Chapter six

"Your assassins failed, Master Jun," sneered Commander Damon to the other sitting across from him. "But...I admit that attacking Amaroth was a success. It...woke up...the Rebellion, and they're confused. The little attack there makes up for failing to kill Miss Katarn. No, not Katarn..."

"Dawn-Kin," Corrected the younger, scowling. "Katarn is not really her father; he is merely the adoptive father." Damon nodded over his data pad.

"Indeed," he muttered, glancing at the young man again. "Back to the subject, Master Jun," he growled, "How will you kill Skywalker and Dawn-Kin if you have failed with your assassins?" Iddyl Jun leaned forwards, hands clasped together.
"If you allow me to show you how," he said, softly, "Then we shall defeat them."

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The vision. The vision. The words played themselves again and again in Adi's mind, remembering the image of herself throwing her body shoulder-first at Iddyl, destroying herself. But what if it didn't happen? Sometimes, visions were changed. Could that be the case? It was her only thought, that she might die some day...and if she didn't stop thinking about it, she'd go insane, she swore...Ben didn't mention about it ever again, yet knew whatever she had seen was playing in her mind.
"We're going to Corescant," he announced on their seventh day back in Yavin. "There was another attack on Leia, and...the assassin is asking to see you." Adi looked up at him.
"He...is? Did he give a name?" Ben shook his head.
"We tried, but he wants to see you." He held out a hand and helped her out of bed. Instead, she stared at him in adoration, pulled him onto it, and they rolled about, giggling like children.
"Seriously, Adi," said Ben in mock-solemnity, "Let's go." She kissed him with a smile, and rolled off the bed.
"Thank you, Ben...you keep me sane," she sighed, running a hand through her hair. Ben grinned back at her, and put an arm around her waist, spinning about with her.
"I know," he answered. "But we gotta go. Let's take the Firebird, okay? You and me." She smiled again.
"I'd like that," she answered.

When Adi, Kyle and Ben entered the room, they were reunited with Han, Jacen, Anakin, Mara and Luke. Leia had gone on diplomatic duties, so she wasn't present, and neither was Jaina, who had gone with her. They were trying to get information out of the assassin before them, and he was on a seat with his hands bound behind his back. The man, again, had yellow-tinged skin, and this time had piercing ice-blue eyes. At sight of Adi, he didn't fall about sobbing. He glared at her instead, giving a crooked smile.
"So, Dawn-Kin decides to come, does she?" He sneered, looking her up and down. "I think the Master was wrong about underestimating you, Dawn-Kin." Adi smiled back.
"You wanted to see me, assassin?" The man scowled.
"The Master told me that if I were captured I would have to give his demands to you, otherwise..." He smiled craftily again. "...Otherwise, the planet K'fiyanne is destroyed... because of you." Adi kept herself from exploding at the man, and gripped a family emblem that she kept on her belt.
"All right, assassin...what are his demands?" The other's eyes narrowed.

"You either turn your life over to him whether you're alive or dead..." There was a pause. "Or you turn to the dark side. Your choice, I'm afraid." Adi shook her head.

"No! I...I can't. You can't do this...besides, you can't get a message to him that quickly." The man showed his teeth.
"Oh, but you're wrong. It's very easy to tell him to destroy the K'fiyannese planet...I just have to think to him the word..." He's bluffing, she thought. Someone else came into her mind. A'lianne? Yeah, sis. He's lying through his teeth. She smiled, and the others around her were startled by her sudden expression, without knowing what was going on in her mind.
"Why don't you do it, then, assassin?" The man hesitated. Adi reached out with the Force and went into his mind, to weed out his stray thoughts. She then smiled again. "Well, then you can't. Nice try, but I'm not as gullible or stupid as you probably think I am." The man showed his teeth.
"My Master will know somehow!" Luke placed a hand on the man's shoulder.
"I think that's enough...Stalker." The other's jaw dropped.

"How...you don't...I mean..." Luke glanced at Adi.
"Let's say our Jedi over here knows how to read your mind," he said, softly. "Now you'll tell us the whole truth, Stalker...otherwise the consequences will be worse." The man growled.

"I do not bow to pathetic Jedi-minded fools. Release me, otherwise I will cease my life here and now." I've heard of this, Adi told the others. Sometimes, their power is strong enough to force themselves to their deaths without lifting a finger, though they have to be standing to give up their lives. It's merely a matter of being loyal to your master. Ben nodded, and so did Luke. But the man had a triumphant smile about his lips. Adi squinted at his hands. Is it me or are his bounds...

The man whipped out a lightsaber after tearing free from his bonds. A bright orange blade ignited with a snap-hiss, and he leapt backwards, holding his hand in front of him. The furniture in the room begun to move, and Luke, with a sweep of his hand, stopped it all from moving.
"Uh, I suggest you stop, pal, before my brother-in-law kills you," said Han Solo, his first words in that hour. He had a blaster pointed at Stalker, a wry smile on his face. The assassin's face fell. He was surrounded by seven skilled Jedi (and Han with a blaster), while he was only one. He then smiled, and spread his arms out wide.
"I have little choice, scum..." From his mouth came a long scream, a piercing shriek that seemed to rattle the heavens. They backed away, trying to anticipate his next move...

"Wait! No! He's trying to kill himself!" Cried Adi. She flew into him in an impressive tackle that knocked the man over. He struggled, gritting his teeth. Because he had been pinned down, he couldn't complete the Four Stages of Death. "You've practised the Art of Death, haven't you, the art of killing people in one shot? The Four Stages, as well, I can see." The man squirmed under the forceful grip. Luke took over from Adi, merely lifting a hand to keep a Force hold on the man. "You have, and it's the most terrible to be practised by anybody." There seemed to be a twinge of guilt in her voice, and Ben noticed this. Maybe she knew something that she didn't want him to? And how does she know about this when I've never heard of it?

"Yes," breathed Stalker, narrowing his eyes. "We all practised it, Dawn-Kin...and I know who else has, too." Adi shot a glare at him. Is Adi one of the Fallen Ones? Thought Ben. The Fallen Ones were a group of dark Jedi who begun the practice of the Arts of Death, and the group were falling apart as more and more were turning to the light side. He would ask her later.

"Now, Stalker, you must tell us...who is the one that Master Jun is allied with?" She asked, noting that she had used Master. Ben raised an eyebrow. Why the respect? Adi shrugged and turned back to Stalker.

"I can't. I'd rather face death, and you won't permit yourselves to do that." Adi nodded.

"There you are right, Stalker. But I shall learn somehow or someway, you remember that. We are finished here, Master Luke. He will talk no more."

"Adi, answer the question. Are you one of the Fallen Ones?" Adi remained silent, and lowered her eyes. Finally, she spoke.
"I was," she whispered. Ben sighed, not knowing how to react to her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Again, silence.

"I decided that it would be better if you didn't know. I don't want you to loathe me for what I was, not what I am." Ben took her chin delicately in his forefinger and thumb.
"But I would never do that, not to you, Adi. I care for you." She smiled, and sniffed.

"I know, love, but..." She raised her hands, and let them flop miserably. "I'm sorry. It's my darkest secret, one I'd rather not talk about. The things about Iddyl and my sister... those things are only the surface. It goes deeper, Ben." He sat on the bed with her.

"Then tell me, Adi, and I shall understand." She remained blank for a while.
"I'll try." She mumbled, turning her eyes away.
"As Yoda said: Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.' Will you tell me, or will you not?" Adi nodded.
"I'll tell you, but because I love you, Ben." She breathed in. "It begins very simply, Ben. Before I met up with Kyle, A'lianne and I were a part of the Fallen Ones on Dusk. But one by one, they died, became victim to the pit in the Sith Temple. The reason we never went to Amaroth in the first place was...was that we couldn't face people with our past. No, it was to be kept secret. I learned the assassin's ways, as my sister did; hence, the reason I could use a lightsaber without the Force. But they all fell prey to the Chasm, and we were the remaining three. Well, A'lianne and I ran across something that belonged to my...my Mother. Her lightsaber, and we remembered. We turned from the light side, but Iddyl didn't. No, we thought he did, but inside, he hadn't. That's why he went to the Sith Temple. And that's why I seemed so innocent in the dreams. Only then I had turned back. I..." She sobbed. "I'm nothing but a blackguard, an assassin, a thief, a...a..." She clutched him and wept. "I was once part of the dark side, Ben, it's a part of me now! I know the tricks; I can kill people with a sweep of my hand. I thought I could leave it all behind me, but...I couldn't. I tried to hide what was once true. Even Kyle didn't know." Never before had Ben heard her use Kyle's first name instead of Dad' or Father'. "Please, if you wish, kill me here and now for being the cruel one that I once was..." He stared into her deep tiger-eyes with his green-blue ones, tilting her head.
"No, Adi. You were the victim then. How do you suppose my mother was before she met my father?" Adi bowed her head.
"But the Emperor had control of her. I was independent, but controlled by the dark side. I am...deeply ashamed of that. There was always something in me that held me to the dark side." She sighed. "There is a saying...

The Dark Side, it never fades,

It stays with you

While you age,

The whisp'rings of the Lost

Within you echo

Echo, through cold and frost

And now, here you lie

A fatal flower, one to fall

Yes, when you fade and die

You can't leave it, never at all!

The Dark Side is always you,

Stays with you it shall forever.

Yes, light you may turn to,

But in times of evil...

You can't leave it. Never!"

As she spoke, her voice rose and fell, the words emerging smoothly without a bump. Her voice became haunted and disturbed, her face taunt and her lips pale. Ben had watched her, and became enchanted with the lovely woman beside him.

"Adi...but that's not necessarily true. Think of...my father." Adi blinked in surprise.
"Your father?"

"Yes, my father. He went to the dark side during the times of the resurrected Emperor, and he returned, didn't he?" Adi nodded numbly.
"But Ben..."

"And Kyle! And so many other people, like Kyp Durron. A great Jedi, but once one of the dark ones." He placed an arm around her shoulders. "And Adi, you shall never be considered a Fallen One. Never. You are too kind and loving for that, and full of light." She leaned against him.
"Oh, thank you, Ben," she whispered, kissing him sweetly. "You're everything to me – my life, my strength, my happiness." He smiled back, and buried his lips in his neck. They collapsed onto the bed, the night seemingly stretching forever.

"Adi..." Adi opened her eyes. It was almost pitch-black now, the only light coming from the world outside. She plucked at the little clothing she wore, and checked to see if Ben beside her was asleep.

"Who is it?" She whispered into the dark. A figure floated to her. "Iddyl?" He held up a hand.
"I am not the one you know, Adi. I was the one that you knew." He sighed, and leaned against the wall in their suite. "I'm the light side of Iddyl – the side that never came to be. When he sleeps, I can leave his tortured dark body to try and find a way to free myself, but I cannot. There is one way to free me, Adi. You must destroy me." Adi shook her head.
"I can't. You're a part of me, and it will be worse if I do." The other swore.

"You must! It's the only way, Adi! And you must prove yourself as a Jedi Knight. Please, do it for me, do it for A'lianne, do it for...your mother. To turn be back, you must destroy me, so I can free my wraith form. Please, Adi. Do this for me, promise before he wakes..."

"I promise," whispered Adi. The wraith vanished, and Ben stirred.

"Adi? What is it? Why're you awake?" Adi smiled at him, and ran delicate long fingers along his forehead.
"I was just thinking." He chuckled softly, and looked up at the ceiling. He pulled her down beside him, placing an arm around her.
"You do that a lot, don't you?" He said, examining her cheek scar with his digits. She laughed back, and snuggled next to him.
"Yeah, but if you had the burden of the Universe on your shoulders, wouldn't you think a lot?" He laughed again, and ran gentle fingers along her neck and chest.

"I guess. But I do, don't I? I have a lot to live for, my father being the Universe's Jedi Master, and being a Skywalker too." He smiled lazily. "You'll be a Skywalker too, someday, Adi. I'll see to it." She giggled.
"Really, Ben? Would I be worth the Skywalker Standards? I'm nowhere near as good as your mother or your aunt Leia. I don't think I'd be worth your name..." He stiffened.

"You don't think so? Look, if it's about the whole Fallen One's thing, then you're wrong..." His frown faded, and he smiled again. "Of course you're worth it, and I'll vouch for that." He kissed her tenderly, and settled back to sleep again.

"Wake, Adi! Wake!" Adi felt something sharp pierce her skin – and jolted upwards, grabbing her lightsaber from underneath her pillow. Ben yelled, rolling off the bed and igniting his with a snap-hiss. Luke came tearing into the room, followed by Mara, blades flashing in the dark. There was a scream, and Adi, unsure of whose, called for lights. Her neck was bleeding, but she didn't seem to care. Panting, she stood over the attacker.
"Another assassin," she breathed, turning the blade off. "How desperate is he?" She then blushed, embarrassed at the way she was dressed in front of Luke and Mara. "Excuse me," she mumbled, disappearing into the bathroom. Luke grinned at his son, and glanced at the corpse.

"We better get that out of here. So, smooth night, hm, Ben?" Ben threw a pillow at his father, grinning back.
"You should get outta here too, Dad," he chuckled. "You too, Mom!" They smiled, and removed the body from the room with the help of the Palace guards. Adi returned from the bathroom, her fingers on her now damp neck.
"It's strange," she mumbled. "I didn't sense him before he came. Was he using a Force trick while I was unaware of?" She asked, running a hand through her hair. Ben shrugged.
"I think my dad sensed it, and so did my mother. You're right though, I didn't feel it either until - stars, Adi, your neck!" She fingered it again, and by now, it was throbbing. "It's the poison!" He hissed, and grabbed her by the hand. He dashed out of the room with her in tow, headed for the medical bay.

"It's serious, Master Skywalker, but not as serious as you think it is," said the medical droid as it treated the wound. "She will be up again in no time." It moved an arm near her neck, and inserted a small needle. Adi gasped as pain lanced through her, but calmed herself using Jedi techniques. And, before his own eyes, Ben watched the greenish swelling go down. The droid pulled his arm away, to reveal what was merely a slit in her neck. He held up a small vial to the light, and trundled away.
"It is good that you came to me when you did, Master Skywalker, Mistress Katarn," said the droid, placing the poison in an analyser, "Because this we have encountered before, but many who came to us died before we could analyse it. It sinks into the body and is absorbed, but you managed to keep it from doing that all that time. You are free to go now, Mistress Katarn." Adi nodded her thanks, and Ben took her hand gently and led her out.
"It's not right," she murmured. "I didn't realise the man was coming until A'lianne's spirit woke me up. And you didn't either...how strange." Ben sighed.
"Maybe it's just us, or we were too deep in sleep...wait, what did we drink before we went to bed? Did you remember the attacker's face?" Adi thought a moment. Yes, the server had a slight yellow tint to his skin...

"We were drugged!" Snarled Adi, angry with herself that she would let such a thing come to pass. "How can I be so stupid? I told myself that the yellow skin was merely because he was from some far-off planet, but no..."

When they reached their suite, Adi moaned and threw herself onto the bed.
"I am such an idiot! And...I almost got you killed too, Ben..." She trailed off. "I'm such a risk to everybody here! Oh, I shouldn't have got you involved, I shouldn't have called you in my mind those first days..." Ben slumped on the bed next to her, lifting her beside him using Force levitating skills. He laced his fingers around her shoulders, before resting them there.
"No, Adi, you weren't to know. It's all right, okay? It doesn't matter, and the incident has passed." He turned her face towards him with a calm finger. "Let us go back to sleep, because the night is still long. Don't brood on it; we'll make sure that it won't happen again." Adi smiled, chuckled and leaned against him.
"'Roth, I'm so embarrassed...dressed like that in front of your parents! Sorry, Ben." He laughed, and ran a wondering finger along her back.
"Don't worry, Adi. They didn't mind...and I don't mind a little less than that." She giggled, and he pulled the bed cover over them, and they were hidden from the rest of the Universe.

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"Are you sure that Skywalker has feelings for Dawn-Kin?" Questioned Commander Damon, cocking an eyebrow. "If he does, then we have an advantage. But your last assassin failed?" Iddyl Jun cursed.
"Yes, he did, and don't take pride in that. He was a blunderer, and he didn't mix enough of the sleeping drug in their drinks! Damn him to Hell!" He checked himself, and gave Damon his icy smile. "Excuse my temper, Commander." Damon waved the apology away.
"No need for that, Master Jun. But tell me...how do you propose we capture Dawn-Kin? Are you to...heh...challenge her in a duel of some sort?" Iddyl Jun dropped his hands on the desk.
"No need for sarcasm, Commander! Jedi duels are an extremely serious matter. Yes, as a matter of fact, I think that I should call her to me. It won't be too hard, I've done it before." He mock-simpered in his light side form. "Oh, Adi, please, to save me, you must destroy me!" He stiffened and went back to formalities. "Now she believes that it was the truth, she'll come. No need to worry." Damon frowned, and lightened.

"Very well then, proceed. I have my own things to do, so if you need anything, I'll be on the bridge of the Annihilation. I'm going to do a little attack on one of the outer Rebellion planets; and they'll kick up a crisis with the damned Empire, asking what the hell they were doing, and they won't be able to answer. We'll slink back into the shadows, and they'll deny it." He laughed. "It goes on like a loop, my dear Master. Now, care for some wine? I believe we have a little celebrating to do."

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Jaina stood staring out into the deep Imperial City, her eyes flickering. Where had the time gone, since she had been a child staring in wonderment? Jacen and Anakin stood with her, the same thoughts running through their heads. Suddenly, a flare of danger rose within her. The three reeled around, pulling out their lightsabers. A chuckle came from the darkness around them.
"We are the Fallen Ones," said one, his voice icy.
"Will you join us?" Said another, her face pale in the darkness.
"I don't think so, they're far too light," said a third, emerging to their left.
"Then what do you propose?" Queried a fourth, her Force pike shining dully in the dark.
"We kill them, of course," hissed the fifth. It wasn't long before they were surrounded by fourteen of the trained Force assassins, their weapons glinting. There were at least three with lightsabers, and Jaina exchanged glances with the others. We're surrounded! Call for help!

"Call your parents, call your kin, but know you'll never escape the wrath of the Fallen Ones!" Sneered the leader. UNCLE LUKE, MOTHER, FATHER! Screamed Anakin as he delved into battle, HELP US!

À À À À À À

"Anakin?" Mumbled Leia in her sleep. "Anakin! Jaina, Jacen!" She leapt out of bed, grabbing her lightsaber beside her. "Han! Get out of bed! They're in trouble!" She cried, dashing out of the room. Han, dazed, followed her.
"I thought I heard em yelling..." he panted as he ran beside her.
"They were...they're in trouble!" LUKE!

Luckily for her, her brother had joined them as they ran to the top of the Imperial City.
"Ben and Adi are coming too," Kyle said, joining them. "Where are they?" They heard shouts and screams as they neared their destination. There was a cry, and Jacen yelling, "Anakin! Get up!" Leia piled on speed, crying, "Hold on, kids! I'm coming!" Chewie, beside them, roared in agreement.

"This way, Adi! We're almost there..." Adi stopped in her tracks as Ben dashed ahead towards the sounds of battle.

"Adi, it's me...come here, where I stand in the shadows." She watched him go, and walked towards them.

"Iddyl? Is your dark form sleeping?" The other nodded.
"I need you to come to Dusk, Adi. Don't worry, the others are handling the battle superbly. You must face me again!" Adi blanched white.
"But why now?"

"Because I am insecure, vulnerable. You might be able to turn me back, Adi..." She sighed.

"I'm on my way, in that case." She slipped with the spirit towards the hangerbay, the Firebird in wait.

À À À À À À

The battle was over. The bodies of the dead were strewn over the rooftops, Force pikes shattered and spread around the place. The breeze gently tugged at the family who stood at the rooftop. Kyle sighed.
"So many dead, for what? For Jun's damned sake." Anakin was being tended to by Leia, who did her best to heal him. "Leia, is the wound deep?" She shook her head.
"Luckily, it's not poisoned. You're lucky, dear." Anakin nodded.
"Is everybody okay?" Luke turned around, searching.
"Yeah, Ani. It's okay." Ben, on the other hand, looked worried.
"Wait, Dad. Adi...she came with me, and she's not here. Where could she be?" Kyle frowned, closing his eyes, stretching out with the Force. He grunted, and his eyes snapped open.
"Strange...Luke, she's blocking me out." Luke tried this time, and received the same response.
"Ben, are you sure she was with you all the way?" Ben shrugged. Abruptly, a voice came onto Luke's comm-link.
"Master Skywalker, there's something you should see down here..." Luke exchanged glances with the rest, and they headed down to the hanger bay.

"The ship left without a response," said the bay commander, frowning. "A custom-built ship, the name Firebird..." Ben exploded.

"Then it was her! But why?" Kyle's face reddened.

"I know why. Mara, we need to take the Shrike. Damn you, Iddyl!" Mara raised an eyebrow, tossing back her coppery hair.
"Really, Kyle? Huh, it's a habit with you now to take er. All right then." Kyle shot a glare at Mara.
"This isn't the time for jokes, Mara! I know where she is, and that son-of-Palpatine has done something to her!" Luke raised a hand.

"If this is an evil Jedi, then I'll send Jaina and Jacen with you. Anakin will stay here with us just in case...we need an X-Wing pilot in case anything goes wrong. Yes, I know that you're a pilot too, Ben, but you need to be there. Leave your X-Wing here."

À À À À À À

"She comes, Commander," said Iddyl over his comm-link. "I can sense her presence. Hide yourself – get the Annihilation away from here." He flipped it off, and threw it into the bushes. He would not need it. And now...if she had left without anybody else knowing, her friends would chase her, and there would be nobody to stop the Annihilation and a minute part of the Domination fleet from raiding the cities. He stepped into the shadows of the Temple, and glanced upwards. It was the Firebird, all right; how did it survive the crash on K'fiyanne?

Adi narrowed her eyes at the temple below. Something didn't feel right, but she wasn't sure what it was; her teeth clenched then unclenched. Her fingers trailed to Iddyl's first lightsaber, which she had strapped to her belt. The Firebird landed in the swampy marshes of Dusk, the same place that Adi had always landed. She lowered the ramp and appeared cautiously out of it. She closed it, and walked slowly towards the looming, dismal temple ahead.

"Adi, why are you here? I thought you were too afraid to come here," Iddyl sneered, looking her up and down. "Gods, you look different to what you look like when I see you when I come to..." He broke off. "But, by Hell, you look lovelier than you did before." He gave a wry smile, an almost dreamy look on his face. She frowned back.
"I've come to bring you home to the light side, Iddyl. You've been swallowed up by it; please, come back with me." She pulled out his lightsaber. "Take it, Iddyl, and remember." She tossed it to him, and he caught it. Still smiling, he tossed it over his shoulder into the Chasm. Adi, using the Force, wrenched it away. "Why throw it? It's you, Iddyl – you in those years lost long ago." The other scowled.
"The years I lost were useless...perhaps the most wonderful was when we used to lie under the trees, basking the sun, two lovers in the warmth of the world...but no, those I have thrown away. I want to be free, free to use the dark side. You come with me, Adi. We shall rule over the weaklings together...especially Skywalker's bloodline." Adi stiffened.
"Never! You are confused, Iddyl! Confused about many, many things! And misled... misled by this cursed temple. Remember who you used to be, Iddyl! Those days have not faded! I still hold onto them!" Iddyl blinked, and a memory came over him. He shook it away.

"You do not. And besides...don't you know that I've lured you here? You are trapped, Adi!" The cave doors around them thudded shut. "Try and leave, but I shall destroy you. What would you do?" Adi grabbed Iddyl's first lightsaber.
"I fight using the memories," she replied, igniting the blue-green blade with a snap-hiss. He smiled, and brought his red lightsaber on in response.

"Then let us end it," he said, gently.

The lightsabers clashed, Adi dodging, leaping, twisting out of the way of the deadly blade.
"Have you forgotten everything for this temple?" She cried above the buzzing of the blades.

"I have not forgotten, I have opened my eyes!" He retorted, fighting back. "I was wrong about light and dark! There is one destiny, and mine is dark!" He swung again, and Adi met it.

"All you see is the blindness the Sith has given you! They control you, not you control them!" Buzz-hiss-hiss...

"You're wrong! Don't you see? I can grasp the powers of the dark! You can too!" Again, they met blades, and Iddyl managed to slash at her. She jumped back, and met blades again.
"There is good in light, Iddyl! And you have strayed to the darkness that muffles your breath!" She blazed.
"No! You're wrong! Don't you remember the days of the Fallen Ones? We were strong and together! But you can't see that!" Adi leapt backwards.

"I see what you are clouded by, Iddyl! I see that you're clouded by the Sith's intentions!" Iddyl's eyes glowed darkly.
"No, you're wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong!" He raised his hands, and from his fingers, sparked lightning. She dodged it, and kicked upwards into his side. He screamed, and brought his lightsaber to hers again.
"Listen to the good in you, Iddyl! You are colliding with your inner feelings!" Shouted Adi, spinning. He glared.
"No! I am not! The pathetic good died with me years ago!" Adi lowered her lightsaber.
"Then all is lost. I will not fight you until you realise." She kneeled. "Strike me if you must, kill me if you must, but I shall not turn. I will not turn. I am a Jedi, as you were long ago. Now, the darkness has shrouded you. You have been deceived. So deceived that you will destroy your closest friend to keep your feelings from conflicting. But after I'm gone, how will you suppress the good inside you? There is no way. Well, Jedi. Strike, or turn?" Iddyl smiled.

"Strike!" He raised it, and suddenly, from the side, there was the sound of a door crumbling. Four Jedi stood there, determination in their faces.
"Ben! You shouldn't have come..." Cried Adi. "Go now, before it's too late!" She raised a hand, and forced them back through the door. "It's not worth it! I'll keep him busy!" She met his lightsaber once again, and they began to fight as they did before.
"Adi, no! He'll kill you!" Iddyl then smiled wickedly, raising a hand slowly. He bent his forefinger and thumb close to each other, known as...

"Force grip! He's choking her!" Ben dashed forwards, the brilliant green of his lightsaber shining in the dead, dull room. Adi, knowing her battle was lost, took the moment to roll away. Jaina was throwing Iddyl to the back of the room, before grabbing Adi's hand.

"Quick! We go, now!" Jacen then kept the other to the wall as they escaped, leaving Iddyl Jun seething through his teeth.

There was a sweetness in the back of her mouth – a pleasant sweetness. Her eyes were closed, but they refused to open. She felt fingers on her face, gently stroking her, lovingly keeping her alive. There was also something damp on her forehead, liquid seeping through her hair.
"Ben?" She mumbled, her eyelids quivering as she allowed her vision to take control. There was a restraining hand on her eyes, closing them.
"Not yet...if you allow the light in, it'll hurt more. Wait." Her head throbbed, and her back ached. What had happened? She remembered vaguely running through the temple again, and someone yelling and supporting her – not someone, Ben. And then, a glimpse of the Shrike and the Firebird, both side by side. "Stars, your back...it's all broken up and swollen, love. Don't move." She felt something on her back, and a stinging sensation. She gasped, and arched it in pain.

"Hush...it'll go soon enough, Adi," came Kyle's voice, a hand patting her cheek. "It's temporary, as is the fact you can't see. It's because of the lack of oxygen because of the grip, and the hard hits he gave you...see? He slashed you with his lightsaber." Adi tried to open her eyes again.
"No, Adi," said Ben, firmly. "Don't try and open them. Wait a few more moments..." Adi struggled.
"Please, I must see." Kyle placed a hand on her arm.
"Then use the Force to see, Adi." She relaxed, and allowed the Force to flow through her. She channelled it to her eyes, and in an instant, she could see everything, even with her eyes shut. She saw the loving face of Ben, and Kyle, leaning over her with vials and cloths. Jacen and Jaina were at the controls, piloting the ship. The light was dim and red, but light enough for her to see.

"Now?" She whispered, reaching a hand up to touch Ben's cheek.
"I guess. Go ahead, Adi." She opened them slowly. The light seemed to rush into her, but she blinked and the sensation disappeared.

"How bad is it?" She asked, stretching her back, and coiling in pain at the same time. Ben ran a tender finger down her cheek.

"Not too bad," he whispered back, leaning down to kiss her gently. "We're almost there. But what made you go there in the first place?" She closed her eyes.
"My eyes, they deceived me...it started a few nights ago, Ben, when we were attacked in bed..." The term caused her and Ben to blush, and Kyle raised an eyebrow. Jacen snorted, grinning at his cousin. Jaina held in suppressed laughter. "And before we were, I saw the part of Iddyl that was still good. He said I would have to kill him to defeat the evil in him...God, I was so naive! Because the night we went to help Jaina and the others, he came up again, and told me to see him on Dusk. I obliged, being the gullible fool I was...it was a trap. He planned to kill me...and I did nothing but believe him." She sighed. "I wish I hadn't...I've been defeated, again. I wish...I wish I were dead!" Ben gasped.
"No you weren't! Because if you were, you wouldn't have brought the happiness you have into my life. I would've been stuck on Corescant or Yavin 4, learning more Jedi tricks, without a personal life." He snorted. "And you know, you've made a difference to all of us here – that in everybody, there's still hope." She smiled up at him, fingers lacing around his face. There was a long, held silence.
"Thank you all for coming after me," she said, finally. "I owe all of you one, now!"

"No problem," said Jacen, cheerfully. "Strap in, ladies an' gents. We're coming down to Yavin now!" Just like Dad, thought Jaina, shaking her head and holding her laughter.