A/N: Yes! Almost done! And thanks for all the great reviews!
Tinuviel Undomiel: Just wanted to say that I love your fic (can't review again to give say on how great an idea it was, so this'll have to do xP) and that I hope you like this chap, and for you to update soon!
Nerwen Aldarion: I'm glad you like my fics! Can't wait to read your Kotor story, the summary has got me hooked already :D And you know what? Maybe after I finish 'Kyros Orion' I can come back to this and continue on, I mean, I already have some idea on what would happen, I just need the time and effort to carry it out. But of course that's a big maybe xP It depends on my time, or lack of. lolOh boy, here comes the long one xP (yes, I take my time to answer everything so bleh! Lol, don't worry, the chapter's starting soon, right after this one :P)
Summ: Thanks for all your feedback! ) Gosh, I know! I space everything and do all the right punctuations (I don't like to mess up xP) but when I upload it, the stupid thing always gets messed up! (Even IF I use word x.x) sigh I'll just have to go over it more carefully after I upload it to then I guess, lol. And another thing, In my opinion, I believe that Revan himself wanted to go to war and all that other stuff, but I just wanted to be different in this fic. It was to show that maybe Revan, when he was younger, was different from the image that other fics gave him, that he was completely different from Darth Revan, that the dark side corrupted him when he used his blade to strike someone in hatred for the first time, and that maybe he fell to the dark side due to Kreia (sort of like Anakin xP) instead of him WANTING to you know? It lets people see Revan in a different way ya? (My message is to show that the dark side can REALLY change a person, it changes a person so much, that a person consumed by the dark side becomes the complete opposite of who they once were. lol) So technically your view of Revan fits in perfectly. After that first 'kill' he slowly craves for more and more power, ultimately turning him into Darth Revan.
Boy, this is getting long; so to quickly reply to the rest of your great review…
Malak is also older then Revan to show that he is so much stronger then him force wise, that when it came to age, it didn't matter who was older. (I sort of got the idea for Malak to be older from other fics too, just for the record of course xP) And yes, it sort of was written quickly, as you could tell from the A/N, I got lazy xP but for the record Kreia DID say that they will continue their discussion later, AFTER Revan's trials xP
All in all thanks for reviewing :D
Wow, now THAT was long lol. Well, without further adieu (don't know if I said it right xP) here's Chapter four and a half…
Chapter four and a half: The Price of War
>>
She breathed deeply, enjoying the calm and serenity that always flowed through her when she meditated. She had enjoyed meditating, here in the same spot under the great tree even when she was younger. She thought of the happiness she found when she meditated here. This place was special; it had been apart of her childhood, just as important to her as he was…
The thoughts of her childhood slowly drifted off towards thoughts of Revan, the boy and best friend that she secretly had a crush on when she was younger. It had been a time when things were easier, when she still hadn't fully understood the Jedi code.
Emotions are dangerous…She sighed. He was someone she didn't want to be thinking about, especially now when she had to be focused on her training.
She was a Jedi, she told herself.
Jedi did not have such feelings; they were above that she tried convincing herself, a part of her almost believed.
Yet, she couldn't help wondering where her childhood friend was and how he was doing…
Great, her concentration had been broken yet again…She should be meditating, not day dreaming of impossible things.
She groaned out loud, quite loudly. "I can't do this anymore…"
"I'm going to go out of the Enclave for a walk." She thought, eyes closed, still sitting cross-legged on the floor, back turned away from the entrance, the same position she had always meditated in.
Revan had taught her how to…Yes, a walk would be best for her now, she'd be able to clear her mind and have a good three hours time to catch the sun before it set.
"Besides," She thought, "There isn't anything else much left for me to do here."
She was done training for the day.
"Do what?" A voice asked.
Her eyes instantly snapped open.
That voice…it was different, a little deeper then the one she once knew, but yet, at the same time it was the same, it still had the slight hint of mischief that she could always hear.
Still…it was impossible, why would he be back?
She was afraid to turn her gaze towards the entrance, afraid of finding nothing.
Perhaps it was nothing, just her mind playing tricks on her. After all, she had been thinking about him a lot lately. Maybe under all the pressures of her training, and the desire to see her best friend again, she had finally cracked. So, keeping this in mind, she did what any sensible padawan in her situation would have done. She promptly ignored it.
The force was messing with her…
That was the only logical explanation, other then he really HAD returned, or she had simply gone nutty.
"What? Not even a 'Hi, it's good to see you?' Bast?" The voice chuckled. "I mean, it has been four years…"
She finally gathered enough courage and turned around, sure that her ears were not deceiving her.
The young man standing in front of the entrance, leaning against the doorframe, the same way he always did whilst she was training finally confirmed that her ears and heart weren't deceiving her.
It really was him.
He was taller now; about six foot one from the looks of it. Defiantly towering compared to her five foot three. His hair was longer now too, shaggy and un-even (think Anakin, Ep. III), different from his usual clean cut hair. Yet he still had his padawan braid perfectly tied up and well kept on the side of his head. It had grown in length, up to his chest now. It certainly had been a long time…
She sighed inwardly.
So Revan was back, after all these years.
A small smile appeared from the corners of her lips, just small enough so that he couldn't see it of course. She truly was glad to see her friend again.
Nonchalantly he leaned against the doorframe just as he had so many times before. Watching her, just as he had always done while she was training, guarding her. He straightened as he watched her get up from the ground and walk forward towards him. She embraced him in a tight hug.
"I'm really glad your back Revan." She whispered against him, her head resting against his chest, leaning on him, simply enjoying the moment she had with him. She truly cared deeply for him.
"As a friend of course…" Her mind reasoned. "Yes," She looked at him "Just as good friend."
She released him and took a step back, smiling sweetly and happily.
Revan gave her a soft grin, his eyes saying everything for him. It was absolutely amazing, what Bastila could do for him, simply by being there.
His problems had all disappeared; Mandalorians, the Council, Kreia…It all didn't matter as long as she was with him.
"Guess she doesn't care bout my sudden disappearance." He grinned inwardly. He was certainly relieved.
"OR maybe she's just so happy to see me again she doesn't care bout me leaving suddenly and not telling her at all." He smiled, his head getting to big. "I'm just that important." He laughed within his mind.
"Maybe I-" He began to form up of a way to ask her, but was snapped out of thought by the feeling of Bastila's palm meeting with his face with a loud smack, and the stinging pain that was flowing across his cheek.
Bastila had just slapped him! It wasn't one of those mock slaps that he had gotten almost every day from her when they were joking around, No! This was the kind of slap that she would usually be giving to Malak for his incessant teasing!
"I've just been Malak-slapped!" He thought, not paying attention to what Bastila was yelling about. He was too shocked; "What did I do?" He asked himself. "One minute she was overjoyed to see me, and now this!"
"I'll NEVER have that girl figured out…" He groaned. "Or maybe it's not just her, maybe EVERY female in the galaxy is like this." He gasped. "Wonder if Master Vandar ever had any-"
He was suddenly brought out of his deep, very important thoughts by another slap from Bastila. It was slightly softer this time though, but still hurt like hell.
"Revan! Are you even listening?" Her tone exasperated and annoyed.
"Owww!" The soon to be Jedi Knight whined. "Bast! That HURT!"
"What did you do THAT for?" He asked rubbing his sore cheek.
Anger flashed within Bastila's eyes.
"Well that's what you get Revan!" She practically yelled. "You just…Left! No word, not even a simple data-pad telling me where you were…nothing! For four years Revan! Four!" She held up four fingers to help stress her point.
He could only look at her helplessly. "Best to let her finish…" He thought. "Wouldn't want another slap."
She continued yelling at him as he continued rubbing his still sore cheek.
"And, and, and now! You just show up!" She exclaimed. "I…I…wait." She stopped in her tracks as something very important dawned to her.
"Just why ARE you here?"
"I came to see you?" He smiled sheepishly.
Oddly enough however, it really WAS why he entered the Enclave in the first place, because truth be told, he had completely forgotten about Malak; he didn't need to come to the Enclave, his trials were being held somewhere else, something to do with caves?
He remembered Master Vandar telling him, but of course he had forgotten. So yes, technically, he told himself, he WAS telling the truth.
"Of course," He thought. "Bastilla would never believe me."
He looked at her.
She was glaring at him, which probably meant that she didn't believe him.
He groaned. "Might as well tell her the other part of it." He thought.
"Well…" He started. "There IS one other thing…which means that the part about seeing you was true." He grinned happily at her.
She just looked annoyed and sighed. "Just spit it out already Revan."
"I face the trials tomorrow."
It only took Bastila a second to truly comprehend what she had just heard before she forgot that she was mad at him and embraced him in a caring hug once more.
"That's wonderful Revan!" She exclaimed, happy for her friend.
"Exactly!" He said joyfully. "That's why I came to see you! I mean, I figured you'd be so happy to see me and after hearing my good news, you'd forget about me leaving you for four years." He smiled at her, trying his best to convince her.
He failed.
"You idiot!" She exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "How could ANYONE forget what YOU did?" She glared at him. "Do you have any idea how much I-" She caught herself just in time. "I mean they…I mean." She groaned loudly in frustration.
She didn't even bother finishing her sentence; she just shut her mouth and glared at him.
He knew he had hurt her a lot, and he felt horrible for it.
"I'm sorry Bast." He said.
She didn't reply; she was too busy pretending to not hear him. She turned her back on him once again and stared at the ground.
He ran around her and stopped at the other side. Facing her, he crouched down and looked upward. As soon as Bastila lifted her head, he shot up, standing tall.
"I'm verrrrrrrrrry sorry Basti." He said. "Can you pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese forgive me?" He smiled sweetly, fluttering his eyes and grinning stupidly. (Yes I know, I can't imagine either, lol, but he's begging for forgiveness here people! Yes, even the great Revan has to beg sometimes, especially with Bastila. lol)
Even though Bastila was still glaring at him, a small grin emerged from the corners of her mouth.
He could tell she was trying really hard not to laugh.
Finally at the end, after a minute of waiting, he succeeded.
She burst out laughing, then mock glared at him.
"I don't like you."
Revan smiled stupidly.
"I like you too." He grinned.
Bastila just stuck her tongue out at him.
It was just like old times…
The two young Jedi were quiet, a comfortable silence filling the room as the two childhood friends simply stared at each other, basking in the presence of one another, simply remembering.
Until the voices of their Masters snapped them out of their little world.
"Ahh, Young Revan, there you are."
Revan turned his head to his side and was greeted by the sight of Masters Vandar and Kreia walking up towards him.
He bowed.
"Hello Masters."
"Revan." Kreia acknowledged him. Looking to his side, she saw the unmistakable form of Bastila Shan as she bowed and greeted them the same as Revan had.
"Ahh, I see you have found my young padawan." She observed.
He nodded.
Kreia smiled, "Good. I would like you to spar with her, train with her once more before your trials."
Both padawans looked at the old Master, giving her a surprised stare.
"I agree," Master Vandar spoke up. "It would be good for you Revan, to get some training in before your trials tomorrow."
"Yes," Agreed Kreia. She looked at Bastila. "You yourself will be taking the trials young one, in the future."
"But-" Bastila started to retort, but was cut off by the Master.
"No, you will be ready…soon though." She continued. "But for now, test yourself." She looked at Revan, "Test each other…"
"Master Kreia is right young padawans." Vandar interrupted. "This will be good training for you both. To test the limits the other has."
"Besides," He looked at them. "You two will be able to catch up, see how one much the other has improved during the four years apart."
His eyes shined. "It will do you both good."
With that, he turned to leave, Master Kreia by his side. They continued discussing the problems concerning the Mandalorians, and of Revan, while the two padawans, unaware of what their Master's were bickering about, simply stared at each other. Both unsure of what to say or do, talking was one thing, but sparring?
Revan spoke up first.
"Heh…so Bast, It'll be like old times." He grinned happily. "I'll even let you win this time." He said, testing to see if Bastila had forgotten of their little challenge from all those years ago. If she did, then he was in for a lecture of a lifetime, but if she didn't, well…
Revan's smile grew bigger.
When Bastila heard what the cocky Jedi had just had gotten the nerve to say, the smile that was previously upon her face disappeared, and was replaced by a surprised scowl. Then she proceeded to yell at him.
"Let me" She exclaimed. "Need I remind you that I won by my own skills?"
"What are you talking about?" Revan laughed.
Bastila gasped. "Do you not remember how I won Revan?" She asked.
Revan gave her an innocent look. "I'm sorry Basti, but I seem to have forgotten you ever winning that last sparring match 'challenge'."
She rolled her eyes, sending him a glare that meant 'I'm going to kill you if you don't stop being so childish.'
"Fine." He sighed. "Ruin my fun why don't you." He groaned.
"I'll admit it, you won last time…" He smiled, grinning brightly. "It wasn't really fair so…lets just redo that whole thing, K Bast?"
"Why?" She asked. "I won last time, so you need to do whatever I say for a whole day!" "And since your leaving tomorrow at night, guess which newly made Knight will have to follow the orders of a Padawan?" She grinned evilly.
Revan chuckled nervously. "Well it has been a long time… so, ahem, since we have to train anyways, let's just redo it k?" He smiled, trying to get his way.
Bastila groaned. "He'll never stop until I agree."
"Grr…this is SO like Revan! That stupid nerf-hearder…" She thought. "I swear, it's like he's using mind control to get his way..."
She glared at him.
In response, he just smiled even more brightly, knowing that he was about to win.
"Fine, it'll just give me a chance to beat you again!"
She grinned. "THIS time you won't escape from your 'loser's punishment'!"
Revan, too happy that she obliged, chose to ignore her little comment. He simply hugged her tightly. "Thanks Bast!" He exclaimed. "You're the best!"
Bastila just rolled her eyes.
"I've already agreed Revan, no need to suck up anymore…"
"Heh…" He smiled sheepishly. "Alright…now lets go."
He took her arm and dragged her towards the middle of the room where they always trained.
"Get ready to lose Basty…" He thought, grinning.
>>
"No…"
"But why?" Kreia asked. "I've trained him before."
"You still have Bastila."
"Bastila?" She exclaimed. "She is already almost ready for the trials, just a few more years, years that can be completed under the guidance of you."
"Revan's Master will be Master Vrook Kreia, not you." He said. "I will train Bastila, leaving you free to take on another Padawan learner."
"There is no one else." She sighed.
"Young Sion (look! Sith Lord Darth Saboteur, He's mentioned! Lol just like I promised, the young version of him anyways xP) has shown amazing improvements during his last lessons," He said. "You should consider him for training."
"I must train Revan, Vandar." She exclaimed. "He's the chosen one! He needs my guidance!"
He looked at her oddly. "The prophecy?" He asked. "You believe young Revan to be the one the prophecy speaks of?"
She nodded.
"Impossible…" He said, shaking his head. "I have been his Master, friend and mentor now for the past four years." He looked at her.
"That boy has too much arrogance and poor judgment, he can be rash and impulsive at times." He continued. "It is true that he is the strongest Jedi I have ever known, he has progressed far beyond anyone his age should. But if he truly is the 'Chosen one' then it is of the utmost importance that Vrook be his Master. He will help guide him. I believe that young Bastila shall play her part in Revan's life as well. She too possesses a strong strength in the Force, a fine example of a Jedi. I am sure that with her influence and help, perhaps should he ever begin to waver, she shall help him stay on the path of light."
"Why Vrook though?" She asked. "We have the same experiences, the same teachings. Why do you not let me train Revan?"
"Because Kreia," Vandar sighed. "I am unsure whether or not you will be able to keep Revan from falling to the Dark side, something that if happens, will sure to doom us all."
Kreia looked at him in shock. "What do you mean?"
He looked at her. "We are all vulnerable to the Dark side Kreia, " He said. "Even myself and Master Vrook, the other wise Council leaders, But you…" He sighed. "I am unsure of whether you will be able to remain a Master anymore."
He looked at her. "Your future is clouded."
Kreia looked confused, her eyes darkened as she half glared at the shorter Master.
"And why is that?" She asked.
"Your thoughts betray you." He continued. "Your…your need for revenge is clouding your better judgment, you are unable to let go of the past…"
He looked at her grimly. "Revenge is that of the Dark side Kreia, you know just as well as I do."
"I feel that you are unable to keep Revan on the path of light." His face grew dark. "Your influence with him, your control over his decisions, might just be the very thing to turn him…"
Kreia knew that he was referring to the Mandalorians, the unavoidable war that was soon coming. They had been arguing about it for the past three hours, ever since she had first suggested Revan lead the fight against the monsters.
"Revan will fight."
Master Vandar glared at her. "No, I forbid it."
"We must do something!" She exclaimed. "Revan can make a difference! He can aid the Republic! The Jedi can help!"
Vandar sighed sadly.
"You know as well as I do why we do not fight Kreia," He said. "The dangers of the Dark side will be even greater in battle."
"Men, and women become heartless warriors when they are the ones to bring death and destruction…"
"But The Republic can win the war under Revan's command!" She exclaimed, trying her best to persuade him to change his decision.
"At what cost?" Master Vandar snapped. "Revan's innocence? Perhaps even his life?"
"War can do terrible things to a person Kreia." He argued. "What is the cost of war Kreia?" He asked. "The unecessary death of thousands of Jedi perhaps? Revan's death?"
He sighed, the argument taking a great toll on him. Why couldn't she see?
"I feel that it is due to your influence and persuasion Kreia,that Revan feels this strongly against the Council's decisions."
"We shall leave the Republic's problems alone, it is best we wait for the Republic to ask for our aid first. And when the time comes we shall go, but not a moment too soon." He reasoned.
"But it might be too late by then!" Kreia exclaimed. "Revan can-"
He cut her off.
"You may as well be condemning the boy you claim to care for to a life of death and destruction." He snarled. "If he falls, it will be a fate worse then death!" He exclaimed, trying to get Kreia to reconsider by using her love for the boy to snap her back to reality. What she was suggesting was absolutely beyond reason!
Kreia's face simply hardened, as did her heart.
"If that is the case." She thought, making sure her mental walls were up and protecting her thoughts from Vandar. "So be it…"
She bowed to Master Vandar, her eyes looked to the side as to not meet with his. It was obvious to him that she did not want to talk anymore. So he let her be.
She turned around and walked towards the door, her long brown cloak flowing behind her feet. She was done talking, done reasoning. If the other Council members were not going to support her, she would have to rally up the other Jedi herself.
After Revan's trials tomorrow, she was going to take him and leave; If he refused, then she would simply make him see the light. It didn't matter, he was going to go with her...shestill had MUCH to teach him.
She would come back secretly to persuade other and more Jedi. Revan was the most important one now; He was the Key to it all.
She smiled.
"Those beasts will soon understand the meaning of fear, and I will finally get my long awaited revenge…"
>>
Whoot! Done :D lol. Please review if you're reading this! It'll definitely make my day :)
Next chapter,Revan and Bastila willonce again spar and the winner shall be determined! Who will win?
Find out in the next chapter!
Also, sorry if this chapter seems a bit choppy, it was tough. xP
Well, until next time…
