was, content to watch him squeal like a womp rat. It was music to her ears.

"Oh, you're going to beg, Jedi?" She mocked, her lightsaber now pointed down onto his throat, her other hand crackling with Force lightning.

She bent down, making direct eye contact with him. "Beg, Jedi. Beg for mercy. Beg that I spare your worthless and pathetic live. Beg that I only cut off your limbs one by one and make you scream in pure agony. Beg that I make your next moments a living hell and perhaps, I'll let you live as my pet." She finished with a cruel smile, her eyes eagerly awaiting his pleas. Pleas that would most likely fall on deaf ears.

"Please." He lifted shaking hands, a gesture of surrender, his eyes pleading to her. She loved this.

"I-I know the galaxy is a tough place." He began, his voice straining against the pain she had inflicted on him. "I know I seem like a growing man."

Wait… what? Thana watched him in a mixture of confusion, disgust and mistrust as the Jedi beneath her began talking nonsense. He was supposed to be begging for his life, not whatever this was.

"I know I seem like a profitable opportunity."

What is this fool blabbering about?

"But I'm not going to waste my credits on you."

…

Silence. So much silence.

"It's tempting. But a night of passion is against the Jedi code, even for you."

What?!

"Also, I'm not that kind of guy." He finished with a smirk, a smirk that told many things, primarily his unrepentance. He was oozing smugness.

Thana stayed silent, her eyes expressing her unbelief at what she just heard, until it finally dawned on her. Her body began to shake uncontrollably, the ground around her started to crack. Her summoned lighting began to fluctuate as even the blade of her lightsaber began to slightly alter in its shade of red. She was beyond angry, she was hateful. So hateful that Cayden feared he might have brought out new emotions out of her that even she didn't know she was capable of.

She brought her gaze down on him. "Y-You, you." She was trembling, radiating to much rage it was making him dizzy.

"YOU!" She screamed, taking her lightsaber on both hands and bringing it down on him in a powerful strike. She was going to kill him!

Before her strike could hit, however, the perverted dog brought his hand out and Force pushed something at her face. Thana could only widen her eyes when she realized what it was but it was already too late. The dirt hit her eyes straight on.

Blinded and shouting in pain, Thana stepped back, swinging her lightsaber wildly at where the Jedi was. Cayden acted quickly and swept his legs, taking her to the ground. Rising to his feet, Cayden stumbled out of pain before calling his lightsaber to him. Catching it, he charged the Sith. Trying to clear her eyes, Thana felt fear for the first time that day as she hastily brought her own saber to defend. She tried to deflect his blows as Cayden fought with the desperation of a dying man, but she still couldn't see clearly. Taking advantage, Cayden went to her far right, knowing she couldn't see him. Throwing a desperate strike, Thana was shocked when instead of knocking him back, her blade was deflected. He twirled her own blade with his and in a quick motion, her blade went flying. Before she could even process this, Cayden brought his lightsaber on a diagonal strike on her right arm and followed through.

Thana screamed in agonizing pain as his lightsaber cut through her arm, falling uselessly on the ground. She fell to the ground, her screams echoing throughout the ridge. She tried to crawl away, tears flowing freely from her face and onto the ground. There was so much pain, she couldn't think straight. So much pain. Make it stop. So much pain. It burns. Please stop.

Cayden watched her crawl away as he had done before but found no enjoyment in it. Her scream made him wince, they sounded so painful. He should've aimed for the chest or head. It would have been more merciful.

Another sharp pain in his chest brought him to his knees. He fell hard to the ground, feeling his arms lose their strength as the pain spread from his heart to his arms and legs. Shaking now, Cayden tried to get up before he fell onto his knees again.

Breathing heavily and with tears still staining her cheeks, Thana looked back only to see the Jedi on his knees, head bowed. She could feel pain radiating from him and that just awakened something in her. Gritting her teeth in pain, she slowly rose to her feet, using her pain and anger to fuel her strength. She took a step forward before the pain became too much and fell to the ground.

'No!' She thought as she glared hatefully at him. 'You will pay!'

She tried to use her remaining arm to rise before being abruptly pulled up. Admittingly having fear for the first time in her life, Thana brought her arm out, lighting coating her fingers, before she noticed the Imperial armor. Looking around, she saw a group of soldiers surrounding her before one came and injected a stim onto her neck, the pain subsiding slightly.

"Get her back to the camp!"

What?! No!

They began to take her away, struggling to keep her from moving, even without an arm.

"Get your hands off me!" She screamed, wrestling with the two soldiers dragging her away. "That Jedi is mine! He is mine!" Her orders went ignored as the soldiers carried her away, towards a few speeders nearby, away from her kill.

Still on his knees, Cayden lifted his head, watching the Sith scream at him with unrivaled hatred as she was loaded onto a speeder transport. A boot connected with his face, turning him onto his back. He watched as three Imperial troopers stood before him before one put his armored boot on his arm, a blaster to his chest.

"Seems she won't be the one getting the kill." The soldier stated to his two compatriots, who chuckled in response. He looked back at Cayden. "You should've killed her, Jedi scum. That was your mistake."

His blaster whirled to life as Cayden closed his eyes. He was so hurt he couldn't feel the pain anymore. Before the Imperial could kill him, a shot went through his head. Dropping dead, the last two soldiers brought their blaster about, only to be met with shots to their heads as well. Cayden laid there, gasping for breath before the face of Sergeant Trila appeared above him.

"Cayden, it's ok. I'm here." She gave a curse at the state he was in before looking behind her. "Jaxson!"

Not a second went by before Jaxson was also there. Cayden tried to smile.

Not wasting time, Jaxson took two stims and injected Cayden with them. The effect was almost instantaneous. The pain returned and lessened in a span of a few seconds as Cayden took big gulps of air, coughing as his throat burned. However, the pain in his chest still remained. Before he could speak, he felt his mouth been forced open and felt a pill be put inside. Looking at Jaxson, he saw a canteen been held before him. He took it desperately, gulping the pill and was relieved as the symptoms alleviated. He laid there, breathing heavily, as he calmed down from been at death's door. It had been too close.

Taking the hand offered to him, Cayden got back to his feet with some difficulty.

"Thank you." He gasped as he tried to stand, a hand going to his chest. He could still feel the pain.

"Think nothing of it, sir." Trila answered, holding him until he gestured he was able to stand on his own. Stepping back, she watched him in worry as he held his stomach area.

"Damn kid." Jaxson stepped forward, injecting his neck with another stim. "Don't go on your own next time. I may not be able to save you ass again." He smiled, but his eyes held nothing but worry.

Cayden chuckled. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."

"You owe me more than one."

Chuckling even more, Cayden went and picked up his lightsaber. Limping slightly, Cayden's mood sobered when he saw red particles been carried by the wind. He remembered exactly what happened.

"She destroyed my pills." He whispered. The shock was coming back. "I, I don't have any more pills."

Jaxson and Trila shared an alarmed look. That was not good news.

"You can't stay here." Jaxson told him as he approached. "We're lucky she missed one but if that was really the last pill you had, then we need to take you back to the main base before your health worsens."

"What?!" Cayden turned to face him. "I can't leave you alone!"

"Sir," The sergeant began before been interrupted.

"No!" He pointed at them. "We are in this together. We all leave or we all stay."

He looked to Jaxson. "Isn't that your saying?"

They gazed at one another for some time, neither unwilling to back down. It wasn't long before Trila stepped forward after sharing a look with her fellow soldier.

"Sir, with all due respect, you are too injured to stay in this fight. I understand how you feel but your safety takes priority at very this moment. So, I will have to ask you respectfully." Cayden narrowed his eyes as Jaxson switched his blaster to stun. "Stand down and allows us to escort you back to base to receive medical attention."

Neither side moved. Sergeant Trila and Jaxson kept a close eye on Cayden, both knowing he had no intention of leaving the battlefield. Jaxson kept his finger on the trigger, ready to fire a stun shot the moment he inevitably decided to move. Right now, the Padawan was too injured to continue fighting, and they had no intentions of letting him do so. He could get far more wounded or worse. Neither was acceptable to them.

One of the convoy transports blew up, the shockwave sending them all to the ground. Momentarily dazed, Trila got back up only to see an enormous fireball where the first transport had been, pieces of hot metal falling around her. A shout from Jaxson drew her attention… and to the Jedi that had used the distraction to run back into the fight.

"Kid, wait!" Jaxson shouted.

'Damn his stubbornness!' She cursed internally, giving a growl of frustration as they ran after him.

Cayden ran past the fire, following the sound of combat that had died down considerably. Coming up to a couple of Imperial soldiers from behind, he gave a shout as he came at them, lightsaber drawn. They whirled about before the saber went down, finding its mark every time. The last soldier managed to give a few shots before Cayden sent his lightsaber through him.

Running deep into the battlefield, Cayden joined the rest of the men as they pushed back what remained of the Thul forces before sensing pain. Alarmed, Cayden looked everywhere, trying to find where it came from. It almost felt like, like… oh no.

Breaking away, Cayden ran desperately towards the place where he sensed the pain. The familiarity of the sensation, it was the bond he had with his Master. His Master was in trouble.

Finding a concentration of Imperial soldiers fighting Republic troops, Cayden charged at them, having no intention to stop. He sent a weak Force push which took one off their feet and swung his lightsaber at those he could as he ran by, downing two. Pushing past the phantom pain in his chest, Cayden ran, approaching the ridge where the fighting was most intense. That's when he saw it.

The Pureblood Sith. The Pureblood Sith had his red lightsaber held high, about to bringing it down onto his Master who was on his knees.

He didn't think, he just moved.

"NOOO!" He screamed.

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Next chapter, at Death's door.