II.

Ansion, now one year into his Jedi training with Jedi Master Unda, had learned a lot about himself and what there was around him. He no longer wore the jumpsuit of a federation pilot, now he wore the loose fitting jedi padawan tunic, utility belt, leather boots and kept his hair cut in that of a padawan learner. Short and even with a padawan braid over his right shoulder. Over his back he carried and archaic weapon, a katana. Used by a warrior class back on a planet called earth, it was their starter weapon before moving onto what awaited later.

Running, Ansion did a front flip over a large rock that was in his way. He had been training his physical body for the last year, toning it into a hard, steel corded weapon of peace. For that was what the jedi were, warriors of peace. They chose to live a life of training and discipline. Thus was the way of the jedi. Ansion often thought it kind of quizzical that they lead such secluded lives away from technology and the ways of society. But then the more he thought about what had happened to him and Raise, he couldn't help but give in.

Master Unda was a Jedi knight, one of few in the order, he had chosen to take on Ansion as a padawan when Ansion no longer had anybody to look forward to. The two had created a special bond that had brought them close after what had happened with Raise. Every once in a while though, they would disagree and Ansion would have to spend a little time in quiet reflection while meditating. More often than not, he apologized and found himself to be in the wrong.

As for Ansions training in the force, Master Unda believed Ansion to be very in tune with the force because of his deep emotional reactions. He often encouraged Ansion to share his feeling but taught Ansion to steer clear of anger or hatred. These feelings often led to a darkside of oneself.

At the present time though, Ansion was running late for an appointment with Master Unda at the falls just a few miles away from their home. Increasing his speed he tapped into the force and let it flow through him, guiding him and giving him a boost of speed. Before long he was standing in front of the cave that Master Unda was in. "Master Unda?" Ansion called out, "are you there?"

"Yes my young padawan, I am here." Echoed the reply. Out of the cave came Master Unda, a human about forty-six years of age, he had thick brown hair but specks of gray stuck out every once and a while. He stood about five eleven, and held on his waist the choice weapon for the jedi. The lightsaber… such a magnificent piece of equipment the lightsaber was. Ranging in size and shape, the metal rod handle would project forth a pure beam of energy. One that could cut through almost any material.

"Why have you summoned me master?" Ansion questioned, a little perturbed that he was interrupted during his sparing session with Master Keel' nod's padawan.

"I sense that you were in the middle of other exploits but this could not wait." Master Unda began, "We are going on a mission, my young friend, one that will lead us to a new planet inhabited by humanoids. A disturbance in the force calls for us to head towards the planet and recover a force sensitive."

"When do we leave Master?" Ansion asked, excitement edging into his voice.

"Calm yourself." Master Unda said, "We leave in a few hours time. I want you to spend your time in meditation, preparing yourself for what ever we may face. Something we have never faced before may wait for us there. Something dark, elusive…"

"Yes master. I will."

Ansion hated to fly these days, after what had happened to his friend, Raise, no one could blame him. The jedi order, told him not to bother with the past though, it hadn't been his fault. So whenever Ansion was in space he spent most of his time in deep meditation. He would often spend several hours in the quiet solitude of his mind, only taking brief periods to eat, bathe and make a small appearance with the crew. After that he would just return to his room to continue his meditation. The jedi order had turned Ansion into a better person than he was before, instilling in him a form of discipline that the military could never give him.

A resounding song of beeps came into his senses, signaling that someone was at the door. "Enter Master," Ansion said, relief apparent in his voice. Stepping through the door, Master Unda wore a smile on his face.

"It is time for sparring my young padawan." Unda said.

"Please not today master." Ansion pleaded, "I just want to meditate until we get there. Can I do that please?"

"Yes well I suppose."

It went on for several more days, Ansion would meditate and then he would partake in the physical training that was required of him and then he would return to his room and continue to meditate. It was an ongoing routine, until the day that the ship came upon the destination.

That day Ansion was called to the bridge. The blue white stars suddenly shrank back into view, as the ship dropped out of hyperspace. In the view screen before them was a massive planet. But there was something different about the planet. Huge spires of metal and steel rose into the sky. Ships flew in lanes all around the area.

"It's a massive city!" Ansion declared totally awestruck by what he was looking at. "What is this Master?"

"Its called Coruscant, and that's exactly what it is" Master Unda replied. "It's a massive city."

"And what do we have to do here?"

"We are to escort a certain senator to his home planet."

"Why would they call upon the Jedi to do this Master, wouldn't the federation military be more suited for such an assignment."

"They would be but the federation is just getting started in an intergalactic war."

"With who Master?"

"A force that call themselves the sith." Master Unda said, "I'm not sure what their intentions are but apparently they pose a great threat to the federation,"

"Shouldn't the order help them?" Ansion questioned, " If they pose a threat to the federation wouldn't they pose a threat to us."

"The order believes that if they enter our territory than we will defend ourselves to the best of our ability but other than that we intend to stay out of it.

The ride to pick up the senator was quick and uneventful, for master Unda, Ansion was trying to take it all in. They had taken what was called a speeder, a fast and quick turning vehicle to a massive building. There they had picked up the senator and were on their way back to the ship.

Little did they know that they were being followed by what would become their greatest enemy and their darkest fears. A dark Jedi, a being who dabbed into the darkside of the force, looked upon their speeder. Keeping his anger sated he followed the speeder back to the craft.

Dark Jedi Degna watched as the Jedi prepared to board their ship. "Now is the time to attack."

Ansion was almost to the ship when he felt a disturbance in the force. An essence so powerful sent him flying through the air. He crashed into the side of the ship knocking the air from his lungs. Before he could even think he heard the sound of a lightsaber activating. The whirl of the components inside allowed the blade of energy to project forward in a brilliant blue blade. Likewise the dark-sider wielded a brilliant red blade. The two beams of energy clashed together sending sparks everywhere.

Back and forth the two parried and slashed, neither one gaining an advantage and sizing each other up. Gradually though, Master Unda settled into a steady rhythm in an attempt to let the dark cloaked enemy tire himself out. But the exact opposite seemed to occur. Each time he missed his intended target, he would return with his assaults two fold. Ansion was totally taken aback by the appearance of such a powerful but dark entity.

He flipped and cart wheeled sending his red blade slamming into Undas blue one. The sheer force sent Master Unda flying onto his back. Trying to stand, he was again sent to the deck by a kick in the face. Again he tried to rise but was struck down. Rising to one knee, he did not see the red blade enter into his chest. Master Unda could not find his breath. Looking down he found the reason why.

The dark jedis' red-beamed saber was pushed through his chest. He then found himself spiraling down to the ground.

For the second time, a roar of rage escaped Ansions throat. A roar so primal that it reflected the anger and the rage that was building in his heart. Rising, he charged at the dark jedi, calling upon his jedi abilities to pull the saber of his fallen master to him. He attacked the dark jedi with such intensity and ferocity that even the dark jedi was caught off guard. A quick slash and stab set the dark jedi on the defense, but that was all, seeing that the padawan knew how to wield a sword he set himself in a steady rhythm. But he began to see flaws in the padawans attacks. Holes would open up and then just a quickly be closed. He began to taunt the padawan, "Why don't you join with me my young padawan, you have such potential. You could do such things."

"Never, you just murdered my master!" Ansion screamed at the jedi, using his anger to pull the red saber from the dark jedis hands. It flew across the short expanse to Ansions hand.

"I'm unarmed, and it says in your code that you can't kill an unarmed man." The dark jedi pleaded.

"That's where you're wrong," Ansion, growled, in a voice so cold and deathly calm that the blood from the jedis face drained out. Down flashed the two sabers, slicing the dark jedi clean in half. Sweat beaded Ansions face, and he was breathing hard. Even though he had won the battle he felt exhausted. He dropped to his knees next to his fallen master. All the pain he felt, all the anger and the pain and the guilt he felt for the last year and a half washed out of him. Ansion Keldran sat next to his most trusted friend and sobbed uncontrollably. On that day, Ansion Keldran made a solemn pact that he would destroy the dark jedi and do his best to maintain his sanity.