Chapter 6

Marik headed away from the kitchen, where his feast was almost finished baking to check on his guests. Suddenly a hand pulled him aside into a dark corner. Alanna had grabbed him and now looked at him fiercely.

"Now, you listen to me, Jedi Marik Horn!" she said. "Shiro has spoken very highly of you and obviously has all his hopes set on your guidance. You had better not disappoint him or you will have me to deal with!"

Marik cocked an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

Alanna hesitated for a moment. "I… I just do!"

Marik smiled and spoke seriously. "I assure you, Hunter Alanna Sitara, I will do my best. I think I know Shiro well and I will do all in my power to guide him and keep him from harm. Please try and have faith in me."

Alanna remained frowning and said, "We will see." She released him and let him pass down the hall to the guest room.

Marik walked into the guest room, followed by Alanna. The crews of the Levana and the Star Searcher were gathered around the table. Shiro held a bottle of non-alcoholic blue milk to calm his nerves.

"Dinner is almost ready, my friends," Marik said. "'Tis been long since guests have graced my home. You are welcome."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Master Marik," said Mulann. "It's been a long time."

"I owe you a great debt, Mulann Fennixx. Thank you for keeping Shiro safe."

"It was my pleasure, Marik." She put her arm around Shiro. "Shiro is a unique youth and we had many great adventures together. And now my companions and I will help you take care of him."

"I am grateful for your help. I am grateful also that you and other Jedi survived the massacre."

"I was shocked when I heard what had happened. Especially in the Temple, to the Younglings such as Shiro. With Amelie's help, Shiro and I have evaded death and capture many times. Now there are very few of us Jedi left in the galaxy. We must cling close when we find one another. Because we are so rare, we must treasure the presence of each Jedi we meet."

Marik turned to Kyra and Alexia. "It is wonderful to see you two again. I am glad you were able to fight off the Empire's control over you and follow Shiro to me. I will protect you along with Shiro."

Alexia and Kyra smiled and bowed politely.

From the kitchen came a bell sound. "Ah, dinner's ready."

Marik went into the kitchen and came back out with a tray of dinner plates. He set the tray down on the table in the center of the room.

"You may partake," he announced.

As the guests ate, Marik watched Alanna closely, studying her. What did she mean when she spoke to me like that just now?, he thought. Let us see where her loyalties truly lie.

Marik went over to a basket in the corner and pulled out a small bag. He held it in one hand for all to see. Suddenly, he spoke loudly towards Alanna. "Hunter!"

Everyone turned to look at Marik. Alanna's eyes went wide. "Yes?" she said uncertainly.

"Here you are." He tossed the bag to her and she caught it. He directed a cruel smirk at her. "Here is the money you are owed for the job. Take it and go. Your services are no longer required."

Alanna was shocked at his rudeness. She looked at the bag incredulously and gave Marik a hard glance. Then she realized something. He was testing her. Trying to see where she stood and what her position was, now that her work was technically done.

Alanna tossed the bag back to Marik. "You can keep your pay. I intend to stick around and see that you don't fail Shiro. I'm going to stay and continue to protect Shiro. That's my job now."

Marik nodded and fought off a smile. He knew he could trust her now. He knew now that she would help him. And he could use all the help he could get right now. There was an uneasy silence in the room. All the guests were staring at Alanna and Marik.

Shiro coughed and broke the silence. "So, Marik, about that training…"

Marik looked back at Shiro, grateful for the icebreaker. Alanna looked away and the other guests directed their attention toward Shiro.

"So, Marik, are you going to teach me Force crush and Force shield and Shock wave? I want some new powers."

Marik lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Then, in his best Yoda impression, he said, "Such power you crave?"

Amelie laughed. "Sound like Yoda you do. Miss him you make me."

Marik turned. "You knew Master Yoda?"

Amelie nodded. "During the Clone Wars. I was young and foolish then. The Separatists and the Black Sun had paid me to help smuggle a toxic spice into the Jedi Temple to kill all the Jedi. At first I followed orders for the money."

She looked over at Mulann. "But when the Black Sun kidnapped Mulann and tried to torture her, I realized where my allegiance truly belonged. I turned on my employers and helped the Jedi take 'em down. It was there, on Syll Vania, that I met Yoda and General Kenobi and other Jedi. They were so kind and wise. My perspective about the Jedi and the Republic changed forever after that. I may be a criminal, but I know right from wrong. After the War, I soon realized how great the Republic had truly been and then saw what a travesty the universe had become under the Empire."

Shiro cut in. "The Empire can't last forever, Ame. There has to be a way to beat them. We just have to use all methods necessary." He turned back to Marik. "I'm serious, Marik, I'm gonna need some major skills to defeat the Empire's minions and kill all in my path. I can't let anything stop me. It's what I promised Kyra. Tell him, Kyra. We gotta be ruthless."

Kyra wanted to spring up and shout, "That's right!" But she felt uncertain and shy in Marik's presence so she didn't say anything. At the same time, she looked in Shiro's eyes and saw something wild and fierce, worse than the Empire had tried to make Alexia and her. Something dark and dangerous. She realized what he could become if he followed his intended path, and she feared it.

Marik saw this same fierceness and worried about the effect the Empire had had on Shiro. Now that he was Shiro's new master, he decided to speak with authority and slight reproach.

"Shiro, what you are talking about borders on the Dark Side. Careful where you plant your feet on this slippery slope..."

"Again with the warnings. That's all I hear from Jedi. Be careful this and that. What's wrong with wanting power? And what's wrong with wanting to slay one's enemies. I'd say I've earned it."

Marik sighed and gave Shiro a serious look. "Shiro, all I warn is that you need to be sure of the motives of your actions."

"And tell me, Marik, truly, what is wrong with the Dark Side if it can bring me what I want? I won't turn over to the Empire. I merely wish to make them suffer. Maybe I can control the dark."

Kyra looked at Shiro with concern and asked, "Shiro, do you really want to become what they wanted us to be?"

Marik answered Shiro, "Killing in battle is one thing. But killing in anger, rage, is another. It is what destroyed... I have said too much." Marik went silent. He thought to himself of dark secrets of the past.

"No. Go on, Marik. No more secrets. You were about to speak of Master Skywalker, were you not?"

Alexia and Kyra looked at each other. Alexia fondly recalled the former Jedi and muttered his name, "Ani…"

Amelie started. "You mean Anakin Skywalker? What happened to him? I knew him before…"

Marik lowered his head. "Anakin Skywalker, for reasons I do not yet fully understand, began to let anger and hate control him. He turned to the Dark Side. It was he who aided the Sith Lord to eliminate the Jedi and take control of the galaxy. He personally oversaw the siege of the Jedi Temple, in which many Jedi Masters and Younglings were killed. He now runs the Empire at Palpatine's side as Darth Vader."

Mulann gasped and put her hand over her lips. "Oh no! How terrible!"

Kyra bit her lip to fight back tears. "We knew him before he turned..."

Marik looked up. "I had forgotten that you knew of his treachery."

Shiro's face turned grim. "I know. I should have seen it coming. I know of it first-hand. He failed himself. He should have remembered his commitment. He should have remembered his friends. Especially before he killed mine."

Shiro put a hand out to comfort Kyra. "But I swear this." He raised his fist in the air. "He and all his kind will pay, even if I have to turn the Dark Side against them. The fools!"

Alexia looked at Shiro with fear. "Just be careful, Shiro."

Marik spoke again, "If one tries to fight fire with fire, one will only end up burnt."

Shiro answered back quickly, "But Crow says that...," then stopped suddenly. He hesitated in fear and shame.

Marik perked an eyebrow. "Alanna told me some about this 'Crow,' Shiro. You needn't be ashamed. Tell me what he says. I wish to know of our enemy so we can defeat him."

"Marik, Crow says that the Dark Side can be controlled. It just needs steadiness and clear objective. Just because the Empire programmed him into me doesn't mean I can't use him to my benefit. I already have. Crow's the one who showed me how to hack into the Imperial net. He also advised me to kill all in my path at the station. Frankly I don't see much wrong with any of that."

Marik shook his head. "Shiro, what had they done to you? Most if not all of the people on that station did you no harm. And you killed them in cold blood…"

"It doesn't matter! It..." Shiro sighed. "There is a way for you to better understand." He paused. His eyes went wide. "We must undergo a journey of the mind. You can't just watch, you have to see. Return to source. You must see Crow for yourself. Only then can you judge."

Marik nodded and slowly rose from the couch. He realized the next step. It would not be easy but it had to be done. He was not sure if he had mastered his technique well enough to fully help exorcise the demon program "Crow" but he had to try, even though he might fail.

"A mind trance then. It is a skill that I have not practiced in a while..."

Kyra cut in. "Is it dangerous?"

Marik nodded uneasily. "As are a great many other things. Your group being here is dangerous. But if I can help Shiro, I must try." He turned back towards Shiro. "It is a skill I know, but I use very little. With some effort I can manage the task."

Marik looked around at the guests. "I'm afraid Shiro and I must leave you for a bit. I must try to help heal his mind with a Jedi technique I know. Please stay here and do not disturb us."

Alanna stepped forward. "Shiro?"

Shiro looked back at her, reassuringly. "It's alright, Alanna."

Alanna nodded and backed off. Shiro followed Marik into the meditation room. Shiro and Marik stood facing each other. They calmed themselves, letting their minds focus on one another. According to an ancient Jedi technique, they let themselves feel as one. Shiro sat down on a platform on the ground in front of Marik.

Marik took a deep breath. "Is your mind clear?"

He folded his legs in an akimbo position and closed his eyes. "Yes. When you're ready, Marik."

Marik nodded. "Very well." He sat down in front of Shiro and held Shiro's hands in his own. He looked at Shiro and said, "Then let's begin." Shiro gripped Marik's hands and Marik used the Force to penetrate Shiro's mind. The mind trance began…

Force energy flowed between Marik and Shiro. Their minds became connected and became as one. As he peered into Shiro's subconscious, Marik began to see strange visions transmitted from Shiro's mind.

Marik saw complete blackness and then a red light shone through, becoming brighter and brighter. Then he heard the raspy cawing of a crow and he heard Shiro saying, "Blade of red, all are dead."

The red light became a blade and the sound of an old man cackling resonated. A big black crow swooped straight at Marik and a voice cried out, "Foolish Jedi!" A green lightsaber appeared in Marik's hands and he tried to deflect the bird but the bird passed through him.

Then he turned and saw a strange sight. He had no idea how Shiro could know of this. He saw Palpatine, or Sidious, striking down the Jedi Council. Then Marik saw a vision of Shiro invading the base on Ord Mantell, striking mercilessly. A man crawled on the floor, crying, "Mercy!" Shiro sliced him straight down the middle with his lightsaber. He turned around with hate in his eyes. Marik was horrified at the sight of the visions.

As he saw these images from Shiro's tormented mind, he began to comprehend the horrible truth of the damage the Empire had done to Shiro and what Alanna had meant when she had said he was now insane.

The voice of Sidious spoke, "The path to the Dark is the path to power. Use your hate." Shiro's voice echoed him. Sidious spoke again. "The Jedi will never give you enough power to defeat your enemies."

Marik shouted, "Shiro, that's not true! The Light is the path that will give life, not destroy it! Let go of the hate and anger! Embrace the Light!"

He heard Shiro again. "Bring the kids. See the show," he said. "It's gonna be a bloody circus." He saw a sight of the halls of the Jedi Temple littered with fallen Jedi bodies. Shiro crawled through the bodies. Shiro looked up and uttered a loud cry, "NO!"

A gigantic crow enveloped everything in black. Sidious spoke one final time, "CUT THEM DOWN!"

The vision ended. Shiro and Marik both woke with a start.

Shiro shuddered and said, "Now you understand. Two by two, blade of blue. Blade of red, all are dead. No end to attack, they will come back."

Still in shock over what he had seen, Marik gathered up his courage and spoke protectively, "Not if I can help it. Shiro, you can defeat them."

"With the Dark?"

"No, with the Light."

Shiro trembled. "How?"

Marik took a deep breath and coughed. "They want you to use the Dark. Doing so will only play right into their hands. Forswearing the Dark for the Light is the first step towards their inevitable defeat."

"But what about Crow?"

Marik thought for a moment then answered, "There is an ancient technique that might just take care of him, if you have the courage to try it."

"But Crow says that you are weak. He says perhaps we should try each other in single combat to test our true strength. He seems wise."

Marik rose in frustration. "Stop thinking about what Crow says! What do you think? You have seen me in practice. You know my battle records. You know my very character. Do you believe me weak?"

Shiro whimpered a little and lowered his head in shame. "I don't know what to think anymore. Marik, I don't know who to trust. The whole galaxy is against me. I've been isolated in so many ways. You can't understand. Can you?"

"I can try to understand, Shiro. That is all that anyone can do. In a way I have been isolated as well. Especially after Master Garen..." Marik briefly turned his head away to hide the anguish in his eyes.

"You must know the pain of being cut adrift then. You do realize how many are against us now. It is no longer safe to be a Jedi anywhere. We are now cursed by those we protected. Everyone has turned against us."

Marik turned back to face Shiro. "I know. I have lost everything dear to me. I thought that I lost you as well."

Shiro looked back up at Marik with tears of sympathy in his eyes. He ran to him and hugged him close. "They took me and broke me, Marik. They turned me into a puppet! A toy! I was all alone! All alone! I was lucky to escape. And now they will come back."

Marik shook with emotion. "I should have taken you with me...It's my fault!"

Shiro wept, "For the longest time while I was captured I believed that all were dead. That I was alone. My heart thrilled when I met other Jedi like me. I can't tell you what it means to see you again...my brother."

Overcome with emotion, Marik began to sob as well. "If I had known you lived, I would have come for you. No matter the cost. You are…family."

Meanwhile, Alanna stood outside the door to the room and heard noises. What the frack is going on? she wondered. Should I go in or stay out?

Shiro sniffed away his sobs. He looked up at Marik again. "You say we can defeat them with the Light. Will you show me how? So far, only Dark seemed powerful to me."

Marik breathed deeply and controlled his emotions. "Yes, there are techniques that can help you. I will help you all that I can. Remember your history. Light has defeated Dark before. We can do it again."

Shiro spoke seriously, "Crow will not be easily silenced."

Marik nodded and attempted to feign confidence. "I have something in mind for Crow..."

"Things are going to get much worse. They're coming for us. Something draws near. I can feel it."

"Yes, I feel the storm as well. But together, with your friends, we can weather it."

Shiro sighed. He was calm now. Well, mostly calm. "Thank you, Marik. I know you are not weak. Else you would not have survived the Clone Wars."

Marik's eyes lit up. He spoke in an almost childlike manner. "Do you want to see my new scar?"

Shiro grinned, his sadness abating. "Only if I can show you mine!"

Marik smiled and said, "Deal!"

"You go first."

Marik chuckled. "Well, you've seen most of them already. There are two new ones."

Marik pulled back the left sleeve of his robe to reveal a long blaster burn on his upper arm. "This was my last battle scar, on Acherin. That one almost got me."

Shiro pulled back his shirt to show his shoulder with a permanent dark patch and scar across his left shoulder. "A parting gift from Tremayne."

Marik stood up and put his foot on the chair. "This one is a little embarrassing. When I first moved to this planet, I was unaware of the local flora. I stepped on something that appeared harmless. It was a trap plant, and it nearly took my leg off." He raised his robe enough to show the row of bite mark scars halfway up his calf. They were all the way around the leg.

Shiro's eyes went wide. "Whoa!" He smirked. "Okay...I don't think I can beat that."

Marik smirked back. "I should hope not. Be careful where you put your feet in the jungle."

Shiro paused for a moment playfully. "Of course this is not counting the mental scars inflicted by the Empire and their scientists."

Marik sketched a bow. "I bow to your superior 'scarrage.'"

They both chuckled like young boys and two old friends. Marik saw that, deep down, despite the years that had passed and the trials they had faced, he and Shiro were at heart still the same fun-loving, pure-hearted youths they had once been. They each took what solace they could in this calm before the storm.

In the space above Wayland, a Star Destroyer approached the planet. And on the bridge of the ship stood the dark presence of Antinnis Tremayne. He stood by the window, intently watching the planet and pondering his next move against Shiro and his band. He was tired of the mistakes of his underlings. This time he would personally take care of this matter, and finally bring an end to this foolish conflict with the renegade Shiro. Yes,Tremayne thought. And Shiro would make a fine apprentice for me. He also reflected how recapturing Shiro would gain him more favor in the Emperor's eyes. He smiled wickedly when he thought how this would insure that he would outshine the proud Armand Isard and especially his scheming daughter.

An Imperial officer came up to Tremayne. "Sir, your agent has landed on the planet and is heading toward the location you assigned. Shall we follow him?"

Tremayne shook his head. "No. I have other plans to execute should he fail. We have him bugged and we will trace his position and wait for Marik to contact Senator Osma. When this mission is over, I plan to have all my problems dealt with, including that traitorous senator."

"Yes sir." The officer walked away.

Tremayne turned back to face the window and continued to contemplate his dread plan of action.

Lightsaber training was an exercise that always cemented the bond between Jedi Master and padawan. As the apprentice learned to move his blade in harmony with his trainer's and showcased his own individuality by occasionally making a strike that made its mark, the apprentice and his master became connected as one being helping prepare both of them to use the Jedi's sacred weapon to defend themselves in the real world. Shiro and Marik were long overdue for such an experience. And so, the two of them walked into a clearing in the woods outside Marik's house.

A more perfect setting could not be asked for. Wild birds called and animals howled. Dripping water came down here and there from deep green trees to the ground. The jungle was alive with energy that Shiro absorbed to prepare him for his exercise.

Shiro and Marik smiled at each other playfully. They had their lightsabers set on training mode so no wounds would occur. They thought it was going to be a harmless battle. They circled each other, trying to watch for each other's weak moments.

Shiro spoke up first, grinning. "Okay, Marik. I'm ready for the thunder."

Marik grinned back, proud to experience this with his brother as an apprentice to him. "Let's see just how skilled you are with that lightsaber of yours."

Shiro was about to rush Marik with a lunge when he suddenly stopped. He sensed a tremor in the Force. More importantly, he sensed the Dark Side. He looked up. "Foul fiend, descend."

Marik looked around, sensing the presence as well. Suddenly, Melkior swooped down from his perch in the trees to the ground. Shiro and Marik turned to face him.

Melkior looked at Shiro and said, "Shiro, come with me now. I am here to save you from this liar."

Marik was on his guard, lightsaber still ignited. He immediately sensed the Dark Side in this newcomer. "Shiro, is this a friend of yours?" he asked.

And as was often the case, Shiro began to go into another trance of madness right at a moment of conflict, confrontation, or the worst time possible. His trance seemed to be caused by Melkior's mere presence.

He began to walk from side to side, swinging his lightsaber back and forth. "Never learned his schoolmaster's lesson with all the schoolchildren in a ring...ring...ring…ring."

Marik stood perplexed at the stranger and Shiro's sudden reaction of madness in his presence. He kept a wary eye on Shiro and spoke to the stranger. "I am not used to strangers questioning my honor."

"Friend or foe?" Shiro said. "All's one said the vulture. All's one." Seeming entranced once again, Shiro turned toward Melkior, moving slowly with his lightsaber extended.

Melkior kept his attention focused on Shiro. "Shiro, please listen."

Shiro moved his head from side to side in a deranged fashion. "Listening… It's a fun, funny game, without all the rules or any of the bothersome parts. But still, there are sides. You have to choose a side, Melkior. Choose a side. Then we can be free to play with all our other friends as they come squirming out of the earth."

Melkior scowled. "I'm on the side I've always been on. Mine."

"That's a lie!" Marik shouted in sudden fury. "Shiro told me about you, Melkior. You side with the Empire and you want us to side with the Empire as well. But I will never side with the Empire! Not after what they did!"

"Yeah, well, I won't let Shiro be turned into a deceitful, cowardly, foolish killer like any other Jedi. Not after what you did to us!"

Marik started. "What are you talking about?"

"Choose a side," Shiro continued. He moved further toward Melkior with a grim smile on his face. "Fight or die!" He suddenly twitched his head as if in pain. "Unh, no! What is…?"

Melkior ignited his saber and held it at the ready. He spoke with deep anger, recalling terrible memories of the past. "The Jedi are all liars and murderers!"

Shiro and Marik both switched their lightsabers off training mode. A moving triangle formed as Shiro forced Melkior to move back and Marik moved forward, ready to support and defend Shiro should he foolishly attack Melkior, as he sensed that he would. An eerie silence fell over the glen that would soon become a battlefield.

Marik was skeptical of Melkior's statement. He remained on his guard. "And what is the basis of your grand assumption?" he queried.

Melkior spoke with conviction. "A man never forgets the faces of his family's killers."

Marik looked at Melkior with disbelief. "You have to be mistaken. Shiro, don't listen to him!"

"No, listen! I remember that day on Bogden. Jango came to assist us in our fight but we were slaughtered by the Jedi!"

Shiro suddenly looked at Marik strangely as if he were far away. He turned back to look at Melkior. "You want me, Melkior? You're gonna have to fight to get me. I'm waiting to see the power of your Dark Side. Show me what the Light fails at."

Marik searched his mind for the conflict corresponding to Melkior's words. He had trouble concentrating on Shiro for a moment. Then he realized Melkior was speaking of the disastrous conclusion to the Mandalorian Wars and the unfortunately treacherous role the Jedi had played in it. He looked back at Shiro and realized that Shiro's resolve in the Light was wavering under the influence of this persuasive man with a vendetta of vengeance.

"Shiro, don't do it!" he cried out. "You must resist. Do not be tempted by the Dark Side!"

Melkior continued, "I remember. I hate the Jedi. They… They murdered my two sisters, my wife and my children! We didn't do anything. We were minding our own business when the Jedi planned their attack."

Melkior turned towards Shiro. "Shiro, follow me please. The Jedi pretend nobility but they are wolves in sheep's clothing. They are weak and their teachings always betray you. Don't surrender to these deceivers!"

"Shiro, don't listen to him," Marik said. "He does not know of what he speaks."

Ignoring Marik, Shiro advanced slowly towards Melkior. Marik moved forward to protect his apprentice from going too far. Melkior smiled. Shiro thinks he is cornering me, he thought. That's just what I want him to think. Melkior moved slowly back, drawing Shiro out.

"My sisters are gone! My wife and children are gone!" Melkior spoke fiercely. "What will bring back the memory of Ami' and Kia?"

Marik answered him vehemently. "And I was only a child at that time, in no way responsible for the death of your family. You, however, were of grown age when you undoubtedly helped the Empire destroy those who were like family to me!"

Shiro bent over and began shaking all over, signaling the onslaught of another of his mad attacks. Marik and Melkior both glanced over at him with fear, realizing how unpredictable and dangerous the situation was about to become. Marik tried to speak to Shiro to calm him but it was apparent that it was already too late.

Shiro looked up with a strange intensity at the both of them. He murmured, "What I want to be... What I want you to see… See me..."

Losing all control, Shiro suddenly rushed at Melkior, slashing with his blade. Melkior's eyes went wide and he blocked as soon as he could. The two combatants went back and forth, each of them bearing a dread and a hidden admiration for the other. This was the chance they had been waiting for to test each other's strength. At times it looked like Shiro, with his youthful agility and his mad fury, had the upper hand. Yet Melkior held his own with his aged wisdom and experience.

In shock, Marik cried out, "No, Shiro, don't!"

This was exactly what Marik had been afraid of. He had hoped that Shiro and he would have had more time together to calm his mind before they encountered one of the Empire's dark agents. He feared this would undo all his hopes and push Shiro over the edge. He rushed towards the two duelers to get between them.

Marik's blade met Melkior's. Melkior snarled in anger, "Leave us, dar'jeti!"

Melkior pushed Marik out of the way viciously. Marik fell and rolled across the ground. Shiro didn't seem to mind and continued to attack. Marik recovered quickly and rushed back into the fray. He engaged Melkior, slashing with great strength, drawing upon all his training. It was not easy. Melkior had spent a long time honing his skills and Shiro kept getting in the way.

Alanna was standing on guard on the balcony of Marik's patio, overlooking the forest. She suddenly heard the commotion and looked through the trees to see the three combatants. She ran to get her blaster.

Melkior pushed his blade up against Marik and then twirled, slicing. "Jeti!" he growled. "I will have my blood revenge!"

Marik blocked quickly, however he was beginning to lose strength. "I had nothing to do with that!"

Marik did his best to block Shiro from attack and to completely take on Melkior. He was afraid that Shiro might get hurt but even more afraid because he sensed that if Shiro continued to kill in anger, Crow would win and Shiro would fall to the Dark.

Shiro watched Marik fully engage Melkior from the side and felt a deep swell of anger and jealousy. He shook his head and unable to resist, gave in to his anger. He pointed his hand at Marik and Force pushed him hard into a tree, knocking the air out of him. Marik fell on the ground and closed his eyes. Melkior watched this with surprise, terror and relief altogether.

Shiro stood silently facing Melkior, a look of grim determination on his face. "Shiro, please," Melkior said. "I'm here to help you. The Jedi are fools. You know this." Shiro simply twirled his saber in response.

Marik stumbled a little as he attempted to regain his breath. He felt like his ribs might be bruised or even broken. With effort, he lifted his head and looked at Shiro. His voice was cracked and faint. He cried out as best he could, "Shiro, don't let him turn you! Fight it, not him!"

Just at that moment, Alanna arrived over a nearby hilltop. She pointed her blaster at Melkior, preparing to fire. Then she saw Marik slumped on the ground. She cried out, "Marik!"

Melkior turned and saw Alanna. He yelled at her, "Jeti cow!" He unleashed a wave of Force lightning straight at her. Unable to block the attack, she was hurtled through the air and landed several feet. Her head hit a log when she landed, knocking her out cold.

Shiro cried out, "Alanna!" and looked back at Melkior with rage. "You're going down, Melkior."

Melkior turned back to look at Shiro and smiled wickedly. "Alright. Come on then!"

Melkior jumped into the dense jungle and sped away. Baited, Shiro immediately followed, slicing through trees and vines and using the Jedi run ability.

Having used his Force Healing abilities to regain his strength, Marik slowly rose and looked over the glen to see the fallen Alanna. Momentarily torn between following Shiro or helping Alanna, he struggled and looked back and forth from the jungle to Alanna. Finally, he ran over to the unconscious Alanna and began infusing her with his Force energy, restoring her health just enough to keep her alive. He realized he had to work quickly if he was to get to Shiro in time. When he saw she was well enough to breathe with ease, he gently brushed her hair, awaking her.

Alanna looked up at him weakly. He looked brushy to her and the sun gave him an angelic glow. Groggily, she spoke, "Marik…?"

Marik breathed heavily, caught in her awestruck gaze. He laid Alanna's blaster in her hand. "Can you shoot it if you need to?" She nodded groggily. He looked back at the jungle in the direction Shiro had run. "I'll be back."

Marik rose, grabbed his lightsaber and, with great effort, ran through the jungle towards Shiro.

Meanwhile, in a low clearing Shiro and Melkior confronted each other, circling. Shiro ran and jumped through the air, stabbing straight towards Melkior's chest. Melkior kicked him to the ground. Shiro shook all over. Melkior laughed.

Shiro wiped the blood from his mouth and propelled himself off the ground into the air. He twirled round and round sideways and dove straight at Melkior, knocking him back. Melkior slashed with his blade, up and down and all around, with Shiro moving quicker than lighting.

Shiro pointed his hand at Melkior's lightsaber and the hilt exploded. Melkior cried out in pain. Shiro then knocked Melkior off balance and Force threw him around and around, ramming him into the ground and raising him up again and then ramming him down harder. Melkior could barely breathe but he still held his composure, taking some joy in the power Shiro was displaying and the hatred he was exacting from him. He felt he was taking on his most worthy opponent ever. Shiro threw Melkior down and put his foot on his hand, crushing it. With the Force, he put strong pressure on Melkior, pushing him into the ground.

He spoke to Melkior with hate. "What did you do to Alanna?"

Melkior spat out blood and laughed. "Go ahead and kill me. But remember this isn't over. The Empire will keep coming for you. They will turn you or kill you eventually. You will never be able to save the other Younglings. Your cause is lost."

Shiro raised his blade in the air. "Now is your moment!" Crow spoke to him. "Show your full power and commit yourself to the darkness!"

Marik burst through the clearing at the top of the slope. He saw Shiro over Melkior. He now saw darkness in Shiro that he'd hoped he never would see and he knew that Shiro must not finish this fight. There had to be another solution. He yelled as loud as he could, "SHIRO, NO!"

Once again, Shiro wavered. He heard Marik, his brother, calling, bringing him back to his senses. He shook his head and then looked at Melkior. He raised his hand and Force threw Melkior into a row of trees, knocking him out. Marik thanked the Force and ran up to Shiro.

Shiro saw Marik coming up to him. "Marik, I'm sorry! It was Crow! Crow told me to push you out of the way. He tempted me to prove my strength. I couldn't fight it!"

Marik put his hand on Shiro's shoulder. Shiro feared one of Marik's rare hard looks of consternation but instead Marik greeted him with a smile. "It's alright, Shiro," he said. "You did well. Though I think I'll feel that push for quite a while." He sighed and rubbed his chest a little. "But you did fight the desire to kill him. You need help but I feel you can beat this. I know you can!"

Shiro smiled and nodded. "Yes. I saw you and I woke up. How's Alanna? Is she...?"

Marik shook his head. "She was only knocked out. She's awake now and later I'll heal her wounds. She'll be fine."

Shiro looked over at the unconscious Melkior. He turned back to Marik with an air of respect. He was now ready to follow whatever course Marik suggested. "What do you suggest we do about him, Master?"

Marik paused. He realized this was a test. A test to see if he was ready to pose a wise solution to a complex moral dilemma. This was a critical moment and Marik searched his mind for a fitting solution. Finally he arrived at it. They would see justice done and not get their hands dirty. It was the Jedi way.

"Let's take him to Senator Osma. He can arrest him for 'disturbing the peace' since technically he did attack us."

"Will that charge hold in an Imperial court since he is an Imperial agent?"

Marik sighed. "Probably not, but it will take a while for them to figure out he is an Imperial agent." He added with a grin, "Especially if we gag him."

Shiro nodded. "Then that is what we must do. Then we'll go back and check on Alanna?"

Marik nodded back as he cut some vines from a nearby tree. "Yes, that is the plan. Here, help me tie him up and we'll get him back to the ship."

"Yes, Master." Shiro helped tie the vines around Melkior. When he finished, he pulled out his comlink. "I'll call Amelie, so she and Frell can come help us."

"Good idea." Marik tied the last knot around Melkior's head and brushed himself off. "Then let's get him to Alanna's ship."

Shiro looked down at the insensible Melkior. "He was trying draw out my hatred. I can't believe I let him draw me out like that. What was I thinking?"

Marik smiled and put a comforting hand on Shiro's shoulder. "You are young and a little reckless, like a young Padawan I once knew." He winked at him.

Shiro smiled back at Marik. He knew he could always trust his brother.

Marik chuckled softly, "And at least now I know that you are quite skilled with that lightsaber of yours."