A Cry for Help
Kaden rushed forward, rolling under a saber strike swung at his head. Coming to his feet, he concentrated the force into a blast, pushing his opponent back several yards and onto his back. He took this opportunity to make a killing blow. He activated his lightsaber, swinging it down at his opponent in a stabbing motion. He would have got him right between the eyes…had he not been shot at by a blaster. Kaden threw himself out of the way just in time, the blast hitting where his head was a moment before. The trainer was getting better, he thought, or I am slowing down. With this thought, his anger flared, sending a rush of adrenaline through his body. He summoned the force and swung his saber at the Sith trainer, slicing him in two. He fell to the ground in a shower of blood and flesh. He deactivated his lightsaber, clipping it back onto his belt. It was like the first time I entered the Sith academy, I should have done better he thought.
"You did fine my young apprentice." His masters' voice rang out over his comlink. "Trust your feelings, let your anger fuel the fight, and you will be victorious."
"Yes master." Kaden replied. He was proud of his saber skills. He didn't think he was the best, he knew it. He was also proud to be the only one in his class to wield a double-bladed lightsaber. A difficult task, for a student anyway.
The door hissed open as he walked out of the training chamber. The hallway was quiet, it must be late. The academy didn't let much light in, so no one really knew the time of day. Which was fine with him. It was only a distraction from his training. Kaden made a left down to his room, when he ran into Lillian. Lillian and he had met the first day in the academy. He was 10 and she was 9 then. That was 7 years ago. Despite his own will to be the best, he always had a soft spot for her, letting her win in duels occasionally. A very RARE occasionally. She was cute, he had to admit. She was 5'7 with shoulder length black hair tied into a ponytail. She was also filled in in all the right places. Kaden grinned, then came back to reality when she spoke.
"So, you finally left the dueling room," she sighed, "You concentrate way too much on your saber skills. The force is equally important you know…if not MORE."
"I am strong in both the force and my saber skills surpass any other student in the academy, even a few of the trainers, as the last one learned." Kaden muttered angrily. She always seemed to find all of his faults. It was quite unnerving.
She shrugged, "Well, we will see. You hear about the final exam?"
He looked up. "Who hasn't? It has been the talk of the academy for weeks."
"I heard we have to kill a Jedi." She grinned, walking with him.
Kaden stopped in his tracks. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
If this were true, he would finally get to take on a worthy opponent…not the recycled crap he had to keep fighting in practice duels. He looked forward to it.
"When do we leave?" he asked.
"Tomorrow night, the hunt begins." She laughed as she walked to her room.
Kaden walked a bit farther to his room, sitting down in a chair by his desk. He took a long hard look at a picture of someone he held very near to him. Ashley. He hadn't seen her in years. She must be seventeen by now. Wow, if she was cute then, she must be hot as anything now. He put the picture in the pocket of his jet-black robes. He was ready for this mission. But he only had one fear…Ashley was a Jedi; he hoped he didn't have to kill her. But if he had to, if that was his mission…. could he do it? Kaden closed his door and lay down on his cot, dreaming of the girl he loved…and his possible opponent.
/ Jedi Academy, Yavin 4
Ashley woke up to the sounds of the jungle outside the temple walls. She stretched and ran her hands over to her dresser, searching for her belt and lightsaber. She loved everyday of being a Jedi. Each morning she woke up, picked up her belt with her lightsaber and switched it on, just to admire the gleam of the blade and the power it represented…and the responsibility as her teachers frequently reminded her. She did a back flip out of bed, landing nimbly on her toes. She strode towards the shower, stripping on the way. She turned the water on, letting it run a minute to get the water hot before she stepped in. First, meditation, then, saber training, third, history, fourth, lunch and finally master Kavrin's course on advanced force techniques. She ran her hands though her short blond hair and soaped up her hair and body. She finished her shower, dressing quickly, grabbed her belt and ran out the door to the meditation chambers. When she arrived a minute later, she found a tree in a corner with a nice flat rock to sit on with an exotic flower next to it. Ashley closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind of any distractions. She had finally gotten her mind clear when she felt a disturbance in the force. Not much, just a pang. She looked up and saw her master, Holman, a humanoid male from Yavin 4. He looked sad and concerned.
"Is something troubling you apprentice?" he questioned, obviously concerned.
She had been thinking about her old friend Kaden who she hadn't seen in awhile. But he chose a different path. He was a Sith, and from what she heard, a very powerful one. She missed him dearly.
"Miss your friend Kaden, do you?"
She looked up and nodded. That's a little intrusive she thought.
"Don't worry, he is fine." Her master looked grim.
"What's the matter? " she asked quizzically, "I thought you said he is fine."
"He is. But you may not be alright…. for tomorrow night marks the graduation of the Sith class…the one Kaden is in. We have received word of what their 'final exam' is." Her master looked pale.
"Which is…?"
"To kill a Jedi apprentice who is about to reach the rank of Jedi Knight…meaning you and anyone in your class. All are fair game." Her master finished.
She sat there a minute in silence. Kill an apprentice? Could Kaden really bring himself to kill her? Was he even powerful enough? Every time they even play fought he let her win…that really pissed her off. She always told him that. But could he do it? Could he kill her? She pondered this as she continued her meditation.
/ Sith Starship, Tatoonie
The dust blew past in whirl winds as Lord Calter got onto his starship with the list of names of all the new Jedi apprentices about to graduate to the rank of Jedi Knight. This years classes looked tough, but so did the graduating Sith class. He found it hard to contain his excitement at the upcoming battles. He had placed bets, along with most of the masters. Money will be made and lost on the students' lives…. the fun was about to begin.
/ Jungle, Yavin 4
Kaden had killed the two guards and pilots easy enough. It was landing the ship undetected that was difficult. He hated shuttles, they were so clumsy. After setting down in the jungle near the academy, he activated his comlink. "I have arrived, master."
"Good, we have chosen your target." His masters' voice sounded hollow, "Ashley Krren, a Jedi Knight from Coruscant. She is the top of her class in force techniques, and above average with saber combat…should be easy for you Kaden. Cut her down, no mercy."
He breathed heavily, his mind reeling. "Yes master." He cut the comlink.
His first move would be to enter the temple through the ventilation systems. Then he only had to trick Ashley into meeting him alone. I can't believe I am doing this Kaden thought to himself as he ran through the forest towards the temple. He leaped to the platform over looking the meditation chambers…and stopped dead. Down in the courtyard was his target, Ashley. God she is BEAUTIFUL! Kaden could barely contain the urge to go down there and kiss her, sweep her off her feet and take her far away from this humid and ancient place. But he had a mission to accomplish, sorry for her…. another beauty, wasted. Kaden surveyed the surrounding courtyard/chamber for other students or masters…none. He was about to leap down when he saw a master approach, quickly throwing himself flat against the hot stone of the platform. After a few minutes of talking between the two, the master walked away. Perfect! He leaped down, landing silently behind her. She looks so at peace…he stood, admiring her beauty for a minute before a twilek student walked in and yelled, "Ashley! Behind you!" Oh shit! She spun around and stopped, staring straight into his eyes. They both froze.
/Jedi Academy, Yavin 4
Ashley stood staring into the eyes of Kaden, her friend, and a sith. He has grown since we dated. She thought, looking straight into his eyes.
"Hello…." He managed to mutter.
"Hi." She whispered weakly.
He activated one side of his lightsaber, then the other. Ashley unclipped her lightsaber and activated it. That answers the whole, Will he attack me? question. This was going to be hard. He is the best sith duelist in the academy. Top marks. It was the talk of the temple how good he would be for the Jedi cause. She would have to rely on her force strength. He was strong in the force, but lacked a key element…how to WEILD it. He leaped forward, swinging the blade in a tight arc. She blocked the side swung at her chest, then the other side, which had come around at her back. The Twilek, Calrissa, leaped forward and joined the fray, swinging viscously at his midsection. Atleast she is studying to be a Jedi Guardian, a worthy saber opponent. Together they attacked, lunging towards Kaden as he pressed the attack. He was fast! He swung at Ashley full force…or so she thought, bringing the other end around on Calrissa, cutting her in two neatly at the middle. She toppled over without a sound. Ashley looked up, a look of shock and horror on her face. "Kaden…" she began. He swung at her and force pushed her. She shielded herself, sending a force push of her own at him. He flew back into the hallway, a good thirty feet. He jumped to his feet and sprang to a high landing. He had killed a student…just like her…I have to find my master! She picked up her comlink and was about to call…until a burst of force lightening sent it into the pool in a shower of sparks. So much for THAT. He could use force lightening? That's a rare technique. She thought, leaping at Kaden. He swung down, attempting to catch her in midair, and missed by mere inches. I have to watch that second blade. She reminded herself. They pushed each other back and forth up and down the hallway, neither one showing any sign of tiring. Ashley thought she found an opening…only to receive a foot to the face. He really HAD been holding back when he dueled me. She shrugged off the blow and looked up to see his face..three inches away. He leaned forward, kissing her softly on the lips. OH NO HE DIDN'T! She punched him in the side of the head. He laughed and swung the blade in a spiral. She blocked all four blows, then kicked the lightsaber out of his hand. Just as she saw this happen, after a silent moment of triumph, he disarmed her as well. They both stood there a minute, wondering what to do. He got into a standard martial arts stance. So he can fight unarmed too? He would be a powerful Jedi…just if we could work on his negotiation skills. Leaping down and trying to kill someone didn't scream 'LETS BE FRIENDS!'. He punched at her jaw, which she blocked with a knife hand strike. He followed up with a kick to the side of her leg. She felt pain run up her leg. How did he do that? He combined force lightening with his physical strikes. That could be fatal. He swung again with his fist, giving her a right hook. She blocked and rolled aside. She just turned to see Kaden pull out a black metal object. A blaster. She concentrated the force into her hands. He shot right at her head…which she caught with her hands. He looked bewildered a minute.
"How did you…?" he stammered.
"It's an advanced force technique. Learned it a month ago, mastered it a week ago." She smiled, proud of herself.
"You are a worthy, not to mention beautiful, opponent. I look forward to facing you again." He grinned, than leaped out through the open roof of the academy.
Ashley looked down at the ground and vomited. She was exhausted. This was a whole different Kaden she fought today. He was different, TAINTED. He was very skilled with a saber, as well as unarmed combat. A bad combination for her to defend against. She had to be careful.
----------------------------------Time Break------------ 3 Hours later-------------------------------
Ashley lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. He had killed a student, my age, just like me…a Jedi…She ran her hand through her hair, sweeping the dirt and sweat off of her forehead. She quickly undressed and got back in bed. She had been given the day off from classes, followed by a visit from Master Yoda asking her to identify her attacker, which she did. The black eye that Kadens' foot gave her stung. She reached over to her pack and got out a bacta pad. She was about to relax when she heard a knock at the door. Who could that be? Another young student asking to describe the fight? To ask for an autoprint? It was like she was a hero to be nearly beaten by a Sith. Ashley got up and put on her robes over her underwear and answered the door. Master Skywalker stood there, with a rather interesting look on his face. God she loved him. "Yes master Skywalker?"
He smiled and looked up at her. "I came to see how you were doing. Nasty business with that Sith. It was very brave of you to fight him off. Too bad about Calrissa though…" She looked down.
"Yeah." She replied.
"We found your lightsaber, and I have some bad news." He handed her a dripping wet piece of what looked like a crushed can. "You have to build a new one, this ones shot."
She walked across the room and got out of her drawer the crystal her dad had used in his lightsaber. A blue crystal, the most beautiful crystal she had ever seen. Luke handed her the rest of the pieces she would need. "Thanks." She sat down and started to construct her lightsaber, with Luke looking on. She noticed this and looked up at him. "What is the matter Master Skywalker?"
He looked up into her eyes and took a deep breath. "You remind me of when I constructed MY lightsaber. You put it together in almost the same way…except…"
Ashley looked at him, pain clearly showing. Master Skywalker? Showing EMOTION? Let alone PAIN? What was up? Before she could ask, he answered her.
"That is the way my father, Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader, had built HIS lightsaber. Same color crystal, same hilt." He looked toward the ceiling. "But you are different. You are pure and good." He turned and walked towards the door turning only to say, "Feel better." before leaving. Ashley finished with the lightsaber, clipping it onto her belt and walked out of the temple into the surrounding jungle in search of Kaden.
/Jungle surrounding the Jedi Temple
"…but master! I killed a student!" his voice shook as he tried to convince his master he didn't need help. Also, maybe that killing of one student meant he might not have to kill Ashley.
"No arguments apprentice! I am sending a student to help you. I have just the one. Someone you are familiar with. Lillian. She will be there tomorrow. Get some sleep, then tomorrow you two can plan your next move. Good luck apprentice. For if you two fail, you will need all the luck you can get." The comlink clicked off, and Kaden was pissed. He drew his saber, cutting down a tree for firewood. It was getting dark and a fire would help. For lighting the area around him, as well as his spirits. He sat down cooking a meal of some animal he had trapped, until a rustling in the bushes near him brought him to his feet. He drew his saber and activated both sides. "Don't. I just want to talk." The voice whispered. Ashley emerged from the bushes to his right. She came up and sat down on a log across from the fire. Kaden deactivated his lightsaber and sat down across from her. She looked into the fire with a look of deep sadness on her face. He got up and sat down next to her, drapping an arm across her shoulders. "You are freezing…here, take my robes." He removed his robes outer jacket and wrapped them around her. She looked up with a smile on her face. "Thanks." She chirped. Kaden ran his hand along her waist, feeling the soft skin and the warmth that seemed to radiate from her. She pulled up closer to him. He caressed her skin with his fingers, running them in slow circles, moving up her back. She closed her eyes, her hair hiding her face as Kaden continued to run his hands up her back. When he reached her shoulders, he slung his hands over, moving towards her breasts. She kept silent and still, almost stiff. He ran his hands under her robes, grasping her breasts in his hand, playing with the nipples. She sighed and he moved down towards her waist, slipping into her pants. She let him, keeping her eyes shut, not making a sound except for the sound of her breathing. He kept at it until she moaned and her hand grasped at the air. God she is cute. He sighed as she lay her head against his chest. She whispered something, and saw she was falling asleep. He ran his fingers through her hair as she fell asleep. He soon joined her.
----------------------------------Time Break-------------------------------7 hours later-------
Ashley awoke to the breathing of Kaden under her head. She could not believe she had let him touch her like that. But in some way, she had hoped he would make him rethink his life choices. It was worth a shot. She rolled over and Kaden woke up. "Oh, hey." He said sleepily. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders…which she shrugged off. She got up and sat down on the ground.
"Will you come back to the temple with me? Join us! We have so much more to offer then the Sith do! Please…I beg you…"
He walked towards her and sat down next to her. "They would never accept me there. I have killed a student. To them, I am a monster." He walked to his comlink and, hesitantly, he threw it into the woods. "But…I cannot kill you, and that makes me doomed as a sith. Maybe…just maybe, ill be a better jedi."
She hugged him tightly and they stood up together. Then started towards the temple, hand in hand. "You know," Kaden sighed, "I don't know why anyone would want to be YOUR enemy." Ashley looked at him, puzzled. "Because you sure are testy and vicious. That punch to the face hurt" She chuckled, "You deserved it. Did I give you permission to kiss me?"
Kaden grinned. "I'm evil, remember? "
"WERE." She corrected.
They walked the rest of the way in silence.
"Were." He whispered to himself.
------------------------------Time break----------------------------2 hours---------------------------
Kaden received a greeting from the students that he did not quite expect. They were not mad at him for killing the Twi'lek girl…just pitying him. Like he had to live with a terrible loss. Not his loss. Maybe it was a Jedi thing. Ashley led him up to a man in black robes with a mechanical wrist and hand. Based on the force radiating off of him, he could only be Luke Skywalker. Son of Anakin Skywalker, the son of DARTH VADER. Luke held in his hands a crystal in one hand, and a ticket in the other. "I lay before you a choice, Kaden. You can take the crystal in my right hand and join the Jedi Order. OR you can take this ticket to your academy, and be done with us. It is really your choice. It always has, and always will be, YOUR choice." Kaden regarded the crystal and the ticket. He couldn't go back, he knew that much. He saw a smile spread across Luke's face when he took the crystal. "Welcome to the Order Kaden. It's good to have you with us." Everyone let out a cheer and he couldn't help but smile. Ashley smiled at him. He smiled back. It felt good to feel welcomed so openly, so WILLINGLY. He never got that from his old master and the other sith students. Ashley showed him to his room, adding a congrats of her own. As well as a silent thanks. Even through her happiness, he sensed a change in her that would affect their friendship forever. Oh well, let time be the barer of bad news.
-------------------------------Time Break---------------------------2 Days---------------------------
After a day or two, things had settled down. Classes were routine and he knew his way around the temple. Kaden walked into his room after passing Ashley's room, and leaving a sweatshirt he bought there on her doorstep. He hoped she liked it. When he entered his room and the door hissed open, he was surprised that the light did not go on. Cautiously he entered into the darkness. "Hello?" he called into the eerie darkness. He sensed someone there. He put his hand on the wall and used force lightening to activate the light above 'manually'. There stood Lillian, leaning against his bed. "I didn't think of that," she said casually," nice trick."
"What are you doing here?" Kaden snarled.
"What? That's the kind of greeting you give friends now? Bad Jedi. Behave." Lillian grinned and flung back on his cot. "So soft. Even smells like you…and another. Well, well Kaden, SOMEONES been a busy little gizka. Multiply yet?"
He kept his facial expression in check and sighed, "What do you want, Lillian?"
She walked around the room, examining this, moving that, until she faced him and simply stated, "Why, I want you to DIE, Kaden. You didn't think you would get off THAT easily did you?"
She drew her saber, circling towards him.
He drew his own and chirped, "You might want to reconsider. I took your advice." She frowned. "That was…?"
He force pushed her into the hallway and hit her with a burst of force lightening. "I trained harder in the force as well." She leaped at him, swinging madly. She was not a great fighter and he easily disarmed her. "We were partners once Kaden, FRIENDS! You want to throw that all away?" He looked at her, his eyes as cold as his heart. "Friends don't let friends become twisted, maniacal monsters." He force pushed her into the meditation chamber, where he first sought to kill Ashley. He slowly walked in, drawing the force around him in a shield. Lillian got to her feet and smiled evilly. "Well, since we are on the topic of friends, want to meet another?" If he could choose any moment in his life to change, this would be it. He watched and his anger flared as his former master descended into the chamber. He drew his lightsaber and leaped to the chamber floor. "I am very disappointed in you apprentice. VERY disappointed." Kaden took a step back. "You had such promise, such talent, WASTED. Well, all things must end, as must you." He leaped at Kaden with a side strike, barely missing him as he rolled aside. Kaden got to his feet and threw a brick at him with the force, which his master deflected easily. With a cry, he leaped at his master, swinging as hard as he could, a strike no one in the sith academy could block. NO ONE. But his master did…with Lillian. She spewed blood out of her mouth and clutched at her midsection, trying to keep her organs inside. She fell over, bleeding out on the floor.
"YOU MONSTER!" Kaden screamed and swung viscously again and again, technique forgotten. He felt his masters' blade become less resistant, but he was tiring as well. Finally, with no strength left, he fell to his knees. His master laughed. "You think you stood a chance?" His master laughed again, a hollow, distant laugh," foolish child, you never had a PRAYER. I love it when the hope diminishes from their eyes. Good bye, fool." His master lifted his lightsaber. Kaden closed his eyes, waiting for the blow. It never came. He looked up to see a green blade poking through his masters stomach. His ex. Master regarded it for a minute then he coughed and fell onto the ground, dead. Luke stood a foot behind his masters corpse and deactivated his lightsaber. He looked over the corpse of the sith he had killed then asked, "Are you alright Kaden?" He got slowly to his feet, exhausted, but managed to mutter, "I am fine." With Luke satisfied that he was unharmed, he retired to his room. He slept not an instant.
----------------------------Time Break-------------------------------------------3 months-----------
A swing left, a swing right, there's her opening again, got her. Ashley grunted as the blade singed her skin. "You are way too predictable," Kaden pointed out, "try switching styles every so often. You know, aggressive and defensive." This training session was the last they would have before they became full-fledged Jedi Knights. Kaden couldn't wait, and Ashley was paranoid with passing. "Well mister know-it-all. You know what?" she quipped.
"What?"
"Your face."
He grinned. "Its pretty, I know."
She laughed, "Yeah, pretty UGLY! OHHHHH!"
As she was laughing Kaden singed her elbow with the tip of his saber. "OW!" she cried in surprise and slapped him on the chest. "Not fair."
He gave her a bacta pad and they walked together to the courtyard just outside the temple. The warm kiss of the sun greeted them as they entered the lush and lively jungle of Yavin 4. She sat down on the ground and Kaden did the same. "I have been meaning to talk to you Kaden." She finally whispered.
He looked up and stared a minute. "What is it?"
She looked around and said, "You have said time and time again that you love me…but…I truly am sorry…I don't love you. AT ALL."
Kaden sat speechless and stared at her a second more. Where had this come from? I thought she liked me. Based on what she said and how she acted anyway. Could have said it nicer too…
"I'm sorry Kaden, you are a nice guy, but I don't need someone to bend over backwards for me. I do care about you, do not get me wrong…just not in that way. I'm sorry. Sometimes I wish we never met." That did it.
Kaden stood up and walked back near the temples battle circle, joining the saber class currently taking place. He stood in the center of the battle circle and did a unbelievably stupid thing. He challenged EVERYONE at the circle, five apprentices, to fight him at once. Ashley would not have been concerned…had it not been the advanced class. Kaden was in the advanced class too, but could he take FIVE of them? They all jumped at him, sabers raised. Kaden flipped out of the center, bringing his blade down on the neck of one student. One down. He landed, using the force to push two more back, swinging in a wide arc with all his strength, burning the two students still near him 'in half'. Two left. By the time the two students thrown could get up, Kaden was on them, just touching their throats with his blade and a blade he acquired from a 'dead' student. He deactivated the blades and threw the one he had policed onto the ground. The class stood in silence, and the teacher clapped. "VERY good! You are more then ready for that section of the trials." Kaden bowed and walked away, anger flaring. Ashley could sense it. Should she inform Luke of her feelings? Or is it just her being paranoid? Either way, she would not tell Luke. It was for them to settle. Besides, what could a little anger do?
------------------------Time Break----------------------------------------1 week---------------------
The class celebrated their passing the trials and all congratulated one another. Drinks were passed, music was blaring, and students used their lightsabers as glowsticks. How inappropriate,. Ashley thought, they are tools, not TOYS. She felt a hand come down on her shoulder and turned, it was Kaden. "Hey beautiful." He said grinning madly.
"Hey." She replied nonchalantly. Kaden used the force to acquire them some drinks and handed one to her. She took it and looked around into the crowd. "So, looks like EVERYONE passed. That looks good for the order." Kaden sipped his drink and nodded.
"Yeah, the more Jedi the better, right?" He grabbed her by the hand and said, "Care to dance?" she laughed and shrugged. "Alright," she mused, but you owe me a drink."
"I got you one before."
"Another one." She smiled sweetly.
"Oh alright! Another one after." He lead her into the crowd, and stopped short. He felt something and looked to see a small silver object thrown in the window. Oh crap. I know what that is. That's a thermal detonator! "MOVE! EVERYONE OUT!" Kaden screamed. He threw Ashley into the hall and ran out as half the students followed. He could hear the blast and the walls shook. He counted the people running down the hall. Lets see, there were fifty Jedi in that room, in the hall there are…fifteen. He ran back to the chamber to see. Sure enough, bodies lay everywhere, most not in one piece. He saw Luke come running into the room breathing heavily. "What is going on? Who did this? Kaden? Did you see who could have done this?" Kaden looked around and was started to feel sick. "No Master Skywalker, I only saw the detonator, I tried to get everyone out, I tried…" Before he could finish he felt Luke's hand on his shoulder. He nodded in understanding. "It's not your fault Kaden, you tried, that's all anyone can ever ask of you." Even though Master Skywalker said it was not his fault, he felt strangely guilty. Like he had been the one to throw the explosive into the room. But Master Skywalker was never one to lie, so he walked out of the room, only a shadow of a doubt in his mind that it wasn't his fault. Tomorrow, he went on his first mission as a Jedi Knight. At least he could look forward to that.
End of Part 1 (Part 2 Coming Soon)