Anara tugs her tunic straight after putting on her belt and bends down to put on her boots. Her braid, still damp from the bath, falls over her shoulder, bringing with it the scent of lavender and citrus. The scent is calming, but her thoughts still stray to her sister, and her recent recurring nightmare.
In it, she stands alone against Darth Daeva and Loki. The Companions and the Avengers lie dead around her, shields and armor shattered. Thor lies unmoving at her feet, and she fears what she will find if she checks for life so she refrains and stays focused on her sister.
Daeva and Loki turn to each other and embrace, kissing each other deeply before Loki breaks away and looks at Anara. Laughing that evil, maniacal laugh that she hates, he taunts, "Last chance, kitten. Join us or die."
Daeva ignites her lightsaber anticipating Anara's answer.
"Never," she says as she ignites her own saber, its dark blue hue in stark contrast to the red of her sister's.
She launches herself at Daeva, lightsaber high, knowing they both will die this day. She always wakes before the battle ends.
Knowing the Asgardians still don't understand the true threat her sister presents, Anara decides it's time for a lesson and heads to the barracks to talk to Master Roygan.
The next day finds her on the upper practice field facing a large portion of Asgard's standing army. Though she understands Thor's concern for her and his worry about what she may do to the soldiers after having seen what she did to the holding cell, she's still annoyed that he would question her on the logic of this demonstration. She takes a deep breath, recognizing the dark side as it fuels her frustration and annoyance. Rechanneling it, she uses it instead to harden her resolve to show the Asgardians just what the dark side can do.
The Companions, including Heimdal and Thor as well as Steve Rogers and Odin, stand apart on a raised area set up for viewing large troop movements. A third set of people dressed in the simple cream-colored tunic and pants of the healers stand on the opposite side of the field. Master Gustause stands in their midst, the blue of his tunic marking him out as the Master Healer of Asgard.
Anara, still flustered after spending most of the previous night arguing with Thor about her plan, stands next to Master Roygan at the head the neat formation of armored soldiers. The sunlight glints off of silver helmets with long nose guards and plate-like armor.
Master Roygan gives her a brief glance before stepping up on a small platform to address the troops.
"Soldiers of Asgard, you have been training hard this last month in preparation for battle against an unknown foe. Today you will see what you may be up against. Though we may only be facing one person, she is not to be underestimated. I have asked for volunteers to engage Jedi Master Anara in a full-contact demonstration. I salute all of you who were asked for being willing to volunteer. Of your ranks I have chosen two platoons. Will you please step forward?"
As a single body, two platoons in the front take two crisp steps forward. The snap of their armored feet coming together in salute can be heard across the field. Roygan nods at them, and they relax into parade rest with their feet slightly apart, arms relaxed at their sides.
"The rest of you may quit the field and watch the demonstration. I need not remind you that this is a deadly serious demonstration. Bones will break this day. What you witness now, you may well face in the future. Inattention could well mean your death. Dismissed."
Those soldiers not taking part leave the field. Hushed conversations flow up onto the low hill that surrounds the field as men and women find their seats. Once most have settled, Anara steps up on the platform next to Roygan and addresses the gathering.
"Many of you have watched me train with the Companions and know that my style of fighting is very different from yours. Some of you have even sparred with me, and you may think that fighting another like me will not be difficult, especially if you have superior numbers. I am here today to show you that you are wrong. I will not use my light saber for I do not wish to kill anyone this day but know that even without my preferred weapon, I will not hold back."
She gestures to the healers standing ready on the side of the field. "Many who fight me this day will find themselves in the care of the healers when this is done, for while I may value your lives, Darth Daeva does not. She will carve her way through your ranks to get to me, and I feel it is my duty to show you what you may face."
Anara pauses for a moment and directs her next statement to the soldiers standing before her. "Master Roygan has told you this is a full contact, no holds barred demonstration. I know many of you are thinking that you will hold back. I am telling you not to. Do not think of this as a sparring match, think of this as battle. Come at me with everything you have, for I will do the same. I will stop short of killing you, but I will not hesitate to do what I need to put you down and keep you down. If there are those not willing to risk broken bones or worse, none here will think less of you for quitting the field now."
Not a single soldier bats an eye. As one they raise their swords in salute. Anara bows to them before turning to Roygan.
"Master Roygan, prepare your troops."
Nodding to her, he turns to his troops and begins barking orders. Men run onto the field carrying charge staves similar to Loki's and other weapons for the soldiers who will face Anara.
Anara walks to the edge of the field near the royal viewing platform and picks up a long golden staff resting against a weapons rack. Plain golden metal, the staff has the ability to fire an energy bolt from either end and will deflect similar energy bolts much like her lightsaber. It is perfectly balanced in Anara's hand. She looks up onto the hill and shares a long look with Thor before turning away and activating her armor. Silver scales flow up her arms from her bracelets and over her legs, covering every inch of skin not already shielded by breast plate or greaves. Foregoing a helmet, she walks out onto the middle of the field and spins the staff a few times to center herself. She can feel the excitement and anticipation of the watching throng around her, as well as that of the soldiers readying to face her. She gathers that energy to her, concentrating on the Living Force, letting the emotions flow through her, giving her strength.
She thinks of her sister, of the battles against her, of the tortures they shared, and of the pain and anger Daeva cultivated as Sith Lord and Empress of the New Empire. Anara gathers all of that around her, immersing herself in the dark side. When she next looks to the royal viewing stands, her eyes glow red and sparks of energy dance along her staff.
Fifty soldiers, led by two generals, stand in two formations of 5 ranks of 5 at the end of the field. Clad in full armor, with their helmets on and weapons at the ready, they are a formidable sight. Yet Anara feels no fear, only the anticipation of battle. With a swift hand gesture, one of the generals signals his troops to fire. The two front ranks drop to one knee and fire Asgard's version of a blaster. Anara spins up her staff and deflects the mass of energy bolts that rain down on her as the third and forth ranks charge towards her. While not as elegant as her saber, she's able to accurately deflect many of the bolts into the charging soldiers. Most of the bolts glance off armor, but some manage to hit more vulnerable areas and a few go down. Within moments, Anara is surrounded by 20 soldiers wielding swords, staffs and wicked, double-bladed axes. At first, the soldiers are unwilling to take her on with more than a few at a time. Anara is able to take down the first to face her with swift blows of her staff to knees and heads, the dark side giving her strength beyond her normal abilities.
A group of 5 soldiers attempts to rush her and with an outstretched hand, she throws them back into their comrades with the Force, toppling them like dominos. Without missing a beat, she spins around and takes out two more with her staff before anyone manages to get a blow in.
An energy bolt hits her in the back, throwing off her balance but doing no other damage. Her anger flares, and she turns to face her attacker. Several soldiers run at her, their swords raised. She throws out her left hand, and Force lightening flies from her fingers, incapacitating them. They fall to the ground in spasms. Anara barely has time to turn and deflect an axe angling for her leg as the remaining soldiers close on her.
From the sides of the field, all anyone can see is a mass of soldiers surrounding a spinning golden staff. Soon even the staff can't be seen, and the mass of onlookers falls silent as the melee on the field stills. A voice carries from the field.
"Do you yield?"
In answer, half a dozen soldiers from the center of the crush suddenly fly skyward like rag dolls thrown by a child, knocking down their fellows as they fall to the ground. Moans from the injured can be heard as a small figure in silver and blue armor catapults over those left standing to land lightly several meters away.
Anara spins her staff around her in an elaborate display and eggs on the remaining half dozen soldiers. As one, they rush her. Anara picks out a female soldier at the front of the group. Reaching out her hand, she uses the Force to pick the woman up off the ground by her neck, choking her. The soldier drops her weapon and tries to grab at the unseen hands around her throat, her feet thrashing. The sight stops the others in their tracks for a moment, which is all Anara needs. Throwing the thrashing woman at two of her fellows, she blasts two others with her staff before using it to take down the remaining soldier with a bone-crushing blow to his calf.
Anara takes a step back from the moaning soldier in front of her to survey the field. Healers are already tending to some of the injured while some of the watching soldiers have left their seats to help their comrades to their feet. The field is eerily quiet except for the moans of the injured and a hushed whispering from the surrounding crowd.
The rage and heat of battle fades, and coming back to herself, Anara senses a heightened level of distress from several soldiers who have surrounded the woman she Force-choked. Dropping her staff, Anara runs the short distance to her and pushes the men aside to find the female soldier lying prone, barely breathing. One of the woman's comrades attempts to keep Anara from her, holding her back.
Anara growls, "Let me help her. I can heal as well as maim."
Another soldier puts a hand on the one holding her, nodding at him to let Anara go.
The soldier reluctantly releases her, saying, "If she dies not even Thor can keep me from killing you."
Anara ignores him and kneels by the injured woman. Placing her hand over the woman's throat, she can sense with the Force that her wind pipe is crushed, cutting off her ability to breathe. Anara closes her eyes and concentrates her will on pulling the damaged tissue back into place, opening up the airway and allowing the woman to draw a shuddering breath. She begins to cough, and Anara finds herself pushed away by a pair of healers. Backing away from the throng around the woman, Anara sinks down to her knees, bowing her head and fighting back tears.
Strong hands encircle her arms and lift her from the ground. Anara finds herself looking into Thor's worried eyes.
"Are you well?"
Unable to speak around the lump in her throat, she merely nods. Not convinced, Thor sets her down at arm's length and looks at her, taking in her dented and dirty armor. Satisfied she's uninjured, he pulls her into a bear hug, cupping her head to his chest.
"I never want to see the like of that again. If that is how your sister truly is, I pray she never reaches the Nine Realms," he says into her hair.
Anara pushes back just a little to look Thor in the eye.
"My sister would be worse. She would have killed them all and laughed while doing it."
She reaches behind her to take Thor's hand in hers. She kisses his knuckles before saying, "There are still some injured the healers have not gotten to yet. I need to help them."
Turning from Thor, she heads for the last soldier to face her, the one whose leg she broke. A few friends who watched the fight crouch around him, propping him up and trying to distract him while they wait for the healers. They look up as she approaches and back away as she kneels down in front of the injured man with murmured "my ladys".
"What is your name, Sergeant?" she asks, having noted the subtle sign of rank embossed on the right shoulder of his breast plate.
"Erik Brightblade, my lady," he responds, his voice laced with pain.
"You fought well today, Erik. May I tend to your leg?"
Erik gives a questioning look to Thor.
"You have my word she will not harm you." Thor says as he kneels down opposite Anara. Erik, pain showing clearly on his bearded face, nods. Placing her hands over his calf, she can sense that the bone is fractured in several places and is more damaged than she can heal alone.
Looking up at Erik, she says, "I cannot knit the bone together, it is too badly fractured, but I can ease your pain until the healers can take care of you." Erik nods at her again, his face paling as he begins to go into shock.
"Thor, lay him down," she instructs. "And you, fetch me a cloak and something we can use to keep his legs above his heart," she says to one of Erik's friends standing by.
They do as she says, and within moments, she has Erik's legs resting on a rolled cloak while he's covered in another. Moving to kneel by his head, she says, "Now feel the pain receding, becoming only a dim memory. Imagine your body being surrounded by a feeling of warmth, as if you were sitting in the healing pools."
Erik's face visibly relaxes as she uses the Force to reinforce her words, helping his own mind block the pain. Satisfied he's out of immediate danger, she waves for his friends to rejoin him.
"Keep him awake – do not let him close his eyes until the healers arrive." They nod their understanding and take their places at his side to await the healers.
Anara walks the battle field, tending to those she can until all of the injured have been taken away to the Healing Room. Those that remain stand in small groups talking about the battle and rehashing what they could have done differently. Many of the soldiers watch her as she walks past, their expressions ranging from awe to respect and even fear. It's the fear that tears at Anara's heart, though she knows it might just save their lives in the future.
She and Thor approach the knot of people standing on the field near the royal viewing stands. The group opens to allow them to join in the conversation.
"I guess those movies were spot on when it comes to the abilities of the Sith, weren't they?" Steve asks, to the confused looks of the others.
"Yes, they were. But what they didn't tell you, and what I could not demonstrate today, is what they can do with an army at their back. Let us hope my sister comes alone, if she comes at all."
Fandral raises an eyebrow at her statement. "I will never underestimate you again, my lady."
The others join in with a chorus of "nor I," and "me neither."
When the chorus dies down, Odin addresses the group. "This demonstration has given us all much to think about and prepare for. You all have your duties. I will leave you to them."
With a slight nod to them all, he turns and takes his leave.
Volstagg waits a moment for Odin to walk out of earshot before saying, "Well, I know not about you lot, but I'm starved! Who wants to retreat to the Mead Hall?"
Everyone laughs at Volstagg and the group starts walking towards the palace. Anara drops back, not feeling up to taking part in the jesting of the others. Thor notices and falls back to walk with her.
"Anara, are you sure you're alright?"
"Aye, but I think I will go back to my rooms. I need a bath and some solitude. Working with the dark side and keeping it at bay afterwards is no easy task."
"Then I will see you to your room." Thor says, concern clear in his eyes.
As they enter the palace and turn to head towards the residential area, Sif turns back, noticing that Thor and Anara are not coming with them. Thor shakes his head at her, motioning for her to continue on. She nods and rejoins the rest, urging them on towards the Mead Hall.