Chapter 22: Alec vs. Leon
Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, I only own my OCs.
Last Paragons
Following their meeting with Rham Kota and discussing their plan with the former Jedi General, Leliana and the gang plan how to capture the Star Destroyer orbiting the planet they're currently on. However, fate can be a cruel mistress as Leon objects to the idea of having Imperials following their order. Alec takes it upon himself trying to reason with the ex-Jedi, doing everything to maintain his composure. The argument slowly grows more heated and find themselves gaining an audience. Before things could escalate, Leliana intervenes to defuse the situation.
An hour later on board the Forgotten Star, while the group prepares for their mission, Yuna reads from the holopad about an invasion the Empire launched on a Mid Rim planetary system. What catches her attention is the blasters the stormtroopers used were more powerful than usual and the citizens had small holes in their chests.
She dons a thinking pose. Did the Empire make advancements in blaster technology? Possibly. But the ammunition needed material that'd grant the blasters greater firepower. Where did they come from? They need to investigate and find clues.
She feels Leliana snake her arms around her neck and crossing them over the young Sith's chest, resting her chin on Yuna's shoulder.
The smuggler asked, "Something wrong, beautiful?" The fiery red-haired Sith Warrior gently pries herself free of the smuggler.
Yuna replied, "The Empire launched an invasion on some Mid Rim planetary system. According to reports the blasters were stronger than usual. We need to investigate the manner. Find out where they got the material to enhance the blasters."
Leliana said, "Okay, we're heading there now. I'll inform the others." Venturing into the eating quarters she sees the group doing random stuff.
Kenta was the one to break the ice, "Yes, Leliana?"
The smuggler placed a hand on her hip tilting it to one side, "Looks like our capture mission of the Star Destroyer above the planet will have to wait. Yuna has found some disturbing news. The Empire has apparently developed enhanced blasters. We're heading to the Mid Rim planetary system they attacked." Walking back to the cockpit Leliana types in the coordinates and makes the jump to hyperspace.
Leon was intrigued, "Huh. So the Empire decided to make new infantry toys." He grinned, "I can't wait to show them how useless they'll be." Eventually the Forgotten Star exits hyperspace, reaching its destination.
Seeing Star Destroyers Leliana renders her ship invisible to sensors.
As the smuggler flies the light freighter closer to the planet her and Alexandra see a fire raging smoke clearly visible from space.
Touching down outside of a small town the crew disembarks venturing into town. They can all smell the smoke in the air as they walk, dead bodies lay about. The sight of so many innocent people littering the street makes the group seethe with anger but Leon's is hotter than Mustafar's lava. Whether Vader, Wyatt or just as much as he wants, the Emperor personally led this attack, it doesn't matter. The outcome will be the same in his eyes: Any or all three of them dead at his feet!
Alec sees a child no older than maybe 5 lay on her back lifeless with a gaping charred hole in her chest, brown eyes glazed over. His mind horrified, his feet take him to her, kneeling and without a word closed her eyes then placed the hands over her chest. Bringing his gaze to the woman he quickly identifies as the mother, the Sith Warrior notices she took the brunt of the shots. He spots the deceased woman holding some kind of charm in her hand, looking closer he discovers it being a necklace. Silently he digs two makeshift graves and places the bodies in them covering them with dirt. Placing his hand on the graves he pays his respects although he never met the couple when they were alive.
Kenta looked around seeing the same thing, "So many innocent lives taken for no reason. So sickening."
Leon agreed, "Yes, it is."
Yuna told them, "Come on. We got an investigation to complete." Moving further into town the damage becomes more extensive.
Leliana said, "This was a massacre. All of this senseless bloodshed for a weapon test." They hear the distant sound of gunfire and run to the area, seeing a contagion of stormtroopers lining citizens up against a wall before executing them.
The troopers hear lightsabers igniting and a red and silver blur dashes toward them cutting each down. Spotting a first generation of AT-ST walker the ex-Jedi lifts it into the air utilizing Force crush turning the walker into a giant cube of debris. When there are no Imperials left Kenta walks up to the lead stormtrooper and takes his blaster turning it in his hand.
Kenta said, "We'll examine this. Let's head back to Leliana's ship." Just before they turn around to leave Alexandra spots a lightsaber attached to a stormtrooper's belt, removing it. Something about this weapon feels off.
Alexandra asked herself, "He claimed this as a trophy from whatever Jedi he somehow killed?" They head back to the Forgotten Star to examine the weapons.
Venturing to the commons room the two items are placed on the table. The blaster is the first being disassembled, Leliana examines the components. At first glance, they don't look different but the smuggler looks harder. Pulling out a capsule holding a blaster bolt Leliana discovers it's of a sleeker design.
Leliana commented, "The Empire has developed new toys." On her end, Alexandra studies the lightsaber crystal after disassembling the weapon, studying the emerald gem.
Leon asked, "Something wrong?"
Alexandra said, "I'm trying to figure out where the owner of this lightsaber got this crystal. Black market?"
Leon hummed, "Probably. Maybe the owner didn't want the Emperor to find out."
Alexandra agreed, "You may be right. But this gem. It's brimming with the light side of Force, the Jedi wielder must have filled it with the light side to boost its power."
Leon commented with a small smirk, "Very good, Alex. Jedi can fill their chosen crystal with the Force if they so choose to establish a connection with it during the ceremonial process of building the lightsaber." The young Sith apprentice recalls the Kaiburr crystal fragment she gave to Leliana absorbing her Force energy without knowing it. The rest of the day is spent investigating until Alec gets bored and steps outside to train, wanting to create new Force attacks.
Lightning covers his hands and he extends them, propelling the lightning forward however instead of letting it continue along its trajectory, Alec forms an open circle with his hands. Closing his eyes he concentrates.
'Harness the light side. Bathe in its warmth, let it flow through you. Bend the lightning to your will. Compress it.' The Sith Warrior lectured to himself mentally.
Slowly the lightning changes shape, compressing into a ball of Force energy. Opening his electric blue eyes Alec releases the compressed ball of Force lightning. The ball screams along its path disappearing beyond the horizon. The Sith Warrior can use this new ability for crowd control or against a single opponent if he can time it right. Of course, he needs to perfect the ability. In other words, reduce the time it needs to form.
Next he draws on the dark side channeling his anger yet refusing to let its corrupting influence take hold. Remembering Kenta lecturing Alexandra about the nature of the Force, the light side akin to a river calmly flowing through channels while the dark side is a fire that burns bright and strong while simultaneously corrupting. However, like a normal fire running out of fuel to sustain itself, the vigor produced by usage of the dark side burns out.
His Force training session is interrupted by Leon approaching.
He said, "So this is where you've been, Sith Loser."
Alec turned to him, "It's Alec Sunrider, not Sith Loser."
Leon said, "Whatever you say. So what are you doing out here?"
The Sith Warrior replied, "Creating new Force attacks."
Leon grinned slightly, "Oh? What is it?"
Alec's face remained unchanged, "You'll have to wait, Jedi."
Leon face palmed, "How many times must I say it? It's ex-Jedi! Is it that hard to remember?"
Alec withheld a snort, "I'll call you that as long as you call me, Kenta and Yuna Sith Losers." A frown appears on Leon's face, he'd been called worse but being called a Jedi even though he hasn't been one for three years annoyed him.
The Sith Warrior brought him out of his brooding, "Let's have a rematch, Leon."
That caught Leon's attention, grinning "A rematch? What for? Eager to get your ass kicked?"
Alec ignored that part, "Is that yes or no?"
Leon said, "Okay. You're on. I'm bored anyway." Alec draws one of his yellow lightsabers entering the second Niman stance and Leon ignites his silver primary lightsaber entering the opening stance of Ataru. A standoff ensues between the combatants.
Leon attacks first executing the Saber Swarm on Alec who deflects the attack moving his blade in every direction. Switching to offense Alec pushes Leon back swinging his yellow blade that Leon blocks. Silver and yellow blurs are the only thing visible to any casual observer. Alec sees Leon holding his lightsaber upright he executes a jab intentionally grinding his weapon along Leon's blade, Leon tilts his head in surprise to escape the attack. Alec leaps into the air nailing a Force imbued kick causing him to skid back. Leon feels himself caught in a Force grip and violently thrown in the opposite direction behind Alec. Rolling to a complete stop in the crouch position Leon lifts his head showing the Sith Warrior a smile.
They run at each other blades clashing.
Leon throws a punch that Alec catches and spins Leon on the ground and sends him flying away, the ex-Jedi halts the momentum. Alec leaps at him igniting his second blade bringing his skills of Jar Kai to bear, driving Leon onto his back foot until he fires Force lightning at Alec who uses his dual blades to absorb the current. This brief respite allows Leon to bring out his red shoto. Alec shifts the grip on his secondary lightsaber into the Shien reverse grip while holding the primary across his chest.
Recovering from the surprise attack Leon charges swinging his own dual blades.
Their battle attracts the others who sit on the sideline watching the two fight.
Alec and Leon enter a saber lock pushing against each other to gain the upper hand. Slowly Leon does, whether drawing on his anger consciously or subconsciously but Alec refuses to give ground to the ex-Jedi kicking him in the chest and back flips. Quickly recovering Leon runs at the Sith Warrior, jumping over the primary lightsaber, corkscrewing over the secondary and keeps coming towards Alec who seizes his thrown weapons with the Force and with a quick pulling motion sends the lightsabers back to him. Leon senses the attack and back flips, using the Force to make the lightsabers move faster but Alec catches the hilt. Leon uses the Saber Swarm again, this time faster. Twirling sliver and red fills the attendants' gaze. Alec senses a new attack coming and thrusts one hand forward entering a Force lock with Leon. He grunts as he pumps more Force energy into the push Alec responds in kind. The Sith Warrior wonders if the ex-Jedi is toying with him.
Deactivating his lightsabers Alec grabs Leon with the Force and pulls him forward. Leon prepares his attack when Alec drops to the ground and lands a hard kick to the stomach. Leon rolls back until he stops the momentum. Clipping his own blades to his belt Leon stands rubbing his stomach.
He laughed despite the pain, "Felt that one. You mean business for once." Alec glared at him as the ex-Jedi furthered, "And you want to do this the old fashioned way, a good old in your face brawl?" They crack their knuckles.
Alec's eyes seem to brighten with the power of the Force. With a burst of Force speed the combatants rush at each other fists colliding until Leon grabs Alec's face slamming it onto his knee making the Sith Warrior recoil not letting up Leon throws punches to Alec's chest even with the chest plating the Sith feels the impact as well as if hadn't been wearing any armor at all. The Sith Warrior grabs his wrists and halts the attack. The two land a simultaneous headbutt then Alec lands a kick to the Leon's side then a punch to the face the ex-Jedi retaliates with a punch to the jaw. Quickly recovering Alec grabs hold of Leon's shirt collar and throws him overhead. He watches his opponent kick-up and charges, preparing to use Force tap. Recognizing the imminent attack Alec balls a fist, cocks it backward with Force energy accumulating and drives his fist into the ground directing the energy toward Leon, the ex-Jedi sees the attack fracturing the earth as it screams toward him making Leon jump to the side. The attack continues on toward the horizon.
Leon whistled, "Pretty impressive." The two continue their brawl with Leon straddling Alec throwing punches until the Sith Warrior reverses their positions, landing punches to Leon who covers up. He suddenly blasts Alec with a Force lightning. Swiftly getting to his feet Leon closes the distance before his opponent can react and lands a palm strike to Alec's chest sending him crashing into a large boulder the Sith Warrior starts to peel himself free when Leon pins him to the rock via the Force. However, Alec uses his raw power to pull himself out of the grip.
Leon said, "You're determined, I'll give you that." He allowed himself to chuckle, "You're actually making this fun. But this ends now!" He suddenly feels the Force swell within Alec.
The Sith Warrior told his opponent, "They say don't underestimate the power of the dark side, I say don't underestimate the power of the light side!" Somewhere in his mind, Alec hears chains break causing his electric blue eyes to glow white.
Leon had an actual look of surprise on his face, "What?" With a display of raw power Alec breaks free of the Force grip and dashes toward Leon, swatting the ex-Jedi's arm away and locks the fingers on his free hand together, Force energy covering the appendage in a blue aura. He thrusts his hand forward at full speed, nailing a jab that rockets Leon back, the spectators split up moments before Leon bounces off the Forgotten Star's hull. From his position Alec feels satisfaction hit him upon hearing the sound. The satisfaction increases when he hears the ex-Jedi groaning while rubbing his back.
A laugh escaped Leon, "Hahaha, this is the kind of fight I want. Where did you hide this kind of stuff during our first fight?" Alec blurs into existence in front of him, grabbing his shirt collar and punches him in the face spit flies out of Leon's mouth. With a roar Alec throws him to the opposite direction.
They both charge, mixing Force based attacks into their physical strikes. The fight continues for another 20 minutes after Yuna checked her watch.
Yuna said, "At this rate, they'll be too hurt to move." She walked forward, "Excuse me, you two. I think you've had enough, can you stop now?"
Both fighters glared at her shouting in unison, "STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THIS!"
Yuna sighed, "Men." She decides to heed their warning and returns to the others.
Leon and Alec stare each other down, bruises line their faces and blood drips from a cut lip, both sucking some wind.
Leon said, "Damn it you Sith bastard you are hard to put down!"
Alec spat blood to the side, wiping the cut, "I'm not so easy to bring down. Countless battles does that to you. Make you stubborn, that is."
Leon flashed him a side grin, chuckling, "Haha, so...ow...so true. You know how to throw some real strikes, you're making me feel some real excitement here." They run at each other again, fists cocked, Leon ducks a punch and retaliates with a right hook followed with a heel kick that Alec blocks. The Sith Warrior stumbles backward stubborn pride keeps him from admitting defeat.
Alec said, "Let's finish this."
Leon agreed, "Yes, let's." The combatants gather their Force energy ready for one final attack.
They get into a sprint position and with an invisible blaster shot off they sprint toward each other. They land a punch simultaneously knocking them off their feet. They struggle to get up. Alec is able to get to one knee but then falls on his face while Leon stands, hands on his knees to catch his breath.
Leon laughed in victory before he commented, "You fought well for a Sith. You can back up your words, pity you weren't around during the Clone Wars, Sith Los...I mean Alec. You've earned it today. You would have a lot of fun with Separatists." He returns to the Forgotten Star as Alec breathes through clenched teeth as he pushes himself to his feet ignoring Yuna's assistance.
Following their fight, Alec lays on the bed in his quarters staring at the ceiling. What he didn't tell Leon is the real purpose behind their fight, he was done with Leon badmouthing him and Kenta. He appeared growing more comfortable with Yuna but he's sick of Leon mocking him. So Alec hopes the ex-Jedi will get along better with him and Kenta.
In the cargo hold Leon goes through his lightsaber sequences when his disease flares up, triggering a small coughing fit. He has the awareness to drop his lightsaber the blade instantly retracting. Leon pulls his hand away from his mouth after the coughing stops and stares at the light amount of blood staining it.
The former Jedi chuckled to himself, "Hello my old microscopic friend, you massive bastard." He's fortunate the disease happened now instead of during the fight otherwise he would've lost. But to Alec's credit he was able to push Leon he hadn't been to in years.
'He's a fighter. Just like me.' He thought with some approval over the Sith Warrior's performance. Deciding that he should end his training here, Leon clips the lightsaber to his belt and makes himself comfortable.
'Can't wait for the three of them and Alex to get serious. Then I'll take on all four of them.' He mentally added.
A/N: Chapter 22 done.
Here Alec and Leon have a fight, beating the snot out of each other. Alec fought hard but Leon won in the end, leaving the ex-Jedi impressed.
And not much else to say.
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Stay tuned for chapter 23.
Vader 23A