Hidden Location - Unknown Regions
3rd person POV...
"The time has come, my very young apprentice," the Master says softly.
"What do you require me to do, my Master?" the Apprentice asks dutifully.
"Reylea has been at war for a century, and now the Avatar has finally returned," he replies. "Go there, and end the cycle once and for all."
"How do you wish me to proceed?"
"Align yourself with the Fire Nation if you feel the need. They are driven by power and greed, and carry a great army," he says, smiling. "The perfect tools to manipulate. Then once Reylea is theirs, we can finally begin."
"I will ensure the pathway towards your control of Reylea's power is clear, my Master."
"I have no doubt you shall, dear child."
Earth Kingdom Forest - Reylea
Qui-Gon POV...
"There's a lot of stuff I'd love to talk about," Aang says eagerly.
"Well, you'll have plenty of time over the next few days before I'll have to go back," I tell him.
"Sorry, But we can't wait around here. We have to get to the Northern Water Tribe so that Aang can learn waterbending," Sokka states firmly.
"Then perhaps I can join you during your travels," I suggest.
"You will? That's nice to hear," Katara says.
"Not just nice, that's great!" Aang exclaims happily.
"But what about your... metal, ship thingy?" Sokka asks, narrowing his eyes. "You're fine with leaving it?"
"My droid will keep the ship hidden in orbit for as long as I am here on the ground," I tell him.
"Your droid?" Katara asks, confused. "What's a droid."
I frown thoughtfully for a moment, thinking about how best to explain the concept of a droid to them.
"I suppose the easiest way to describe a droid to your understanding would be that it is a 'mechanical helper' of mine. They're constructed with technology and assigned to carry out certain tasks," I explain.
"Really? A mechanical helper?" Sokka asks.
"That sounds strange," Aang asks.
"How would you even make something like that out of... whatever technology you space people use?" Sokka questions.
"You'd have to ask someone who makes droids," I shrug in response. "I'm not that kind of person."
"I guess that makes sense," Katara muses. "Different jobs and skills I suppose."
"Ok, so your... 'ship,' can fly into space, and your 'droid' can fly it without you there," Sokka recalls, frowning suspiciously. "Hey, I have an idea! How about you take us to the North Pole in your ship? That would save us loads of time!"
"I can't do that I'm afraid," I reply.
"Aha! I knew it!" Sokka exclaims triumphantly. "Of course you can't, because giant metal boxes don't fly!"
"Well..." Katara starts to say.
"Shushhshshush!" he interrupts fiercely, getting in her face and putting a finger to his lips. "Don't mention Appa again!"
Katara glares at him in irritation while Aang watches with bemusement, apparently used to Sokka's behavior. Or so optimistic and happy about everything he doesn't care about it.
"It can fly, I assure you," I retort calmly. "The reason I can't fly you there is because doing so would draw far too much attention. As the Watcher I'm supposed to be hidden from the world. Not to mention your bison can't fit."
"He's right," Aang admits with a nod. "Besides, Appa hates being in small spaces, don't you boy?"
Appa lets out a casual roar in response to his comment, and Aang grins.
"Those are some good points Sokka," Katara adds, smiling at him.
Sokka frowns, bringing a hand to his chin and humming in thought. He then closes his eyes and shrugs his shoulders in acceptance, agreeing in a slightly comical fashion.
"Ok, I admit that flying in a giant box of metal would seriously blow our cover," he says, reopening his eyes. "But that doesn't mean it can fly!"
"Either way, it'll be nice to have you traveling with us for a few days," Katara says politely.
"I hope I can continue to be of help," I reply with a smile. "Now, I suppose I can get myself prepared for this, and also put to rest your doubts, Sokka."
"Be my guest," Sokka replies, grinning.
Smiling to myself I get up from my seat and make my way over to my ship while the kids start packing themselves up. They dissolve into a hushed argument with each other about me, mainly between Sokka and Katara, but the good thing is none of them are at all opposed to me joining them in their quest.
Pressing a button on my comlink opens the ramp entrance to my ship, instantly gaining he others attention. I glance back with a smile to see their surprised looks, Sokka even more baffled, and then walk up the ramp and into my ship. Gathering a small pack of supplies to myself, I Then step over to R5 and pat his dome.
"I'll be traveling with my new companions for a few days. Keep the ship hidden in orbit, and I'll contact you for pickup," I tell him. "And If you receive a message from the Jedi Council, let me know."
R5 beeps in confirmation, and I give him a quick farewell with a smile before departing from the ship, the entry ramp closing up behind me. The kids have gotten themselves and Appa ready now for a flight, and look over once I approach them. At the same time the ships engines start up, and a low roar sounds as the ship prepares itself for flight, the exhaust blowing out hot air. Despite knowing what I've said about it, they all gape in complete bafflement as the ship lifts off of the ground and rises up into the air, soon blasting off for orbit. Within a few seconds it has disappeared to a small dot in the blue sky, the sound of the ship fading away.
I observe them for a few seconds, allowing myself some amusement at their reactions, Sokka especially. He's constantly switching his gaze between me and the sky, struggling to comprehend what just happened.
"Does that dispel your doubts, my young friend?" I ask him, smiling.
Forgetting their shock for a second, Aang and Katara both burst out into fits of laughter while Sokka stares at me incredulously, his expression slowly changing to one of annoyance and embarrassment as he sulks, muttering to himself.
Journal #2
Having come into contact with the Avatar and his companions, I am now getting to know them a bit better.
The Avatar is Aang, a very young airbender who lives on as the last survivor of his people, having escaped a massacre that took place at the very start of the 100 Year War. Aang has the support of two friends from the Southern Water Tribe, who freed him from his century long slumber; Katara and Sokka, sister and brother. As fate would have it, Katara is also the last waterbender of her tribe in the South, the population of which was substantially reduced. They are all very young children, Aang being 12, Katara being 14, and Sokka being 15, but they are also very courageous and supportive of each other, and determined to bring balance to Reylea.
While I will not always be able to support them throughout their journey, I will see to it that I do what I can. For now I'm remaining at their side to assist in their travels and grow in our relationship, until they have a better understand of things.
- Qui-Gon Jinn - Watcher of Reylea
"So, back when I was still learning things we heard a lot of stories about the Watcher," Aang remarks, leaning forward with an eager smile. "Is it true that the first Watcher met Avatar Wan?"
"It is indeed. They first met after he helped defeat the dark spirit Vaatu," I confirm with a nod. "In fact, Avatar Wan got along greatly the Watcher, and they worked to build a relationship between your people and worlds beyond."
"Who's Avatar Wan?" Sokka asks from his position on Appa's head, holding the reins in his hand as we continued our flight.
"The very first Avatar. He became the Avatar by fusing with the light spirit of Raava to stop Vaatu from forcing the world into 10,000 years of darkness," Aang says, frowning. "Didn't you guys ever hear about him?"
"I don't know if people really know that story," Katara admits. "We never really learned much about the Avatar as kids, just the basics."
"I can't believe even that's different," Aang says glumly.
"Sorry Aang, I didn't mean to upset you," she apologizes.
"No, it's fine. It's not your fault," he replies with a smile, excitement refilling him.
"Wow, interesting," Sokka says dryly. "Don't get me wrong, I'm sure this Wan guy is cool, but why are we having a history lesson?"
"Couldn't you have some respect to listen?" Katara asks, frowning.
"I try, but I'm not good at it," he shrugs dismissively.
"Did you know that Wan was originally a firebender before becoming the Avatar?" I ask Sokka with a smile.
"Wait, what?!" he asks incredulously, looking back at me in disbelief.
"Yeah, the cycle started with Fire," Aang says with a nod.
"The first Avatar was Fire Nation?" Sokka asks.
"Well, technically the Four Nations didn't exist yet, but he was a firebender. He used fire to protect the spirits from other humans," he replies, recalling the knowledge thoughtfully. "The Monks used to teach us all about this stuff. Even more so to me when I first learned that I… was the Avatar."
I don't fail to miss how Aang falls off with a sad sigh towards the end of his comment, sensing the faint feelings of guilt and bitterness. The others don't notice it however.
"If the Fire Nation wasn't around yet then that doesn't count," Sokka states, nodding in satisfaction.
"I suppose so," I reply calmly, not disagreeing.
The Great Divide - Reylea
"Here it is guys, the Great Divide!" Aang declares.
"Wow! I could just stare at it forever," Katara breathes in awe.
It certainly is an impressive sight. The canyon stretches across for several miles, and this is just the width of it; the actual length is much farther away to our left and right, the ends of it not visible from our position. Tons of rock formations and snaking valleys riddle the entirety of the canyon, some areas quite deep while others have high peaks. I've seen impressive sights before so this isn't something entirely new to me, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
"Okay, I've seen enough," Sokka deadpans.
I suppose everyone has their own interests, and things that don't interest them.
"How can you not be fascinated, Sokka?" Katara demands irritably. "This is the largest canyon in the entire world!"
"Hey, I've already seen the most insane and unbelievable things already within the past day," he retorts, standing beside Appa with the reigns in hand. "Besides, I'm sure we'll be able to see it very clearly from the air while we fly away."
"He does have a point. It'll be nice seeing everything from the air," Aang says in agreement.
"Hmph," I hum to myself in amusement.
Turning away from the canyon, I make my way back over to Appa much more calmly while the others all jump into the saddle, Sokka sitting at the reigns.
As it was late afternoon when we arrived at the Great Divide, the sunset soon came in the middle of our flight so we decided to land in the canyon and make camp for the night. I sat quietly by myself at the boundary of the campsite, meditating calmly while the others took care of their tasks. Eyes closed, I breathe calmly as I meditate and allow the Force to flow through me, feeling its immense power here on this planet. As always while I'm here my senses are amplified greatly, so I'm able to sense every little thing from a fairly wide range, seeing their signature and power in the Force.
A surprising variety of creatures live in the Great Divide, ranging from insects to large carnivorous creatures that crave any food they come across, living in their own colonies. Closer than them, I can sense the presence of Sock, Katara, and Aang. Sokka's presence in the Force is no different than a regular person, due to being a non bender, but Katara does carry a brighter signature, which glows a soothing blue color. Appa has his own bright Force signature, while Momo's is normal. And Aang… his power is just breathtaking. Through the Force he shines brighter than a star, full of radiant, white-blue light. And connected to him is a wispy trail of light that travels down and to the planet's core, where such tremendous power lays, shining brighter than anything I've ever seen in my entire life. There's so much power held by Reylea… I can't even imagine where it came from, or what it's capable of.
In the middle of my meditation however, I could also still hear the bickering between the two siblings, and manage a small, exasperated sigh. Brother and sister they may be, but it seems they disagree with each other quite a lot.
"Um, aren't you forgetting the tarp?" Katara asks.
"Right… got it," Sokka says.
Through the Force I can sense him tossing the tarp into the tent he's set up.
"Sock, you're supposed to put the tarp on top of the tent. You know, so we don't get rained on," Katara says irritably.
"Ordinarily, you'd be right, but seeing as how it's the dry season, you're not," Sokka replies dismissively. "Besides, that tarp makes a pretty warm blanket."
"But what if it does rain?" she insists.
"But what if it doesn't?" he retorts. "Then I would have put the tarp up for nothing."
"Your- ugh! You're infuriating!" Katara exclaims.
"Katara, why don't you worry about gathering the firewood because that kindling's looking pretty sorry," Sokka says.
"Well, if you don't like my firewood…" Katara replies angrily. "Have it!"
"Fine by me! If you're not going to do your job…"
I hear a few grunts as Sokka messes around with the tent, and then sigh as it all comes tumbling down in a heap. I shake my head at their behavior, trying to get back to my meditation.
"Ok, I got the grub if you guys got the…" Aang starts to say, halting mid sentence in confusion. "Hey, where's the campfire? And what happened to the tent?"
"Why don't you ask Miss Know It All? Queen of the Twigs!" Sokka asks.
"Oh yeah? Well you're Mister Lazy Bum, King of the Tents!" Katara replies angrily.
She picks up a stick and chucks it at Sokka, causing him to yelp in pain as it strikes the back of his head.
"Okay, listen guys. Harsh words won't solve problems, action will. Why don't you just switch jobs?" Aang suggests.
"Sounds good," Katara murmurs.
"Whatever," Sokka mutters.
"You see that? Settling feuds and making peace. All in a days work for the Avatar," Aang says proudly.
Even though the feud was bothersome, I allow myself a small smile as Aang settles the dispute between the two, if only for a temporary reprieve. Returning to my meditation, I let myself relax once more and open myself to the Force, stretching my senses all throughout my surroundings. In doing so however, I sense something that gains my attention… something I don't understand. Focusing on the feeling, I furrow my brow as I try to determine what it is, the presence seemingly hiding itself.
It feels dark.
Opening my eyes, I turn my head and look in the direction where I could sense the disturbance in the Force, frowning as I do so. the sun has now set, turning the sky to a pink and violet/blue color, the landscape darkening. Narrowing my eyes, I start to make out the form of some sort of black object far in the distance, sitting on top of a rock ledge, a flash of light shining off of it to reveal it's surface as being metal. Looking closer and stretching out with the Force, I start to recognize the object for what it is.
…a starship. But... how?
It's right as I identify the mysterious object that I then sense a sudden surge of tremendous power that makes me freeze in surprise, widening my eyes in alarm: the dark side. The presence reveals itself with a surge of the dark side, quickly moving in my direction. Back at the campsite, I notice that Aang also seems to wince in pain, confused.
"Agh, monkey feathers..." he mutters, grimacing.
"What's wrong Aang?" Katara asks in concern.
"I don't know, just some weird... cold, feeling. Probably a headache," he shrugs.
Jumping to my feet, I grab my still-unopened bag and rush over to the campsite with great urgency.
"It's no headache, Aang" I say anxiously. "We need to leave."
"What? What for?" Sokka asks.
"No time for questions. Gather your things and get to Appa, now!" I say firmly, turning to move.
I urgently direct them towards the campsite so that they could begin gathering their things, Appa laying on the ground beside a cliff about fifty feet away. The sky bison then lets out a threatening growl as he looks in our direction. Not at us, but behind us. Hearing the sound of a speeder bike approaching I whip around to see a dark figure speeding for us on a bike, a black cape flapping behind them. Based on their current trajectory they're going to run right into the three kids. The Force screams in warning.
"All of you, drop!" I shout urgently.
Aang, Katara, and Sokka, all glance behind them to see the figure hurtling towards them and drop to the ground with startled cries. The dark figure zooms over them and heads straight for me, jumping off of the speeder bike and pulling something out from their belt. Launching themselves from the bike they flip over top of me and activate a crackling red lightsaber, taking a slash at me. I quickly whip out my own green blade and deflect their strike as they flip over me, turning around to face them.
The black-clothed woman, for based on her appearance she is clearly so, is clad in black robes with some of mask covering her face, her dark brown hair flowing down past her shoulders behind her. She dashes forward at lightning speed and delivers several quick slashes with her crackling red blade, which I just barely block. My green blade crosses with hers in a short blade lock and I shove her back, glancing at the others.
"Go now!" I exclaim.
After dropping to the ground the three of them were watching with wide, shocked eyes, afraid and unsure of this new enemy. But Sokka manages to regain his wits first and gets them all back to their feet, all of them hastily grabbing their things while running over to Appa.
The woman presses her assault with frightening speed, forcing me to back away while deflecting her strikes, our movements kicking up dust. All I can do is react on instinct, being taken completely by surprise at this sudden battle. Her red lightsaber comes swinging around towards my head with deadly buzzing noise, and I duck underneath her swipe to let the blade swing by harmlessly. However her lightsaber hilt suddenly unfolds to double the length, and a second blade pops out of the end to signify the use of a saberstaff. She swings the blade up at me, and I raise my lightsaber to deflect her strike, countering with my own overhead blow. She blocks it, but I follow up by thrusting out my hand and shoving her away with a Force push.
I take a moment to regain my breath, looking up as the woman halts her motion by jabbing her lightsaber into the ground. I raise my lightsaber defensively as she yanks hers out of the dirt, staring up at me with glimmering red eyes.
"It cannot be..." I murmur to myself, greatly alarmed. "Who are you?!"
"Your greatest fear, Jedi," she hisses back in reply.
I narrow my eyes at her, frowning.
"The Sith are supposed to be extinct," I state firmly.
She just laughs mockingly in response.
"Oh, I'm much more than a Sith. Allow me to show you!" she says sinisterly.
I feel a tremendous surge of dark side energy swelling within her and, with a twirl of her saberstaff, she thrusts her arm forwards and expels it. A cloud of darkness shoots towards me in a vicious manner, also releasing a shrieking cry. I widen my eyes in alarm and quickly raise my hands to create a Force shield, blocking the attack. The cloud pushes and shoves against me like a furious wind storm and I let out a groan, finding myself struggling for once and using all of my power in the Force to protect myself with the shield, my boots ripping through the dirt as I'm shoved backwards.
My saving grace comes when a massive gust of air is blown at the woman, and she's thrown away with an enraged cry, her attack being cut off. I look over to see Appa being the cause, having slammed his tail down, and the kids were all waving at me.
"Come on! Hurry!" Aang shouts.
"Let's move fast!" Sokka urges.
Sparing one last glance at the woman I deactivate my lightsaber and sprint for Appa, using the Force to propel myself up and into his saddle just as he takes flight. The woman stands up from the ground and shoots another cloud of writhing darkness at us, but Aang jumps backward and swings his staff, a fan protruding from the end of it, throwing out a defensive wind gust that blows her cloud harmlessly into the sky.
Now high enough to be safe from harm I collapse against the side of the saddle and gasp for air with heaving breaths, surprised at feeling completely exhausted.
"Are you alright?" Katara asks in concern.
"Well enough," I breathe out.
"What the heck was that?!" Sokka shouts.
"I don't know..." I reply uneasily, thinking hard. "But whoever they are, they are well trained in the ways of the Force..."
"Do you know where they came from?" Katara asks worriedly.
"I'm not sure. But they know about your planet," I say in concern, looking at them all. "And that is very bad news."
"No kidding!" Sokka scoffs in agreement. "That lady was so freaky!"
"Was that another Jedi?" Aang asks worriedly.
"No... no it wasn't," I say slowly.
"But they had a lightsaber, just like you!" Sokka points out.
"Jedi aren't the only ones who wield the Force," I say uneasily, sitting up straighter. "There is another, darker, side of the Force. In the past, the dark side has been used by the ancient enemy of the Jedi: the Sith."
"Ancient enemy?" Aang murmurs anxiously.
"Was that who they were? A Sith?" Katara asks in concern.
"I don't know," I say, unnerved by the situation. "The Sith are supposed to have been extinct for millennia."
"Well that's clearly not the case!" Sokka exclaims. "First it was the Fire Nation, then it was Zuko, and now we have to worry about some freaky Sith person who's supposed to be dead?!"
"Sokka, calm down," Katara says.
"How can I be calm? This stuff is nuts!" he retorts incredulously.
"So Sith use the dark side of the Force, different from Jedi?" Aang asks, and I nod my head. "What should we do?"
I think hard and long for a while, trying to determine the best course of action in the face of this new enemy. In the face of accusation of being a Sith, the woman just laughed, claiming she was 'above' them. That puts into question whether she really is, and the Sith are supposed to be extinct after all. However, this woman clearly uses the dark side, knows about Reylea, and sought us out. Whether it was me or Aang she was seeking is the real question.
Looking at the three of them, I can see they're all afraid. Aang is worried about this woman and the threat she poses, Katara is worried about the safety of Aang and what the woman could do, and Sokka is fearful of this new enemy and furiously trying to figure out how they're supposed to fight them.
"We need to be patient, and wait," I finally respond. "Whoever this woman is, she is dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs. None of you would be capable of facing her."
"Ok, so… just do what we do with the Fire Nation," Katara decides.
"Oh that's just great," Sokka grumbles.
"In the meantime, I need to send a message back to the Jedi, so that they are aware of this new danger," I add.
"Will they come and help?" Aang asks hopefully.
"…I don't know. Only three of us currently know of this place, as it's always been necessary to maintain its secrecy," I tell them. "I'm one of those three."
"But they have too! Surely this is enough to show that our planet isn't… isn't hidden anymore," Katara insists, faltering with unease at the end.
"I know Katara, but there is too much at stake here," I tell her. "But I will do everything in my power to keep you, and Reylea, safe from this new threat."
"Okay…" Aang slowly nods his head. "I need to keep training then. So we make for the North Pole."
"Right, right," Sokka nods in agreement. "For the North Pole."
I lean back against the side of the saddle, deep in thought with a worried expression on my face. My purpose as the Watcher is to keep this planet safe and protected from dark forces, to keep it a secret. And I've already failed in the latter part. Whatever this new enemy is, and what they want…
It can't be good.
Hidden Location - Reylea
3rd person POV…
"I have arrived on Reylea, my Master. The Watcher, Qui-Gon Jinn, has now been alerted to my presence," she states.
"Well done my young apprentice. Jinn, Xanye, and Yoda, will now seek to respond," her master responds through a hologram.
"Shall I start enlisting the support of the Fire Nation?" the apprentice asks.
"Yes. Use them to your advantage in hunting down the Avatar. Soon, he and the Jedi will converge, and will meet their ends."
"Very good, my Master," she says with a nod.
"Because of you, my dear child, we will soon gain the ultimate power in the galaxy," he says softly. "I know you are destined for great things, Sireyla."
Sireyla bows her head in gratitude and respect, pleased to hear such things. She is more than willing to serve her Master, the one who gave her so much.
New players have entered the field! This can't be a good thing.
It seems like Qui-Gon is often the guy who first discovers new enemies right? He's definitely important in how he sets SO many things into motion despite not always being around to help with it.
Also, bypassed the filler episode of Avatar lol.