Jedi Academy
The Magnificent Seven
(My first Jedi Knight story. Just so you know, Star Wars belongs to George Lucas. Bless his genius mind. So if anything is in violation of the Star Wars spirit, let HIM speak up. Thanks)
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A choir of thousands crickets whistled through the cooling night outside the mighty temple that housed the Jedi Academy on the fourth moon around Yavin. Yavin 4 as it was called could be described as an endless jungle that stretched all around the moon's surface. A fertile planet with billions of lifeforms, living and breeding like they had done since the dawn of time.
The black nightsky was lit up by an endless scenario of stars throughout the galaxy. Each of them containing several planets and moons. Sitting like a small corn of sand, one lonely soul sat on top of the ancient temple, switching from looking up at the sky to look down on the Jedi training ground far below him.
Random would often seek solitude, giving himself a few moments of complete peace and quiet that helped him in many ways to clear his mind. His mind and thoughts still lingered on the mission they had completed several hours ago on the uninhabited, yet dangerous planet of Blenjeel.
They had successfully brought back the ships log, but had found no trace of the two pilots. Yet they were surprised by a group of Sand Burrowers, they had made it back to the academy without casualties. Tween had been the only injured one, but thanks to Ryu's quick reflexes and courage, and with the medical skills of Selene, she was now sleeping peacefully in the chamber with the rest of them.
Master Skywalker had R2 read the ships log and sent the information about the crash to Coruscant where Mon Mothma had several experts look into the matter. Some feared that it was not a meteor that had rammed into the ship, but then again, that was only a rumor. Random made a mental note to take photographic evidence of future missions, in case they could become useful.
While sitting there, he heard a noise behind him. Even with the crickets still singing, and the calm wind whistling through the ancient forest, the sound of footsteps against stone entered his ears like a warning.
Turning around, holding his breath like a scared child who prayed the ghosts would be gone by the time he had fully turned, he spotted the petite form of Kayley coming towards him. Her face was smiling at him as she came over and sat down a few ft away from him, dangling her legs over the ledge like he did.
The soft breeze caught some of her elegant hair and made it gently swish in the wind while her eyes nearly reflected the starlight above them.
"Hey... what are you doing up here now at midnight?" she asked. Her voice was calm and quiet like she was afraid the sleeping students might hear her through the window.
"Nothing. I'm just watching the stars for a while. Trying to sort out my thoughts. What about you? What are you doing here t midnight?" he replied with a touch of humor in his voice. Their voices were mere whispering up here, melting into the wordless speech of the wind.
"I saw you leaving a while back and wondered where you planned to go. Just wanted to make sure you didn't got your ass into trouble," she teased and gave him a playful smile. He stifled a laugh and looked over at her.
"Babysitting. It's been a while since I needed that," Random said and returned his gaze towards the stars as he leaned back and rested his back against the wall.
"I also came here to tell you...... that I think you did a good job today as leader of the group. No wonder Master Jaden selected you," she said and continued to look at his peaceful expression. Who slowly turned into a blush.
"Oh come on. I just did what everyone else in the same position would have done. Don't give me credits for something I didn't do. Besides, I didn't do all the thinking."
"Yeah, but you took control of the situation. Calmed your mind and tried to find a way out for all of us. I know I've always had a problem with authority, but it's... I don't know... different with you. Like Master Jaden." Her words silenced and they both took a brief moment to enjoy the pace and quiet the jungle provided them.
Random was to say the least, stunned to the core. Her words lay comfort in his troubled mind, telling him that she trusted him as a leader. As a friend. And sometimes, the power of the Force could not compare with the power of friendship.
The two young students stayed there on the peaceful ledge overlooking the land for several minutes, not breaking the silence in fear of ruining the moment. But after a while of admiring the beautiful sky, Kayley stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes. Following her example, Random did the same thing and stretched. Sitting on the hard surface up here was a killer for his butt.
Seeing the uncomfortable expression on his face, Kayley giggled and looped her arm around his and together they walked down towards the chamber. Random felt his heart nearly skipped a beat as he felt the soft grip of her slender hands and the warmth flowing out of them like a waterfall.
Through the empty dark corridors barely lit up by a torch here and there they walked. Quiet as the night and soft as a pair of kittens. The chamber door opened and revealed the rest of their friends who were sleeping peacefully after a hard days training. The quiet stonewalls towered above them, looking down at them with ancient eyes and ears. Eternal witnesses of the past, present and soon the future. Shielding them from the outside, keeping them safe and warm.
Kayley skipped over to her bed and crawled under the comforting blanket, feeling the warmth returning to her. Rolling over on her side, she looked over to Random who stayed on the other side of the room, busy with removing the flowing tunic and the top half of his black outfit.
She had to smile seeing him like this. The silvery moonlight shining over his athletic body.
A sudden growing of heat in her face made her roll over on her other side. What was she thinking, looking at him like that? She knew it was wrong, but still, a part of her told her that it was perfectly safe. She trusted him and he trusted her back. They were friends, roommates and teammates. She looked at him with pride. Proud of having him as a leader.
Slowly rolling back, she faced his direction and watched him as he slowly fell asleep. Watched as his chest slowly rose up and down in a steady rhythm. She continued to look at him till her mind found the view so comforting it dragged her into a deep sleep, filled with beautiful dreams.
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After a nice breakfast with the rest of the students at the academy, a change of clothes and a nice morning-training, the group of seven made their way into the mighty jungle outside the academy.
The hot air under the green roof was a wonderful mixture of smells coming from millions of flowers and other plants growing freely in the calm forest. With their master, Jaden Korr in the front, they followed a path made by nature itself and the creatures living in this paradise. All kinds of familiar and unfamiliar sounds echoed through the trees. And through small cracks in the roof of leaves, sunlight created nearly solid beams of light. Giving the forest a almost mystical aura in it.
The elder Zabrak walked without a word and without a single sound. Master Jaden had been training here for several years and had learned the art of moving in the ultimate stealth. Not even the leaves made sounds as she continued down the old path through the overgrown forest. The others looked at each other but nobody spoke up. Not even Phoenix had come up with a joke.
After a half hour they came upon a canyon with a beautiful waterfall raining down over the dark rocks. The shower could be described as powerful rain. A bit heavy but still light enough to walk around under it. The moist air in the canyon hurled around them with tiny drops of water, providing the plants around them with a limitless supply of energy. From small colorful flowers to the gigantic moss-covered trees that hung drowsy over the river.
Jaden turned towards them and dropped the bundle of sticks from her back, using the Force to throw one stick to each of them while keeping one for herself. The sticks were much lighter than they appeared to be, giving them the freedom to use them much faster.
"Alright. Today you will learn more about the basic of using a lightsaber. Since I'm not taking the risk by letting you hack away at each others with real lightsabers, I'm taking the liberty of giving you these," she said and twirled her stick with her hand. The seven of them nodded and tried out the weight of the stick in their hands.
Holding the sticks like they would have held a real lightsaber, the students lined up and prepared for the training.
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During the next 5 long hours, Jaden taught them the basic attack techniques, where they also learned to combine the use of the weapon with their body, little tricks that could provide with a upper hand in close combat.
Tricks like a kick whenever an opening occurred in the opponents attack and blocks. Small stun-areas in the anatomy where a light press of the hand or finger could momentarily stun an opponent, giving them vital seconds to win a fight.
But Jaden always reminded them that the ways of the Jedi is not in the art of killing. Victory is achieved when the opponent no longer poses as a threat. Disarming the opponent could provide with the same use as killing, but is also uphold the moral rules that all life is precious.
After a while of explanation and practicing, Jaden selected Random and ordered him to attack and disarm her. Feeling a bit down for the task, he hesitated at first, but after the confirmation that it was quite safe, he lifted his stick in defensive position and charged forward. The rest of the group sat down in the moist grass and paid attention.
Jaden smiled as she saw the confident moves and attacks Random unleashed. Quick and effective attacks, whilst keeping his guard up at all times. But his skills with the use of the sword were nothing compared to his master. But Jaden's purpose of this fight was not to win, but to teach him a lesson.
As the two sticks connected, Random saw his opportunity and circled his stick and guided Jaden's stick around until the wrist no longer could follow, sending Jaden's stick out of her hands and landing softly on the grass. Smiling in triumph, Random felt the sweet taste of victory way into his core. But the taste soon turned to a sour feeling.
In a split second, Jaden had extended her hand towards the stick she had lost and quick as lightening, the stick was back in her hand. Random had no time to react at all as she hit her stick into the side of his upper arm, hitting one of the stun-areas that made his fingers stretch out and drop the stick he had in his grip.
"Always remember that a Jedi can turn from unarmed to armed just as quick as that. That's the second part of today's training. If everyone throws their stick away from themselves, we're gonna practice to get it back by using the Force," Jaden said and took a step back.
She explained that by picturing the stick in their heads and focusing on the Force surrounding it, they could move the stick back into their hands. It was far from easy, but one by one, they managed to complete their tasks. But the real challenge for their minds didn't appear before after another hour.
"Okay. Now it's time to put your skills to a test. Both skills with the stick and balance will be important here, cause you are going to fight each other one on one under that waterfall," Jaden said with a sly smile on her face. The students stared in disbelief at her.
"Under there? Ya must be crazy. We'll get ourselves wet as fishes, aye..." Phoenix whined. Auron cut in on the conversation.
"Yeah. Plus it must be freezing under there. Slippery too."
"That's the point. That's why you are going to fight in the swimsuits I told you to dress up with at breakfast. With the cold water against your skin, the hit with the opponents stick will nearly numb the arm, leg or whatever they hit. The water also functions to keep your heads cooled since it will be, as Auron said, slippery," Jaden told them and turned around to walk back to the academy.
"Supper will be waiting when you come back. Along with the mission for tomorrow," she finished and was gone under the branches. The whole team looked at each others, but no common answer came.
"She can't be serious," Selene said and folded her arms.
"Well, she IS the Master... but does she really expect us to do this?" Auron replied.
"I ain't taking my tunic off in front of ya all," Phoenix said.
"I'm not shy about it. I took my bathing suit on as she asked for," Kayley said and looked at the others.
"So did I. We shouldn't act like this. Everyone has seen someone in a swimming suit before," Random finished and put his hands at his hip, waiting for the others to agree on this childish situation.
"Aye, but what if SOMEONE forgot tha bathing suit... then what?" Phoenix continued.
"Phoenix... please don't tell me that you are going commando under that black outfit," Auron said and covered his eyes with his hand. The rest of the team looked from Auron to Phoenix.
And the young Zabrak looked at the ground in front of him and formed small circles with his boot.
"Uhm... no. Of course not. Yer crazy, mate," Phoenix muttered and gave up.
Tween shook her head at her brother and followed the others. Putting their outfits in a pile next to the river, they didn't feel the least embarrassed about this. Except for one.
"Hey... are those little hearts?" Kayley asked as she looked at Phoenix's boxer shorts. The young Zabrak's eyes glared daggers back at her as everyone now turned their attention towards him. Feeling his face started to glow.
"Aye...aye. Shorts with hearts on, that's me. Now drop it guys," Phoenix warned and glared over to Auron and Random. Ryu moved his hands in some strange signals and Random quickly covered his mouth to stop the laughter.
"What did he say?" Tween asked.
"He says... heheheheheh says.......your brother is...heh heh quite the heartbreaker," Random explained and laughed uncontrollable with Auron and Ryu close behind. Laughing so hard that tears rolling freely from their eyes.
"...'AT'S IT!!!!!!!" Phoenix yelled and ran towards them. Ramming into them and knocking all the boys off their feet and head-first into the river. The girls gathered, giggling on the riverbank and looked at the four boys struggling against each other in the obviously cold water. Splashing and gasping for air, the boys reappeared at the surface.
"JIKES!!!! It's freezing..." Auron yelped and quickly made his way to the shore again. Random and Ryu also returned to shore, with Phoenix walking in the back, a proud grin imprinted on his whole face.
"Perhaps ya should take this last training a bit more serious. Eh, lads?" Tween said and managed to wipe the grin off her brother's face. The rest of the boys looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
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Standing on the slippery rocks with the light waterfall raining over his body, Random tried to gain his foothold after a rough strike from Kayley's stick. The water made it difficult to see and nearly impossible to stand in the same stance for long.
Using the Force to see her was not as easy as it sounded. She appeared like a figure made up by a dim light, and he had difficulties of making out what her moves were. The light never created depth into her figure, just the shape. But seeing a stick whack him in the arm was easy. He could hear her teasing, sinister laugh as she hit him again while he was still trying to gain his foothold.
He got tired of this playing-defense game and decided to attack. Aiming for the center of the lightfigure, he let his stick swing in a perfect curve at her and connected with her weapon. Continuing to attack and block, the two of them moved around the slippery surface, dodging and slipping, hacking and whacking.
Then, as he blocked one of her stronger attacks, he felt his back feet really started to slip. Holding the sticks connected, edging closer and closer to his face, Random knew that he could only hold this position for bout three more seconds.
Feeling his foot lost contact with the rock and landed on one knee, Kayley who also was a bit out of balance, fell into him and knocked him completely over and onto the cold rock. Sliding down towards the mainriver, she clung to him in order not to touch the rock.
SPLASH!!!!!
Random dropped his stick and made his way back up to the surface, trying desperately not to open his mouth as the icecold water once again swallowed him. They both arrived at the surface and gasped for air, trying desperately to get to the shore. Crawling up on the riverbank, Random gave Kayley an evil glare, trying to look as grumpy as possible. Kayley on her side simply smiled all innocent.
Random couldn't help but to replace his grumpy expression with a laugh upon seeing her like that. Reaching out his hand, he pulled her up on the bank and sat down to watch the others who were still sparring. Selene and Tween were sparring just to their left, while Auron and Phoenix had teamed up on Ryu under the main waterfall.
Once again, Ryu's mask made him a dangerous foe in this battle. While Auron and Phoenix had to nearly close their eyes in the waterfall, Ryu's eyes were open and watching their every move. And even with two against one, he didn't seem to suffer much problems.
At the end, the others meant it was starting to get late as well as pretty cold. They all gathered what clothes they had and made their way back to the academy. Master Jaden had informed them before she left that she had a possible mission for them. And to make things better, she was waiting for them with supper ready and all.
Feeling the hunger call inside their stomachs, they broke into a run. Not stopping before they reached the gates of the mighty temple.
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Around the table in their chamber, everyone was seated and eating. Each of them wrapping a nice warm blanket around themselves trying to keep the cold away. Jaden walked around the table, looking at every single one of them. Her eyes could pierce a AT-ST straight through the armor.
"Nice training today. I trust you all learned something new. Now to the more serious matter of tonight," she said and called forth a chair from the other table and placed it right behind her, sitting down and folded her hands in a way they knew meant trouble.
"I have a new rescue mission for you. Just before breakfast, we received word from the New Republic that a group of Rebel pilots are being held temporarily captive on the ancient Imperial prison located on Dathomir," Jaden said and gave them a few seconds to devour the information.
"Temporarily?" Random asked and leaned closer.
"They have sent a message to one of the Remnants Star Destroyers patrolling space. It will reach the planet in 3 days minimum, and once equipped with the technical torture devices on that ship, the pilots will be forced to talk," Jaden continued and placed a map on the table.
"Your mission will be a bit more complicated than last time. A dropship will pass the outlying forest surrounding the prison where you will jump off and find a way to reach the prison. One day walk at least, so you will be carrying some more equipment this time.
Make your way to the prison undetected and enter it from the lakeside. The prison itself is very old and the waterpipes aren't under surveillance anymore. That is your entry.
Once inside, you might run into Remnant troops, but try to stay out of sight as long as possible. The pilots are located in the upper cells which is the only ones left operational. Release the pilots and make your way to the southern hangar. If our intelligence are correct, there will be a load of Imperial Shuttles there to take you back to Yavin 4."
They all listened and nodded, saying they understood. Kayley told that she could fly one of those shuttles no problem. Jaden's face turned into a smile as she stood up, realizing they could handle themselves. Telling them that the dropship would leave the academy in approximately three hours from now. That they should eat, clean up and ret some rest before that.
"May the Force be with you," she finished and left the chamber, leaving them to themselves. The seven students looked at each other and the room fell into a complete silence. They shared a inquisitive look at each other before they wandered off to the showerchamber just down the hall.
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After six long hours, they finally broke out of hyperspace and spotted the dark-green planet of Dathomir. Their pilot, a elderly man with a jolly beard and an equal jolly mood by the name of Connor, piloted the shuttle with an experts precise maneuvers. Kayley sat in her seat with a little pout imprinted on her cute face. She had literally begged Connor to fly this shuttle, but he told her that nobody except himself touched this baby.
Selene sat down next to her and patted her gently on the shoulder.
"Relax. The next flight we're having, you're the pilot. Then you can fly all kinds of crazy stunts we know you like," Selene said and managed to lure out a smile on Kayley's lips.
"Oy there... That ain't voted for, aye... She's gonna fly us home nice and quietly, ain't ya, lass?" Phoenix cut in. His answer came in the form of a slap behind the head made by Auron.
Suddenly, Connor called out to them from the pilotseat.
"Hang on, kids. We're entering the atmosphere. I'll fly this baby down south of the prison, slow enough for you to jump. The parachutes are in the blue closet in the back."
"Okay, people. Let's get going," Random said as he stood up and walked to the closet, pulling out seven parachutes. His voice sounded all tough and leader-ish, but beneath his expression, he was scared. He knew there was something bad about Dathomir... something of great evil, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.
The shuttle started to tremble under the sudden changes from space to atmosphere. Strapping their equipment, weapons and parachutes on, they walked to the door of the shuttle and waited. Sweat rolling down their foreheads and their last meal gnawing in their bellies. Random took the charge and opened the hatch as the light turned green.
"Everyone good to go?" Random called out behind him
"Good to go," he could hear Auron shout right behind him.
"Good to go," Kayley responded.
"Goody," Phoenix sang.
"Ditto," Tween replied.
Ryu simply stuck out his hand, giving Random a high-thumb.
"Good to go," Selene called in last, and with the last confirmation, Random jumped out the hatch and into the dark night surrounding this half of Dathomir. Under him was a dark and moist jungle that reached as far as the eye could see. The wind kicked his short hair and gave him a feeling of total peace for a split second. The shuttle was now on full throttle back towards the academy and disappeared into the dark sky.
The team fell down towards the dark ground like rocks. Faster and faster, until the parachute registered they were 500 ft from the ground and opened itself. Feeling a powerful yank in their bodies, they nearly came to a halt in the air. Dropping slowly towards the awaiting jungle.
The heat hit them like a wall as they penetrated the fertile treetops and under the dark green layer of the jungle. Creating seven beams of light coming from the moonlight above them, shining down on the ground like spotlights.
It all seemed so strange, yet so familiar. The jungle is the same no matter where you end up.
Once they touched the ground, they disconnected the parachutes and dragged them into the cover of the shadows. Waiting a few minutes to calm things down. Things like their own heartbeat. They all checked their bags to make sure nothing was lost. Then checking the weapons.
Auron was the only one that had brought something more than the regular DL-44 pistol and the E-11 Blaster Rifle. Slunged over his shoulder hung a Tenloss DXR-6 sniper blaster. Their trusty lightsabers hung freely and easily available in their belts.
Selene was in charge of the medical equipment while Phoenix carried the food. Ryu was acting scout. With his nightvision build into his mask, searching in the dark ahead of them was kids-game for him.
Random checked the map and found out they were about 35 miles away from the prison, so the chances of being seen as they dropped down was at a minimum. They had exactly 55 hours to get to the prison and rescue the pilots and find a shuttle to escape with.
"Then let's not waste any time here. Let's move out," Auron said and looked at Random. Random on his side simply nodded. The sooner they got there, the better. Calculating where north was, they started their long journey.
But it was a short start, as Ryu had stopped a bit ahead of them and held up his hand, signalizing them to stop. He stood stiff as a statue and seemed to stare into the black oblivion of the jungle. The rest of the team moved to each side and found cover in the shadows. Nobody said a word, moved a muscle or let a breath escape their lungs.
Ruy made a few moves with his hand, and Random understood the Kel Dor wanted to talk to him alone. Telling the rest to hold their positions, he slowly crept out of the shadows and edging towards the silent Kel Dor. His eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. Every sound, every change in the wind, his senses were on defcon 1.
Stepping up next to Ryu, he tried to read the expression on his face, but the mask still hid his emotions like a cloak. He was looking down at the ground now, and Random felt the blood in his spine turned into ice water, MUCH colder then the water from the river earlier today.
They both stared at a set of footprints that disappearing into the deep darkness of the forest.
Now Random remembered why he had felt this feeling of dread when he heard they were going to Dathomir. Remembering his teacher explaining different planets back when he was just a kid. Warning them never to go there if they valued their own lives.
One word escaped Random's lips. A word he had always feared to speak of. The name of a creature who had existed on Dathomir since the dawn of time. The name of the ultimate evil in the creation of natural creatures. If this thing could be called natural.
".........Rancor........"
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That's the end of chapter 4.
I'm VERY sorry for the long wait. But I'm a busy lad. I hope this chapter doesn't suck too much that ya won't leave a nice/bed little review before ya shut this window.
To those who knows stuff about the Star Wars universe, then it's true. Dathomir is the homeplanet for the Rancors. So expect some scary scenes in the next chapter. I just love cliffhangers, don't you?... no?....bah! Get used to cliffhangers.
And now to my always trustful reviewers.
Shalashaska-001: It's always a pleasure to hear for you, old friend. And I'll keep on my toes for any spelling errors. If ya find anyone here, let me know and I'll change it. I hope ya liked this chapter. If ya did, then yer gonna LOVE the next.
Snackfiend101: Thank you for pointing out that it had spelling errors. I looked into it myself and spotted several errors and hopefully, I corrected them all. And have faith, cause Rosh will return. IF I'm gonna honor him or bash him is unknown. Maybe...
Khaak: As I said before, ALL missions are accepted. And yer suggestion to a mission sounds highly promising. But all to its proper time.
Shanesnest: I'm honored to hear from ya again. Thank you so much for a nice long review and sharing of yer feelings. I like that. But for the records, I like scnes that are a bit scary, so expect them often. Especially in the next. And I see ya have noticed Ryu's fearlessness, and the first sign of a romance between Random and Kayley. If ya have read or viewed the old series called G.I.Joe, then Ryu is a reflection of the silent ninja called Snake-Eyes. He was my all-time fave when I was a kid. Hope ya liked this chapter, and I hope I can update faster next time.
Wrrohm: I like your suggestion for a mission, but it's kinda what ya can expect anyway. Of course they are gonna investigate a sith cult. But since this was your suggestion, I'm giving you the honor of giving this cult a name. If ya feel up for the task. Ya know how to reach me.
Tinuviel Undomiel: This has nothing to do with the tv-show Young Jedi Knights. I've never seen it myself. And like I said to ya before, both Rosh and Jan will appear in this story. And the offer of the name of Kyle's daughter or son is still up to you to decide.
Chigy: Yesyesyes, I'm writing as fast as I can. Not my fault that I'm drowning in school. And thank you for reviewing.
Now for you who are gonna review, if ya have a mission to give them in your head, feel free to share the information and I will fulfill your wishes. If not, write whatever ya want. I love reviews.
Peace out, my friends.