Author's notes: And so we come to round 3! Anyone who finds the Mara Jade quote gets a little spoiler! And I'm running out of intermezzos… damn! Anyway (Force Storm on readers) WAKE UP, PEOPLE!!! The Dark Lady of Terror is back!!! And yes, I'm in a Jorak Uln mood!!! Go Hermit in the Hills!!! Mwahahahahahahaha!!!

Dark Lord Daishi – Super Paranoid Pilot to the rescue!!! (advertisement showing Carth in a Superman costume)

X X X

Intermezzo III – Paragon

X X X

I can't believe you chose me, in all my fragility, me
It hurts so much when I love you, it makes me cry
Every time

You, you are, oh you are
The little boy made for me in the stars
In the star, that's why I can't let you go
The little boy made for mi in the stars
That's why I love you more the further I go
And before this existence you were always there
Waiting for me
You are, you are the realest thing I know
Hands down
The realest thing I know

Nelly Furtado, Childhood Dreams

X X X X

Only a year or so had passed since she had become a Jedi and already, Revan bolted through the corridors of the Jedi Temple as if it was the most natural thing in the world. But today was not natural, it was a special day. Today, finally, was the day she would prove she was ready to become a Padawan. The bad thing was, she was probably already late. And if Vrook was going to be the one testing her, that could be a big problem.

She finally reached the training room and checked her chronometer. Exactly on time. But she was already exhausted, and she had a shrewd idea what this test might be. Taking a deep breath, she entered the training room, to find Master Zhar standing there, seemingly alone. He smiled and beckoned her inside. Reciting the Code once more in her head, Revan entered.

A few minutes later, Revan almost hopped down the corridors, beaming at everything and everyone. She had passed the tests. The Code, the lightsaber that now hung from her belt and even the final test. Zhar had led her through a passage to another training room linked to the one she had entered… into an environment that was so dark, it could pass for a Sith Temple easily. As a Sentinel-in-training, she was to infiltrate the 'temple' and recover a Jedi holocron.

"Proceed with caution, young apprentice." Zhar had warned her, "Remember your task, but also remember what you are."

The girl had nodded, and Zhar had opened the door for her. The darkness in the Force was only outmatched by the darkness of the room itself – black was everywhere, Sith ornaments decorated the walls. It was extremely large, and it seemed that it was just part of an even bigger complex. Revan knew quite well her maroon robes would be quite eye-catching there, but did her best to sneak into the main hall. Her eyes scanned the room. The only Light she sensed anywhere was coming from an obelisk at the far end of the room, covered by ominous dark runes. There was no one in the room. That struck her as suspicious.

She took a few cautious steps forward, before she immediately dropped to the ground, barely avoiding a red lightsaber beam. She rolled forward and leapt to her feet quickly, spinning around.

A dark robed, hooded Sith warrior stood just meters from her, their double-bladed lightsaber aggressively held. Revan couldn't even tell species and gender was next to impossible. A black half-mask covered the warrior's face, and even their eyes were shielded by a light-scanning visor. That practically meant that even if the Sith couldn't sense her aura, they would be able to recognize her easily in the otherwise cold, lifeless environment.

Revan ignited her lightsaber, the energy beam contrasting sharply with the rest of the dark surroundings.

The Sith warrior lunged at Revan, who barely avoided another precise blow. And with a kick to the side, she fell to the ground, holding up her lightsaber a second before the red one clashed against it. But the Sith was too strong, physically strong, for her to overcome in a lightsaber-lock. So she used a simple trick – Force Push. Not enough to stun the Sith, but enough to surprise them enough to roll out of harms way, before the red beam sunk into the ground where she lay a moment ago.

"Stop this! I mean you no harm!" Revan said, but she took a step away from the Sith, her saber in a defensive position.

The Sith didn't say anything – and the double-blade was flying at Revan. She ducked. Focusing on its hilt, Revan sliced it cleanly in half. The Sith seemed slightly stunned, but immediately summoned the two still activated pieces to their hands. Now armed with dual lightsabers, they launched a flurry of attacks that Revan barely avoided.

A particularly strong blow, and the lightsaber was sent flying out of her hands. Revan avoided the following swing, but her robe was effectively shredded. She accelerated and backed away from the Sith warrior.

"I don't want to fight you." she said, calling the lightsaber back to her hand, "Why do you fight me?"

The Sith froze on the spot, lightsabers held almost lazily at their side. "You could never understand, girl." The voice, sharp as a blade, was cold and low… but definitely female.

"Try me." Revan noted calmly.

The Sith woman's smirk was visible in her voice, "No one can stand against my power! Can you not see it, child? The power of the Dark Side is infinite! Join us and realize your true destiny as a Dark Jedi – your true power!"

"The only thing I see is death and destruction. Blood on your hands. Can you live with that?" Revan asked, still not raising her saber, though it was ignited in her hand.

"I…" the Sith woman hesitated, "There is no turning back. My destiny lies in darkness." She said quietly.

"Look into your heart, then. I don't think the Light Side would reject you. There is no emotion…"

"…there is peace." The woman whispered. She stared into thin air for a second, and then deactivated her lightsabers. "I… have to think of this. But you deserve what you came here for… Padawan."

She levitated the Jedi holocron to Revan, who carefully caught it. As light emerged from it at a Jedi's touch, Zhar stepped dramatically out of the shadows, smiling.

"Congratulations, Revan. You have done well."

The Sith woman took off her visor, revealing crimson red eyes and matching skin. Her hood fell down to her shoulders, and she took off her mask, revealing a smiling young face (missing any sign of the taint of the Dark Side) and head-tails with black fabric wrapped around them, as most Twi´lek women wore.

"Are you sure you don't wish to become a Guardian, Padawan? I wasn't expecting this." She said, holding up the two red lightsabers. They were functional, but would probably never be the same saber staff they were before.

"I'm sorry about that – I wasn't planning it." Revan apologized.

The Twi´lek nodded, "Still, it was very good. Forcing your opponent to use a fighting style they aren't familiar with is an effective way to gain the upper hand. I am impressed." She smiled, "You would make a fine Guardian."

"I believe she has chosen, but there is still time to amend that decision." Zhar noted, glancing at Revan.

"I´m not that much of a fighter, so I don't think I could be a Guardian without extreme training, but I´m not too patient either, so being a Consular wouldn't probably be the best choice." Revan said with a shrug.

"Ah, yes. The golden middle path. Literally." The Twi´lek said with an amused smile, gesturing at Revan´s yellow lightsaber. "I am Jedi Master Luana Freida, and I can really just repeat what has already been said: you have passed the test. Welcome fully into the Jedi Order, Padawan Revan. Please excuse me, both of you – I must report to the Council, and I can´t do so while dressed like a Sith." Luana said with a small grin that was thoroughly un-Jedi-like. "I shall see you in combat training lessons, Revan – I look forward to that. Master Zhar." She bowed slightly to Zhar, who did the same. With a final smile, Luana Freida left through the door she came through.

"Master Luana is a Jedi Weapons Master – she is proficient in all standard Jedi fighting techniques, and even learned those of the Sith. As you could see, she is very much a Master of her art – a compliment from her about your fighting is something to be valued." Zhar explained. "But I believe you deserve it. Your first lessons begin tomorrow. Details are yet to be decided, but you have been assigned as my Padawan learner, Revan."

Revan smiled. She knew Zhar´s teaching methods quite well from previous lessons. It was soothing to know he would be the one to teach her – they shared an understanding, which Revan admired and therefore respected him than most of the other Jedi, even from the ranks of the Masters.

"Thank you, Master Zhar." Revan said with a curt bow. She walked to the doorway, then broke into a run to find Malak, Zhar´s eyes following her with a kind smile before she disappeared in the corridors.

As soon as she finally found Malak, returning from the direction that coincidentally lead to Vrook´s office, she grinned. He seemed quite irritated by something. The math was clear.

Malak spotted her a moment later. "Hey, Revan." he greeted her, sulking slightly when he saw her.

"Another story for the Chronicles of Vrook´s lectures?" Revan asked innocently.

He nodded, "I´d almost say he doesn't like his new visage."

"What color?" Revan eagerly asked, practically bouncing on the spot.

Their latest prank – though by far not the first – involved sneaking into the laundry room and dying random clothes lemon yellow, neon pink, bright green or baby blue. Or all at once.

Malak grinned, forgetting the punishment for a moment. "Well, I´d say the robe was shining orange, but most of it was pink… and the trousers turned out to be grass green." Revan began giggling maniacally, obviously imagining what Vrook would look like in such an outfit. Unfortunately, the Jedi Master had enough self-respect not to walk through the corridors in such a robe. "So, birthday presents came early or something? You seem happy." Malak noted when she stopped laughing and regained control over her "jumpiness".

"Yup. I passed." Revan said brightly. "I´m officially Zhar´s Padawan."

Malak whistled quietly, "A Council member's Padawan? Congrats, Rev."

"I told you to stop calling me that." Revan pouted, "No 'Rev', 'Revie' or 'Vanie'. Revan."

"Aww, is ickle Vanie mad at me?" he cooed with a smirk.

"Ickle Revie is in too good a mood to be discouraged by mean old Malak." She stuck her tongue out at him, an intentional immature gesture.

He laughed as she mock-pouted.

"Then perhaps this will redeem me in ickle Revie´s eyes?" He asked, handing a small orb-like medallion on a fine chain to her. "It's a portable holoprojector, like the star charts we use here." He noted when she examined it.

"Cool." Revan noted, and she moved to stand next to him, immediately taking a picture of them both. Then she pressed a small button implanted to the chain, and the complete image appeared from the orb. "But you didn't have to get me anything."

Malak shrugged, "You don't get promoted every day. Besides, now I don't have to get you anything for your birthday." he added as an afterthought with a grin.

"Cute. So if I forgive you now, I can do the same." Revan noted with a victorious smirk.

"Don't you dare…" Malak began. But Revan had already smiled all-too-innocently and bolted away. "Wait till I catch you, you little marsh-toad!" Malak called, bolting after her, following the giggling.

X X X

Several years, many pranks and a lot of training later, the pair seemed to have outgrown their initial mischief, finally learning to focus on their studies a bit more. Though Malak might have been slightly jealous at the talent in everything Revan attempted to study, he never let any grudges against his best friend show. They had remained best friends through the years, passing through thick and thin, and showed no sign of a change in that. Many of the younger Padawans now looked up to them and none of their teachers doubted that their training would only take a few short years more.

There were still those, however, who doubted whether this was a good thing. For certain, their talents were unquestionable, but their progress was too rapid, too effortless… too unnatural. Natural aptitude they both had, but Revan, in particular, was the subject of much debate among the Jedi. They had never had a cause to doubt the devotion or abilities of the young Padawan, but some proceeded to attempt to search her background a bit more. Revan herself remembered little if nothing of her life before the Jedi now, but it seemed too unlikely that so strong a Force user – for no one doubted that – would simply turn up out of nowhere, with no background, unnoticed, overlooked…

But now, closely watched.

"Today is a chance for each of you to display your progress in combat training… though what weapon you will wield is not for you to decide." The training sessions of the Padawans at times involved training under a common teacher, who specialized on a certain part of the Jedi ways. A kind of seminary, it was, where the Padawans could see the talents of others of their age, learn from their mistakes and, most importantly, not be doomed to live their young lives just with one teacher, their Master. The Padawans were usually a timid lot, not very able at making friends, even among themselves.

"It matters not what part of the Order you have taken – each and every Jedi must wield the lightsaber as if it was part of their own arm. Though combat is never the first or only solution to a crisis, it is sometimes inevitable. You must be proficient with whatever weapon available. Here you will now learn the more exotic methods of lightsaber combat. First, I want to see how you handle these weapons based on your standard training. Two volunteers, please. Preferably those who can handle such a fight."

The Jedi Master who had tested Revan so long ago – Luana Freida – was holding this lecture, and selected a pair of students that were quite familiar to her already, with their constant prodding for more teachings. "Malak, Revan. Would you be so kind?"

The two Padawans looked at each other before nodding almost in unison. They were still teenagers, both of them, but it seemed only Revan grew while Malak remained as tall as he had always been. And while he was older by four years, contrary to Revan´s initial assumption, it was always Revan who was the leader of the small band of Padawans who followed them around whenever they could. Always Revan who made the decisions.

Master Luana produced two lightsabers, one a standard model, the other one a double-bladed saber staff. Malak was handed the standard saber as Luana instructed him to use it in tandem with his own lightsaber, leaving Revan with the saber staff, which Luana handed to her with a knowing smile.

"Now, remember the standard rules – you are not supposed to kill or harm each other. The lightsabers are unmodified, just like your own sabers, so you must rely on the Force and your own skill. Other than that, May the Force Be With both of you."

Revan ignited the saber staff, twirling it a bit. It bore a crimson red blade, which was often a marking of the Dark Side… but this time, it was more of a reminder of the past – Master Luana´s smile told her that. She held it horizontally in her right hand, assuming a dueling stance. Malak also activated both lightsabers, the emerald one Luana gave him and his own sapphire blue.

For a second, they stood there, their eyes locked. Then Luana nodded slightly, and they both lunged at each other with amazing speed, or so it seemed to the watching Padawans. Nevertheless, they were doing well for their level of training and both had the disadvantage of dueling with a weapon they've never wielded before, so their skills were quite balanced.

Revan spun the saber in circles, finally brining it above her head and twirling it once more before delivering a powerful blow which Malak had to block with both lightsabers.

He pushed the red saber out of the way, then also attacked. The other end of the saber staff blocked him.

The awed stares of the Padawans went entirely unnoticed by the two of them, who were attempting their best not to impress, but to win. Physical strength was one of the few things in which Malak outshone Revan, so the girl had to use whatever agility her frail physique allowed her to the highest effect.

Malak ducked a blow from Revan´s lightsaber, and his own weapons flied out of his hands, guided by the Force, circling him for a moment. That caused Revan to back away to a distance when it was safe enough to stand up again. Revan dodged an onslaught of attacks by accelerating through the Force, making her red saber nothing more than a blur, spinning it in various angles, jumping up and suddenly crouching to strike Malak´s legs.

Finally, a powerful critical strike caught Revan unprepared. She parried it quite effectively, but they both overbalanced in the saber lock, collapsing on top of each other. Revan quickly deactivated the saber staff to prevent it from slicing her own throat. Either way, it would be quite useless right about now. Malak held the green lightsaber in a safe, but still close distance from her throat.

He smirked slightly, "Looks like I win."

"Not quite." Revan said calmly, her eyes gesturing to the right.

The inactive saber staff was still in her right hand, held about an inch from Malak´s torso. That practically meant she was in a perfect position to kill him before he would even notice that.

She smirked right back.

Their position was slightly embarrassing, however… and neither felt too comfortable staring into each other's face from less than a few inches, ignoring the fact that they were practically lying atop of each other on the ground. the lightsaber between their throats wasn't too welcoming either and Revan kept glancing at it slightly warily for the few seconds that passed. As for Malak, he disregarded that for the fact that he realized that up close, Revan looked rather pleasing.

"So. You want to get off me, or were you just getting comfortable?" Revan asked a bit uncomfortably. That quickly brought Malak back to reality. He grimaced, but rolled off her and then offered Revan a hand to stand up. She ignored it and picked herself up quite effectively on her own.

The other Padawans in the room have just seemed to realize that the duel was over… but they had the good sense not to clap and cheer in a Jedi Master's presence. Or they were just too awed and amazed. The second one being more likely.

"Well done, both of you." Master Luana interrupted the silence. And she began explaining to the other Padawans details about the moves and tactics Malak and Revan used during the fight. The pair stood two steps behind her, both wearing semi-neutral expressions, though they were having difficulties keeping smug smirks off their faces.

Since their teacher was talking, it was no big deal, however – all eyes were on her.

Revan was listening to the entire speech carefully, but once or twice, she felt her eyes move slightly to the left, watching Malak. She sensed him subconsciously do the same a couple of times and was left to wonder whether her little comment unsettled him that much. Their eyes met for a second once again, and he shot her a grin, at which she rolled her eyes, though her smile indicated amusement.

"I want you all to practice defense against these fighting techniques. I´m quite sure Revan and Malak are willing to duel you," she glanced at the two Padawans, who nodded, "Then we shall move to the offensive techniques."

Half an hour later, Revan was leaning against the wall in fits of hysterical laughter as Malak and one of the Padawans overbalanced, just as they did, but in a most… embarrassing… angle.