11 YEARS EARLIER:
Kyan felt a rush of power as he charged forward. He could feel the force flowing through him as he ran at Nube, his newly constructed blue lightsaber glowing brightly in the Temple garden. Although set on stun, there new lightsabers hurt much more than their Youngling sabers, of which Kyan had learned the hard way at their last sparring session. He had predicted Nube's next move wrong, and had been struck in the leg. It had remained numb for two hours, but he didn't care. Nube had been his best friend for nearly six years, since he was seven years old. Now he was thirteen, and he still overpowered Nube. His master, Master Schca Gaen, had told him if he kept it up he would one day surpass Master Jorax. He didn't really care about that though, he didn't care about power. He just looked forward to sparing with Nube everyday.
He suddenly leapt into the air and landed behind Nube. But Nube expected it, and turned with a parry. Their lightsabers locked for a moment before Nube kicked Kyan in the gut. He flew backwards, but landed on his feet, already running back at Nube. He began waving his lightsaber in a series of memorized and flowing swipes and slashes, blocking whenever Nube tried to strike. He rarely thought about what he was doing, instead he more or less let the Force control him, letting it control his actions. Finally their lightsabers locked again, and Nube smiled.
"You're getting better," he laughed. Kyan bent his arm so that the blade of Nube's lightsaber was driven into the ground.
"So are you," Kyan replied. He could feel Nube trying to lift his lightsaber up, but Kyan was stronger, and was putting too much pressure. If he just kept holding it, applying a little pressure… THERE! Nube dropped his lightsaber, and it deactivated. Before Nube could move, Kyan swung his lightsaber, striking Nube in the chest. Nube fell to the floor, shaking violently, then stopped suddenly. Kyan deactivated his lightsaber. Nube opened his eyes, and gave Kyan a glazed look.
"Not so fun, is it?" Kyan asked mockingly. Nube smiled and shook his head, and began to rise.
"Uhh, god. I wish we still had our other lightsabers," he groaned. Kyan chuckled.
"I told you it hurt," he said.
"Yeah, but I didn't quite expect that," he said, and sat down on the cool, wet grass. Kyan sat too, and attached his lightsaber to his side.
"You need to work on your defense a little bit," Kyan said. Nube looked over, and nodded.
"Well, Master Yoda is helping me," he said.
"Master Gaen's been helping me with my offense. He says going on the offensive means less fighting," Kyan explained. His master told him lots of things to help him, things the other Jedi never had. He master had told him that giving into his emotions was sometimes necessary, and his emotions were a powerful ally in combat.
"Master Yoda says that being too offensive can lead to the dark side," Nube told him.
"I don't know about that. All I know is that is has been working so far."
Master Schca Gaen focused on what he was doing. If he placed something in the wrong spot, it could be bad. The lightsaber might take his hand off when turned on. But, it must be done. Constructing a new lightsaber would be one of his final steps to becoming a Sith.
He had been training for a long time now, and had so far kept it hidden from the Jedi Council. They were completely oblivious to his trainings in the dark arts, and that was good, for he would surely be executed for training to be a Sith. But even so, the risk was well worth it. Gaen had once been a by-the-book Jedi, had granted many enemies to the Republic mercy they hadn't deserved. After years of sparing so many enemies, some who had murdered women and children, some terrorists who had ravaged worlds, he was just tired. Tired of being weak, tired of it all. Now, finally, he would have true power. He had been researching the Ancient Sith for years now; Sith lords like Ajuntta Pall, Ulic Qel-Droma and Exar Kun, learning there ways in the dark side, thinking of a plan to escape the Jedi and continue to create a Sith Empire as they had. He had already started to begin converting his apprentice, who was exceptionally strong in the Force, more so than he had seen in many, many years. And soon, he would embrace the dark side, just as Gaen had…
Kyan entered his living quarters, which he shared with his master. He was tired after sparing; he always was. He was surprised to see his master sitting in a chair, a smile on his face.
"Did you win?" he asked. Kyan didn't say anything and was slightly shocked. He had never told his master about the sparing sessions; he had always told him that he was taking a walk to clear his head.
"What?" he asked, playing stupid. Master Gaen chuckled.
"Kyan, I have known about you sparing with your little friend for years now," he told Kyan. "Did you win?"
Kyan nodded. A big smile spread across his master's face.
"Good, good. You are powerful, aren't you?" he asked. Kyan shrugged, trying to keep back a smile. He liked being called powerful; he liked it a lot.
"I guess," he said. Gaen chuckled.
"Yes, one day you will become a greater Jedi than even I," Gaen told him. Kyan felt a little uncomfortable, but at the same time was starting to like being praised.
"I guess so," he replied. Master Gaen shook his head.
"Don't guess, know," he said, his voice becoming deeper. Kyan nodded.
"Yes, master," he said. Gaen stood up. He was a big man, a little over six feet tall, and muscular. Kyan knew his master was powerful, the though of becoming more powerful was exciting, but it seemed almost impossible. Gaen placed his hand on Kyan's head.
"Always trust your emotion, Kyan; your instincts. If you must remember anything of my trainings, remember that. Okay?" Gaen told him. Kyan nodded.
"Okay, master," he said, and Gaen left the room.
Nube opened the door to Master Yoda's living quarters. His master was sitting in the middle of the room, and Nube sat down next to him.
"You summoned me, master?" he asked. Yoda nodded.
"Darkness, I sense, Padawan," he said. Nube was confused, and didn't quite understand.
"What do you mean, master?" he asked. Yoda's face scrunched up in though.
"Vision, I had. Tough decision you will have to make in the future," Yoda told him. Nube didn't understand.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Betrayal I sense, from a close friend," Yoda explained. The only close friend Nube had was Kyan, but they were practically brothers. Kyan would never do anything to hurt him, and vise versa.
"The only friend I have would never betray me, master," Nube said slightly arrogantly. Yoda stood up.
"So sure, you shouldn't be. Dark times, these are," he said, and left. Nube thought, but was still positive: Kyan would never betray him.