Corellia.

John Zaun was walking out of the structure from his physical training class, his head was bowed low in thought and in weariness. Even though, over the last year, his shape and physical prowess had improved greatly he was still not quite there yet.

Add onto that his father was not yet there, and the school was gearing up for the push into the last couple of weeks and all the tests that came along with that.

So John was busy studying, and exercising, and his soul was not quite healed over being burned.

He heard two voices speaking in his path. He looked up curious to see what was going on, and recognized Devylyn and Nealis. Curious he looked at them closer, she seemed to be tense, her whole posture radiated annoyance and unease. His face was jutting out at her and he was wearing a scowl, he seemed to be regarding her with contempt.

His senses started to turn on, slowly, he moved closer, silently, getting into range to see what he could hear, he was uncertain but he was sure that something was wrong.

"But Nealis I really want to go, I do not hang out with my girlfriends that much anymore, and tonight was our night of the month to go to the spa." Devylyn pleaded.

Nealis looked exasperated, he flung his arms around for a second groping for words, but then a sly smile crossed over his face. "You will not go out with your girlfriends tonight." He commanded running a hand across her eyes.

Devylyn went limp, her facial features slackened and her hands unclenched at her sides. "I will not go out with my girlfriends tonight." She repeated in a monotone voice.

"You will have dinner with me tonight." He continued.

"I will have dinner with you tonight." Devylyn repeated in the same tone as before.

John's eyes bulged, and a gasp escaped his lips before he could stop himself.

Nealis's head shot around as he smiled wolfishly. "Ah little John." He mocked threateningly.

John blushed, he could feel his passions boiling up to the surface. Waking his body up, setting his soul on fire, and making him shake with barely controlled emotion. He could hardly believe that he was right and that he now had the perfect confirmation.

"You!" He barked, students passing the scene stopped, stunned, and looked between the two of them, now noticing that something was up.

"Yes, what about me?" He responded, teasing John.

John yelled with a feral rage, and flung himself at his opponent, Devylyn was just able to step out of his way.

His opponent was waiting for him though, with an easy smile he stepped out of the way and stuck his foot out.

John tripped, but was prevented from falling down due to Nealis catching him breaking his fall. John flung his elbow out, Nealis caught it with ease. John was then gut punched, causing him to lose breath and was lifted just an inch off the ground. He was then kicked in the chest by Nealis, he flew through the air about five feet, lifting off the ground and slamming in hard against the wall.

He slid down it back to the ground, regaining his breath. He cleared his head and glared at Nealis, trying to figure out what had hit him.

John internally winced, Nealis could use the Force, he obviously had some Jedi training, so why not martial arts training as well?

Nealis was looking at John in triumph.

John picked himself up off the ground, and dusted the pants of his robes off. The assembled students watching the battle were standing there, unmoving, as if they were in a trance. They probably were, John smiled to himself grimly.

They circled each other for a minute, getting closer and closer to one another. Until John flung his arm out trying to connect with Nealis's skull.

Nealis intercepted it and caught John's arm by the elbow, then he twisted the skin around. John grimaced, clenching his teeth in pain as it arched up and down the length of his arm.

An angry fire burned behind his eyes, he accessed the part of his soul and his inner being that Death always said to use. He tapped into it, feeding off of it and letting the energy fill his body from toes to fingertips.

He kneed Nealis in the stomach. Nealis released him and stumbled back. John pressed his advantage. Nealis struck, and each one of his strikes John blocked, seemingly knowing right where the blows were coming from.

Nealis was growing tired. John's energy continued to fuel him up and ignite in him, he kicked Nealis in the stomach twice and then ducked as Nealis swung his arms wildly trying to land a final strike.

Nealis overcompensated and landed on John's back, John pushed him off with a yell of triumph. Nealis rolled off and landed hard on the pavement, the crunching of a breaking bone pierced the air.

Nealis whimpered slightly, he tried to get up off the ground, but John was there. He fell upon his opponent knees first, gutting his nemesis. He then looked around, finding a short metal pipe, gray in color.

He held out his hand and summoned it to him. The pipe flew into his hand and he pulled his arm back, cocking it, ready to strike.

Nealis looked up, he was panicking but yet was still defiant.

"This is for her!" John yelled out, and he swung, with all the fury, passion, and strength that he currently possessed.

Nealis yelped in pain as it connected, his face was flung back into the pavement hard.

But John did not relent. He yelled out with fury, and swung again and again, swinging with the full force of his body, taking hard, precise strikes.

Eventually Nealis was unmoving as the blows continued to land on his head, his ear was bleeding and blood pooled on the ground by his mouth.

Something in John snapped. He picked Nealis's head up, he cradled it, and his heart nearly broke. Nealis's head was reduced to a bloody pulp, his face contorted, his teeth were broken, and his eyes were closed. Black and blue bruises were all over his face.

He had to stifle a murmur, and then it flooded out. He wept, tears streamed down his face in a flood. He moaned and yelled out in pain and misery to the sky, cradling the head of his one time friend, one time enemy.

He suddenly felt powerful arms lifting him up and off the body of Nealis. He was limp and he did not resist as the Dean of Students dragged him off to the office.

Devylyn ran and fell at Nealis's side, and she was whimpering, crying as she checked on her boyfriend. She then turned to John, enraged, a fire burning in her eye as everything about her body said she was on positive grief, and passion. "You Monster!" She screamed at John. "How could you do that?"

John had no answer for her as he was dragged around the corner, folding in on himself, reflecting on the shock of his tragic mistake.

Kuat

Galen Zaun was sitting around an ornate conference table.

The mission that he was glad for mere weeks ago turned into pure torture. He had to listen to the two respective opponents bicker about their positions. They attempted to 'explain' their respective stances, only succeeding in yelling at each other, and over each other.

This caused Galen great pain, as he spent more time with his face in his hands wincing over the two sides fighting with one another. He had no patience for this, and Death was showing the restraint of the eldest of Jedi Masters, as he was radiating impatience, anger at the two parties, and wanting to decapitate everyone in the room with his Lightsaber.

Galen suddenly winced. A shockwave in the Force hit his head full force causing his sinuses to explode with pain blotting out his vision.

"Master?" Death looked at Galen.

Galen probed the tremor in the Force, and nearly gasped at what he found. John was in pain, terrible pain, self loathing, self pitying, and recriminating pain. But also rage, fear, and despair.

Galen ran down the thread and saw what had happened, what John had done. He closed his eyes in pain, in despair and shared the pain with his son. Galen felt this was all his fault, his soul was heavy with sudden guilt.

"Master?" Death probed again, sounding alarmed.

Galen's eyes snapped open. "Ummm…it's nothing Death. We need…we need a break. Let's take a recess."

The two respective groups looked at him in shock, wondering what had happened. Galen had no time to deal with this, as he got up and left the room.

Death joined him.

"Master?" Death sounded stunned.

Galen went to a ship vendor and bought a space on a ship bound for Corellia.

"You are heading home?" Death asked.

"Yes. Something is up with John."

Death's eyes widened. "John? Did something happen?"

"I do not know, Death." Galen half lied. "I just know I have to get home, alone. Stall them."

Death winced at the thought but nodded his acceptance as Galen nodded his good bye. He ran down the alley heading for the outbound ship.

Corellia.

John Zaun was sitting outside of the office. His arms were folded in his lap, his eyes were still somewhat moist, and he was staring at the floor blankly in guilt.

He felt devastated, empty, like a big pit of nothingness had opened up in his stomach.

The only thing he was focusing on, the only thing that his senses were receiving was the conversation that was going on in the other room. The Principal's voice was raised, while his father's was doing its best to stay calm, but it was positively dripping guilt and shame.

"Look if it were up to me I would bring charges against him. He beat a student, within an inch of his life, no telling when Nealis will be able to recover, will be able to come back to school. This has cost the school valuable money, and his family time and bereavement." The Principal reiterated his position hotly.

"I understand your position but this remains an internal Jedi issue. The Council has pardoned him from any legal punishment and we will deal with him." Galen explained through gritted teeth.

"Not good enough, he will just go free." The Principal snapped.

"Somehow I doubt that." Galen spat back, and then sighed. "Look, nothing like this has happened in ages. I am sure the council will reach a just conclusion."

Galen turned to leave the room and collected his son. John gulped.

"I will fight this." the Principal threatened.

John could feel his father turn around and regard the Principal curiously. "Your main consideration has been about money, if you take this up in the courts it will take months. And the High Court of the Republic will not consider a matter like this to be of the gravest matter considering they have hundreds of cases involving rights and contracts to consider."

The Principal sighed. John then heard him blow out a long breath through his cheeks. He sounded defeated, "alright, I can see your wisdom, I just hope justice is done." The Principal gave a final warning.

"It will be, I will make sure of that." Galen left the room bowing. Swiftly leaving in a billowing of robes. "Come son!" He said.

John glumly got up and continued to stare at his feet, acutely aware this was the last time he would be leaving this school and the last time he would see any of his few friends.

This sent his mood spiraling out of control.

He stared at his feet and shuffled them on the smooth surface outside of the school following several steps behind his father.

His father turned to him when they made it to the speeder bay and when they were alone.

"So?" Galen asked.

John looked at his father, looking up from his own shame.

Galen stopped and arched an eyebrow at him.

"I, I, I cannot explain it father. No excuse." John intoned, casting his eyes to his left as his eyes filled up with tears.

Galen sighed dramatically. "What happened exactly?"

John bit his lip, and he whimpered. "I…..father…I did not feel I had a choice. He was controlling her, manipulating her."

"Who?" Galen demanded to know.

"Devylyn, one of my friends…I liked her Dad." John explained hollowly.

"Why am I just hearing of this now? Galen pressed his son, feeling a spike of anger that he quickly tried to suppress.

"I…have no excuse. I..you were so distant. And then you left. I felt I could handle this on my own, did research on the matter by myself, and he was using the Force to manipulate her."

"The Force?" Galen narrowed his eyes unbelievably.

"That is what I believe to have happened, father." John continued.

"Oh." Galen responded.

Galen felt devastated, he felt alone, and depressed. He had failed his son and let this happen, and his son had failed him. They were alone in their responsibility and would now have to face the Council. He was speechless, his shame caused him to be this way. He did not know what to say, and had to heal, had to move past this, and figure out the proper words of comfort and the proper conversation to have with his son.

They walked to the transport and got in.