"Srukin, Jhotan Srukin," the young Jedi placed his hand on the counter. The secretary behind the desk tapped away at the computer console before her. Jhotan stood in the registration area of the Fel University campus on Corellia. Since stealth was critical to his current mission, he was registering as a student for the next semester. Classes were scheduled to begin several days later, which should give him some time to snoop around before having to fulfill his role as a student at the university.

"Ah yes, here we are," she said without looking up from the data pad screen. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. Jhotan grew impatient, allowing his gaze to wonder around the room. The registration office was in a two-story building large enough to hold several hundred students. A café was part of the back wall, and several students were gathered in tables near there, talking.

Jhotan switched his duffle bag to his other shoulder. The bag contained his Jedi robes as well as a few other assorted items of clothing. He currently wore loose black pants with a grey tunic that was untucked to fit in with the typical image of a college student. A young man walked by quickly, looking like he was in a hurry to get somewhere. Jhotan followed him with his eyes for a moment. There was something unusual about the guy, but he could not think of what.

"Ok, Mr. Srukin, you are boarding in dorm building Kresh, room 219. Here are your keys and your class schedule," she placed the items on the counter. He grabbed them, responded with a polite thank you, and began walking away.

"Do you need directions, sir?" She half-shouted across the room.

"Nah, I think I can find it," he replied over his shoulder, continuing out the exit.

It did not take him long to find his dorm, for the building loomed overhead as soon as he exited the "Center" as the building he had just left was known.

"I can't believe she thought I need directions!" Jhotan exclaimed to no one in particular. A few people stared at him, looking for the sound of the outburst. Laughing nervously, he decided to keep quiet. A short time later, he was unpacking in his room. He lightly tapped the specially extended pocket on his right thigh. It was there that he concealed his lightsaber. The very same weapon he had used when he had encountered Nem at his and Avot's wedding.

"I will find her," he murmured quietly.

"Find who?" Someone asked from the doorway. Jhotan's head whipped upward toward the source of the voice. A young woman stood just inside his door, which he had neglected to lock, or close well for that matter. She was at least several inches shorter than Jhotan, with closely cropped black hair gelled standing up, and blue highlights at the ends of the spikes.

"Um, no one," he looked down for a moment. "And you are?" His voiced was suddenly stern and inquisitive. She leaned against the wall, setting her feet in a wide stance in front of her. It was then Jhotan noticed her immeasurably tight maroon slacks. Using a Jedi concentration technique Jhotan easily restrained his focus on her face and her face alone.

"Oh, sorry. I'm Ver Jiek. I live in the room directly above this one," she extended her hand. Jhotan shook it lightly.

"Jhotan Srukin. Is it normal for the girls to wander around on the guys' floor?" He flashed a wry smile.

"I'm just checking out the prospective selection of guys, if you don't mind," she smiled back at him in the same exact manner. He was mildly surprised, but didn't show it.

"Not at all, I just don't see what you're trying to find in this particular room." He stood up from his seated position on his bed. Jhotan become aware of how much taller he was than her. This new predicament forced her to crane her neck back to meet his gaze.

"Modest too," she paused a moment to think. "Oh right, I guess you're taken. You did mention a 'her' one moment ago," Ver crossed her arms over her chest.

"Not exactly. But something along those lines, yes," his mind flashed to Avot, who was somewhere on this campus, possibly being tortured or harmed in some other way. He blinked several times to clear his mind.

"Anyway," she broke the awkward silence. "I guess I'll be going. I'll be around, if you want to have dinner or something," Ver grinned sheepishly. She slunk from the room, walking down the hall, a spring in her step.

"Or something," he said, mimicking her voice. "Yeah right." But there was something odd about her. Just like that guy from the café, earlier. His brow furrowed, his eyes closed, Jhotan lie back on his bed, thinking deeply.

Unexpectedly, Jhotan had given in to Ver's wily charms and agreed to take her to dinner. He began to regret this decision as he slowly ground a piece of nerf steak between his teeth.

"…So yeah, I've been chattering my head off for an hour now," she paused to change the position of her crossed legs. "Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?" She flashed a smile. Jhotan stopped chewing and swallowed hard.

"I uh," he struggled to think. Ok, I've got to stay away from anything Jedi. "I'm from Coruscant. I went to a private academy for schooling… I guess I've had a pretty boring life," yeah right he added privately.

"Let's get to the chase. Who was this girl you were talking about earlier?" Placing her elbows on the table, Ver leaned forward. Jhotan felt her warm breath on his face, and decided this was a little too close. He sat back in his chair and raised an eyebrow.

"Why the sudden interest?" He asked with a sly look. Good, goad her on, maybe she knows something.

"Oh, I dunno…" She leaned closer again

This is utterly childish. Jhotan returned her sheepish grin. Wait, there's something more to this. The grin vanished.

"What, what is it?" She questioned.

There! That flash… of darkness.

"What?"

"I've gotta go… see you around," he tossed a 50-cred chip onto the table and walked off. I should've given her a 20, he thought. At least I'm one step closer to finding Avot.

Recently, Jhotan had begun noticing an increasing amount of the students scurrying about similar in manner to the womp-rat of Tatooine. Young men and women literally ran across campus in a very open and unusual manner.

They were onto him. Three days had passed, and Jhotan's snooping about had procured no clues. The only thing apparent was the somewhat odd manner many of the students carried themselves, Ver Jiek included. Jhotan suspected that she and the others were involved with the reported Dark Side activity present on the Fel University campus.

At the present time, Jhotan was taking a leisurely stroll about the campus. It was nearing dusk, and the sun had begun to set. A cold feeling enveloped Jhotan, and he tapped the lightsaber in his pocket for reassurance. A dry stick snapped behind him, and Jhotan whirled around.

"Jedi…" Ver hissed. She began to reach for something behind her, but Jhotan quickly Force-pushed her into a nearby tree. The object tumbled out of her grasp and onto the ground. Leaning back on his left foot, he swung his right leg upward, pressing the sole of his boot into her throat. She responded by swinging her own foot up between his legs. Jhotan deftly caught it, and twisted the ankle hard. An audible series of cracks were heard and a small whimper escaped her lips. Jhotan called the fallen object to his hand with the Force. It was a lightsaber. Igniting the weapon, he was not surprised to see a glimmering red blade. Disengaging the weapon, he turned to his wounded adversary.

"Where's Avot, Sith?"

"You'll never see her again," she sneered.

"You're wrong," his gaze burned into her, and he pressed his boot harder into her throat.

"She is wrong." Jhotan whirled around, releasing his captive. Ver slumped to the ground, gasping. A large group of robed, hooded figures had appeared out of nowhere. They all wore dark brown robes, while the leader, the one who spoke, wore a robe of the pure black. He nodded to the others, and the great multitude formed a ring around Jhotan and Ver.

"Bring her forward," he again gestured with a nod. Jhotan's breathing stopped. Two of the robed figures gently placed Avot onto the ground. She appeared to be unconscious and her skin had a gray pallor to it. Her once golden hair had dulled somewhat. Jhotan looked beyond these minor grievances, and was relieved to notice the soft rise and fall of her chest. The left side of his mouth began to curve into a faint smile. Presently, he began to chuckle. Soon, the chuckle gave way to an all-out laugh.

"What is wrong with him?!" Ver exclaimed. The hooded visage of the leader angled upon the young Jedi. Jhotan let the laugh fade away. He suddenly threw both arms outward at his sides. Four of the hooded figures were flung high into the air. They landed thirty feet away, with a series of sickening thuds. They did not get up.

"Your precious Jedi magic fails to impress me, young one," the leader snarled.

"Is that so?" Jhotan held out a hand, and his lightsaber flew from his pocket. The pommel hit his palm with a satisfying thwack. The green-blue blade ignited in a flash. Jhotan stood poised, the Force flowing around him. The black robed leader nodded yet again, and a figure in a black robe of a different cut walked forward. This robe exposed the warrior's muscled arms, but kept his face concealed in a veil of shadow. The circle of robed beings widened in order to offer a larger arena for the battle that was about to take place. Ver was carried off to the sidelines, where she could not be further injured. Jhotan's opponent reached toward his belt and extracted his own lightsaber. Jhotan was hardly amused when he engaged the fiery red blade of energy.

"Prepare to die, Jedi," the leader growled. Jhotan's opponent launched himself in a charging attack. Jhotan parried several slashes, then sidestepped, leaving his right foreleg extended. As his opponent tripped over the exposed limb, Jhotan brought the tip of his lightsaber handle into contact with the other's lower spine. He crashed to the ground like a ton of bricks. The warrior rose to a crouching position, and rolled forward. Jhotan sidestepped, and his opponent sprang into a lunge at Jhotan's midsection.

Not this again, Jhotan thought, as the searing red blade missed his old battle scar by mere inches. Rotating on the heel of his boot, Jhotan elbowed the warrior in the back of the head. Slowly approaching his opponent, Jhotan held his saber outward, tip pointed diagonally toward the sky. In an explosion of speed, the warrior bowled into Jhotan, knocking him back. Jhotan tried to bring his saber down to parry, but the warrior knocked his sword hand aside and planted a large, booted foot in Jhotan's torso. The wind left Jhotan's lithe frame in a whoosh. The warrior was suddenly behind him, and kneed Jhotan in the back. Jhotan groaned, and stumbled forward. The unrelenting warrior roundhoused the back of Jhotan's neck without missing a beat. This pitched Jhotan to the ground in a heap. He lay there, breathing hard. Jhotan brought up his blade to block a sudden strike at his left temple, but the warrior backhanded him to the ground again. Jhotan's lightsaber disengaged and skidded from his grasp several feet away. Battered and bloodied, Jhotan stole a glance at Avot.

I've failed you, my love. A burning rage filled the young Jedi. No, I can't…must not… Jhotan's head suddenly jerked up, his face contorted into a snarl. Blue lightning flew from his fingertips and blazed over the body of his opponent. The surge of Dark Side energy allowed Jhotan to stand. Unexpectedly, the warrior shook off the latest volley, and rose to his feet. He held out one hand, with fingers splayed. Intense blue lighting shot forth and engulfed Jhotan, from head to toe. He collapsed on the ground, writhing in utter agony. The lightning paused for a moment, and the leader walked up, his boots next to Jhotan's head.

"You must now realize the foolishness of your ways, Jedi. But I've had enough entertainment for today, it is time to put you out of your pathetic misery." The warrior approached Jhotan, ready to make the killing blow. A glowing blade of red energy pierced the warrior's chest and exited between his shoulder blades. The Sith had obviously forgotten about the confiscated weapon from Ver. The fallen warrior slumped to the ground. The leader's hand jerked, and the lightsaber flew from Jhotan's grasp, and powered down.

"It seems as though I will have to invoke the talents of our execution squad, this should be excellent." The circle of robed figures parted, and a small group of ten moved into the middle. They, in turn, encircled Jhotan as he kneeled on the ground, continuing to breath hard.

This time, I have failed… I can't believe it. Any and all anger fled Jhotan's heart. He began to prepare himself for the inevitable, as Master Skywalker once said the legendary Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi had done prior to being struck down by Darth Vader. Jhotan looked from hidden face to hidden face. Suddenly, he noticed one of the executioners, a female, had her lower face exposed, and she smiled. It wasn't an evil smile, or a smile of satisfaction. Jhotan's brow furrowed. She continued to smile at him.

No way… Jhotan though. Each member of the death squad spun around to face the surround crowd in unison. Simultaneously, they reached inside their cloaks to retrieve their lightsabers. In a whirl of cloaks, they held out the disengaged weapons before them. In a flash, the weapons were ignited. Surprisingly, the blades revealed a rainbow of colors: varying shades of blue, green, orange, pink, purple, and yellow glowed brightly. A grin split Jhotan's face. A collective gasp was released by the shocked Sith. The humming sound of igniting lightsabers was heard nearby. Jhotan looked to his right. Atop a one-story building stood several dozen Jedi, their weapons glowed as a rainbow. More humming was heard to Jhotan's left. More Jedi, their weapons ablaze, appeared from behind a series of columns. The group of Sith were effectively boxed in. A literal sea of red blades ignited. The Jedi in the center of the group gave the signal and dove into the crowd, sabers flashing. The Jedi atop the building somersaulted to the ground and charged forward the same moment their brethren on the other side began their attack.

Jhotan scrambled over to Avot and called his saber to his hand. To weak to fight, he crouched next to her prone body, ready to defend her life at all costs. One particular Jedi fought her way through the melee and reached Jhotan and Avot. It was the Jedi who had smiled to Jhotan. He recognized her immediately. It was Ina-sar, Avot's younger sister. She had trained under Cilgal, the Mon Calamari Jedi healer, but was also skilled with a lightsaber. She smiled again, and bent over her elder sister to check her vitals. Jhotan sprang to his feet to cover them.

"She's fine, Jhotan. Knocked out, with a few minor scrapes, and a little malnourished, but she's fine," she reached to the med-pack on her belt and began spreading out her first-aid kit.

"That's good to hear, Ina-sar!" he called over his shoulder. He Force-pushed a Sith into the branches of the nearby tree. A dark object caught his eye, and he saw the leader leaving the battlefield, knocking both Jedi and Sith aside as he went. Ina-sar noticed his unwavering gaze.

"Go, I'll take care of Avot." Jhotan nodded his thanks and raced into the fray as another Jedi replaced him as Ina-sar's cover. Jhotan leaped and landed a kick in the fleeing Sith's back. He rolled into a crouch, and then back flipped to confront Jhotan. The right sleeve of the robe had bunched at his elbow, and a droid replacement fist was visible.

"You…" Jhotan trailed off.

"Oh yes," he pulled back his hood, revealing the grim visage of Nem, Avot's would-be husband from three years ago.

"This ends now, Nem."

"Indeed it does, Jedi," Nem ignited his blood-red blade. Their blades met, again and again. But Jhotan's strength was waning, and he was sure he could not keep up. He batted Nem's saber to the side, and sprang backward to catch his breath.

"Oh, this all over again. I'm sure you remember how it ended last time," he gestured toward the exact point he had impaled Jhotan three years earlier with his saber. They charged at one another, trading blows in close quarters. Again, Nem elbowed Jhotan to the side of the head. Again, Jhotan spun to avoid the killing blow. And again, the blade seared through Jhotan's side. Jhotan's eyes widened in shock.

"This is the part where you die now," Nem guffawed. Jhotan's gaze returned to normal, and he smiled casually.

"No, your turn this time," Jhotan re-ignited his blade at the very edge of Nem's back, and the blade pierced diagonally through his mid-torso, just below the heart. Nem's mouth dropped open. His blade had gone through Jhotan's side, or so it had seemed. Jhotan had disengaged his saber, and instead of whirling to raise the weapon in defense, rotated his chest ninety degrees, leaving a vast space of loose material in his tunic. This had left Nem wide open. Jhotan stepped away from the beaten Sith, whose weapon plunked to the ground. Nem fell to his knees, glared defiantly at Jhotan, and toppled to the ground.

"I do."

Unlike the scene from three years ago, it was now Jhotan on the wedding platform, alongside his love, Avot. Ina-sar and Cilgal stood by Avot, while Kenth Hamner and Luke Skywalker stood by Jhotan, each had broad grin on their face. Kam Solusar presided over the wedding.

"I now pronounce you Jedi and wife. You may kiss the bride."

They kissed. The crowd, which consisted mainly of Jedi, erupted into cheers. Lightsabers were ignited and raised in salute. Kenth slapped Jhotan on the back playfully, and Ina-sar held her sister's hands, wishing her congratulations. The band started the celebration music. Everyone went to the dance floor, including the newlyweds. Jhotan looked into Avot's eyes.

"After all these years…" he began.

"After all these years…" Avot echoed. Jhotan decided no words existed to express the ineffable feelings that overwhelmed him. He concluded by gently wrapping his arms around his wife. She returned the tender embrace, and they swayed to the music.