KNIGHTS OF THE LIGHT
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars what so ever. George Lucas does. I just own some of the original characters (while I do not own others) and the fic all of this is in. That is all.
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Chapter Five: TWO YEARS LATER
In the far reaches of space, a lone planet sat in the infinite darkness. A sun was hanging several million miles away, shining what light it could down onto the planet named Bob. The only other light from the void were the surrounding stars. There were no ships, no battles, no forms of communication. Only space and the small system of planets that orbited the sun, in which Bob was a mere speck in.
Down on the planet, in a field in front of a looming cliff, a single waterfall glistened down into the awaiting lake. Not too far away, there was another lake but smaller in size. Surrounding the small clearing, tall green trees protected those who lived there. A cabin nestled at the edge of one side, the lights on from inside.
The night sky glistened above as a single fire burned near the main lake. A small group of Jedi's stood near it, their faces reflecting the light. Each was wearing their own traditional Jedi garments in which they have adapted. Each had their own sabre, which they crafted from their own hands, or some other kind of weapon of choice. All were of different species and backgrounds, coming together for this one special night.
One of the Jedi was kneeling down, her clawed hands on the bended knee. Her head was bowed down, her head tails laying peacefully on her back. Her pink eyes glistened with the small tears that were beginning to show at the base of her eyes. Though she had played this moment in her mind many times in the past few years, the emotions still hit her with every beat of her heart. The girl, who was once a lost Twi'lek child with no hope and no reason to live any more, was about to become the protectors of the universe. She was about to become a Jedi Knight. A Twi'lek Jedi Knight. A female Twi'lek Jedi Knight. At least, she hoped that she would.
"Mica Venn, you have trained hard in the last few years. I may not have been your Master for all of your training but you have come a long way. You have learned more then just the basic skills that are known to the Jedi but have learned some healing and Force type attacks that only a few have managed to master." Tien Rienheart said from under the hood that he wore over top of his Jedi robes. Next to him, Crysta stood, her hands at her side and her face emotionless. Next to the woman, Domi the Jedi Traveler stood, her eyes also showing no emotions. The hybrid stood silently, biting her lower lip for no reason. Kloud Jinn and Siri Kenobi stood on the other side of Tien, quietly looking down upon the Twilek girl. The only person who was not part of the ceremony was Katie Kenobi as she stood near the cabin, her arms crossed over her chest. "You have been trained hard, young girl. You have seen the hardships the Jedi face. You have been warned of the dangers that are out in the place we call the universe. You have sworn to protect this fragile wonder in which we live in."
"Have I passed the trials Master Rienheart?" Mica Venn asked from the postion she was in, not even looking up from the ground. She was not answered right away from any of the Jedi as several moments of silence passed before she was answered.
"That depends on how you answer me this. Are you ready to become one of us? One of the Jedi's of Planet Bob?"
"Yes. Yes I am ready, Master."
"Ah. I can tell by those words, and the beating of your heart, that you are ready for the Knighthood. At least, in your mind."
"Yes, Master. I am. But, if I did not pass the trials, then I am not." Mica said, trying to hold back the tears and the fears that were welling up inside of her. I knew it. I did not pass. I was not good enough. Nothing is good enough, She thought as she heard the snap-hiss of Tien's light staff igniting. The girl closed her eyes, squeezing them shut. I knew it! I am going to get killed because I am worthy of being a Jedi. I once wanted to die a long time ago but then the plans change. Sister, I am coming to join you!
"Mica Venn, you shall never call me 'Master' again. There is no reason for you to do so." Tien spat out, brining the blade close to the Twi'lek's shoulder.
"I know. Go ahead. Do it."
"You are no longer my Padawan, Mica Venn. I herby knight you full Jedi." Mica gasped out, opening her eyes quickly. She felt the heat of the blade go from shoulder to shoulder then retract back into it's hiding place. The girl slowly stood up, raising her head with the same speed. The Twi'ek saw the now smiling faces of the Jedi as a single tear went down her cheek. Tien smiled at her, placing the staff back onto it's sheath on his back. "I knew what you were thinking, Mica. Why did you doubt me?"
"I....I....felt like I had failed."
"No. No you did not fail. You passed each test far better then any of us." Crysta spoke up.
"You have been taught well, young one. Had you not had any previous training would you not have made it this far." Domi said softly, her eyes gleaming in the fire light. Tien walked up to Mica and placed a hand under her chin. He moved her eyes to his, his smile growing a little bit more.
"Kitt has taught you more then you think, Mica. Yet, you have taught yourself more." He told her, searching the girl's eyes.
"How so Mas.....uh, Tien?" The girl asked, quickly catching her self.
"You have learned to forgive yourself for things that you have not done. You have learned how to handle your past better then most of the Jedi's standing here. But, the most important lesson you have learned is....."
"That you need to PARTY!!!!" Kloud shouted out, letting out a whoop. Siri laughed, trying not to get out of the seriousness of the ceremony. Yet, that did not last long as Kloud did several flips in the air and the laughter caught on.
"Fine, fine. But, remember, we are Jedi." Tien adivised, putting his arms to his side and turning around to face the other.
"Oh, forget about being a Jedi for once, Rienheart. You gotta loosen up!" Crysta said, walking over to him and giving the Jedi several playful shakes. She looked at him thoughtfully as if trying to read his own thoughts. "You don't remember what it is like to be a normal person, do you?"
"Weeeellllll.....I wouldn't go that far." Tien said, turning his head away from her as he tried to keep the smile from his face. Thinking quickly, and with Jedi reflexes, the Master picked up the other and ran towards the lake. Crysta let out a cry of surprise as Tien plunged both of their bodies into the water. Mica now had to force herself not to laugh as she stole a quick glance towards Katie, who was glaring at the Twi'lek the whole time.
"Even after two damn years of more endless searching, you still can not find that female?" Kage Venn roared out, his red eyes flaring up with anger. He stood in the middle of the living room of the Venn mansion, glaring at the two sons that stood before him.
"No, we can not sir. There is no trace of her. We have every bounty hunter known looking for her." Ja'rof Venn said, backing up. He nearly bumped into his younger brother, Al'het Venn, who stood almost directly behind him.
"We even looked several times over. After all, it is a big universe." Al'het reminded his father as he also backed up.
"You idiots!" Kage fumed out, starting to call the two more then just that in their native language and what Huttesse could offer.
"We will keep searching father. We will find her." The older one said once the name calling had died down. By then, the two brothers had backed towards the front door, looking for any escape root possible besides the one behind them.
"No. You will do no such thing." Kage snapped out, sitting down onto a chair. He closed his eyes, rubbing the temples of his forehead as he leaned back. "You two have done enough fooling around to last for the rest of your lives."
"Wha....? We have been trying to find the girl for you!" Ja'rof complained, his mouth dropping open in mock horror. He looked over at his younger brother, who had the same look on his face.
"Silence you bantha foddler. I know what you have been doing the last two years. You have wasted more time then you are worth. I should have not let you to spend all that time doing nothing."
"But, father....."
"Don't 'But father' me, Ja'rof. Neither one of you has found that female in the last six years. I have given you more time then I should have allowed."
"We have searched this universe ten fold in the last six years. If you do not believe me, ask any bounty hunter you can find." Al'het out, a blast of anger now going through his body. Kage opened his eyes, glaring at the two through narrowed slits.
"If you had really been searching, then you would have searched every damn backwater planet known to every damn species that dewels in the Outer Rim."
"What other backwater planets are there, father? Endor was the last one we checked and that is one of the last that was on the map."
"My dear sons." Kage smirked, standing up, a evil glare in his eyes. "Do you really think that every single planet is on that map? There is still one that I can recall from a old Jedi legend that has been forgotten by mere mortals like ourselves."
"Huh?" Al'het and Ja'rof glanced at each other before glancing back at their father. The old Twi'lek chuckled darkly, a shadow of hatred crossing his face. "How do you know of Jedi legends?"
"Don't you think that there were ever Jedi's on Tatooine?"
Chapter Six: The Next Night
Scarlet Venn moved along the shadows of the house, darting her eyes across the darkness. With her Twi'lek eyes, she could make out the figure's of the furniture and the walls. Everything was clear to her though it was black as anything all around her.
The woman was determined to find her daughter. She had some idea as to where she might be but she couldn't be certain. Scarlet couldn't be certain about anything anymore. Her husband had become so possessed about finding their daughter that was now really scaring her. At first, the Twi'lek thought it was just something Kage would try to find then forget about it a year later. Yet, it had been a ongoing process that had dragged on for many years and now was about to erupt into a battle in which she hoped that Mica would be able to survive.
Stopping in the middle of the doorway that lead to the dinning room, Scarlet turned her head around. She stared at the darkness for several moments, her eyes going wide for a moment. Please don't be awake just yet. I need just another hour. That is all I need, She thought as she sighed. Turning around, the Twi'lek stared forwards only to look into a pair of glowing eyes. She jumped back, holding a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from screaming out.
"Damn it, Al'het. What in the hell are you doing up now? Aren't you and Ja'rof going with your father in a couple of days?" Scarlet demanded, keeping her voice low as she lowered her hand down to her chest. She stared at her youngest son for a moment as she calmed herself down.
"He is no longer my father." Al'het Venn growled softly. "He wants to kill my sister."
"You just now noticing this?"
"Whatever. He is going crazy, mother. Now he wants to go off and find Mica. Ha claims he knows where she is. I don't believe him." Scarlet was quiet as she walked past her son. She did not say anything as she moved towards the back door, giving Al'het a sad look as he watched her go in the night. "You mean to tell me that there is such a place?"
"Yes, my son. I know. Kage knows. Mica knows. The whole Venn family knows. It is just that....." Her voice trailed off in sadness.
"Just what?"
"Just that Kage thought that you had known about the planet and already searched it. That is why he never brought it up."
"How do you know about it?"
"Mica isn't the only one in this family that has been and is Forced fused. Your grandparents were fused as well. Unfortunately for your father, but thankfully for us, he was not fused. My guess is it skips every other generation and Kage was skipped."
"What about us? Why aren't we fused then?"
"Your powers were realized too late, my son. Kage did not believe in such things until you were too old to be trained."
"And Mica....?"
"He thought that if his sons were not able to be Jedi, then his daughter could not. Besides, he would be banished to death if anyone found out that he had a warrior for a daughter." Al'het did not say anything as he walked to his mother, taking one of her hands into both of his claws.
"Is that why he is after Mica? He is scared that she is a warrior and he is not?" He whispered. The Twi'lek saw, in the night, his mother's head move up and down. "Then, we will go with you and find Mica. She needs to be warned."
Mica stared at the ceiling of her room in the Temple, her hands behind her head. She was laying on the bed that was at one side of the master bedroom, covers and pillows all around her. The moonlight from the three moons shone down from the window and from behind the lace that hung overtop the glass. A mirror reflected some of this light onto the bed, casting a small shadow onto it.
The Twi'lek couldn't sleep. The excitement from the celebration the day before had left her happy and tired. Despite not having any sleep for the past five days, she still felt it hard to go to sleep. Everything was new to her even though she was no longer a Padawan. Tien was no longer her master. She was out on her own and loving every moment. Yet, not every memory in her dreams was happy. There were still the ones of the battle that had taken place six years before. Though nineteen now, the images of her first master's and her twin sister's at the age of thirteen were still almost fresh in the girl's mind.
There where still things she had to do before she could move on with her life. Still some unsettled scores she knew she had to deal with. Yet, Mica knew, that if she was to go back to Ryloth, she surely would be killed. After all, a female Twi'lek was not to be any kind of warrior. It was forbidden by Ryloth law. Every female had to abide by it even though some were not Twi'lek. Visiting females were shun down upon by the males because most had occupations other then that of a dancer. Most were pilots that did not want to stay on Tatooine or to refuel there. Who could blame them? Even some the Twi'lek's didn't want to be on that planet despite the fact that both planets were in the Outer Rim and it's territories. After all, the desert planet was the crime planet of the universe. Only Courscant came in second even after the Imperials had left it many years ago.
Mica yawned as she turned over onto her side. She had a long week and was determined to get some sleep even if it meant not going to the falls for the next week. She was too tired to do anything and just wanted to have her eyes closed and not wake up for the next two days. She didn't care as she closed her pink eyes tightly. I will get some sleep. I need it, Was the Twi'lek's last thought as she drifted off to a sound sleep.
Three days later
Tien Rienheart moved along the edge of the lake, staring down into the clear blue water. His boots were at the edge, on a stump that had been there for a long time. Clouds had covered the sky, making the blue color go to a near black. A low rumble could be heard in the distance, a hint has to what was going to happen in the next few hours. Yet, the Jedi did not care. He now had so much free time on his hands that he would love a challenge that night. To him, swimming in water when a storm was going on up above was that certain challenge. Crysta had always said that the Jedi would get killed doing something. Maybe she is right. One day I will get killed. Heh. Not anytime soon though, He thought to himself with a chuckle.
Tien heard someone already splashing in the water. He stopped at the water's edge and looked out into the lake just as Katie Kenobi was walking out. Water ran along her body as she locked her eyes with the other. Her tunic was wet but she didn't seem to care at all.
"What are you doing out here?" The Master asked her as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Wanted to go for a swim before the storm kicked in. You better go inside your own cabin before something happens." The girl warned him as she stepped out of the lake.
"Katie, I am fully aware that there is a storm coming. I know I have to go inside because of it. However, I have been trained to withstand a whole hell of a lot more then you have."
"Heh. Right."
"Katie, just go inside. Okay?" Tien turned his back on her, starting to walked away from Katie.
"Did you teach Mica how to be so rude to friends?"
"Mica has nothing to do with you going inside."
"Frankly, it has everything to do with me." With that, the older Jedi stopped in his tracks. He turned his head around so his brown eyes could look at Katie.
"Why are you hateful towards her?"
"Easy. She came here so suddenly and everyone just trusts her completely the moment she does. Why, it took you a year to trust me. Why her so quickly? I mean, she could be lying about her knowing what's his name."
"Kitt Longhorn. That was his name, damn it. The only reason why we trusted Mica faster then you was the fact that she had no secrets to tell. At least, ones that don't involve the rest of us getting killed over it."
"Heh. You really believe that Mica doesn't have any secrets?"
"I didn't say that." Katie glared at Tien when he said those words.
"You don't know Mica that well. None of us do. She was here one moment and the next she is your damned Padawan."
"I have had a lot of chances to have Padawan's and I was not going to give up another chance Katie.
" Did she say why she came here?"
"No. She didn't have to tell us nothing. I could tell just by the look on her face that she had been through hell and back twice and lived to tell about it. Everyone here has a part of their past that they do not want to talk about yet. Mica needs more time."
"She had two years, you know."
"Yea. So?"
"You know, Tien, you ought to pre-screen your Padawan's before you take one in as your own. That just may save your life one day." With that, Katie walked past Tien, giving him a cold glare before she turned her body fully around. The Jedi Master watched her go past the Rienheart cabin and go into her own. He tried to keep his anger down as a snarl came to his face and a bolt of lightening went across the now dark sky.
Crysta stared out of the window of the Rienheart cabin that overlooked the lake as she sighed. Behind her, Domi, Siri, Kloud, and Mica were playing a game of sabacc at the kitchen table. The four had tried to get her to play a half hour before with no such luck. So, they continued to play without her. She was too busy watching Tien at the lake, trying to get himself killed again. Now, the Jedi had seen him start something with Katie yet again. That girl is either going to get killed by some Sith or one of us is going to do it, She thought bitterly to herself as she sighed once again. There is a bigger chance that someone from here is going to do it. Sith have not come here in many years, which is a good thing none of the least.
"Hey, Crysta. Why don't you come over and play a game or two? It'll take your mind off of things." Domi called out to her, breaking the Jedi's trance. Crysta turned her head towards the small group, a forced smile on her lips. "Come on. I already got Kloud's ship and half of Mica's Temple. See if I can also get this cabin too."
"Ha ha. Very funny. No, that is alright. I think I rather...." Before Crysta could speak the rest of her sentence, a loud engine roared over top of the cabin. The game stopped between the Jedi's as the walls shook some. Kloud, Siri, and Domi looked at each other in wonder while Mica quickly stood up, her mouth hanging open in a O of surprise. The Twi'lek ran towards the door, barely caring about the storm that had started outside. The door to the cabin opened before the Jedi got to it, reveling a soaked Tien. He was pushed back as Mica ran past him in a hurry.
"What the.....?" He cried out as he spun around to watch his former Padawan run out into the storm.
Chapter Seven:
No. Not now. How could they have found me in this place? Mica Venn thought quickly as she bounded from the cabin just as a small ship landed in the middle of the clearing. The Twi'lek skidded to a stop, a panicked look crossing her face. That all changed several minutes later when the ramp to the metal heap slowly opened and a female Twi'lek stepped out into the rain, making the girl's mouth drop open.
"Mo...mother? What are you doing here?" Mica gasped out, going to her knees. Hearing these words, Scarlet Venn halted at the end of the ramp, turning her body towards the once small child that was her daughter. Her lips turned to a smile as she ran to her daughter and knelt in front of her, giving the Twi'lek a big hug. Mica hugged back, the surprise now draining away.
Two more Twi'leks had come out of the ship when the two ended the embrace and stood up. Mica's face went from happiness to horror as she stared at her two brothers. Then, it turned to a snarl as she got into a fighting stance. By this time, the rest of the Jedi's had come out of the cabin and were watching the reunion.
"What are you two doing here? Did father send you out here to kill me?" Mica growled out, her pink eyes blazing with anger that she struggled to keep down.
"No, we have not. Father does not know we are here. But, he knows you are." Al'het Venn informed her, bowing slightly. "Mica, you are a Jedi now. You are more powerful then father ever dreamed you could be."
"Let's get inside and talk this over. There is something you should know." Ja'rof muttered.
"Damn right." Mica heard Tien mutter under his breath as she stole a quick glance over to his direction.
"Okay, let me get this straight now." Kloud started as he sat on a chair in the living room of the living room. He leaned forwards, towards the three Twi'lek's that stood in the middle of the room. Crysta, Siri, and Mica were sitting on the couch on the other side, each silent. Domi was leaning against the arm of the couch, watching the event unfold. Katie had joined them not too long ago, slipping in when no one had noticed. Tien was busy listening and staring out of the window, his arms crossed over his chest. "This Twi'lek, called Kage, is on his way here because he wants his daughter, Mica, dead. Is that right?"
"Yes." Scarlet said, a firm expression on his face.
"Why?"
"Because, his honor was hurt because his daughter wanted to be a Jedi. A warrior."
"What's so bad about that?" Siri spoke up from next to Mica. Ja'rof turned around to face the three.
"By Ryloth law, females are not allowed to be a warrior of any kind. It is forbidden to be one. See, woman have basically no rights were we live. What they do have still restricts them from doing much anything without a Twi'lek male present." He explained to the Jedi. Siri nodded in agreement, now understanding.
"Is that why Kitt died? He was training a female?" Tien spoke up, not turning around from the window.
"Yes. That is why. I wanted to be a Jedi before it was too late. Kitt was the one who saved me. He trained me to be a warrior. Without him, I would not have been freed." Mica said, standing up. She walked over to her former Master, her head tails swinging on her back. "Tien, please understand. I did not know that my father would go this far. I had hoped that he would have thought that I was dead by the time I had finished my training."
"But, he didn't. Now you may have doomed us to hell, Mica." Katie spoke up from the other side of the room. Tien turned around, looking past Mica to the other one as she walked towards them, her arms opened wide. "See? Didn't I tell you? I knew she was going to be trouble the moment I laid my eyes on her. I think that she should be taken back to where ever the hell she came from and killed. That way, we all can live in peace for the rest of our lives and not have to worry about a thing."
"We may not know how or what her father might do, but we can't just abandon Mica like this. I, for one, am not about to let one of my fellow Jedi's be hurt just because of a law of a planet that is no where near us." Domi said, jumping up straight. "We are friend and I'll be a bantha's uncle if I am going to let this girl go."
"Darn right!" Crysta, Kloud, and Siri said, standing up quickly. Mica looked around for a moment before turning her attention back to Tien, who had a hard look on his face.
"Tien...." She spoke, taking one step closer to her. "Please...."
"Don't listen to her, Tien. She is trying to brainwash you." Katie called out. He did not answer the other Jedi as he stared directly into Mica's pink eyes.
"Katie." He called back to her.
"Yes?" The Kenobi girl asked, happiness in her eyes.
"Shut up for once and go get your sabre. It is time to do some practicing."
To Be Continued.....