Two days later after the gala, Lirlia was asked if she could help on the war. She agreed and thus was sent to help on different battles across the galaxy. She helped in any way she could: providing cover, tanking attacks, providing help while the troops retreated, stealth missions to destroy key places and droids, defending places and people fro, bounty hunters and droids.
Thanks to that, Lirlia's help and doings has spread across the Republic, many now wanting her help on mostly escort missions.
It's been two days since she returned from her last mission on the outer rim, but she is starting to feel restless.
"I really want to do something else, y'know? I'm used to move all day, do hunts, gather materials, run around, train and such." Lirlia said while she and Ahsoka walked away from the Archives. The padawan was ordered to stay back at the Jedi Temple while her Master and his master went across the galaxy to solve a problem with a new Sith, similar to Maul.
"I get the feeling. You need to spend that excess of energy." Ahsoka said.
"I guess so."
"Would you like to go to a training room? We can lend you some lightsabers if you want and you can train as much as you like." Ahsoka offered.
"Really? Can we do that?" Lirlia asked, looking excited.
"Of course. Sometimes with my master we train together."
After saying that, Ashoka took Lirlia to one of the training rooms. There, Ahsoka set up some target droids for Lirlia to train with her Heavy Bowgun. Lirlia succeeded on hitting the droids, but then they realized that the Bowgun's ammo was able to destroy them. So they changed plans. Ahsoka went to a box and took a lightsaber and showed it to Lirlia.
"How do I use this?"
"You can turn on the blade by pressing this button." Ahsoka explained as she pressed the button. It did the typical hiss and the blue blade turning into life in front of Lirlia's eyes. Ahsoka gave the blade to Lirlia.
"It's… lighter than I thought it would."
"Probably because you are used to your heavy gun."
"When I use Dual Blades, they also are heavy. Probably is that I'm used to carry heavier weapons. I can carry a huge weapon called Great Sword. It makes you slow and you also attack slow, but it has a lot of power, and you can also protect yourself with it."
"Wow… no wonder that you can carry your gun like is nothing." Ahsoka said. Lirlia chuckled.
"You get used to it." She then added. "I'll place my Heavy Bowgun over here, so I can move more comfortable." She said passing the lightsaber to Ahsoka and approaching the wall so she could laid her Heavy Bowgun against it on its bent form. After that, she turned to Ahsoka and received again the blade. She walked to the middle of the room and turned on the lightsaber. She made a series of swift horizontal and vertical moves. Ahsoka watched Lirlia's moves, doing a series of fast slashes with the lightsaber and bashes.
She finished by doing a big jump in the air and then falling onto the ground with a lot of momentum and strength.
A series of clapping were heard form the door. Lirlia and Ashoka looked there and found Master Yoda standing there.
"Master Yoda! How are you doing?" She said as they approached the small Master.
"Good. Feeling well, are you?" He asked. Lirlia nodded.
"Yes. I was testing the blade Ahsoka gave me to to some exercise."
"Feels, how?"
"It's… lighter than I'm used to. The blades I use to use are heavier. We have 4 kind of sword weapons. Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, Long Sword and Great Sword. The latter two are needed two hands to use, while the former two you have both hands using something."
"Hmm… interesting weapons you used to have."
"Yes. Well, since I'm using a… lightsaber, I tried to use movements I'd use when wielding Sword and Shield. But I didn't have a shield, so I lacked of something. My moves weren't what I wanted to be."
"Hmm… using a shield, a Jedi or Sith do not. Using out lightsabers to block, we do." He said, activating his blade and making it collapse gently against the one on Lirlia's hand, and applied some strength. She heard the typical noise when two lightsabers collide to each other, as well as the strength Master Yoda applied, making her to apply the same strength to immobilize the blades.
"Used to use other methods, you are. Different training, you had." He said.
"Those weapons that do not have a shield, must rely on either dodging or getting hit by the monster." She said, turning off the blade.
"Getting hit? Doesn't that harm you?" Ahsoka said.
"It does. We lose part of our health, if not most of it or even knocking you out cold. That's why we use armor and strengthen them, to tolerate more hits from the monsters." Lirlia said. Then she added. "However, having a shield doesn't mean that you don't get harm. Some attacks are strong enough to take away part of your health while you spend all of your stamina to protect you."
"When you lose all your stamina, what happens?" Master Yoda asked.
"You cannot run nor wield your shield if you have one, making your muscles immediately loosen their strength on the shield, loosing your protection and an easy target to revive attacks. You have to wait for a few seconds to restore your stamina before you can run and wield again your shield." Lirlia explained. "We have methods that can make our stamina last longer, as well as other kind of support stuff." She added.
"Really? Like what?" Ahsoka asked.
"We have a beverage called Dash Juice, making us to spend less stamina, lasting longer. Other kind of support stuff can be the Demon Drug and Armorskin Drug, increasing your strength when you attack and enhancing your natural defense. Other kind of support are the Mantles."
"Mantles? What is that?" Master Yoda asked.
"As the name says it, they are mantles that you wear over your armor. Each mantle is different. One can make you hide you from the monsters for a limited time or until you are either hit or attack the monster. The mantle is called Grille Mantle. Others can enhance your own elemental damage, one mantle for each element. There is another that acts a health shield, called Vitality Mantle. And my two favorites mantles: Rocksteady Mantle and Temporal Mantel. The former making you stable as a rock, you won't be affected by any monster's scream and even if you received damage, you'll stand your ground like nothing happened. Really useful if on certain circumstances
And the Temporal Mantle can literally make you dodge instantly and automatically attacks, making you immune to any attack for a limited number of attacks or until it's effects wear off."
"Making you dodge attacks automatically? How?" Ahsoka asked not believing her ears.
"Indeed. Want me to show you?"
Ahsoka and Yoda nodded, so Lirlia took her Rocksteady Mantle and put it on. They heard metallic sounds and she put it on.
"Try to push me." She said. Ahsoka and Yoda looked at each other and then used the Force to make a Force Push to Lirlia, but she remained immobile. They only thing that told them that she was affected were the same metallic noise.
"Wearing this, I won't be moved at all. I won't be affected by wind or any attack. The problem, is that you also take damage. You can easily be knocked out cold if you are not careful." She said as she took off the mantle. Then, she took a golden mantle and put it on.
"This is the Temporal Mantle. Try to push me."
Ahsoka and Yoda did again the push, and saw how Lirlia dodged it, with a sound. They did it again, and every time their Force Push reached Lirlia, she instantly dodged it.
"With this, I won't be affected by any incoming attack as long as the mantle's effects are present." She said, taking off the mantle.
"Interesting, that is. Use them all the time, can you?"
Lirlia shook her head. "No. There's a limited time for you to use each mantle, and each mantle has a recovery time. That's why we first see at which occasion can we use the mantles to take full advantage of their advantages."
"Why didn't you use them when you were against the droids or against the ATTE?"
"Because I wanted to see if it was necessary. And because I also didn't want to show them to those… scientists." She then added. "In order to hunt and to last long, you must wear strong defense and have to know how to wield your weapon. Some weapons are extremely heavy, like the Great Sword, Heavy Bowgun and Hammer. You are slow with them in exchange of heavy damage. There are other weapons that allow you more movement, but that doesn't mean that they are not heavy. The Long Sword is one of the best weapons for fast attacks and as a defensive way, but it does weight. While the Switch-Axe gives you raw power and elemental power in exchange of not being able to protect you, needing to rely on dodging.
"To wield such weapons, you must be strong and have muscle. We first go on a basic train wielding the weapons and how to get used to the armor.
Returning to your question, Ashoka regarding about the droids and the… ATTE, the shots that I receive from the machine weren't that strong. At least that's howI felt them. So didn't need to use the mantles, instead, I apply more strength to protect me from their shots."
"You saying that makes me wonder of what would happen if a monster from your home comes here. It'd destroy everything and we wouldn't be able to protect us." Ahsoka said, rubbing her left arm with her opposite hand.
"Don't worry. I'm sure that your cannons on your… big vessels would be enough. I was told that that ATTE was designed to destroy structures while on battle on ground. I've seen those big vessels, both from Republic and droid army, and I must say that they look strong."
"Battle Cruiser, they are called. Impressed, I am. Not arrogance in your words, I feel. Knowing to use all your weapons, do you?"
"Of course I do. I tried every weapon. Every weapon had its own pros an cons. You must know your weapon to use its blessings and be aware of its weaknesses. My Heavy Bowgun isn't the strongest weapon that I own, but I started using more the HBG since I can attack with different kind of ammo and protect myself when needed. Depending of the Bowgun, it can fire shots that can either paralyze or sleep the monster. Or even both, like the one I have with me."
"So full of potentials, you weapons have." Yoda said. "But came for another reason, I have. Watch your way with the blade, I would like."
"Sure. Ahsoka just showed me how to turn on and off the blade. Right now I'm using muscle memory when I wield Sword and Shield. But I feel a bit uncomfortable by how light the blade feels on my hand and that I am without a shield. Was thinking on using something that increase a bit the weight of the blade and something that can resemble the shield."
"We can see if we can make a pair of lightsabers a bit heavier for you to be comfortable, Lirlia." Ahsoka said. "That way you can train here with us or you can train your methods when you were on your home."
"A good idea, that is. Agree with it, I am." Yoda said.
They then made the process to add weight to the lightsabers so Lirlia can be comfortable using them. After an hour or so, the blades were finished, and Lirlia, after testing them, was now comfy having something wighting similar as her Dual Blades. They even managed to simulate a shield using the same technology a lightsaber is made, using plasma to create a shield to protect oneself from incoming attacks.
They then went back to the training room and Lirlia walked to the middle of the room, lighting both sabers, green and blue.
"We will start with some Jedi movements, if that's alright." Ahsoka said as she ignited both of her lightsabers.
"Sure. Let's begin."
Ahsoka showed her movements to mimic, which Lirlia did almost the fist time. Master Yoda would add some things for her to do, which were received with a smile and an exciting face. Lirlia did all of that quite good, almost flawlessly. They spend most of the day showing her offensive and defensive movements. At afternoon, Master Yoda asked if she could show them her own movements as she was taught.
"Of course. I did say that I'd show it to you." Lirlia said smiling.
She made a series fo movements, which found Master Yoda and Ahsoka staring at her. She moves like she's dancing around. Her movements constitute of a series of slashes: double sash, double slash with return, rotation slash, reverse slash and a series of fast 6-step slashes. Then Lirlia did something that both surprised and concerned Master Yoda and Ahsoka. She used the Dark Side of the Force in a way that they've never seen. It was like it was surrounding her. Powering her. Lirlia changed her grip on the lightsabers into reverse grip, like Ahsoka does, and a strange red aura surrounded both Lirlia and the lightsabers. She then continued to make more slashes, but faster and they appeared to have more strength as well. She then started running a little faster around the room, dancing around as she run. She then started rotating in fast sequence, cutting the air as she moves. When she stopped, felt that she was satisfied, so she turned off the blades. Both Master Yoda and Ahsoka felt the Dark Side fading away the moment she deactivated the blades. She sighed.
"I needed that. Storing too much energy like that will make me restless and I can go fat if I don't spend it." When she looked to Master Yoda and Ahsoka to thank them, she saw on Yoda's face a frown and concern while Ashoka was at lost of words.
"Is... something wrong? Master Yoda? Ahsoka?" She asked. Yoda 's face changed to a serious one.
"Feel the Dark Side flowing through you, we did. Worry us, it did." Lirlia looked a bit disturbed by that.
"Well, we hunters have to use many things that are taught to us, like that technique. It is called 'Demon Mode'. You gain a boost of speed and attack damage in exchange of stamina."
"Yet, the Dark Side flowed through you and the blades. An unknown technique for us and the Sith, it is."
"We are taught to control our emotions and power, so we don't get closer to the Dark Side. Yet you seemed to be surrounded by it and not affecting you at all." Ahsoka said after Master Yoda.
"Well, there are a lot of things that are unknown that you do to me as well. I tried to understand them, but found that I can't. I can talk about other of my-" Lirlia was interrupted when Master Yoda's communicator started beeping. He answered and the image of Master Windu appeared.
"Master Yoda. The Council needs you here." He said.
"What is it?"
"We felt a disturbance in the Force a few seconds ago. A flowing of the Dark Side of the Force here at the Jedi Temple. We need you to-"Yoda cut off Windu's sentence.
"The disturbance, Lirlia was. Using a technique, she was. Worry about that, we should not." Master Yoda said.
"Lirlia was the source? And she's alright?" Master Yoda nodded.
"Ok, but still, the Council would like to ask her a few questions. If that is alright to her." Said Master Mundi.
"I don't have any problem with it. I'll answer the questions, though I don't know how much I'll be able to answer." Master Yoda cut the transmission and looked to her.
"Worry about that, I would not. Come, to the Council Chambers, we shall." He said as he started walking to the Council Chambers. Lirlia only nodded. She put her Heavy Bowgun on her back and followed the small Master with Ahsoka in toe.
Sidious felt it. A small disturbance in the Force. It felt different from anything that he knows. And it came from the Jedi Temple. Knowing full well that the Jedi don't use the Dark Side, his only guess is to be the Hunter girl who did it. He made sure that he was indeed alone before pressing a button on his desk, searched through the hidden cameras installed on the Temple for years until he found what he wanted, a holovideo appearing in front of him. He watched with interest how Lirlia used a lightsaber in front of Ahsoka. He watched mesmerized how Lirlia moved with the blade, and how she jumped up high in the air before falling to the ground. Then Master Yoda appeared by the door. They talked and he watched with interest how she talked about her mantles, and even showed two of them. The one that picked his interest the most was the Temporal Mantle. After that, Yoda said that was interested in her ways of fighting, which Lirlia agreed to show. Lirlia was given a second blade to move more comfortable and Ahsoka showed her some movements for her to follow. He knew that Lirlia is a fast learner, but never expected her to do the movements almost flawlessly the first time. After that, she then started using her own training and began sparring into the air. Sidious was impressed by her movements. It is like she was dancing around. He then watched as she changed her grip on the blades into a reverse grip. Then he noticed a small red aura surrounding her body and the blades. He also saw that her movements were faster, stronger and unpredictable, began to spin and to move in a way that can easily sprain and damage someone who doesn't have the proper training. After she finished, she looked to Master Yoda and Ahsoka. Seeing their faces the girl then explained what she used. A technique that increases your speed and strength just by using stamina? Gain something by exchanging other? And that there are ways to improve your stamina temporarily? If he could learn that, then he'll be invincible. 'Yes.' He thought. 'The girl is the key to everything in the Force. It's just a matter of time before she'll be in my hands.' He thought. He then pressed some buttons and the image of a bounty Hunter appeared.
"It's not every day that I got to work with you." The Hunter said. "What is it now?"
"Bane." Sidious said. "I have a mission for you."
"Last time I got a mission from you, I almost ended in prison. But you pay well. What is it?"
"I need you to capture someone when I tell you."
"Hm… who are we talking about and when?"
"I'm sure you are familiar with the girl Hunter on the Republic."
"That girl? I saw her on the eww about her helping on Kamino. Tough equipment. She's immune to blaster fire and even a lightsaber."
"I can provide the necessary tools to capture her alive."
"Alright. What's for me?"
"Enough money to live all your live without having to work."
"Alright. You have your hunter. I'd like a deposit first so I can wait for your call. To keep living and to make upgrades on my weapons. If I'm fighting someone that can resist blaster fire amd a lightsaber, then I need to go prepared."
"The money is no problem. I'll give you enough for you to live and upgrade your weapons. I will also add a bit more as an… incentive."
"Pleased to do business with you, Lord Sidious." Bane said as he cut off the transmission. Sidious was now alone on his office, thinking on how to both get the blood sample he promised to Desolè and allowing Bane to capture her. A plan was forming on the Sith Lord's mind.
'It could work… if she believes the need to give another blood sample. She's also willful amd won't hesitate to help others in need.'
Lirlia stood in front of the Jedi Council, explaining everything she could about what she used in the training room. The Council was impressed that she didn't fall, meaning that she's either strong willed, or is used to it.
"Tell us something. Do you use that often?" Asked Shaak Ti.
"Indeed. During hunts I use different kind of techniques depending on the weapon I'm using. I believe that I already told you that." She said.
"What do your companions say about that?" Asked Master Mundi.
"Nothing. Every Hunter knows how to do it. It's just common between us doing that. Why? Is really that bad?"
"Is not that it is bad. It is what can turn into. We don't know much about your past or world since we haven't asked you about it nor you have told us, but also we don't know how much you can hold if you continue doing that. The risks falling to the Dark Side is strong with your techniques." Explained Master Windu. Lirlia only shrugged.
"Look, I don't know much about the Force, but I've been a Monster Hunter since I was 17 years old. I've used that technique many times. As did many hunters before and after me. I haven't felt nothing wrong with me in all these years. I'm now 22, nearly 23. I learned everything that I needed to learn and applied it. I don't see danger in my ways of sparring or fighting."
"But still, keep in mind that here, at the Jedi Temple, we can feel everything that you do. And what you used concerned us a lot." Said Plo Koon.
"Okay. You don't want me to use it. I get it."
"It's not only that, Lirlia. The main concern is that the Sith can feel it as well." Ahsoka added to the Council's reasoning.
"Let them come. I'm prepared should they come to me."
"You've never faced a Sith before." Remembered Seasse Tin.
"And they never fought me before, either." Lirlia said. She then sighed. "Look, I understand what I did is concerning to you all. And it's fine if you see it that way. I don't know nor understand much about the Dark Side or the Light Side of the Force. I just used what I was taught. Nothing else. I cannot change my ways because you think that I might fall or whatever. I am grateful for your hospitality and letting me stay here, but I cannot stop using what I have used for years. Depending on the situation, a Hunter changes his or her equipment for the mission. I used Dual Blades a lot before, as well as all the other 13 kind of weapons. I cannot not use the training that was given to me."
The room remained silent until Master Yoda spoke. "Trained in the ways of the Force, you were not. Another training, you received. Complain about it, we should not."
"But she uses dark techniques that are unknown to us, Master Yoda." Mace Windu said.
"To forbid Lirlia of using her knowledge, who are we?" Yoda said. "As said before, surrounding Lirlia, the Force is. Another way of life, she had. Stripped from her, it was. The reason? Know that, we do not. Helped her, we promised. But force her to leave her knowledge, we should not. Used to that kind of techniques, Lirlia is. Fallen long ago, she would have otherwise."
"Perhaps the technique allows her to get power from the Dark Side without falling. Let us not forget that her mere presence feels like a beacon in these dark times. Everyone has felt it before." Master Plo said.
"The technique is called Demon Mode, and in exchange of stamina, you get faster moves and stronger attacks when you are using dual blades." Lirlia said.
"Getting something in exchange of something else. Probably that's why she never fell and cannot fall." Master Ti said.
"Maybe she can show us all her training." Master Stass suggested. "That way, when she uses her knowledge, we will know that it's her and no one else."
"I agree on that. Master Yoda, what do you think?" Obi-Wan said.
"Asking me, you should not. Ask Lirlia if she's ok, we should." He turned to her. "Show your knowledge to all of us, will you?"
"Sure. I don't see why not. But I used what I know for Dual Blades. My move sets and actions vary when I use a Great Sword, Sword and Shield, Long Sword and Dual Blades."
"How can we help you do you can show us all of your moves?" Luminara asked.
"Well… as I said before, we Hunters can use 14 kind of weapons, each with their moves and effects. Unfortunately, most of them cannot be recreated here, both because there aren't enough materials and there isn't the knowledge to recreate them."
"Which weapons cannot be recreated by our technology?" Master Windu asks.
"Hunting Horn, Switch Axe, Insect Glave and Charge Blade. All of them are dependent most of elemental damage and have also elemental move sets, while there are some kinds that don't need elemental materials, their move set do elemental damage to the foe we are fighting. The ones that can be recreated here are Great Sword, Long Sword, Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, Hammer, Lance, Gunlance, Bow and Light Bowgun. Heavy Bowgun you already saw it in action." She said. She then added. "Though, I believe that showing you Dual Blades, Hammer and Long Sword would be enough."
"Why? Wh not showing us the weapons that remain?" Master Ti asked.
"Great Sword is literally a huge sword. Taller than one, and heavy. Bow you have an unlimited amount of ammo for you to shoot. Light Bowgun is, a the name states, a light gun that fires like a Heavy Bowgun, though you cannot add a shield to it. Lance is just a lance and a shield. Gunlance, is just a gun made lance with a shield too. Sword and Shield is just a shield and a sword. Long Sword, Dual Blades and Hammer are the ones that, I believe, will be most interested for you. Not because I don't want to show you about the other weapons. But because… I think that I use the Force the most on them. That's why I chose those three weapons to show you."
The council seemed pleased and immediately helped getting whatever needed to their smiths. They managed to create a representation of the Hammer and the Long Sword according to Lirlia's descriptions.
She showed them how she use both weapons. Using stamina to give 'Charge' to the Hammer and releasing it in a powerful hit on different targets, each stronger then the last. She managed to destroy them all thanks to all of her Hammer move set.
Later, she showed the, the Long Sword, and couldn't follow their eyes as she move the sword like it was a feather on her hands. She showed and explained each special move that she can do on the Long Sword: Foresight Slash, Spirit Roundlash, Special Sheathe, Spirit Blade and Iai Slash. They felt the Force on each move, as well as each time she filled on the 'gauges' that added an aura around the blade, whether be white, yellow or red. After showing all of it, she was dismissed. The Council alone sat on their chamber, expressions hidden in deep thought,
"She moves faster than we can follow." Plo Koon started.
"Indeed. No Sith or Jedi are capable of moving something that big and heavy like nothing." Luminara added.
"Is she capable of defeating a Sith, though?" Shaak Ti asked aloud.
"Probably." Windu answered.
"To think on that, we should not. Evil on her actions, there is not. Ask to show us her training, we did."
"But should she become an enemy, how can we fight against her?" Saesse Tinn spoke.
"Hmm… Lirlia becoming an enemy, we do not know. Saying those kind of things, we should not. Helped the Republic, Lirlia has. Helped us, Lirlia has. Helped her in turn, have we? No. We have not. Time to deliver back the favor, it is."
"But we don't know anything about her world or how we can find a way to send her back, Master Yoda." Mace said.
"To force her stay, we should then?" Yoda spoke, hitting his stick on the ground as he stood. "A free being, she is. Bounded by her home's rules, she is. Order her around we should not. Share with her, spend time with her, we should."
"Bonds are dangerous, Master Yoda." Ki Adi Mundi said.
"Full of bonds, she is. Bonds to her friends, comrades, home, she has. Force her to forget about them, we will not. Should not." He said sternly. "Promised to help her, we did. Never said about forcing her to forget what she is. Leave her to use as she pleases her training, we should."
"But if she fall-" Windu's words were interrupted by Yoda.
"Fallen long ago, she would have. Used to it, mastered her own ways of the Force, Lirlia has. Talk more about that we should not."
The council remained silent. The message the oldest Jedi said is to stop thinking about Lirlia's own ways of using the Force, and that they should not worry about Lirlia using the Dark Side of the Force.
"I still believe that we should at least keep an eye on her. Jus in case." Windu continued.
Yoda sighed irritated, but he understood what Master Windu means. "Ask about that to her, we should. To do so behind her back, destroy her trust in us, it may." He said. After that, he dismissed the meeting.
Hope the chapter is ok now. Don't know why it uploaded so bad.