A/N 1: I don not own the characters of the Harry Potter or Star Wars universes, save those of my own creation.
A/N 2: Thanks to all of you who have read this story, those of you who have reviewed, and to all of those who have requested a story alert or added this story to your favorite list. I can not begin to put into words how much all of that means to me. I won't be posting any responses to reviewers on the bottom of my story anymore, out of respect for those readers who said it is a distraction and to the administrators. But rest assured your reviews mean more to me then I can say and I look forward to hearing from you.
The Dark Underlord
Chapter 4
Perhaps the most important thing we can undertake toward the reduction of fear is to make it easier for people to accept themselves, to like themselves.
—Bonaro W. Overstreet—
"I'll see you later." Harry smiled and clapped Anakin on the back before leaving.
After his friend left, Anakin spent a few minutes in the Archives, but didn't accomplish anything much. In short time, he put back the holopads and retired to his quarters.
Since leaving his mother on Tatooine, he had felt terrible longing in the pit of his stomach. When he was around his new friends or with Master Qui-Gon, he could avoid the feelings and hide how much they were eating away at him.
But in his dreams, he was alone and all the feelings came out at once.
In his dreams, he never saw anything much. But he felt a crushing coldness, almost unbearable. And there was always a dense darkness, just one the edge of perception. Whenever Anakin approached the darkness, he heard the screams. Such terrible screams. He wanted to help them with every fiber of his being, his heart aching for those in pain.
But his mind told him it was not to be, that there was nothing he could do. His heart tried to overrule his head, but inevitably Anakin turned tail and fled the darkness, leaving those suffering alone in their plight. As he ran, he hated himself. What kind of coward would run when people were suffering? Anakin was sure Harry, Hermione, and Ron would never do that, especially Harry.
And when he thought about how brave his friends were, his heart ached even more. And this was the point where his dreams took two different paths.
Half the time, he would continue running, with renewed ferocity. New images would spring to life all around him, images of him as a teenager. He was throwing tantrums, usually silent tantrums, but undeniably tantrums full of self-loathing. A melodic baritone, so familiar but so foreign, complained about being too weak, too insignificant; invisible forces, always unnamed, were holding him back, denying him the opportunity to reach his full potential. When the tantrum grew so loud that Anakin could not even hear the beating of his heart, the montage stopped and the baritone was replaced by an infinitely cold cackling that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. After a minute of that insane laughter, Anakin awoke with a terrible start, drenched in sweat.
When he was not fleeing the darkness in his dreams, Anakin turned back around, his heart taking control of his body. He ran towards the screaming souls, determined to help them, no matter what the cost. He could not allow such suffering to continue. But as he approached the darkness, his heart ached and he felt a terrible sense of loss, as if pieces of his very soul were being ripped from him one by one. The screams, rather then sounding relieved someone was coming to save them, sounded even more horrified, as if they thought some new horror was approaching. It was utter foolishness of course; Anakin only wanted to help. But there were definitely screaming harder.
As he neared the darkness however, the voices stopped screaming and that same cold cackling boomed in his ears. But this time it sounded, if it were possible, happy. But unlike the other dreams, the laughter didn't frighten him, didn't force him awake. Then the voice spoke to him:
You are fulfilling your destiny Anakin. Push yourself; strike down the people hurting these innocent souls.
No Anakin would always think in response. That is not the Jedi way. I just want to help them.
Do not be a fool Anakin. They are hurting those people. They will not hesitate to kill them or you. This is survival of the fittest: Kill or be killed. Do not make the wrong decision.
No! That leads to the dark side.
The voice never responds. It simply laughs, as insane as before. And before Anakin can reach the darkness, a green blast of energy fires from the abyss. When it connects, he is forced awake, panting hard and drenched in sweat.
It was the second type of dream Anakin had on this night. When he woke, he rubbed his head, willing the bad dreams to leave his head. But they would never leave. For whatever reason, this demon was in his head. Part of his brain told him to tell Master Qui-Gon; surely he would help.
Well of course he would help. But what would he think of me? I'm either playing the coward by running away or I'm being drawn by this voice that talks about murder and the dark side.
Anakin willed the little voice in his mind to be silent. He would not tell Qui-Gon, or anyone else, about these dreams. Not yet anyway. He needed to work out what they meant for himself first.
Anakin took a quick shower, enjoying the feel of the cold water. It was refreshing and took his mind off his strange dreams. After he was done, he went out to his chambers and grabbed for his robes. Before he put them on, he looked at them with a careful eye. They weren't anything special: just the tradition khaki and brown of the Jedi Order. Harry's robes had a handsome green trim and were looser around the hips and legs, more of a cloak then robes. Ron and Hermione had altered theirs in similar fashion, albeit with colors and insignias personally relevant to them. He also knew they used their brand of magic to "transfigure" their robes, whatever that meant.
More for whims sake then any other reason, Anakin stared at his robes, thinking about them looking different, with more black (his favorite color) in the trim and under shirt. Then, as he saw Harry and the others do on several occasions, he waved his hand over the robes.
Nothing happened.
This didn't deter Anakin though. He refocused on the robes, picturing in his mind very clearly what he wanted his robes to look like. Once he had the image in his mind, he thrust his hand at his robes, willing them to change.
And still nothing happened.
"The spell is eltrwch Ani," said a cheerful voice from the door.
Anakin turned to the door with a start; he didn't know someone had come into his room. But he smiled when he recognized his visitor. "Thanks Hermione. But how does it work?"
Hermione stepped up to the side of his bed. "Well, you're on the right track. To cast the spell without a wand is very difficult. To try it silently as well makes it all the harder. Think about what you want to change something into, picture the new thing very clearly in your mind and then wave your hand over the object. Eltrwch." Anakin's bed morphed into a strange looking pink animal with a curly tail. Another wave, this one unaccompanied by no incantation, and it returned to normal.
"Okay, let me try."
"Wait a second Ani. Instead of trying to do your robes all at once, why don't you try to change the color of the under shirt first. Picture it very clearly in your mind."
"Okay," he said, thinking of the undershirt being black. "I have it."
"Now wave your hand over the undershirt…slowly. And enunciate the incantation."
Anakin took a deep breath, careful to keep the image of a black undershirt in his mind and…"Eltrwch!"
He felt a quick rush of the Force move from his hand to the robes and the khaki under shirt darkened until it was a black. "Wicked," Anakin said under his breath. "I can't believe it worked."
Hermione smiled. "You did a great job Ani. This was a very simple transfiguration though. We'll try some tougher ones later. For now, why don't you change? Qui-Gon wants to see you when you're ready." Hermione gave him one last smile before leaving.
Anakin was proud of himself. He hadn't thought he could make the spell work but Hermione helped. Changing quickly, and with a renewed bounce in his step, he changed and walked down to Master Qui-Gon's chambers.
"Good morning Anakin," he said warmly when Anakin entered. His eyebrow rose when he saw Anakin's new robes. "That's new. What happened?"
Anakin puffed his chest. "Hermione just showed me how to do transfiguration, at least on a small scale."
Qui-Gon smiled, noting his padawan's enthusiasm. "Well good work. One day you'll have to teach me."
"Of course Master," Anakin said with a smile. "So, Hermione said you wanted to see me. Is something wrong?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "No, not at all. Quite the opposite in fact. Today, we're traveling. You need to construct our light saber and I have something else planned as well." Qui-Gon stared at his padawan intently for a second; he noticed the dark rings under his eyes. "Ani, is there anything you wish to tell me?"
Anakin tried to hide his emotions and did very well but his eyes betrayed him. He didn't realize this of course. "No Master. I'm fine."
Qui-Gon let the issue dropped but he was determined to revisit it later. "Okay. Well, we should head down to the docks. We're traveling Ilum, located in the Unknown Regions."
"Yes sir. What kind of planet is Ilum?"
Qui-Gon didn't answer at first, not to be rude but because he was thinking about the journey he made with Obi-Wan many years ago. When they were nearly at the docks, Qui-Gon realized Anakin had asked him a question. "Forgive me Ani. I did not mean to seem rude. Ilum is an ice planet, virtually unknown to non-Jedi. And for good reason. It is home to dozens of caverns containing crystals used in light saber construction. It is also very strong in the Force. When Obi-Wan was young, I took him to Ilum as part of his training. My old master took me to Ilum as well."
"Okay Master. I'm looking forward to building a light saber."
Qui-Gon smiled. "As well you should. But you will need a weapon. There may be dangers reaching the crystal cavern and you need to be able to defend yourself." Qui-Gon unsheathed a vibrosword. "This is naturally a heavier weapon then the practice light saber you have been using with Master Drallig. But I've known Cin for years and I'm sure he has trained you in elementary sword combat as well." After Anakin nodded, Qui-Gon ruffled his hair. "Good. Now, I want you to go to your chambers—down the hall here, third door on the left—and meditate. I need to speak with our pilot. I'll come for you soon."
He was again running from the darkness, the terrible screams receding from his hearing, only to be replaced by that horrible laughter.
"Anakin! Anakin, wake up!"
Anakin threw his eyes open, sweat beading on his forehead. He needed a second to get his bearings before he realized Qui-Gon was kneeling beside him, a concerned look on his face.
"Anakin, are you okay?"
Anakin shook his head, trying to shake the remaining cobwebs. "I'm fine Master. It was only a bad dream." When Anakin tried to sit up, he faltered and fell back against the floor. Qui-Gon reached out and steadied him.
"Ani, what did you see? Something was clearly troubling you?"
Anakin looked down at his feet, not wishing to meet his master's eyes. "I just had a bad dream Master. I promise I'm fine."
"Anakin, I can't help you unless you tell me what you saw. Something was obviously troubling you. I've noticed for a while now that you have rings under your eyes. That is not normal for someone so young. You show no signs of fatigue when you're with Harry and the others, or with the other masters, but you cannot hide the shadows around your eyes. Something is troubling you. I'll help you if I can."
Anakin sighed. He didn't want to tell Qui-Gon anything, didn't want to lose his respect. But he was sure Qui-Gon wouldn't let him duck the issue. Finally, with a mental sigh, he told him about the dreams he had, what happened in them and how they made him feel. Qui-Gon didn't interrupt and listened caringly.
As Anakin winded down, he tried to read his master's face, see any sort of emotion or catch a glimpse of what he was thinking. His master's face was unreadable though.
"Master Qui-Gon, am I doing something wrong?"
Qui-Gon stared at Anakin, concern evident in his eyes. "Ani, I think these dreams go back to the fear you're feeling about losing your mother."
"I only miss her. There's nothing else," he said heatedly, memories resurfacing of Ki-Adi-Mundi's accusations.
"Ani, there is nothing wrong with missing your mother. I am disappointed that your first meeting with the Order made you think there was. And it is okay to be afraid for her."
Anakin didn't believe a word he said. If the other masters didn't care, why even bring it up. "Why do I hear those screams? And what is that horrible laughter?"
"I can't tell you what that laughter is Ani. As for the screams, it is a manifestation of the same fear you have for your mother. Maybe one of those screams is your mother's. I honestly cannot say. It is clear that on a subconscious level, you want to help save people from hardship. I saw the same drive inside you on Tatooine. Your life as a slave was such that you do not want anyone else to suffer a similar fate. I am proud that you deny the prodding of your dark tormentor. Many people would not be able to."
"But during those dreams when it talks to me, part of me roars approval at his words. That the tormentors deserve whatever happens to them, especially if they decide to fight to the death." Anakin buried his head in his hands for a second before yelling out. "And then I think about Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They would never give in to the voice or let those people suffer. I feel like a coward when I run and like a villain when I run to fight. So much of what that voice says makes sense to a small part of me. I so afraid of what that means." Anakin buried his head in his knees.
Qui-Gon rubbed his back, a loving gesture, something normally unbecoming of a Jedi but Qui-Gon and Anakin were something more then Master-Padawan right now.
"Ani, life is not always easy. I know I do not need to tell you that but it is a legitimate place to begin. The life of a Jedi is difficult, for admittedly different reasons but difficult nonetheless. That is why the Order tries to admit children as close to birth as possible, ideally before they turn three. Whatever their circumstances in life, many in the Order have thought if the child is separated from their parents and friends before they can remember them, they will be less likely to form emotional connections that 'may be corrupting.' Those are not my words; I think it is utterly ridiculous to separate children from their parents and family, even if I never knew my family."
"But those feelings are never truly forgotten. The Force works in mysterious ways. And I have found that people are generally reunited with their loved ones. If their loved ones are living in hellish conditions, the Jedi is hurt that much more. I've interrogated to many Sith acolytes and marauders who were once Jedi, who left the Order because they felt betrayed as they learned to wield the Force while their kith and kin suffer."
Qui-Gon grabbed Anakin's shoulders and held his gaze. "You are not evil Anakin, not in any way. You've left hell and you're afraid for your mother. And because you're afraid, you think you're weak. You also think you're betraying her by leaving her behind. This is not true Anakin and you must see this for yourself before you can overcome your fear. Realize that you are a truly good person and that everyone in your life—Harry, Ron, Hermione, Yoda, Mace, the Order, and me too—knows that you are a good person. And know that your mother wanted you to become a Jedi."
Tears fell down Anakin's cheeks. "Why did my mom want me to leave? What does that say about me?"
"Anakin. You need to listen very carefully," Qui-Gon said urgently. "Your mother loved you more then anything, more then life itself. I have no doubt it tears at her heart to be without you. But she wanted you to become something great. She wanted you to live up to your potential and escape your life on Tatooine. That seems to me to mean she saw the good in you and wanted you to spread that good throughout the galaxy."
Anakin sniffled. "I guess," was all he said.
Qui-Gon sighed. "Ani, I'm sorry you're separated from your mother. You were separated at a terrible age: you love your mother, know exactly why, and can't imagine your life without her. But you must understand that she wants you live your life away from slavery, even if that means away from her. You are not evil nor will you ever be."
Anakin didn't say anything. Qui-Gon sensed the conflict in him. He was about to get to his feet to leave Anakin alone to think. But the boy grabbed his arm. "Please stay," he softly.
Qui-Gon smiled. "I won't Ani." And indeed he didn't, staying with Anakin through the night even after the boy fell asleep.
About eight hours later, they arrived on Ilum, about 250 miles from the Jedi temple built over the largest, and presently stripped, crystal cave. Anakin stirred a few times during the night, enough to wake Qui-Gon, who stayed in the room. The boy was battling demons Qui-Gon never suspected he had. He hoped today's events would bring some closure.
"Anakin," he said, gently shaking his padawan. The boy stirred, his eyes blinking open against the light. "Take a few minutes to prepare yourself and meet me at the hatch. We've arrived."
Anakin sat bolt upright. "Yes Master. If you'll permit me, I'm ready now."
Qui-Gon smiled. "All right then. Follow me. Keep your sword close." The Jedi master and padawan walked towards the hatch, which was already open and a freezing, Artic wind was blowing into the ship. Qui-Gon raised his hood against the cold. Anakin however, Anakin thought of something a little different.
Thinking of a very thick robe, like he saw a visiting Senator from Hoth wearing, Anakin waved his wand over his robes and muttered eltrwch. His robes didn't quite change into the thick robes but they were thicker and he felt more equipped to face the elements.
"Are you coming Ani," called Qui-Gon from the base of the hatch. Then he noticed Anakin's robes. "How did you do that?"
Anakin smiled mysteriously. "Magic." Qui-Gon rolled his eyes and Anakin smiled.
"Well come on magic man. Have to teach me that one to some time." Once Anakin was down, he led him towards the edge of a mountain. "We're going to climb up the mountain Ani. Stay close to me and you'll be fine."
Anakin looked as if Qui-Gon had started speaking in tongues. "Master, I've never gone rock climbing before."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Neither had I the first time my master brought me here. Trust in the Force and follow me closely. You will be fine." With that, Qui-Gon started deftly climbing up to side of the mountain. Anakin felt short bursts of the Force and he marveled at the skill of his master. Knowing he looked foolish, Anakin followed, trying hard to mimic his master.
After a few minutes, Anakin felt more comfortable. The physical training Master Drallig had put him through was paying dividends. He also was using the Force to propel him up and allowing him to grab footholds that wouldn't ordinarily support a person.
When they were at least half way up the mountain (according to Qui-Gon), Anakin heard roars, which he thought was impossible giving the raging winds blowing around them. He felt the weight of the sword on his back; it was very comforting.
The beast Anakin heard earlier struck when they reached the summit.
"Just ahead Anakin is the cave. Stay close. We should be…" A powerful roar sounded from their left just before a gigantic ball of ice and snow shot towards them at incredible speed. Qui-Gon was on his feet; light saber ignited, just as two of the largest, most hideous creatures Anakin had ever seen bounded toward them.
"Master, what are these monsters."
"There's no time Anakin. Watch out for their tails and their salvia." Qui-Gon flipped through the air, slashing at one of the beasts, singing its head. It bellowed angrily, and tried to smash Qui-Gon with its tail when he landed.
Anakin couldn't watch his master any longer. The second beast ran towards him, its hands and feet thundering on the ground. Anakin was more terrified then he could ever remember being. With a squeal of fear, he slid between the legs of the monster as it ran over him. Rather weakly, he unsheathed his sword as the beast reared back, ready for another pass.
Instead of running at him, Anakin saw it look at him. If the monster could, it was undoubtedly smiling. With a bellow, it smashed the ground with powerful punch, cracking the ice all the way up to Anakin. The boy narrowly managed to slide of the way. The monster was waiting for this though and tried to crush him with its tail, which was wider than he.
"Yipe," he said, folding his arms over his head, certain death was coming. To his surprise, bringing his arm over his head also brought the sword up, slicing off a big chunk of its tail. The beast reeled in pain, screaming as blood flowed from the wound. Anakin looked at the severed chunk of flesh and hair. Part of him felt sick but another, much larger part, was emboldened.
Dropping into a defensive stance Drallig taught him, Anakin kept the sword behind him, parallel with his back. The beast roared again and charged him again. Anakin ran to the side of the second rise of mountain and, aided by the Force, jumped over beast. As he passed over, he slashed its head with his sword.
The beast roared again, bleeding freely from its head. Anakin thought he had this battle in the bag. But the beast growled and spit in its hand. Then he rubbed the spit through his head, clotting the blood.
"Good God. So that's what he meant by watch it's spit." Anakin slid back under the legs of the beast, avoiding another charge. This time though he slashed twice, cutting a long, deep gash in the inner thigh. As the beast ran by overhead, Anakin stabbed it the calf.
He grossly underestimated the strength of the monster. He could not pull his sword free quick enough. The beast grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him eye level. Anakin gulped, staring into what looked like endless rows of teeth, spit sticking to his face as the monster roared in his face.
Unable to stand the stench and heat, Anakin punched as hard as he could with his eyes closed. He connected with something soft and squishy—the eye of the monster. Anakin fell to the ground hard. But the monster wasn't done. It roared mightily and prepared to smash Anakin with both fists.
Using the Force, Anakin summoned—practically begged—for his sword. When the beast's fists were inches from smashing him to a pulp, the sword shot through the monster's leg, bring it to one knee, warm blood flowing freely on the ice.
In a flash, Anakin had the sword raised, ready to slash it right across the neck. But something stopped him. Anakin wiped his sword off on his robes and sheathed it behind his back. "I can't do this," was all he said before using the Force to push the monster off the cliff.
With his monster gone, Anakin looked for his master, who was standing against the wall of the mountain, his monster lying dead at his feet. "Good work Ani."
Anakin smiled weakly. "What in blazes was that thing?"
Qui-Gon looked at the one lying a few feet away, the one he downed. "Those were Gorgodons Anakin, the only creatures that live on this planet aside from the Jedi who guard the crystal caves."
Anakin shivered, which had nothing to do with the cold. "They were awful."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I thought the same thing when my master brought me here. But there are worse creatures in the galaxy."
"And we'll encounter some of them." It wasn't a question.
Qui-Gon nodded. "We will. You handled yourself very well Anakin. Master Drallig has done a spectacular job training you. Your grasp of the Force is equally impressive." He smiled and patted Anakin on the shoulder. "Now, the time has come to build your first light saber. Follow me into the cave."
They walked through the dark passage for a little while, Qui-Gon's light saber the only light in an ocean of blackness. "Okay Ani, I'm going to grab a few crystals. The workbench is a little ways ahead. I'll meet you there," Before Anakin could so much as nod, Qui-Gon walked away, taking his light saber with him.
The darkness pressed in on Anakin, making him a little nervous…or more than a little.
But he followed the path, trusting his master.
"Anakin! Anakin, NO," screamed a voice in the chamber itself. "No Anakin! I love you!" The voice gave way to the sound of a light saber, or several light sabers, slashing through the air.
Quite suddenly, a huge blast of light nearly blinded Anakin. Blinking furiously, he saw a lone figure walking slowly towards him. He, she, or it was dressed all in black, their hood over up, shielding their face from view. The person was also levitating what looked like a person in front of him.
"Wh…who are you," he stammered, his heart pounding in his chest.
"I am your destiny," he said, his voice filled with power. "I am here to show you what you can become. But first you must destroy your greatest enemy." The man kicked the writhing person towards Anakin and the lights dimmed, enough for him to see the prisoner even if he couldn't see the enemy before him.
"Who is this?"
The man laughed darkly under his breath and waved his hand. The rush of Force ripped off the bag over the prisoner's head and Anakin nearly wretched when he saw the prisoner.
It was Harry. But this brute had done a number on him. He was bleeding from several places on his face and there was a nasty scar over his left eye. His green eyes seemed so close to death. Yet when he saw Anakin, he couldn't help but smile. "Hi Ani."
Anakin stared at his friend, his anger building. "What did you do to my friend, you bastard? Where's Qui-Gon?"
"Don't worry about your master. He has since been dealt with. Harry is the real threat. He will try to keep you from becoming what you must, keep you from fulfilling your destiny. He must die. And you must kill him," said the man.
Anakin looked at his friend. "I'll never hurt my friends. And you'll pay for what you did."
To his surprise, the man laughed. "Excellent Anakin. Use that rage. It gives you strength. Use it to strike down Harry Potter."
"Never. I'll die before I kill my friends."
"Such noble words young Anakin. But I see through your act, into your soul. This man will prevent you from saving your mother and keep you from saving your wife and children. All because he is afraid of the power burning inside you. Are you willing to see those close to you die when you have the power to save them?"
"No, Harry would never do that. He'd help me, just like Qui-Gon."
"But can you take the chance. I am your destiny Anakin. He is your downfall, as are all the Jedi who are threatened by your power. Fulfill your destiny, save those you love, those whose screams torment your dreams. End his life."
Qui-Gon watched what was happening to his padawan with bated breath. He had never imagined this when he brought Anakin to this place. When he was a padawan, he had to fight an apparition of the bounty hunter who killed his mother and sister. He never really talked to him. The battle just happened and, when he was done, felt more in tune with the Force and with himself.
But this was something else entirely. He was afraid for his padawan. This apparition could seriously hurt him if he wasn't careful. And what he were saying to him must have been hard for the boy to handle.
Despite his heart shouting for him to rush to Anakin's side, his mind told him to let things unfold. That this was something Anakin needed to confront, something he could not run away from.
"You would deny who you are Anakin, deny all you would become, out of some misguided sense of self-righteousness," breathed the man.
Anakin stood tall, never reaching for his sword. "I won't hurt Harry."
"So be it Jedi," said the cold, calculating voice from his memories. A sudden rush of lightening fried Harry to death, his screams echoing throughout the chamber. "If you will not fulfill your destiny, do all that you must to gain power, then you will die."
The man in front of him ignited his light saber, a bright blue, single blade. Anakin felt utterly defenseless with only a sword but it was all that he had. "Now you will see the full power of the dark side, the power you foolishly rejected to help your friends." The man practically spat the last word and then charged Anakin, light saber flashing dangerously.
Instinctively, Anakin ducked under the man's initial attack, parrying the blow. It wasn't hard to avoid the blow; he was so short compared to the man it was nothing.
The man turned around, light saber cutting through where Anakin stood seconds ago. The blade twirled with almost blinding speed, and all Anakin could do was jump out of the way, parrying when he could, and generally avoiding the light saber as if his life depended on it.
"Is this the power of your light side of the Force? Pathetic, as I always knew it was." Another round of attacks, barely dodged by Anakin. Part of him was convinced this man was just toying with him right now.
"You do know she is going to die? Your mother that is," he said randomly. "Her death will not be pretty but it could be avoided if your master and Harry Potter are properly disposed of."
Anakin's grip tightened on his sword, anger swelling up inside him. "You're lying."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just am. How would you know anyway?"
The man laughed. "Because I am your destiny Anakin." The man turned off his light saber and lowered his hood; Anakin's breath caught in his throat. "Yes, you understand now don't you? This charade means nothing in the end. The power of the dark side will call you and you will heed the call. That is your destiny."
"No," Anakin whispered, falling to his knees. "No, I'll never fall," he said, a lone tear sliding down at his cheek.
The apparition cackled, walking slowly toward Anakin, his light saber twirling dangerously.
Anakin, defend yourself urged a voice deep in his mind. In a flash, Anakin brought is sword up, parrying the spirit. Before it could react, he spun on his knees and cut the spirit right below the left knee.
"Ahhh," it screamed, dropping to a knee, his leg unable to support him. "You'll pay for that." The spirit pushed Anakin away using the Force. Anakin yelped as banged his head and arms, rolling across the ground.
Get up Anakin. Hurry!
Anakin looked up in time to catch the spirit trying to cauterize his wound with his light saber. In a flash, Anakin threw his sword with all his might. It flew straight and true, lopping off the spirit's hand holding the light saber. Not sure if it would work, Anakin held out his right hand, begging for the light saber. With a rattle, it flew into his hand, a fraction of a second before the spirit could dive on it.
Careful not to expose himself to attack, Anakin approached the spirit. Its eyes, a terrible shade of yellow that were horribly bloodshot, radiated hatred.
"You beat me," it spat. "I cannot believe it. Strike me down and finish the job."
Anakin looked at the light saber in his hand. A part of him screamed for him to lop this fools head off. But he couldn't, even if he knew now it wasn't real. "No," he said, shaking his head. "No, I won't kill you. And I won't become you. I swear, I never will." He turned off the light saber and threw the light saber down the cave. Surprisingly it didn't clatter against the stone floor.
The spirit spared him one last incensed stare before disappearing, hopefully forever.
Approaching footfalls unnerved Anakin, who had his sword drawn in a flash.
"It is just me Anakin," said Qui-Gon, careful to avoid Anakin's drawn sword. The light from the spirit fight was still present, but the levels were much more tolerable. Anakin realized they were in a crystal cave. For the first time since they arrived, he felt the power of the Force in the cave.
"Master, what just happened," he asked shakily, the dark spirits taunts still ringing in his ears.
"You experienced the will of the Force. More than that I cannot say. I've never heard of the apparitions speaking for any significant period of time, nor have I heard of them being past or future versions of the person in question. This exercise is to show you the power of the Force but it is also an attempt by the Force to communicate with you as well, to tell you something important."
Anakin gave a wholly unsatisfied look, to which Qui-Gon could not respond. "Anakin, this seemed to me to be a manifestation of your fears about the type of person you will become. The spirit was you from the future, but a dark Jedi. Like in your dreams, it talked lightly of evil and murder. And it played on your fears of losing your mother, going so far as to blame Harry and I for her death."
Anakin looked down. "Part of me believed the spirit and wanted to hurt Harry."
Qui-Gon squatted down. "Anakin, what matters is you didn't give in. You stood against that spirit and against that angry feeling. There is strength in confronting personal demons and defeating them. Your friends have faced much in their young lives and are better because of it. And you will be better for what you faced here Ani."
The boy nodded, feeling much more confidant, more at peace with himself, and then he had felt since joining the Jedi. There was still a lingering doubt but, according to Qui-Gon, that was natural.
"I think it is time to construct your first light saber," said Qui-Gon. "Though what I saw today was a new, your natural disposition for combat is the first trait of a Jedi guardian. Of course, the decision is yours."
"Master, are you a Guardian?"
Qui-Gon shook his head "No. I am a Consular. Do not concern yourself too much with titles though Anakin. Master Yoda is also a Consular but he and I are well versed in light saber combat. If you decide to walk the path of a Jedi Guardian, you will still need to learn the ways of the Force."
"I understand master. I agree with your judgment and want to train as a guardian."
"Excellent. Have you studied how to build a light saber? Of course, given your affinity for mechanics, you should be able to construct one anyway."
Anakin smiled at the compliment. "I have studied light saber construction master. I'm ready to begin."
The experience of the race shows that we get our most important education not through books but through our work. We are developed by our daily task, or else demoralized by it, as by nothing else.
—Anna Garlin Spencer—
Tatooine.
The twin suns burn brightly, washing the barren desert landscape with dazzling white light. The air rippled as the heat radiated off the ground, creating a haze as far as the eye could see.
Millions of people try to scratch out an existence on the harsh, unforgiving terrain. One of the only planets in the galaxy to still employ slavery, only the Hutts and the indigenous sand people are able to lead successful lives.
Soon, a war will erupt among the latter, brought about because of the greed of the former.
"Dobra hodrudda bu sando wermo bunky dunko," bellowed Jabba the Hutt imperiously.
"Of course your Excellency," assured his Twilek aid soothingly. "It will not take much to provoke a civil war among the Sand People. That will certainly drive up prices on our weapons stock."
More Huttese, persistent and with more than a few obscenities thrown in for good measure.
The aid drew a breath but before he could respond, a near human woman stepped forward, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Enough of this nonsense Jabba," she hissed. "There is more at stake here then your foolish greed."
Jabba inspected her, his eyes looking as if he were fitting her for a coffin. The woman didn't back down in the slightest. If this overgrown tub of goo tried to kill her, she had enough explosives strapped to her body to blow a crater in this worthless planet.
Perhaps some of that showed on her face because the Hutt took his gaze off her, looking at the ceiling. He flexed a fat finger towards his deputy, who leaned in closer to his master. The woman tried to listen but they were talking too softly. And true to his creed, the aid never let anything show on his face.
"Jabba knows who you are hunting and is not unsympathetic to your needs. But Aurra, you must understand that your presence on this planet is dependent solely on his good graces. Even if he cannot kill you, he can drive you from this planet. The war will begin soon and you will be allowed to fulfill your contract. But not until Jabba is ready."
Aurra Sing glared at the Twilek, the fire in her eyes eventually forcing the man to cringe ever so slightly. But that was a small victory, to say nothing of an insignificant one. Jabba was absolutely correct, more so then he probably knew. Aurra could kill him and his threat would be meaningless. But if she killed Jabba, he would likely hunt her down and kill her. She had never met Darth Sidious face-to-face. One meeting by holo communication was plenty to impress upon her the power of the Sith Lord. Sidious specifically wanted Jabba let alive; he perhaps even had his own agents protecting him.
"So be it. But I will not wait forever."
"You will not even have to wait a week."
"They are dangerous Sharad. They are undisciplined and immature. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are far too old besides, as is Anakin. And the Council hardly seems to care." Ki-Adi-Mundi threw up is hands in disgust.
Sharad Hett listened to his old friend, concealing a sigh out of respect for their friendship. "Ki, perhaps these kids are just what the Order needs. You've been a member of the Council for quite awhile. You haven't spent as much time experiencing the galaxy. If this exile has taught me anything, it is that the Jedi training is not enough to learn the ways of the Force. Our experiences define us, as do our choices when facing adversity."
Ki-Adi-Mundi smiled a very patronizing smile. He hadn't heard a word. "Let's talk about something else old friend. You probably know why I am here."
Sharad nodded. "Ay that I do. The Council is ready to take A' to Coruscant to continue his training. I must say I appreciate you leaving him here as long as you have. It's been a great experience for him I think. To learn his heritage and also lose his cherry with regards to the Force and light saber training."
Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head. "No, that is not why. Or rather, not the only reason. Sharad, the Sith are active in the galaxy once again. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have battled and killed one of the Sith. The Council believes they killed the apprentice though, not the master. The cloud of the Dark side still surrounds everything. The Council would like to invite you to return to the Order and take a place on the Council. Your experience would be priceless to the Order."
Sharad Hett considered the matter very briefly but very seriously. It was no decision though, not really. "I'm sorry old friend. My place is with the Sand People. My son, if he wishes, may go with you. But I will remain here."
Ki-Adi-Mundi frowned. "Are you so sure Sharad? The Order needs you, especially if the Sith are truly reborn, as it seems now."
Hett nodded more forcefully now. "I'm sure Ki. My place is here."
The Jedi Master rose to his feet, extending his hand. "So be it my friend. But remember that the Council will always receive you if you change you mind."
Hett shook his hand just before the door to their home blasted open. Both men had their light sabers drawn in an instant.
"Son, what are you doing," Hett asked. Then he saw the look on his son's ace for the first time. "What is happening A'Sharad?"
"Father, Grk'Urr'Akk is leading his tribes out of the mountains. There are skirmishes with our border patrols to the north and east."
Sharad Hett ran outside, his Tusken mask protecting him from the worst of the sun's glare. The mountains were several miles away. He couldn't hope to see the fighting. But if his son was right, the invaders would be here in three days to a week. Hett sensed a dark Jedi, albeit a poorly trained Jedi but supernaturally ruthless, was with them. This war also smacked of Hutt treachery, even if he couldn't immediately surmise a reason for Hutt interference.
Sharad turned to his old friend. "Ki, I think you may be here longer than originally planned."
Master Gallia always loved meditating in the Temple courtyard. The hustle and bustle of the planet was alive in the air outside the Temple and, as far as she was concerned, listening to the planet was more informative than meditating alone in a room. The light breeze and warm light from the sun rejuvenated her physically as well, while meditation reinvigorated her mentally and spiritually.
But after nearly an hour of meditation, she felt a frantic rush of the Force, a tendril coming from here in the temple and going…well, she couldn't figure out exactly where it was going but at the end she felt fear, despair, and raw hatred.
Where is the source she thought, trying to find the origins here on the planet. The activity in the Temple was such that it made it difficult to feel one apparition, even if it was so frantic.
But she was not recognized as one of the wisest Sage Masters in the Order for nothing. Sifting through the common or undefined rushed of the Force, and the apparitions with no identifiable beginning or end, she discovered the source of the turmoil.
With a gasp, she jumped to her feet and ran to the spire directly northeast from the courtyard. Masters and apprentices gave her strange looks as she ran past, but she ignored them.
When she finally reached her apprentice's chambers, much of the room had been destroyed. The Force was echoing so loudly, she was surprised no one else could hear the call.
The door refused to open when she first tried. She could not leave Hermione alone like this much longer; the power of what she was experiencing would eventually destroy the room if left unchecked.
Gallia cut the door off its hinges, letting it fall and running to Hermione. The air was thick with the power of the Force and the nearly overpowering tidal wave of emotions.
"Hermione," she yelled, shaking her padawan. "Hermione! Come back to me!"
Hermione's eyes flew open but they were glowing a grayish yellow, the whites of her eyes now blood red. When the eyes caught Gallia, a truly evil smile came to her apprentice's face, but there was no sign of recognition.
"I do not want you helping the boy," Hermione commanded in a very cold, very powerful voice that was not her own.
Hermione's head shook spit flying everywhere. The red and yellow left her eyes and her chin slumped into her chest. "No," she gasped. "He needs me."
There was a mad cackling in the air and suddenly Hermione started convulsing and screaming in pain. Then the seizure stopped and Hermione gratefully passed out.
An hour later, a very startled Hermione woke in her room with Adi Gallia standing over her, her eyes full of concern.
Then Hermione saw what had become of her room. "What happened," she croaked out.
"You had an episode Hermione, brought on by a very powerful connection with the Force. Do you remember what happened?"
Hermione closed her eyes tight, trying to remember what she saw. She wasn't used to having these types of episodes. Well, this was her first. Harry was the expert, such as it was, in these matters because of Voldemort.
Racking her brain, she remembered only flashes of what she saw. There was a near human woman driving a blood red light saber through a man's chest. Or what she supposed was a man; he was wearing the most unusual robes she had ever seen.
Then she saw another man, shorter but very compact, wearing the same odd attire, standing over the fallen man in disbelief, hatred running thick through his veins. He ran after the woman but before he could catch her, another man, robed in black, hit him across the head with a curved light saber hilt. That was when Hermione felt the most terrible darkness imaginable fill her body; fill her very soul.
An old weathered man, his gray, leathery face mostly hidden by the shadow of his hood, chastised her for interfering and ordered her to not intervene. Hermione told him she couldn't just leave him alone. The man didn't like this, not one bit.
Hermione's mind nearly collapsed under the worst mental assault she ever endured; her occlumency shields did not stop the darkness, or ever slow it down. When the darkness finished, she passed out.
She told her master everything she experienced. "Master, how did this happen," she asked when Gallia was silent for nearly five minutes after Hermione finished her story. "Every holopad I read, none of them talked about this kind of occurrence."
"Hermione, there are things in this galaxy that you cannot learn from holopads. The struggles of life are the greatest lessons we ever experience. After everything you experienced fighting your Dark Lord Voldemort, would you not agree?"
Hermione nodded without hesitation. That had been one of the hardest lessons to learn after leaving Hogwarts. Books had been her entire life. She had even convinced herself that what she experienced with Harry and Ron on their many adventures could be rationalized, based on something she read in a book somewhere.
But those two years, traveling around the world opened her eyes. She had forgotten those lessons though, these past few months since joining the Order.
"I haven't been doing all I can," she said.
"Hermione, there is nothing wrong with losing sight of things. We all lose sight of things now and again. What you experienced while meditating was brought on by your complacency. But it is good that it did," she added as Hermione hung her head. "The Force wanted you to see what was happening, or perhaps what will happen on Tatooine. The Sith Lord responsible for the attack must have felt your presence and acted. You showed great strength of character, standing up to him. I do not know if I could've done the same."
Hermione took her master's words in stride, not really believing she deserved such a kind reaction. "Master, I think what I saw was the future. I want to help the boy if I can." Her brown eyes radiated determination. The Force flew around her in waves, responding to her rush of emotion. Gallia was slightly taken aback.
She would not deny her apprentice though. Truth be told, this was a better practical experience then any she could organize. "Very well Hermione. We need to leave quickly though. I sense the Tusken civil war is already beginning. We must act quickly if we're going to help bring about a peaceful resolution."
Hermione waved her hand. Robes flew out of drawers and into her pocket with blazing speed. "I'm all ready."
Gallia was still marveling at her brand of magic. It was truly extraordinary, even if she couldn't perform the simplest spells herself. "I need time to prepare Hermione. I will return…" Before she could finish, Hermione had cloned her outfit twice, different colors both times, and packed them in another bag she created. Gallia couldn't help but smile. "You're showing off now," she said, wagging her finger.
Hermione lifted her shoulders. "I'm anxious," she answered seriously. "Can we leave?"
Gallia placed her hands on her shoulders. "Patience my young apprentice. I must inform the Council of our intentions. I will be back as soon as I can. If you wish, go down to Hanger Three and wait for me there."
Hermione politely held the door open for Gallia but then was practically running down to the hanger bays. Something about her vision spooked her. And while Gallia could hardly blame her, she hoped her apprentice would not let these feelings cloud her good judgment.
From Coruscant, Tatooine was a standard day and a half away. In the meantime, Gallia planned to help Hermione build her first light saber. She grabbed only one color crystal before leaving, confident she would only need the one. There was only one path for her to follow.
Still, protocol must be followed. "Hermione, we have little time before we arrive on Tatooine. I'd like to start building your light saber as soon as possible."
"I have to pick a class first, right."
"Yes. I'm going to ask you a few questions. Your answers will help me determine what you would be the best path for you. The decision is of course yours. But this will hopefully be a valuable aid for you."
"I understand Master. I am ready."
"Okay. You come across a woman and her child in an alley. Four thugs are attacking them. What do you do?"
"I would stop the attack and help them flee."
A little unexpected but not much Gallia thought. "Very good. The Council orders you to investigate a murder. How would you discover the truth?"
"I would try to persuade the suspects. I don't want there to be a fight," she answered with hesitation.
"Excellent. A poor woman asks for five credits. What would you do?"
"I would give her the five credits."
"Even if you don't know her intentions? Even if you know that, by helping her, you may bring a greater darkness. Seeing others elevated often draws the wrath of others. Would you still give the five credits?"
"Absolutely." Again, no hesitation.
Gallia smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Next question: you are in battle with a dark Jedi. There is a pause in the battle. What would you do?"
"I would try to find a peaceful resolution to the battle. Sometimes a Jedi must fight but when a Jedi is forced to fight, they've lost the edge in the battle."
"Good. Last question: a head of government approaches you with a problem. There are bounty hunters murdering farmers. What do you do?"
Hermione paused for thought. She had two conflicting ideas. But one stood out as her first choice. "I would work with the government to coordinate a trap. If I push the bounty hunters, they may use the farmers as hostages. I want to avoid that if at all possible."
"Great reasoning Hermione. As I thought after meeting you and hearing your history, and particularly after what happened in the Temple, I think you would make a terrific Consular."
Hermione nodded, as if she always knew too. "I agree Master. I would like to train as a Consular."
Gallia smiled. "Outstanding. Here is a viridian crystal." She handed Hermione the pale green crystal. "I think this would suit you wonderfully."
Hermione held the crystal, already bonding with it. "Thank you Master. But where will I build my light saber. I don't have any of the other materials."
"Don't worry. I have them waiting at the workbench."
Sharad Hett, A'Sharad Hett, and Ki-Adi-Mundi stood together at the mountain pass, the twin suns setting in the east and the west. They were standing about two miles away from the pre-war border with Grk'Urr'Akk's kingdom. They were losing ground much too fast. In less then a day and a half, their kingdom was thirty percent smaller then it once was.
"We need to find the Dark Jedi helping Grk'Urr'Akk. She alone is worth two companies of his raiders. Jabba's slaves aren't helping but they don't really want to be here. They're not fighting as hard as they could."
"But father, she is always moving, one step ahead of each of us. It's almost too much to believe."
"I understand son. But we need to find a way to neutralize her." He didn't say kill her, even if that was what he meant. His years in exile with the Sand People had shown him that killing in battle, while not something to glorify, was also not something to shy away from. Ki-Adi-Mundi would likely disagree, which is why he cleaned up his wording.
Ki-Adi-Mundi frowned. He was too wise not to understand what he meant. But he ignored it. "Sharad, you may need to surrender. Whatever Jabba wants from this war, surely he has it by now."
"Then why is he still pushing Grk'Urr'Akk? And besides, I sense the Dark Jedi has her own agenda. I'll defend my people as long as I draw breath. If you wish to leave, I will understand. This is not your fight."
Ki-Adi-Mundi looked highly affronted. "I won't leave you like this my friend. And besides," he said, looking to the sky, "I sense one of the new padawans approaching—Miss Granger, escorted by Master Gallia. This will be an opportunity for her to prove her worth."
Hermione sat alone in her chambers, meditating. Through the Force and her own magic, she felt the ongoing battle on the planet surface. Her vision was not perfect but the group Ki-Adi-Mundi was fighting with was losing.
As she meditated, she also felt a dark presence in the back of her mind, cackling at her. No matter how strong her Occlumency walls were, the presence would not be pushed away.
Soon she sensed the ship preparing to land on the outskirts of the battle. When Master Gallia came to her, she was already ready.
"Hermione, I want you to be careful when we land. I sense much anxiety in you. But what you saw is only a glimpse of what this battle may become. I know you have your own brand of magic to fall back on, but be careful. This is a new type of warfare your about to experience."
"I'll be careful Master." Gallia believed her but she saw the same fire in her eyes she remembered seeing when Harry argued with the Council months ago. He had not expected her to have that passion. If it served her against their Lord Voldemort, then it should serve her well now.
Immediately after disembarking, the sounds of battle reached them from over the dunes. Gallia sensed they were perhaps a mile from the front. She was preparing to trek towards the fighting when she noticed Hermione hanging back.
"Hermione, are you coming?"
"Yes Master. I'm just trying to picture where Master Mundi is. I have a faster way of reaching him."
"A faster way?" Before she could make sense of what her apprentice was saying, Hermione exclaimed with joy and grabbed her hand. Master Gallia then found herself caught in an enormous power vacuum, saw a blur of color, and then, not even a second later, found herself facing an almost comically stunned Master Mundi.
"Master Gallia…how in the blazes did you get here?"
She could only manage a weak smile and jerked her head towards Hermione. "It's called apparation. Much faster than running." She smiled at Gallia then quickly grew serious. "What's happening?"
Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head a few times, trying to wrap his mind around what just happened. A tall man dressed in the exact same outfit Hermione remembered from her vision stepped forward.
"Grk'Urr'Akk's forces are pushing us back. If we can't hold them here, they'll be in the village by sundown. I don't know what other tricks you have up your sleeve missy, but I'm glad you both are here."
"As am I," said the compact man from her vision. As she sensed before, these men were father and son. And that was why Hermione was so anxious to help.
"The outcome of this battle depends on us neutralizing a bounty hunter," said Hett, his voice sounding screechy under his ceremonial mask.
"One bounty hunter is swaying this entire battle," Gallia asked.
But both Hetts and Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded. "She is," the younger Hett interjected. "She is not well trained in the Jedi arts but her movements show some prior training. It's her ruthless, overly aggressive instincts that make her a threat."
"I sense she also had prior training in the ways of the Anzati," added the older Hett. "She will not go easily."
"We will do what we can. Where do you want us?"
A lone figure kneeled in a cave overlooking Grk'Urr'Akk's camp, meditating.
The battle was going as planned, hopefully a sign of what was to come. The fool Sharad Hett was acting just as his master knew he would; he was standing with the Tusken people. He would die, just as his master planned.
But his death may be complicated by the sudden arrival of two more Jedi. One was Master Gallia, one of the most famous Sage Masters in the galaxy, and incidentally the woman who replaced him on the Council.
The other was more of an unknown, though she should not be hard to figure out. Gallia's apprentice was untrained in the Jedi arts but the Force flowed through her in a way he had seldom witnessed. There was a mystery about her that he could not figure out and he worried she would be a threat to this mission. That trick where she traveled over a mile in a fraction of a second, with Gallia no less, was unheard of in the history of either the Jedi or the Sith.
His thoughts were interrupted when a holo image of his master appeared in the cave. "Lord Tyranus, how goes the battle," he said, his voice, even through the holo image, seething with power.
"Hett's forces are nearing collapse my lord. By the time the suns set, he will be dead and I will have his son."
"Good."
"My lord, if I may. I have sensed a disturbance in the Force. Master Gallia and her apprentice have arrived. I cannot figure out her apprentice. Earlier she transported her and her master over a mile, right into the hut where Ki-Adi-Mundi was staying with Sharad. My lord, I have never heard of such a trick in my years of study."
His master's face showed nothing of what he was thinking. Dooku nevertheless sensed a pulse in the dark energy around him; awe inspiring considering his master was light years away.
"My lord," Dooku asked tentatively.
"Do not engage Sharad," he said, which was exactly what Dooku was considering. "It must be Aurra who kills him and the boy must see it happen. Engage Gallia and her apprentice. Ignore Mundi; he is a fool and is of no consequence. Be mindful when confronting her apprentice. I sense great power in her and her comrades. Break off the confrontation after Sharad is dead; his son will be mine, regardless of their intervention."
Dooku nodded. "I understand master. I will not fail." He was talking to himself. His master had already broken the connection.
Sharad and his son stood atop their hut, the early morning twilight casting shadows over the landscape. This was the time when the climate on Tatooine was tolerable, as cold as it ever got.
"Father, I sense something is very wrong."
"I feel it too son. But we need to stay mindful of the battle."
"Do you think Gallia and her apprentice can track down Aurra? Do you think they can defeat her?"
"I have no doubt Hermione can track her down. There is something about her I have never sensed in any Jedi, not even Master Yoda. Whether or not she can hold her until Gallia arrives is another story. I am also worried she is not the only Jedi-trained enemy we face."
"Who else could be here? Surely we would've sensed another Dark Jedi."
Sharad didn't respond. Instead he continued surveying the landscape. Tomorrow would be the final day of this battle and probably the final day of his life. He was not worried for himself. He only hoped his son would be able to escape and join the Jedi.
"Find Master Gallia and her apprentice. If they do not already now, I sense Aurra is perhaps half a mile north-northwest. If they act quickly, perhaps they can finish her before Grk'Urr'Akk begins his next campaign.
Behind them, though the suns were still barely creeping over the horizon, several mortars blew up in his lines, his soldiers' screams battling with the screeches of the mortars to be heard. Makeshift bombers—the Hutts would not waste their technology on this fight—flew over the village, dropping bombs and firing blaster bolts onto and into homes.
"Tell them they need to act quickly."
"Master Gallia!"
The Sage master opened her eyes. "What is it A'Sharad?" Then she heard the sounds of bombs dropping and Tuskens screaming in the streets.
"Master, father says Aurra is perhaps half a mile north-northwest," he said urgently. "Forgive me, but I need to join the defense of my home." Without another word, he ran out into the streets. Light sabers ignited, deflecting blaster bolts.
Hermione rushed in next. "Master, I heard A'Sharad. We need to leave now, before she leaves."
"I understand. Stay with me."
As the pair ran, aided by the Force, Hermione wished she knew what this bounty hunter looked like. She could've apparated right there after the Force showed her her hiding place.
Hermione tried to maintain a connection on the presence of Aurra. As they drew closer to the bounty hunter, she started feeling nervous. Why hadn't she moved yet? The battle had already begun. She should be a part of it by now.
As they neared the hut where Aurra was hiding, Hermione pulled her master to the side.
"What is it Hermione?" Instead of answering with words, Hermione tapped Gallia on the head. The Jedi Master felt as if cold water was pouring down her back. Then she caught sight, or rather did not catch sight of her robes. "What magic is this?"
"It's the disillusionment charm," replied Hermione matter-of-factly, making herself disappear. "Something is wrong about all of this. I'm afraid we're walking into a trap."
Gallia looked at her apprentice with pride. She had the same fears. The Dark side was permeating from the hut, more powerfully then should be the case if just a poorly trained Dark Jedi is hiding there.
The pair approached the hut from different directions, Gallia from the front—and so the more exposed path—and Hermione from the back.
No blaster fire met them, nor were there any signs of life at all, except from the aura of dark side energies. Gallia jumped through the window on the hut, careful not to make a sound. About a dozen yard away, deeper in the hut, she heard Hermione land softly. If it weren't for the Force boosting her senses, she would not have heard her at all.
Working quickly, they inspected each room in the hut but they couldn't find anything.
"Where is she," Hermione asked, a note of frustration and uncertainty in her voice.
Gallia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know." She looked over her shoulder, as I looking for something. "We should return to the village. Something is very wrong."
The two women headed to the front of the hut, light sabers drawn, waiting for some sign of the bounty hunter or the darker sentient they each sensed.
When they were halfway to through the hut, Hermione saw the briefest flash of red light and heard the tiniest click. Something was very wrong. "Master…"
"I sensed it too. Quickly, we must leave." She ran for the exit but the walls had been collapsed and were cackling faintly with blue energy. Some one had trapped them here.
Or so they thought. Hermione grabbed Gallia's hand. "Master, let's go." The pair disappeared with a pop just before the permacete detonator blew the hut straight to the moon.
They reappeared in the heart of the village. "Hermione, duck," Gallia screamed, pushing her padawan down just as a sniper's blaster bolt shot through the space her head just previously occupied.
Hermione cast her strongest shield over herself, taking in the battle around her.
Tusken warriors, all of whom looked the same as far as she could see, were fighting in the streets. Snipers were firing from all four sides of the village. Either it was completely surrounded (which she was afraid was true) or Sharad's warriors had found places to snipe the enemy. Adding to the carnage of the battle were several makeshift bombers flying overhead, dropping bombs on the village and firing blasters into knots of warriors.
Sharad's forces were manifestly losing this battle.
The thought was driven from her mind when she sensed the bounty hunter was near, fighting…Sharad!
Without paying heed to her master, she bolted through the battle, ignoring the other fighting.
As she ran, the briefest tingling in her spine was the only notice she had before a blast of Force Lightening smashed into her shields. Though her shields were shattered, the lightening didn't hurt her.
As the dust settled, she heard someone chuckling darkly. Smiling, Hermione activated her light saber, the viridian blade shining brightly through the haze of dust. The laughter abruptly stopped. "How," he whispered.
"You underestimate my apprentice," called Gallia, catching up with her padawan at the right time. Her green light saber crackled to life, the glare of the sun almost making it look the same color as Hermione's.
"Ah, Adi Gallia. So wonderful to see you again," the mysterious man said, sound very pompous and arrogant. "I must say; I am surprised to see you escaped my little trap." His light saber ignited, red fire burning hot from the hilt. "I'm afraid you will go no farther."
He jumped at Gallia, aided by the Force. He drove his light saber to the ground but Gallia slid gracefully out of the way.
"Very subtle," she said. "Much like a charging bantha." Her light saber moved gracefully and swiftly through the air in a series of light and medium jabs and crosses. The Sith Lord blocked and parried effortlessly though, pushing the attack when he could.
Hermione was about to join the fray when she decided to try something else. Putting away her light saber, she flicked her arms to her side, connecting with her magic. Her forearms burst into flames, all the way down to her hands. Hermione twisted back and thrust her hands forward with all the strength she possessed. A large beam of fire shot towards the Sith Lord.
Gallia noticed the fire instead of feeling it. Her eyes almost popped out of her head and she dove to the side, as far as she could. The Sith Lord noticed her curious behavior and dove to the other side, though Gallia doubted he sensed the fireball approaching. It set the bottom of his cape on fire; he was too slow to dive out of the way.
Hermione jumped at him, faster then a blaster bolt. The Sith Lord waved his light saber wildly. Hermione's arms, still on fire, blazed bright, forming a sort of shield.
It was not enough to stop the light saber, or even faze it. Perhaps she was used to the fire melting normal swords.
Whatever the case, Hermione gasped in pain, her arm bleeding. The Sith Lord wasn't ready to press his advantage though. He seemed to think this was another trick. Hermione healed her arm with a wave of her hand and had her light saber drawn in the time he gave her.
"That was interesting magic girl," he taunted. "But it was not enough."
"So let's try again." The glare of the sun helped hide the red ball of energy growing in her hand. "Stupefy!"
The stunner, while another surprise to the Sith Lord, did not faze him enough to be effective. He pushed out his hand, palm forward, deflecting the spell. Hermione didn't get another chance.
The Sith Lord tried to overwhelm Hermione outright, fighting more with his physical prowess than with the Force. When Gallia joined the fight, they began pushing him back, the two getting in each others way a little, as was typical for new padawans and their master. But only a little. Their grace and agility was more than a match for the Sith Lord's ferocity.
He sensed this. Gallia recognized immediately when he opened himself up to the Force. She felt the Dark side powering his attacks, giving him new life. But he was new to this Sith technique; he could only now fight Hermione and Gallia to a draw.
"Yiahh,' Hermione screamed, driving her light saber hard into his chest. The Sith Lord lifted his wrist slightly, parrying the blow. Gallia pushed him back with the Force.
As he rolled and bounced on the dunes, Hermione shot three blue balls that steamed as they flew through the air. None however hit the Sith Lord, freezing the sand in the spots they hit. Whatever the case, this seemed enough for the new Sith Lord, new Sith apprentice as far as Gallia could see. He unceremoniously fled, though not before glaring at them over his shoulder. Gallia only saw his eyes burning under his hood.
"Good work Hermione," she said, proud and amazed at the prowess of her padawan. She vowed to have Hermione teach her that magic one day.
"Thank you master. But we need to find Sharad. I'm worried Surra has already found him."
"All right. Let's go."
The pair ran through the battle, which was still raging. They captured a few enemy Tuskens, ones who were firing into homes, despite women and children screaming inside.
When they found Sharad, he was indeed fighting Surra in light saber combat. The failed Jedi, now bounty hunter, was a sight to see. She flipped and twirled through the air, acrobatic moves that had to baffle Sharad. The former Jedi Knight didn't back down though, even as the crimson blade singed and burned his arms and legs in several places.
"Be careful Hermione."
They didn't get any closer than fifteen yards, close enough for Hermione to fire a stunner (which missed by a mile), before grenade blew them both off their feet.
"Come on Master," Hermione said, quickly to her feet.
"Dad! NOOOO!"
Aurra screamed a frightening, ear-splitting, possibly insane victory screech, fist pumping in the air, the hilt of her light saber pressed against Sharad's chest, the blade shining out of his back. She pulled it out quickly and ran away, into the dunes. A'Sharad, looking so achingly much like Harry, stood rooted in the spot. A few seconds later, the Force swirling like a tornado around him, buoyed by his hate and rage, he raced off after Aurra. He closed the distance almost impossibly fast.
Then he passed a hut and the Sith Lord knocked him over the head with his light saber.
"Stop! Stupefy!" The curse shot under the Sith Lord's head. He worked fast, disappearing with A'Sharad before she could reach them.
Hermione collapsed to her knees; tears of failure sliding down her cheeks.
All the while, the horrible voice from her mind started cackling madly.
That's it for this chapter. Hoped you all liked it. Please…PLEASE review. It makes me angry when you all don't review.
And you won't like me when I'm angry.
Seriously though, good or bad, I love to hear from all of you.