The Truth

Around mid-day, a beat up truck had made it most of the way to its destination. The Sith Guard was still driving, while his Master was sitting in the passenger's seat. While Malkus studied and ponder the city that he was going through, the Sith Guard's mind was elsewhere. Even though the city stirred his curiosity about the planet, his thoughts kept going back to his friend. Dravin.

Even though he was just used to driving the truck, he was still able to drive and think at the same time. His mind wonder about all the things that had happened, were happening, and what might happen.

Suddenly, the Sith Guard no longer sees the road on which he was driving, but instead he sees a wide expansion all around him. It was nothing but white light as far as the Sith Guard could see. Also, he was no longer sitting like he was in the truck, but rather, he was standing up. His Master was not around as well.

The Sith Guard was so confused. He wondered how he got here and how he would get back to his Master in the truck, wherever he might be. As if on cue, a voice from behind answered his thoughts.

"Don't worry. You'll be back to Malkus soon. However, I needed to talk to you alone."

The Sith Guard calmly turns around and comes face to face with someone he last expected. It was Dravin, except he did not have his metallic mask on like he wore when he was alive. Dravin looked exactly how the Sith Guard last remembered him. His scruffy, dirty blonde hair was just short enough so that it didn't cover his...green eyes.

Out of all things the Sith Guard could ask or tell his friend, he says, "Dravin, your eyes are not like a Sith's."

Dravin couldn't help but smile at his friend. "Yeah..."

The Sith Guard continues the unexpected conversation by asking his lifetime friend a bombardment of questions.

"What..is this place? How did I get here? Why are your eyes not red anymore? How are you alive when Malkus told me you died? What's going on?"

Before answering his friend back, Dravin walks up, takes off his friend's metallic mask, throws the mask onto the ground and hugs his friend tightly.

The unmasked Sith Guard loses the questions he had just asked and just hugs his dearest friend back. He thought he had lost him. Maybe, he was still lost; but for now, Dravin was with him. And for that, he was glad.

After a minute of silence, Dravin releases his friend and beings to answer his friends questions. Looking directly at the Sith Guard's face, he sees that his eyes were still colored in red, a key feature in Dark Side wielders.

"This place is the median between the living and becoming one with the Force. Every living thing passes through here if they are near death or if they are brought here by someone already with the Force. However, it takes a great deal of power, focus, and a lot of practice in using a great amount of Force power in order to bring someone who is living here. I'm glad I was able to do it."

Dravin takes in breath and continues. "There are some things you must know, Trent."

The unmasked Sith Guard couldn't help but crack a smile at Dravin. "I haven't heard my real name from you since that time I almost died in the Dune Sea on Tatooine."

"That's because I was worried about you, just like I'm worried about you now. That is why I am about to tell you everything you need to know and answer all of your questions. We must do this quick though. I don't know how long I can keep you here."

Saddened by Dravin's last statement, Trent replies to his friend. "Okay, then. I'm all ears."

Dravin shifts his feet before continuing. "You asked why my eyes are no longer red like a Sith's. Well, that is because I..." He pauses, not knowing if he should answer or not, but decides to tell Trent anyways. "I was secretly following the Jedi codes and slowly leaving the Dark."

A puzzled look comes upon Trent's face while Dravin continues his explanation. "A few months ago, I thought about what we were doing with our abilities. I saw that we were only using it to benefit ourselves instead of the galaxy. In fact, most of the Siths I read about used their powers for the benefit of themselves. Some meant to use the Dark Side to bring justice and peace to the galaxy, but...it consumed them instead."

Slowly but surely, Trent was realizing the truth. He puts his head down, thinking through all that his dearest friend was saying.

Have I been using my abilities wrong this whole time? I...I thought that by following Malkus's orders and helping him bring down the New Republic and New Jedi Order would allow his form of political rule to bring an end to destruction and pain. I was blinded this WHOLE...TIME! How could I be so ignorant?

As if Dravin heard him finish his thoughts, he continues tell more information to Trent.

"We were only taught one side of the Force. Anyway, after I started following some of the Jedi codes I had learned about, I felt different. Not only did I feel free from the Dark Side, I saw differently than I had before. I saw that the Jedi way was better for both myself and others. In fact, I was going to tell you about it after we got back from the battle above Yavin, but...well, you know...it didn't work out."

Trent stood in place while stroking his gloved fingers through his short-cut, black hair. All of this was against everything he had been taught by his Master since he could remember. Yet, for some reason, he believed his friend more than he believed Malkus's words. Because of this, he accepted the fact that maybe the Jedi way was better. He could change. Finally, he might be able to do what he always wanted to do. Fight the true evil and bring justice and peace into the galaxy. Well, galaxies now, since they had managed to find another planet outside their own galaxy with intelligent life on it.

Trent looks back up at his friend and tells him his response. "Maybe your right, Dravin. What am I saying, you ARE right. I, mean, look at you! You're now on the Light Side of the Force, still able to talk to me and tell me everything that has happened."

"Speaking of which, there is two more things I must tell you."

Trent once more shifts on his feet, wondering what else his friend was about to tell him. "Okay."

Dravin is silent for a moment, then speaks in the most serious tone that he had.

"What did Malkus tell you about my death? What were his exact words?"

"He said that you didn't make it through the war zone..." His voice trailed off as pieces of his memory started clicking together. He talks out his thoughts to Dravin. "He never told me how it happened...I assumed the Jedi...got you."

"So what I thought was right. Trent, the reason Malkus didn't tell you how I died is because he wanted to use you to his advantage."

Trent, with a slight hesitation, asked, "What? What do you mean by that?"

"Trent, the Jedi I was chasing didn't kill me." Dravin takes in a deep breath and continues. "Malkus is the one who killed me."

"...Malkus?"

"After you activated the hyperdrive and went after the Jedi, I sensed a huge disturbance in the Force. Then, I heard it. Beeping. At my last moments, I felt in the Force that Malkus had planted a bomb on my ship."

"What? Why...why would he do that?" Trent's voice was almost to a whisper. "He treated you like a son. Why would he do this? Why would he kill you?"

Dravin glances from his friend for a moment to come up with a reasonable explanation, but doesn't find one.

"I don't know. I don't have the slightest idea why he would kill me. I mean, let's face it. You and I both know that I was stronger and better skilled in the Force than you ever were."

Trent couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's reply because it was true. He had known from the beginning that Dravin would be ahead of him when it came to strength and ability with the Force.

"You're right." Trent replies seriously. "But the bomb had to have been for you because he can tell are Fighters apart. We each have our own unique Fighter so he couldn't have mistaken one for the other."

"Yeah. Well, I told you this because I don't want you to die now. And...I want you with me when your time comes."

Trent felt as if his friend was telling him something vital so that he would once again see Dravin after he went back to the physical realm. With that idea in his mind, he lets Dravin continue.

"I'm a Force Spirit now, Trent. However, since I died being on the Light Side more than the Dark, I ended up here, on the Light Side. Trent..."

Dravin walks up so that Trent was right in front of him, face to face. Both of them look at each other for a moment before Dravin breaks the silence.

"You need to learn the ways of the Jedi, like I did. I want to be your best friend for eternity; but, we can't do that if you die with more Darkness than Light in you."

Even though Trent understood everything that his friend had been saying so far, all he could do was nod a yes to Dravin. Seeing his friend's nod at him, Dravin smiles at him, which, in turn, made Trent smile as well.

"Oh, right. I still have one more thing to tell you." Dravin rubs his hands together, excited about what he was to tell his friend. However, since time was short, he informs Trent.

"Remember when you went chasing after the Jedi?"

"Yeah. I followed her to this...well, the planet that I am on. I was going to kill her, but these two guys kept getting in my way. One was very skilled in combat though. Anyways, I couldn't get a good strike on her with my lightsaber, even though she was very injured. I think...she might be the Halva. Her hair it..."

"Turned black while some of her haired stayed blonde. Right before I brought your here, I sensed her. There is no doubt in my mind, whatsoever, that she IS the Halva, but she is on the side of the Jedi. Trent, listen VERY carefully."

Trent does what his friend says and becomes as quiet as could be.

"Malkus wants her dead; and, I know you are currently on your way to kill her. This may be your only chance to turn to the Light. Leave Malkus and ask the Halva if she will teach you the ways of the Jedi."

"What if she says no, Dravin. In fact, she just might straight up attack me once I get there because last time I saw here I was trying to kill her."

"Trust me. She is the true Halva. She is Light and Dark. She'll know that you are serious and want to switch sides." Dravin takes both off his hands and firmly places them on Trent's shoulders. "It will work out."

All Trent could do was nod. However, Trent knew time was up and grabbed onto his friend and gave him a final hug before he would leave. Dravin returns the hug, making Trent feel as if everything would work out. Closing his eyes, Trent feels his friend's comforting hug disappear and feels his Master's power right next to him. Opening his eyes, he sees that he was still driving the truck. Not only did he realize he was back, but also, Trent saw that he was exactly where he left, driving down the same street with the same buildings beside them. He was also wearing his metallic mask.

While continuing to drive, Trent thought it through and realized that time had stopped while he was in the realm where Dravin had brought them. This meant that his Master would have no idea what Trent had been told by his dead friend. But, he knew the truth. The truth was slowly setting him free. To have total freedom, he would have to let go of the Dark Side and follow the Light. He would have to ask the Halva for help. He was fearful though, and he had every reason to be. However, he trusted Dravin with his life; and so, he made a firm decision. He would leave his Master and follow the Halva.

Well, I finally revealed the Sith Guard's name. Next chapter, some serious stuff's gonna go done and then the chapter after that might be the last chapter! Sequel is coming. Be prepared! lol PLEASE Review or PM if you have any questions about the story, Angela or anything at all. Love ya guys.

TheJediAvenger