A/N: Since italics are no longer working, all thoughts will be expressed
underlined and, as a failsafe, between //\\.
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Mac-Lyn had landed on Tatooine. It was night and the normally burning deserts were cool and inviting. She needed to sleep, but she doubted she would receive the much needed rest when her worries about her Master pervaded every corner of her mind. She hoped that Turtle didn't feel rejected; this wasn't exactly the best way to start a Master/Padawan bond. Still, she knew Turtle was better off at the Temple. Making her first mission one to Mos Eisley would be throwing her in at the deep end, then practically holding her head under the water. Mac-Lyn opened the door of her ship, and walked out into the desert. She sat down, and gazed at the stars. She had often sat with her Master, talking at night about what the young Jedi would do as a Knight, and what Cherry would do with her next Padawan. They talked about the families they hardly knew, old missions, lost friends...everything that a Jedi would eventually have to face in their life. As she drifted into a deep trance, her com link bleeped. The noise brought her back to reality. She grabbed the communicator from her belt. It was Lindsey.
"Mac-Lyn, where are you?"
"Tatooine."
"Already? I thought you'd be…"
"Just get to the point." Mac-Lyn had become snappy since finding her Master.
"Well, I don't know how to say this, but when you left your Master got worse…"
The blood began to drain from Mac-Lyn's face.
"We think she was still in shock, and when she woke up she still wasn't fully recovered. Her heart stopped, and we tried but…" The other Jedi's voice was cut off as Mac-Lyn threw her com link away violently. Her face was totally pale, and she drew her knees up to her chest and began rocking obsessively. She couldn't be…she'd have felt it…she would have…or she should have….The same emotions she'd felt that night on the balcony resurfaced, but multiplied a thousands times over. She rocked back and forth, reverting in her mind to that eager little 13-year-old, standing in the Council room, listening in joy to Cherry declaring that she would train Mac-Lyn, and again she felt the Master's hands on her shoulders. She couldn't take it. She sprang forward and ran as fast as she could, out into the desert, running and running, as if she could escape the pain. She collapsed on the ground and began screaming and bawling.
***
In the temple, Onlé sat with a smile on her face. She was sitting on Cherry's bed, looking at the perfectly alive Master, whose health was getting better and better all the time. Mac-Lyn would crack. The Dark Jedi would soon have a new member in their ranks, she was sure of it…
***
The Dark Lady of the Sith was looking out of the window towards the vast desert. The Jedi Knight was near. She could almost taste it. Ana Labris got out of the club and into the now-cool sand alleys. They were full of people who didn't see her.
***
Mac-Lyn stormed through the desert. She'd switched off her com-link and the only thing on her mind was finding the Sith, Up ahead, she could see the bright lights of a bar. //I'll slip in the back.\\ she thought. //I'm sure our little 'friend' is about…\\
***
Ana had retreated back indoors. She couldn't sense the Jedi anymore.
"She's cloaking. Nothing at all to worry about. She will be no match for you."
Ana set down her com-link and cut off her Master. The room she was in was at the back of a bar, and was brightly lit.
//Better safe than sorry.\\ she thought. She settled back and picked up her bantha blaster. Stupid Jedi! She'd be so consumed by her own rage she'd be dead the second the Sith saw her! As Labris took a sip of her drink, the lights went out. She leapt out of her chair and spun to face the door. She hadn't even heard it open. In the darkness, she could vaguely make out a figure with hair nearly as dark as her own. She was totally dressed in black, and her eyes caught the light from the main bar outside the other door. The Sith didn't know what to do, she wasn't even sure who it was! However, the other's identity was revealed all too clearly when a glowing, purple-blue blade appeared in front of the Jedi's face.
Ana didn't know if what she was feeling was fear. She watched the Jedi walk perfectly calmly towards her, striding slowly, gazing at the person who would ultimately become her opponent, drinking in every detail of their face. Behind her, the Sith heard the door lock with a click. Mac-Lyn lowered her hand again after using the Force to shut off the Sith and her. Choosing her words carefully, the Knight spoke.
"You don't know me, but I think you can guess who I am. You hurt someone very close to me, the closest thing to a mother I've ever had, and you'll pay dearly for that."
The Jedi's voice had lost its usually friendly and, to the people who had hear it, often humorous tone. It was cold, calm, and crisp. Still she strode forward until she and Labris were only a few inches apart. The could fell each other's breath on their faces. The fight was coming, but not just at this instant. They beheld each other in a strange way, as if they knew their ultimate opponent had come, and that this was the culminating moment of their lives. After standing there for what seemed like hours, but was really only seconds, the Jedi's face changed, and she raised her blade. The Sith quickly whipped out her own, and the two sabers met for the first time…
***
Cherry awoke with a startled expression on her face. She felt something was terribly wrong but didn't now what. Onlé was sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Master?" Onlé said questioningly.
"Something is wrong. Where are Mac-Lyn and August?" Cherry asked. A terrible feeling of pain and anger surged through her bond with her former Padawan.
***
Turtle and Allie were walking down a dusty road (with all that sand, what else would it be?). While Turtle's Master wandered around searching for whatever she was searching for, they had decided to take this matter into their own hands.
"So, what happened?" asked Allie. "I want to be absolutely sure…"
"Cherry was attacked. My Master thinks it was the Sith or a Dark Jedi or another evil source of power," said Turtle, coughing as the wind picked up, then died down.
"Ah," murmured Allie. "So we need to find someone who looks dark."
"Or feels it," Turtle pointed out.
Allie nodded distractedly. She wasn't as well trained as Turtle, but there had been a rather angry young boy in her dueling class once…"There," she said, pointing. "I think we can find information there."
Turtle followed her gaze. "That's a junkshop," she objected. "What are we going to find there?
Allie shrugged. "I don't know, but I have a feeling we'll find someone in there…"
Once inside they were faced with the short Bothan storeowner. "Excuse me," Turtle asked politely, "but have you seen anyone who looked rather shadowy?"
The Bothan gave them what was meant to be an incredulous look and shrugged. "Everyone on this forsaken planet is shadowy."
"Yeah, but really shadowy," she persisted. "Like, I don't know, wearing a cloak, you can't see his face?"
The Bothan pointed over to a corner. "Does that count?"
Glancing over, Turtle saw that Allie was creeping toward a hunched figure. Immediately, she felt a wave of dark energy overcome her. Thanking the Bothan, she slowly made her way across the room. The Bothan sneered and rolled his eyes before leaving. Suddenly the figure stood and turned around. Instantly Allie couldn't move. She glanced at her friend, seeing she was also struggling against the invisible bonds. Swiftly Turtle's face went slack. "Master," she said hoarsely. "Allie, my Master is in trouble!"
They both tried to get out of the grips, and the face of the figure, or as much as they could see, curved into a smile. "Oh no, my young Jedi," he said softly. "You won't be going anywhere for a while."
***
Mac-Lyn made a strangled noise as the Sith grabbed at her throat and raised her hand to stab at Mac-Lyn. The Jedi felt that this was it, but then she remembered her Master lying on that bed, and a wave of rage ran through her. She roared wildly and tossed the Sith through the locked door into the packed bar. The patrons in the bar gasped and chattered in shocked voices as Labris came through the door in a shower of metal shards. They were trying to get closer, but backed off totally when a black and purple blur bounded out of the back room and pounced on Ana. The Sith raised her red blade and struck at Mac-Lyn's arm. The saber ripped through her skin, but the wound did not bleed, because of the heat of the weapon. Mac-Lyn ignored the pain and continued to fight.
***
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Cherry's eyes went wide and she fell back into bed with her face contorting in pain. Lei Endril came rushing into the room, hearing the Master's cries. Cherry was clutching at her arm, and Lei couldn't figure out what was wrong.
"There's no wound, no muscle strain…I don't know what's wrong!"
Then she saw the concerned look on Cherry's face, and Lei's own face went blank.
"Mac-Lyn…"
***
The Sith's eyes started glowing dark red, in contrast with their natural green color. The Jedi's anger was powerful. Ana stuck with lightning fast speed and Forced the Jedi back a step.
"Let go of your anger," Ana whispered to her opponent. Mac-Lyn clenched her jaw and tried to fight the darkness around her. It was more that you could bear while you are fighting a Sith.
"Never!"
Labris smiled and parried the blow. "But you don't know what it gives you!!" she almost shouted, making the people around jump back a few meters as she struck with sheer Force and tried to overwhelm the Light Sider. Their sabers locked firmly. Ana's pupils were starting to glow stronger and they looked like a scarlet point on her now completely black face. She used the opportunity to thrust Mac-Lyn to the floor. But the Jedi used the Force to hold her back while she got up. This took only few seconds and the fight was back in full speed and furiousness.
***
Onlé stepped behind the doorway. She needed to contact Sidious, to tell him what was going on. She knew his own apprentice had not. Maybe the Master Sith would give her more credit!
Her bare feet made no noise in the hallways of the Jedi Temple. She heard nothing herself, but sure felt it as something knocked her to the ground. Onlé turned over and to her surprise…Yoda?
"Darkness in you it is!" Yoda said. He'd Force-blasted her to the ground.
Onlé stood. "What are you trying to do?"
The green Jedi Master ignited his purple lightsaber. "Dark Jedi you must be. Duel me you will!"
Onlé let go of her anger. This was it. Her cover had been blown. But is she defeated the midget, and he was the Jedi's leader…then they would CRUMBLE! Onlé ignited her violet-with-white-cored lightsaber, and the battle began.
***
Obi-Wan Kenobi was going to visit the Master who was in the sick ward to find out if there was any way he could help the healers. Lei, upon seeing him come down the hall, shooed everyone away from the sick ward and left herself.
Cherry wondered what was going on, why everyone had left. Was something wrong? Suddenly the door creaked open, and in peaked the handsome face of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Cherry smiled inwardly and tried to look as helpless as possible.
Obi-Wan tried not to gasp. He'd never seen anyone that pretty. Well, take that back, he'd seen a lot of hot princesses over the years. In any case, Cherry definitely ranked in the upper categories. However, the Jedi Master was not one to let petty things like hormones take over his senses.
Easing the door shut behind him, he walked over to a chair next to the bed and said, "Hello." When Cherry didn't reply (she was gazing at him through slit eyes) he added uncomfortable, "Well, if you're asleep, I guess I'll go…"
Cherry pulled herself out of her thoughts. "No, no, I'm awake," she replied, boosting herself up on one elbow. It sent a flood of pain and she remembered Mac-Lyn.
He looked concerned. "Are you all right?"
She shook her head. With great effort she finally managed, "One of my old Padawans is in trouble. She's hurt and the dark side threatens to overtake her." Impulsively she gripped his arm. He didn't notice. "She's on Tatooine," she gasped. "Can you take me there?"
A frown creased his forehead. "In this condition? I don't think I should…"
She shook her head violently. "You don't understand. If I don't do something, she might die!"
He lifted his head for a moment and cocked it as though listening to something. A faraway look passed over his face. He looked back down. "This might be helpful in more ways that one," he murmured thoughtfully. Coming to a decision, he added, "I'll smuggle you out tonight. I asked for some time away to meditate anyway, and I was planning on leaving soon."
A grateful look came over her face. "Thank you," she said. She lay back down on the bed. "I must rest."
Quietly he left the room.
***
Onlé was beginning to get frustrated. She should have beaten this dwarf a long time ago. Worst yet, she noticed with irritation, she was getting tired. Yoda, however, didn't appear even the slightest bit fatigued. Onlé shook the sweat out of her eyes and pressed forward, fighting with an even greater intensity than before.
***
Mac attacked again and again. She felt her opponent's fear and relished it. She might actually win!
Labris was increasingly worried. This was a Jedi she was fighting. Sidious had said that Jedi never gave into their anger. Mentally, she cursed herself. Obviously, this Jedi had only just completed her training and had no self-control. She gave up the offensive and allowed herself to be backed into a corner. Then, she viciously jumped over Mac-Lyn's head and almost caught the Jedi in the back if she hadn't had good reflexes. She sighed. This was going to be longer than she thought.
"Has Sidious gotten those other Jedi yet?" she wondered aloud, stopping.
Mac stopped too. "What other Jedi?" she demanded suspiciously.
Labris stared. "The ones that came with you."
Mac started. She clearly wanted to stay and fight, but her Jedi instincts told her she had to go. Sighing involuntarily, she turned and ran. Labris powered down her lightsaber and stared after her for a long time.
***
Sidious had taken the other Jedi, knocked them out, and locked them up. Allie had just barely regained consciousness and suddenly became aware that there was another person in the room besides Turtle and her. Nudging Turtle to wake up, she turned in what she hoped was the direction of the other person. "Hello?" she asked cautiously.
A strange feeling filled her mind as the other person spoke. "Wrong way, Jedi," it sneered.
"Who are you?" asked Turtle, now wide awake.
The other person—a female, by the sound of her voice—laughed mockingly. "I'm Jade. Sid put me as your guard." Suddenly she seemed angry. "And put his pet in charge of the other Jedi."
Allie was filled with dread. Had they gotten Mac-Lyn too? She stretched out with her senses, feeling Turtle do the same. Suddenly she hit a wall. Jade laughed her disturbingly familiar laugh. "Oh, I forgot to mention the yslamiri, didn't I? Well, I'm afraid you can't feel anything when you hit their bubble, as you've noticed. Fascinating, really," she added with dry humor. "They create an anti-Force bubble. So you can't feel anything."
Allie sought out her friend's face, difficult to see in the dark room. //How many Sith are out there?\\ she sent.
"You two do that so loud," Jade observed, "I might as well answer for you to make you shut up. You're giving me a headache.
"There are only two Sith, as that's all that are allowed. Sid, like I mentioned, and his pet, Darth Labris. Then there's this other girl who says she's a Dark Jedi. Sid and Labris are here, and the other one is at the Jedi Temple to wreak havoc and kill as many as she can. And I'm here, obviously, and they can't train me but I can sense the Force and Labris found me. She turned me over to Sid—at least that's what they tell me—and he and the other two help 'control my power' or 'make sure I don't blow up their precious plans.' Happy now?"
//Four of them?\\ Turtle sent back, perceptibly nervous.
"Now shut up," snapped Jade. "In both ways. And get some sleep." A smile split her shadowed face, cruel and amused. "You've got a busy day tomorrow."
***
Mac-Lyn was running as fast as she could through the streets of Mos Eisley, not caring about the people who gaped at this Jedi Knight, running full throttle with her saber ignited and in full view, the wind whipping back her dark hair. Sand stirred under her feet and stuck in the vicious wound in her arm, but she ignored the stinging sensations and ran on. Suddenly she found herself at the edge of town. There a small building beckoned. At first she was hesitant to enter, but then she felt a whisper that felt like Turtle.
***
"What have you done with my Master?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth a voice in Turtle's head cursed. Knowing that Mac-Lyn was her Master gave the Sith a certain advantage.
"Your Master, eh? Heh-heh, that'll certainly come in handy! Thank you, foolish Padawan! But I'm afraid to say I think Labris has already finished her off."
Turtle's thoughts raced. She was sure Mac wasn't dead yet, but she might be soon. As she thought, she heard a splintering noise and panicked shouting. Her eyes stung as a shaft of light burned into them. She heard a sickening smoking noise, and the next thing she knew Jade was out cold on the floor next to her. A bolt of blue lightning shot out from behind her, and Mac-Lyn, after bursting in suddenly, was thrown across the small dark room and landed with a thud against the wall. Sidious rushed forward, but Mac-Lyn raised her blade too quick for him to kill her.
Sidious held Mac in the air by her throat. His fingers dug viciously into her, bruising the Jedi's long neck brutally. Turtle screamed at Sidious and tried to rush to her Master's aid, but Jade (who had just awakened) managed to hold her back. The Padawan was weakened by her anger, and the Dark Jedi relished Turtle's fear as she watched her Master slowly choke. There was only one way this could finish. Labris, who stood outside, was sure, Jade was sure, Sidious was sure. They grinned evilly, and their eyes glowed with relish in the suffering of their hated enemy. Mac-Lyn's eyes were fixed on her Padawan. Mac-Lyn's eyes were normally very dilated, even in bright light, but now Turtle was frightened as they shrank. Her Master's eyes seemed to be dying. She couldn't see any blue, just dead, pitch black.
***
"Cherry! Cherry!" Obi-Wan shouted as he tried to revive the Jedi Master. Deep, purple bruises had appeared on her neck, and she seemed to be slowly choking.
In a strangled, weak voice, Cherry said, "My Padawan, she's dying!"
Obi-Wan looked around desperately. All he knew was the Knight's name. He called out with his mind. //Mac-Lyn! Mac-Lyn! You've got to fight back!\\
In reply he heard a voice with a strong accent. //I can't. He's choking me.\\
//You've got to!\\
//It's, it's the Sith Master, Obi-Wan!\\
The Knight was shocked she knew his name, and shocked by the fact that the Sith Master had surfaced. //How do you know…?\\
//Later!\\
//Look, you have to fight! He's killing your Master too!\\ Obi-Wan didn't hear the voice anymore. He felt solid determination and, to his despair, anger.
***
In the black room, Mac-Lyn kicked Palpatine hard in his stomach. The Sith flew across the room, and lay still on the floor. Labris filled with rage. Believing her Master to be dead, she flung herself on the Jedi. She didn't use her saber, she simply beat the Jedi with her fists, pummeling away. The Jedi seemed oblivious to the pain. She stood up and hit back, keen to stop the Sith, not from hurting her personally, but from hurting Cherry. Her eyes were back to normal, and seemed to glow blue. Labris was pinned to the floor, and the Knight pounded her body. Labris was frightened. A Jedi had never fought like this before. Not this viciously and ferociously. She had to get away. She saw the pale flesh of the Jedi's neck flash by her face, and in desperation, she sank her teeth into it. She heard a scream, and she felt a satisfaction come over her. Mac-Lyn stood staring at Labris. The Sith stood up and licked her lips, seeming to savor the taste of Jedi blood.
Mac-Lyn touched her neck, then raised her lightsaber into an attack position. In her anger she was seeing red, and prepared herself to kill all the Sith. Before she could attack, however, someone else jumped through the hole she had made in the wall. A blue lightsaber flashed, cutting through the young Jedi's binders. "Mac-Lyn, go!" yelled a masculine voice. Mac-Lyn nodded, but dealt Labris a swift blow to the head with the butt of her lightsaber as she passed. The Sith crumpled to the floor, much to Mac-Lyn's private, dark satisfaction. She glanced back once to see Obi-Wan holding the younger girls' hands as he half-dragged them out. They jumped into a landspeeder and Obi-Wan pressed on the gas, leaving the Sith den behind without a single glance.
***
Jade got up from her spot on the floor, where the male Jedi had knocked her, and knelt and checked Labris's vital signs. With a muttered curse she acknowledged the Sith's pulse and stood. After a moment of staring down at one of her mentors, she whirled around to glare at Sidious. "What was that all about?" she demanded.
Sidious raised a carefully diplomatic eyebrow. "What was what all about?"
"That Jedi girl! She could be my clone or my twin, and knowing you," her eyes narrowed dangerously, "she could easily be either of those."
Sidious allowed a carefully small, diplomatic smile. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Jade's voice took on a hard edge. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I would."
Labris groaned and stirred, then opened her eyes and sat up. Blood trailed down one side of her mouth. "Just tell the girl."
Sidious considered this. Finally, he replied, in an almost sadistic croon, "Patience is a virtue, one you must learn if you wish to join our ranks, young Jade. However, if it will appease your appetite, I will allow that you are connected to her, but I simply cannot reveal how until all the Jedi are in our grasp."
Jade's expression was caught between an angry sneer and a sarcastic smile. "You've done nothing but whet my appetite, and you know it."
He shrugged suavely. "Well, I'm sure you're up to the challenge."
She glared at him, seething, but relented, stalking off to her quarters. Sidious watched her go. He would have to watch that one, being careful to feed her anger before giving any information that might interfere with her interests. And his, he decided. A growl from the other person in the room caused him to turn, shaken out of his dark, thoughtful reverie. Labris stood, staring out the hole in the wall (shame, he would have to replace that), feral outrage all over her face. She grasped her lightsaber and looked as though she wanted to chase after them.
"Patience, my apprentice." He eyed her.
Labris turned her feral anger on him. It melted into something more tamed, but no less dangerous. Sidious filed this away. He would have to watch her as well.
"What's wrong with you?" Labris growled. Sidious noted her red eyes.
"You're still angry," he said calmly, as though he was a casual observer of something odd. "She must have been too tough for you."
Some of the domestication left her face as Labris snarled at her Master. As she talked, more blood spattered from her mouth. She must have hit a vein in the Jedi. "You should know."
Sidious growled, feeling his diplomatic calm begin to drain. In an effort to recollect, he smiled evilly and said, "So, Jedi blood tastes good, does it? My, you're a vicious little girl, aren't you?"
Labris grinned sadistically.
***
Onlé's battle raged on, but Yoda seemed to be holding up. She tried to strike over and over, and finally sensing the perfect opportunity, she swung her purple lightsaber with all her strength toward Yoda's head. With a primal cry the blade swung low—
And missed completely.
Yoda has used the Force to knock her again. She decided, in a rare moment of tactical planning, that this battle was better left unfinished. Yoda knew that he had caught her off guard, yes, that was it. Still, she needed to do one final thing, sort of a memorial to the time she had slaved away for the Jedi.
"See ya AROUND, Midget!" she yelled, flipping up to a higher balcony-like hall directly above where they were fighting, running outside and jumping into her waiting speeder, and formulating her excuse for failure for Sidious.
Yoda meanwhile raised his com link and immediately alerted every Jedi in the temple that Lindsey was a Dark Jedi and if seen she should be intercepted at all costs. As he lowered, feeling slightly disappointed in the path Lindsey had chosen, his thoughts turned suddenly to Mac-Lyn, although her didn't know why. Troubled, he boarded a turbolift that led to the Council's room.
***
Allie and Turtle were spellbound at being rescued by the famous Jedi Obi- Wan Kenobi; they could barely thank him. Cherry, who sat behind them next to Mac (who looked decidedly worse for wear), pursed her lips at what she considered the girls' flirtation. They didn't notice, as they were busy describing the circumstances of their capture and the duration of their stay in the Sith den. Each chattered excitedly, and although she was a little annoyed, Cherry did have to admit that the adoring looks they sneaked at him and his patience with the younger girls was very attractive. She smiled a tiny smile and was rudely awakened from her quiet indulgence by Mac-Lyn nudging her and grinning knowingly.
Cherry and Obi-Wan's ship slowly came into view. A robed figure wandered down the ramp with a smile. It was August, who had accompanied her Master. Obi-Wan slowed the speeder and everyone unloaded. Turtle and Allie backed off behind August while Cherry helped Mac-Lyn out. The wounded Jedi stumbled, and August studied her appraisingly.
"What happened to her?"
"Nasty encounter with the Sith," Cherry grunted, supporting Mac-Lyn.
"Looks more like a nasty encounter with a cannibal to me," August observed with revulsion.
Cherry appraised her former Padawan's neck. The Sith were the ultimate evil, obviously, but she couldn't believe they were uncivilized enough to do this. It seemed unearthly. "Obi-Wan."
"Yes, Cherry?"
"Get her on board. Put her on my bed. I'll look after her."
This caused much protestation from the other four Jedi. "You can't! You're still recovering! We'll look after Mac-Lyn."
"No." Cherry shook her head adamantly. "She needs my help in more ways than one."
Obi-Wan sighed and scooped up the nearly-unconscious Jedi, who was so tired she didn't resist. Cherry followed him into the ship and watched as he gently lay her down on the bed. He turned to her and ventured a half- smile. "Happy?"
"Thank you," she whispered, sitting down next to the sleeping Jedi, reflecting fondly on other memories where she had observed the wild Jedi in sleep, the only time she seemed to slow down. Gently she stroked her former Padawan's hair and focused her mind on healing. Obi-Wan stood in the doorway for a moment, and turned to leave, when suddenly Cherry felt a strange…wrongness in Mac-Lyn's mind. She pulled out and suddenly screamed, "PADAWAN! PADWAN, WAKE UP! GET OUT! OBI-WAN, WHAT'S WRONG?"
Obi-Wan rushed over and stared at the Jedi, who lay on her former Master's bed, thrashing around in a fit and crying out in her deep sleep. "I don't know, Cherry!" he said, desperately searching for the root of the Jedi's problem.
Cherry searched down her mental bond with her old Padawan. Her eyes flew open after only a few seconds, suddenly recognizing the wrongness she had felt.
"THE SITH! THE SITH IS IN THERE!"
A/N II: Oh, cliffee! *listens to agonized screams* heh-heh-heh, you'd better review then, hm?
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Mac-Lyn had landed on Tatooine. It was night and the normally burning deserts were cool and inviting. She needed to sleep, but she doubted she would receive the much needed rest when her worries about her Master pervaded every corner of her mind. She hoped that Turtle didn't feel rejected; this wasn't exactly the best way to start a Master/Padawan bond. Still, she knew Turtle was better off at the Temple. Making her first mission one to Mos Eisley would be throwing her in at the deep end, then practically holding her head under the water. Mac-Lyn opened the door of her ship, and walked out into the desert. She sat down, and gazed at the stars. She had often sat with her Master, talking at night about what the young Jedi would do as a Knight, and what Cherry would do with her next Padawan. They talked about the families they hardly knew, old missions, lost friends...everything that a Jedi would eventually have to face in their life. As she drifted into a deep trance, her com link bleeped. The noise brought her back to reality. She grabbed the communicator from her belt. It was Lindsey.
"Mac-Lyn, where are you?"
"Tatooine."
"Already? I thought you'd be…"
"Just get to the point." Mac-Lyn had become snappy since finding her Master.
"Well, I don't know how to say this, but when you left your Master got worse…"
The blood began to drain from Mac-Lyn's face.
"We think she was still in shock, and when she woke up she still wasn't fully recovered. Her heart stopped, and we tried but…" The other Jedi's voice was cut off as Mac-Lyn threw her com link away violently. Her face was totally pale, and she drew her knees up to her chest and began rocking obsessively. She couldn't be…she'd have felt it…she would have…or she should have….The same emotions she'd felt that night on the balcony resurfaced, but multiplied a thousands times over. She rocked back and forth, reverting in her mind to that eager little 13-year-old, standing in the Council room, listening in joy to Cherry declaring that she would train Mac-Lyn, and again she felt the Master's hands on her shoulders. She couldn't take it. She sprang forward and ran as fast as she could, out into the desert, running and running, as if she could escape the pain. She collapsed on the ground and began screaming and bawling.
***
In the temple, Onlé sat with a smile on her face. She was sitting on Cherry's bed, looking at the perfectly alive Master, whose health was getting better and better all the time. Mac-Lyn would crack. The Dark Jedi would soon have a new member in their ranks, she was sure of it…
***
The Dark Lady of the Sith was looking out of the window towards the vast desert. The Jedi Knight was near. She could almost taste it. Ana Labris got out of the club and into the now-cool sand alleys. They were full of people who didn't see her.
***
Mac-Lyn stormed through the desert. She'd switched off her com-link and the only thing on her mind was finding the Sith, Up ahead, she could see the bright lights of a bar. //I'll slip in the back.\\ she thought. //I'm sure our little 'friend' is about…\\
***
Ana had retreated back indoors. She couldn't sense the Jedi anymore.
"She's cloaking. Nothing at all to worry about. She will be no match for you."
Ana set down her com-link and cut off her Master. The room she was in was at the back of a bar, and was brightly lit.
//Better safe than sorry.\\ she thought. She settled back and picked up her bantha blaster. Stupid Jedi! She'd be so consumed by her own rage she'd be dead the second the Sith saw her! As Labris took a sip of her drink, the lights went out. She leapt out of her chair and spun to face the door. She hadn't even heard it open. In the darkness, she could vaguely make out a figure with hair nearly as dark as her own. She was totally dressed in black, and her eyes caught the light from the main bar outside the other door. The Sith didn't know what to do, she wasn't even sure who it was! However, the other's identity was revealed all too clearly when a glowing, purple-blue blade appeared in front of the Jedi's face.
Ana didn't know if what she was feeling was fear. She watched the Jedi walk perfectly calmly towards her, striding slowly, gazing at the person who would ultimately become her opponent, drinking in every detail of their face. Behind her, the Sith heard the door lock with a click. Mac-Lyn lowered her hand again after using the Force to shut off the Sith and her. Choosing her words carefully, the Knight spoke.
"You don't know me, but I think you can guess who I am. You hurt someone very close to me, the closest thing to a mother I've ever had, and you'll pay dearly for that."
The Jedi's voice had lost its usually friendly and, to the people who had hear it, often humorous tone. It was cold, calm, and crisp. Still she strode forward until she and Labris were only a few inches apart. The could fell each other's breath on their faces. The fight was coming, but not just at this instant. They beheld each other in a strange way, as if they knew their ultimate opponent had come, and that this was the culminating moment of their lives. After standing there for what seemed like hours, but was really only seconds, the Jedi's face changed, and she raised her blade. The Sith quickly whipped out her own, and the two sabers met for the first time…
***
Cherry awoke with a startled expression on her face. She felt something was terribly wrong but didn't now what. Onlé was sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Master?" Onlé said questioningly.
"Something is wrong. Where are Mac-Lyn and August?" Cherry asked. A terrible feeling of pain and anger surged through her bond with her former Padawan.
***
Turtle and Allie were walking down a dusty road (with all that sand, what else would it be?). While Turtle's Master wandered around searching for whatever she was searching for, they had decided to take this matter into their own hands.
"So, what happened?" asked Allie. "I want to be absolutely sure…"
"Cherry was attacked. My Master thinks it was the Sith or a Dark Jedi or another evil source of power," said Turtle, coughing as the wind picked up, then died down.
"Ah," murmured Allie. "So we need to find someone who looks dark."
"Or feels it," Turtle pointed out.
Allie nodded distractedly. She wasn't as well trained as Turtle, but there had been a rather angry young boy in her dueling class once…"There," she said, pointing. "I think we can find information there."
Turtle followed her gaze. "That's a junkshop," she objected. "What are we going to find there?
Allie shrugged. "I don't know, but I have a feeling we'll find someone in there…"
Once inside they were faced with the short Bothan storeowner. "Excuse me," Turtle asked politely, "but have you seen anyone who looked rather shadowy?"
The Bothan gave them what was meant to be an incredulous look and shrugged. "Everyone on this forsaken planet is shadowy."
"Yeah, but really shadowy," she persisted. "Like, I don't know, wearing a cloak, you can't see his face?"
The Bothan pointed over to a corner. "Does that count?"
Glancing over, Turtle saw that Allie was creeping toward a hunched figure. Immediately, she felt a wave of dark energy overcome her. Thanking the Bothan, she slowly made her way across the room. The Bothan sneered and rolled his eyes before leaving. Suddenly the figure stood and turned around. Instantly Allie couldn't move. She glanced at her friend, seeing she was also struggling against the invisible bonds. Swiftly Turtle's face went slack. "Master," she said hoarsely. "Allie, my Master is in trouble!"
They both tried to get out of the grips, and the face of the figure, or as much as they could see, curved into a smile. "Oh no, my young Jedi," he said softly. "You won't be going anywhere for a while."
***
Mac-Lyn made a strangled noise as the Sith grabbed at her throat and raised her hand to stab at Mac-Lyn. The Jedi felt that this was it, but then she remembered her Master lying on that bed, and a wave of rage ran through her. She roared wildly and tossed the Sith through the locked door into the packed bar. The patrons in the bar gasped and chattered in shocked voices as Labris came through the door in a shower of metal shards. They were trying to get closer, but backed off totally when a black and purple blur bounded out of the back room and pounced on Ana. The Sith raised her red blade and struck at Mac-Lyn's arm. The saber ripped through her skin, but the wound did not bleed, because of the heat of the weapon. Mac-Lyn ignored the pain and continued to fight.
***
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Cherry's eyes went wide and she fell back into bed with her face contorting in pain. Lei Endril came rushing into the room, hearing the Master's cries. Cherry was clutching at her arm, and Lei couldn't figure out what was wrong.
"There's no wound, no muscle strain…I don't know what's wrong!"
Then she saw the concerned look on Cherry's face, and Lei's own face went blank.
"Mac-Lyn…"
***
The Sith's eyes started glowing dark red, in contrast with their natural green color. The Jedi's anger was powerful. Ana stuck with lightning fast speed and Forced the Jedi back a step.
"Let go of your anger," Ana whispered to her opponent. Mac-Lyn clenched her jaw and tried to fight the darkness around her. It was more that you could bear while you are fighting a Sith.
"Never!"
Labris smiled and parried the blow. "But you don't know what it gives you!!" she almost shouted, making the people around jump back a few meters as she struck with sheer Force and tried to overwhelm the Light Sider. Their sabers locked firmly. Ana's pupils were starting to glow stronger and they looked like a scarlet point on her now completely black face. She used the opportunity to thrust Mac-Lyn to the floor. But the Jedi used the Force to hold her back while she got up. This took only few seconds and the fight was back in full speed and furiousness.
***
Onlé stepped behind the doorway. She needed to contact Sidious, to tell him what was going on. She knew his own apprentice had not. Maybe the Master Sith would give her more credit!
Her bare feet made no noise in the hallways of the Jedi Temple. She heard nothing herself, but sure felt it as something knocked her to the ground. Onlé turned over and to her surprise…Yoda?
"Darkness in you it is!" Yoda said. He'd Force-blasted her to the ground.
Onlé stood. "What are you trying to do?"
The green Jedi Master ignited his purple lightsaber. "Dark Jedi you must be. Duel me you will!"
Onlé let go of her anger. This was it. Her cover had been blown. But is she defeated the midget, and he was the Jedi's leader…then they would CRUMBLE! Onlé ignited her violet-with-white-cored lightsaber, and the battle began.
***
Obi-Wan Kenobi was going to visit the Master who was in the sick ward to find out if there was any way he could help the healers. Lei, upon seeing him come down the hall, shooed everyone away from the sick ward and left herself.
Cherry wondered what was going on, why everyone had left. Was something wrong? Suddenly the door creaked open, and in peaked the handsome face of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Cherry smiled inwardly and tried to look as helpless as possible.
Obi-Wan tried not to gasp. He'd never seen anyone that pretty. Well, take that back, he'd seen a lot of hot princesses over the years. In any case, Cherry definitely ranked in the upper categories. However, the Jedi Master was not one to let petty things like hormones take over his senses.
Easing the door shut behind him, he walked over to a chair next to the bed and said, "Hello." When Cherry didn't reply (she was gazing at him through slit eyes) he added uncomfortable, "Well, if you're asleep, I guess I'll go…"
Cherry pulled herself out of her thoughts. "No, no, I'm awake," she replied, boosting herself up on one elbow. It sent a flood of pain and she remembered Mac-Lyn.
He looked concerned. "Are you all right?"
She shook her head. With great effort she finally managed, "One of my old Padawans is in trouble. She's hurt and the dark side threatens to overtake her." Impulsively she gripped his arm. He didn't notice. "She's on Tatooine," she gasped. "Can you take me there?"
A frown creased his forehead. "In this condition? I don't think I should…"
She shook her head violently. "You don't understand. If I don't do something, she might die!"
He lifted his head for a moment and cocked it as though listening to something. A faraway look passed over his face. He looked back down. "This might be helpful in more ways that one," he murmured thoughtfully. Coming to a decision, he added, "I'll smuggle you out tonight. I asked for some time away to meditate anyway, and I was planning on leaving soon."
A grateful look came over her face. "Thank you," she said. She lay back down on the bed. "I must rest."
Quietly he left the room.
***
Onlé was beginning to get frustrated. She should have beaten this dwarf a long time ago. Worst yet, she noticed with irritation, she was getting tired. Yoda, however, didn't appear even the slightest bit fatigued. Onlé shook the sweat out of her eyes and pressed forward, fighting with an even greater intensity than before.
***
Mac attacked again and again. She felt her opponent's fear and relished it. She might actually win!
Labris was increasingly worried. This was a Jedi she was fighting. Sidious had said that Jedi never gave into their anger. Mentally, she cursed herself. Obviously, this Jedi had only just completed her training and had no self-control. She gave up the offensive and allowed herself to be backed into a corner. Then, she viciously jumped over Mac-Lyn's head and almost caught the Jedi in the back if she hadn't had good reflexes. She sighed. This was going to be longer than she thought.
"Has Sidious gotten those other Jedi yet?" she wondered aloud, stopping.
Mac stopped too. "What other Jedi?" she demanded suspiciously.
Labris stared. "The ones that came with you."
Mac started. She clearly wanted to stay and fight, but her Jedi instincts told her she had to go. Sighing involuntarily, she turned and ran. Labris powered down her lightsaber and stared after her for a long time.
***
Sidious had taken the other Jedi, knocked them out, and locked them up. Allie had just barely regained consciousness and suddenly became aware that there was another person in the room besides Turtle and her. Nudging Turtle to wake up, she turned in what she hoped was the direction of the other person. "Hello?" she asked cautiously.
A strange feeling filled her mind as the other person spoke. "Wrong way, Jedi," it sneered.
"Who are you?" asked Turtle, now wide awake.
The other person—a female, by the sound of her voice—laughed mockingly. "I'm Jade. Sid put me as your guard." Suddenly she seemed angry. "And put his pet in charge of the other Jedi."
Allie was filled with dread. Had they gotten Mac-Lyn too? She stretched out with her senses, feeling Turtle do the same. Suddenly she hit a wall. Jade laughed her disturbingly familiar laugh. "Oh, I forgot to mention the yslamiri, didn't I? Well, I'm afraid you can't feel anything when you hit their bubble, as you've noticed. Fascinating, really," she added with dry humor. "They create an anti-Force bubble. So you can't feel anything."
Allie sought out her friend's face, difficult to see in the dark room. //How many Sith are out there?\\ she sent.
"You two do that so loud," Jade observed, "I might as well answer for you to make you shut up. You're giving me a headache.
"There are only two Sith, as that's all that are allowed. Sid, like I mentioned, and his pet, Darth Labris. Then there's this other girl who says she's a Dark Jedi. Sid and Labris are here, and the other one is at the Jedi Temple to wreak havoc and kill as many as she can. And I'm here, obviously, and they can't train me but I can sense the Force and Labris found me. She turned me over to Sid—at least that's what they tell me—and he and the other two help 'control my power' or 'make sure I don't blow up their precious plans.' Happy now?"
//Four of them?\\ Turtle sent back, perceptibly nervous.
"Now shut up," snapped Jade. "In both ways. And get some sleep." A smile split her shadowed face, cruel and amused. "You've got a busy day tomorrow."
***
Mac-Lyn was running as fast as she could through the streets of Mos Eisley, not caring about the people who gaped at this Jedi Knight, running full throttle with her saber ignited and in full view, the wind whipping back her dark hair. Sand stirred under her feet and stuck in the vicious wound in her arm, but she ignored the stinging sensations and ran on. Suddenly she found herself at the edge of town. There a small building beckoned. At first she was hesitant to enter, but then she felt a whisper that felt like Turtle.
***
"What have you done with my Master?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth a voice in Turtle's head cursed. Knowing that Mac-Lyn was her Master gave the Sith a certain advantage.
"Your Master, eh? Heh-heh, that'll certainly come in handy! Thank you, foolish Padawan! But I'm afraid to say I think Labris has already finished her off."
Turtle's thoughts raced. She was sure Mac wasn't dead yet, but she might be soon. As she thought, she heard a splintering noise and panicked shouting. Her eyes stung as a shaft of light burned into them. She heard a sickening smoking noise, and the next thing she knew Jade was out cold on the floor next to her. A bolt of blue lightning shot out from behind her, and Mac-Lyn, after bursting in suddenly, was thrown across the small dark room and landed with a thud against the wall. Sidious rushed forward, but Mac-Lyn raised her blade too quick for him to kill her.
Sidious held Mac in the air by her throat. His fingers dug viciously into her, bruising the Jedi's long neck brutally. Turtle screamed at Sidious and tried to rush to her Master's aid, but Jade (who had just awakened) managed to hold her back. The Padawan was weakened by her anger, and the Dark Jedi relished Turtle's fear as she watched her Master slowly choke. There was only one way this could finish. Labris, who stood outside, was sure, Jade was sure, Sidious was sure. They grinned evilly, and their eyes glowed with relish in the suffering of their hated enemy. Mac-Lyn's eyes were fixed on her Padawan. Mac-Lyn's eyes were normally very dilated, even in bright light, but now Turtle was frightened as they shrank. Her Master's eyes seemed to be dying. She couldn't see any blue, just dead, pitch black.
***
"Cherry! Cherry!" Obi-Wan shouted as he tried to revive the Jedi Master. Deep, purple bruises had appeared on her neck, and she seemed to be slowly choking.
In a strangled, weak voice, Cherry said, "My Padawan, she's dying!"
Obi-Wan looked around desperately. All he knew was the Knight's name. He called out with his mind. //Mac-Lyn! Mac-Lyn! You've got to fight back!\\
In reply he heard a voice with a strong accent. //I can't. He's choking me.\\
//You've got to!\\
//It's, it's the Sith Master, Obi-Wan!\\
The Knight was shocked she knew his name, and shocked by the fact that the Sith Master had surfaced. //How do you know…?\\
//Later!\\
//Look, you have to fight! He's killing your Master too!\\ Obi-Wan didn't hear the voice anymore. He felt solid determination and, to his despair, anger.
***
In the black room, Mac-Lyn kicked Palpatine hard in his stomach. The Sith flew across the room, and lay still on the floor. Labris filled with rage. Believing her Master to be dead, she flung herself on the Jedi. She didn't use her saber, she simply beat the Jedi with her fists, pummeling away. The Jedi seemed oblivious to the pain. She stood up and hit back, keen to stop the Sith, not from hurting her personally, but from hurting Cherry. Her eyes were back to normal, and seemed to glow blue. Labris was pinned to the floor, and the Knight pounded her body. Labris was frightened. A Jedi had never fought like this before. Not this viciously and ferociously. She had to get away. She saw the pale flesh of the Jedi's neck flash by her face, and in desperation, she sank her teeth into it. She heard a scream, and she felt a satisfaction come over her. Mac-Lyn stood staring at Labris. The Sith stood up and licked her lips, seeming to savor the taste of Jedi blood.
Mac-Lyn touched her neck, then raised her lightsaber into an attack position. In her anger she was seeing red, and prepared herself to kill all the Sith. Before she could attack, however, someone else jumped through the hole she had made in the wall. A blue lightsaber flashed, cutting through the young Jedi's binders. "Mac-Lyn, go!" yelled a masculine voice. Mac-Lyn nodded, but dealt Labris a swift blow to the head with the butt of her lightsaber as she passed. The Sith crumpled to the floor, much to Mac-Lyn's private, dark satisfaction. She glanced back once to see Obi-Wan holding the younger girls' hands as he half-dragged them out. They jumped into a landspeeder and Obi-Wan pressed on the gas, leaving the Sith den behind without a single glance.
***
Jade got up from her spot on the floor, where the male Jedi had knocked her, and knelt and checked Labris's vital signs. With a muttered curse she acknowledged the Sith's pulse and stood. After a moment of staring down at one of her mentors, she whirled around to glare at Sidious. "What was that all about?" she demanded.
Sidious raised a carefully diplomatic eyebrow. "What was what all about?"
"That Jedi girl! She could be my clone or my twin, and knowing you," her eyes narrowed dangerously, "she could easily be either of those."
Sidious allowed a carefully small, diplomatic smile. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Jade's voice took on a hard edge. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I would."
Labris groaned and stirred, then opened her eyes and sat up. Blood trailed down one side of her mouth. "Just tell the girl."
Sidious considered this. Finally, he replied, in an almost sadistic croon, "Patience is a virtue, one you must learn if you wish to join our ranks, young Jade. However, if it will appease your appetite, I will allow that you are connected to her, but I simply cannot reveal how until all the Jedi are in our grasp."
Jade's expression was caught between an angry sneer and a sarcastic smile. "You've done nothing but whet my appetite, and you know it."
He shrugged suavely. "Well, I'm sure you're up to the challenge."
She glared at him, seething, but relented, stalking off to her quarters. Sidious watched her go. He would have to watch that one, being careful to feed her anger before giving any information that might interfere with her interests. And his, he decided. A growl from the other person in the room caused him to turn, shaken out of his dark, thoughtful reverie. Labris stood, staring out the hole in the wall (shame, he would have to replace that), feral outrage all over her face. She grasped her lightsaber and looked as though she wanted to chase after them.
"Patience, my apprentice." He eyed her.
Labris turned her feral anger on him. It melted into something more tamed, but no less dangerous. Sidious filed this away. He would have to watch her as well.
"What's wrong with you?" Labris growled. Sidious noted her red eyes.
"You're still angry," he said calmly, as though he was a casual observer of something odd. "She must have been too tough for you."
Some of the domestication left her face as Labris snarled at her Master. As she talked, more blood spattered from her mouth. She must have hit a vein in the Jedi. "You should know."
Sidious growled, feeling his diplomatic calm begin to drain. In an effort to recollect, he smiled evilly and said, "So, Jedi blood tastes good, does it? My, you're a vicious little girl, aren't you?"
Labris grinned sadistically.
***
Onlé's battle raged on, but Yoda seemed to be holding up. She tried to strike over and over, and finally sensing the perfect opportunity, she swung her purple lightsaber with all her strength toward Yoda's head. With a primal cry the blade swung low—
And missed completely.
Yoda has used the Force to knock her again. She decided, in a rare moment of tactical planning, that this battle was better left unfinished. Yoda knew that he had caught her off guard, yes, that was it. Still, she needed to do one final thing, sort of a memorial to the time she had slaved away for the Jedi.
"See ya AROUND, Midget!" she yelled, flipping up to a higher balcony-like hall directly above where they were fighting, running outside and jumping into her waiting speeder, and formulating her excuse for failure for Sidious.
Yoda meanwhile raised his com link and immediately alerted every Jedi in the temple that Lindsey was a Dark Jedi and if seen she should be intercepted at all costs. As he lowered, feeling slightly disappointed in the path Lindsey had chosen, his thoughts turned suddenly to Mac-Lyn, although her didn't know why. Troubled, he boarded a turbolift that led to the Council's room.
***
Allie and Turtle were spellbound at being rescued by the famous Jedi Obi- Wan Kenobi; they could barely thank him. Cherry, who sat behind them next to Mac (who looked decidedly worse for wear), pursed her lips at what she considered the girls' flirtation. They didn't notice, as they were busy describing the circumstances of their capture and the duration of their stay in the Sith den. Each chattered excitedly, and although she was a little annoyed, Cherry did have to admit that the adoring looks they sneaked at him and his patience with the younger girls was very attractive. She smiled a tiny smile and was rudely awakened from her quiet indulgence by Mac-Lyn nudging her and grinning knowingly.
Cherry and Obi-Wan's ship slowly came into view. A robed figure wandered down the ramp with a smile. It was August, who had accompanied her Master. Obi-Wan slowed the speeder and everyone unloaded. Turtle and Allie backed off behind August while Cherry helped Mac-Lyn out. The wounded Jedi stumbled, and August studied her appraisingly.
"What happened to her?"
"Nasty encounter with the Sith," Cherry grunted, supporting Mac-Lyn.
"Looks more like a nasty encounter with a cannibal to me," August observed with revulsion.
Cherry appraised her former Padawan's neck. The Sith were the ultimate evil, obviously, but she couldn't believe they were uncivilized enough to do this. It seemed unearthly. "Obi-Wan."
"Yes, Cherry?"
"Get her on board. Put her on my bed. I'll look after her."
This caused much protestation from the other four Jedi. "You can't! You're still recovering! We'll look after Mac-Lyn."
"No." Cherry shook her head adamantly. "She needs my help in more ways than one."
Obi-Wan sighed and scooped up the nearly-unconscious Jedi, who was so tired she didn't resist. Cherry followed him into the ship and watched as he gently lay her down on the bed. He turned to her and ventured a half- smile. "Happy?"
"Thank you," she whispered, sitting down next to the sleeping Jedi, reflecting fondly on other memories where she had observed the wild Jedi in sleep, the only time she seemed to slow down. Gently she stroked her former Padawan's hair and focused her mind on healing. Obi-Wan stood in the doorway for a moment, and turned to leave, when suddenly Cherry felt a strange…wrongness in Mac-Lyn's mind. She pulled out and suddenly screamed, "PADAWAN! PADWAN, WAKE UP! GET OUT! OBI-WAN, WHAT'S WRONG?"
Obi-Wan rushed over and stared at the Jedi, who lay on her former Master's bed, thrashing around in a fit and crying out in her deep sleep. "I don't know, Cherry!" he said, desperately searching for the root of the Jedi's problem.
Cherry searched down her mental bond with her old Padawan. Her eyes flew open after only a few seconds, suddenly recognizing the wrongness she had felt.
"THE SITH! THE SITH IS IN THERE!"
A/N II: Oh, cliffee! *listens to agonized screams* heh-heh-heh, you'd better review then, hm?