The Force of One

By: The Goddess of Mush and Stuff









Chapter Two: The Force's Lesson



Sixteen year old Telly Liksani bit back a yawn as one of her teachers babbled on about the Force and the Jedi Philosophies. When she saw the class on her schedule that year, she knew it was Master Yaddle's doing. What Master Yaddle didn't know was that she was already quite versed in the ways of the Force. Just little few knew that

:What in Bloody hell does she think you are an idiot?: she remembered Sadie yelling in her mind when she read the schedule. :We pretty much know the how the damn order started! We know what things are based on! This is going to be as bad as that History class you had to take!:

Telly only smiled and told her to calm down. :Don't worry Sadie. I like going through these incredibly boring classes so I look smart. I'm already a few classes ahead someone my age should be in.:

:And here you said you didn't want to be the center of attention, Miss know it all!:

She smiled, she didn't want to be, no, but it was kind of a nice feeling to know she knew more than any Jedi probably was close to knowing. Well save for Master Yoda, he was a younger version of himself back in the days that some of the gifts and Force uses were still around.

It had been a long road from being the depressed, lonely five year old that two friends had left behind. Now she was a Padawan Learner and Force knew what a single encounter with a young Mon Calamari in a darkened gym floor had done for her. Bant Eerin was now fairly close to being the replacement of Sadie in her mind's eye. She had the same mentality for sure.

:With non of the finesse!: Sadie snorted. :That girl is so below me, by that age I'd have masters quivering in fear at the sound of my name.:

:I think you already had that effect on some.: Telly laughed with her.

:anyway, shall we return ourselves to our lessons or are we just over viewing so you can write it all down?:

:Over view, I'd like to have REAL notes as to what I've learned in the past oh, three or so years.:

:It's been eleven:

:You didn't start teaching me stuff till I was thirteen or so myself. Same goes for you, oh Wise one!:

:alright alright: Sadie groaned. :Okay where shall we start?:

:Alignment:

:alrighty!: Sadie smiled as she began to rattle off her lessons. Force- sensitive were aligned in four ways really. Living, Unifying, Balanced and of course the ominous Darkness. :And if any of your teachers try to tell you otherwise about it being a separate alignment they need their heads checked.: Sadie snorted. :They are so bent on killing and all they aren't capable of the Living Force at all so they are all their own separate:

:Best Theory I've ever heard. Of course around here they don't even talk about that kind of stuff, unless it's Yoda's Speech.:

:That little troll needs his head checked, and I'm not the only one thinking that!: Sadie laughed. :My master here is like he just needs to step back and let things happen, not meddle the way he does.:

:Amen to that:

The teacher began asking questions and Telly found it wise to put their banter on hold till he passed her over a few times. She didn't want to be caught off guard and miss something important. Finally though the teacher went back to lecturing and Telly went back to her own class of sorts.

:Okay ummm. Gifts from the get go and all that good stuff: Telly grinned making small notes on her durasheet.

:Okay, Fourteen were original, and now we're all kinda like a mix of all of them save two or three different gifts that have faded from memory and use. Vision Masters, Healing Masters, they are still separate by the way, Combat Masters, Empaths, Telepaths, Mind Masters, Levitators, Concealers, Seekers, Mediators, Elementals, Illusionists and Us.:

Telly finished scribbling and began going back through the list. She knew each groups talent area, different tricks that each Master of that Gift could perform. Oh how she wished she still lived back in those days. Things had to have been much more interesting than they were now.

:Illusionists are dead, been dead since the merging began. Elementals were thought to be dead but I've seen a few Masters pull it off and your friend I think could probably be the best shot we've got in getting Elementals started again.:

:US! Why us!:

:Cause after the big event, whatever that is, people are gonna start looking to you for that kinda junk. And Bant alone you can teach to master that Elemental gift. She's got the hair for it that's for sure!:

:Shush:

:Anyway, apparently our class is supposedly dead to but since Xani and us I believe Force Channels have been born just no one to teach us or show us what we're suppose to do so the gift goes dormant. Or the owner of the empty bond goes crazy. Which ever happens first:

:Sounds reasonable enough. but: Telly stopped for a moment thinking through the last side note. :Do you think that's what happened to Xani?:

:It's a possibility, plus other things added on top of that. Anyway, I've got twenty-odd-century dead Masters here with me girl! Who you think is going to be right them or those masters teaching ya now. Time changes and colors the information as well as the use. The Jedi aren't what they used to be.:

Telly wrote more and stared at the one blank spot. :So have they told ya yet what our gifts were used as.:

:Not yet no. They say were getting close though: Sadie sighed. :seventeen and I still feel like I'm being left out.:

:You and me both:

Telly heard the bell and snapped her books shut. She mindlessly walked through the Temple's Hallways heading for the Gardens and effectively towards the water ponds where she knew a certain Mon Calamari was swimming with her pet Sunil.

:It's still an over grown Rat to me: Sadie snickered playfully. Bant never heard her but Sadie had fun picking fun of the younger girl. Sadie had fun picking fun on anyone.

Telly took a seat near the Waterfalls, seeing that Obi-wan was already seated on the banks of the Pond, with an ominous Qui-gon standing behind him. Telly hadn't ever felt safe around the large master, ever since that day long ago in the Meditation Gardens when he fairly snapped so she stayed back. Unfortunately for her, Obi-wan was quite observant and had been making habit lately to pull her out of hiding.

"Hey Telly! What are you doing here?" Obi-wan smiled motioning for her to come on over to the edge of the water.

"Waiting for Bant, we were going to go eat lunch after my Philosophies class."

"Your in Force and Jedi Philosophies Class?" a bewildered Qui-gon asked from his place behind Obi-wan. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen sir." She replied, without looking up at him, she instead glanced out at the water as if she felt something.

"And you're in a class for twenty- to twenty two year olds?"

"Telly's pretty smart Master." Obi-wan smiled back at Qui-gon. "She's pretty much left the rest of us in the dust when it comes to studies. Especially History and Logical type stuff. Right Tel?"

The girl only nodded, and Qui-gon couldn't quite shake the feeling of uncomfortable ness that centered around her. It couldn't be because of Obi- wan, Obi-wan seemed to know the girl quite well. Was something wrong instead?

He couldn't quite shake the feeling that he knew her either. The girl was fairly short, but quite athletic looking it seemed. Bright, curly red hair hung loosely around her face, contrasting with the mostly dark brown Padawan Braid hanging at her shoulder. He was pretty sure that she had never been to his or Obi-wan's quarters but then where had he seen her?

Bant choose that moment to come out of the water. She looked at the trio for a few seconds then smiled as she grabbed her towel. "Hey Telly. Obi- wan, what's up?"

Qui-gon glanced at the other Padawan briefly wondering if he could say what they had come to tell Bant without it spreading around the Temple like wildfire. Obi-wan, however held no doubt and began talking.

"We came to warn you Bant. We've been hearing rumors as of late that someone resembling Xanatos has been on Coruscant. Well actually is Xanatos we think."

:Padawan do you think it wise to tell Bant this with the other girl here?:

:Huh? Telly? Don't worry Master, Telly won't tell any one. She knows about Xanatos anyway.:

The girl knew about Xanatos? Why would she have any right to know about Xanatos? He shrugged and went back to Bant.

"Why are you warning me though?"

"Xanatos is a bit twisted on revenge so he might have some need to seek you out if he does come here." Qui-gon said sadly. It was truth but he hoped that the farthest thing from Xanatos' mind was a fifteen year old Mon Calamari girl.

:Twisted! Our Xani? Kick his ass Telly for the love of the Force! He can't say that about Xani!:

:quiet you!: Telly admonished backing up a bit from the group. She had schooled herself on not speaking out loud anymore but her facial expressions clearly still showed her speaking to someone. :First off do you want to be thrown out of the temple?:

:Well like it matters. Technically speaking with a few more years of maturing behind ya you'd be a knight already. According to a few friends o'mine of course.:

:SHUSH:

Telly returned the conversation between the three in front of her and just listened. Bant was told to never be alone if she could possibly work it. Xanatos most likely wouldn't try anything if she was with someone else. Telly was getting confused though and returned to Sadie for some sort of cement between what was being said.

:Ya know.. wouldn't it just suck royally, if say, Xani's not here for her?: Sadie was getting a grand idea, Telly felt it. :Say he's come back for you?:

Telly's heart soared. Xani back for her? :That's impossible!! He wouldn't dare come back here! I was five, he was twenty then! Eleven years later he probably doesn't remember the little girl that nearly got his hide tanned.:

:I'm sure he does. Otherwise why would he come back. Certainly he knows not to do the same trick twice. He's been taught better than that!:

:That's right, he's like you. You know better than to return again unless you're sure it's safe.:

"Telly?" Bant asked again for like the millionth time. "Hey! Snap out of it.."

"Oh sorry! I was just thinking." She whispered silently, keeping her eyes down cast.

"I would say so!" Bant Laughed. "You ready for Lunch. Obi-wan wants to go with us if that's alright."

"Sure." Telly whispered turning to head for the cafeteria. Where had Qui- gon disappeared to during her time away in her mind? Was he going after Xani?

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It was an insane plan, one that he normally wouldn't bother with at all, let alone buy into but anymore, plans of these nature seemed more and more inviting and more and more believable. It didn't help that now he was basically a wanted criminal, having that over his head constantly did tend to stress him a bit.

Still here he was on the last planet anyone would look for him, though he was sure some people had already recognized him and reported him. He had little time but he had no choice now but to try to pull this off.

The Mon Calamari girl actually had a bounty out on her, the one he and Bruck Chun had captured during his last attack on the Temple. There were priests on Mon Calamari looking for her because of her heritage or something, all he cared about was what was to come of her if they got her back there.

The Daughters of the Moon were basically what a Jedi would call a Force Channel, if they had any idea what those were. He figured they didn't seeing as no one ever recognized him as one. It was by accident that he himself found it out a few years ago. All he needed was Bant Eerin and have the priest perform the ceremony which would make one of the thirteen girls, or hopefully make Bant a real Channel. He needed that Force Channel, and he needed one now.

Xanatos looked up at the Temple, disgusted in some sense and a bit wary in another. He knew that sooner or later, Bant ventured out into the Coruscant streets, most Padawans did at her age. So far though, no sign of her, just a bunch of boys on one day, several Masters and Knights and then no one that he could use.

Today, however, seemed to be his lucky day. There walking out of the main entrance was the Mon Calamari girl, talking and laughing with a red-head human. Bant was much more active and animate than the red-head and she continually was looking around her like something was going to creep up on her and bite. Something about her screamed at him but he couldn't quite place it and fell into step several feet behind them.

He had wished she'd come alone but then, that was a high hope and he now knew he was going to have to kidnap both girls if he was ever going to get far enough away to make it to Mon Calamari the way he was planning. Bant would struggle a bit but Xanatos was much larger than she, more powerful to. The red-head would pose no problem, she barely looked like she'd put up a fight.

"Healer Apprentice I bet" he smiled a bit. Good, if all worked well he'd have himself a healer and a Channel, all he'd have to do is some how turn them or brainwash them.

The crowds were thick today, that too would work to his advantage and soon he had a moment prime for grabbing the two apprentices. They decided to duck down an alleyway, much to his surprise and so he followed.

"I dunno Bant, these ways always turn out bad." The red-head was saying suspiciously.

"Oh you worry too much. Not many people will attack someone who is dressed like a Jedi, and we're near the Temple so not many people are that brave." Bant was snickering to herself.

The red-head only sighed and turned around. She faced Xanatos dead on and Xanatos was a bit puzzled. She turned her head back to Bant, as if to ignore him, and began to speak once more.

"What if they're not afraid of Jedi, what if they know how to disable us?"

"Well then we run." Bant sighed. "Why do you worry so much?"

"Cause there's a guy following us and he looks quite content on taking us." She said turning back to Xanatos.

By then he was moving and quickly grabbed both girls. Bant did struggled and got turned around a bit. "Xanatos!" she gasped as soon as she got a good look at his face and began to struggle more. "Telly run!"

"Oh, I don't think either of you are going anywhere but with me." Xanatos said lowly , pressing the hypo spray to Bant's neck and the Mon Calamari was out within seconds. He then turned his attention to the red-head. She still stood placidly, staring up at him as if he weren't a threat to her and watched as he came towards her with the sedative. "Sorry kid, you're gonna have to take this."

"It's okay" she whispered before the drug took effect. "I understand."

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The small meeting room was filled with Jedi, each one with a serious look upon their face and a few with tinges of worry and concern. Two of their own were missing now and they all had a pretty good idea of what had happened to them.

"Any idea where Bant was going yesterday?" Qui-gon sighed, running a hand through his graying hair.

"She just said she was going somewhere with Telly. That they'd be fine." Tahl, Bant's Master, replied calmly. "I figured they were just going somewhere in the Temple, not going out into Coruscant."

Qui-gon looked to Yaddle, quietly asking the same question. The disposition of the older girl told him maybe she had given her Master a bit more information. Yaddle shook her head slowly. "Told me same thing, Telly did. Be back later she promised."

Which now both girls were missing, they'd left late afternoon yesterday and never returned. Qui-gon had a pretty good idea who had the girls but why wasn't he flaunting it yet? Why wasn't he calling them out or calling for their release terms?

"Xanatos must have them Master." Obi-wan spoke up, speaking what he knew his Master thought. "But why hasn't he made a move yet?"

"Usually he starts playing his cards once he obtains them," Tahl spoke up. "As soon as he had Bant and Telly he should have called either us," she said indicating herself and Yaddle. "Or you."

"I'm not sure why he hasn't, but he will soon." Qui-gon said.

"Fear I do, that contact us he will not." Yaddle said from her seat beside Mace and Yoda. "Left the planet I fear they already have."

"Left the planet?" Tahl sat up, sightlessly fixing Yaddle with her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Felt Telly I could before. Calm she was, unafraid, and now I sense nothing. Gone she is, and fear I do that he has taken them somewhere else than here."

Obi-wan stared at Yaddle, Unafraid and Calm? In face of Xanatos kidnapping them, that didn't sound like Telly at all, Bant maybe cause she knew how Xanatos really was but Telly didn't know. He looked up at his Master, who was taking this in and trying to anticipate Xanatos' plan.

"He has something planned for them, or wants us to meet him on his turf." Mace said, folding his hands in front of him, and leaning on the table. "Where do you think he'll take them?"

"I'm not sure." Qui-gon answered in frustration. "But if we can figure out what ship he's using if any, maybe we can trace him."

"What if he's on a public liner? Then what do we do?" Tahl asked.

"Find his alias and find where the ship was going, but I think he'd have his own ship. He didn't like traveling with all those people before I doubt he'd start now."

The group nodded and Tahl set out to find the names of ships that had departed yesterday or were scheduled to leave soon. She hoped Yaddle was wrong but, usually the little trolls, both Yoda and Yaddle, proved to be right.

Obi-wan watched the Council Members leave, Yaddle included and then sat back to watch Tahl and Qui-gon begin their own search. Telly and Bant were not his Padawans but Xanatos was, in some ways, still his responsibility. Obi-wan was glad that they were involved though, if Bant was missing he would be too occupied about finding out things if he hadn't been allowed to help. He also feared what might happen though.

He just hoped what happened the last time didn't happen this time as well. They already thought Xanatos had been killed on Telos. Weeks later they had been proven wrong with footage of someone named Tosan Cran taking over some big corporation out in the Outer Rim. The footage showed Xanatos, unscathed and quite alive.

How would Qui-gon react to facing Xanatos yet another time?

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Xanatos stared at the ship's control panels, not really paying attention to them, but deep in thought. He had the girl, he had an extra, and he got away so far. Who knew when they'd start coming after him or if they knew which ship was his. He had done what he came to do and was free right now but yet...

"It's okay. I understand."

The red-head had not been afraid, not run away, yelping for help, she stood there, in his grasp not trying to get away. She stood there like she knew it was going to happen. She was familiar.

"Telly! Run!"

That name also sounded familiar. Telly, Telly. he leaned back and closed his eyes. What did it matter? He got what he was coming for and just because this girl was somewhat familiar didn't mean anything. Did it?

"What do you think you're doing?"

"You looked like you wanted a way out.so.so I thought I'd show you where you can hide in here."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. I'm Telly."

"Xanatos. So why would you help me?"

"Dunno, you looked bored. I know that feeling."

"Really. Nice hiding place."

The scene played in his head, a distant memory he nearly erased, frustrated with the Jedi to the point of not wanting to remember anything about them, good or bad. A little girl from the crèche had helped him find a way to sneak around his work, she was soft spoken but fiery all at the same time.

"Cause I'm less than perfect that's why. I'm not like a lot of Jedi."

"Neither am I."

"So I see."

He sat up, eyes opened once more. Telly Liksani of course! That's how he knew her, that's why she wasn't afraid of him! He looked behind him at the two bound girls, still out because of the sedative. Sure enough, curly red hair hung around her face, covering her closed green-eyes.

He had met her a few short weeks after a friend of hers had died. The little child was shy and frightened a lot but when she had seen him something compelled her to in a ways kidnap him. The two had taken a small route into the meditation gardens trying to get to the animal gardens and had a run in with Qui-gon, and then she saved him from having more chores and meditation heaped upon him for skipping out on his first punishment.

She and he actually talked a lot during his week in the crèche, she was a lot like him he found out. She was..

Xanatos gasped and walked closer to the pair. He gently examined the girl's Force presence and found just what he was looking for. A small line of energy that didn't seem to have a source. The small marking of a Channel. Telly was also a counter to him. She centered around the Living Force, her signature a deep dark green with several different shades of the color mixed in.

He stood, watching the girl with a bit of wonder and just a slight hint of victory. Now he didn't even need to make the trip to Mon Calamari, well he could go there and drop the other girl off and have her off his hands, but he didn't need to persuade anyone to let him see the ceremony, to have to kidnap the newly made Daughter of the Moon. He had himself the thing he needed.

"She's not the same though and you aren't either. She's not going to trust you once she really gets to think about the situation." He thought as he backed away from the girls. She probably was still to stunned by seeing him to really think about him. She either didn't know about what happened or didn't understand. Either way, she'd think it through and then she'd have nothing to do with him. She was a smart girl.

Her master would surely take her away from him anyway, no matter what was said or done. He stalked back to the cockpit and sat back down. Better off to do as planned, the ceremony sometimes left the recipient with amnesia. He'd leave Telly some place safe where she could contact the Temple and be taken home.

He slipped back into a light trance, not really wanting to fall asleep. He knew sooner or later the Jedi would track him down or they would follow him to his destination. He'd like to be ready for that.

Xanatos woke with a start after a few hours of sleep. Something had awoken him but what? He checked the ships controls, and made sure nothing had followed them or hit them. Nothing was wrong but. he turned back and was greeted with a groggy pair of green eyes, staring up at him with the same impassive glare.

The other girl was waking up to, a little slower than Telly had and Xanatos argued with himself to knock them out again. The Mon Calamari would be trouble for him during the whole trip he feared.

"Telly?" Bant asked groggily, finally able to see clearly. The other sat just a few feet from her, looking fairly calm. She was still half asleep but she still didn't seem afraid or anything. "Oh where are we?"

"A ship."

"What?" Bant sat up quickly and looked around. Sure enough they were on some sort of ship. Then she began to remember and she felt fear creeping up on her a bit. "Where is he?" she whispered to Telly.

"Right there." Telly said staring forward into the cockpit. Xanatos was staring back at them.

Bant tried to get her hands in front of her again but couldn't. They were tied. She looked back up at Xanatos and frowned. "You know they'll come after us."

"Oh I fairly bet on it, but by that time we'll be at our destination and they won't know where that is for quite a while." Xanatos sneered a bit.

"They'll find us. Qui-gon knows how to find you." Bant shot back.

"Oh does he now?" Xanatos smiled. "I think the old man still thinks I'm dead."

"No. He knows you alive. He warned us about you."

"What a surprise." Xanatos groaned. "Well don't get your hopes up, we'll be a long way from Coruscant before they figure out where we are."

"And where are we going?" Bant shot back, annoyed at the amount of confidence Xanatos was showing.

"Like I'm going to tell you." Xanatos laughed, nearly turning back to the controls of the ship. He stopped though and stared at Telly, who during this whole time was silent. "What are you looking at?"

"You." Telly replied evenly. She was up to something, and obviously was pleased about it.

Xanatos stared back at her, just wondering what she was doing. "Don't try anything kid."

"I wouldn't dare." She smirked a bit. "Anyway, we both know who the escape artists is here."

Xanatos felt himself relax, instantly. He chuckled to himself and walked back to stand above the two girls. "Oh is that so?" he stared down at her. "I know you're good but just how good are you?"

The cuffs around her wrists snapped open instantly and fell away, moment's later his lightsaber floated in front of her, ignited and ready for a battle. All the while both of them stood staring at one another a strange smirk on their faces.

Bant stared in wonder. Where had that come from and why hadn't Telly done that sooner! She smiled as she watched the two stare at one another, Xanatos' lightsaber at Telly's control. Suddenly it fell to the ground and Xanatos was laughing.

"My, you are good!" he laughed, picking up the lightsaber from where it had fallen.

"Telly don't let him pick it up! Take it away from him again.!" Bant screamed, watching as Telly just stood there watching Xanatos.

She barely looked over at Bant, but kept her gaze on Xanatos. He remembered her! This was great! Xanatos ignored the Mon Calamari and straightened back up to look at Telly. "Grown some too haven't you?"

"Eleven years will do that to a person." Telly smiled back. "You haven't changed much, save for that scar."

Xanatos sneered and turned that side of his face away. "Yes well, I have changed." He snarled turning back to the cockpit. He in a ways hoped she didn't know what he had done, what he had become.

Telly watched him stalk towards the pilot's chair knowing she had hit a sore spot. He was warring with himself right now. He had, however, left her untied.

"So, still torturing those poor suckers back in the Temple?" a more friendly tone called back to her and she relaxed a bit more.

She walked a bit closer and grinned. "Who me? Oh no that was you and my other friend. I was always the good one."

Xanatos snorted, grinning all the while at the answer. "Sure kid, tell yourself what you want to. So, you're what sixteen now?"

"Yep. You're thirty?"

"Thirty one." Xanatos corrected her. "I was twenty one when we met."

"Oh." Telly looked back at Bant briefly then turned back to the front. "Long time."

"Very."

"What are you doing back here? I thought you weren't allowed to come back." Telly finally questioned. It was time she knew what happened and heard it from him, not someone who colored it and made him as the total bad guy.

"Oh, is that what they said?" Xanatos frowned. "I just wasn't allowed to come back."

"Well no, they said you were dead. That you had turned to the Darkside." Telly said silently watching Xani's face. "Your master killed you in a battle. But then, when you started making trouble at the Temple well that explanation just went away."

Bant couldn't believe her ears. This wasn't Telly Liksani, this was some other girl in her place! Never had she heard Telly speak so confidently or loudly in her time knowing her. She wasn't afraid of Xanatos, she wasn't even worried about what was going on! She spoke as if she was just speaking to an old lost friend. Xanatos wasn't acting in his normal manner either, he had left Telly untied after she had threatened him with his own lightsaber. What was going on here?

"And what do you believe?" Xanatos asked in a low, dark voice.

"I think you're lost, that's all." Telly replied, looking down at her boots. "You got confused, lost, afraid maybe and well, You remember my sentiments of your Master."

Bant looked over at Telly. Her sentiments of his master? What? Qui-gon was once Xanatos' Master, he was now Obi-wan's what did she mean by that remark?

Xanatos shook his head and looked back up at Telly. "Oh yes I remember very well." He motioned for her to go to Bant. "You can untie her if you can keep her away from me."

"Don't worry." Telly smiled as she moved over to Bant. "You won't do anything right Bant?"

"What? The moment I'm loose I'm going after him. There's no telling what evil plot he has in mind for us." Bant replied, looking up at Telly wishing the old, wise Telly would come back. "You said you knew about him? What is all this?"

"I said I once knew him." Telly frowned, not moving to release Bant from her bindings. "You misunderstood me."

"Well still, you knew him once, you should know what he is."

"I know better than anyone does." Telly growled back. "Now promise you won't do anything or you can stay tied up."

Bant weighed her options, feeling just a tad uncomfortable and if she stayed this way she would be a great deal more uncomfortable after a few more hours. She sighed and nodded her head agreeing not to do anything. "Fine."

Telly released her then returned to standing behind Xanatos at the controls. Xanatos was surprised at the defense he had received from Telly. "Telly, you know I did all those things they probably said." he said quietly back to her.

Bant watched as Xanatos admitted all his evil doings. Not in detail but he admitted to doing things. She smirked, now he was in for it, Telly would come to her senses again. Bant, however, was once again shocked and stunned.

"I know." Telly replied sitting in the other seat, beside Xanatos. "and what makes you think I care?"

"Well, they were."

"They were acts of a confused, lost, boy. You can hardly blame the animal for not knowing what to do can you?"

"I suppose not but I don't like being likened to an animal kid." Xanatos stared over at her.

"Sorry." She smiled. "Just an example. You couldn't know what all those feelings were, or what to do, or what to say. Master Qui-gon didn't understand you, no one did. Half of them were expecting you to fail."

"Only half?" Xanatos chuckled.

Telly laughed to. "Okay more than half were. You just got lost that's all, you can find your way back again."

Xanatos sighed and looked over at the girl. "Telly, it would take a miracle to get them to forgive someone like me, no matter what happens. Don't get your hopes up."

"Who cares if they forgive you? Or take you back?" Telly scoffed reading the screen in front of her. "It's what you and the people who know you know."

"Still smarter than nearly all the Jedi I see." Xanatos smiled leaning back. "You going to run Yoda out of his job soon?"

"Not if I can help it!" Telly laughed. "I wouldn't have anything to do with him if I had the choice."

"Don't blame ya."

"So, what were you doing?" Telly looked back at Bant, now just sitting on the floor watching them with confusion filled eyes. She knew Bant wouldn't understand, but she didn't care if she did or not.

"Well, kidnapping the Calamari back there for one. Lucky for me I got you both."

"Why did you need her?"

"There's a type of ceremony that makes a Calamari like a Force Channel. It's a type of."

"I know very well what a Force Channel is. I am one. So are you." Telly smirked. "So you thought you were going to get a channel by taking her to Calamari to see how they make them a Channel?"

"Yes. I've learned about, well about the reason I can't make heads or tails of anything any more and I don't want to feel this way all the time." Xanatos growled. "So, I kidnapped the girl."

"And me to." Telly smiled. "You didn't remember I was one?"

"No, not till I remember just who you were and got a good look at you." Xanatos replied. "That makes things easier and more complicated at the same time."

"Easier cause you don't have to go through Mon Calamari and harder cause now you're kinda stuck with us." Telly smirked. "Well with her."

Xanatos heard the Mon Calamari girl gasp and he himself was staring at Telly. "Wait just a second. You know all about me, my past and all and yet you still."

"No doubts." Telly said looking out at the stars. "Xani, you need the counterbalance as much as I do. I don't want to go back to being afraid and you, well you don't want to go back to being a killer."

Xanatos stared at Telly, in disbelief. His problem was solved, he could feel the difference as soon as she woke up. He felt calmer, more relaxed and forgiving. He didn't want to hurt and right now he was happy. Content. Something he hadn't felt in ages. He saw a change in Telly to, he knew. She was confident, stronger, and not afraid to speak as she had been when he'd first seen her and Bant. But there still were the Jedi to deal with. "But what about the Jedi kid? I know you're all ready to give it up and all."

"Don't you dare!" Bant yelped suddenly, standing between them glaring at Xanatos. "Quit trying to brainwash her, she's not going to turn."

"Bant sit down!" Telly tugged on the girls tunic. "He's not! Bant, there's something about me you don't understand and I doubt you will right now. But I'll give you the basic. I'm half a person Bant. I'm the shy conscious. My friend Sadie was the over confident outgoing one, and Xanatos is more confidence. Sadie died and left me alone, I nearly lost my mind, then Xanatos showed up. He was the second Counter Balance to my shyness and of course I was friends with him. When he left well, you've seen how I act alone. I'm something the Jedi haven't seen in generations. I don't even know what it is yet but hopefully I will soon now leave him alone!"

Bant shrunk away from them, returning to her seat. Telly was actually friends with Xanatos DuCruet? She still was after knowing all he done? Oh she wanted her Master right now.

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Qui-gon sat in the small sitting area of the ship, reading over the information he'd pulled up on Tosan Cran. He knew that's what Xanatos went by these days, but the Force had been with Qui-gon when he discovered that's what he docked his ship, The Devil Chaser, under.

Either he hadn't thought or wasn't thinking when he did it, but it helped greatly. Right now they were trying to find the trail that he would be taking to Mon Calamari. Or at least that's where the shipyards had heard he was going.

"Just why would Xanatos take Bant and Telly to Mon Calamari?" he wondered looking over the small amount of information on Tosan Cran. He really hadn't done anything of spectacular interest as of late. Other than using his cunning and mind to get the company much more money than it had ever made before. "Why take them in the first place?"

"Master?"

Qui-gon looked up and saw Obi-wan standing in the door. He sat down the data pad and stood. Something was happening. "Yes Padawan?"

"Master Windu said they might have a trace on the ship. It's still a far ways away from us but he thinks he's got him."

"Where at?" Qui-gon asked exiting the rooms and heading for the ships deck. Mace had come, strangely enough in place of Yaddle. Yoda and Yaddle both agreed that Mace would be more helpful when they confronted Xanatos.

"Near Tatooine." Obi-wan reported. "Master Windu suspects that he's taking the long way around the Rim to keep us from finding him."

"That's strange." Qui-gon murmured as he came up behind Tahl. "Mace?"

"It's Xanatos' ship alright. Same tracking number on it, why didn't he change it when he left?"

"I'm asking myself many of those Questions right now Mace. He's usually more careful than this."

"A trap?" Tahl offered up as a reason.

"That might be the answer, but why not taunt us or show us that he does indeed have the girls. He's not doing as he normally does." Qui-gon sighed.

"What are you up to Xanatos?"

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Bant watched as Xanatos and Telly sat talking like two of the dearest friends remembering their past. It was strange and concerning all at once. Why did Telly feel safe around someone she shouldn't and not feel safe around those she should? Xanatos alone could kill both of them if he so wanted, and probably would if given half the chance.

Sighing she returned to the animated conversation about what both of them were and why they were the way they were.

"It was really strange at first, having someone talking in your head but I've gotten used to it, grown to like it." Telly smiled. "At least I had something to keep me from going over the deep end."

"Must be nice." Xanatos smiled back. "I think I would prefer the living thing though."

"So would I but the Force has made it a point to take her from me. Well she said we needed to be this way, something about learning what to do since no one really could teach us this." Telly shrugged looking at the instruments. "Don't ask me, I'm just along for the ride."

"Aren't we all." Xanatos muttered, hitting the control panel fiercely. "Damn thing, thinks we're going to some place called Diriala instead of Mon Calamari. Won't change course."

Telly looked out the window, her eyes somewhat unfocused. "Something tells me maybe we're supposed to go there."

"Oh don't give me that 'will of the Force' bit kid." Xanatos groaned turning to watch her.

Telly looked at her hands then back up at Xanatos. "I've always been told that in the future a big event would happen to me, that it would change the way I see things and do things. Sadie couldn't ever figure out what the event was, or when it was coming but lately we've felt as if we're getting closer. I think finding you was the first step in heading towards it."

"Great, they'll catch up with us if we stop some where ya know."

"They lay one hand on you I assure you, there will be hell to pay." Telly grinned at him. "I'm not about to loose you again."

Xanatos watched as she went back to staring out into space, stunned by her comment. True, he felt the same about her some times. Right now he wasn't sure what he thought. It was strange and concerning to slowly feel those rages of hate diminish and disappear into nothingness. It was strange also to feel comfortable with her around.

:You can call her little sister you know:

The 'voice' made him jerk a bit, and look around him. He saw the smirk on Telly's face and got the impression this was her friend Sadie speaking to him. :is that so?:

:Oh yes! She hates it so, but it's so much fun to tease her with it.:

:I don't know where she got it from,: Telly's voice joined in the conversation suddenly. :She's barely a year older than I am.:

:Still older than you, so I can call ya little sister if I want.: Sadie's voice was full of mirth and joy as she teased and poked at Telly. Telly's voice betrayed that same joy as she bickered back and forth and Xanatos had to admit it was fun to hear it.

:So you are Sadie Cori. A pleasure to finally speak with you.: he threw in to save the girls a fight.

:And finally we have our master back!: Sadie's voice spoke. :You know that's what you were supposed to be but that Council of ours screwed ya up. Believe me if I EVER get the chance that bald one's going to have an earful to deal with.:

Xanatos chuckled while Telly only shook her head. "She likes to joke about people, a lot."

"A perfect pair if I ever did see one." Xanatos nodded.

:Well, let me give you a heads up now. The Event is now and we're heading right for it.: Sadie turned serious. :No use fighting the controls, you're not going to get them to turn back now. Now Telly, you're about to get a crash course in what it is we do and all and for the Sake of the Force let's pray you two really are as compatible as you appear on this side.: