The Blue Leaf temple was named for the intricate carvings of one of the blue trailing plants that inhabited Yavin VI. Keiran led the way round to the east part of the temple, where a doorway was situated.
"The Rebellion sealed off this place." Keiran tapped the butt of his glowrod against the ferocrete plug across the entrance. "It seems like the Empire had other ideas once they left." He ran his hand over the glassy surface where something had burnt a hole through to the inside.
Izzy moved forwards and studied the hole. "It seems that no one has been here since." He traced out the line of cobwebs crisscrossing the entrance.
Tai leant forwards and brushed them aside. "Let's get on with this, shall we? This place gives me the creeps."
Keiran nodded and lead the way inside, holding his glowrod up high so as to illuminate the chamber. Inside was a chamber much like the one at the temple the Jedi inhabited, but on a smaller scale.
Izzy pointed at the floor. "See the dust? I'd bet that the Imperials were the last people to be in here."
Keiran nodded. "Ever considered taking up a career in forensics kid?"
Izzy blushed and remained silent.
"Aww, don't mind Izzy," said Tai. "He just likes to hear his own voice, that's all."
Izzy grinned wickedly and flicked his finger at Tai. A small spark jumped to the back of Tai's neck.
"OW!"
Sora grinned. "Don't pick fights you can't win Tai."
"Quiet!" cautioned Keiran. "You should be on the look-out for anything out of the ordinary."
Tai climbed the staircase at the back. "Um, Mr. Halcyon? Does a huge glowing blue pillar count?"
"That's what we're looking for." Keiran came up to join Tai, followed by Sora and Izzy. "The Rebel surveyor reported that the stone was oily to the touch, but I don't think we should get to close."
Sora pulled her cloak closer to her body. "It's so cold here."
"That makes no sense Sora," replied Izzy. "Heat rises, so logically this level should be warmer than the one below it."
Sora shook her head. "Evil is here." She moved closer and looked into the stone. "Guys, look at this."
The others moved closer. Under the crystals surface faces swam in and out of view. Izzy watched faces come and go, some in sorrow, some in pain.
A face similar to his own, but many years older swam to the forefront. Koushiro it mouthed. Izzy stumbled backwards, lost his footing and ended up on the floor. "Father?"
Sora turned to face him. "What was that Izzy?"
"Er…" Behind his barriers Izzy's mind raced. Like this is a good time to say 'Oh by the way I'm adopted and I just saw my dead father call be by name in there'. Come on, think! "Grandfather. That's what I said." The words spilled out of Izzy's mouth in an effort to be accepted as truth. "I saw my grandfather in there."
Tentomon flew down to Izzy's side. "You were standing there for almost half an hour."
"No way!" protested Tai. "Wasn't more than thirty seconds."
Izzy checked the clock on his digivice. "Tentomon is right Tai. We've been here quite a while."
"The bug talks?"
The three children turned to face Keiran.
"Oops?" ventured Tentomon.
"I vote we discuss this outside," ventured Izzy, glancing uneasily at the crystal column.
"Agreed." Keiran lead the ordered retreat from the building.
As they moved though the deserted temple they took no care over disturbing any of the remaining cobwebs and instead concentrated on the small patch of light that represented the exit.
Once outside Keiran rounded on the children. "Okay, I think it's about time that you came clean with me." He gestured at the digimon. "These aren't pets, are they?"
"No sir," conceded Izzy. "But then you're keeping something from us."
Keiran laughed. "Like what?"
"Like you're not Keiran Halcyon." Tai watched Keiran's reaction carefully to see if he might turn violent.
Keiran's shoulders sagged. "You're right. How did you know?"
"Lag time in your reaction time to your name," replied Izzy. "Other clues you gave us was that you were once in Starfighter Command."
"Once we knew that," continued Tai, "It was an easy task to run a search though their personnel files and find a match."
Izzy glared at Tai. We? You mean I ran a search.
Yeah, yeah Izzy. Tai motioned at Izzy to continue the explanation.
Izzy turned to Keiran. "I couldn't find an exact match. We know that you are either Marcus Sandskimmer, or Corran Horn, we're just not sure which."
"Corran Horn." Keiran, or rather Corran extended a hand toward Tai.
Tai withdrew slightly. "I wish you hadn't said that." He assumed a more balanced stance, placing himself between Corran and his friends. Agumon joined him at his side.
Corran raised his eyebrows. "I don't understand. I've never had that reaction before."
Izzy moved a step forwards, although still behind Tai. "I found your Imperial file, one that had been originally in Cor Sec's database."
"Ah." Corran shook his head slowly. "That's all rather complicated. When I fled Corellia I left with my partner, her husband and our supervisor. To stop suspicion from the Imperial Liaison Officer that we were planning this we staged an incident that called for me to be disciplined. None of those pirates were real people. If you looked at their birth bytes and reverse the day and month, you'll see a pattern."
Izzy shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand your date system."
Sora stepped forwards. "He's not lying. He's not even being evasive. That was the total truth."
Tai turned to her. "You sure Sora?"
She nodded. "Absolutely. I can even guess why you changed your name when you came here." Corran merely raised an eyebrow to suggest that she elaborate. "You didn't want the famous fighter pilot to be recognised. That why you dyed your hair as well as grew a beard."
"Hold on," said Izzy. "You told us that your family was gone. But your file says you have a wife."
Corran nodded sadly. "She's missing. Has been for weeks. I'm here to try to learn how to find her."
"How sad," replied Sora.
Corran blinked back tears. "So what about these 'pets' of yours then?"
"Digimon," said Tentomon. "We're digimon. Short for digital monsters."
Izzy patted the top of Tentomon's shell. "They're kinda like guardian angels. They protect us against our enemies."
"Enemies?"
"Like Myotismon. He's here, now. On this moon." Tai looked around carefully. "He's in league with a Sith spirit called…"
"Exar Kun," finished Corran. "I know he's here on Yavin IV. He's tried to turn me."
"What?" exclaimed Izzy. "He's trying to turn students?"
Corran nodded. "Gantoris, before he died claimed that there was a 'Dark Man' after him. I did some research at Master Skywalker's request and found Exar Kun's name at the top of my list."
"If he's trying to turn people," said Sora, thinking out loud. "Then maybe Myotismon won't be trying to kill us after all."
Corran looked confused. "Why would he do that?"
"We know that the two of them are working together," explained Izzy. He turned to Sora. "But most likely Myotismon would be supremely happy if our digimon ceased to be."
Tai nodded. "It's true that we can't fight him, but they can. He probably wants to turn them too so that he gets more Ultimates working for him."
"So what now?" asked Sora.
"We go back to the temple," replied Corran, "And we pretend that we don't know anything about any of this stuff with Exar Kun and Myotismon. But we keep our eyes and ears open, and we work together from now on."
"Agreed," said Tai, speaking for the whole group. "And I think we should see about getting some help. Exar Kun will soon want to take over the temple and train people directly."
"Too late," said Izzy pointing at the sky.
Over in the direction of the temple multicoloured flashes could be seen.
"Looks like the party has started without us," commented Tai.
"And will end without us too," added Corran. "There's no way we can get back before it's all over."
"Really?" asked Sora and looked at Biyomon.
The pink bird nodded and started to glow. "Biyomon digivolve to… Birdramon."
Tentomon followed suit. "Tentomon digivolve to… Kabuterimon."
"Sithspit!" exclaimed Corran. "Can all your digimon do that?"
Izzy nodded. "They digivolve into stronger forms when they need to fight." He used the Force to help him leap to Kabuterimon's neck. "Come on, it's faster than walking."
Tai and Sora each sat on one of Birdramon's feet. "See you there Izzy!"
The giant bird took to the sky.
Corran eyed the giant bug in front of him nervously. "So how do I get up?"
Kabuterimon put a clawed hand out. "Here. I'll lift you part of the way."
Corran looked at it sceptically, then stepped on. Kabuterimon lifted him to a point where he could cross to Izzy's position.
"Be careful," warned Izzy. "The turbulence up here can get bad."
Kabuterimon started to beat his wings.
"I see what you mean," said Corran over the howling wind. "It's no worse than some of the atmospheric fighters I've flown."
Izzy nodded, his hair flying all over the place. "Let's get going Kabuterimon."
Matt ducked as Weregarurumon flew overhead, hurled by Triceramon. "We are in so much trouble."
Joe nodded. "And isn't it funny that these guys choose now, when our strongest fighters are gone to attack?"
Matt chose not to answer and instead to focus on the other side of the field where Togemon and Angemon were fighting hard against Pumpkinmon and Wizardmon. "T.K…"
Joe put a hand on Matt's shoulder. "Don't worry Matt. Angemon knows how to take care of T.K."
"We should still try to join them," countered Matt. "It would mean that we had less area to defend."
Joe nodded. "Okay then, but we better keep low so as not to attract the evil digimon." He led the way round the clearing, staying away from the fighting.
Matt kept his eyes flicking between Weregarurumon and T.K. the whole way round. As he got close Weregarurumon went down again and was surrounded by a glow.
"No! Weregarurumon!" Matt could see that the two Ultimates had ganged up on Weregarurumon, causing the digimon to dedigivolve back to Gabumon. The two evil digimon turned to face Mimi and T.K.
"NO!" Joe leapt forwards and knocked Mimi out of the way. Under his robes his crest lit up and Ikkakumon started to glow. "Ikkakumon digivolve to… Zudomon." Phantomon laughed evilly and advanced on Zudomon. Besides him Triceramon raised a hoof and prepared to bring it down on T.K. Matt checked on Angemon and saw that the digimon was held fast by Pumpkinmon.
In fear and desperation Matt started to run towards his brother. "Leave him alone!"
T.K. whimpered slightly, unable to break his gaze from Triceramon's massive hoof bearing down.
"T.K, move damn you!" Matt pushed his legs to move even faster. He could see that he would never make it in time. "T.K!" In his mind's eye he could see his mother and father's disapproval and blame. Why didn't you look after your brother? In desperation and panic he raised a hand towards his brother and reached to the Force. Come on, for once work for me!
He felt like lightning had struck him as pure life ran into him. He took it, bent it to his will and wrapped it around the Triceramon, stopping its descending hoof. "Stay the hell away from my brother!" He felt resistance from the digimon and laughed. "You think that brute strength will out do the Force?" Matt smoothly raised his hand. Likewise the Triceramon's hoof rose. It rose to a completely unnatural angle and Matt grinned evilly. A sharp snap came from the digimon's leg.
"That's for scaring my brother." Matt's eyes went cold. "But as for threatening him…" He turned his hand over, palm down, and started to close his fist. The digimon screamed in pain as its ribs started to give way.
T.K. ran to Matt's side. "I'm okay Matt. You can let him go now."
Matt's gaze never wavered from the struggling Triceramon.
T.K. reached up and pulled on Matt's outstretched arm. "Stop it Matt. You're hurting him."
"Why not?" asked Matt. "He was going to hurt you." His hand twitched and the Triceramon screamed again.
T.K. started to cry. "He doesn't deserve this Matt. He was just doing what Myotismon told him."
Matt's gaze moved from the digimon he held pinned to his brother, still gently tugging on his sleeve. "T.K?" He seemed to see T.K. for the first time. His brow wrinkled in thought. "What… what's going on?" His arm dropped to his side. "Why are all these digimon fighting?" His eyes lost their focus. "Where's Momma?" He looked around. "Momma?" His eyes rolled back in their sockets and his eyes folded beneath him.
"MATT!" yelled T.K. He tried to catch his brother as he fell, but only managed to cushion the fall slightly. "Please, someone, help! Matt's sick!"
Joe skidded to a halt and knelt besides Matt and T.K. His hand snaked around Matt's wrist and he checked his pulse.
Finally he let go of Matt's wrist. "He's out cold. Why I have no idea." He sighed. "I wish Sora was here. She might be able to tell what's up with his head." He looked up and watched Zudomon attacking Phantomon, driving him back. Triceramon had already limped off into the forest and Pumpkinmon was advancing on them while Angemon and Togemon were fighting off Wizardmon. He looked up as a screech came from overhead. Birdramon came flying into the fray.
Tai and Sora dropped down to the ground near Joe.
"We leave and all hell breaks loose," joked Tai. He turned and pointed his digivice towards Agumon. "Let's do it!"
Agumon nodded and digivolved to MetalGreymon. "Bring it on!" He advanced towards Pumpkinmon.
Pumpkinmon took one look at the orange cyborg-dinosaur moving towards him and fled.
Wizardmon threw a purple globe to the ground. It shattered and created a cloud, veiling his figure. When the smoke cleared the Champion digimon was gone.
Phantomon was not so wise. Zudomon swung his hammer round and Phantomon dissolved in a cloud of particles.
Joe punched the air. "That's my digimon!"
Zudomon grinned, then started to glow. His form contracted and the glow faded. Bukamon floated along the grass and stopped by Joe. "How is he? Did one of the digimon get him?"
Joe shook his head. "I don't know."
Sora pointed up to the horizon. "Look! Here comes Izzy!" Sure enough Kabuterimon approached and landed gracefully near the others. Izzy and Corran slid to the ground.
"I see no evil digimon so I assume you won without my aid." Izzy kept turning his head to look at the whole clearing.
Joe turned to Corran. "Uh, Keiran? Could you help us move Matt to his room?"
Corran nodded.
"Momma?"
She's not here son.
"Where's Momma?"
She left us. She took your brother with her.
"I don't understand Dad. When is she coming home?"
She's not.
Matt pulled his knees to his chest and cried.
Sora took her hand off Matt's forehead and shook her head. "Where ever he is, he's so deep I can't find him."
Joe rubbed his arms. "This is wrong." He started to pace. "This is just like back on Coruscant. A storm is rising."
T.K. moved to Matt's side and rubbed a hand along his brother's arm. "Matt? Where'd you go?" He started to cry. "Don't leave me alone like when Tai was missing."
Tai put an arm round T.K's shoulder. "It's okay T.K. I'll be your big brother until Matt comes back." He looked around the group. "We need to talk." He turned to Corran. "You can stay if you like Keiran." He moved his hand to his digivice and switched off the translator. The others followed suit.
"So what do you want to talk about?" asked Sora.
"Keiran. Or rather Corran." Tai noticed Corran's eyebrows rise at mention of his name. "We got him to tell us."
Joe frowned. "Is he safe?"
Sora nodded. "He's going to help us stop Exar Kun."
Joe frowned further. "I think he may already have one of us." He gestured at Matt. "Matt was doing some pretty advanced stuff before you arrived."
"So?" asked Tai. "We're all doing advanced stuff."
Joe shook his head. "Matt was pulling power from the dark side, I'm sure of it." He took his glasses off and started to clean them with one of his robe's sleeves. "It was like there was a cold field surrounding him."
T.K. hugged Tai's legs. "He didn't see me." He looked straight up into Tai's chocolate eyes. "Tai, Matt looked through me like I wasn't there."
Tai met Sora's gaze. "That's not like Matt."
"Not at all," agreed Sora. She knelt beside T.K. "You mean the world to Matt. He wouldn't normally just ignore you."
"We need help," said Tai. "This is too big for us to deal with by ourselves." He reached inside his robes and withdrew a piece of flimsey between a finger and thumb. He flicked his translator back on. "Keiran, we need help. Is there somewhere with a transmitter?"
Corran shook his head. "We have one, but only Master Skywalker and Kam have the activation codes."
Izzy stepped forwards. "How hard are they to crack?"
Corran shook his head. "It would take days to find the code. Looks like we're on our own."
Izzy moved to the door. "I'm going to work on the Holocron again. Maybe I can find something to help us."
Tai nodded. "We need all the help we can get."
Izzy watched as the transport landed in a cloud of dust. He advanced with the rest of the students to the cargo hatch.
"Hey Izzy, Tai! Come over here a minute!" Corran stood with two of the passengers.
Izzy shrugged an apology to Tionne then moved with Tai to join them.
Izzy studied the two newcomers carefully. One was a woman with a willowy figure and blue skin. Her head had no hair, but a cascade of blue feathers framed her face. Holding her arm was…
"General Antilles!"
Wedge inclined his head. "Nice to know you remember me." He gestured at the woman on his arm. "This is Doctor Qwi Xux."
Corran extended an arm. "If you follow me I'll show you to your rooms." He gestured to Tai and Izzy. "You come too. I've no doubt that General Antilles wishes to talk to you." He led the way to a set of rooms on the second level. "Here Doctor Xux. This is yours." He escorted the blue-skinned woman inside then showed Wedge the other room.
Once inside Wedge turned and clasped Corran's hand in greeting. "Corran! It's been a long time."
Corran grinned. "Wedge! How's things going at Starfighter Command?"
Wedge shook his head. "Those Invids are a sneaky lot. Talvira is keeping too low of a profile to find her." He turned to the two boys. "I take it that things are going well for you and your friends."
Tai nodded. "As well as can be expected with people trying to either kill us or turn us to the dark side." He held out a piece of flimsey. "Can you deal with this as we're locked out of the transmitter?"
Wedge took the flimsey and turned it over in his hands. "A frequency? Whose?"
"Feona Seacrest, Captain of the Blue Ray." Izzy tapped the flimsey. "We need her to come within a week for us."
"Trouble is brewing," filled in Corran. "We need to leave before it breaks, without anyone knowing."
"Why not leave with us?" asked Wedge. "Surely that would be better?"
Tai shook his head. "One of us is sick. We need to give him as much time as possible to recover."
Wedge nodded. "I'll escort Doctor Xux to a safe-house, then return to Coruscant and stand by. I get the feeling that you'll need my help before this is over." He used a hand to cover a yawn. "Now if that's all I'll wish you good night."
Both Tai and Izzy bowed and retreated from the room. Behind them Corran stayed.
"What else?" they heard Wedge ask Corran.
"You like her," replied Corran.
Tai shook his head. "Not touching that with a ten-foot pole," commented Tai. "Let's go meet this new student."
Matt sat in a dark room. "What's going on?"
Your salvation.
Matt looked around. "Whose there?" He got to his feet. "Show yourself!"
A tall, cloaked figure detached itself from the shadows surrounding Matt. You have felt your power.
Matt frowned. "The Triceramon?" He shook his head. "That was wrong. I used the power of the dark side to hurt someone."
Oh really? asked the shadow. He waved a hand and a spotlight came on.
"MATT!" T.K. was again cowering as a hoof descended.
"T.K," breathed Matt. He turned to the shadow. "Why show me this?"
The shadow smiled and removed its hood, revealing a man many years older than Matt, but sharing a similarity of features. I show you this to answer your accusation that you hurt someone. Did you hurt your brother?
"No. I did all this to protect him."
So you did good.
Matt considered this statement from many angles. It did seem a valid statement, but he could not see what made him so uneasy. "I suppose in the broadest sense I did do good."
The man smiled, as if Matt was a dog that had just performed a clever trick. Your Master is a foolish man. He believes that good and evil are absolutes.
Matt frowned. "Aren't they?"
The man snorted. Every action has a consequence, repercussions. Surely you don't believe that in the complexity of life that all of the myriad results are positive.
Matt folded his arms. "Convince me."
Your parents, grinned the man. They felt it best for themselves if they separated. But you don't feel the same. He smiled at Matt. There is nothing good or evil, but thinking that makes it so.
"But then the Jedi would do nothing," countered Matt.
Foolish boy, snorted the man. In this world you either make decisions, or have others make them for you. He waved a hand and a spotlight lit on an image of Tai. He makes his own decisions, and yours.
"That's wrong. He talks to all of us, asks our advice."
The man voiced Matt's unspoken comment. But the ultimate decision rests with him.
"You're right," agreed Matt. "He always tells me what to do." He started to pace. "What makes him so much better than me anyway?"
Perhaps, suggested the man, it is not because he is better, but he is more willing to do what ever is necessary.
"Are you saying that he uses the dark side? Is that why he beats me?" Matt stopped pacing. "Is it only because I hold myself back that he wins?"
What does your heart say?
"My heart?" Matt laughed. "I'm not sure I have one that still works." He stopped laughing and frowned. "I think that it is time I stopped weakening my position with Tai."
The man extended a hand. Then join me and I will teach you how to make him listen.
Matt considered the hand. "How do I know this is right?"
It saved your brother. Is that not a worthy goal?
"Something amuses you?" asked Myotismon.
Friendship is so dark, so unlike the others. Exar Kun radiated pleasure freely. He has allowed himself to be bent to our cause.
"He has?" asked Myotismon. "Then the battle is partly won. The Digidestined are only a threat when they are united. Individually they can be bent far more easily."
Gatomon entered the upper chamber and stood before her master, waiting to be acknowledged.
Once Myotismon inclined his head towards her she began. "The children have allied themselves with the only one who is untouched. They have also found the prophesy of the sabres."
Did you hear the prophecy? The planets it told?
Gatomon shook her head. "I could not hear them all, they were too far away and too strange sounding." She cowered slightly as Myotismon advanced. "And the ones you heard?"
"Hoth, Mon Cal-something and Endor."
Hoth.
Myotismon moved his gaze form Gatomon. "And why is Hoth so important?"
The sabre of Friendship must be there. It is a planet of ice with no life.
Myotismon smiled. "So we have a Jedi and a lightsabre. And he will bring us the rest."
Meantime we must move quickly. That fool Skywalker has blocked the commwaves on my orders, thinking a Sith is trying to corrupt the students. But he is beginning to suspect.
"Call him here. I will deal with him." Myotismon smiled and bared his teeth. It had been far too long since he tasted blood.
No, the students would suspect if he went missing. Exar Kun sighed. I have been without a mortal shell for far too long. I'm sure Master Skywalker won't mind sharing.
"Prodigious!"
Tai looked at Izzy. "What you got?"
Izzy grinned. "Lightsabres."
Tai blinked. "Care to run that by me again with an explanation?"
"We know that the Jedi knew we were coming right?" asked Izzy. Tai nodded. "So," continued Izzy, "They made us all lightsabres and hid them around the galaxy behind seals that will only react to us."
"Really?" asked Tai. "Where?"
Izzy frowned. "Here's the problem. I have the planets, but not whose is which." He sighed. "Apparently we should be able to sense the landing markers from orbit, but if time is an issue…"
Tai nodded in understanding. "It would take us a long time to find it."
Sora entered the room. "Hey guys."
"T.K. still with Matt?" asked Tai.
Sora nodded. "He wanted to stay a bit longer with Matt so Mimi is keeping an eye on them both." She turned to Izzy. "How's the plan going for getting us out of here?"
"We're set," replied Izzy. "Feona is coming back for us in the next few days if General Antilles helps us."
Tai nodded. "So we need to be ready to leave as soon as she gets here."
"And then we have a list of seven planets to visit." Izzy held up his fingers and counted them off. "In alphabetical order, Bespin, Endor, Hoth, Mon Calamari, Mrlsst, Tanaab, and Tatooine."
"And no idea whose is which?" asked Tai.
Izzy shook his head sadly. "I don't have enough information." He found the words sticking in his mouth. "I just don't know."
"Perhaps we can find something out about the planets themselves," tried Sora, sensing Izzy pain at being unable to find the answer.
Izzy shook his head violently. "There's a jamming field up on the commwaves now. Someone must have known I was hacking into the Coruscant mainframe."
Tai frowned. "One more reason for us to get out of here as soon as we can."
"Watch it Tai!"
Tai ducked as a stun bolt few overhead. "Thanks Izzy."
Izzy shook his head and returned to watching the remote. "Be more careful. I don't want to have to watch you on this assault course." He popped his head up over the fallen log they were hiding behind, and was rewarded with a stun-bolt coming straight towards him. He ducked.
"Any ideas on disabling those things?" asked Tai, staying low.
Izzy snorted. "Yeah Tai. I'll just make an EM-pulse bomb out of these dead leaves and a stick of gum." He took a deep breath. "Let's see." He shut his eyes and reached outwards through the Force.
"You find 'em?"
Izzy shook his head. "Kam must've reprogrammed them to move out to a further range since our last attempt." He shifted his weight to the balls of his feet. "I'm going to try to fry them."
Tai raised an eyebrow. "Izzy, if I remember correctly, in order for you to release that sort of power you have to absorb it first."
Izzy nodded slowly. "Yes Tai. I'm going to let the remotes shoot me."
"That's crazy!" Tai shook his head fiercely. "If one of those beams knocks you out then we fail the exercise."
"And you have a better idea?" asked Izzy. Tai remained silent. "Thought not." Izzy rose to his feet in a fluid motion.
The remotes all started to shoot at him and Izzy let the bolts strike him. He took the power of the bolts and used the Force to channel it away from his body and into a glowing ball in either hand.
"Catch." Izzy threw his arms out and willed the balls of energy to fly away and strike two of the remotes. He ducked as they exploded.
"Little too much juice there Izzy," joked Tai.
Izzy glared at him. "I'd like to see you do better."
Tai stuck his tongue out at Izzy. "I've got my own methods." He held up a fallen branch that was a little shorter than his arm. "You distract them, I'll whack them."
Izzy was incredulous. "That's your big plan? Whack them?"
"Yup."
Tai's grin was infectious. Izzy found himself grinning too. "Fine. I'll shoot and miss. Good enough?"
Tai laughed. "Let's do it."
Izzy again rose and started hurling bolts. Tai leapt over the log and brought his stick round like a baseball bat. The remote he was aiming at few backwards into a tree trunk, coughed some smoke, then fell to the ground.
Tai turned. "Wanna take the last one out Izzy?"
Izzy jumped up, over the stream of bolts from the last remaining remote, and landed a metre behind it. He held his hand out, then twisted his wrist sharply through ninety degrees. The remote dropped.
"Found the off switch."
Kam stepped out from the shadows. "Nice to know that you've left one remote still working."
Tai coughed slightly. "Sorry about that."
Kam shrugged. "Well we have a supply run coming in a few days. That should bring us some new ones."
Izzy shook his hands out, leaving sparks behind him. "So where is Master Skywalker? I though he was taking us today?"
"Master Skywalker and Kyp Durron have gone on a hike together." Kam shrugged, indicating that he didn't really understand the motivation behind it. "Master Skywalker thought it would allow Kyp the chance to find his way in the Force without us all watching over him." Kam sighed. "I somehow think that me running this exercise for the others now we only have one remote is a bit pointless."
Both Tai and Izzy looked ashamed.
"I'm sorry," apologised Tai. "But you did say whatever was necessary."
Kam raised an eyebrow. "And completely destroying two and severely damaging another was 'necessary'?"
"Er…" Izzy laughed nervously. "I don't know my own strength?"
Luke knelt before the giant statue of Exar Kun. It was stationed in a huge courtyard in a decaying temple many miles from the one where the apprentices were studying.
Beside him, Kyp Durron took up a similar pose. "Master, why are we kneeling before an old and decaying statue?"
Luke smiled. "We are here to meet a true Jedi Master. This is his home." Some strange animals came out into the courtyard and bowed to them. "These are some of his servants."
"Hiya, how are ya? Great ta see ya!" Demidevimon floated down in front of the two Jedi, his claws making a soft clack as they hit the ground. "The Masters will be here in a moment."
Kyp gasped. "Master, what are these strange creature that can talk our language?"
They talk ours, or do we talk theirs?
A tall and imposing figure walked into the courtyard, surrounded by a mist. "A valid point my ally."
The mist detached itself from Myotismon and circled around Luke. He is young and strong.
"Master?" asked Luke, confused. "I have come as you asked so that you can teach me the true way." He gestured at Kyp. "I have even brought our newest and brightest student so that he can appreciate your wisdom like the rest of your followers."
Foolish Jedi. He mist wrapped itself tighter around Luke. I have much wisdom to impart, but not to you. You have outlived your usefulness to me.
Luke shook his head. "I don't understand. I've done everything you asked to safeguard the students from the dark side."
Except get rid of me. The mist started to circle around Luke's head. You were a fool Skywalker, and now your students are my students. They have followed me for a long time now.
Luke tried to put barriers up in his head. "You can't take me. I won't let you!"
Fool! You showed me your inmost desires, all your secrets. You think you can keep me out? The mist shrank around Luke's head, entering him through any available opening on his head.
Luke, or rather Exar Kun in Luke's body, threw back his head and laughed. "Foolish child. I tricked you and you gave in willingly. Now I once more have a body and am no longer bound to this moon. Soon I shall have countless students who will obey me." He turned to Myotismon. "As for this one, you may have him if you wish, he is no concern of mine."
"Wait!" cried Kyp. "What if I were to serve you? You have more power than even Skywalker. If you were my master I would never have to fear again."
Exar Kun raised his eyebrow. "Indeed. And how do I know that you would be loyal to me?"
Kyp squared his shoulders. "You have power. I want power. You have these creatures at your disposal. I am as good as dead if I betray you, so why kill me before you know where my allegiance lies?"
"Indeed." Exar Kun turned to Myotismon. "What do you feel Lord Myotismon?"
Myotismon smiled. "While it means I lose out on a good meal, I believe the human has a point. Some of my most trusted followers were found, not given freely."
"Well then, stand Kyp Durron." Kyp stood and Exar Kun smiled at him. "You are now the third in command of my Jedi army. Betray me and death will not come quickly enough."
Author's notes:- Wow. Matt's in a coma, Luke's possessed, and the kids are preparing to flee to find their lightsabres. I think if I have much more plot going on my head will explode.
Next time, there will be fights… Promise. You don't think Exar will let them go easily do you?
