Part 3

Callista...
 Callista's eyes snapped open. "Luke?"
"What is it?" Kenya asked.
"It's Luke," Callista said, almost certain. "He's here on Dathomir. He must've learned of my kidnapping and left Yavin 4 to search for me. But...how did he find me here?"
"The Force was with him," Arian said. "Now we will all be rescued."
Kenya didn't seem so optimistic. "Not if the Nightsisters find him first."
Callista nodded, her throat tightening. Her baby started kicking again, feeling its mother's conflicting emotions. "I hope he'll be all right," she whispered.
Callista leaned back against the metal cage, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, mixed in with anxiety and fear. Luke was here on Dathomir, looking for her! They would all be together again soon enough.
She wished she could contact him through the Force, but something was blocking her senses. Could it be ysalamiri? But where could Gabriela have gotten ysalamiri from? From Myrkr?
No, something else was at work here. Something evil...
"My mother always wanted me to go to the Jedi Academy when I was old enough," Callista heard Arian say. She turned to see the girl cradling Kirana Ti's prone body, quietly sobbing. "Looks like I will never get the chance, though."
Callista sat down beside the two and took Arian's hand in her own, silently comforting the girl. She smiled kindly at Arian, then rubbed her swollen belly. Hope was sleeping now, free from the disturbances outside its tiny haven. Callista looked at Arian, and in her eyes, she saw her own daughter.
But then the nightmares began to return, Kara's ominous face looming over her.
Neither of you will name her...
Poor Mama dies with her ill-gotten lover...
There is still the future...
 Then, in front of Callista's horrified eyes, she saw the vision again.
The snow, the icy-cold wind, the Nightsisters picking over the bodies of fallen warriors, now pinned to the ground with stakes driven through their wrists and ankles. The wind started picking up, and Callista saw herself again.
Lying next to Luke.
The dream Callista turned to clasp her dying husband's hand, tears slowly moving down her eyes. "Luke," she whispered. "I love you, and I always will. We will be together, for all eternity. Forever."
Luke's hand tightened around hers, and he managed to smile. "Forever..."
"Do you think Master Skywalker will be here in time?"
Callista snapped out of her thoughts, and the vision disappeared into the air. She turned and saw that Arian had spoken.
"Are you all right, Callista?" the girl asked, noticing her paled expression.
Callista tried to regain her composure, and nodded. "I'm fine, child." She stroked Arian's face. "He'll be here. Trust me."
But even as she spoke, she could vaguely see the vision recurring, hovering over her, taunting her, tormenting her with the possible future.
The future is always in motion...
Forever...

The Council of Sisters gathered in the Main Chamber of Singing Mountain fortress. Augwynne watched as each warrior seated herself in the circled table, quietly gossiping among each other. She knew what they were talking about. The Nightsisters, and their recent attacks on neighboring villages. The Council would now decide what the proper course of action should be.
"My Sisters, I have brought you here under stressing cicrumstances," Augwynne began. "The Nightsisters have risen again."
"They have grown stronger," Sister Otera added. She closed her eyelids, tilting her head to the ceiling. Augwynne silently noted that Otera seemed heavier since the last time she had seen her. The woman was pregant, and would be bore a baby girl within three months.
The Sisters began conversing amongst each other, their voices carrying throughout the massive chamber. Augwynne raised her hands into the air, quieting everybody down. "We must stop the Nightsisters from becoming more powerful," Sister Zlata urged.
"But they are hiding," Sister Kutay said, nervously wringing her hands together. "They have blocked their presence well. No matter how hard we try, we can never locate them in the forest."
Old Sister Chaiza smiled sadly at Augwynne and the Council. "Perhaps we are looking in the wrong place. There are many other places they could be hiding--the Pike Mountains, the desert, the Spring Valley. We need to look harder."
"We are doing everything we can," Augwynne assured the old woman.
Sister Mariana shook her head. "Apparently not, Augwynne. These Nightsisters seem to be far more dangerous than anything we encountered with Gethzerion. So far, over half a dozen villagers in our valley have been destroyed. If we do not succeed in finding them, they will come for us next...and we will not survive their wrath."

At around the same time, the Nightsisters had gathered for their own Council meeting. They met in a circle outside the Nightsister camp, near the forest. Gabriela addressed her black-cloaked legions, her voice echoing in the darkness.
With Chursa Orna now destroyed, the Nightsisters would soon move to their next step: Singing Mountain Prison, where many of the older Nightsisters languished, imprisoned for their past crimes. Gabriela planned to infiltrate the prison and free their fellow comrades. The bigger her army was, the better chance they had against their inevitable battle with the Singing Mountain Clan.
"My fellow Nightsisters, I have called you all here because another great victory awaits us," she said, her lightsaber casting pale shadows over the silent women.
Anya, who had recently recovered from the Jedi woman's surprise attack, stepped away from the circle and joined her leader. She turned to face the Nightsisters. "Our next attack will be the Singing Mountain Prison, located near the Clan itself. We believe that over a hundred Nightsisters from Gethzerion's clan are there, awaiting for their revenge against the Singing Mountain Clan." Her eyes were wide with anticipation and excitement, and the looks of her colleagues reflected her own.
"At dawn," she continued, "we launch the attack. The Sisters will be caught off guard. We'll slaughter them all, and free our own kind."
"Yes," Z'kashya said, "and after that, we will move on to our greatest challenge--the Singing Mountain Clan." She flashed a confident smile at Gabriela as she spoke.
Another Nightsister, Isis, pulled back the cloak that concealed her face, revealing the dreadful purplish-black bruises that covered her flesh like a disease. "That will be a day long remembered among the Nightsisters," she said.
"Then it it settled then," Gabriela said. "Tomorrow, the Singing Mountain Prison shall fall, we shall be reunited with old friends, and our long-awaited revenge will finally come to pass."
"We shall be ready for it, my Queen," Anya said.
"Then this meeting is finished," Gabriela said, waving the circle of cloaked women away. "Be ready tomorrow. And the dark side shall lead us to victory."
The Nightsisters silently departed and headed back to their camp. They disappeared off into the darkness like apparitions.
Gabriela focused off into the distance. Skywalker was still out there, searching for his love. She smiled. She would soon have the Jedi Master with her.
As darkness enveloped the forest, Luke kept his lightsaber on constantly, using it like a glowrod to light their way. Kam, Kyp, and Corran followed after him, the three talking among each other quietly. They were making good time; they would arrive at Singing Mountain within another hour.

"The Nightsisters are somewhere near, I think. I can feel a malevolent presence," Luke observed. "We need to be on alert at all times. You never know when we may walk into an ambush."
"Good idea," Corran said, moving at a faster pace so that he was walking alongside the Jedi Master. "Do you think Callista's all right?"
Kyp furiously sliced through a half-fallen tree that barred their path; the entire hulk collapsed to the ground with a loud crash. "I hope she is," the young man said as he stepped over the fallen tree. "The Nightsisters couldn't have gone through all this trouble kidnapping her, only to kill her as soon they arrive on Dathomir."
Corran leaped over the tree and landed lightly on his feet, his lightsaber casting a pale glow over his three companions. "We'll find her, Master Skywalker. The Force will be with us."
Luke tensed. "If anything happens to Callista or Hope, I swear by my father that---"
"Stop." Corran suddenly looked nervous, looking around at their surroundings. Luke, Kyp and Kam held their lightsabers up, ready for anything that might jump out at them.
A twig snapped nearby, and Kyp nearly jumped. "I think we've got trouble."
The four Jedi stood back-to-back, their lightsabers humming, sweat running down their faces. Luke felt a tightness form in his stomach, and he could feel that dark, ominous presence growing more powerful with each passing second.
"Nightsisters," Luke said, wiping the perspiration off his forehead. "They're here, waiting for us. I think they know where we are. Stay close together."
Kyp's breath came out in ragged gasps; he was obviously scared. "I have a very bad feeling about this."
"Join the club," Corran said. "Do you think we might be able to reach the Singing Mountain Clan before the Nightsisters attack us?"
Before Luke could answer, several dark figures emerged from the trees. Each figure brandished a weapon of some sort--blasters, swords, clubs, vibroblades, even rocks. Emitting shrill war cries that sent a shiver through Luke's blood, they fell upon the four Jedi, attacking without mercy.
The Nightsisters advanced and the Jedi tensed. But suddenly reinforcments of Sining Mountain Clan sisters dropped from the tree tops. Including...
"Teneniel!" Luke exclaimed in amazement.
"Greetings, Skywalker," she answered in return as she advanced upon a Nighsister and struck at her with a thick wooden staff.
"I thought you were on Hapes," Luke said, ducking a vibroblade and elbowing the Nightsister that attacked him in the stomach.
"We were," she answered as she and another woman from the Singing Mountian clan helped Kyp fight off a particularly vicious Nightsister.
"We?" Luke asked as he knocked a Nightsister off Corran's back.
"Hey, Luke," a familar male voice said and Luke turned to see Isolder duck a club.
"Oh," Luke said.
Isolder jumped up on to a branch so that two Nightsisters that were after him ran into each other.
"So, what brings you guys here?" Luke inquired as he knocked out the remaining Nightsister.
"Well," Isolder said, looking down on the result of the battle. Teneniel wanted to pay a little visit to her home. Looks like we came just in time."
Kyp eyed Isolder, "You're the Prince of Hapes, aren't you?"
"I am indeed," Isolder informed him.
"You fight pretty good for being a Prince and all," Kyp commented.
Isolder gave him a wry smile, "You've never been to Hapes, have you?"
"No," Kyp admitted.
"Then trust me when I say my fighting skills are no surprise." Isolder said.

Callista looked up at the stars through the tiny holes in the roof of the cage. She had felt Luke. He was here, coming for her.
But she could wait no longer.
There were only two Nightsisters watching the entire village of prisoners; all the others had left to attack a passing group of trespassers.
If she had help, it would be easy.
She turned to Kirana Ti, who sat beside her. "I have an idea," she said. "We're getting out of here." She whispered oh-so-quietly, for the Nightsisters stood right outside.
Kirana Ti nodded. "I've been working on a plan. You escape and go for help. If we can manage it, take Arian with you. Find Master Skywalker. He's here, nearby. I'll stay behind."
Callista frowned. "Why?"
Kirana Ti waved a hand at the people around them. "It is too dangerous to try and free them now. We are too outnumbered, we don't have enough equal warriors with which to defend ourselves."
"But...if you try to protect them alone, they will kill you." Callista argued. She was not about to lose one of her close friends in this crisis. She'd lost too many.
But Kirana Ti forced a smile. "Callista, we don't really have a choice. We must fetch help."
Deep down, Callista knew she was right. Finally, she nodded. "Wake Arian. I'll take her with me." Kirana Ti turned and shook her daughter awake. Callista pressed herself against the mesh of the cage, and focused on a pile of stones outside. If she could just get enough hold on them...
Size matters not...Luke had always told her that. She concentrated harder on the stones, and finally they moved. Slightly at first, a shake here or there. As her connection grew, they rattled harder. She knew they had to fly quickly, so their targets would not have enough time to react.
Please...please...
 They rocketed into the air, pummeling the Nightsister guards to the ground before they could even scream. Smiling to herself, Callista lifted the keys from the belt of one of the prone forms, and levitated it to her hand. she unlocked the door, and swung it open, cringing as it creaked. She turned back to Kirana Ti, who knelt before the wide-eyed Arian, speaking in a low voice:
"Now, do as Callista tells you. I'll be with you soon. I love you, my child." she embraced her daughter, supressing her tears, knowing that this may very well be her last chance to do so. Then she stood and led Arian to Callista's side. Callista hugged Kirana Ti, whispering, "May the Force be with you."
"And with you, Callista."
Callista gripped Arian's hand and bent over to whisper in the girl's ear, "Now, Arian, run as fast as you can. Hide behind that bush until I catch up." The girl took off. Callista stepped through the door, shivering in the open night. Then she closed the barred door behind her and locked it. Dropping the keys next to the fallen guards, Callista touched Kirana Ti's fingers through the openings between the metal rods. "We'll come back for you. I promise."
Kirana Ti nodded. "I know you will,"
Callista turned and jogged into the dark jungles after Arian.
Luke, I'm coming...

Luke went over to one of the Nightsisters. The black-cloaked woman started to get back up until she saw Luke's green-white lightsaber inches away from her throat.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Luke said, with an edge of menace to his voice. He didn't want to kill any of these women--killing was not the Jedi way--but he didn't want them to be walking around, either.
The Nightsister tensed, then leaned back against the ground.
"Who is your leader?" Luke demanded.
The woman hissed at the man, then reluctantly said, "Gabriela."
"Gabriela?" Luke looked up and saw shock in Teneniel's eyes. "I remember her. She had been a close friend of mine. Her mother was killed when a group of wild rancors attacked our fortress. Gabriela was devasted by it, and she abandoned the Singing Mountain Clan. She became one of the forsaken. I--I had hoped she would eventually return, but..." Her eyes brimmed with tears.
Luke wanted to ask her more, but judging by Teneniel's expression, he knew she didn't want to go further into details. He turned back to the Nightsisters. "What does this Gabriela want?" he asked.
"She wants to take over the Singing Mountain Clan," the Nightsister answered. "That's why she's been attacking the neighboring villages. She plan to free the Nightsisters from the Singing Mountain prison."
"The ones from Gethzerion's army," one of the Sister warriors said, giving Luke a concerned look.
"We're not going to let that happen," Luke assured the young woman, then moved his lightsaber closer to the Nightsister. "Where is Callista?"
The woman's eyed widened. "Who are you?"
"I am Luke Skywalker."
The Nightsister looked surprised and terrified. "Skywalker? The Jedi Master? The son of Darth Vader? The man who killed Gethzerion?"
Luke nodded. "You've heard of me. Now, where is my wife?"
The Nightsister regained her composure. "You'll never find her, Skywalker. Gabriela knows that she is with child. She plans to take the baby...turn it to the dark side."
Words could not describe what Luke felt when she said that. A dark anger washed over him like a wave--a feeling that he had never had ever since he had encountered the resurrected Emperor, since he had gave in to his hate when he confronted Vader. It was a terrifying feeling. He suddenly felt an urge to kill this woman where she laid.
Trying to control his inner conflict, he pressed the tip of the blade against the woman's throat. "If anything happens to my wife or child...I will personally hunt your leader down...and kill her."
He then stepped back, withdrawing his weapon. The Nightsister carefully stood up, uncertain of what to do.
Luke gave her a dark glare. "Get out of my sight."
Without arguing, the Nightsister turned and fled.
Teneniel, Isolder, Kyp, Kam, and Corran backed away from Luke, shocked at what they had just witnessed. Luke turned to them, a look of regret on his face. "This is my fault. I should've know this would happen sooner or later. Gabriela wants to turn my child into the next Vader."
"And if that happens," Kam said gravely, a faraway look in his eyes, "the Nightsisters cannot be stopped."
"So what are we gonna do to stop her?" Corran said.
Luke focused on his lightsaber, the green blade humming with so much deadly power. "I don't care what it takes. I will not live to see my child become evil. We go look for Callista, and return to Singing Mountain. We'll need more help if we're to stop the Nightsisters."
The group then began heading off into the forest.
They had been unusually quiet and Luke couldn't take it any longer.
"Look, if you want to talk about it then we can talk about it."
"You were dangerously close to the edge," Teneniel Djo informed him darkly.
Kam, Corran, Kyp and the others nodded in silent agreement. They seemed glad that Teneniel had said it first.
Luke threw a halfhearted smile at Corran, "Don't tell me I actually scared you!"
Corran put his hands up defensively.
"Hey! One on one in a fair fight I'm willing to take on anyone," he gave Luke a look that told him it was not Luke's physical size that intimidated him. "But taking on some guy in angry Jedi mode is not the way live very long."
Luke looked at Kyp.
Kyp looked away, "Hey, I've been there and it is'nt pretty."
Corran clenched his fist and Luke could tell that he still did not like Kyp entirely.
Luke sighed and looked up at the soothing forest canopy. He whispered to himself, "I will be a good example to my child. I won't follow in my fathers footsteps."
During the rest of the trip the only sound was the crunching of the leaves.

"She's gone?" Gabriela stood up, glaring daggers at the Nightsister.
The young woman nodded, her body trembling with fear. "Skywalker's wife and the daughter of Kirana Ti. They knocked out our guards and took off. I could send some Sisters to go after them--"
"Don't bother. They are long gone by now." Gabriela paced around the tent, wondering what they're next move should be. "It was only the two that escaped?"
The Nightsister nodded.
Gabriela sighed. "Then we have little time to spare. If I know this Callista, she will be probably heading for Augwynne for some help. Gather our Sisters together. We're heading for Singing Mountain Prison now. And we'll be taking the villagers with us."
The young woman bowed in acknowledgement and rushed out of the tent.

Callista and Arian trudged through the jungles, wet, muddy, and shivering from the cold. Callista had given her jacket to Arian to keep the little girl warm, and she clutched to it like it was her only lifeline.
"How much further?" Arian panted, exhausted emotionally and mentally in addition to physically. Callista began considering picking her up and carrying her. She stretched out through the Force, searching for the presences she could recognize as Jedi Knights or witches. She bit her chapped lips. "I don't know. It could be hours, or mere minutes. But we'll find them, don't worry." Callista looked at the little girl again, and decided to act on her impulse of carrying the little girl. She bent to one knee in front of her, and said. "Come on. Get on my back."
Arian didn't protest.
Strangely enough, Callista found herself better balanced with somewhat more weight on her back to couterweigh her bulging belly. They continued through the foliage, searching around them for signs of their allies--and their enemies.
Arian was silent for a long time, and Callista thought she'd fallen asleep, but then she spoke:
"How long have you known my mother?"
"Almost two years now."
"What is she like?"
"How long has it been since you've seen her?"
"I was five, I think. Right before she left to go to Yavin."
Callista sighed. "She's a very powerful woman. She's saved my life- -pretty much everyone at the Academy in one way or another. You'll be like that, someday. I see it in you now."
"I hope she's all right, Callista."
"I know you do, sweetheart. I know you do.
Luke...whispered in her mind. Luke, where are you?

 "Callista?" Luke said suddenly, taking his companions by suprise. He leapt up, looking about him, trying to find where her voice was coming from. Callista...I'm here. I'm here, come to me...

Come to me... She heard his voice echoing in her ears. It was the sweetest sound she'd heard in a long time. Her pace quickened, Arian grew lighter on her back. The wet leaves whipped at her face, splattering her cheeks with mud and water. Then she saw it--a group of people just ahead of them. "Luke!" she cried breathlessly, in a near silent voice that echoed.
"Luke!"

"Luke!"
Luke's head immediately snapped up. "Did you guys just hear that?"
Kyp began reaching for his lightsaber. "Where did it come from?"
"Did that just sound like--"
Teneniel nodded and pointed to two dark figures approaching them. They were too far away for Luke to recognize them. "Over there!"
Luke's heart jumped into his throat, and he began running; he didn't need the Force to know who had shouted. "It's Callista!" he exclaimed.
But Teneniel grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to her side. "Careful, Luke," she warned him. "It could be a trap. The Nightsisters have the ability to disguise their voices with the Force."
Luke shook his head. "It's not. I know it's her."
"Well, just in case," Kam said, igniting his weapon. "I'm not taking any chances with these Nightsisters around."
Seconds later, the two people finally caught up with the group. Luke then got a good look at them--his wife, carrying a young girl on her back. Her face was soaked with sweat and blood, her lips chapped, her hair disarrayed. Even with all that, she was still beautiful.
Luke's eyes teared with joy as he ran over to Callista. The girl slid off her back and ran over to Teneniel and Isolder.
"Callista!" Luke said. "I thought I'd never see you again!"
"Luke!" she cried out in relief, and rushed into her husband's arms.
No sooner had Teneniel picked up the child that there was a chorus of howls.
Teneniel looked around and then glanced at Isolder. Luke broke away from Callista's embrace, "What was that?"
Corran squinted, "I wish I knew."
The group quickly formed into a tight circle, with Arian in the middle. Everyone drew out their weapons; Isolder held a blaster rifle, Teneniel and her Sisters brandished their staffs, while Luke, Corran, Kyp, and Kam switched on their lightsabers.
Slowly, the enormous figures trudged closer and closer, low growls echoing throughout the forest. Finally, one of them burst from the trees, revealing--
"Need a lift?" Augwynne asked atop her rancor.
The group looked up in surprise. Teneniel went up to the Sister leader. "Augwynne, we have got trouble."
"I can see that," Augwynne noted. "I could sense the Nightsisters earlier. My guess is that they tried to kill you."
The other rancors began emerging from the darkness, mounted by other warriors of the Singing Mountain Clan. Two of the massive beasts bent over so that Luke and his friends were able to climb on.
"We must hurry to Singing Mountain Clan," Augwynne urged. "There, we will discuss our plans to defeat these Nightsisters."

Up in the Singing Mountian Clan, one of their sisters ran into the chamber where Luke, Callista and the others were discussing a strategy.
"What is wrong?" Teneniel asked the distressed sister.
"Katharss has escaped from his cell. I think the Nightsisters may have set him and his pack free!"
Augwynne protested, "But that's impossible! How did they did get past the guards without us knowing."
The sister held up bloodstained hands with tears in her eyes, "The guards are dead.
Who's Katharss? Callista asked.
The leader of theSsekhmet. A race of feline creatures in league with the Nightsisters. We had him trapped him and were holding him here. Without their leader, they are almost powerless. But now...
The Nightsisters are even more powerful, Luke finished.
Teneniel nodded gravely.

Gabriela stood before her entire Nightsister army, the torches in their hands lighting the darkness that surrounded them, with the straggling villagers chained to a wagon. The cloaked women's faces were dark with anticipation. It was time for them to make their biggest move against the Singing Mountain Clan.
"My loyal Nightsisters," Gabriela said in a loud, deep voice, "the time has finally come. We are now one step closer to bringing the Singing Mountain Clan to their knees. Tonight, we shall head for Singing Mountain prison, and release Gethzerion's old followers. Any Sister who stands in our way will be swiftly killed. Show no mercy toward them. And once we have freed our comrades, we will proceed to the final challenge--Singing Mountain. Once we have destroyed them, the rest of Dathomir will be ours for the taking! We must do this while the Singing Mountain Clan is caught off-guard."
The Nightsisters raised their torches high into the air, casting a malevolent glow over the gathered assembly.
"I've sent someone to kidnap Arian and Skywalker's woman and bring her to the prison. Her unborn child shall be the key to defeating the Sisters.
"With these two, our army will be unstoppable. No one will be able to beat us. No one. Anyone who dares to resist shall meet a slow and painful death.
"We must now go. The prison awaits us. The dark side of the Force shall triumph over the light. For the glory of the Nightsisters!"
The women cheered, their howls echoing throughout the night. Then, as one, they marched off, dragging the villagers with them.
They headed steadily toward the prison.

"Okay, here is what we will do," Teneniel said to the gathered circle of warriors. Luke, Isolder, Kyp, Corran, Callista, Catalina, and Kam Solusar joined them as they discussed their plan to capture Katharss. "We move off in pairs and comb the entire forest. If my hunch is correct, Katharss is on his way to rendezvous with the Nightsister clan."
The Sisters gasped and began talking among each other. "Katharss and Gabriela, working together again?" one warrior said in disbelief.
Teneniel nodded. "It is paramount that we prevent them from succeeding in whatever plan they've come up with. Anyways, we move off in pairs. You can either go on foot, rancor, or sopfha. Your choice of transportation. And be constantly on alert. The Nightsisters are more than likely springing a trap for us.
"If you find Katharss, do not go up against him one-on-one. I've seen his pack fight before, and it is not pretty. Contact everyone else through the Force, and we will be there shortly. And we will defeat Katharss, together.
"You all know what to do now. May the Force be with you."
The Sisters nodded and began dispersing. The group said their goodbyes and wished each other luck. Corran went off with Kyp, Kam with Catalina, Teneniel with Isolder, and the rest formed their own groups.
Luke turned to Callista and grabbed her hand. "You ready for this?"
"Callista nodded. "Yes, I am."
Luke didn't seem convinced. "Callie, I'm worried about you and the baby. You're taking a huge risk doing--"
"Luke, don't even try to change my mind," Callista interrupted. "I am aware of the dangers. And I would never put my child at risk."
Luke prepared to argue even further, but one look at his wife's face told him to think otherwise. He sighed and clasped Callista's hand tighter. "I just don't want to see you get killed."
"I won't," she promised.
Luke kissed her on the cheek, his emotions put to rest now. Once Callista said something, she meant it. "Then let's go."

Katharss slunk through the forests, back to the Nightsister camp. He led his pack of Ssekhmet, the others of his kind.
The black-furred legion finally arrived at the camp. Katharss emerged from the center and met Gabriela as she parted from a group of Nightsisters. "There were complications, my Queen." The animal leaned in closer.
Gabriela's eyes flared with cold, terrifying anger. "You won't recieve your end until I have Skywalker's woman. Bring her to me." She flicked her gaze towards Singing Mountain, and allowed a tight, evil grin. "No," she whispered. "You might harm her child. Bring me Skywalker. Callista will come after him, with the child unharmed. I believe she will cooperate if she is a little more...motivated."

Kirana Ti shifted again in her cage. This was taking too long...why hadn't Callista or Master Skywalker returned yet? She ached for Arian, feared for the little girl's safety.
She turned and looked out into the Nightsister camp. There were no guards, only a single dark sister reclining against the bone walls of the cage, snoring lightly.
Of course.
It was time to take matters into her own hands. Kirana Ti closed her eyes and visualized the scraggly keys hanging like criminals on the woman's belt. She tensed when she heard them jangle on impact with the foot-trodden earth. But the Nighsister only startled and shifted in her sleep.
Gabriela would have her head come morning.
Kirana levitated the keys into her waiting fingers. As she moved for the door, she looked at the other people in her cage. She felt a pang of guilt, but a mass escape would quickly become a mass suicide.
Without another thought, Kirana Ti unlocked the doors, slipped through and closed it behind her.
She streaked for the jungles, free.

Katharss fufilled his evil duty and stalked the jungle at night. He eyed Kirana Ti from his perch on a tree top. A wide grin spread across his face. The Jedi woman may have escaped the nightsisters for now but her freedom would not last. Kartharss would see to that. His muscels bunched to pounce, but Kirana looked directly up at him and smiled first. Katharss hissed, "You're clever, but are you ssssstrong?"
Kirana Ti held her staff in defense position, "We shall see now won't we?" Katharss dripped from the tree like black liquid.
"Awww, come now, no reassson that we can't be friendssss."
"There is every reason," Kirana narrowed her eyes, "I don't associate with Sith."
Katharss clicked his tongue, "Tssk! such anger for a light- ssssider."
Kirana grabbed the scruff of his neck and lifted him off his paws, "You worthless animal!" She growled.
He sneered, "I could kill you where you stand, woman.
Kirana allowed a smile to curl onto her lips, "Yes, but then you wouldn't get what you wanted and we both know it."
Katharss growled, "You're too clever for your own good,"
Kirana nodded, "I know."

Corran and Kyp trudged slowly through the thick forest.
Kyp sliced through a low branch and said, "Force, it's hot here!" The branch sizzled and collapsed to the ground, and the two Jedi stepped over it.
Corran stretched out with his feelings, searching for any sign of the Nightsisters. So far, he had found nothing. He had never met a Nightsister before, but he knew their history. During his time at the Jedi Academy, Master Skywalker had told them about his adventures on Dathomir, about how he had joined forces with the Singing Mountain Clan to defeat Gethzerion's army of evil women. The Nightsisters sounded very powerful indeed.
As Corran walked, he cast a glance at Kyp. A part of him couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable. He and Kyp had once been enemies; the young man had attacked him on Yavin 4 only a year ago. He had been under the influence of a Sith Lord named Exar Kun and had caused a lot of damage to the Empire with one of their own weapons, the Sun Crusher. Although Corran had forgiven Kyp for his crimes, he still felt a little contempt for the Jedi. In his opinion, Kyp had gotten off far too easily. Surely, he should have received some type of punishment for what he had done.
Kyp looked over at him, and Corran flinched. He suddenly realized that Kyp had unintentionally read his mind. He looked away, not wanting to meet the young man's eyes. He then felt guilty for what he had been thinking.
Kyp was his friend now. He had redeemed his actions many times over now. He was a Jedi, and a very powerful one to boot. Why couldn't Corran just put it all behind him?
"You seem agitated," Kyp muttered as he ducked beneath another branch. "And something tells me it has nothing to do with this new band of Nightsisters."
Corran chose to ignore him and continued on, sweat pouring heavily down his face as he walked ahead of his partner.
"You're not answering me, Corran," Kyp said, a tiny amount of anger in his voice. "Look, if there's something that's bothering you, then just tell me. If you bottle it up in you, it's just gonna get worse."
Corran finally stopped and looked at the man. He felt a sudden urge to change the subject, but something told him to tell Kyp how he felt. "It's just everything we went through on Yavin 4, Kyp. It still bothers me,"
"Look, that was all in the past.
"I know," Corran quickly interrupted. "But I can't get it out of my mind. A part of me's still upset that the Republic didn't punish you for what you did. I mean, you attacked me, Master Skywalker, and went on a killing spree across the galaxy. I just think that you got off too easily."
"I understand," Kyp said, frowning. "But how would punishment help? That won't bring back all the lives I took at Carida. And I'm not the first one to have done such atrocities. Look at Vader, and Master Skywalker. They were evil for a time as well and did things even worse than me. And yet we were able to forgive them in the end, right?
"Corran shook his head. "True, but they managed to redeem themselves, saving far more lives than they killed--"
"And I didn't?" Kyp broke in, his temper flaring. "I destroyed the Sun Crusher and the Death Star prototype. I fought against Daala when she attacked the Jedi Academy. I helped Luke fight Callista's daughter. How many lives do you think I saved when I did that? Far more than I killed."
Corran looked away, his vision blurring. Kyp did have a point. But he still wasn't convinced.
Kyp gave him a bitter look. "Something tells me that it's not my actions that upset you." A sneer slowly spread across his face. "I think you hold a grudge against me only because I managed to defeat you in combat."
Corran's head lifted up, glaring daggers at the other. "How about we don't bring that up again, or I might just do something I may regret later?"
Kyp wasn't deterred. "Was that a threat?" he asked.
"Would you like to hear one?" Corran retorted with equal anger.
Kyp stepped forth, as if ready to swing a blow--
--and stopped at the sound of footsteps.
The two men immediately tensed, their hands going to their lightsabers. Corran could sense the presence of several hundred beings, not far away.
Heading right for them.
"Quick," he whispered, grabbing Kyp as he ran. "We need to hide."
The two hid behind a thick hedge and watched silently as the army of Nightsisters marched past them, oblivious to their presence. Some rode on sopfhas, others traveled on foot. All were armed with weapons.
Corran whispered in Kyp's ear, "I think they're heading for that prison."
The young man nodded. "I don't like this. We need to warn Master Skywalker and Augwynne; they'll need to know about this." He turned to Corran. "Split up. You head back to Singing Mountain, and I'll follow the Nightsisters."
Corran nodded in agreement. Their previous argument instantly forgotten, he patted Kyp on the shoulder. "Good luck," he said, and quietly slipped away.
As the last few Nightsisters walked past the hedge, Kyp slowly followed after them.

Gabriela watched from the shadows as Corran quickly rushed from his hiding place, obviously going to warn Skywalker of the Nightsisters's march toward the Singing Mountain prison. She narrowed her ocean-blue eyes as his companion, Kyp, followed after the cloaked weapon, his weapon drawn out.
The stupid fools obviously weren't as strong in the Force as they thought they were, or else they would have detected her presence. Then again, they were only men. Gabriela smiled as she watched Corran dash through the forest, his breathing coming out in ragged gasps, sweat dripping down his face and hair. Gabriela would take care of this one. She would let her companions deal with Durron.
Gabriela calmly stepped from the trees that had concealed her from the Jedi and performed a leap that landed her on top of a tree branch. Then, carefully balancing herself with the Force, she followed Corran by leaping on branch after branch.
Within minutes, she would catch up with him
When Gabriela was finally under the fleeing man, she emitted an ear- shattering scream that echoed throughout the forests and flipped off the tree branch she was standing on, sailing right toward the Jedi.
Corran saw the woman coming seconds after he heard the war cry. By the time he looked up, he was too late.
Gabriela flew through the air like a torpedo and slammed her foot full force into his chest, tossing him back several dozen yards. He landed flat on his back, a burning wave of pain searing through his ribs. Gabriela's kick had broken several of them and bruised the rest.
Corran's hand went up to his chest as he staggered back up.
By then, Gabriela was slowly advancing toward him, relishing the moment. Corran balled one hand into a fist and punched her across the face.
It barely fazed her.
Gabriela turned back to face him, sneering. "You hit like a girl, Horn," she said, striking him with the Force.
Corran cried out as the blow knocked him up into the air and back. He smashed through a tree branch--nearly shattering his spine in the process-- and plummeted several feet toward the ground. He landed flat on his face, snapping loose two of his teeth and smashing open his nose.
Corran groaned in pain and stood up, wincing as he did so. Blood flowed freely down his nose, mouth, and eye. His vision blurred, and he nearly fell back down.
Gabriela stood before him again. "What's the matter? Did I hit you too hard?"
Corran's mouth turned downward in a snarl, and his lightsaber handle came up in a flash, striking Gabriela right in the jaw. The woman cried out in unexpected pain as her face snapped to one side. Despite the condition he was in, Corran felt good that he had hurt her back.
It didn't last long.
Gabriela recovered far too quickly, and she backhanded Corran across the face. Corran twisted to one side, and his head struck the trunk of a tree. His left cheek burst open in a wash of blood.
Thinking fast, he leaped high into the air, boosting himself with the Force. He landed safely on one of the highest tree branches and looked back down.
Gabriela had fished out her lightsaber from her robe and switched it on. Her eyes locked on the tree, and Corran silently cursed.
"Oh, shavit."
Gabriela swung her lightsaber in a powerful arc, slicing the tree in half. Corran screamed as he fell off the branch and smashed into the ground like a fallen meteorite. The pain he felt afterwards was so great that he couldn't get up.
Seconds later, he somehow found the strength to move. He started to get up, determined to fight this woman to the death.
He had barely gotten to one knee before Gabriela smashed her fist into the side of his head, making a loud crack in his skull as she connected, sending him back down.
"Give it up, Jedi," she snapped. "You can't win. Just surrender, and I may only cripple you."
Corran looked up at her and spat on her robe. "Kiss my Wookiee," he snarled.
Gabriela finally had enough. Before Corran could get up, she grabbed him by the back of his shirt and threw him into the air. The Jedi fell back down on his stomach, the air knocked out of his body.
The Nightsister strode over to him, watching as he pitifully tried to get up. She brought her foot up and smashed it upon his back, burying his face into the ground.
"Eat dirt," Gabriela snapped. She bent over to the downed man and whispered into his ear. "I'm not going to kill you, Corran. Although you may anyways from the injuries I gave you. Tell Skywalker that I'm watching him. His child will become mine, and she will join the ranks of the Nightsisters."
The last thing Corran saw was Gabriela turning to leave before everything went black...

"Corran, Corran," a voice repeated in a concerned tone.
Corran opened his eyes to se two of everything. Finally the images merged and he saw Kyp.
"You're hurt pretty bad." Kyp observered.
"Yeah, that pycho nightsister attacked me!"
Kyp frowned, "Do you think you can heal yourself with the Force?"
Corran sighed, "I'm gonna have to," he half shut his eyes and went into a healing trance.
Kyp looked around for something useful to help Corran but nothing presented itself. The nightsisters where near, he could feel them, but they where far enough away for now. Kyp didn't like the darkside residue that seemed to hang around this jungle. Kyp wasn't as afraid of the nightsisters killing him as he was of them turning him again.
He was silent as Corran healed but every moment he grew more and more anxious.
"Kyp.." an ominous voice echoed.
Kyp turned and saw...
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Exar Kun gave him a strange grin, "Hello Kyp."
Corran woke suddenly from his trance to see Kyp screaming at nothing. He tried to calm the boy but Kyp only got worse.
Niether of the Jedi noticed the sleek, grinning animal that melted perfectly into the shadows of the trees.
Katharss laughed. He loved fear...

Kirana Ti stood before Katharss, holding her staff in front of her body as a shield. She eyed the black-furred creature, who hissed softly at her, hooking its claws out. "So, do you want to fight, or will you run away like the coward you are?" She taunted
"It hassssssssss been a while sssssssssince I have engaged in hand-to- hand combat," Katharss said. "But I think you forget, my dear, that I have killed a great many Sisterssssssss in my time." The creature stood on his hind legs, his tail lashing up like a whip. He locked his gaze on the warrior Jedi, baring his sharp white fangs.
Katharss' spirit self slunk away from where he watched Kyp and Corran. He would need all his concentration to beat Kirana Ti
"Then let us dance," Kirana Ti said, running at full speed toward the creature.
What came next was unexpected. Just as she bore down on the creature, Katharss struck her in the gut with his huge paw, his powerful strength throwing her back. Kirana Ti sailed back through the air, hit the ground, and rolled right into a tree.
Trying to regain her breath, Kirana Ti rolled to her feet and faced Katharss again. She moved again and continued the fight.
She snapped a sidekick to the alien's gut, staggering him back. An uppercut to the jaw snapped his head to one side, followed by three more quick punches. Katharss reeled from the blows, but did not go down.
Kirana Ti threw another blow, intending to drop him where he stood, but gasped when Katharss grabbed her arm, shoving her fist away. He then shoved her forth, smacking her forehead against another tree. Lights exploded in Kirana Ti's head, and she cried out when Katharss threw her again, tossing her to the ground.
As soon as she was down, Katharss slowly walked over to her, his sharp, poisonous claws outstretched. Kirana Ti looked up and saw him bring the talons down upon her throat.
Thinking fast, Kirana Ti grabbed her staff. Knowing that she had no time to throw a killing blow, she got up to one knee, ducked Katharss's blow, and struck him across the face with her staff, knocking him back.
Kirana Ti got up and faced Katharss. "Hurts, doesn't it?" she said ironically.
Katharss looked up, blood running down his mouth. He smiled. "We're only getting started, Kirana Ti."
He opened his mouth, and a bolt of fire spewed out.
Kirana rolled to the ground, just barely missing the flames, but her staff was not as lucky. Now her main weapon was nothing but cinders. Kirana jumped to her feet only to duck as Katharss lunged at her with his talons outstretched.
Suddenly Luke and Callista burst through the brush to find the battle.
"Kirana!" Luke cried.
Kirana kept her focus on Katharss as she answered. "Your timing is impeccable, Master Skywalker."
"I'd say so," Luke agreed, igniting his lightsaber.
Katharss smiled at Luke, "It sssseemss that I will kill two mynocks with one ssstone."

"What happened?" Corran, rubbing his swollen hand.
"It was him!" Kyp insisted. "It was Exar Kun!"
Corran shook his head, "That's impossible, Kyp, and you know it."
Kyp shook his head, "But I SAW him!"
"It might be one of the nightsisters preying on your fears." Corran suggested.
"I guess," Kyp agreed, but he still looked pretty shooken up.
Corran sighed and ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, "Look, let's just move on, okay?"
"Are you gonna be okay?" Kyp asked, eyeing his wounds.
Corran winced at one of his tender ribs but nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine."
Suddenly there was a chorus of howls. Kyp and Corran looke about nervously.
"What was that?" Corran asked.
"Rancors?" Kyp offered hopefully.
"I hope so," Corran said anxiously

Luke pulled out his lightsaber and faced Katharss. "Playtime's over," he said through clenched teeth. Katharss' muscles coiled like springs, and he pounced, a bundle of powerful energy.
"Master Skywalker!" Kirana cried as Callista screamed, "Luke!"
Luke dodged the blur, swiping his lightsaber after it. The blad connected with fur, and the whiplike tail landed with a simple thud in the dirt. Katharss landed primly on a log, and inspected his cauterized behind. His pointed ears flattened against his furred head. "You will pay for that, Ssssskywalker..." His head turned as a twig snapped behind him. Callista froze, caught in her task of trying to help Kirana Ti to her feet. Katharss licked his lips, a feral grin spreading across his demon face. He turned back to Luke. "But then again, there are sssssssso many more punissshhhmentssss more painful than death.."
He spun and lunged on Callista and Kirana Ti.
"No!" All three cried in unison. Luke stretched out a hand, calling upon the Force and flinging the creature into a tree. He hit dirt with a satisfying thud, right before he landed atop the two women.
Katharsss wasn't dead, but it was a safe bet he wouldn't be able to catch them for some time.
"Come on." Luke said. "Let's keep going." He gripped Callista's hand, and they trudged through the jungle brush.
"The Nightsister camp is near," Kirana Ti whispered. "I didn't get far."
Callista stopped walking abrubtly, yelping in surprise. Her eyes widened, and she looked up at Luke. "Uh, Luke..."
Luke understood immeadiately. "What...now?!" he said.
Callista nodded. "Yeah. I'd say it's about that time."