Falling For You
Author's Notes: All right, the first chapter was just a basic introduction of the characters. Now, it gets darker, I promise. This chapter is cruel, but it has to be done. Turning someone to the dark side involves pain, whatever way you look at it. Oh, and chocolate products for anyone who spots the South Park reference.
RollingSkull: I do like to foreshadow, if that's what you mean. Well, they're older in this chapter, so you got your wish. As for the Revan-Malak-Kendra thing, you'll hate where it goes this chapter (so will Revan, for that matter)... but it's essential to the plot. And Malak's brooding was a kid/teenager thing... he'll get over it.
Lord Valentai: Glad you liked it. I hope I don't disappoint you.
Ozziegrl: Thanks.
Niliav: I'd not call this fic a good one... it's going to be an evil one, lol. I put angst as the primary category for a reason.
ether-fanfic: Thank you. There are other KotOR preludes/prequels on but I've not read any of them before. Yeah, I can't write little kids very well, which is why I didn't go into too much detail of their childhood - Charamei's little-kid!Malak is absolutely precious, though.
Firera: You like Kendra, do you? Heh, she's based on Kendra from Buffy the Vampire Slayer... 'cept older. You'll see more of her in this chapter. Let's see if you like me after this, heh heh heh.
snackfiend101: Heh, I'm not that good, surely. Yeah, Revan on caffa is a scary thought... wait till you get to know Derrin, though - now Derrin on caffa is a truly terrifying concept.
Darth Arachne: No, it's not finished. I'm only writing chapter 9 (Korriban). I've not even got them to the Star Forge yet! I have all these plans for after the Star Forge, including the jaw incident, but I have to get there first.
Prisoner 24601: The song lyrics are just in the author's notes - you are permitted to ignore them if you like, they've no bearing on the fic, beyond artisticness on my part. I think Jedi apprentices graduate to the rank of Padawan at about 13-16 depending on how mature they are (I'm not certain of this, you'd need to ask an expert)... Revan and Malak are both very gifted, however. I thought it would be unfair to make Revan better at everything... seems more realistic this way. Malak's skills will be useful in future, never fear.
Rascarin: Thanks.
Trunxluvr82190: Heh... glad you like it.
"Part of me laughs, part of me cries,
Part of me wants to question why,
Why is there joy? Why is there pain?
Why is there sunshine then the rain?
One day you're here, next you are gone,
No matter what, we must go on.
Just keep the faith, and.
Let love lead the way."
-Spice Girls, Let Love Lead The Way.
x x x
Chapter 2 - Fractured
"Hey, Malak." Revan's voice called, in a sing-song way. She had just wandered into the training room, where he had been practicing with his lightsaber against three training remotes. Both were now eighteen, though Malak's birthday was the next day.
He deactivated the remotes, and turned his attention to Revan, "Yes?"
"Did you know that Wookiee culture is based entirely around their planet's eco-system?" she asked cheerfully. Great, another lesson in cross-cultural beliefs. She never tired of this subject. "Their honour binds them to protect their world - it's kinda cool. Wish a few more humans thought like that."
"Then we'd be living in trees." Malak muttered sulkily.
Revan laughed, "Is that such a bad thing?"
"I like my nice comfortable bed, and my durasteel floors and walls... and my sonic shower, thank you very much." Malak retorted.
Revan grinned, "And did you know Mandalorians believe that-"
"Revan." Malak whined.
"What?" she asked pouting.
"You know this stuff bores me."
"But it might be useful, some day." she said, in her wheedling tone that could probably have got credits out of a Hutt.
"When are we ever going to need to know about Mandalorian mythology, Revan?" Malak asked dryly.
Revan shrugged, "It's good to know these things, Malak. Look, can I help it if multi-cultural beliefs interest me?"
"Not really. But can I help it if they bore me to tears?" he asked right back.
She sniggered, "You... tears... like that'd ever happen." she muttered.
"Keep talking, angel." he teased, "Unless the subject leaves alien mythology inside the next half-hour..."
"Is that a challenge?" she asked, grinning.
"No!" he said quickly. She laughed, "Look, please change the subject?" he asked hopefully.
Revan sighed, "Want to watch the holovid?" she asked.
He raised an eyebrow, "The Temple's holovid only gets news channels."
"It's better than mythology, right?" she asked, grinning.
"Not by much." Malak muttered. Truthfully, he enjoyed Revan's company, but half the time he tuned out what she was actually saying, preferring to listen to the sound of her voice rather than the actual words. She could talk for hours about history and politics, and he didn't understand how she could do it. The whole subject could happily put Malak to sleep. In fact, their history teacher had been known to have to wake him up halfway through classes.
"All right, you want the truth? I have a bet with Cassie, on the Taris Swoop Opener, and I wanna see who wins." she whispered, grinning impishly.
"Right. I should have figured it was something like that." Malak muttered, smiling.
She led the way towards the small lounge in which the holovid was kept. Malak followed a few steps behind her. He would probably have followed her anywhere, no matter what. And not just because he liked to look at her ass... though that certainly helped.
"You don't have to walk behind me, Malak." she noted in a too-innocent tone that made him wonder if she'd known what he was thinking. More likely, she'd just guessed.
"Why not?" he asked, just as innocently.
"It's not like I'm your Master, or anything. Why do you always defer to me?" she asked. She stopped walking, and turned to face him.
"Because you come up with better ideas than me." Malak answered immediately.
"Right." she smiled, "And you always walk two steps behind me, why?"
He shrugged innocently.
She smirked, and shook her head, "Come on, let's go, before the race is over." she took his hand, and started walking. This forced him to walk alongside her for a change. It also sent a shiver up his hand and arm, that made it difficult for him not to grin stupidly... but he was a Jedi, and they have practice in not grinning like morons, so he managed to just about keep his expression neutral.
They soon reached the lounge. The word 'lounge' was hardly appropriate, however. There was a holovid set to pick up only the news channels, a few relatively uncomfortable chairs, and the same atmosphere of tranquillity as the rest of the Temple. Well, there was until Revan walked in. The small cluster of Padawans there looked up to see Revan, as she made her typical grand entrance without even trying.
"Hey, I didn't think you'd make it." Cassie said brightly.
"Just change the channel already." Revan said, grinning, "So you can give me my credits."
"Yeah, right." Cassie retorted, switching the channel to the Tarisian news.
"And the last racer to take the track will be Trillian, racing for the Avid Serpents gang! Her last run was five seconds behind best time, and this is her last chance to catch up. Aydee, from the Sub-Ts, is looking set to win, with his time of thirty-six point four!"
"I bet on the Serpents." Revan informed Malak.
"And I bet Revan would be wrong." Cassie said flatly.
"How much is this bet?" Malak asked warily.
"And she's off. Wow, look at that Twi'lek fly!" the holovid announced.
"Ten credits." Cassie said, "Nothing big. Wouldn't want the Masters to find out, now would we?"
"Like they don't already know." Malak muttered. He was fairly certain that literally nothing happened within the Temple that the Masters were unaware of. Especially Vrook - he seemed to make it his business to butt into other people's business.
"Thirty six point three-six!" the announcer shrieked, "Trillian wins! The Avid Serpents win this year's Season Opener!" the cheers from the holovid rang through the room.
"I was certain the Beks would win..." Cassie muttered.
"It sure was a close race, this year, wasn't it?" the announcer was saying, his closing speech, "But I'd like to assure you all that the Bek rider is going to survive to fight another day. The accident wasn't as fatal as it looked. Bek deputy, Brejik Thek is claiming they were sabotaged by the Sub-Ts... but since the Serpents won anyway, it's a mute point. But that's all we have time for, folks. Tune in next week for the second race, on this year's Taris Swoop Season!"
"Hand over the credits, Cassie." Revan said, grinning at the older Padawan. Cassie was a bit too immature to graduate to the rank of Knight, even though she was twenty-six. Therefore, her habit of hanging out with the apprentices had mutated into a habit of hanging out with the younger Padawans. And losing her money to Revan, more often than not.
Cassie sighed, and rooted out a ten-credit chip, which she threw at Revan. Revan caught it easily.
"We interrupt this broadcast-" the news bulletin cut across an advertisement for the Manaan swoop season, starting in two months time, "-to bring you this breaking news from the Outer Rim. The Mandalorian threat that has been terrorising planets just outside our borders has now attacked the Republic itself."
As if as one entity, everyone in the room looked at the holovid, suddenly.
"A simultaneous strike hit three Republic planets on the Outer Rim." the announcer continued, "As seems to be the pattern with the Mandalorian threat, the attacks were unprovoked, and wiped out civilians, women and children with the same viciousness as they dispatched any soldiers that got in their way. The death tolls for all three planets hit is estimated at ninety-eight percent. The Republic government has declared war against the Mandalorians, in retaliation for these three civilian worlds. The planets hit were Siraun, Vardas, and Deralia."
Revan blinked a few times, then whispered, "Deralia?" in a horrified squeak.
She had never told Malak what planet she was from, but her reaction told him that, at the very least, Deralia was very important to her. "Revan?" Malak asked, concern clear in his tone.
"They... they can't... my home." tears ran down her face, and she wasn't even trying to contain her emotions. Malak wasn't an empath, but even he could sense her pain through the Force.
Cassie's eyes widened, and all the Padawans in the room were totally stunned. Revan may have been chirpy and bright, rather than the typical reserved Jedi, but yet no one had seen her lose control of her emotions since the one time when she was six, and one of her fellow apprentices, named Derrin, had stolen her cuddly toy. But as she sank to her knees, sobbing in the middle of the holovid lounge, the waves of emotion and pain radiating from her left her childhood temper-tantrum miles behind in the ranks of 'Revan's worst outbursts'.
Malak knelt behind her, and wrapped an arm gently around her shoulders, trying to comfort her. She shrugged him off, both physically and psychically, sending a wave of anger at him, along with an audible growl. He backed off, He didn't know what to say or do. He looked up at the other Padawans, who just shrugged helplessly. He rolled his eyes - lot of use they are. "Revan..." but before he could even think of anything comforting to say, she stood up sharply, and stormed out of the room. The echo of her pain remained in the room when she left, oppressive, like the silence.
The group of Padawans looked at each other for a minute, before Malak left hurriedly.
x x x
He followed the trail she left in the Force - her emotions cut a swathe through the calm of the Temple, like a lightsaber through flesh... it left the same pain and burns, even. Her path was erratic, and she must have been running, for the number of times she doubled back and yet he didn't catch up with her.
Eventually, he lost her trail. He sighed and leaned against a nearby wall. Her homeworld... gone... just like that. It hurt him even imagining the concept - even thinking about it happening to someone else's world. He couldn't imagine how she felt. He didn't want to, either. But he did want to try to make her feel better... though he doubted he could do any good.
"Is something the matter, Padawan?" Kendra's voice asked. She sounded tense - she could no doubt sense the shattered calm throughout this level of the Temple.
"We just saw a news holocast." he said blankly, "Revan's homeworld was hit by the Mandalorians."
Kendra paled, "Oh dear. That is terrible news." her tone didn't waver, but her eyes looked worried, "Someone should see that Revan is all right. We would not wish her to do something foolish - she will undoubtedly be incredibly hurt and angry. These feelings are dangerous in a Jedi."
Malak nodded slowly, "I was looking for her - trying to follow her after she ran off." he said, frowning, "I wanted to try to help... but I don't know how. I can't imagine how she must be feeling."
Kendra sighed, "You are probably the best person to comfort her. You are close friends. Talk to her. Such powerful emotions cannot be pushed aside as you have both been trained to do." she put a hand on Malak's shoulder and guided him towards one of the elevators, and pressed the button to level three, "Get her to let out her tears... possibly even lash out at a pillow, or some other harmless outlet for her anger. And remember the Code, Malak. You can help her through this." she patted his shoulder, "If anyone questions your presence, tell them I gave you permission. Revan is in room seven."
The elevator door opened onto the female Padawans' accommodation level.
Malak hesitated, and glanced at Kendra, "Just don't do anything I might disapprove of." she said, smiling. The glint in her eyes said exactly what she meant... like she'd known what he was thinking. Aside from the fact he wouldn't take advantage of Revan in this state, he also wouldn't break that particular rule anyway. Who knew how voyeuristic the Jedi Masters were, after all?
"Thank you, Master Kendra." he said gratefully.
"May the Force be compassionate to you." she said quietly. She rarely used the Jedi saying 'May the Force be with you' - she preferred to adapt it to the situation. She had often used 'May the Force protect you' and 'May the Force aid your quest', but rarely did she quote the Jedi saying. It seemed to hold more genuine meaning when she did that, rather than the platitude that most of the Masters spouted without feeling.
Malak warily walked down the corridor. He had never gone beyond the elevator on this level before - it was off-limits to the male inhabitants of the Temple, just as the male accommodation block was off-limits to females. Even as small innocent children, they had never been allowed to enter each other's living quarters. He hadn't understood that rule until he grew up and realised the logic... the same logic that discouraged emotional attachments. He didn't have to like it, but he did understand it.
He found room seven, and knocked cautiously.
"Go away!" Revan's voice snapped.
Well, at least he had the right room. Malak tried to open the door, but it was locked. Figures. He wasn't about to shout at Revan, while he was in the female accommodation block - that would only draw unwanted attention, most likely hostile... possibly involving flying shoes and screamed insults. Especially if Cassie got back to her room already.
Instead, he tried to slice the lock. But that was impossible - it was computer-sealed. He would need a password. Brilliant, just brilliant.
What sort of password would Revan use? It could be anything! It could be in some alien language Malak didn't even understand! He could only think of one thing Revan might consider personal... "Mr Fuzzems." he said it very quietly, because he did not want anyone to overheard him and resurrect the running joke Derrin had started when he stolen Revan's stuffed Ewok. She had once told Malak that said stuffed toy - Mr Fuzzems - had been named when she was three, so he didn't consider the name that ridiculous - for a three-year-old, it was quite imaginative, actually. Miraculously, the door opened. "Who'd have thought?" he muttered quietly, slightly awed. He shook his head and slipped into her room, closing the door behind him.
The room was neat and ordered, with very few personal possessions. There was a small desk, on which sat many datapads. The drawers next to the bed were all closed, and lacked any clothing hanging out over the edges, which was more than could be said for Malak's attempt at organising his room. There were two holopics on her bedside table, one of a handsome man in his late thirties with fair hair and blue eyes, and the other of an austere black-haired woman about the same age, also with blue eyes. Between the two holopics sat the ratted stuffed Ewok that was the infamous Mr Fuzzems, which she had refused to throw away - she didn't play with it anymore, but she kept it because her parents had given it to her, and she had wanted a connection to them. Malak assumed the holopics were probably of her parents, too.
"I said go away." Revan growled, "And how the hell did you get in here?"
She was lying on her bed, face-down. Her voice was muffled, and the sheets were a mess, like she'd been tossing and turning a bit. Maybe taken a few punched at the pillows, or something.
"Your password was... too easy to guess." Malak said, smirking.
She looked up at him suddenly... then sat up quickly, staring at him. Her off-white Jedi robes were rumpled and creased from the way she had been lying. "What are you doing in here?!" she demanded, "You could get in so much trouble for being here."
Malak shrugged, "I don't care. I had to see how you were."
She frowned, "I feel like hell." she said coldly.
He slowly walked over to her, and sat next to her, "You want to talk about it?"
"Why bother? You never listen, anyway." she muttered sulkily.
"You'd be surprised." he said, "I actually listen to most of what you say... unless you start talking about mythology, that is."
She looked at him for a minute, then said quietly, "It's like my whole past has just been ripped out from under me. My family, my life, my home... gone, just like that." she snapped her fingers, then quickly wiped her eyes with the same hand, which only served to make the tear-stains on her cheeks more noticeable.
He had no idea what to say. So, instead of trying to speak and invariably making a fool of himself, he reached out gingerly, and put his hand on her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting way. As soon as he did it, she all-but lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him, and started sobbing on his chest.
Malak tried to ignore the fact that they were alone in her room, on her bed. He tried not to think about how he had imagined this sort of scenario might go, because in his fantasies she wasn't crying her heart out. He gently wrapped his arms around her, running his fingers through her hair, as she cried.
"They're gone... I'll never see them again." she whimpered.
Malak frowned, still holding her protectively, "You would likely not have seen them again anyway. You knew that when you joined the Jedi." he was trying to make her see logic - she usually responded well to logic, and he had always thought on this pragmatic level. "Besides, two percent survived, out of the billions of people who inhabited those three planets - there is a chance your family survived. Even if they didn't make it, they would have joined the Force, and you would never be without them."
She frowned, here eyes now wide open, as she stared at the tears she had left on his navy Jedi robes. Slowly, she looked up at his face, "You're right. I... I shouldn't act irrationally. I thought I had learned to control my emotions better than this."
"No one's perfect." Malak said quietly, "It's what makes us human. You're allowed to grieve, you know. Just don't lose your sanity when you do."
"I want them dead." she said quietly.
"What? Who?" he asked, stunned.
"Every last scum-ridden core-slime serving under the banner of Mandalore." she hissed. She was serious. The venom in her voice scared him.
"Whoa, slow down, angel." Malak said, fear creeping into his tone, "Revenge won't solve anything."
"I should have been there to protect my family." she said, staring into thin air across the room.
"If you had, they would likely have killed you. One Jedi is no match for a hoard of Mandalorians on war-droids." Malak said quickly.
Her gaze darkened as she continued to stare at thin air, "If you want something badly enough, the Force can do anything. To a Mandalorian, you are weak if you do not defend your clan, your home, and your family. I should have been there for them, rather than here learning how to levitate feathers, damnit!" as she snarled the last word, the nearest plasteel window cracked - it was a tough enough material not to shatter, but the sudden snapping sound and the brand new diagonal line across the plasteel startled both of them.
"Calm down, Revan! Please."
She stared at the window. The crack didn't even let air through, but it looked bad. "You're right..." she said quietly, "I need to stay calm."
Malak could sense the anger in her. Justified as it was, it was still dangerous. "I know it must hurt... but lashing out at whatever's in reach won't help anyone." he said quietly.
She nodded, and leaned against him again. He continued to run his fingers through her hair, until she silently cried herself to sleep. Then he gently laid her down on the bed, and left.
x x x
Over the next year and a half, Malak could practically set his chronometer by Revan's weekly visits to the Jedi Council Chambers. Every week, she would request, demand, beg to be allowed to go and help the Republic fight the Mandalorians. Every week, the Jedi Council refused. And every week, the Council gave an explanation that temporarily sated her anger. She always seemed calmer after these 'meetings', and in Malak's opinion, she needed this reasoning to keep her from flying off the handle. But he kept this opinion to himself.
On a couple of occasions, he found her abusing the practice droids in the training room, taking out her anger on the unfortunate, and thankfully non-sentient, machines... lightsabers, training swords, her bare hands... it didn't matter, as long as she could vent. They both knew this was better than letting it fester, and he never questioned it. He would probably do the same thing, if his home had been destroyed... not that he knew how he would react, because his parents lived on Alderaan, which was safely away from the war.
x x x
Shortly after Revan's twentieth birthday, the Jedi Masters summoned both Padawans to the Council Chambers. Master Zhar addressed them, "It is time for both of you to be tested. To see if you are ready for the responsibility of becoming Jedi Knights. As you have both trained and progressed together, you shall be tested together. Master Kendra has devised an imaginative test for you, and we are in agreement that it will be more effective, in your personal circumstances, than the standard tests."
Revan's eyes lit up, but her expression remained neutral, "Thank you, Master Zhar. It is an honour." she bowed. Malak nodded in agreement, and also bowed.
"You shall both proceed to the rooftop of the Temple, where you will meet Master Kendra. She shall explain your trial." Zhar said calmly.
Both Padawans replied, "Thank you, Master Zhar." and bowed again, before turning to leave.
"Any ideas what this test is?" Revan asked, as they walked towards the elevator.
"Not a clue." Malak answered, "We don't even have Cassie telling us rumours, this time. If we did, we could likely eliminate them, since this test is 'imaginative'."
"From Kendra, that idea makes me nervous." Revan admitted.
"She wouldn't do anything to hurt us." Malak replied, his tone gentle, "Besides, the whole Jedi Council agreed to it."
"Which is unusual." Revan noted, "Since Kenny's stunts are the reason she's not on the Council."
"Will you desist in calling me that!" Kendra's voice practically whined behind them. Revan had dubbed Master Kendra with the nickname 'Kenny', about three weeks after they had begun to train under her. But even though Revan only used the nickname when she believed Kendra couldn't hear her, Kendra was good at finding things out... all the Masters were.
"Sorry, Master Kendra." Revan said, her amused grin only showing in her eyes - she had become incredibly good at keeping her emotions off her face.
Kendra stepped onto the elevator, and beckoned the two Padawans to do the same. Once the door closed, she held out her hands, "Give me your lightsabers."
Revan and Malak looked at each other, surprised at this request. A Jedi's lightsaber is a very personal possession, and not something they would just give away. Most would not even allow another Jedi to handle their personal lightsaber. But Kendra was their Jedi Master, and they both trusted her. Malak took out his lightsaber, and handed it to Kendra, first. Revan hesitated for a second, before handing over her own lightsaber, as well.
"Are either of you carrying anything else that could count as a weapon?" Kendra asked.
"Well, Revan's interest in mythology counts - it could bore someone to death." Malak joked. Kendra gave him a pointed look, and he looked at the floor.
"I shall take that as a no." Kendra said calmly, "It is vital for this exercise that you only take these as weapons."
Kendra handed them what looked like lightsabers. The two were identical to each other, and were quite different from both their unique lightsabers. Revan examined her new weapon with interest, "Why these?"
"I shall explain after the test." Kendra said calmly, "Now, remember the Jedi Code, both of you. Be prepared for anything. I suggest you take opposite directions as soon as you enter the garden."
The elevator door opened, and both stepped out through the short corridor, onto the rooftop. Kendra waited behind in the corridor. The rooftop was covered in an ornamental garden. There were trees and hedges separating several patio areas. Revan turned left, and Malak turned right.
Malak circled around one of the hedges, and then turned left into the first patio. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but what he found was the last thing he expected. The figure wore all black, a hooded cloak concealing face and body alike - he couldn't even discern gender. It spotted him almost immediately, and emitted a feral snarl, lunging at him with a crimson lightsaber.
He drew the lightsaber Kendra had given him - it also bore a red blade. He blocked his opponent, and spun to kick it back. The hood slipped, and the ash-white skin, lank black hair, and glowing golden eyes of a Sith woman were revealed. She looked so familiar it sent chills up his spine. He saw her in his nightmares. In every one of these dreams, she killed him... and he woke up with his mouth open in a silent scream. His other nightmares (including the one about wandering the Jedi Temple naked, and being laughed at by the Jedi Masters) made him scream out loud, but she was... special. She terrified him.
"What are you?" he asked her, fearfully. He was sure he knew the answer. She was pure unadulterated evil.
"I am the angel of death." she hissed, "And you will fall to my blade, you vermin!" she attacked again. The battle was fierce, and it lasted for several minutes. He was practically reliving the nightmare. She beat him back with pure fury, her anger fuelling her, giving her unnatural strength.
He tried to evade her, but she was determined. "Who are you?" he tried again.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, "Yes, you should know my name before I kill you." she said, almost as if she believed it was a meagre honour that he only just deserved, "My name is Revan."
His eyes widened, "Revan? What the-?" but his question was interrupted by another vicious onslaught - she backed him into a wall, and disarmed him, by hitting his wrist sharply with the heel of her hand, and pinning it with a durasteel grip.
But then she froze. His instincts told him to take advantage of this hesitation... the darkness he could sense in her made his skin crawl, such pure evil that must be vanquished. But he didn't attack when he could have.
"Something isn't right." she said, staring at his pinned wrist. She tilted her head to one side, still staring. "I see armour, but I feel flesh. I sense darkness, but you try to reason." she looked into his eyes, "Who are you?"
"How can you not recognise me, Revan?" Malak asked.
"Humour me." she said coldly. It suddenly registered with him that she said she saw armour.
"An illusion... it must be." he said quietly, "I'm Malak... why? Who do I look like?"
"Mandalore..." she whispered. Then after another moment's hesitation, "Prove you are who you say you are."
"Would Mandalore know about Mr Fuzzems?" Malak asked pointedly.
Revan spluttered, and let him go, "Force, I should hope not!" she said indignantly, "Oh, thanks a lot! I'm now going to have dreams about Mr Fuzzems duelling Mandalore, and winning!" she laughed. It felt so wrong, to see this dark illusion laugh - such an innocent sound, when he could sense such darkness, when she looked like evil incarnate.
Malak smiled, though the eerie contrast he was looking at made any laughter he may have felt die before he even opened his mouth. "But why do you look like... like a Sith?" he asked her.
She blinked, "Wow, that must be weird for you..." she said quietly, "I mean, talking to you, I can picture your face under that armour... but..."
"Yeah..." he frowned, "Why, though?"
"Maybe this is our test..." Revan said, shrugging, "To face our worst nightmares?"
"Yes, you are correct, Revan." Kendra said, approaching them.
"With all these illusions running rampant..." Malak noted, "How can we be sure you really are Master Kendra?" though his tone made it clear he wasn't serious.
Kendra smiled, amused. With a wave of her hands, Revan suddenly looked like herself.
Revan then looked at Malak, "Thank the Force - that illusion was beginning to creep me out." she said gratefully.
Kendra smiled at them both, "You have passed your test."
"What would have happened if one of us had managed to hit the other with our lightsabers?" Malak demanded.
Kendra held her hand out to Revan, who handed her the lightsaber she held. Kendra activated the blade, "Do you trust me, Malak?"
Malak frowned, "Yes." he said... his tone was apprehensive - if she thought this was something she needed to ask, he had a right to be concerned.
Before he even saw it coming, she ran the blade through his chest. It hurt a bit, but it was nowhere near as painful as he imagined it should feel. When she pulled the blade back, he realised there was no wound. "These lightsabers have been modified. They parry off each other, but they don't cut anything. Stings a bit, if it passes through you, but other than that, they're perfectly harmless." Kendra explained. "Your test was to see if it was possible for you to see reason when faced with that which you fear or loathe the most." she continued, "And you both passed." Kendra put her thumbprint on the datapads that declared both Padawans to have graduated to the rank of Jedi Knight. She then handed the certificates to the two of them. "Congratulations, both of you."
"Thank you, Master Kendra." Revan and Malak chorused gratefully.
x x x
They were walking back towards the exit from the rooftop. Both Knights now had their own lightsabers clipped to their belts again.
Suddenly, a shriek rang out, cutting through the night air, reaching them from the next building away. It was definitely female... and it sounded terrified. The victim's words were barely intelligible, "Help! Help me! He's going to kill me!"
Kendra's eyes widened, and she bolted to the edge of the roof nearest the source of the scream.
"This isn't part of our test, is it?" Revan asked warily.
"Of course not." Kendra said coldly.
"Didn't think it was." Revan replied.
"Can you jump that far?" Kendra asked.
"One way to find out..." Revan answered, climbing onto the wall of the roof, and leaping, aided by the Force, to the next building. She landed gracefully, and started running in the direction the scream had come from.
"That girl is incorrigible." Kendra said quietly, before following Revan.
Malak shrugged, and followed Kendra. He landed a lot less elegantly, almost falling on his face, and quickly scrambled after the two women.
He rounded the corner to find a short man wearing a ridiculous white hat, aiming a blaster at a red-haired woman. The woman was well-dressed, likely a business woman of some sort. Kendra and Revan were both standing back, in a stance that said they were ready to attack this short man if he even thought about pulling that trigger, even though their hands weren't actually anywhere near their lightsabers.
"What is going on here? Who are you?" Kendra demanded. Malak slowly approached the other two Jedi, assuming the same stance, ready to attack.
"The name's Calo Nord." the short man said calmly, "Not that you'll live to tell anyone."
He moved with such speed that Malak didn't see it until it was too late. Calo turned and fired three shots at the three Jedi. The first hit Kendra, point-blank. The second only missed Revan because she used the Force to speed up enough to dodge it. The third grazed Malak's arm, as he also used the Force to try to dodge it. While Calo was distracted by this, the woman he had been harassing made a run for it.
Revan charged Calo Nord, still using the Force to move faster than Malak could really follow. Revan's lightsaber sliced through the blaster in Calo's hand, and she held the blade near the shorter man's throat. Calo stared at the ruined blaster, for a second.
"That was my favourite blaster." he noted, his voice void of emotion, "Curse you, Jedi." he turned and ran, before Revan could attack him.
Malak knelt next to Master Kendra, and examined the blaster wound. "Oh, Force, no. He's killed Kendra." he said, loud enough for Revan to hear.
Revan glanced at Malak for a fraction of a second, then turned to see Calo running for a speeder. "Calo Nord, you bastard! Get your short ass back here so I can kill you!" she yelled.
She took only two steps, running after Calo, before a voice stopped her, "You will do nothing of the sort!"
Revan turned sharply, to see... well, it looked and sounded like Master Kendra... but it was see-through, and Kendra's body was a few feet away. Revan just stared at this apparition.
"You will not avenge me, and you will not grieve." Kendra's ghost - that's what it must have been - said.
Revan continued to stare, dumbstruck.
"Master Kendra...?" Malak started, but he couldn't think what to say next. He stood up slowly, looking from Revan to the ghost, and back again.
"Yes, Malak." Kendra said calmly, "Now, Revan, promise you will not avenge me."
Revan frowned, "If that is your wish, Master Kendra." she said quietly.
"And know that all who join the Force as I do now are at peace. There is no need for revenge... for any of us." the ghost disappeared, then.
Revan clenched and unclenched her fists a few times, gritting her teeth. After about a minute, she looked up at Malak, "She's dead..." her voice cracked, "Why does everyone I care about die?!"
"Revan... you heard what she said." Malak said, his tone wavering. He was still in shock. He hadn't ever considered the possibility that Master Kendra could die. It just never occurred to him that she was mortal. But now that she was... dead... he still considered the logical course of action. She wanted them to let her go - not to grieve - so that was what he would do. He had to make Revan understand this, though.
"I shouldn't seek vengeance." she said quietly, "Very well. If that is her wish. Wait here." Revan turned on her heel, and made her way towards the edge of the roof. She leapt back to the Temple rooftop, and disappeared into the building itself.
Fifteen minutes later, a small group of Jedi Knights arrived on the rooftop, and found Malak kneeling next to Kendra's body. He looked up at them silently, and then stood, stepping aside to allow them to take her body back to the Temple.
x x x
Author's Notes: All right, the first chapter was just a basic introduction of the characters. Now, it gets darker, I promise. This chapter is cruel, but it has to be done. Turning someone to the dark side involves pain, whatever way you look at it. Oh, and chocolate products for anyone who spots the South Park reference.
RollingSkull: I do like to foreshadow, if that's what you mean. Well, they're older in this chapter, so you got your wish. As for the Revan-Malak-Kendra thing, you'll hate where it goes this chapter (so will Revan, for that matter)... but it's essential to the plot. And Malak's brooding was a kid/teenager thing... he'll get over it.
Lord Valentai: Glad you liked it. I hope I don't disappoint you.
Ozziegrl: Thanks.
Niliav: I'd not call this fic a good one... it's going to be an evil one, lol. I put angst as the primary category for a reason.
ether-fanfic: Thank you. There are other KotOR preludes/prequels on but I've not read any of them before. Yeah, I can't write little kids very well, which is why I didn't go into too much detail of their childhood - Charamei's little-kid!Malak is absolutely precious, though.
Firera: You like Kendra, do you? Heh, she's based on Kendra from Buffy the Vampire Slayer... 'cept older. You'll see more of her in this chapter. Let's see if you like me after this, heh heh heh.
snackfiend101: Heh, I'm not that good, surely. Yeah, Revan on caffa is a scary thought... wait till you get to know Derrin, though - now Derrin on caffa is a truly terrifying concept.
Darth Arachne: No, it's not finished. I'm only writing chapter 9 (Korriban). I've not even got them to the Star Forge yet! I have all these plans for after the Star Forge, including the jaw incident, but I have to get there first.
Prisoner 24601: The song lyrics are just in the author's notes - you are permitted to ignore them if you like, they've no bearing on the fic, beyond artisticness on my part. I think Jedi apprentices graduate to the rank of Padawan at about 13-16 depending on how mature they are (I'm not certain of this, you'd need to ask an expert)... Revan and Malak are both very gifted, however. I thought it would be unfair to make Revan better at everything... seems more realistic this way. Malak's skills will be useful in future, never fear.
Rascarin: Thanks.
Trunxluvr82190: Heh... glad you like it.
"Part of me laughs, part of me cries,
Part of me wants to question why,
Why is there joy? Why is there pain?
Why is there sunshine then the rain?
One day you're here, next you are gone,
No matter what, we must go on.
Just keep the faith, and.
Let love lead the way."
-Spice Girls, Let Love Lead The Way.
x x x
Chapter 2 - Fractured
"Hey, Malak." Revan's voice called, in a sing-song way. She had just wandered into the training room, where he had been practicing with his lightsaber against three training remotes. Both were now eighteen, though Malak's birthday was the next day.
He deactivated the remotes, and turned his attention to Revan, "Yes?"
"Did you know that Wookiee culture is based entirely around their planet's eco-system?" she asked cheerfully. Great, another lesson in cross-cultural beliefs. She never tired of this subject. "Their honour binds them to protect their world - it's kinda cool. Wish a few more humans thought like that."
"Then we'd be living in trees." Malak muttered sulkily.
Revan laughed, "Is that such a bad thing?"
"I like my nice comfortable bed, and my durasteel floors and walls... and my sonic shower, thank you very much." Malak retorted.
Revan grinned, "And did you know Mandalorians believe that-"
"Revan." Malak whined.
"What?" she asked pouting.
"You know this stuff bores me."
"But it might be useful, some day." she said, in her wheedling tone that could probably have got credits out of a Hutt.
"When are we ever going to need to know about Mandalorian mythology, Revan?" Malak asked dryly.
Revan shrugged, "It's good to know these things, Malak. Look, can I help it if multi-cultural beliefs interest me?"
"Not really. But can I help it if they bore me to tears?" he asked right back.
She sniggered, "You... tears... like that'd ever happen." she muttered.
"Keep talking, angel." he teased, "Unless the subject leaves alien mythology inside the next half-hour..."
"Is that a challenge?" she asked, grinning.
"No!" he said quickly. She laughed, "Look, please change the subject?" he asked hopefully.
Revan sighed, "Want to watch the holovid?" she asked.
He raised an eyebrow, "The Temple's holovid only gets news channels."
"It's better than mythology, right?" she asked, grinning.
"Not by much." Malak muttered. Truthfully, he enjoyed Revan's company, but half the time he tuned out what she was actually saying, preferring to listen to the sound of her voice rather than the actual words. She could talk for hours about history and politics, and he didn't understand how she could do it. The whole subject could happily put Malak to sleep. In fact, their history teacher had been known to have to wake him up halfway through classes.
"All right, you want the truth? I have a bet with Cassie, on the Taris Swoop Opener, and I wanna see who wins." she whispered, grinning impishly.
"Right. I should have figured it was something like that." Malak muttered, smiling.
She led the way towards the small lounge in which the holovid was kept. Malak followed a few steps behind her. He would probably have followed her anywhere, no matter what. And not just because he liked to look at her ass... though that certainly helped.
"You don't have to walk behind me, Malak." she noted in a too-innocent tone that made him wonder if she'd known what he was thinking. More likely, she'd just guessed.
"Why not?" he asked, just as innocently.
"It's not like I'm your Master, or anything. Why do you always defer to me?" she asked. She stopped walking, and turned to face him.
"Because you come up with better ideas than me." Malak answered immediately.
"Right." she smiled, "And you always walk two steps behind me, why?"
He shrugged innocently.
She smirked, and shook her head, "Come on, let's go, before the race is over." she took his hand, and started walking. This forced him to walk alongside her for a change. It also sent a shiver up his hand and arm, that made it difficult for him not to grin stupidly... but he was a Jedi, and they have practice in not grinning like morons, so he managed to just about keep his expression neutral.
They soon reached the lounge. The word 'lounge' was hardly appropriate, however. There was a holovid set to pick up only the news channels, a few relatively uncomfortable chairs, and the same atmosphere of tranquillity as the rest of the Temple. Well, there was until Revan walked in. The small cluster of Padawans there looked up to see Revan, as she made her typical grand entrance without even trying.
"Hey, I didn't think you'd make it." Cassie said brightly.
"Just change the channel already." Revan said, grinning, "So you can give me my credits."
"Yeah, right." Cassie retorted, switching the channel to the Tarisian news.
"And the last racer to take the track will be Trillian, racing for the Avid Serpents gang! Her last run was five seconds behind best time, and this is her last chance to catch up. Aydee, from the Sub-Ts, is looking set to win, with his time of thirty-six point four!"
"I bet on the Serpents." Revan informed Malak.
"And I bet Revan would be wrong." Cassie said flatly.
"How much is this bet?" Malak asked warily.
"And she's off. Wow, look at that Twi'lek fly!" the holovid announced.
"Ten credits." Cassie said, "Nothing big. Wouldn't want the Masters to find out, now would we?"
"Like they don't already know." Malak muttered. He was fairly certain that literally nothing happened within the Temple that the Masters were unaware of. Especially Vrook - he seemed to make it his business to butt into other people's business.
"Thirty six point three-six!" the announcer shrieked, "Trillian wins! The Avid Serpents win this year's Season Opener!" the cheers from the holovid rang through the room.
"I was certain the Beks would win..." Cassie muttered.
"It sure was a close race, this year, wasn't it?" the announcer was saying, his closing speech, "But I'd like to assure you all that the Bek rider is going to survive to fight another day. The accident wasn't as fatal as it looked. Bek deputy, Brejik Thek is claiming they were sabotaged by the Sub-Ts... but since the Serpents won anyway, it's a mute point. But that's all we have time for, folks. Tune in next week for the second race, on this year's Taris Swoop Season!"
"Hand over the credits, Cassie." Revan said, grinning at the older Padawan. Cassie was a bit too immature to graduate to the rank of Knight, even though she was twenty-six. Therefore, her habit of hanging out with the apprentices had mutated into a habit of hanging out with the younger Padawans. And losing her money to Revan, more often than not.
Cassie sighed, and rooted out a ten-credit chip, which she threw at Revan. Revan caught it easily.
"We interrupt this broadcast-" the news bulletin cut across an advertisement for the Manaan swoop season, starting in two months time, "-to bring you this breaking news from the Outer Rim. The Mandalorian threat that has been terrorising planets just outside our borders has now attacked the Republic itself."
As if as one entity, everyone in the room looked at the holovid, suddenly.
"A simultaneous strike hit three Republic planets on the Outer Rim." the announcer continued, "As seems to be the pattern with the Mandalorian threat, the attacks were unprovoked, and wiped out civilians, women and children with the same viciousness as they dispatched any soldiers that got in their way. The death tolls for all three planets hit is estimated at ninety-eight percent. The Republic government has declared war against the Mandalorians, in retaliation for these three civilian worlds. The planets hit were Siraun, Vardas, and Deralia."
Revan blinked a few times, then whispered, "Deralia?" in a horrified squeak.
She had never told Malak what planet she was from, but her reaction told him that, at the very least, Deralia was very important to her. "Revan?" Malak asked, concern clear in his tone.
"They... they can't... my home." tears ran down her face, and she wasn't even trying to contain her emotions. Malak wasn't an empath, but even he could sense her pain through the Force.
Cassie's eyes widened, and all the Padawans in the room were totally stunned. Revan may have been chirpy and bright, rather than the typical reserved Jedi, but yet no one had seen her lose control of her emotions since the one time when she was six, and one of her fellow apprentices, named Derrin, had stolen her cuddly toy. But as she sank to her knees, sobbing in the middle of the holovid lounge, the waves of emotion and pain radiating from her left her childhood temper-tantrum miles behind in the ranks of 'Revan's worst outbursts'.
Malak knelt behind her, and wrapped an arm gently around her shoulders, trying to comfort her. She shrugged him off, both physically and psychically, sending a wave of anger at him, along with an audible growl. He backed off, He didn't know what to say or do. He looked up at the other Padawans, who just shrugged helplessly. He rolled his eyes - lot of use they are. "Revan..." but before he could even think of anything comforting to say, she stood up sharply, and stormed out of the room. The echo of her pain remained in the room when she left, oppressive, like the silence.
The group of Padawans looked at each other for a minute, before Malak left hurriedly.
x x x
He followed the trail she left in the Force - her emotions cut a swathe through the calm of the Temple, like a lightsaber through flesh... it left the same pain and burns, even. Her path was erratic, and she must have been running, for the number of times she doubled back and yet he didn't catch up with her.
Eventually, he lost her trail. He sighed and leaned against a nearby wall. Her homeworld... gone... just like that. It hurt him even imagining the concept - even thinking about it happening to someone else's world. He couldn't imagine how she felt. He didn't want to, either. But he did want to try to make her feel better... though he doubted he could do any good.
"Is something the matter, Padawan?" Kendra's voice asked. She sounded tense - she could no doubt sense the shattered calm throughout this level of the Temple.
"We just saw a news holocast." he said blankly, "Revan's homeworld was hit by the Mandalorians."
Kendra paled, "Oh dear. That is terrible news." her tone didn't waver, but her eyes looked worried, "Someone should see that Revan is all right. We would not wish her to do something foolish - she will undoubtedly be incredibly hurt and angry. These feelings are dangerous in a Jedi."
Malak nodded slowly, "I was looking for her - trying to follow her after she ran off." he said, frowning, "I wanted to try to help... but I don't know how. I can't imagine how she must be feeling."
Kendra sighed, "You are probably the best person to comfort her. You are close friends. Talk to her. Such powerful emotions cannot be pushed aside as you have both been trained to do." she put a hand on Malak's shoulder and guided him towards one of the elevators, and pressed the button to level three, "Get her to let out her tears... possibly even lash out at a pillow, or some other harmless outlet for her anger. And remember the Code, Malak. You can help her through this." she patted his shoulder, "If anyone questions your presence, tell them I gave you permission. Revan is in room seven."
The elevator door opened onto the female Padawans' accommodation level.
Malak hesitated, and glanced at Kendra, "Just don't do anything I might disapprove of." she said, smiling. The glint in her eyes said exactly what she meant... like she'd known what he was thinking. Aside from the fact he wouldn't take advantage of Revan in this state, he also wouldn't break that particular rule anyway. Who knew how voyeuristic the Jedi Masters were, after all?
"Thank you, Master Kendra." he said gratefully.
"May the Force be compassionate to you." she said quietly. She rarely used the Jedi saying 'May the Force be with you' - she preferred to adapt it to the situation. She had often used 'May the Force protect you' and 'May the Force aid your quest', but rarely did she quote the Jedi saying. It seemed to hold more genuine meaning when she did that, rather than the platitude that most of the Masters spouted without feeling.
Malak warily walked down the corridor. He had never gone beyond the elevator on this level before - it was off-limits to the male inhabitants of the Temple, just as the male accommodation block was off-limits to females. Even as small innocent children, they had never been allowed to enter each other's living quarters. He hadn't understood that rule until he grew up and realised the logic... the same logic that discouraged emotional attachments. He didn't have to like it, but he did understand it.
He found room seven, and knocked cautiously.
"Go away!" Revan's voice snapped.
Well, at least he had the right room. Malak tried to open the door, but it was locked. Figures. He wasn't about to shout at Revan, while he was in the female accommodation block - that would only draw unwanted attention, most likely hostile... possibly involving flying shoes and screamed insults. Especially if Cassie got back to her room already.
Instead, he tried to slice the lock. But that was impossible - it was computer-sealed. He would need a password. Brilliant, just brilliant.
What sort of password would Revan use? It could be anything! It could be in some alien language Malak didn't even understand! He could only think of one thing Revan might consider personal... "Mr Fuzzems." he said it very quietly, because he did not want anyone to overheard him and resurrect the running joke Derrin had started when he stolen Revan's stuffed Ewok. She had once told Malak that said stuffed toy - Mr Fuzzems - had been named when she was three, so he didn't consider the name that ridiculous - for a three-year-old, it was quite imaginative, actually. Miraculously, the door opened. "Who'd have thought?" he muttered quietly, slightly awed. He shook his head and slipped into her room, closing the door behind him.
The room was neat and ordered, with very few personal possessions. There was a small desk, on which sat many datapads. The drawers next to the bed were all closed, and lacked any clothing hanging out over the edges, which was more than could be said for Malak's attempt at organising his room. There were two holopics on her bedside table, one of a handsome man in his late thirties with fair hair and blue eyes, and the other of an austere black-haired woman about the same age, also with blue eyes. Between the two holopics sat the ratted stuffed Ewok that was the infamous Mr Fuzzems, which she had refused to throw away - she didn't play with it anymore, but she kept it because her parents had given it to her, and she had wanted a connection to them. Malak assumed the holopics were probably of her parents, too.
"I said go away." Revan growled, "And how the hell did you get in here?"
She was lying on her bed, face-down. Her voice was muffled, and the sheets were a mess, like she'd been tossing and turning a bit. Maybe taken a few punched at the pillows, or something.
"Your password was... too easy to guess." Malak said, smirking.
She looked up at him suddenly... then sat up quickly, staring at him. Her off-white Jedi robes were rumpled and creased from the way she had been lying. "What are you doing in here?!" she demanded, "You could get in so much trouble for being here."
Malak shrugged, "I don't care. I had to see how you were."
She frowned, "I feel like hell." she said coldly.
He slowly walked over to her, and sat next to her, "You want to talk about it?"
"Why bother? You never listen, anyway." she muttered sulkily.
"You'd be surprised." he said, "I actually listen to most of what you say... unless you start talking about mythology, that is."
She looked at him for a minute, then said quietly, "It's like my whole past has just been ripped out from under me. My family, my life, my home... gone, just like that." she snapped her fingers, then quickly wiped her eyes with the same hand, which only served to make the tear-stains on her cheeks more noticeable.
He had no idea what to say. So, instead of trying to speak and invariably making a fool of himself, he reached out gingerly, and put his hand on her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting way. As soon as he did it, she all-but lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him, and started sobbing on his chest.
Malak tried to ignore the fact that they were alone in her room, on her bed. He tried not to think about how he had imagined this sort of scenario might go, because in his fantasies she wasn't crying her heart out. He gently wrapped his arms around her, running his fingers through her hair, as she cried.
"They're gone... I'll never see them again." she whimpered.
Malak frowned, still holding her protectively, "You would likely not have seen them again anyway. You knew that when you joined the Jedi." he was trying to make her see logic - she usually responded well to logic, and he had always thought on this pragmatic level. "Besides, two percent survived, out of the billions of people who inhabited those three planets - there is a chance your family survived. Even if they didn't make it, they would have joined the Force, and you would never be without them."
She frowned, here eyes now wide open, as she stared at the tears she had left on his navy Jedi robes. Slowly, she looked up at his face, "You're right. I... I shouldn't act irrationally. I thought I had learned to control my emotions better than this."
"No one's perfect." Malak said quietly, "It's what makes us human. You're allowed to grieve, you know. Just don't lose your sanity when you do."
"I want them dead." she said quietly.
"What? Who?" he asked, stunned.
"Every last scum-ridden core-slime serving under the banner of Mandalore." she hissed. She was serious. The venom in her voice scared him.
"Whoa, slow down, angel." Malak said, fear creeping into his tone, "Revenge won't solve anything."
"I should have been there to protect my family." she said, staring into thin air across the room.
"If you had, they would likely have killed you. One Jedi is no match for a hoard of Mandalorians on war-droids." Malak said quickly.
Her gaze darkened as she continued to stare at thin air, "If you want something badly enough, the Force can do anything. To a Mandalorian, you are weak if you do not defend your clan, your home, and your family. I should have been there for them, rather than here learning how to levitate feathers, damnit!" as she snarled the last word, the nearest plasteel window cracked - it was a tough enough material not to shatter, but the sudden snapping sound and the brand new diagonal line across the plasteel startled both of them.
"Calm down, Revan! Please."
She stared at the window. The crack didn't even let air through, but it looked bad. "You're right..." she said quietly, "I need to stay calm."
Malak could sense the anger in her. Justified as it was, it was still dangerous. "I know it must hurt... but lashing out at whatever's in reach won't help anyone." he said quietly.
She nodded, and leaned against him again. He continued to run his fingers through her hair, until she silently cried herself to sleep. Then he gently laid her down on the bed, and left.
x x x
Over the next year and a half, Malak could practically set his chronometer by Revan's weekly visits to the Jedi Council Chambers. Every week, she would request, demand, beg to be allowed to go and help the Republic fight the Mandalorians. Every week, the Jedi Council refused. And every week, the Council gave an explanation that temporarily sated her anger. She always seemed calmer after these 'meetings', and in Malak's opinion, she needed this reasoning to keep her from flying off the handle. But he kept this opinion to himself.
On a couple of occasions, he found her abusing the practice droids in the training room, taking out her anger on the unfortunate, and thankfully non-sentient, machines... lightsabers, training swords, her bare hands... it didn't matter, as long as she could vent. They both knew this was better than letting it fester, and he never questioned it. He would probably do the same thing, if his home had been destroyed... not that he knew how he would react, because his parents lived on Alderaan, which was safely away from the war.
x x x
Shortly after Revan's twentieth birthday, the Jedi Masters summoned both Padawans to the Council Chambers. Master Zhar addressed them, "It is time for both of you to be tested. To see if you are ready for the responsibility of becoming Jedi Knights. As you have both trained and progressed together, you shall be tested together. Master Kendra has devised an imaginative test for you, and we are in agreement that it will be more effective, in your personal circumstances, than the standard tests."
Revan's eyes lit up, but her expression remained neutral, "Thank you, Master Zhar. It is an honour." she bowed. Malak nodded in agreement, and also bowed.
"You shall both proceed to the rooftop of the Temple, where you will meet Master Kendra. She shall explain your trial." Zhar said calmly.
Both Padawans replied, "Thank you, Master Zhar." and bowed again, before turning to leave.
"Any ideas what this test is?" Revan asked, as they walked towards the elevator.
"Not a clue." Malak answered, "We don't even have Cassie telling us rumours, this time. If we did, we could likely eliminate them, since this test is 'imaginative'."
"From Kendra, that idea makes me nervous." Revan admitted.
"She wouldn't do anything to hurt us." Malak replied, his tone gentle, "Besides, the whole Jedi Council agreed to it."
"Which is unusual." Revan noted, "Since Kenny's stunts are the reason she's not on the Council."
"Will you desist in calling me that!" Kendra's voice practically whined behind them. Revan had dubbed Master Kendra with the nickname 'Kenny', about three weeks after they had begun to train under her. But even though Revan only used the nickname when she believed Kendra couldn't hear her, Kendra was good at finding things out... all the Masters were.
"Sorry, Master Kendra." Revan said, her amused grin only showing in her eyes - she had become incredibly good at keeping her emotions off her face.
Kendra stepped onto the elevator, and beckoned the two Padawans to do the same. Once the door closed, she held out her hands, "Give me your lightsabers."
Revan and Malak looked at each other, surprised at this request. A Jedi's lightsaber is a very personal possession, and not something they would just give away. Most would not even allow another Jedi to handle their personal lightsaber. But Kendra was their Jedi Master, and they both trusted her. Malak took out his lightsaber, and handed it to Kendra, first. Revan hesitated for a second, before handing over her own lightsaber, as well.
"Are either of you carrying anything else that could count as a weapon?" Kendra asked.
"Well, Revan's interest in mythology counts - it could bore someone to death." Malak joked. Kendra gave him a pointed look, and he looked at the floor.
"I shall take that as a no." Kendra said calmly, "It is vital for this exercise that you only take these as weapons."
Kendra handed them what looked like lightsabers. The two were identical to each other, and were quite different from both their unique lightsabers. Revan examined her new weapon with interest, "Why these?"
"I shall explain after the test." Kendra said calmly, "Now, remember the Jedi Code, both of you. Be prepared for anything. I suggest you take opposite directions as soon as you enter the garden."
The elevator door opened, and both stepped out through the short corridor, onto the rooftop. Kendra waited behind in the corridor. The rooftop was covered in an ornamental garden. There were trees and hedges separating several patio areas. Revan turned left, and Malak turned right.
Malak circled around one of the hedges, and then turned left into the first patio. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but what he found was the last thing he expected. The figure wore all black, a hooded cloak concealing face and body alike - he couldn't even discern gender. It spotted him almost immediately, and emitted a feral snarl, lunging at him with a crimson lightsaber.
He drew the lightsaber Kendra had given him - it also bore a red blade. He blocked his opponent, and spun to kick it back. The hood slipped, and the ash-white skin, lank black hair, and glowing golden eyes of a Sith woman were revealed. She looked so familiar it sent chills up his spine. He saw her in his nightmares. In every one of these dreams, she killed him... and he woke up with his mouth open in a silent scream. His other nightmares (including the one about wandering the Jedi Temple naked, and being laughed at by the Jedi Masters) made him scream out loud, but she was... special. She terrified him.
"What are you?" he asked her, fearfully. He was sure he knew the answer. She was pure unadulterated evil.
"I am the angel of death." she hissed, "And you will fall to my blade, you vermin!" she attacked again. The battle was fierce, and it lasted for several minutes. He was practically reliving the nightmare. She beat him back with pure fury, her anger fuelling her, giving her unnatural strength.
He tried to evade her, but she was determined. "Who are you?" he tried again.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, "Yes, you should know my name before I kill you." she said, almost as if she believed it was a meagre honour that he only just deserved, "My name is Revan."
His eyes widened, "Revan? What the-?" but his question was interrupted by another vicious onslaught - she backed him into a wall, and disarmed him, by hitting his wrist sharply with the heel of her hand, and pinning it with a durasteel grip.
But then she froze. His instincts told him to take advantage of this hesitation... the darkness he could sense in her made his skin crawl, such pure evil that must be vanquished. But he didn't attack when he could have.
"Something isn't right." she said, staring at his pinned wrist. She tilted her head to one side, still staring. "I see armour, but I feel flesh. I sense darkness, but you try to reason." she looked into his eyes, "Who are you?"
"How can you not recognise me, Revan?" Malak asked.
"Humour me." she said coldly. It suddenly registered with him that she said she saw armour.
"An illusion... it must be." he said quietly, "I'm Malak... why? Who do I look like?"
"Mandalore..." she whispered. Then after another moment's hesitation, "Prove you are who you say you are."
"Would Mandalore know about Mr Fuzzems?" Malak asked pointedly.
Revan spluttered, and let him go, "Force, I should hope not!" she said indignantly, "Oh, thanks a lot! I'm now going to have dreams about Mr Fuzzems duelling Mandalore, and winning!" she laughed. It felt so wrong, to see this dark illusion laugh - such an innocent sound, when he could sense such darkness, when she looked like evil incarnate.
Malak smiled, though the eerie contrast he was looking at made any laughter he may have felt die before he even opened his mouth. "But why do you look like... like a Sith?" he asked her.
She blinked, "Wow, that must be weird for you..." she said quietly, "I mean, talking to you, I can picture your face under that armour... but..."
"Yeah..." he frowned, "Why, though?"
"Maybe this is our test..." Revan said, shrugging, "To face our worst nightmares?"
"Yes, you are correct, Revan." Kendra said, approaching them.
"With all these illusions running rampant..." Malak noted, "How can we be sure you really are Master Kendra?" though his tone made it clear he wasn't serious.
Kendra smiled, amused. With a wave of her hands, Revan suddenly looked like herself.
Revan then looked at Malak, "Thank the Force - that illusion was beginning to creep me out." she said gratefully.
Kendra smiled at them both, "You have passed your test."
"What would have happened if one of us had managed to hit the other with our lightsabers?" Malak demanded.
Kendra held her hand out to Revan, who handed her the lightsaber she held. Kendra activated the blade, "Do you trust me, Malak?"
Malak frowned, "Yes." he said... his tone was apprehensive - if she thought this was something she needed to ask, he had a right to be concerned.
Before he even saw it coming, she ran the blade through his chest. It hurt a bit, but it was nowhere near as painful as he imagined it should feel. When she pulled the blade back, he realised there was no wound. "These lightsabers have been modified. They parry off each other, but they don't cut anything. Stings a bit, if it passes through you, but other than that, they're perfectly harmless." Kendra explained. "Your test was to see if it was possible for you to see reason when faced with that which you fear or loathe the most." she continued, "And you both passed." Kendra put her thumbprint on the datapads that declared both Padawans to have graduated to the rank of Jedi Knight. She then handed the certificates to the two of them. "Congratulations, both of you."
"Thank you, Master Kendra." Revan and Malak chorused gratefully.
x x x
They were walking back towards the exit from the rooftop. Both Knights now had their own lightsabers clipped to their belts again.
Suddenly, a shriek rang out, cutting through the night air, reaching them from the next building away. It was definitely female... and it sounded terrified. The victim's words were barely intelligible, "Help! Help me! He's going to kill me!"
Kendra's eyes widened, and she bolted to the edge of the roof nearest the source of the scream.
"This isn't part of our test, is it?" Revan asked warily.
"Of course not." Kendra said coldly.
"Didn't think it was." Revan replied.
"Can you jump that far?" Kendra asked.
"One way to find out..." Revan answered, climbing onto the wall of the roof, and leaping, aided by the Force, to the next building. She landed gracefully, and started running in the direction the scream had come from.
"That girl is incorrigible." Kendra said quietly, before following Revan.
Malak shrugged, and followed Kendra. He landed a lot less elegantly, almost falling on his face, and quickly scrambled after the two women.
He rounded the corner to find a short man wearing a ridiculous white hat, aiming a blaster at a red-haired woman. The woman was well-dressed, likely a business woman of some sort. Kendra and Revan were both standing back, in a stance that said they were ready to attack this short man if he even thought about pulling that trigger, even though their hands weren't actually anywhere near their lightsabers.
"What is going on here? Who are you?" Kendra demanded. Malak slowly approached the other two Jedi, assuming the same stance, ready to attack.
"The name's Calo Nord." the short man said calmly, "Not that you'll live to tell anyone."
He moved with such speed that Malak didn't see it until it was too late. Calo turned and fired three shots at the three Jedi. The first hit Kendra, point-blank. The second only missed Revan because she used the Force to speed up enough to dodge it. The third grazed Malak's arm, as he also used the Force to try to dodge it. While Calo was distracted by this, the woman he had been harassing made a run for it.
Revan charged Calo Nord, still using the Force to move faster than Malak could really follow. Revan's lightsaber sliced through the blaster in Calo's hand, and she held the blade near the shorter man's throat. Calo stared at the ruined blaster, for a second.
"That was my favourite blaster." he noted, his voice void of emotion, "Curse you, Jedi." he turned and ran, before Revan could attack him.
Malak knelt next to Master Kendra, and examined the blaster wound. "Oh, Force, no. He's killed Kendra." he said, loud enough for Revan to hear.
Revan glanced at Malak for a fraction of a second, then turned to see Calo running for a speeder. "Calo Nord, you bastard! Get your short ass back here so I can kill you!" she yelled.
She took only two steps, running after Calo, before a voice stopped her, "You will do nothing of the sort!"
Revan turned sharply, to see... well, it looked and sounded like Master Kendra... but it was see-through, and Kendra's body was a few feet away. Revan just stared at this apparition.
"You will not avenge me, and you will not grieve." Kendra's ghost - that's what it must have been - said.
Revan continued to stare, dumbstruck.
"Master Kendra...?" Malak started, but he couldn't think what to say next. He stood up slowly, looking from Revan to the ghost, and back again.
"Yes, Malak." Kendra said calmly, "Now, Revan, promise you will not avenge me."
Revan frowned, "If that is your wish, Master Kendra." she said quietly.
"And know that all who join the Force as I do now are at peace. There is no need for revenge... for any of us." the ghost disappeared, then.
Revan clenched and unclenched her fists a few times, gritting her teeth. After about a minute, she looked up at Malak, "She's dead..." her voice cracked, "Why does everyone I care about die?!"
"Revan... you heard what she said." Malak said, his tone wavering. He was still in shock. He hadn't ever considered the possibility that Master Kendra could die. It just never occurred to him that she was mortal. But now that she was... dead... he still considered the logical course of action. She wanted them to let her go - not to grieve - so that was what he would do. He had to make Revan understand this, though.
"I shouldn't seek vengeance." she said quietly, "Very well. If that is her wish. Wait here." Revan turned on her heel, and made her way towards the edge of the roof. She leapt back to the Temple rooftop, and disappeared into the building itself.
Fifteen minutes later, a small group of Jedi Knights arrived on the rooftop, and found Malak kneeling next to Kendra's body. He looked up at them silently, and then stood, stepping aside to allow them to take her body back to the Temple.
x x x