We're Wizards, Not Warriors
Chapter 4: Framed!
Sam got off Hamill as he made it to the front of Hexside.
"Thanks for the lift Hamill", Sam said.
Hamill nodded before flying off.
"Hi Owen!"
Sam turned to see Twig and Cat run up to him.
"We were just about to enter the school, let's go in together", Cat smiled.
Then before they took another step…. A section of the school was suddenly engulfed in a huge explosion!
Sam and his friends covered their faces.
Twig asked scared, "what was that!?"
Sam was the first to see the utter destruction that had been caused!
The section of the school had been blown apart and there was fire everywhere!
Cat said, "oh God…."
Sam said, "we have to see if there's any survivors. Let's split up!"
….
Some time later….
Sam and his friends were able to find 6 survivors and they pulled them to safety.
Bump shouted as he ran towards his students, "thank goodness, are you kids okay!?"
Sam said, "we're okay, sir. Twig, Cat and I were just entering the school when this section exploded."
"I heard the explosion and I felt the entire school shake", Bump said.
"Sir, you must call the healing Coven. These students need help", Cat said.
"Sir…. Sadly a few students and teachers were killed….", Twig said with a few tears in his eyes.
Sam hugged Twig as Bump said, "you three get to my office. You're prime witnesses to this, so I'll need your help. I'll take care of the survivors."
The three nod their heads.
….
Later….
Sam shivers in fear as he and his friends alongside the rest of the students and staff at Hexside were all standing.
Belos, Lilith, Kikimora and Hordak were there as Belos and Bump gave a speech about the victims of the explosion.
Sam barley listened to the speech as he and Hordak kept glancing at one another, recognizing one another after their last meeting.
"This breaks my heart to say…. That a few students and teachers were killed in the explosion", Bump said as he cried.
Twig was barely holding in their sobs as Sam rubbed their back, his gaze still locked between Hordak and Belos.
Sam was standing next to Cobi who looked sad as well.
In front of them were the bodies of the victims who were covered in a blanket.
Sam asked, "Cobi?"
Cobi said, "hmm?"
Sam asked, "you alright? Did you know any of the victims?"
"Yes…. Jacob…. He was the one who helped me whenever I had trouble studying", Cobi said as he stared at the casket.
Lilith then gave her speech.
"The death of any person is a tragic one. And these people were no exception. Children who deserved longer lives, and teachers who still had more to teach. Rest assured, we will not rest until the one who did this is brought to justice, and the souls of these people can rest easy…."
"Families of the victims will receive help and we will help fund the funerals of the victims", Kikimora said.
Belos then started his speech.
"The entire Coven will be performing an extensive investigation in order to find the perpetrator of this terrible crime…. It's clear that one of our enemies grew angry, and caused this tragedy."
Sam clenched his fists.
He was angered over Belos trying to spin the whole thing on the Jedi.
Could the Sith have been behind the bombing of Hexside?
It was likely, but Sam wasn't sure yet.
….
After the memorial….
Sam and his friends were in Principal Bump's office.
Bump said, "if we want to find out who did this, I need you kids to remember as much as you can."
Lilith and Hordak were there as well.
"We were just on our way to enter the school…. When that section blew up", Twig said.
Cat said, "we were barely able to see anything when it happened."
"Well, it looks like me and Hordak are going to have to investigate the section of the school that exploded", Lilith said.
Bump said, "by all means. I want to catch whoever did this, and know how they did it."
"Yeah…. The person who did this is crazy! They killed innocent kids", Sam said as he stood up.
Lilith grimaced at his boldness, while Hordak smiled at Sam's hope of delivering justice for the victims.
Hordak asked Bump, "would it be okay if these kids come with us?"
"Certainly. Whatever moves this investigation closer to finding the villains behind this. I'll also join you on this investigation...school has been canceled until the culprit is caught", Bump said as he stood up.
Lilith said, "very good, sir. Let's get this investigation under way."
The group then started to walk to the section of the school that blew up.
Coven scouts were looking over the area for evidence.
The entire section was black and charred.
Hordak said, "such a senseless waste of life."
"Agreed", Lilith said.
Bump asked, "have you found the cause of the explosion?"
A coven scout approached and said, "it was some kind of enchantment that caused the explosion."
Sam asked, "enchantment?"
Cat asked, "what do you mean?"
The scout added, "it appears that someone had an enchantment placed on them that caused them to…. Well…. Ya know."
Twig asked in horror, "you mean...?"
The scout replied, "that the enchantment would cause the person to explode."
This shook all of them to the core.
Lilith asked, "well then who was the witch or wizard that was placed under the enchantment?"
The scout replied, "all that we could recover from the explosion was a severed hand."
The scout showed the hand in a bag.
"We could use a tracking spell on this hand to find out who it was", Hordak said.
Lilith said, "hmm, a tracking spell should lead us to any accomplices they may have. Good idea."
"Well that's good news", Bump said.
"You kids can go back to your homes…. And stay there until the culprit behind this attack is caught", Lilith said with a soft smile on her face.
Sam forced himself to give a smile as the others did, and they walked off.
Sam then saw Cobi.
"Cobi", Sam said as he ran up to his friend.
"Hi Sam", Cobi said.
Sam said, "this situation is a nightmare. Who the heck would do this?"
Cobi was silent for a moment as he turned his head away.
"I don't know", Cobi said with sadness in his voice.
Sam said, "sigh, I honestly hope they find the one responsible."
"I hope so too." Cobi said.
"Well I'm going to go visit my aunt, bye Cobi", Sam said as he walked out of the school to head to his Aunt Eda's house.
Cobi waved goodbye with a conflicted expression on his face.
Sam walked through the town of Bonesborough and he heard every witch, demon and creature all talking about the same thing.
The bombing at Hexside.
"This is terrible!"
"Who would do something like this!?"
"How could this happen?!"
"It was an inside job! I'm sure of it!"
"Oh those poor innocent kids!"
Sam then made it to the forest and just as he was taking a few steps into the woods….
"SAM!"
Sam was tackled into a bear hug by his Aunt Eda!
Sam chuckled as he hugged Eda. She was now starting to show greying hair after the last few years, with a few flecks of red still in it.
Eda then started to check over Sam's body.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt? I heard the news about the bombing at Hexside", Eda said, worried.
Sam chuckled lightly and said, "I'm fine, Aunt Eda. I'm lucky I wasn't close to the explosion."
"Thank goodness! Come with me…. Your parents are back at the Owl House", Eda said.
Sam then started to follow his aunt.
Sam asked, "what're mom and dad doing there?"
"They knew they couldn't come to the school…. Because they are wanted by the Emperor's coven", Eda said.
"Oh yeah, I forgot", Sam said.
"And they were worried and they came over as soon as they heard about the bombing at Hexside", Eda said as she and Sam then made it to the front of the Owl House.
Hooty suddenly popped out and yelled, "HELLO!"
"WAHHH", Sam shouted in surprise as he fell down.
"Oops, sorry", Hooty laughed.
Sam yelled, "dang it Hooty! You do that again, I'm gonna bake you into a pie!"
"Okay", Hooty said, then Eda poked his eyes and Hooty shouted in pain.
"Don't ever scare Sam like that again Hooty! Or you'll have to deal with me", Eda said with an annoyed look on her face.
Hooty said, "fine, jeez", before opening the door up.
As soon as Sam walked into the door…. He was tackled into a bear hug by his parents.
"SAM", Anakin and Padme shouted in relief.
Padme asked as she looked over Sam, "are you okay my baby!?"
Sam chuckled and said, "I'm fine mom. I wasn't even in the building when the explosion happened."
Anakin then started to plant kisses over Sam's face as he hugged his son close to him.
"Dad", Sam said as he blushed.
Anakin asked, "what happened at the school? We heard there was an explosion!"
"Well Lilith and Hordak found out that it was a bombing…. Someone planned this", Sam explained.
Eda asked, "what kind of maniac would attack a school like that."
"That's what they are trying to find out…. To make it worse…. The explosion happened due to someone having enchantment on them", Sam said.
Padme asked, "what do you mean?"
Sam replied, "someone enchanted an employee of the school. When they entered the school, they activated the enchantment…. And all that was left of them was their hand."
Everyone in the room gasped in horror.
"Hoot", Hooty said.
Eda asked, annoyed, "what Hooty?"
"Check the news", Hooty said.
Eda turned on her Crystal-Vision.
"Perry Porter here…. And I'm here at the conformatorium….", Perry said.
Eda said, "oh great, what crap is he gonna speak about now?"
"I'm here to report that Letta Turmond…. Has been arrested for her involvement in the bombing at Hexside", Perry said.
Sam said, "Letta Turmond? Her husband worked at the school. And I think he was the one who was blown up!"
"Letta has confessed that she did indeed give her husband an enchanted fruit…. That when certain words were spoken he would explode….", Perry said with a look of horror.
Padme asked, "but what kind of woman would do that to her husband?"
"But there is more... Letta claims that she was forced to give her husband the enchanted fruit…. By someone…. But Letta refuses to reveal the name of that person", Perry said.
Sam said, "she won't tell a coven scout…. But maybe she'll tell a Jedi?"
Anakin asked, "Sam, what are you thinking?"
Sam said, "I'm thinking that we need to send a Jedi in there to interrogate Letta, and figure out who her boss is."
"But if either Anakin or one of the Jedi from the Rogue Coven goes there…. They'll be toast", Eda said with a wince.
"Then I'll have to sneak in…. And ask Letta myself", Sam said as he stood up.
Padme yelled, "what?! No! Why you!?"
Sam said, "none of them know my real name or family. They have no idea that I'm a Jedi. I could easily sneak in and find out what's going on!"
Anakin asked as he held his son's shoulders, "Sam, no! You can't go! What if Belos…. Learns who you really are!?"
"No way Kid! You are not going to do that…. It's too risky", Eda said.
Sam said, "it's our only option. We need to find out who did this before Belos tries to pin it on the Jedi!"
Revan then appeared in the room.
Anakin asked, "Revan?"
"I will make sure…. Sam isn't harmed while he sneaks inside", Revan said.
Padme said, "are you sure it's safe?"
"The conformatorium may not be a safe place…. But I will make sure Sam is protected at all costs", Revan said.
There were a few moments of silence.
"Fine…. But please protect Sam at all costs", Padme said.
Revan said, "I wouldn't put him through this if I knew he would be in inescapable danger."
Eda and Anakin then hugged Sam.
"Stay safe out there", Eda said.
"May the force be with you, my son", Anakin said.
"Thanks Dad, Aunt Eda", Sam said with a small smile.
….
"Okay…. So all I have to do is knock out that coven scout and take his clothes", Sam whispered to himself.
He saw a scout rounding a corner, and quickly used his magic to form a frying pan.
"Okay…. On 1….", Sam said.
The scout was getting closer.
"2…."
The footsteps were getting louder.
"3!"
Sam hit the scout over the head, and after they said, "I want Macerooooooni", they fell to the ground unconscious.
Sam then quickly pulled the scout to him and he started to take off his uniform.
….
After a few minutes...
Sam was now wearing the Coven scout's uniform and he made sure the scout was tied up and gagged, and also hidden somewhere.
"Okay, here we go", Sam said to himself as he headed off to search for Letta's cell.
It took a few minutes, but he soon found what he was looking for.
Sam then saw Letta in the corner of the cell hugging her knees close to her chest.
Sam then entered her cell.
Letta asked, scared, "what do you want!?"
Sam got low and took his helmet off, showing his face as he whispered, "I'm a friend. I'm here to help."
Letta whispered, "are…. Are you a…. J-Jedi?"
Sam nods his head.
"Thank goodness", Letta said.
Sam whispered, "now is it true…. That you were forced to give your husband the enchanted fruit?"
Letta gave a shaky nod and said, "he said he'd kill me if I didn't do it. I was just so terrified."
Sam whispered, "he?"
"I didn't have a choice", Letta said with tears in her eyes.
Sam said, "shh, it's okay. The Jedi can protect you. All you have to do is tell us who this person was, and we'll make sure he doesn't get to you."
Letta asked, "do you promise?"
"I promise", Sam said.
Letta then sighed before she looked at Sam.
She said, "the person who forced me to give my husband the fruit was…. Was…."
Sam asked, "who?"
But then Letta started to choke as she grabbed at her throat!
And she was being lifted into the air!
Sam yelled, "Letta!"
Sam tried to sense who was doing this while trying to get Letta to the ground.
But he couldn't and he tried everything he could to get Letta down…. But then.
Letta's arms fell limp and her body fell to the ground.
Sam quickly tried doing compressions in her chest, praying that he wasn't too late, even when it was painfully obvious.
"What's going on in there!?"
Sam's eyes widened in horror as he heard the coven scouts coming in close.
"Revan…. Help….", Sam said before he was then knocked out.
….
Sam groggily woke up an hour later, now locked in a different cell.
Sam saw that he wasn't wearing the Coven scout Uniforms anymore.
"Oh Crap", Sam whispered.
Sam saw that his hands were cuffed, and he muttered, "well that didn't go as well as I hoped."
"Well, well."
Sam saw…. Kikimora enters his cell.
They said, "it appears we caught a Jedi in disguise."
Sam glared at her.
"Hmmm…. You look like Skywalker…. But yet I know you are not him…. Skywalker is not that foolish to sneak in here", Kikimora said.
It was true as Sam was growing up…. For some reason…. He looked identical to his adopted father as if they were twins.
Sam just glared at Kikimora as she said, "what's wrong? Demon got your tongue?"
Sam just kept glaring at Kikimora as he said, "funny how she only started talking once a Jedi showed up. As if…. She was terrified of the Emperor…."
Kikimora glared at Sam.
"None the less…. You are under arrest for murdering Letta Turmond", Kikimora said.
"I didn't kill her! I was trying to save her! Someone else killed her", Sam said in anger.
Kikimora asked, "and prey tell, who would that be? Hmm?"
Sam said, "I don't know…. But they were strong with magic. And they're framing me!"
Kikimora just said, "you'll remain in this cell until we can put together a trial…. Nobody's coming to free you…."
Kikimora then walked out of her cell.
Sam asked through the force, 'Revan…. What should I do?'
Revan replied, 'stay calm, my friend…. He will save you…. He…. Will play a huge part, in your story…."
'Who…. Who will save me? Revan? Revan', Sam shouted into the force.
Sam sighed as he spend the next 5 minutes doing nothing in his cell…. Until…. He heard the door unlock, and he looked up to see Hordak standing there.
Hordak then formed a spell circle and then…. Sam's cuffs were gone.
Hordak glanced around before saying, "follow me. And put this on", Hordak handed him a coven scout's uniform.
Sam quickly puts on the uniform and starts to follow Hordak.
Sam whispered, "why…. Are you helping me?"
Hordak was silent for a moment before replying, "it seemed wrong to punish a hero for something he didn't do."
Sam asked, "but what if Belos finds out that you helped me?"
Hordak said, "it doesn't matter. What matters, is getting you out of here."
Hordak led Sam through a hall.
Sam asked, "Hordak…. What do you think of the Jedi?"
Hordak replied, "I've come to realize that the Jedi are truly looking out for what's best for the Isles. The Emperor's lies must one day be revealed."
Sam smiled beneath his mask.
"This will lead you to an outside path…. Go", Hordak said.
Sam walked forward…. Before leaving…. He turned around.
And gave Hordak a big hug.
"Thank you", Sam said.
Hordak hugged back and said, "may the force be with you."
"And you too", Sam said as he then ran off.
Hordak smiled before he ran off, hoping to lead the scouts away from Sam.
….
Later, Sam was then somewhere in town wearing a cloak to hide his face.
'Sam Skywalker!'
Sam winced as he heard his father through force.
Sam said through the force, 'hey…. Dad…. How's it going?'
'Don't you, "hey Dad", me! Where have you been, mister!? We got worried when you didn't come back home', Anakin shouted.
'Dad…. I can't explain this right now. I'm on the run', Sam said through the force.
Anakin asked, worried, 'on the run from what?'
'I was able to find Letta…. But she was killed', Sam explained.
Anakin asked, 'what!? By who?!'
Sam replied, 'I dunno. But it was a male with magic that could choke someone without being in the room! I need to find them and clear my name!'
'WHATT!? Don't worry Son…. I'm-', Anakin said but then Sam cut him off.
'No dad…. Whatever happens don't get yourself or any other Jedi involved…. Belos will use that by all means to blame the bombing on the Jedi', Sam said.
'But you need help! We can't just leave you on your own like this', Anakin shouted.
'Dad…. Please I know how worried you are…. But please I need to do this on my own…. We can't let Belos make the Jedi look like the bad guys…. So please trust me on this', Sam said.
'Sigh…. Alright…. I trust you, son. But please…. Be careful', Anakin said.
'I will…. I promise, Dad', Sam said.
'May the force be with you', Anakin said.
Sam sighed as he walked through the town.
Sam knew who he could call to help him…. So he pulled out a purple scroll, in order to contact help.
Sam walked into an alley.
Sam asked, "Cobi? Cobi? Are you there?"
Cobi asked, "Owen? Are you okay?"
Sam said, "yeah, I'm fine. But I need your help. I've been framed for the bombing, and the killing of Letta!"
"This is bad! But I have an idea on how to help you", Cobi said.
Sam asked, "how?"
"I'll meet you wherever you are. Tell me your location, so we can figure this out", Cobi said.
"Okay…. I'll send you my location", Sam said.
"Be careful", Cobi said as he hung up.
Sam made sure to stay on guard…. If any coven scouts come after him.
He quickly bought a mask from a shop in order to disguise himself from the scouts.
Sam started to walk through the town as he made sure to not let his guard down.
And behind him were two shadows, spinning through the darkness.
Sam sensed them getting closer, and then…. He used the force to push them both into a wall!
"Damn it! That hurt!"
"My head!"
Sam then walked closer to see who they were….
The first was a young woman with light green skin and tattoos on her cheeks, short hair covered by a blue hood and cloak.
And then the second person was a young man who looked very similar to Sam, but with short blonde hair, red eyes, and a missing front tooth, dressed in white robes.
Sam asked, "who are you two? Why were you following me!?"
The woman said, "calm down! We're on your side, Skywalker!"
Sam hissed, "shh! Not so loud! Tell me your names!"
"My name is Barriss Offee", Barriss said as she bowed.
"My name is Leon", Leon said as he bowed.
Sam asked, "are you two Jedi?"
Leon said, "Padawans, but yes. Barriss and I heard of your trouble with the Emperor's Coven, and decided to help."
Sam said, "hmm…. Who are your masters?"
Barriss replied, "mine is Master Luminara."
Sam asked, "I did hear Luminara got herself a new padawan…. And who is your master Leon?"
Leon replied, "I was once Dooku's padawan. But after he left the order, Master Kenobi became my master."
"I'm so sorry", Sam said.
"We can speak at a later time…. Let's go", Barriss said.
"Follow me", Sam said.
The three of them began racing down alleyways in order to find a safe place to lay low and find Cobi.
Suddenly Sam's purple scroll started to ring.
Sam said, "hello?"
"Sam, it's me…. Cobi…. I'm afraid I can't come to the location you are at…. Since there are a lot of Coven scouts in the area…. But I did find a clue", Cobi said.
Sam asked, "what kind of clue?"
But then, he realized something.
He had never told Cobi his real name.
He had made sure to keep calling himself Owen in front of his Hexside classmates.
How did Cobi know his real name!?
"I found a clue that leads to a warehouse where Letta got the Enchanted fruit", Cobi said.
"Okay…. Thanks, my friend", Sam said.
"Be careful", Cobi said as he hung up.
Barriss asked, "what did your friend tell you?"
Sam replied, "he told me where he thinks the enchanted fruit that Letta's husband ate is in a warehouse…. But that's not the strange part…."
Leon asked, "what is the strange part Sam?"
Sam said, "he called me Sam…. Even though I've never told him my real name…."
Barris replied, "that's very strange…. How could he have known your real name?"
Sam said, "I don't know. This whole situation just seems …. Off."
"We can worry about that later…. Let's head to the warehouse", Leon said.
The 3 Jedi then started to walk in the direction of the warehouse.
When they got there, Sam said, "stay close. We have no idea what we'll face here."
Barriss, "if we stay close…. How are we going to find the clue?"
"Sam…. Let's try to split up and find the clue", Leon said.
Sam said, "okay, but don't go too far. We have no idea what awaits us in there."
Barriss and Leon nod their heads as they all enter the warehouse.
"This place is big…. I hope we can find the clue somewhere in here", Leon whispered.
Sam said, "we need the evidence if we wanna bring the true villain behind all of this to justice."
Barriss was in a part of the Warehouse…. When she heard something.
Barriss asked, "who's there?"
She put her hands on her saber, ready to defend herself.
Then she saw…. A Tooka Cat.
The Tooka Cat then hissed as it ran off.
Barriss smiled and then chuckled as she turned around…. And was suddenly kicked to the ground!
Barriss groans in pain as her head hits the ground.
"Who's-", Barriss asked before she was hit in the head by a metal pole and she was knocked out.
The figure who did this to her grabbed her lightsaber, and ran off!
Leon was then in another part of the Warehouse.
"I hope Barriss at least found a clue…. She is much better at this stuff than I am", Leon said to himself.
That's when he heard something behind him, making him slowly reach for his saber.
Then vines shot up from the ground and tied Leon up!
Leon said as he struggled to get free, "what the!?"
Leon was sent flying into a wall, knocking him out!
The same figure went up to Leon and grabbed his lightsaber.
Sam was inspecting a part of the warehouse….
Sam asked himself, "what kind of clue am I supposed to find?"
His eyes scanned over everything in his path.
Then he heard something behind him!
He turned around and quickly activated his lightsabers as the figure attacked!
The figure had two lightsabers and Sam quickly blocked the attack as he slid under the figure.
Sam then kicked the figure in the back and he got a good look at the figure…. The same age as him, and quite skilled at magic, wearing dark clothing and a hood to shadow their face.
"You! You are the one behind the bombing of Hexside", Sam shouted in anger.
Sam then saw the figure was holding…. Barriss and Leon's lightsabers!
Sam growled, "where are my friends?! Who are you!?"
The figure formed a spell circle and Sam saw a giant piece of metal falling towards him!
Sam jumped out of the way and he started to cough.
He looked around frantically, trying to spot his attacker.
He caught a glimpse of his attacker going up…. They were flying!
Sam thought, 'what kind of magic is that?!'
The figure then threw barrels at Sam and he used his sabers to slash them in half.
Sam then jumped towards the figure and he was able to tackle them!
Sam tried grabbing the cloak to see the attackers face as he yelled, "WHO ARE YOU!?"
The figure kicked Sam away and they jumped towards him with the lightsabers in their hands.
Sam uses the force to hold them back so he can reactivate his sabers.
Sam blocked the attacks.
Sam could tell that his attacker had never used Lightsabers before in combat.
Sam said, "you're no Sith OR Jedi."
The figure then summoned abominations and they ran towards Sam.
Sam quickly used his sabers to slash them in half as he ran towards his attacker.
Sam jumped into the air and spinned around like a whirlwind of death!
The figure barely dodged the attack and they slashed at a boiler, releasing steam that hit Sam in the eyes.
Sam rubbed his eyes in order to get his sight back.
The figure then ran towards some barrels and used their magic to send the barrels to Sam.
Sam rolled out of the way and saw the barrels formed fire.
"Sam, take cover", Revan shouted through the force.
Then a red shield formed in front of Sam.
The fires licked the shield, trying to get to Sam in order to burn him to a crisp!
….
Meanwhile, a few coven scouts heard the explosion and saw it was coming from the warehouse.
Lilith and Hordak saw it as well, and the former yelled, "follow that explosion!"
….
Back at the Warehouse.
Sam was on the floor and then the figure grabbed him and threw him towards a wall.
Sam groaned in pain as he tried to stand up.
Sam growled, "who the Hell are you?! How could you kill so many innocents? Men? Women? CHILDREN! And for what?!"
The figure let out a growl as they used their magic to push Sam away.
Sam's lightsabers rolled out of his hands and they fell to the bottom.
Sam, seeing he had no other choice, tried to fight the figure.
Revan was helping move Barriss and Leon to a safer place…. And then he heard Sam scream in pain…. They quickly set Barriss and Leon down safely before dashing towards the screaming.
Sam groaned in pain as he kicked in the stomach and then the figure kicked him in the head sending him falling down.
Sam groaned in pain as he started to get up and then he saw some boxes….
Sam asked, "the Enchanted fruit?"
That's when he heard many pairs of feet approving the area!
"Freeze!"
Sam saw a few coven scouts enter the warehouse.
"Wait…. I can expl-", Sam said before one of them fired a spell at Sam that knocked him out!
Hordak approached Sam and asked the scout, "must you have been so brutal? You didn't even give them a chance to speak!"
The scout looked a bit nervous as he backed away.
Lilith then entered the Warehouse and saw the unconscious Sam on the ground.
She said, "excellent work men, we've caught the murderer."
Hordak glared at Lilith and said, "him being here proves nothing. You take him back to the school to question him. I'm going to see if there's any other clues."
"Look around…. This warehouse is full of Enchanted fruit…. The same one used for the bombing of Hexside", Lilith said.
Hordak said, "but why would he risk leading us to more evidence that could convict him of being guilty?"
"I have no time for this…. Take him away", Lilith said with a wave of her hand.
The scouts picked up Sam's body and carried him away.
Hordak gave a worried look as the coven scouts and Lilith walked off.
But that's when he heard, 'find Leon and Barriss…. They will lead you to the truth….'
Hordak was looking around to see who said that.
Hordak then saw a red orb in front of him and it flew off.
Hordak then followed it.
He asked himself, "what is this thing? Where is it taking me? And will it help me to save…. Him…."
Hordak followed the red orb and it led him out of the warehouse and into the woods.
"Oh, my head!"
Hordak then heard a few voices.
He approached some bushes and peaked out, seeing Barriss and Leon waking up.
Leon was holding Barriss' shoulders and asking, "are you alright, sweety?"
Barriss groans in pain as she holds her head.
Barriss asked, "what happened?"
Leon then kissed her on the lips and hugged her close to him.
"I'm glad you're okay", Leon smiled.
Barriss hugged Leon back, before she spotted Hordak!
She was about to yell, when Hordak said, "are you Barriss and Leon?"
Barriss asked as she and Leon stood up and got into a fighting stance, "how do you know our names!?"
"I was told you two could help me…. Learn the truth", Hordak said.
Leon said, "the truth? You mean you don't believe our friend did all of those things?"
"No…. I honestly don't believe he did all this…. I have seen the good in him…. How he is willing to protect others", Hordak said with a small frown on his face.
Leon and Barriss saw the look in his eyes. He desperately wanted to save their friend.
Leon asked, "what do you need to know?"
Hordak asked, "do any of you know what really happened at the Warehouse?"
"That last thing we remember is someone attacking us…. And knocking us out", Leon said.
"That same person must have attacked Sam and framed him for the bombing of Hexside", Barriss said in thought.
Hordak asked, "is there anyone who knew that you and your friend were going to the warehouse for clues?"
"Wait…. There is one person who knows where we were going", Leon said.
"Sam spoke to his friend Cobi…. He was the one who gave us the clue that led us to the warehouse", Barriss said.
Hordak said, "Cobi…. Hmm…. I need to confront this person…. But I'll need help."
"We know some people that can help you…. Follow us", Barriss said.
As Hordak started to follow the two, in his head he was now in thought as he now knew the name of the Jedi who had helped save the child that one time.
Sam.
And to him, it was the most beautiful name in the world.
Hordak blushed at the thought.
….
At the Owl House.
Anakin was pacing around the living room.
"Ani, please sit down", Padme said to her husband.
Anakin replied, "I can't just sit down and wait! Our son could be in Force knows what kind of danger!"
"I agree…. The kid has taken a bit too long to return", Eda said.
"Hoot! We have some visitors", Hooty said as he opened the door.
Barriss and Leon walked inside first.
Anakin said, "Leon, Barriss, have you seen Sam anywhere?!"
"I'm afraid we have bad news….", Barriss said in a worried tone.
"Sam was taken by the Emperor's coven", Leon said with fear.
"WHAT!?"
Anakin was starting to hyperventilate as Eda handed him a paper bag to breathe into.
Padme had tears falling down her face.
"We have to rescue him", Eda said.
"Don't worry, we have help", Leon said.
Hordak then walked inside.
Eda and Anakin instantly pointed their weapons at him.
"No wait! He's here to help us", Barriss said as she and Leon jumped in front of Hordak.
Anakin asked, "how can you be sure we can trust him?"
Hordak made a show of good faith by removing his weapon from his belt and placing it on the table in front of him.
"I know you may not trust me…. For being part of the Emperor's coven…. But I do want to help prove Sam is innocent", Hordak said.
Padme asked as she stood beside Anakin, "why do you want to help our son?"
Hordak replied, "I've witnessed him doing great things as Starkiller. One time, he saved a child, losing his mask in the process, revealing himself to me. But I held my tongue about it. And I know for a fact that he's innocent. And I believe we can prove it…. By finding his friend, Cobi."
Padme asked, "Cobi? Sam's friend?"
"He was the only other one who knew about the warehouse and that's not all", Leon said.
Eda asked, "what else is there?"
"He called Sam by his real name…. Not Owen….", Barriss said.
Anakin said, "but I know for a fact that Sam's never told anyone at Hexside his real name!"
Hordak said, "exactly. I need your help to confront Cobi, so Sam can be proven innocent."
"Deal", Anakin and Eda said at the same time.
….
Meanwhile, Sam was in his cell when the door opened.
His friends, Chris, Cat and Twig stepped inside.
Then Bump walked inside the cell.
Sam said, "hey guys. Please tell me you don't think I did this!"
Twig said, "of course we don't. You were there when the explosion happened!"
Cat said, "but it's gonna be tricky to convince everyone you're innocent."
"Which is why Bump is here", Chris said.
Sam asked, "huh?"
Bump said, "Owen, I'm going to do my best to prove your innocence to the Boiling Isles. Mark my words, you'll be a free man."
"Thank you", Sam smiled sadly.
….
Hexside.
The school had been rebuilt and the students were now back.
Hordak led Eda and Anakin into the school.
Eda asked as she looked around, "so where is this Cobi?"
"He must be in one of his classes", Anakin said.
"We'll know if it was him…. If he does indeed have Barriss and Leon's lightsabers", Hordak said as they approached a classroom.
They looked inside, and saw Cobi in the very back of the room, his face in a book.
Eda whispered, "is he alone?"
Anakin said, "yes, he is. Makes it much easier to talk to him."
Hordak led the two inside.
Cobi lifted his head up from his book.
"Oh hello there…. Mister Hordak", Cobi said with a smile as he bowed.
Anakin could sense…. A bit of fear in the boy.
Cobi asked, "what brings you here today?"
Hordak said, "we wished to talk to you about the situation involving your friend. We believe he's been framed for the bombing of the school and murder of Letta Turmond."
"Sam…. I did know as he called me…. To help him", Cobi said, accidentally calling Sam by his real name.
Hordak asked, "did you tell anyone else?"
Cobi asked, "so, who told you I spoke to him?"
"Barriss and Leon. They told us", Anakin said.
Cobi asked as he backed away a bit, "oh…. Could it be the Sith who are behind this?"
"That's what we all thought…. But we were wrong", Eda said with a frown on her face.
"Someone else is involved in this", Hordak said.
Cobi continued it back up and said, "and who do you think did so?"
"I don't know…. All I know it wasn't Sam", Hordak said.
Anakin could sense Cobi's hand about to pull something to his hand.
"But there is one way to find out", Anakin said as he activated his lightsaber and thrust it forward.
But it was met by two familiar looking lightsabers!
"Funny, those belong to Leon and Barriss", Anakin said.
Cobi then jumped back to avoid a spell from Eda.
Eda shouted in anger, "so it was you!?"
Anakin shouted in anger, "you were the one who framed Sam!?"
"About time you figured it out", Cobi said with a dark look on his face.
Hordak then kicked him and it sent Cobi flying out the room.
Cobi then started to run.
"After him", Anakin shouted in anger.
….
Meanwhile, Sam was nervous as he was now going to face trial, and he hoped Principal Bump could prove his innocence.
Kikimora would be speaking against Sam, much to his chagrin.
Sam only hoped that maybe his friends and family could find the truth.
But that's not the worst part…. The one who would be in charge of the trial is…. Emperor Belos! At the Conformatorium!
"Let's begin this trial shall we? Kikimora you may go first", Belos said over the microphone.
Kikimora stepped forward and said, "today, we are here to convict the felon known as Owen Lars of terrorism, murder, and conspiring against the Emperor's Coven."
Bump stepped forward.
"No…. There is no way Owen Lars would do such a thing. I know my student well…. He would never do something so evil", Bump said as he glared at Kikimora.
Belos said, "order. You will both be allowed to present your cases, to decide the fate of the defendant."
Sam lowered his head down in sadness.
Kikimora asked, "Principal Bump? You have seen all the evidence against your student. So who else could it be?"
Bump glared at Kikimora.
Bump said, "how could Owen have activated the enchanted fruit, when he was right next to his friends when it happened? And why would he incriminate himself by going to where the fruit was, and killing the only suspect involved in the bombing?"
Sam had a small smile on his face.
'Please hurry', Sam thought.
….
Hexside.
Students ran out of the way as Cobi ran through the halls.
Anakin caught up to him and clashed his saber against Cobi's who jumped out of the way.
"Sam trusted you, and you betrayed him", Anakin snarled in anger.
Hordak said as he glared at Cobi, "how could you do this to your friend!?"
Eda shouted in anger, "yeah, why did you do it!?"
Cobi yelled, "the Emperor's Coven needed to be taught a lesson! And Sam got in the way!"
Anakin yelled, "but he was your friend!"
Cobi scoffed at this.
Anakin and Eda growled in anger as they lunged at Cobi!
They managed to push him through a window, making him smash to the ground in pain!
Hordak leaped forward and send a spell at Cobi who managed to deflect the spell.
Down below were some students learning some magic and they heard something above them.
Cobi used his plant magic to kick Anakin, Eda and Hordak down below.
The three crashed onto the ground.
"Look out", a student said as she pointed to Cobi jumping from up above.
Hordak and the others moved out of the way as he tried to strike them down.
Cobi growled in rage as he nearly sliced Hordak in two!
Hordak started to duel Cobi, who tried to slash at Hordak.
Hordak used his magic to block one of Cobi's strikes and just when Cobi was about to use the second lightsaber, Cobi felt it being pulled out of his hand by Eda as she used her magic to pull the lightsaber to her hand.
Anakin used the force to pull the other saber away from Cobi, and the group then pointed all of their weapons at him.
"You are under arrest", Hordak said.
….
Conformatorium.
"I'm afraid that none of what you said, Principal bump, will be enough to prove Owen Lars' innocence", Lilith said as she stood beside the Emperor.
"For once, I agree with Lilith", Kikimora said.
Bump said, "but there's still evidence! There's still a debate to be had!"
Lilith asked, "and where is this supposed other evidence?"
"It's here now!"
Sam turned around to see Hordak and a few coven scouts with him.
"Young Hordak", Belos said.
"I'm here with evidence and a confession from the person responsible for all the crimes, Owen Lars has been accused of", Hordak said with a look of anger on his face as he moved out of the way.
Sam's eyes went wide as he saw Cobi had his hands cuffed behind his back.
Sam felt tears in his eyes as he said, "C-Cobi?"
Cobi walked forward as Hordak growled, "tell them the truth!"
Cobi had a conflicted look on his face and a bit of sadness.
"I did it…. I framed Owen Lars for the crimes I have done….", Cobi said with his face looking conflicted.
Sam asked with tears in his eyes, "C-Cobi…. Why?"
"Because I've come to realize what many people in the Boiling Isles have come to realize…", Cobi said as he then started to glare at Belos and his coven, "that the Emperor's Coven are the true enemy! They need to be taken out of power! The bombing was to show how ineffective the Coven is at protecting the people! But I couldn't let anyone get in my way!"
Sam and Bump's eyes went wide at how Cobi showed in his speech how he truly felt about the Emperor's Coven.
Lilith had a look of shock on her face as she saw Cobi show his hatred of the Emperor's Coven.
Belos and Kikimora glared at Cobi.
"That they have so lost their way, that they have become the true villains in this war and they are the ones that should be put on trial! All of them", Cobi shouted in anger.
Everyone was looking in awe and shock at Cobi's speech as he kept on speaking.
"Violence only breeds more violence! And the Emperor's Coven are the ones who breed the most violence! The Jedi should be the ones to protect the Isles…. They are worthy peacekeepers! The Emperor and his coven are failing! They will not win the Savage Wars…. It's only a matter of time….", Cobi said as he looked down.
San would have agreed with Cobi, if he hadn't done so many horrible things to accomplish his goals.
"Take him away", Belos said with an angry tone.
The coven scouts grabbed Cobi's arms and led him away.
Hordak then saw Sam and smiled at him.
Sam returned the smile.
….
Hexside.
Sam was back at the school.
Bump was there along with Lilith, Kikimora, Hordak and even Belos was there.
Sam's friends were there as well.
"Dear Owen, I'm so sorry…. For everything you had to go through", Bump said.
Sam smiled at his principal as Hordak said, "I was sure you were innocent from the start. Can you ever forgive us?"
Sam's smile then faded as he didn't know how to answer that question. Sure he could forgive Hordak as he knew he was innocent from the start…. But the others….
"You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence", Lilith said with a small smile on her face.
Sam crossed his arms and in his mind…. He knew Lilith or the others wouldn't admit they made a mistake in accusing him of bombing Hexside.
Belos said, "clearly this was all a great trial for you to accomplish in order to become a great wizard."
Sam tried all his best to not glare at Belos.
"Once you graduate Hexside…. You'll be able to join the Emperor's coven", Kikimora said.
"Do you hear that Owen? That sounds amazing", Twig said.
"You can now come back to Hexside….", Bump said as he held in front of Sam…. A new staff!
Sam reached for it, but to everyone's shock, Sam closed Bump's hands around the staff.
The others held shocked looks as Sam said, "I'm sorry…. But I can't join this Coven…."
Sam then turned around and started to walk away….
Everyone stared as Sam walked away.
Bump and Sam's friends had looks of sadness on their faces.
….
Sam walked out of the School and was walking towards the front entrance of the school when he heard, "wait!"
Sam turned to see Hordak racing after him!
Sam asked as he turned around, "Hordak?"
Hordak ran to Sam and said, "I know why you're leaving, but you need to think this through!"
Sam said, "I am. I can't be a part of the Emperor's Coven after everything they did!"
"What about me? I believed in you. I stood by you", Hordak said to Sam.
"I know you believe in me, Hordak, and I'm grateful for that", Sam said with a look of sadness on his face, "but this isn't about you. I can't stay here any longer, not now."
Sam closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
Hordak said, "sigh, I know I can't stop you…. But what are you going to do now?"
"I'm going back home…. And now that I no longer attend Hexside…. I will help the Jedi even more during the war", Sam said.
Hordak let out a small smile.
Sam then hugged Hordak…. Which surprised him.
Hordak hugged back, and said, "I finally learned your name…. Sam…. It's a beautiful name."
Sam blushed after he heard Hordak say that.
"Thank you…. For believing in me, Hordak", Sam said with a smile on his face.
Hordak smiled and said, "I'll always believe you, Sam. No matter what."
Sam and Hordak then broke the hug.
"Bye Hordak", Sam said as he started to walk away.
"May the force be with you", Hordak said.
Sam smiled with a few tears in his eyes as he kept on walking away.
A big step taken on his journey to becoming more than what he was...
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: glad to hear it.
….
So we basically did the Jedi Temple bombing storyline from Clone Wars, but with our own characters.
