The Past Returns
Chapter Eight
-Dark Side Temples -
Damon sat in his quarters, looking at Ulian, who stood in front of him. Damon and Ulian had become really close over the past years and Damon had confided repeatedly in Ulian, who always knew what to say. And Damon also knew that he could always count on his old master, Qui-Gon Jinn, to give words of wisdom. "We had just returned from Ilu and I wanted you to know what happened," Ulian said, after he had explained what had happened on Ilu.
"So, my brother has struck again," Damon said bitterly. He looked over at his sleeping four-year old son. Obi-Wan had done considerably well over the past two years since he had lost his brother. Damon sighed. He only hoped that Obi-Wan would be safe. He looked back at Ulian. "I'm glad that he didn't kill any more Jedi."
"I don't know what the council is going to do about him."
"They can't do much of anything. No one knows where he's based and who's training him. We only see him when he attacks. The only chance we have to survive is to always be prepared for him. I keep waiting for the inevitable day when Ben makes a move against my son." Damon looked back at Obi-Wan. "I don't know what I would do if I lost him. He's all I have left."
"We will do what we must."
"Yes, I suppose we will have to, whether we like it or not."
* * *
Three years passed and Damon began to feel safer with Obi-Wan. He had even taken him to some of the vacation planets for fun. Ben had not struck in three years but the council was still prepared for anything. Obi-Wan was getting more skilled with the practice lightsabers, and Damon knew that Obi- Wan would be one of the more skilled Jedi fighters.
Journal Entry 13: "Obi-Wan is now seven years old. In five years he will get his lightsaber. I may be able to use that fact to my advantage, but I'm not yet ready to face Damon. I need to inflict more pain before I send him the final blow, the death of his remaining son. My master is sending me on another mission. I'm to go to the planet Ambria to study the source of an ancient dark side power and retain it for our uses. My master thinks that I should find out as much as I can and use it to make myself stronger. This mission should be very interesting."
Ben set down his ship into the dense jungle that covered most of the planet Ambria and walked down the ramp. There were rumored ancient ruins of temples on this planet. These temples were said to be focusing points for dark powers, which was right up Ben's alley. He knew that they were here, because he could feel the cover of dark side powers on this planet. It had saturated the very ground beneath his feet. He closed up his ship and set out on foot through the humid, dense jungle.
* * *
Adi Galla stood in the Jedi Council Chamber, looking around at the Jedi Masters. Adi Galla and her apprentice, Mrika, had been called to the chamber a few moments ago. Adi Galla stood silently, waiting for Master Yoda to speak. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she watched her apprentice, who stood very still. She had watched Mrika for many years as Mrika developed in her training. It had only been a few months ago when she had decided that she would take Mrika as her Padawan Learner. Already, Mrika had proven herself to be a worthy apprentice. They had already been on two missions and they had worked together beautifully. Adi Galla felt confident that she and her apprentice would be able to handle the mission that was to be dealt to them. She glanced over at her empty chair on the Jedi Council. It wasn't every day that a Jedi Council member took on an apprentice and went on missions but they all had their turn, every once and awhile when the mission was critical and needed a council member to handle it.
Adi Galla turned her gaze back to Master Yoda. She could feel the tension in the air. She wondered what had gotten all the masters so worried.
"Master Galla, selected, you have been, for this mission because it will be very difficult," Master Yoda began. "This mission calls for your expertise, it does."
"We wish you to go to the planet Ambria," Master Windu said. "Rumor has it that there is an ancient dark side power on this planet, in one of the temple ruins that are hidden in the dense jungle that covers most of the planet. You need to go there, study this power, and restrain it. If this power gets in the wrong hands . . ."
"Have that happen, we cannot," Master Yoda said.
"Do you wish us to bring back this power, if possible?" Adi Galla asked.
"This power is rooted deep in the planet itself," Master Plo Koon said. Adi Galla looked at him. "You will have to destroy it at its source, if that is even possible."
"Restrain it, you must," Master Yoda said. "Using the light side of the Force, you can bind it. Do this and keep it from the dark side users, we will."
* * *
Hours later, Adi Galla set down her ship in a small clearing in the dense jungle. Mrika set down the ramp and walked outside. Adi Galla followed her moments later. They had left their cloaks inside the ship, leaving just their tunics, belts and boots. Adi Galla closed up the ship. "I can feel something dark here, Master," Mrika said.
"Yes, Mrika. Something dark . . . and powerful," Adi Galla said.
* * *
Ben pushed some branches out of his way to reveal a small clearing where the ruins of an ancient temple lay. He smiled. He could feel the dark power radiating off the very stones that lay in broken heaps around the center of the temple. The triangular shape of the temple was still distinguishable. The only part that had crumbled was the very outside edges. The center room, where all the dark power was focused, still remained. A small moat surrounded the temple. Small stepping stones, hidden just beneath the surface of the water, led to the temple. Ben stepped around bushes and broken stones and began his way over the treacherous stepping stones. When he reached the other side, he stared up at the peak of the temple in awe. He grinned. Perfect.
* * *
Adi Galla walked into a small clearing, looking around. Mrika came up behind her, stepping over a small piece of stone. Adi Galla's gaze fell on the ruins of an ancient temple, which had been reduced to rubble. The center of the temple that served as the focal point of the dark power was gone, but Adi Galla could still feel the dark power radiating off the stones. It was faint, but it was there. These ruins might be safe, but she wanted to check them thoroughly just to be sure. She had studied the history of these temples vigorously in the Temple Library. She knew that was the main reason why the Jedi Council had sent her on this mission. She also knew that the council had sent her because she was very strong in the Force as far as the Force itself was concerned. Once she found the primary source of the dark energy, she would be able to restrain it easily. The problem was that Ambria was covered in ruins. She knew that this was going to be a very long mission.
"Let's check out the remains," Adi Galla said. "If you find any places where the dark energy seems to be concentrated, call me over. These ruins might be safe, if you can call dark energy safe, but we have to make sure."
Mrika nodded. "Yes ,Master." Mrika walked over to a pile of stones and began touching each one in turn, closing her eyes.
"Use the Force to protect you from the energy," Adi Galla instructed. "No matter how little you sense, the dark energy can still be alluring."
"Yes, Master," Mrika said, looking over at her master. She took her hand off the stone that she had been touching and touched the next one, closing her eyes again.
Adi Galla walked over to the edge of the moat, surveying the scene before her. Using pieces of broken stone, she maneuvered her way across the moat. The center where the temple had been was a pile of rubble. She stooped down before it and began touching each of the stones in turn, reaching out with the Force. The dark energy drips from these stones. There must still be some focal point of this power.
Adi Galla stood and moved a few of the smaller, lighter stones off to one side. Then, using the Force, she levitated the larger ones until she found what she was looking for. The stones that she had removed had been covering a large hole in the ground. She could feel a wave of dark energy being emitted from this hole. She walked over to the edge of the hole and looked down into the endless blackness. This wasn't the strongest source on the planet, but their mission was to Force-bind all that they could.
Adi Galla closed her eyes, bringing the Force into her. Using the power of the Force, she found the remnants of the dark energy and surrounded them with the light of the Force, enclosing them in. She hurled them down into the endless pit and then put another layer of the Force-bind on top of all the dark energy that she had collected. She moved the large stones and threw them into the pit, burying the energy. The pit filled up with stones quickly, proving that there had been a bottom to this pit.
Adi Galla put a layer of the Force-bind on top of these stones. No one could remove these stones, even if they wanted to. The only person that could do that was Adi Galla herself. She threw all the other pieces of stones in a heap in the center of the small stone formation, making it look like the ruins it was. She opened her eyes and used part of the heap to steady herself. It was very draining to use all the energy. She had to be careful not to expend herself too much. She took long, deep breaths and looked at her apprentice, who was still checking out the stones.
Adi Galla stood straight and walked back across the moat to her apprentice's side.
"We are finished at this particular spot, my young Padawan. You have done well," Adi Galla said.
Mrika looked up at her, standing. "Thank you, Master. I found some stones with traces of the dark energy. They are in that pile over there." Mrika pointed to a small pile of stones.
"Very good. Why don't you try the binding on them."
Mrika smiled. "Yes, Master." She walked over and put her hands on the small pile. She closed her eyes. Adi Galla watched as Mrika put a Force- bind on the stones. Adi Galla had taught Mrika the bind a month ago and although Mrika's wasn't nearly as strong as Adi Galla's, her bind could still do some good. Adi Galla knew that the dark energy that was emitted from the stones wasn't very much, so she wasn't worried about them. She had trapped the main source, which was the main objective of these ruins. Mrika opened her eyes and walked back to her master. "It is done."
"Very good," Adi Galla said, smiling. "You'll be a great Jedi Knight one of these days."
Mrika smiled. "Thank you, Master."
"Now let's find the next site."
Mrika nodded and the headed into the jungle.
* * *
Ben sat in deep mediation inside the focal point of the temple. The dark energy pulsed around him, filling the air. Slowly, Ben brought the dark energy into himself, filling his body with the dark energy. A special container sat next to Ben, which was to serve as a vessel for the dark energy that he would bring back to his master. He wanted to fill his body with as much dark energy as he could, for it would bring him more power and increase his speed and reflexes. The rest of the power that he could not bring into himself would go into the container.
Ben smiled slightly. He could feel the flickering of energy at his fingertips. The dark side had brought him everything he could dream of but, thought Ben as his smile faded, he still felt empty inside. When he had killed the Jedi Master, who he had later found out was Damon's wife, and when he had killed Tarc, that emptiness had vanished, but only for an instant. But Ben wasn't going to dwell on that. His dreams had come true. He had become very powerful and he had done it without Damon watching and criticizing his every move. Damon had abandoned him when he had needed him the most. Anger filled Ben as he thought back to when Damon had not even visited him once while he was sick. He hated Damon. And he will pay for the pain that he had caused Ben.
* * *
Damon sat in the Temple library by one of the computer consoles. He leaned back, thinking. Obi-Wan was in class at the moment with Master Yoda, working on developing his lightsaber skills. Obi-Wan was doing so well and Damon felt very proud of him.
Damon put his hand up to his forehead, resting his elbow on the arm rest. He shook his head. Why had Ben done all this? Qui-Gon had told him that the pull of the dark side was so strong that it is very hard to dig yourself out once you've fallen in. Damon knew that had to be the case with Ben. Ben had changed so much from the kid he once knew. Even Ben's physical appearance. The scars. Damon shuddered at the thought at what had caused those awful jagged lines that scarred his face.
When Damon had found out that Ben had killed his wife, he had been horrified at what Ben had done. His heart had been torn, and then, when Ben killed his son, that had devastated Damon. He still had not recovered from it. Even though Ben had done those evil, heartless deeds, Damon knew that there had to be some good left in him. Damon was determined to help Ben. He knew that he had failed the other times he had tried to talk to Ben, but maybe, just maybe he could save Ben. Luke Skywalker had saved his father, Damon remembered from the movies. And Damon knew how evil Darth Vader had been. There was still some hope for Ben. Damon couldn't lose his brother; he had already lost too much.
* * *
Adi Galla sat down on the moist ground and leaned against the trunk of a large tree. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. Mrika sat down next to her and did the same. They had gone to five different sites and put Force-binds on all of them. They were both drained and were in need of rest. "You did very well today Mrika," Adi Galla said, keeping her eyes closed.
"Thank you, Master. I did my best."
"That you did."
"We will begin again tomorrow?"
"Yes, my Padawan." Adi Galla drew into herself and fell into deep meditation, resting her energy drained body.
* * *
Ben sat completely still, his eyes closed. The dark energy swirled around him. He had been sitting in the same position for hours, trying to gather as much of the dark energy as he could. As he sat there, memories from his past rose up in his mind . . . .
"Mmm! What smells so good?" five year old Ben exclaimed. He stood in Damon's back yard, his plastic lightsaber held up. Damon stood across from him, holding up his lightsaber. They had been having a duel when Ben had smelled Damon's mother's baking. Ben looked at Damon. "Can we eat?" Ben's eyes were wide and he grinned.
Damon grinned. "Cookie time," Damon said.
They both dropped their lightsabers and ran through the back door and into the kitchen where Damon's mother stood over a steaming tray of fresh, hot chocolate chip cookies. Both of their eyes went wide as they stared at the plate of cookies. They were both practically drooling.
Damon's mother smiled. "Get them while they're fresh," she said.
They both ran over to the tray and began eating the cookies. "Hot!" Ben exclaimed as he bit into one of the soft cookies.
"Well, duh," Damon said, biting into his.
Within minutes they had gobbled down the entire tray. Damon's mother watched them, shaking her head and smiling. "Boys will be boys. Better make more," she said and turned back to the counter where the cookie ingredients lay.
"More?!" Ben exclaimed.
"Soon," Damon said. "Let's go out and play some more."
Ben nodded and they ran outside . . . . .
Ben smiled at the memory. Those were the good times. When he was naive and young. Now he knew much better that the world was not just about playing and cookies. He had learned that the hard way. After Damon had betrayed him. Ben's body shuddered with anger. He clenched and unclenched his fists, the power crackling in his palms. Was there ever a time when Damon didn't boss him around? He always tried to stay in control, because he was older one. Well he'd show him. This time he was the stronger one and he's going to learn that the hard, painful way.
* * *
Damon stood by the railing on a balcony, looking over the gardens in the center of the Jedi Temple. Jedi Masters and Padawans walked through the gardens, enjoying the peace and quiet, compared to the fast pace of the planet around them.
Damon looked up, through two of the towers at the setting sun. The sky was turning an orange red and it was beautiful. Damon closed his eyes, breathing deep. He came out on this particular balcony when he needed time to think. Obi-Wan sat in his room, mediating. Soon he would be going to sleep. Damon knew that he was safe, but he was worried about Adi Galla and her apprentice, Mrika. He knew that they had gone to Ambria to restrain the dark energy that was focused there, but Damon knew that if there was the dark side involved; Ben would show up, sooner or later. Damon knew that Adi Galla could take care of herself, and that her apprentice was very skilled, but against Ben, well, two Jedi had already fallen at his hands. How many more would he kill? And why was he being so ruthless?
"It's sometimes hard to figure out another's thoughts, even a close friend's," a voice said beside Damon.
Damon looked over at his old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. "Master?"
"You are troubled by your brother's actions."
"Yes. I don't know why he became so evil."
"Some choose the quick and easy path because it brings them contentment. Perhaps Ben was hurting more inside then you knew. From what you've told me about him, he seems to have a good heart, but even the greatest hearts can be tempted by the dark side and twisted."
"Do you believe that there is still some good left in Ben?"
"I think that there is good in all of us, even the darkest of them all."
"Do you think that I could save him? Bring him back to the light side?"
"He has fallen deep into the dark side. It is up to him whether or not he will be saved."
* * *
Adi Galla stood at the edge of a clearing, looking at the remains of a temple. This one was the most intact of all the ruins she had seen the previous days. The temple still had its focal point, the tip of the triangular form. Mrika stood beside her, matching her gaze. Adi Galla closed her eyes, reaching out with the Force. Suddenly a tremendous force pushed her back. She staggered, regaining her balance. "Master?" Mrika asked, rushing to her master's side.
"I'm alright," Adi Galla said. "There is a power there. Darker than any I have encountered before. It is pure evil and full of hatred."
* * *
Ben opened his eyes and stood. He had gathered as much of the energy as he could. He closed the container and picked it up. His eyes moved to one of the walls. There was a presence outside, at the edge of the clearing. A powerful one. But not as powerful as him, Ben thought, smiling. He would have to investigate this and destroy this presence. It could only mean one thing: a Jedi.
* * *
Adi Galla had only moments to react when suddenly huge slabs of broken stone hurled towards her. She ducked, protecting her Padawan. "Go, go!" she yelled as they rushed towards the edge of the jungle. A piece of stone impacted her in the back of her head, sending bright flashes before her eyes. She stumbled and fell onto the ground, unconscious.
* * *
Ben stepped out of the ruins, his gaze falling on the fallen Jedi. Her apprentice was stooped next to her. "Foolish Jedi," he said. "When will you learn not to mess with the dark side?" Ben, using the Force, jumped the moat and landed right next to the kneeling apprentice. She looked up at him, her eyes wide. She was humanoid, except for a few small ridges between her eyes. She stood and her face became a mask of determination. "You think you can beat me young Jedi?" Ben laughed. He lifted one of his hands, Sith lightning crackling in his palm. "Catch this." Ben hurled the Sith lightning at the young Padawan, throwing her into the trunk of a tree. She fell to the ground, her eyes closed.
Ben looked down at the fallen Jedi Master. His eyebrows lifted when he recognized the Jedi. Adi Galla. What a surprise. Never thought he'd be meeting her like this. Well, this is the end for you, Jedi. Ben brought up his hand, the Sith lightning forming at his fingertips.
He raised his hand, ready to strike, when a small stone hit his arm. He turned towards the source and saw that the young Padawan had thrown the stones. Ben turned towards her. He watched as she wiped the blood away that had formed around a small cut on her cheek. "Well you're a stubborn one. We'll have to fix that." He lifted his hand, making a large stone slab rise into the air. He hurled it at her and was surprised when she dodged it. "Very good. Maybe you're not a brainless idiot after all." He watched in amusement as she drew out her lightsaber, igniting it. It glowed a yellowish green. "Or maybe you are. Trying to save your master, is that it?" Ben set down the container and drew out his own lightsaber, only igniting one end. The bright red blade sprung out. "You're very foolish, young one." Ben leapt towards her, a blinding flash of speed and light. When she blocked his move, he nodded in acknowledgement of her skills. "Very nice, but you'll have to do better than that."
He whipped his blade around and made a thrust at her mid-section, which she managed to block, barely. Using the Force, he threw a Force blast at her, throwing her into a large stone slab sticking out of the ground.
* * *
Adi Galla opened her eyes slightly. Her head hurt immensely. She managed to raise her head a little and her eyes went wide at what she saw. Mrika was battling a man all dressed in black, with a red lightsaber. She could feel the dark energy radiating off of him. "I have to help her," Adi Galla said quietly, putting her hands out, trying to stand. Pain jolted through her body.
Adi Galla watched as her Padawan was thrown against a stone slab and the man in black strode towards her. Adi Galla stood and threw a Force blast of her own, knocking the man into a nearby tree. She hurled a small stone slab into the side of his head, only knocking him unconscious. His deactivated lightsaber lay next to him. Adi Galla rushed over to her fallen Padawan. She gathered Mrika into her arms and slowly she made her way through the jungle, heading towards her ship. They had to get out of there, and fast.
* * *
Ben squinted, opening his eyes. He felt a warm trickled on the side of his head. He put his hand up to the source and looked at the blood that coated his fingertips. Using his hand, he wiped away the blood that had gathered on the small cut on the side of his head. He stood, picking up his deactivated lightsaber and re-clipping it to his belt. He stumbled over to the container full of dark energy and picked it up. His Master would not be pleased when he found out that Ben had failed against the Jedi, although he did retain a good portion of dark energy. It was time to head back.
Chapter Eight
-Dark Side Temples -
Damon sat in his quarters, looking at Ulian, who stood in front of him. Damon and Ulian had become really close over the past years and Damon had confided repeatedly in Ulian, who always knew what to say. And Damon also knew that he could always count on his old master, Qui-Gon Jinn, to give words of wisdom. "We had just returned from Ilu and I wanted you to know what happened," Ulian said, after he had explained what had happened on Ilu.
"So, my brother has struck again," Damon said bitterly. He looked over at his sleeping four-year old son. Obi-Wan had done considerably well over the past two years since he had lost his brother. Damon sighed. He only hoped that Obi-Wan would be safe. He looked back at Ulian. "I'm glad that he didn't kill any more Jedi."
"I don't know what the council is going to do about him."
"They can't do much of anything. No one knows where he's based and who's training him. We only see him when he attacks. The only chance we have to survive is to always be prepared for him. I keep waiting for the inevitable day when Ben makes a move against my son." Damon looked back at Obi-Wan. "I don't know what I would do if I lost him. He's all I have left."
"We will do what we must."
"Yes, I suppose we will have to, whether we like it or not."
* * *
Three years passed and Damon began to feel safer with Obi-Wan. He had even taken him to some of the vacation planets for fun. Ben had not struck in three years but the council was still prepared for anything. Obi-Wan was getting more skilled with the practice lightsabers, and Damon knew that Obi- Wan would be one of the more skilled Jedi fighters.
Journal Entry 13: "Obi-Wan is now seven years old. In five years he will get his lightsaber. I may be able to use that fact to my advantage, but I'm not yet ready to face Damon. I need to inflict more pain before I send him the final blow, the death of his remaining son. My master is sending me on another mission. I'm to go to the planet Ambria to study the source of an ancient dark side power and retain it for our uses. My master thinks that I should find out as much as I can and use it to make myself stronger. This mission should be very interesting."
Ben set down his ship into the dense jungle that covered most of the planet Ambria and walked down the ramp. There were rumored ancient ruins of temples on this planet. These temples were said to be focusing points for dark powers, which was right up Ben's alley. He knew that they were here, because he could feel the cover of dark side powers on this planet. It had saturated the very ground beneath his feet. He closed up his ship and set out on foot through the humid, dense jungle.
* * *
Adi Galla stood in the Jedi Council Chamber, looking around at the Jedi Masters. Adi Galla and her apprentice, Mrika, had been called to the chamber a few moments ago. Adi Galla stood silently, waiting for Master Yoda to speak. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she watched her apprentice, who stood very still. She had watched Mrika for many years as Mrika developed in her training. It had only been a few months ago when she had decided that she would take Mrika as her Padawan Learner. Already, Mrika had proven herself to be a worthy apprentice. They had already been on two missions and they had worked together beautifully. Adi Galla felt confident that she and her apprentice would be able to handle the mission that was to be dealt to them. She glanced over at her empty chair on the Jedi Council. It wasn't every day that a Jedi Council member took on an apprentice and went on missions but they all had their turn, every once and awhile when the mission was critical and needed a council member to handle it.
Adi Galla turned her gaze back to Master Yoda. She could feel the tension in the air. She wondered what had gotten all the masters so worried.
"Master Galla, selected, you have been, for this mission because it will be very difficult," Master Yoda began. "This mission calls for your expertise, it does."
"We wish you to go to the planet Ambria," Master Windu said. "Rumor has it that there is an ancient dark side power on this planet, in one of the temple ruins that are hidden in the dense jungle that covers most of the planet. You need to go there, study this power, and restrain it. If this power gets in the wrong hands . . ."
"Have that happen, we cannot," Master Yoda said.
"Do you wish us to bring back this power, if possible?" Adi Galla asked.
"This power is rooted deep in the planet itself," Master Plo Koon said. Adi Galla looked at him. "You will have to destroy it at its source, if that is even possible."
"Restrain it, you must," Master Yoda said. "Using the light side of the Force, you can bind it. Do this and keep it from the dark side users, we will."
* * *
Hours later, Adi Galla set down her ship in a small clearing in the dense jungle. Mrika set down the ramp and walked outside. Adi Galla followed her moments later. They had left their cloaks inside the ship, leaving just their tunics, belts and boots. Adi Galla closed up the ship. "I can feel something dark here, Master," Mrika said.
"Yes, Mrika. Something dark . . . and powerful," Adi Galla said.
* * *
Ben pushed some branches out of his way to reveal a small clearing where the ruins of an ancient temple lay. He smiled. He could feel the dark power radiating off the very stones that lay in broken heaps around the center of the temple. The triangular shape of the temple was still distinguishable. The only part that had crumbled was the very outside edges. The center room, where all the dark power was focused, still remained. A small moat surrounded the temple. Small stepping stones, hidden just beneath the surface of the water, led to the temple. Ben stepped around bushes and broken stones and began his way over the treacherous stepping stones. When he reached the other side, he stared up at the peak of the temple in awe. He grinned. Perfect.
* * *
Adi Galla walked into a small clearing, looking around. Mrika came up behind her, stepping over a small piece of stone. Adi Galla's gaze fell on the ruins of an ancient temple, which had been reduced to rubble. The center of the temple that served as the focal point of the dark power was gone, but Adi Galla could still feel the dark power radiating off the stones. It was faint, but it was there. These ruins might be safe, but she wanted to check them thoroughly just to be sure. She had studied the history of these temples vigorously in the Temple Library. She knew that was the main reason why the Jedi Council had sent her on this mission. She also knew that the council had sent her because she was very strong in the Force as far as the Force itself was concerned. Once she found the primary source of the dark energy, she would be able to restrain it easily. The problem was that Ambria was covered in ruins. She knew that this was going to be a very long mission.
"Let's check out the remains," Adi Galla said. "If you find any places where the dark energy seems to be concentrated, call me over. These ruins might be safe, if you can call dark energy safe, but we have to make sure."
Mrika nodded. "Yes ,Master." Mrika walked over to a pile of stones and began touching each one in turn, closing her eyes.
"Use the Force to protect you from the energy," Adi Galla instructed. "No matter how little you sense, the dark energy can still be alluring."
"Yes, Master," Mrika said, looking over at her master. She took her hand off the stone that she had been touching and touched the next one, closing her eyes again.
Adi Galla walked over to the edge of the moat, surveying the scene before her. Using pieces of broken stone, she maneuvered her way across the moat. The center where the temple had been was a pile of rubble. She stooped down before it and began touching each of the stones in turn, reaching out with the Force. The dark energy drips from these stones. There must still be some focal point of this power.
Adi Galla stood and moved a few of the smaller, lighter stones off to one side. Then, using the Force, she levitated the larger ones until she found what she was looking for. The stones that she had removed had been covering a large hole in the ground. She could feel a wave of dark energy being emitted from this hole. She walked over to the edge of the hole and looked down into the endless blackness. This wasn't the strongest source on the planet, but their mission was to Force-bind all that they could.
Adi Galla closed her eyes, bringing the Force into her. Using the power of the Force, she found the remnants of the dark energy and surrounded them with the light of the Force, enclosing them in. She hurled them down into the endless pit and then put another layer of the Force-bind on top of all the dark energy that she had collected. She moved the large stones and threw them into the pit, burying the energy. The pit filled up with stones quickly, proving that there had been a bottom to this pit.
Adi Galla put a layer of the Force-bind on top of these stones. No one could remove these stones, even if they wanted to. The only person that could do that was Adi Galla herself. She threw all the other pieces of stones in a heap in the center of the small stone formation, making it look like the ruins it was. She opened her eyes and used part of the heap to steady herself. It was very draining to use all the energy. She had to be careful not to expend herself too much. She took long, deep breaths and looked at her apprentice, who was still checking out the stones.
Adi Galla stood straight and walked back across the moat to her apprentice's side.
"We are finished at this particular spot, my young Padawan. You have done well," Adi Galla said.
Mrika looked up at her, standing. "Thank you, Master. I found some stones with traces of the dark energy. They are in that pile over there." Mrika pointed to a small pile of stones.
"Very good. Why don't you try the binding on them."
Mrika smiled. "Yes, Master." She walked over and put her hands on the small pile. She closed her eyes. Adi Galla watched as Mrika put a Force- bind on the stones. Adi Galla had taught Mrika the bind a month ago and although Mrika's wasn't nearly as strong as Adi Galla's, her bind could still do some good. Adi Galla knew that the dark energy that was emitted from the stones wasn't very much, so she wasn't worried about them. She had trapped the main source, which was the main objective of these ruins. Mrika opened her eyes and walked back to her master. "It is done."
"Very good," Adi Galla said, smiling. "You'll be a great Jedi Knight one of these days."
Mrika smiled. "Thank you, Master."
"Now let's find the next site."
Mrika nodded and the headed into the jungle.
* * *
Ben sat in deep mediation inside the focal point of the temple. The dark energy pulsed around him, filling the air. Slowly, Ben brought the dark energy into himself, filling his body with the dark energy. A special container sat next to Ben, which was to serve as a vessel for the dark energy that he would bring back to his master. He wanted to fill his body with as much dark energy as he could, for it would bring him more power and increase his speed and reflexes. The rest of the power that he could not bring into himself would go into the container.
Ben smiled slightly. He could feel the flickering of energy at his fingertips. The dark side had brought him everything he could dream of but, thought Ben as his smile faded, he still felt empty inside. When he had killed the Jedi Master, who he had later found out was Damon's wife, and when he had killed Tarc, that emptiness had vanished, but only for an instant. But Ben wasn't going to dwell on that. His dreams had come true. He had become very powerful and he had done it without Damon watching and criticizing his every move. Damon had abandoned him when he had needed him the most. Anger filled Ben as he thought back to when Damon had not even visited him once while he was sick. He hated Damon. And he will pay for the pain that he had caused Ben.
* * *
Damon sat in the Temple library by one of the computer consoles. He leaned back, thinking. Obi-Wan was in class at the moment with Master Yoda, working on developing his lightsaber skills. Obi-Wan was doing so well and Damon felt very proud of him.
Damon put his hand up to his forehead, resting his elbow on the arm rest. He shook his head. Why had Ben done all this? Qui-Gon had told him that the pull of the dark side was so strong that it is very hard to dig yourself out once you've fallen in. Damon knew that had to be the case with Ben. Ben had changed so much from the kid he once knew. Even Ben's physical appearance. The scars. Damon shuddered at the thought at what had caused those awful jagged lines that scarred his face.
When Damon had found out that Ben had killed his wife, he had been horrified at what Ben had done. His heart had been torn, and then, when Ben killed his son, that had devastated Damon. He still had not recovered from it. Even though Ben had done those evil, heartless deeds, Damon knew that there had to be some good left in him. Damon was determined to help Ben. He knew that he had failed the other times he had tried to talk to Ben, but maybe, just maybe he could save Ben. Luke Skywalker had saved his father, Damon remembered from the movies. And Damon knew how evil Darth Vader had been. There was still some hope for Ben. Damon couldn't lose his brother; he had already lost too much.
* * *
Adi Galla sat down on the moist ground and leaned against the trunk of a large tree. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. Mrika sat down next to her and did the same. They had gone to five different sites and put Force-binds on all of them. They were both drained and were in need of rest. "You did very well today Mrika," Adi Galla said, keeping her eyes closed.
"Thank you, Master. I did my best."
"That you did."
"We will begin again tomorrow?"
"Yes, my Padawan." Adi Galla drew into herself and fell into deep meditation, resting her energy drained body.
* * *
Ben sat completely still, his eyes closed. The dark energy swirled around him. He had been sitting in the same position for hours, trying to gather as much of the dark energy as he could. As he sat there, memories from his past rose up in his mind . . . .
"Mmm! What smells so good?" five year old Ben exclaimed. He stood in Damon's back yard, his plastic lightsaber held up. Damon stood across from him, holding up his lightsaber. They had been having a duel when Ben had smelled Damon's mother's baking. Ben looked at Damon. "Can we eat?" Ben's eyes were wide and he grinned.
Damon grinned. "Cookie time," Damon said.
They both dropped their lightsabers and ran through the back door and into the kitchen where Damon's mother stood over a steaming tray of fresh, hot chocolate chip cookies. Both of their eyes went wide as they stared at the plate of cookies. They were both practically drooling.
Damon's mother smiled. "Get them while they're fresh," she said.
They both ran over to the tray and began eating the cookies. "Hot!" Ben exclaimed as he bit into one of the soft cookies.
"Well, duh," Damon said, biting into his.
Within minutes they had gobbled down the entire tray. Damon's mother watched them, shaking her head and smiling. "Boys will be boys. Better make more," she said and turned back to the counter where the cookie ingredients lay.
"More?!" Ben exclaimed.
"Soon," Damon said. "Let's go out and play some more."
Ben nodded and they ran outside . . . . .
Ben smiled at the memory. Those were the good times. When he was naive and young. Now he knew much better that the world was not just about playing and cookies. He had learned that the hard way. After Damon had betrayed him. Ben's body shuddered with anger. He clenched and unclenched his fists, the power crackling in his palms. Was there ever a time when Damon didn't boss him around? He always tried to stay in control, because he was older one. Well he'd show him. This time he was the stronger one and he's going to learn that the hard, painful way.
* * *
Damon stood by the railing on a balcony, looking over the gardens in the center of the Jedi Temple. Jedi Masters and Padawans walked through the gardens, enjoying the peace and quiet, compared to the fast pace of the planet around them.
Damon looked up, through two of the towers at the setting sun. The sky was turning an orange red and it was beautiful. Damon closed his eyes, breathing deep. He came out on this particular balcony when he needed time to think. Obi-Wan sat in his room, mediating. Soon he would be going to sleep. Damon knew that he was safe, but he was worried about Adi Galla and her apprentice, Mrika. He knew that they had gone to Ambria to restrain the dark energy that was focused there, but Damon knew that if there was the dark side involved; Ben would show up, sooner or later. Damon knew that Adi Galla could take care of herself, and that her apprentice was very skilled, but against Ben, well, two Jedi had already fallen at his hands. How many more would he kill? And why was he being so ruthless?
"It's sometimes hard to figure out another's thoughts, even a close friend's," a voice said beside Damon.
Damon looked over at his old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. "Master?"
"You are troubled by your brother's actions."
"Yes. I don't know why he became so evil."
"Some choose the quick and easy path because it brings them contentment. Perhaps Ben was hurting more inside then you knew. From what you've told me about him, he seems to have a good heart, but even the greatest hearts can be tempted by the dark side and twisted."
"Do you believe that there is still some good left in Ben?"
"I think that there is good in all of us, even the darkest of them all."
"Do you think that I could save him? Bring him back to the light side?"
"He has fallen deep into the dark side. It is up to him whether or not he will be saved."
* * *
Adi Galla stood at the edge of a clearing, looking at the remains of a temple. This one was the most intact of all the ruins she had seen the previous days. The temple still had its focal point, the tip of the triangular form. Mrika stood beside her, matching her gaze. Adi Galla closed her eyes, reaching out with the Force. Suddenly a tremendous force pushed her back. She staggered, regaining her balance. "Master?" Mrika asked, rushing to her master's side.
"I'm alright," Adi Galla said. "There is a power there. Darker than any I have encountered before. It is pure evil and full of hatred."
* * *
Ben opened his eyes and stood. He had gathered as much of the energy as he could. He closed the container and picked it up. His eyes moved to one of the walls. There was a presence outside, at the edge of the clearing. A powerful one. But not as powerful as him, Ben thought, smiling. He would have to investigate this and destroy this presence. It could only mean one thing: a Jedi.
* * *
Adi Galla had only moments to react when suddenly huge slabs of broken stone hurled towards her. She ducked, protecting her Padawan. "Go, go!" she yelled as they rushed towards the edge of the jungle. A piece of stone impacted her in the back of her head, sending bright flashes before her eyes. She stumbled and fell onto the ground, unconscious.
* * *
Ben stepped out of the ruins, his gaze falling on the fallen Jedi. Her apprentice was stooped next to her. "Foolish Jedi," he said. "When will you learn not to mess with the dark side?" Ben, using the Force, jumped the moat and landed right next to the kneeling apprentice. She looked up at him, her eyes wide. She was humanoid, except for a few small ridges between her eyes. She stood and her face became a mask of determination. "You think you can beat me young Jedi?" Ben laughed. He lifted one of his hands, Sith lightning crackling in his palm. "Catch this." Ben hurled the Sith lightning at the young Padawan, throwing her into the trunk of a tree. She fell to the ground, her eyes closed.
Ben looked down at the fallen Jedi Master. His eyebrows lifted when he recognized the Jedi. Adi Galla. What a surprise. Never thought he'd be meeting her like this. Well, this is the end for you, Jedi. Ben brought up his hand, the Sith lightning forming at his fingertips.
He raised his hand, ready to strike, when a small stone hit his arm. He turned towards the source and saw that the young Padawan had thrown the stones. Ben turned towards her. He watched as she wiped the blood away that had formed around a small cut on her cheek. "Well you're a stubborn one. We'll have to fix that." He lifted his hand, making a large stone slab rise into the air. He hurled it at her and was surprised when she dodged it. "Very good. Maybe you're not a brainless idiot after all." He watched in amusement as she drew out her lightsaber, igniting it. It glowed a yellowish green. "Or maybe you are. Trying to save your master, is that it?" Ben set down the container and drew out his own lightsaber, only igniting one end. The bright red blade sprung out. "You're very foolish, young one." Ben leapt towards her, a blinding flash of speed and light. When she blocked his move, he nodded in acknowledgement of her skills. "Very nice, but you'll have to do better than that."
He whipped his blade around and made a thrust at her mid-section, which she managed to block, barely. Using the Force, he threw a Force blast at her, throwing her into a large stone slab sticking out of the ground.
* * *
Adi Galla opened her eyes slightly. Her head hurt immensely. She managed to raise her head a little and her eyes went wide at what she saw. Mrika was battling a man all dressed in black, with a red lightsaber. She could feel the dark energy radiating off of him. "I have to help her," Adi Galla said quietly, putting her hands out, trying to stand. Pain jolted through her body.
Adi Galla watched as her Padawan was thrown against a stone slab and the man in black strode towards her. Adi Galla stood and threw a Force blast of her own, knocking the man into a nearby tree. She hurled a small stone slab into the side of his head, only knocking him unconscious. His deactivated lightsaber lay next to him. Adi Galla rushed over to her fallen Padawan. She gathered Mrika into her arms and slowly she made her way through the jungle, heading towards her ship. They had to get out of there, and fast.
* * *
Ben squinted, opening his eyes. He felt a warm trickled on the side of his head. He put his hand up to the source and looked at the blood that coated his fingertips. Using his hand, he wiped away the blood that had gathered on the small cut on the side of his head. He stood, picking up his deactivated lightsaber and re-clipping it to his belt. He stumbled over to the container full of dark energy and picked it up. His Master would not be pleased when he found out that Ben had failed against the Jedi, although he did retain a good portion of dark energy. It was time to head back.