NationStates Jolt Archive

"Well there is a scenario we could do, want to try it?" Kurt asked.

"What's the scenario?" I asked.

"Inspecting ruins on a nameless planet," Kurt said before a huge flame appeared behind him and looked over his shoulder. "Eamonn, take it out side."

"Fine," he scowled and left the building, Elrohir followed.

I sighed. "Something's not right with Eamonn. I worry about him sometimes."

"He was dropped on his head as a baby," Kurt joked.

"You were just like that not long after your family were killed," Quatre told Kurt, not liking the idea of him joking about Eamonn in that way. "He's just never gotten over his fathers murder."

And with the power of the Force, he has a good potential to fall into the dark side. No wonder Tak'a-Tamen wanted him a year ago.

"He'll be fine," Kurt shrugged. "So you want to do this sim or what?"

"Sure. Lead the way." I said.

"Umm..." Kurt began. "Well we'll have to find out where it is because this is nothing like the old academy."

He and Quatre then began to walk of in the direction he expected it to be in.

"All right." I walked with the other two, wondering how I'm going to deal with Eamonn if the time comes...

Kurt slipped through a door into a large grey room, "Guess this would be it," he said noticing a computer console on the wall. He walked over and began to tap into it.

"This will take a while," Quatre grinned.

"Yeah. Knowing Kurt, it's going to include some giant flesh-eating womp rats or something." I grimaced.

"Not as bad as the decaying army of dragons Master Elanessë once had us fight on one of these things," Quatre mentioned. "I can still smell them."

"That's got to stink." I smiled. "Hopefully he doesn't program really exotic creatures, like giant man-eating dovin basals. That'd suck."

In more ways than one, of course.

Quatre laughed, which got a look from Kurt. "If theres one thing to expect from Kurt is that you should expect anything and everything," he grinned.

"Good advice, especially around him!" I chuckled.

The room blurred and turned into an area of forest that looked rather Canadian.

"Well guys," Kurt said. "Here we go."

"All right. Can you please enlighten us on the scenario so that we're prepared?" I asked.

"Well stay alive," Kurt told him.

"Come on more then that," Quatre demanded.

"Well we have to get to the stargate from here," he said and pointed to three staff weapons and three zat'nikatel's awaited their new owners. "Between here and the gate are the Goa'uld."

"Thank you." I smiled, unhooking my lightsaber. "I'd rather deflect the bolts, though."

I picked up the weapons anyway. Could be useful.

"Sometimes you should practice not relying on your lightsaber," Kurt said rolling his eyes.

Quatre picked up is staff weapon and zat'nikatel, preparing himself for the dangers that lay ahead.

"Why? It cuts down enemies, and you can reflect things back or throw it like a boomerang. A melee and ranged weapon at once." I smirked. "And, it's more portable than the staff weapon."

"Well if you are ever captured by Goa'uld and have to escape, they won't just have lightsabers lying around," Kurt pointed out. "And don't pretend like there aren't any left."

"What makes you think I'd be captured? Plus, a Jedi is never without a weapon." I said.

"Hey I thought that exact same way and look what happened to me," Kurt then coldly told him. "You can't always rely on what you already know."

Quatre had gone up ahead to check if the coast was clear.

"I rely on the Force, my lightsaber," I shot back. "And my own wits to carry the day. If I need a weapon, I'll use it."

Kurt shook his head. "Stubborn kid," he remarked and headed off after Quatre. "Knew I should have turned off lightsabres and the force."

"I heard that!" I called after him. Damned Kurt...

Kurt just shrugged as he caught up with Quatre.

"Problems?" the blond asked him.

"Just Dan needs to have his lightsaber surgically removed from his arse," the prince replied.

The wind whistled through the trees, the branches creaked. So far there were no sign of any Goa'uld or of any Jaffa.

I decided to get some altitude, and chose a tree that's sturdy enough for what I'm about to do.

I jumped high, almost 15 feet, and landed nicely on a thick branch, that bended slightly in any case. I then jumped another 5 feet onto a thinner branch, and decided that this is high enough. I had a good view of the area, and could see the Stargate a couple miles away, and small figures marching around that I could accurately guess to be Jaffa.

"What can you see from up there?" Quatre asked, looking up at Daniel.

"Jaffa, and the Stargate just a couple of klicks ahead!" I called to the ground.

"Good, come on down before they see you," Kurt told him.

Hmmm...how shall I come down? Jump, or...hmm. I concentrated on the Force, forming an image of myself on the ground with the others. Next thing I knew...

CRACK! I disappeared from the branch.

CRACK! I reappeared on the ground, less disoriented than before. I smiled widely. Once you get past the disorientation, it's rather fun.

"Fuck," Kurt swore. "Since when could you do that?"

Quatre actually looked rather impressed.

"Since a few hours ago, on the ship." I smirked, enjoying the looks on their faces. "It's pretty cool, to tell you the truth, but it takes a bit more energy than I'm used to."

"Of course, with more practice, I think I could be as good, or even better than you, in this department." I laughed.

"You could never out do me," Kurt smirked.

Above them the trees rustled as a young boy of around sixteen leapt out of the trees. He had silver hair and was wearing a black trenchcoat, in both hands he held pistols. "Stand and deliver," he smirked. "Your money or your lives."

A little full of himself isn't he? I smiled. Without a movement, I reached out with the Force and grabbed the pistols away from him, before hoisting the boy into the air a couple of feet.

"Perhaps, my young thieving friend, you should begin by telling us your name." I said nonchalantly, as if talking about the weather.

The boy smirked at them.

"Oh piss off Zathar," Kurt told him. "We're trying to do a Goa'uld scenario here."

The boy looked around. "Some scenario," he replied. "Hey I just wanted to see how you were doing, I wanted to see if the Norns did anything like shave your fur off."

Quatre laughed.

"Now put me down," Zathar said.

I had to chuckle, and released the kid unceremoniously. "Well, the more the merrier. And no, the Norns did nothing but give us an insight into how they work."

Zathar was dropped to the ground and stumbled a bit.

"They're pretty mentally unstable from what I've heard," Zathar said, getting to his feet. "So you're the one Eamster exposed himself to huh?"

"Pretty much, yeah." I said. "He got a good chewing out from his Master, I could tell."

My eyes suddenly caught some movement behind Zanthar. "Uh, let's cut this short, because I think we're about to have company..."

Zathar held out his hands and his pistols floated over from Daniel and back into his hands. "Right I'm ready for them," he said.

"Shh, get down," Kurt whispered.

As the others crouched down behind them, they could see a couple of Jaffa through the undergrowth.

"Nice control of telekinesis there." I whispered to the 16 year old. To everyone else: "Let them come close..."

Zathar smirked.

"I don't see any others around," Kurt whispered. "You think we should attack Dan?"

I nodded, using hand signals to tell Kurt to move to the left, while I go right. Crouching down, I started crawling under the underbrush, freezing if I think they would see me. Wait for it...

Kurt and Quatre aimed their staff weapons at the two Jaffa.

"Ready..." Kurt began. "Aim... FIRE!!"

Blasts were let off and hit the two Jaffa, they were then knocked to the ground.

"Now some others will come to see what the noise was then we attack" the prince then said.

I suddenly felt a disturbance, and with speed borne of the Force, deflected two energy bolts coming my way from the direction of the Stargate.

"They're here!" I said, reflecting energy bolts as I went.

"Now we make our way to the gate," Kurt said, blasting a Jaffa to the ground.

Behind them, Zathar used his telekinisis to get a staff weapon from a dead Jaffa.

Leading the way, I reflected several bolts back to their owners, sending them to meet their gods personally. I kept up a weave of energy as I blocked, keeping the most fatal blows from reaching the rest of the team. This is why I choose the lightsaber over any other weapon.

They were winning against the Jaffa as they were pushing them back towards the stargate. For every Jaffa that went down, more would take his place.

"Keep up the good work guys," Kurt called out.

I sent a blast of telekinesis at the Jaffa as we neared the Stargate, and then I went on the offensive, cutting them down with whirling strikes and powerful kicks. I hoped this increased the confusion as I turned the crowd of enemies upon themselves.

As the others battled on, Kurt teleported past the Jaffa and went for the dialing device.

Watch my back guys, he said telepathically.

As Jaffa continued to pour towards us, I suddenly tossed my lightsaber, controlling it like a mad boomerang to cut numerous Jaffa in half. I recalled my lightsaber, and continued to block bolts that went for Kurt.

Zathar picked up one dead Jaffa and used him like a bowling ball to knowck down a group of others. Quatre blasted a couple of Jaffa who were aiming for Kurt. The prince had successfully dialed into another gate and ran over to it.

"Come on," he yelled.

My blade spinning as I retreated into the Stargate, I jumped into the wormhole after blocking one last bolt and for a journey that took a second and an eternity at once, arrived at the other side...

Daniel and the others found themselves in an open grassland. On the horizon they could see the outlines of trees.

"So guys what did you think?" Kurt asked.

"You didn't dial up Stargate Command? How could you?!" I asked in mock anger. "Now I won't be able to see the Golden Quatro! At any rate, it looks nicer than the last one."

Kurt grinned. "Well I knew you'd expect to go there," he grinned. "Personally I didn't feel like going there."

"All right, all right. But it'd be nice to meet the good General O'Neill." I said, whipping out my shades. "All right, kids, let's see about this place."

"Well since you're so knowledgable, where do you think we should start?" Kurt asked.

Oh, for cryin' out loud... "If I knew the name of this place, I could tell you." I said.

Kurt grinned. "Point a direction maybe?" he suggested. "As far as I know, none of the places in the sim are actually real."

"All right." I closed my eyes, twirled my hand over my head, and pointed at a bearing of 45 degrees from ahead.

"Right off we go," Kurt said. "Looks like a forest that way."

We began walking through the other forest, and I was wary of more snakeheads. I'm also looking for clues as to what this planet is, or at least signs of civilization.

Using his agile form, Kurt quickly climbed one of the trees to scout the immediate area. Far off in the distance he could see a clearing, poking up from the clearing were a couple of stone pilars. This could be the ruins they were looking for. He teleported to the ground.

"Two stone pillars in a clearing dead ahead," he told the others.

"All right. Let's see about them." I said, steeling up for another day of hiking.

Kurt picked up the pace as he felt the clearing near. "Nothing like a good hike in the woods," the prince grinned.

"I hate hiking," Zathar moaned.

The prince laughed. "You were the one who decided to join us," he pointed out.

"Yeah, and there's probably nothing to worry about." I smirked. "Now hiking on a place like Utapu, that's a challenge!"

"Why?" Zathar asked.

"Lots of seismic activity there." I said. "More active volcanoes than on Earth and hot springs everywhere. It's a tourist trap for the risktakers."

"Oh right," Zathar replied.

"Ol' Zathar hates tourists so he'd probably like it there," Kurt said, grinning.

"I don't hate them," the silver haired boy protested. "Anyway we're not here to talk about tourism, we're here on one of your silly quests."

"My quests are not silly," Kurt growled at him. "This'll do you good."

As they argued, we soon neared the pillars, jutting into the sky.

"They'll be at it a while," Quatre warned. "I say we go ahead and search."

"Ok, let's go." I said. The pillars were of varying sizes, and they surrounded a central pillar, wider than the others. "Hmm. What do you make of this?"

"My guess is that it used to be a temple of some kind," Quatre said, looking at the ruins.

"Yeah, but what civilization is what I'm wondering." I said.

"From the looks," Quatre began. "I have no idea, but the pillars look somewhat Greek."

"Hmm. You're right." I said. "It does look Greek. So you think a village could be nearby?"

"Probably," Quatre replied scowering the clearing for any sign of a pathway through the forest that would lead them to the village. Of course such a pathway would have been overgrown by now but a stone would largely point out its location. "Keep an eye out for anything that resembles an overgrown path."

"Ok." I began a search for the teltale sign of a beaten path. So far, I found nothing. "Not much here."

"No there isn't," Quatre agreed with a sigh. "There's only one person here who knows what we're looking for, or claims to anyway."

"Kurt." I said. "But he ain't telling, and I'm loathe to pry it out of his mind."

Quatre smiled. "Believe me you wouldn't want to go in there," he said. "Just hope he doesn't kill Zathar."

"Yup." I said, then fired off a telepathic message. HEY GUYS! STILL ARGUING OR WHAT?!

Nope just dashing Zathars hopes of moving up the dragon chain, came the princes reply. Found anything yet?

Nope. What are we looking for, anyway? I asked.

Ruins that seem out of place came Kurt's reply.

We got ruins, but... I started, then something clicked. There's no pathway to any village. Come on and see it.

In a burst of purple smoke, Kurt appeared in front of them.

"Where's Zathar?" Quatre asked.

"Making his own way here," the prince shrugged and looked at the ruins. "Very Greek aren't they?"

"Yep." I said, waiting for the other kid to catch up.

"I'd say they're definately out of place here," Kurt said. "The surrounding area doesn't really shout Greece does it? Seems more likely something we'd find in the countryside outside Ulvter."

"So what now?" I asked. Where is that Zathar, anyway?

Zathar appeared walking up to them. "Bastard," he spat at Kurt, who only grinned back.

"Looking for a switch of somekind," Kurt then mentioned."

"A...switch." I said slowly. "Let's see..."

I started walking around the pillars, feeling around for something that could be a switch item.

One of the pillars moved slightly and a hole opened up in the ground.

"Rather large switch," Kurt remarked.

I checked the hole. "I see a stairway."

I checked the first step, which was sturdy. "Ok. Come on."

I started down the stairs, sure that the others will follow.

The other three followed down behind, the dark passage way blurred back into the grey room that was the holodeck.

"Ah crap," Kurt cursed.

Zathar laughed, "You used an incomplete program," he grinned.

Kurt shook his head.

"Looks like that's the end." I grinned.

"Yep, bugger," Kurt said walking over to the control panel. "Shit, locked out of it too."

"So thats that then," Zathar shrugged and left the holodeck.

"Won't be staying here much longer." I said. "Care to provide a guest room for me?"

"Sure, I'll go ask Master Elanessë about one," Quatre offered.

"All right, thanks." I said.

Quatre nodded. "And don't worry about Eamonn, he'll be fine," he said and headed for Master Elanessë's office.

I walked with Quatre, and stood outside the Master's door one there.

Master Elanessë opened the door, Eamonn and Elrohir walked out.

"Master, we need a guest room for Daniel," Quatre said.

The old man nodded. "As you wis, Elrohir will show you to the guest rooms," he then said.

The young red-headed boy grinned at Daniel.

"Cool." I said, TKing my bag to my shoulder. "Tomarrow, I'd need a ride to Juria. Been a while since I strolled the Palace Gardens..."

"Well come on then," Elrohir yelled, racing towards the stairs.

"Watch yourself with him," Quatre warned. "He's very hyperactive."

"Gotcha!" I hurried up after the redhead, nicely keeping up with him and smirking.

Elrohir raced up the stairs and down a corridor. The floor was also made out of marble and he slid along it. The young boy looked to be enjoying himself before slowly sliding inrto a wall, he stepped aside and opened a door.

"Here you go," he said.

"Thanks." I said, not breathing hard. Jedi training really does pay off during long runs. "Nice place here."

"Well its home away from home," Elrohir replied. "Best of all no Azzy."

"Who again?" I asked. "Oh, you mean Kurt's grandfather."

"Yeah, that evil bastard," Elrohir said, his eyes going cold.

"Hmm. Well, let me wash up and then turn in." I said, stepping into the room. It seemed like your average college dorm, but with a private shower and a nice bed. I smiled. It's a sign of my life when that's all I want these days.

"Ok," Elrohir said with a shrug and left.

I closed the door, and decided to take my shower. I shed my clothes, dumping them into the 'dirty clothes' pocket of my bag, and stepped into the shower stall. I played with the faucet, warming the water to steaming, just the way I liked it, and started lathering soap on me, making little bubbles with the Force. Then I went to my hair, making sure my short rattail is nicely braided and shampooed the grimy dark brown hair, watching the dirt wash away. Then I rinsed myself off and turned off the shower. I telekinesed a towel to wipe myself off, and put on my nightclothes. There was a holoscreen on, and I tuned to the HNN from Coruscant, to see what's up so far. An hour later, I would fall asleep, the screen on mute.

"Daniel settled in?" Kurt asked as he saw Elrohir return alone.

"Pretty much yeah," the red-headed boy shugged.

"Time for us to settle in too,"VQuatre suggested.

I finally fell asleep, and a vision once came to me among the usual dreams. It seemed to involve an eagle owl soaring through the trees, like he's looking for someone. Then the scene shifted, and I found myself in the middle of an intense duel with a Dark Wizard, looks eeriely like Lucius Malfoy and side by side with a kid that looks a lot like Chris. Spells and lightsaber flashed in the darkness, though the outcome was uncertain. The scene shifted, and I saw three young wizards raise their wands together against a guy that looks suspiciously like Lord Voldemort. Then the vision ended, and I went on sleeping, wondering what it all meant.

Kurt woke up early the next day, since Quatre was still sleeping he daren't wake him. Instead he quietly changed and left the room. Once outside in the cold morning air, the young prince morphed into his dragon form and took off. He soured high above the treetops. Not counting his flights in the Norns dimension, it was his first flight since his quest for the Norns had begun.

I woke up in the morning, having had a fine bit of sleep today. I got dressed and washed up before I went to do my morning run. As a Jedi, even I had to keep in tip-top shape, otherwise I won't be able to handle the Force like I do now. A 3k run is also good for the soul especially in a place like this with it's forests and creatures. I headed out into the open, sensing other dragon-humans waking or already flying and jogging. At the entrance, I warmed up, doing stretches and 50 jumping jacks before setting out on a good pace.

As he flew back to the academy, Kurt saw Daniel jogging below. Knowing what some of the other students were like, especially around 'outsiders', the prince decided to keep an eye out for trouble and circled overhead.

I reached the 1K mark in a fairly short time, and I continued to jog, now heading for #2 before I'm going to start heading back.

As he watched down on Daniel, Kurt was unaware of a red dragon racing towards him. The first he knew of it was the contact in the side of his body that sent both of them crashing down to the ground behind Daniel. Kurt shook his head and looked down as the red dragon morphed into Elrohir.

"Hey Kurt," he grinned. "What you doing?"

The prince spat some flames into the air in annoyance. "I was keeping an eye on someone," he growled, morphing back into his human form. "I really am going to have to do something with you."

"Wha--?" I stopped jogging as two dragons came crashing down behind me. "Well, good morning, guys. Aerial jogging, too?"

Kurt brushed himself off. "Aerial tackling by this hyperactive lil bastard," he replied. "Sorry about disturbing your jog."

"I was only seeing what you were doing," Elrohir said.

"Eh, I'm doing my usual 3K run." I shrugged. "Anyway, I'll be back at the academy soon, so don't worry."

Shaking off the shock of two dragons pummeling to the ground, I resumed my run, heading towards the half-way mark. I hope there's no more surprises today..

Elrohir grinned at Kurt.

"You are dead kid," the prince growled at him.

"Gotta catch me first," he said, morphing back into dragon form and taking off.

Kurt too morphed back into dragon form and raced off after him.

I finally completed my first 3K run. Now, I set back on the track, going back to the academy.

"Can't catch me!" Elrohir yelled, diving down to land in front of the academy.

Kurt came in for a heavy landing in order to gain a few seconds. "You are so dead Elrohir," he promised, morphing back into his elven form.

Master Elanessë had watched them fly in. "And what might be the reason behind this racket," he asked.

Kurt looked up at him, "Sorry Master," he apologised. "But I was keeping a watch out on Daniel because you know what some students are like towards outsiders and Elrohir comes charging at me and tackles me out of the sky."

Elrohir grinned at him.

"If only it were always this easy to get up him this early," Master Elanessë sighed.

Finally, I reached the Academy doors, completely drenched in sweat, but feeling great. I worked up a pretty good appetite, but also felt like I could take on anyone at this school. Dragons? Hah! More like scaly pipsqueaks!

"So... you will be heading off today master Maskaki?" Master Elanessë asked.

OOC: I ain't a Knight yet!

IC:
"Yes, I will." I nodded. "But first, some breakfast."

"As you wish," Master Elanessë nodded.

"It's a shame you aren't staying around a bit longer," Kurt said.

"Yeah. I do have to get back, you know." I said.

"Yeah I know," Kurt shrugged.

"Ok." I said, rubbing my hands. "What's for dinner?"

"Dinner is it now?" Kurt said with a smirk. "I could have sworn it's only breakfast time. I'd say pancakes are on the menu." He gleefully rubbed his hands as Elrohir raced inside.

"Good, good. I hope there's sausages and eggs over easy on the side. I love them." I said.

"Sure," Kurt shrugged, leading him inside. "Should be able to get almost anything in the dining hall."

"Lead the way, O Blue One." I smirked.

"Yep follow the fuzzmeister," Kurt said.

Through the halls, Kurt led Daniel to a large victorian looking room with a large table in the centre, big enough to sit several dozen. Elrohir was already there with a huge pile of waffles in front of them.

"Just think of what you want to eat and it'll show up on the table," the prince told him and as he sat down, a plate filled with pancakes appeared in front of him.

"Taking a leaf out of Hogwart's kitchens, eh?" I thought of pancakes, sausage and eggs over easy, all covered in a nice layer of syrup. A plate of it appeared before me, and I started chowing down.

"Not really," Kurt said. "Been like this long before anyone heard of Harry Potter."

"I hate Harry Potter, he's a dork," Elrohir remarked.

"Sure, but say that again when you're staring down fast-paced wand action. Trust me, the fastest wizards are almost Jedi-like in speed." I smirked.

"Whatever," Elrohir shrugged. "I'd just barbecue him."

Kurt laughed. "Your favourite move."

Elrohir grinned.

"Of course, that works too." I said.

"If you have the ability, why not use it?" Elrohir smirked.

"And that doesn't give you the right to wander around other peoples minds," Kurt warned.

"Does to," he protested.

The prince shook his head. "Personal thought is private,"

"Agreed." I said.

Elrohir glared at Daniel. "What would an outsider know anyway," he said.

"Evidently more then you," Kurt smirked.

Elrohir glared at Daniel. "What would an outsider know anyway," he said.

"Evidently more then you," Kurt smirked.
I smiled. "So Elrohir, what's your beef with 'outsiders'?"

Elrohir said nothing and instead slid down the chair and disappeared through the floor.

"He had a nasty experiance with non-dragon people when he was younger," Kurt said. "I think he does want to trust you, after all he only too happy to show you to the guest room yesterday, but the memories of what they did to his family are always there with him."

"I understand." I nodded. "Everywhere I go, prejudice and worse is prevalent. The ignorant fear what they don't understand, and that fear turns to anger and then hate. And the hate leads to suffering. It's the ultimate vicious cycle."

Kurt nodded. "It's the nightmares that effect him the worst," he said. "Seeing your entire family killed just because a group of dragon hunters want you can do that."

Yeah. I know that kind of fear personally. The Sith want the Jedi dead, and the Shivans, well they destroyed a number of populations, and as far as I can remember from age 8, they nearly killed me.

"The ability to read minds and pass through solid objects is very useful," Kurt then said. "No such thing as privacy around Elrohir."

"Good for a spy. Bad for the privacy lobbyists." I said.

"Yeah," Kurt agreed. "You can see why people wanted him and you can see why our dragon abilities are kept secret."

"Yeah," Kurt agreed. "You can see why people wanted him and you can see why our dragon abilities are kept secret."
"Understood." I said. Then I went back to what Kurt said about dragon hunters. I smirked. There's a law in the books that state that dragon hunting is illegal anywhere in Coreworlds, and our Core Dragons are welcome to use any method necessary to protect themselves. I wonder what these kids will say about that!

"You know, Coreworlds wouldn't actually mind about you guys being dragon-people. In fact, there's a law that states that dragon hunting is illegal and carries a first-degree murder charge since our dragons are as sentient as you guys. And you know that that charge has the potential of a death sentence depending on the severity of the crime. The Core Dragons are also protected under self-defense laws if dragon hunters are burnt by their flames or clawed to death."

"Problem is that poachers don't care about anything like that," Kurt pointed out. "We're allowed to retaliate in self defense by any means back home as well."

"Problem is that poachers don't care about anything like that," Kurt pointed out. "We're allowed to retaliate in self defense by any means back home as well."
"Therein lies the rub." I said.

"The rub?" Kurt asked.

"The rub?" Kurt asked.
"Shakespeare's Hamlet, during the famous speech." I said. Then reached into my mind to recall the famous speech. "'To sleep! perchance to dream:--ay, there's the rub/For in that sleep of death what dreams may come/When we have shuffled off this mortal coil/Must give us pause: there's the respect.' It's a statement that basically says "there is a problem"."

"Oh right," Kurt replied. "I must have fallen asleep during any lesson involving Shakespeare."

"Oh right," Kurt replied. "I must have fallen asleep during any lesson involving Shakespeare."
"Don't. It's pretty thought-provoking." I suggested.

"Kurt'll fall asleep through anything that invokes thinking," came Quatre's voice. The blond then came and sat down next to Kurt. "Thanks for not waking me."

"No prob," Kurt replied. "You looked too cute sleeping, I could never bring myself to disturbing you."

"Thats a first," he grinned.

"Heh, you'd need to think fast when in an fighter with more than two pirates after you and no asteroid belt in sight." I smirked. "That particular incident, I had to use my fighter's maneuverability to avoid the larger pirate ships' firepower. Still clipped me good on the starboard top S-foil. So I floored it, popped a u-turn so fast it nearly knocked me out, and lit the lead bogey with a couple torps before hammering the second with my remaining lasers."

"Not as good as taking on a group of pirates with nothing but a sword," Kurt grinned

"Sure, because you can teleport." I said.

"Thats where you're wrong, I didn't teleport once," Kurt replied.

"How many are we talking?" I asked.

"At least a couple dozen," Kurt said. "Granted they couldn't take me all at the same time but they tried to wear me out,"

"At least a couple dozen," Kurt said. "Granted they couldn't take me all at the same time but they tried to wear me out,"
I whistled. "Quite a lot."

"Yeah well pirates have no sense of strategy," Kurt told him. "Now taking on a couple dozen Sith is a different matter."

"Yeah well pirates have no sense of strategy," Kurt told him. "Now taking on a couple dozen Sith is a different matter."
"Yeah. Best thing to do there is force them to fight you one-on-one." I said. "Thin alleyways are best. If not, then ambush tactics."

"And a whole lot of teleporting around too," Kurt added.

Zathar entered the dining room and walked over to them. "Do any of you know whats with Elrohir?" he asked. "I just saw him now, he looked really upset and angry."

I shrugged. "Dunno, really."

Kurt look at Daniel since he knew full well why. "Well he got upset after talking to Dan," he said.

"Figures," Zathar said. "He's always upset by outsiders."

"Well, I hope he warms up soon." I said, finishing the last of the meal.

"The sooner you leave he will," Zathar replied and left the dining hall.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean that," Kurt told Daniel.

"The sooner you leave he will," Zathar replied and left the dining hall.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean that," Kurt told Daniel.
"He sure did." I said evenly. "I'm just glad I'm not putting up with the so-called 'hosts' any longer. Don't know how much longer I could stay before someone decides to pick a fight with me."

"At any rate, I planned on leaving today for Juria, and that's what I'll do." I added, getting up.

"Ok," Kurt nodded.

"Dan they're just kids like you are," Quatre told him. "They don't mean it, it's just that they've hjad to put up with alot this last year."

"I see." I said. "Well, I'm going to get my stuff anyway."

I walked out, heading to my guest room.

"Hey we now have the whole dining room to ourselves," Kurt grinned, before leaning over and kissing Quatre.

"Not for long Kurt," he warned, which was true since the dining hall was rarely empty at this time of day.

I reached my room, and replaced my bag on my shoulder and checked the room for anything else I might have left. Nothing, so I headed back out and locked the door.

"You going now?" came Eamonn's voice.

"You going now?" came Eamonn's voice.
"Yeah. Take me to the spaceport, will ya?" I asked him.

"Sure," Eamonn shrugged. "So what are you going to do once there?"

"Sure," Eamonn shrugged. "So what are you going to do once there?"
"Book a flight that takes me back to Core space, or at least as close, and then get back to Juria. I plan to tell my little brothers the amazing adventures I had." I smirked.

"As long as you leave out the parts involving some of us taking on dragon form," Eamonn warned as they walked out to the spaceport. "I'm sure they'll love the story of Harry Potter being Voldies bitch." He said that with a very wide grin.

"As long as you leave out the parts involving some of us taking on dragon form," Eamonn warned as they walked out to the spaceport. "I'm sure they'll love the story of Harry Potter being Voldies bitch." He said that with a very wide grin.
"Oh yeah, they will." I grinned back. "Also the other stuff, like the zombie dogs. They're going to be spooked."

Eamonn shivered at the mention of mutated dogs, he could still remember the glitch in the holodeck that made them end up facing five hundred of them. "Yeah, them too," he said. "Then there was the sneaking out the back of the library to avoid the stalkers."

Eamonn shivered at the mention of mutated dogs, he could still remember the glitch in the holodeck that made them end up facing five hundred of them. "Yeah, them too," he said. "Then there was the sneaking out the back of the library to avoid the stalkers."
"Yup. They'll love that explosion." I added.

"Love any explosions eh?" Eamonn grinned. "Have they met Master Miles yet?"

"Love any explosions eh?" Eamonn grinned. "Have they met Master Miles yet?"
"Not yet. They're too young right now." I said. "About 6. My sister, however, is nearly ready for some beginner's training with Mom. She's 8."

"Probably safer to keep them away from him until they're at least ten," Eamonn then said.

"Probably safer to keep them away from him until they're at least ten," Eamonn then said.
"Yeah, good idea." I smirked. We neared the spaceport. "Well, let's see..."

Eamonn smiled as they headed for the spaceport. The forest was right next to it and in one of the trees, he saw Elrohir sat on a branch in one of the taller trees. Upon closer inspection, Eamonn could see that he was clearly crying.

"Uh oh, this doesn't look good," he said.

"Yeah." I walked to the young boy crying. "Are you all right?"

Elrohir said nothing so Eamonn climbed up to the branch he was on.

"Whats wrong Elrohir?" the young Jedi asked.

"He's just like him," the red-haired boy said.

"Who's like who?" Eamonn then asked.

Elrohir looked down at Daniel. "Him," he said. "He reminds me of my brother Valfar."

Elrohir said nothing so Eamonn climbed up to the branch he was on.

"Whats wrong Elrohir?" the young Jedi asked.

"He's just like him," the red-haired boy said.

"Who's like who?" Eamonn then asked.

Elrohir looked down at Daniel. "Him," he said. "He reminds me of my brother Valfar."
I recalled Eamonn telling me about his family that was killed by poachers. Oh great, what do I do now?

"Is that why you took a shine to him?" Eamonn asked.

Elrohir closed his eyes and nodded.

"Right," the Jedi said quietly, he looked down at Daniel and shrugged. He had no idea what to do.

I climbed the tree, wondering what to say. "I've never known your brother, but can I take a gamble and say how ashamed he would be to see you crying like this? I know you miss him. I miss my own great-grandfather, when he fell to the Sith. But you know, time heals all wounds, even ones such as deaths. It's time to let go of him and let him rest."

Elrohir kept his eyes closed. "No he would understand," he replied. "You don't. I saw my whole family slaughtered before me, I see their deaths everytime I go to sleep at night."

"I...see." I thought about it. I don't know what to say...

"It'll be alright Elrohir," Eamonn said.

"It'll never be alright," the red-hairred boy replied. "I have no family, no relatives and all because I didn't save them when I could have."

"It'll be alright Elrohir," Eamonn said.

"It'll never be alright," the red-hairred boy replied. "I have no family, no relatives and all because I didn't save them when I could have."
"If you tried to save them, chances are that you would be dead with them." I admonished the boy. "Stop beating up on yourself, Elrohir. You are alive, and that is what counts. Your parents would expect you to stay alive. That is what your brother would want you to do as well. Your job now is to carry on your family's name. You can't do that if you're dead. You know that."

Elrohir opened his eyes and glared and Daniel. "I could and should have morphed into my dragon form, but you wouldn't understand because you're not one of us," he scowled at him. "If I'd have done that then I could have at least saved some of my family and I would never have been taken so easily." He then lifted his shirt to reveal a long deep scar down the left side of his body. "And I sure wouldn't have been cut open on a cold metal table either."

Elrohir opened his eyes and glared and Daniel. "I could and should have morphed into my dragon form, but you wouldn't understand because you're not one of us," he scowled at him. "If I'd have done that then I could have at least saved some of my family and I would never have been taken so easily." He then lifted his shirt to reveal a long deep scar down the left side of his body. "And I sure wouldn't have been cut open on a cold metal table either."
"Ouch." I winced. Then I returned to the conversation at hand, my voice growing cold as Hoth. "You think I don't understand? You think I don't understand what it's like to feel, to see the death of entire families and not do anything about it because if I could I would die as well? When the Shivans came to our nation, BILLIONS were killed on Coredia alone! I was 8 years old, and yet I could still feel their deaths! I could still hear their screams as the skies rippled in red destructive beam cannons, killing without cause as I barely made it offplanet. Don't you DARE tell me that I don't understand because I understand far more than you could ever realize!"

I was breathing hard, shaking with anger.

"Of course," Elrohir replied. "You are just like Valfar, you just have to out do everyone." He jumped down from the tree. "That doesn't make me feel better, that just makes me feel a whole lot fucking worse. You must enjoy belittling people. WHen your family are slaughtered in front of your eyes, only then will you realise theres a difference but I guess you would feel indifferent to it now."

"Way to go Dan, " Eamonn said, jumping from the tree as Elrohir headed off in the direction of the space port. "Kick him while he's down why don't you."

"Of course," Elrohir replied. "You are just like Valfar, you just have to out do everyone." He jumped down from the tree. "That doesn't make me feel better, that just makes me feel a whole lot fucking worse. You must enjoy belittling people. WHen your family are slaughtered in front of your eyes, only then will you realise theres a difference but I guess you would feel indifferent to it now."

"Way to go Dan, " Eamonn said, jumping from the tree as Elrohir headed off in the direction of the space port. "Kick him while he's down why don't you."
I was angry enough not to notice that my hand is crackling with energy. "Shut. Up. Eamonn. Just shut up."

Eamonn sighed, obviously Daniel was missing the point by a long way. He just shook his head, staying quiet he looked to where Elrohir had disappeared into the spaceport.

Eamonn sighed, obviously Daniel was missing the point by a long way. He just shook his head, staying quiet he looked to where Elrohir had disappeared into the spaceport.
"So where can I book a transport?" I asked, calming down.

"Well theres the academy shuttle, shouldn't be too hard to get the pilot to fly," Eamonn said.

"Well theres the academy shuttle, shouldn't be too hard to get the pilot to fly," Eamonn said.
"Hmm. That'll be fine." I said.

"Ok," Eamonn said, not really knowing how to talk to Daniel at the moment. "I'll go see if he's available."

He then walked back in the direction of the academy.

In the meantime, I hopped onto a tree, and waited for Eamonn to return.

He could see Eamonn disappear in through the front doors of the academy. As he did so there was a large crash from the direction of the spaceport.

"What?" I turned my head towards the sound of the crash. *CRACK* I apparated towards the spaceport, reappearing at...

The school shuttle was inside and looked ready to go. All it needed was of course the pilot. In fact noting looked as though it could be out of place, there wasn't even any sign of Elrohir, who had apparently gone inside.

"Hmm." I wondered what that crash could be, as I moved around the spaceport, reaching out into the Force...

Elrohir was outside, evidently in dragon form. Towards the academy, Eamonn and a tall black haird man were making their way back to the spaceport.

A shadow crossed the sky, a large aerial shape. I looked up, glancing a large reptilian creature in the air. One of the dragons...maybe that kid.

I shrugged, probably he just wants to fly, to get away from his memories. I know I would.

"Hey Dan, got the pilot," Eamonn yelled, wondering where he had gone to.

He and the pilot entered the spaceport.

"Right here!" I called back.

"This is Shinji," Eamonn introduced once they'd found him beside the school shuttle.

"Greetings," Shinji said.

"Hi. You know how to get to Juria, Coreworlds?" I asked.

"Yep," Shinji nodded. "Got everything you need?"

"Yup. Ready to go." I smiled.

"Climb aboard then," Shinji said, opening the door.

"Well this is where I leave you to go and do my chores," Eamonn grimaced.

"Climb aboard then," Shinji said, opening the door.

"Well this is where I leave you to go and do my chores," Eamonn grimaced.
"See ya, then." I smirked and gave the Vulcan sign. "Live long and prosper."

I headed up the shuttle, and placed my bag into a compartment. Then I headed forward to sit down and strap in.

"Oh yeah and one more thing, I hope your satisfied with what you did to Elrohir," Eamonn then added.

"Oh yeah and one more thing, I hope your satisfied with what you did to Elrohir," Eamonn then added.
"Hmph." I folded my arms, while waiting to take off.

"You have destroyed any hope that the Dragon-Masters had of ever getting Elrohir to trust non-dragons again," Eamonn said and turned his back on Daniel. "I thought you were better then that, I thought you'd be the one to show him that 'outsiders were not bad people, but I guess I was wrong."

And with that he walked off, leaving the spaceport. Shinji meanwhile was preparing for lift off by tapping into the spaceport computers.

"You have destroyed any hope that the Dragon-Masters had of ever getting Elrohir to trust non-dragons again," Eamonn said and turned his back on Daniel. "I thought you were better then that, I thought you'd be the one to show him that 'outsiders were not bad people, but I guess I was wrong."

And with that he walked off, leaving the spaceport. Shinji meanwhile was preparing for lift off by tapping into the spaceport computers.
I sighed heavily, looking back to my reaction against Elrohir. Perhaps I should have said something different. But unfortunately, I can't just change the past. I'd expect that boy to face his past with courage, not run away from it like a coward, but I guess not everyone can do that with success.

Eamonn was left pondering his friendship with Daniel, he could't believe that the boy he'd known since joining the Jedi academy could be so cold-hearted. Maybe his anger towards him that he felt right now would subside, he wasn't sure. Only time would tell. The young Jedi looked up and saw Elrohir circling above.

Shinji climbed aboard the shuttle and sat down in the pilots seat. "Ready for take off?" he asked.

"Yeah. Hey, thanks for giving me a ride." I said.

Shinji's face looked cold as he started up the engines. "Well from what I've heard, someones going to need to take you away from trouble," he said.

Shinji's face looked cold as he started up the engines. "Well from what I've heard, someones going to need to take you away from trouble," he said.
"I know." I said. "I just...well, forget it. I don't want to talk about it right now."

The sooner I return to Juria, the better.

Shinji said nothing as the shuttle began its liftoff. Elrohir was still flying around as the shuttle lifted out of the space port. He took no notice of it as the shuttle made its way towards space.

I stared for a long time at the disappearing land, and then the stars. I'm going to have a long talk with my dad about this. How the hell can that kid think he knows personal death than I do? Arrogant son of a bitch! Let him stew in his own guilt, I don't care!

A single hot tear ran down my cheek. But I can't hate him. No, I can't, but he's going to have to learn to recouncile his past, or else he'll be just as cold and heartless as any dictator as an adult.

Soon they were out in space. Shinji shook his head as he engaged the hyperdrive. The shuttle shook as it entered the blue light.

"Next stop Juria," he said.

"Ok." I said. I still do miss the planet...It's like a greener Coruscant. Much space reserved for the forests and all that, with enough room for several billion inhabitants.

Shinji just nodded

***

"Hey Eamonn, man you look down what happened?" Kurt asked, seeing the cold look upon his friends face.

"We saw Elrohir outside, we found out what was really bothering him and Daniel just ripped into him," he explained. "I can't call Daniel a friend anymore, not after what he did to Elrohir."

Eamonn then carried on walking to his room.

The shuttle shuddered as it left hyperspace and appeared above Juria.

"We're here," Shinji said. "Just let me know where to go, I've never been here before."

The shuttle shuddered as it left hyperspace and appeared above Juria.

"We're here," Shinji said. "Just let me know where to go, I've never been here before."
"May I use the comms?" I asked. "I'll need to verify codes and stuff for the Palace Hangars."

"Sure, do what you need to do," Shinji said.

"Sure, do what you need to do," Shinji said.
"Ok." I said, picking up the comlink. "Juria Traffic Control, this is Daniel Masaki returning home, over!"

"Young Highness, good to hear from you again!" The traffic controller replied. "I see your ship on the scanners. Please switch your transponder to Zero Zero Alpha Alpha One (00AA1). That'll get you to the Hangar without trouble. Safe landing! Over and out."

"Thanks!" I replied, and turned to Shinji. "You got that?"

Shinji just nodded. He changed the transponder over and began the shuttles descent down to the planet below. Skillfully he manuvered the shuttle and safely landed in the hanger.

"I hope you enjoyed your journey," he then told Daniel.