NationStates Jolt Archive

Zadeth looked up as another dark Jedi slumped to the ground. "Well as long as we don't get hit by friendly fire," he remarked.

Den sensed that men were near the academy doors. He walked out on the stoop out front. What he saw was havoc. The wise jedi felt all of the evil that was around the academy and used it to help his associates. From the stoop Den called upon the trees to help him fight these people. Trees stop them please. They are trying to destroy your home. All of the sudden a tree swept down one of its strongest branches and knocked a group of sith into the lake. Trees all around the school came to life. Dozens of sith were being eradicated by oaks and willows. The trees and the help from the foreign planes quickly took out a quarter of all of the dark sith that were on the isle. Den saw three men who had got past the warriors on the ground. As they ran up the stairs Den clapped. Using the Force Den crushed all of their hearts at same time. Then he looked over at were Lialai was fighting. A sith was sneaking up behind her. Den pointed at him and threw him into the water. Den said to himself "No padawan will ever die in battle while I am around". Den pulled out his lightsaber and used the stone blitz technique to take out some sith. Then he hurled the ignited lightsaber and used the Force to manipulate its path. He took out 30 men before it returned to his hand. There Den stood and blocked the entrance to the school. No one got past him.

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Lialai saw her master battling on the stoop. He had just saved her again. Thank you, Master Wescolum She saw him nod his head. Lialai then pulled out another lightsaber and continued to battle. Her lightsabers clashed with another dark jedi. She then used an aerokinetic attack to blast through mass of sith. As Jacen sent another water attack Lialai charged it with electricity and watched it fall on the sith warriors. They are screamed as electricity surged through their bodies. Lialai lifted them up with the Force and through them into the pitfall. A few seconds later Lialai heard the sound of them all being penetrated by spikes.

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Dirta was going crazy. She had never seen so many dirty nails in her life. Before she would slay a foe she would always his hands. "You should be ashamed of yourself having such disgusting cuticles." She blasted them with the force. She then used her geokinetic abilities to lift her up into the air on a rock. From there she threw a onslaught of rock missiles at her enemies. She rose to the height of the ship in the air that was firing bullets and shot alongside it. From in the air she made a circle with her hands. All of the sith that were caught in that circle were instantly impaled. Nothing would escape the wrath of the lady who hated dirty nails.

Reno finished the wide bank, and switched his computer's map to Heat sensing, picking out the different heat signatures. To the best of his detective abilities, he differed between Jedi and Dark Jedi, and set up another strafe run against the Dark Jedis.


Rather then run straight at the academy, Reno decided he'd take a side-to-side run, stitching back and forth across the different groups. Kicking throttle back up to full, Reno began his second run.


A telltale sign of Reno's approach, a stream of dual softball sized plasma orbs came, stitching a line through the ground, scorching the earth and incinerating any Dark Jedi caught by them. Reno's craft roared by overhead, the stream ending well before he passed overhead. This time around, he didn't use any missiles. Apparently, he either only had two, or felt that two was all he could reasonably use without going broke rearming himself.

Pulling a High-G turn, Reno began to prep another Strafing Run, smirking at the number he had taken down in his previous run, according to his computer at least. Ever since he had begun, he had his computer record all the information, so that he could prove just how many Sith he had killed.



((OOC: His computer counts impact by the Pulse Plasma orbs as a kill against ground troops. It doesn't account for things like Force shielding, last nano-instant teleporting, lightsaber deflection, etc etc. Although, it's kinda hard to deflect something that explodes on impact. :P))

Taan heard the voice of Jacen in his head and followed the order without thought. He turned tail and ran, just as the waterspout appeared and swallowed the dark jedi into the swirling waters.

It took him almost a minute to reach the academy, during which he was nearly blown apart by fire from the fighter swooping over the academy grounds.

When he got to the academy, he saw several more of the dark jedi engaged in a battle with Master Wescolum and Lialai, and ran over to Master Wescolum with the intention of fighting alongside him. The problem with his lightsabre had momentarily slipped his mind once more.

"Gilraen!" Wolfram yelled as he saw her cut down by a dark Jedi.

The third wave of dark Jedi had arrived, just as Daniel had predicted. Wolfram had been fighting alongside Gilraen at the side of the academy, when he saw her slump to the ground, his first instinct was to defeat the dark Jedi who had taken her down. In an instant the dark Jedi was decapitated and he headed to Gilraen to check on her.

Kurt's blue lightsaber sliced through yet another dark Jedi.

"Their numbers are coming down, good work guyd," he said.

Taylor locked blades with a dark Jedi and then pushed him aside, snapping his fingers to fry the dark one, then grabbed the arm of a second one as he charged and impaled him in the neck. The body of that corpse was thrown at a Dark Jedi fighting Lucca to catch the evil woman off guard. Then Taylor began to duel one-on-one with a surprisingly good one...

Jacen stayed on the surface of the lake, ensuring that he has the advantage against Dark Jedi coming at him as he sent whips of water to smack them around before they could use their powers to counter him.

Ryujin was still in the air, frying the dark ones with his fire breath or lashing out with deadly magics.

Once again, Daniel brought down another bolt of red lightning, narrowly missing Ryujin before directly striking one dark Jedi and taking out several around them. The problem with the forcefield not there anymore, he was forced to use the clouds above to charge the lightning and with every bolt there was less and less red in it.

Lialai callled upon the strong West Winds to blast through a bunch of dark jedi. Then called upon the thunderclouds and launched another Power Lightning attack, this time taking out a dozen sith. She lept from stoop into the sky. There she called the lightning from sky into her hands. Then she launched the lightning in a beam-like attack that took out over a dozen different beings. As she fell from the sky Dirta caught her on a boulder and aimed her directly at a crowd of sith. Lialai lept off of the boulder as it took out at least 15 different sith. Lialai then pulled out her lightsaber out and locked blades with a sith. In three moves she demoralized him and sent him flying into the lake were he would probably be done in by Jacen. As Jacen launched another wave Lialai charged it with lightning and watched it fall on a group of sith who were battling with Dirta. Dirta gave her a thumbs up.

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Den was still battling on the stoop. Every other second a fool would try and challenge him. He blasted them easily towards the lake. One got real to the door where Den cut of his legs with his blade and then impaled him through the face.

Den then saw the young padawan Taan running up to him. He was having lightsaber problems. Den looked at him and gave him a new blade.
"Here take this. It is my backup lightsaber. It shouldn't give you any problems it has a white color and it is very light. Whatever you want it to become it will become it quickly. Now go and help the others. I can handle these fools."

Den then used his mastery of the mind to create the illusion that there was a great fire around the stoop. Only the dark sith could see it. "You guys might want to fall back or you will be burned. Den lept from the stoop and used the Force to smash any evil being that was around the stoop." He then teleported back to the top and waited for his next victim.

Pulling out of the High-G turn, Reno preps another Strafing run, when a light begins to flash on the control console. Reno curses. "damn, power cells are almost dry. Hmmph, looks like that was the last run. Ah well, let's tally up the total kills, and claim my bounty." He had his computer tabulate the number of Sith it had recorded him killing, then it displayed the total. "Twenty-five kills, huh? Ah well, that's still good."

He opened a comm to the Wundagore DN ATC. "This is Reno Blackrose in the Blue Narcissist. Please prep a landing space for me, I'm coming in to land. Oh, and have the local bounty office rep ready to meet me at the port, I've got some bounties to claim." The computer copied the information to a portable datapad, which Reno pockets.

He felt somewhat bad about killing people, but as long as the money was good, that was really all that mattered.

Guiding the Blue Narcissist away from the battle, Reno jets for the space port...


((OOC: Oh and by my count, we've killed at least three hundred Dark Jedis...))

Taan gratefully accepted the weapon from Master Wescolum.
"Thank you, Master. I will do my best," he said.

He left the Master to his battle and headed towards another group of dark jedi. He looked at the lightsabre in his hand, it was slightly smaller than most, both in length and diameter, which happened to make it fit better in his hands, and lighter. He thumbed it on and the white blade appeared. It was about as tall as him, so he adjusted it to bring the blade length down slightly, then looked at the thin white blade.

He swung it experimentally a few times and found that it was a very easy weapon to manipulate. He ran towards the nearest enemy with the weapon ready to strike, careful to pick one that was apart from a group, so that he didn't get overwhelmed by numbers.

Odcal glanced at the others in between Dark Jedi to see how they were doing.

Showoffs he thought. He was perfectly happy with his own form which combined Ataru and Djem So. He ripped through another line of enemies and glanced up as the Blue Narcissist soared away.

"Ah, there goes some of our aerial support." he commented.

Meanwhile Alimar, wondering what all the ruckus was, had ventured outside. He stared in shock for a moment as the battle raged on infront of him. Then he noticed that there was a fire off to the side that was quickly getting larger and could destroy the entire forest if not checked.

Alimar quickly formulated a plan. He ran as fast as he could and stopped at the lake. He quickly morphed into a large elephant and drew up an enormous amount of water up his snout. Then Alimar stomped his way to the source of the fire and sprayed the water over it, effectively extinguishing it.

Alimar then demorphed and ran back to the academy. He retrieved his lightsaber and went outside to help Taan, Den, and Lialai. He concentrated on his blade and it gradually grew from the size of a knife to a normal sized lightsaber.

"No matter about the ariel support, the battle is all but won," Zadeth remarked.

There were now very few dark Jedi left, some of whom were young, inexperianced and were now running from the battle. A group of dark Jedi who looked no older then young teenagers were trapped in an electrical cage by Master Blexe. He looked at them and slowly shook his head. He had caught them heading for the underground passages, no doubt to attack the escaping young padawans. Someone clearly knew the layout of the academy.

Taylor defeated the Dark Jedi Knight, but suffered a scar on his face in the process. He then moved on to find and defeat other Dark Jedi, but it was clear now that they're getting increasingly inexperienced and younger, and he didn't even need to use much more than disabling moves to take them down. Ryujin was the same way, trapping other young fools in cells of light and Jacen in Water Prisons.

Kurt teleported over to Taylor. "Looks like they use their own children as well," he said, looking rather angry. "That just sickens me, take them alive and if possible unharmed."

Taan had unwittingly picked one of the oldest remaining opponents left, although he was unaware of the fact that most of those left were children and teenagers, about his own age.

His current opponent was about eighteen or so, several years older than Taan, and with height and strength to prove it. Taan went into the battle without hesitation, but not without common sense.

He knew that this opponent was likely to be the possessor of greater skill than he, and he was going to need to use his cunning if he were to come out on top. He mentally thanked Master Wescolum for the lightsabre he now wielded, meaning he had a reliable weapon.

He began with a fast lateral slice aimed at his opponent's midsection, a speedy but otherwise fairly simple move to get the measure of his opponent before the battle started in earnest.

There were nearly no opponents left to fight. They were alot children so Den just trapped them in telekinetic barriers. He then floated them all up to the front of the academy. He walked down to were Master Blexe was standing and said "This battle is definitely over". Den shook his head. The battlefield was horrendous. They had slayed many that day. He felt sorry for them but he knew they would all make the living stronger because they had become one with the Force. Den looked at Master Blexe and said "What are we going to do now?"

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Lialai and Dirta trapped multiple dark jedi in lightning and earth traps. They were all young so there was no need to take there lives. Dirta walked up to up to Lialai and said "It is finally over".

"Yes I agree this battle is over," Master Blexe agreed. "However, we know have to deal with these children whose innocence has been stolen from them." He closed his eyes for a moment. "There are ninety-nine dark Jedi children."

Kurt teleported over to Taylor. "Looks like they use their own children as well," he said, looking rather angry. "That just sickens me, take them alive and if possible unharmed."
A ring of fire surrounded the young would-be opponents of Taylor. "Well, that's that. I'm going to make some rounds to ensure there's no one left."

Taylor moved on while Jacen and Ryujin brought their prisoners to the academy. The Fire Jedi then spotted Taan still engaging an older apprentice and moved to assist.

"Perhaps we can train them as our own. They are young and their minds can easily be changed to light. They still could do some good for the lightside of the Force". Den looked at the ninety-nine kids that were trapped in different cages and boxes.

Daniel was watching the captured dark Jedi, noticing that some were as young as he was. He was rather agitated by it, his hands flexing with repressed anger.

Kurt walked alongside Jacen and Ryujin. "Good work, glad that's over," he said.

Wooshaba']"Perhaps we can train them as our own. They are young and their minds can easily be changed to light. They still could do some good for the lightside of the Force". Den looked at the ninety-nine kids that were trapped in different cages and boxes.


Master Blexe nodded. "It will be difficult," he warned. "I sense alot of hatred and fear coming from them, some may never be helped I am afraid."

"That is to be expected. They will not trust us for a long time because they have been taught to hate us but I am sure that we can turn most them around". replied Den

"In time yes, some longer then others," Master Blexe replied. "I will never give up on any, no matter how hopeless it might seem to others. They hate the lightside and will continue to do so as they have been brainwashed to do, a young mind is easily corrupted yet harder to fix."

"So who do you think it was who attacked us. They didn't have a leader. No Lady Nocturne. No Lord Azazel. Who launched that full scale Sith attack on the academy?" ask Wescolum to Blexe.

"Lady Dedlock I do believe," Master Blexe replied. "An old enemy not heard of in twenty years, most thought she had been defeated but evidently not."

"I wonder when she will reveal herself. I know she will not make the mistake of ordering all of thes weak sith on us again. Next time she will come more prepared. I do not look forward to that day."

Master Blexe nodded. "And we shall have to prepare for that," he agreed. "Who knows how many dark Jedi she has under her. After this faliure it will be sometime before she shows herself, but again perhaps this was a false attack to make us think that she would regroup before attacking again."

Taan and his opponent were battling fiercely by this point, the Padawan's borrowed white blade clashing repeatedly against the red blade of the dark jedi, as they both made attacks, only to find them blocked.

Unlike the masters and senior padawans, Taan's fighting style was fairly simplistic, if aggressive. He did have a few unusual traits, such as blending what was the beginning of Ataru with a variant of Djem-So that involved holding the lightsabre in a reverse grip.

After ducking below a swipe, Taan stepped forwards and pivoted, the white blade spiralling around him. The move created the opportunity for numerous attacks, which he took, but all of which were blocked.

A minor slip found him out of position to block the dark jedi's next attack, so he rolled sideways and threw out a hand in the direction of his opponent. Just as before, an invisible force pushed his opponent back, although not nearly as much as before. It did cause him to stumble though, and put out a hand to prevent himself from falling to the ground

Taan came out of the roll on his feet, saw his opponent's disadvantage and threw himself forwards, bringing the lightsabre down in a vertical slice that neatly cut his opponent's weapon in half, as well as accidentally severing the tip of one of the dark jedi's fingers.

Taan shut off his own lightsabre and stood there, exhausted from the effort of the fight, watching his disarmed opponent carefully as Taylor came over.

"True. Well we have a big mess to clean up." Den walked over to some of the kids in cages. They glared at him. "Force guide me". Den lifted seven of them up with his telekinetic abilities and walked them over two where Master Blexe was standing. "Where do you want to take them?"

Master Blexe lowered his eyes. "I am afraid that it will have to be the cells for the time being," he admitted, he was rather disheartened to be forced to put the children in the cells, but they had no other choice right now. "Rest assured they will be nowhere near the adult dark Jedi."

Den nodded and walked towards the cells underground. As he was walking he sent a message to Master Raven. They need you up top Master Raven. We need to all personally escort these children to the cells. Den walked into the holding areas and left them there. "You all be good in there now." They all sneered.

Children to the cells? Ah yes Master Blexe mention some dark Jedi children had been captured, Master Raven sent his reply. I am afraid my hands are tied for the moment, I am still taking the young padawans to the safe haven.

Okay I'll just get some of the knights to bring them over here. replied Den. Den sent a message to Lialai Lialai you and some of the other knights bring some of the dark jedi children to the cells.

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Lialai replied Okay. "Hey you guys. Master Wescolum has asked me tell you guys to bring the kids to the cells. I guess that is were they are keeping them." Lialai used the Force to levitate two prisoners and then used her aerokinetic abilities to lift another. She then started walking towards the cells.

Soon all the captured dark Jedi had been taken to the cells. Kurt himself had gone to the medical wing to check on the casulties. Whilst they had not lost anyone on their side, many were in a bad way, inculding Gilrean who was on the critical list. Wolfram was at her side as Kurt looked around.

Almost as quick as the battle had begun, it had ended. Lucca sighed, putting away her Lightsaber. She quickly looks around, spots Taylor, and skips over to him. "Lord Masaki! Did I do good?" She asked as she neared him, not seeing what he and Taan were looking at: the disabled Sith. Assuming the battle was over, she had little chance to prepare any sort of defense against a Force attack. It seemed the Sith had sensed this, and used a Force Grip on her.

Lucca gagged as she felt the invisble hand tighten around her throat, lifting her a few inches off the ground. She could still breathe, but it wouldn't take much for the Sith to kill her for good. "Not a step closer! Or the girl buys it!" The Sith threatened in a harsh voice, using the Force to pull her Lightsaber from her waist to his hand, igniting the blade off-handedly. It was a tense situation, the Sith staring down the two Jedis while he held the third, her blue Lightsaber held in his weak hand. "Back away, both of you!" He barked.

Lucca's legs kicked, tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to struggle, uselessly, against the Sith's Force Choke. I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! Lord Masaki, save me! She kept repeating in her head, unable to speak her wishes.

Almost as quick as the battle had begun, it had ended. Lucca sighed, putting away her Lightsaber. She quickly looks around, spots Taylor, and skips over to him. "Lord Masaki! Did I do good?" She asked as she neared him, not seeing what he and Taan were looking at: the disabled Sith. Assuming the battle was over, she had little chance to prepare any sort of defense against a Force attack. It seemed the Sith had sensed this, and used a Force Grip on her.

Lucca gagged as she felt the invisble hand tighten around her throat, lifting her a few inches off the ground. She could still breathe, but it wouldn't take much for the Sith to kill her for good. "Not a step closer! Or the girl buys it!" The Sith threatened in a harsh voice, using the Force to pull her Lightsaber from her waist to his hand, igniting the blade off-handedly. It was a tense situation, the Sith staring down the two Jedis while he held the third, her blue Lightsaber held in his weak hand. "Back away, both of you!" He barked.

Lucca's legs kicked, tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to struggle, uselessly, against the Sith's Force Choke. I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! Lord Masaki, save me! She kept repeating in her head, unable to speak her wishes.
Taylor narrowed his eyes in anger and raised his fingers. His fingers snapped, and a thick red spark lept out at the dark Jedi and then Taylor began absorbing the Force energy from the Force Grip while the explosion distracted the Sith minion.

The explosion distracted the Sith, who lost his connection to the catgirl, Lucca falling to the ground. Cursing as he leapt away from the flames and realized he had lost his barginning chip, he used the Force to throw a couple nearby dead bodies at Taylor and Taan to distract them, and then turned tail, fleeing with Lucca's Lightsaber...

Lucca, as she hit the ground, curled into a small ball, sobbing into her hands, her shoulders heaving...

The explosion distracted the Sith, who lost his connection to the catgirl, Lucca falling to the ground. Cursing as he leapt away from the flames and realized he had lost his barginning chip, he used the Force to throw a couple nearby dead bodies at Taylor and Taan to distract them, and then turned tail, fleeing with Lucca's Lightsaber...
"That will be enough." Taylor said coldly, and immediately, the Sith found the Fire Knight in front of him, crimson blade raised in a high guard. "Surrender...or die."

Lucca, as she hit the ground, curled into a small ball, sobbing into her hands, her shoulders heaving...
Jacen came along with a *crack* as soon as he sensed Taylor's fire attacks and saw Lucca crying and kneeled to her. "Are you all right?"

OOC: Hehe. Jacen's first real contact with catpeople. Now you understand why he was chosen years later...:D

((OOC: Feel free to kill him in your next post, if you want. :P Umh, I'm assuming that since there is a High Guard, that logic would dictact that there's a Low Guard... Gomen-asai if there isn't... >_> ))

The Sith snorted, bringing up Lucca's lightsaber into a Low Guard. "The only death here will be yours, Fool Jedi..." He releases a Force Lightening attack against the Fire Knight....

Lucca immiedately sat up, flinging her arms around Jacen and crying into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry Lord Masaki! I'm such an idiot. I'm so sorry." It seemed she had mistaken Jacen for Taylor, clinging to him tightly. Her feline tail didn't move at all, laying limp on the ground.

((OOC: Feel free to kill him in your next post, if you want. :P Umh, I'm assuming that since there is a High Guard, that logic would dictact that there's a Low Guard... Gomen-asai if there isn't... >_> ))
OOC: Yeah, there is. But it's slightly harder to defend from there, makes him a little more open, but then he's a cocky one, methinks!

The Sith snorted, bringing up Lucca's lightsaber into a Low Guard. "The only death here will be yours, Fool Jedi..." He releases a Force Lightening attack against the Fire Knight....
Taylor absorbed the bolt into his lightsaber. "Try again, buddy."

The Sith snarled, but was suddenly pushed back by a furious assault by Taylor, who completely overwhelmed his opponent especially with the weak arm and then Taylor ended the fight by slashing his head off, taking Lucca's lightsaber back. "She'll be wanting that back."

Lucca immiedately sat up, flinging her arms around Jacen and crying into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry Lord Masaki! I'm such an idiot. I'm so sorry." It seemed she had mistaken Jacen for Taylor, clinging to him tightly. Her feline tail didn't move at all, laying limp on the ground.
Jacen was surprised at first, but then let her cry on his shoulder. "No you're not. No you're not."

Taylor kneeled besides his cousin. "Lucca. It's all right now. It's over. The fight's over."

((OOC: Yes, yes he is. One of the main requirements for Sith/Dark Jedi is cockiness, methinks. :D))


Lucca leaned back, looking at Jacen, then at Taylor. She releases Jacen, blushing. "I'm sorry." She then moves to hold Taylor, wiping her tears with one hand while holding onto him. "I did a fool thing, didn't I? You're not mad at me, are you Lord Masaki? Please don't hate me..."

Taan watched in bewilderment as the dark jedi caught Lucca in a Force Choke, and the rapid response of Taylor to the threat. When Jacen appeared, it seemed like there was no way out for the wounded enemy, especially after he was forced to release Lucca.

He had just managed to bring his borrowed lightsabre up and ignite it when Taylor decapitated the dark jedi. This was just as well, as Taan was far too tired for another fight, and he shut off his weapon.An idle thought crossed his mind; Was that really necessary? I managed to take him alive, didn't I? But he dismissed it, since it was in the past.

"Is she alright?" he asked Taylor, indicating Lucca. He then spoke to Jacen, "Thank you for getting me out of that earlier," he said gratefully, before collapsing on to the grass and rolling onto his back, completely exhausted.

He began thinking about the fight. He had won it, against an older, stronger opponent. To his way of thinking, either he was a better swordsman than he thought, or the dark jedi just hadn't been very good.

Zadeth sat down on the academy steps, the battle had been tough and he was worn out. He had several cuts and bruises over his body but saw no reason to seek medical attention, they'll heal naturally.

Daniel had been watching the final fight. His eyes narrowed as he saw the catgirl start to cry, he felt that someone that emotional shouldn't be fighting at all. Turning his thoughts elsewherehe realised that he could so easily have become one of those children whom had been captured. It was his mother whom he hadn't grown up with who had sent them and no doubt would have sent him as well.

After the battle was over, Odcal checked himself for wounds. He had only a few scratches and a couple of minor wounds. They would heal by themselves. He then started gathering the dead bodies (or at least the bodies that weren't blown to pieces) with telekinesis and walked over to Master Blexe.

"What should we do with all the dead?" Odcal asked.

Master Blexe looked up and saw Odcal heading towards him. He nodded his head and said, "The bodies will have to be burnt." His face was etched with pain. "It is the only way."

Odcal nodded. He gathered the dead bodies into one big pile. He called Taylor over.

"They have to be burned." Odcal said.

Master Blexe nodded. "It is the only way," he said.

Lialai surveyed all the damage that had happened to her. She had a shallow gash running from her elbow to just above her wrist. She smiled. It was a nice battle scar. She appreciated it. It was something to remind her of this battle. She began to help gather bodies into a big pile. She was going to help Taylor burn them but frying them with lightning. She called upon blue lightning and eletricuted a couple of bodies. She then threw them on top. It was now up to Taylor to make the fire grow.

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Dirta and Den sat back and watched the pile of bodies burn. The smell of burning flesh was to familiar of a smell to the two veterans. They both knew that they would probably have to smell it again.

((OOC: Yes, yes he is. One of the main requirements for Sith/Dark Jedi is cockiness, methinks. :D))


Lucca leaned back, looking at Jacen, then at Taylor. She releases Jacen, blushing. "I'm sorry." She then moves to hold Taylor, wiping her tears with one hand while holding onto him. "I did a fool thing, didn't I? You're not mad at me, are you Lord Masaki? Please don't hate me..."
"No, no. I'm not." Taylor hugged her. "You just made a little mistake. It's all right now. The battle's over."

"Is she alright?" he asked Taylor, indicating Lucca. He then spoke to Jacen, "Thank you for getting me out of that earlier," he said gratefully, before collapsing on to the grass and rolling onto his back, completely exhausted.
"You're welcome." Jacen smiled a bit. "And she'll be fine. Taylor may be a little rough around the edges, but on the inside, he's like a soft teddy bear."

"I heard that." Taylor scowled, but a smile creeped onto his face.

A large figure emerged from the academy waving a large hammer. "Alright, let Thor at them."

Zadeth looked up, "Your late... as usual," he told the god. "Battles over."

"Curses," the god mumbled and dropped his hammer, causing the ground to shake.

Raist eyes the two pale skinned warriors wearily, he was not sure whether this was a test or whether the dark ones had broken into the academy, master Wescolum had said somthing about a shield hadn't he?

One of the warrior roared and ignited his blade, taking a screeching swing at Raist which he only jsut managed to block after igniting his own blue blade in responce. He looked down and his sleeve was smouldering slightly, it was no test. The thrusts kept coming and he was only barley managing to fend them off with parries and various speedy withdrawls.
"Master!" He cried out in desperation after the second warrior came up behind, he was being forced to duck roll and jump to avoid all the blades swung at him. He felt like an eternity had passed when more by accident than by purpouse a stray movement of his sabre caught the first pale skin at the knee joint. The warrior looked down in disbelief at the coagulating stump and fell over slowly cradling it's wound.

Raist stared at the pool of blood spreading slickly over the floor, he hadn't meant to do it, the warrior had stepped in the wrong place, it wasn't his fault.
He whirled on the other warrior, it was his fault, he had made Raist do it, if they hadn't come along he would have never hurt the other one. He stood up almost shaking with anger and advanced on the other warrior, he gave his blade a twirl to get the feel and then almost lept onto his adversary furiously attacking whatever part of it got closest. It didn't matter how he did it he just wanted the pale skin gone.

The dark warrior was shocked at the transformation, before he was attacking an innocent padawan who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, now he was battling an avatar of power. It made no sense, unless of course...
With a grasping motion the ground beneath the warrior began to shimmer, and almost lept up to swallow him whole, but instead it pulled the creature down like a fast acting tar pit.

Raist stood over the warrior with his sabre held down in a motion ready to stab when the warrior began laughing. It was a low gutteral sound only slightly muffled by the stone but it was still recognisable as derisive and mocking, and this was when the blackness invaded Raists mind. It crept in from the edge of his vision like a liquid pooling in his eyes, and soon when he looked around he saw nothing but the pure black of the darkness.

....

"Where am I?" Raist felt himself standing in the darkness with no sound or sight, his words were sucked up into the void.
"A pity. You could have been a great jedi warrior someday." A figure, plainly dressed walking into his vision. He appeared to have a slight glow all of his own.
"One of the greatest. But instead- no, you chose the path of the darkness. Cheap and easy lad, cheap and easy." He sat down on a boulder that was suddenly there and began to chew on some kind of plant.
"Choose? I didn't choose, it just went dark and-"
"Oh you chose lad. After you hurt that other man you saw blood, you saw power." He shook his head "Such a pity"
"But I don't want to be any of this" He looked around
"I can't see anything" Raist said feeling a little alone
"Oh the darkness doesn't need sight. It feels. Just reach forward."
Raist did so and felt his hand go cold.
"But it feels cold"
"Not my problem" The man shrugged
"I'm not the one walking the dark path"
"But I want to walk the path of light like my master!"
The man paused and sucked in air like a man thinking about a difficult puzzle.
"Hmm, could be tricky that. The dark path is a bugger to walk off of. Of course theres always..."
"What? I want to know!" Raist noticed a raise in his voice and quietened himself.
"Please sir, can you tell me?"
The man nodded
"Much better. The path of light is walked in humility, nothing is to be demanded. Well the thing is.." The man got up and whispered to Raist secretivley
"Don't tell anyone, but you can cheat the dark path. Just- jump backwards."
Raist felt his vision returning with a jolt and he was left in the same position as he had been, above the warrior. He was still laughing at Raist untill he saw the calmer expression on his face.
"No" Raist turned his sabre off, and calmly placed a table over the warriors head to the warriors infuriation.
"I choose the beaten path" He got up and messaged his master asking where he should meet him.

Back in the darkness the man was smiling.
"Away with you" He waved and the darkness dissapeared revealing a cool white light.
"He'll turn out well he will." He nodded like a craftsman judging a new piece of work.
"He'll do well will my grandson."

OOC: Connection issues, sorry about the wait:p

Den heard Raist's desperate cry. Raist I'm coming to you. When he arrived the scene was already done; there was two dead bodies, both Sith. Den couldn't think of how they had gotten into the building. They both looked like they could cause some real damage yet his padawan Raist had destroyed them both. Den looked at Raist. He could tell that his apprentice had tasted the darkside. He had once tasted the same evil. Luckily Raist was strong enough to pull away from it. Den looked at Raist and said "Well since now I know you have been touched by the darkside you can see how possesive it can be. I do believe it is time that in your Masaki training we start adding Juyo/ Vaapad techniques. It will help you keep the darkside from messing with you". He smiled and pointed at the bodies and teleported them out to the pile of sith. "I am happy that you were able to defend the academy. Those sith didn't know what was coming huh?" Den led Raist outside so that he could see everything that had happened.

Lucca clung to Taylor a bit longer, enjoying his presense just a bit longer. "Thank you for saving me." She whispered.

One thing lead to another, and Taylor released her, moving to set the bodies on fire. Lucca stayed near him, her Lightsaber reattached to her belt. She watched as he cultivated the fire started by Lialai into a full blaze. The smell of the burning bodies iritated her nose, and she looked to one of the others. "Umh, can something be done to... Umh, you know... Make the wind blow the smell away?"

"You're welcome." Taylor smiled, then he remembered he had a job to do, however distasteful. He began to ignite the bodies with his spark-snapping ability and upon her words, smirked, using the Force to make a wind and blow the stench of burning bodies away from her and the Academy.

Reno guided his craft onto the space port's landing pad, setting down nicely on the pad set aside for him. Powering down his craft, he flipped the datacube into the air and caught with one hand before it topped the top of the canopy.

Popping the top, Reno hops out, then turns around, digging into the locker under the pilot's seat to retrieve his weapons. Strapping the Neuro-pistol around his waist and giving his Butterfly Rod a flick, entended the baton to its full length, he thumbs a switch, electricity arcing up and down it's length. "We're ready for action." Retracting the baton, he slips it into the leather holster next to his pistol, and finishes climbing own the side of his craft.

Tossing the datacube into the air and catching it once again, he glances around to see if he can spot the local Bounty Office representative, or, if he was really lucky, maybe the King himself. A royal reception to my grand battle against the Sith. That'd be nice for a change.

Lucca inhaled and exhaled deeply, no more bad smell! She gave Taylor a smile. "Thank you. So, umh... Were they... Sent by Lady Nocture?"

Lucca inhaled and exhaled deeply, no more bad smell! She gave Taylor a smile. "Thank you. So, umh... Were they... Sent by Lady Nocture?"
"No." Taylor shook his head. "You know Daniel? His mother dropped by to say hello...and brought a few guests along the way."

Lucca blinked. "Daniel's mum? A few guests? But what does that have to..." Then, like the proverbial load of bricks dropping from the sky, it hit her. "Oooh... Daniel's mum isn't a nice lady then. Umh, wow. Two not nice ladies, both wanting to destroy us..." She shuffles her feet idily.

"Yeah. Not good." Taylor nodded.

*snip*

The local spaceport was rather busy, ships coming and going and people of all shapes and forms going about their buisness. Though there was no Bounty Office in the immediate area, there was an Information Desk. Problem was that there was a queue forming.

Kurt teleported himself to the mess hall where Jr sat with his computer, communicating with the spacefleet above. So far no suspicious ships had entered or left the system, in fact no ship had been allowed to leave and that was infuriating some of the merchants who need to get to other parts of Draconian space.

“Well the current battle is won,” Kurt sighed. As he took a seat, a mug of coffee appeared in front of him. “But if what Drahcir said is correct then Lady Dedlock has returned.”

Jr’s face turned to that of worry. “And the damage that she did twenty years ago is more then that of what even Azazel did, she made Lady Nocturne look like a school bully,” he said.

Kurt took a huge gulp of coffee, he wasn’t burnt despite it being particularly hot. “Also Drahcir mentioned that she is after her sons, one of which is apparently Daniel,” he then mentioned. “And the other…”

“Eamonn,” Jr sighed. “We’ll need to talk to him.”

The King just nodded and sat back.

“We’ll have to leave once everything here is sorted out,” Jr suggested. “I’ll contact Gaara and have him recall Eamonn from any mission he’s on.”

Kurt just nodded again, Eamonn would probably be more willing to talk about Lady Dedlock now then he was back on the Norns planet. Whether or not he knew where it could be possible that he could lead them to her was an entirely different matter.

Taylor, we’re going to speak to someone who may know Lady Dedlock’s location, he told Taylor. You’re welcome to join us if you wish.

Yeah, sure. Taylor answered. Jacen and Ryujin can handle anything.

Good, good, Kurt replied and took a gulp of coffe. We just need to make sure things here are in order and then get to The Durandal. Master Blexe will look after things here.

All right. Taylor answered.

Later, Kurt and Jr had gathered at the academy hanger and were awaiting the stragglers. While Daniel was already inside the shuttle not pleased at having to go, Zadeth had gone to get something from his room.

Lialai had found out somehow that the King and Taylor were going on a mission. She wanted to go but she knew that she might be needed in the academy. She didn't even bother to ask the King if she could join them. She decided to go outside. The day was surprisingly sunny. After a long night of fighting the day had recovered. A mild breeze was blowing and the stench of smoldering bodies had long left the place. There was a large pile of ashes left were the bodies once were. She called to Dirta to come outside. Dirta came outside and saw the pile. "They had such disgusting nails, Lialai" said Dirta. "Well you should bury there ashes don't you think" replied Lialai. Dirta then said "Well I can do something else, since the body actually came from the earth I convert these ashes back into earth." Dirta raised her hand level with the pile and transformed it into a large hill. Dirta then raised the hill in height. Then Dirta called to the plants in the ground and blades of grass grew up out of the ground. Dirta then looked at Lialai and said "This shall now be called Ash Hill". Dirta smiled and walked into the building. Lialai looked at the hill. It had once been a pile of bodies but now it was a hill. Lialai walked to the top of the hill and looked out over the lake waiting for something to happen.

Taan picked himself up from the floor again, and walked over to where Taylor and Lialai were burning the bodies of the dead. He went over to Master Wescolum, standing with Raist.

He unhooked the borrowed lightsabre from his belt and held it out to the Master.
"Thank you, Master, for letting me use this. It is a fine weapon," he told him respectfully. One day, Taan planned to build his own lightsabre, and now hoped he could produce something like that. In the meantime, however, he would have to practice with the one he had, although his less than impressive performance in the training room with the weapon was one thing, attempting to use it in a battle was another, and he was unsure if he could do it.

Later, Kurt and Jr had gathered at the academy hanger and were awaiting the stragglers. While Daniel was already inside the shuttle not pleased at having to go, Zadeth had gone to get something from his room.
Taylor walked quickly to the hangar bay, ready to go.

Zadeth appeared behind Taylor and climbed aboard. With everyone aboard, Jr started the engins and the shuttle took off. Before long they were aboard The Durandal. Jr and Kurt headed for the bridge while Zadeth took Daniel to the guest quarters.

"Mary, Shelley, set a course for Wind County," Jr said.

"Yes Little Master," Mary said in her usual Jolly voice.

The engines could then be heard starting up.

Den looked down at Taan and said "I think that you should keep the blade. It has served you well. You never know when you might need it, but if you prefer I can remove the stone that has been hindering you to control it. The stone is an unorthodox stone. They make your blade to random things. It takes a lot of focus to use it. I can replace it with a more appropriate stone for the time being and give you it back to you later if you would like."

Master Blexe's eyes were trained upon the young girl in front of him. She was in one of the cells, safely behind a forcefield. The girl was perhaps thirteen, maybe as young as twelve, she had long black hair that was down to below her shoulder blades and her eyes were red. Instead of speaking, she only stared back at the Jedi Master.

“So tell me Eva…” Master Blexe began.

“Where is he,” the girl interrupted.

Master Blexe raised an eyebrow.

“You know who,” Eva growled. “My brother, the traitor Zadeth.”

Master Blexe slowly shook his head. “Zadeth is far from a traitor,” he replied, keeping his eyes firmly on the girl. “He knew what side he should be on as the darkside had never corrupted him, unlike you. Yes he has the urges, but he fights it, he fights that urge because he looks up to the King.”

“Where is he!” she then yelled.

The Jedi Master just calmly looked at her. “He is not on the planet,” he replied.

Eva scowled and turned her back on him.

Lialai sat back and watched as the ship took off. It was probably going to be quiet around here unless the Sith's children got out. She wallked back into the building. She was hungry so she went into the dining hall. There was no one else in there. She muttered under her breath "Double Steakburger with Cheese and Fries". A second later a plate with the large burger and fries sat in front of her. She then said "Dr. Yoda". A fizzling soda then appeared next to her plate. She began to eat.

A few bandaged padwans entered the mess hall and noticed Lialai sat alone. They went over and sat hith her.

"You don't mind us sitting with you do you?" a pink haired girl asked.

Lialai looked up and said "Of course not. Sit down". She looked at her arm and saw the scar. It was still fresh. She could heal it herself but she was going to let it heal naturally. She looked at the padawans and said "I have never seen you guys around before. What your names?"

"I'm Tarja," the pink haired girl said apointed to a blue haired girl. "She's Wanda." Then to a yellow haired boy. "Douzu." Another pink haired girl. "Naiil." and the last was a boy with dark green hair. "And Esteban."

Soon various foods appeared in front of them, ranging from ramen noodles to a full roast beef dinner.

Lialai smiled "I am Lialai". She took a swallow of her drink. "So are you guys related or something or did you all just meet each other here?", she asked them.

"Oh we're not related," Tarja said with a smile. "We knew each other just before coming here."

Lialai nodded and said "So how did you guys get your battle marks". She had noticed their multiple bandages."

"Caught up fighting those trying to get into the academy from the back," Esteban said inbetween slurping up noodles. "Sneaky bastards, fight dirty too."

"Uh-huh. I had wondered who was covering the back of the academy. Nobody ever complained about the back. You guys must have handled yourselves pretty well." Lialai took a bite of her sandwich.

"Pretty much," Tarja said. "Our wounds will heal."

"I heard that two dragons were fighting just before they attacked," Douzu mentioned.

Lialai looked at Douzu and said,"Yep. that would be Ryujin and Daniel who were going at it. Everything should be fine now for a little while." Lialai sighed and said "We took out hundreds of Sith. Two got into the academy bit Raist handled them quickly. No others got in."

Den had just got a message from his brother Jirair. Jirair was the president of Den's home country Wooshaba. He had said that Lew, Den's youngest brother and he were going to a country called New Thunderra. Den thought to himself How the heck did they meet the Thundercats? Den sat in his study and rested.

"The Coredian Cyredathem lookalike?" Douzu said with a mouthful of hotdog. "I figured that would be him, but that strange kid they brought here is a dragon too?"

Lialai looked at him and said "No Daniel isn't a dragon he is just able to take the appearance of animals. You can say that he is somewhat similar to an Andalite but his natural form is a human. Well at least I think he is human. No one knows much about him." Lialai finished her sandwich and soda. She let out a belch and said "Excuse me". She then smiled.

"An animagus?" Tarja wondered. She briefly glanced at the others, they just slowly nodded. "It would seem so, he does have a few strange powers for a force user."

"Hey just like a true Draconian with that belch," Esteban grinned and let one out himself.

Lialai nodded. She had noticed that a lot of native Draconians could belch pretty loud. She then stated "Well I'm not from here. I am from Wooshaba. In my homeland we are known for or connections with the elements and the mind. Like Master Wescolum is a master of the mind. He can pretty much do anything with his mind. He can timewarp, talk to trees and animals, create powerful illusions and anything else you would think that a mental master could do. His youngest brother, Lew can even manipulate all of the elements. Lew still has a lot of training to do though." Lialai sighed. "I am glad that Master Wescolum took me as his apprentice when he did. Who knows where I might be right now."

"Heh, you could end up as apprentice to the King," Douzu grinned. "You'll find he tends to disappear alot due to running the kingdom and such, I feel sorry for Zadeth sometimes."

Lialai laughed. "Well at least the King took Zadeth with him this time. Zadeth probably come knowing some kind of new techniques."

"Well actually I think theres more to Zadeth going with them this time then you think," Tarja said. "Zadeths family are known to be dark Jedi, I've heard his father was captured before the main attack."

Lialai said "That is true. I didn't out much information about what was the purpose of them leaving but I am sure it has something to do with Daniel and Zadeth. I do know that the parents of one of those two are trying to take the academy. And I know for sure that Zadeth's sister was captured. I had to carry her down to her cell. She kept muttering things about Zadeth being a trader and that she needed to find him." Lialai shook her head.

Tarja nodded. "I hear Eva's a right bitch," she remarked. "Typical dark Jedi I guess."

"I think Master Blexe is trying to talk to her right now," Wanda then mentioned. "I doubt he'll get anything out of her."

"He probably could force her to talk if he wanted to ,but he wouldn't do that." replied Lialai.

Wanda nodded. "He'll probably talk to each of them separately, calmly and no tricks at all," she said. "He's like that, never really speaks down to anyone."

"How soon do you think we'll start seeing a few of them wandering around the academy?" Esteban wondered.

"Probably months before some are released from there cells." answered Lialai.

"Once the brainwashing effect has been nulled I guess," Esteban replied. "They got them young and that's a huge problem, especially the ones who's parents are dark Jedi themselves."

Lialai replied "Brainwashing is a bitch. Have you guys been outside to see the wreckage? It is terrible."

Tarja nodded. "Bodies everywhere," she replied. "With the dark Jedi in the cells, things what be back to normal for months."

"Then there's Lady Nocturne to worry about," Esteban added.

As the The Durandal entered hyperspace, Jr placed his hands behind his head and looked towards Kurt. “You did the right thing by taking Zadeth with us,” he assured the King.

Kurt sighed. “Not only were we visited by his father, but we know at least one of his siblings were there,” he said. “It would damage Zadeth to know that.” Kurt then turned to Taylor. “He will find out, we just need time to break it to him.”

"Nice and slow is all I can say." Taylor said. "Heck, I think it's an interesting twist on the ol' Skywalker story."

"Well, let's put it this way," Jr said. "Zadeth is considered the black sheep of the family because he wouldn't accept the darkside."

Kurt sighed again. "He has the urges, but he's always been good at fighting it off," he said. "Unfortunately now there's two, maybe more, members of his family in the academy cells just waiting for him to crumble."

"I see. How is he right now?" Taylor asked.

"He's fine right now," Kurt said. "The three months he spent with the Kazekage before the academy opened worked wonders on him. He's definitely brighter then he was when he first came back after that Rosian academy."

"That's good." Taylor nodded.

"He did come back from the Kazekage with the knowledge to wield sand with the force rather then chakra," Kurt then said, managing a smile.

"Talking about me?" came Zadeth's voice.

Of course, Lucca wasn't invited to go with Taylor. But, if every neko in any situation didn't do what she/he wasn't told not to do, a whole lot less would have happened in the galaxy.

It was relatively simple for her to follow Taylor and company onto the Durandal, and slip unnotice into the mess room, where she thereby hides in an crate used to hold oranges.

Once the Durandal made the jump to Hyperspace, she climbs out from her hiding place, and goes to the bridge. First, to find out where they're going, and second, why.

She wanders into the bridge, seeing Zadeth and the others talking. She goes and stands out of their way, and simply listens...

"Only of your time spent training in Suna," Kurt replied, now was not the time to mention his father or his sister.

Zadeth only folded his arms. "So are you going to tell Lucca about the tough anti-stalking laws?" he then mentioned.

Kurt sighed. In the rush he had failed to pick up her signature having snuck onto the shuttle.

Lialai looked at the kids and said "Well I have to go train. If you would like to join me come on." She stood up and took her lunch tray over to the trash cans and dumped them in there. She then headed upstairs to the training rooms.

"We'll be right up when we've finished," Tarja replied.

When they finished their meal they too headed up to the training rooms.

When the padawans came in she was battling with a robot. She had given the machine three stunsticks and she was battling on its hardest level. She was flicking the blows aside easily when they all came in. "Hey guys. Let me finish up with this robot and then ..." Lialai jumped up into the air and threw her lightsaber through the droids mechanical head. As the robot was about to fall backwards she landed and pulled out her second blade and slashed the robots legs. She then blasted it with the Force so that it could join the rest of the previously destroyed robots. She then called her original lightsaber over to her and turned both of the blades off. She then put them in their rightful spots. She then looked at the group and said "What do you guys want to do?"

Esteban placed his hands behind his head. "Something not so strenuous," he replied. "We've just eaten, shouldn't really train on a full stomach."

"Okay not something hard huh. Alright do any of you guys know if you can control an element. This is an simple example of controlling air." She pointed her index finger upwards and created a mini tornado on top of it. She then used the electricity benefits of aerokinesis to add a small thundercloud over it that shot lightning bolts down into the tornado's eye. Lialai smiled as she let the tornado die away.

The five padawans were impressed.

"No, can't do anything like that," Esteban admitted.

"Only of your time spent training in Suna," Kurt replied, now was not the time to mention his father or his sister.

Zadeth only folded his arms. "So are you going to tell Lucca about the tough anti-stalking laws?" he then mentioned.

Kurt sighed. In the rush he had failed to pick up her signature having snuck onto the shuttle.
Taylor chuckled. "She's kinda attached to me. Sorry."

"Stalker," Zadeth remarked. "That'll end badly."

Alimar, having nothing else to do, wandered up to the training rooms and decided to watch Lialai show the padawans the benefits of being a master of an element.

Odcal had gone to the dining hall to eat some food, then went up to his room to take a short nap.

The padawans looked up as Alimar joined them.

"Come to watch as well?" Tarja asked.

"Stalker," Zadeth remarked. "That'll end badly."
A glint appeared in Taylor's eyes. "Be nice to your fellow apprentice, Padawan. I won't have you treat her badly."

"Yet you're treating me badly," Zadeth replied. "Like I don't know my father was captured and my siblings were probably fighting there too."

"Yet you're treating me badly," Zadeth replied. "Like I don't know my father was captured and my siblings were probably fighting there too."
Taylor shrugged. "True enough. Just didn't want you to react badly, is all. How do you feel about 'em anyway?"

Lucca shrugs, stepping near Taylor. "It's okay. Do you think I'm stalking you, Lord Masaki? If you want me stop..." She gets a slightly pained expression, her cheeks flushing red, "I'll stop, for you!"

Lucca shrugs, stepping near Taylor. "It's okay. Do you think I'm stalking you, Lord Masaki? If you want me stop..." She gets a slightly pained expression, her cheeks flushing red, "I'll stop, for you!"
Taylor suddenly felt red. "No, it's fine. I think it's...cute."

It's funny how a girl's mind works... He thinks what I'm doing is cute... I'm the one doing it... So, by proxy, he thinks ~I'm~ Cute! Oh... While this train of thought was passing through her head, she puts both hands to her cheek, hiding her face. She makes cute little noises to herself, fully flustered by the thought.

"You alright?" Taylor asked, oblivious to her thoughts.

Alimar shrugged.

'There is nothing better to do and this appears to be interesting.' he replied.

Lucca grinned big, and blushing just a bright. "Heehee. Yeah, I'm fine. I'm very fine. I'm super duper fine." She wanted to hug him, to hold him close to her, to feel his heart beat, but she restrained herself, although it was difficult. She settled for giving him a very big smile. "So umh... W-w-w-what's going on?"

Lialai said "Well okay since no one can master any elements we can do whatever we want." She had noticed that Alimar had entered the room. "Hey Alimar!" she spoke out loud.

==========================================================

Dirta had went to see what the dwarves were doing. She was a little ticked that they hadn't come to fight. When she got to the dwarves underground city it was abandoned though. There was no one to be found. Dirta said to herself "Uh-oh". She quickly made her way back to the academy.

Taylor shrugged. "True enough. Just didn't want you to react badly, is all. How do you feel about 'em anyway?"

"How do you think I feel?" Zadeth replied. "They disowned me a long time ago, they always said my older twin would be better then me."

Wooshaba']Lialai said "Well okay since no one can master any elements we can do whatever we want." She had noticed that Alimar had entered the room. "Hey Alimar!" she spoke out loud.



"How about some hand to hand?" Douzu suggested.

Lialai smiled at these words. "Do you mean really hand-to-hand or do you mean blade-to-blade because either is fine with me," said Lialai. "I am ready for anything." She thought to herself Maybe I can use that new air technique I learned in this spar.

"Hand to hand," Douzu said, smiling. "It's good to practice should you be forced to fight without a weapon."

"How do you think I feel?" Zadeth replied. "They disowned me a long time ago, they always said my older twin would be better then me."
"Ah. Don't tell me. It'll be up to you to show them the errors of their ways." Taylor said.

"Not fucking likely," Zadeth replied. He placed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. "I'd rather not have anything to do with them, they've only ever caused me pain."

Taylor nodded and fired off a message to Kurt. Good, he's not likely to join them any time soon.

As long as I'm around, I'm not letting them, or anyone else for that matter, pollute his mind and try to turn him, Kurt replied.

"I have seen what darkness does to you firsthand," Zadeth then said. "That's something I don't want to have."

"The way of the Tyrneanea family is be always be born with a twin," Zadeth then said, opening his eyes. "It is more a curse then anything, because the older twin is always held in higher regard, the lesser, ignored unless they do something to gain attention." His eyes moved toward the others. "Mine was to rebel against the family and the darkside, they wish to hunt me down and kill me as an example to anyone else who thinks about rebelling."

***

A pair of eyes watched the academy from the forest. A pair of binoculars were passed over to see batter, a plan was being made.

"The way of the Tyrneanea family is be always be born with a twin," Zadeth then said, opening his eyes. "It is more a curse then anything, because the older twin is always held in higher regard, the lesser, ignored unless they do something to gain attention." His eyes moved toward the others. "Mine was to rebel against the family and the darkside, they wish to hunt me down and kill me as an example to anyone else who thinks about rebelling."
"I see." Taylor nodded.

***

A pair of eyes watched the academy from the forest. A pair of binoculars were passed over to see batter, a plan was being made.
A large silver dragon takes to the air, riding the thermals as he soars higher and higher...

Zadeth turned around and as he left the bridge, he mentioned, "It's the curse of the black dragons."

Kurt sighed and shook his head. He never liked hearing that myth, there was no way that was true.

***

From below, Ryujin was watched.

Zadeth turned around and as he left the bridge, he mentioned, "It's the curse of the black dragons."

Kurt sighed and shook his head. He never liked hearing that myth, there was no way that was true.
"What's that curse?" Taylor asked Kurt.

***

From below, Ryujin was watched.
Ryujin had the feeling he was being watched, and began scanning the forests from a couple thousand feet in the air.

"There isn't one," Kurt replied. "It's just that when people think black dragons, they automatically think evil just because some have taken that path. Zadeths family, Lady Dedlock and even Eamonn are used as examples to use the curse theory."

"Then there was Azazel whom was a red dragon," Jr mentioned.

***

The scan would show two figures hidden in the tree's. One a teenager, the other a little younger.

"There isn't one," Kurt replied. "It's just that when people think black dragons, they automatically think evil just because some have taken that path. Zadeths family, Lady Dedlock and even Eamonn are used as examples to use the curse theory."

"Then there was Azazel whom was a red dragon," Jr mentioned.
"You know, that's the same line of banthashit thinking that I get sometimes when I use my lightsaber." Taylor frowned. "Just because it's red, doesn't mean I'm evil."

***

The scan would show two figures hidden in the tree's. One a teenager, the other a little younger.
So, a few survivors of the battle are around. Ryujin smirked. He sent off a notice to Master Blexe of the intruders, and then banked sharply to circle more rapidly over the kids, mumbling a spell. He flew faster, and faster, and the winds increased its speed as he completed the spell over the heads of the youngsters. Then he dove slightly and then broke off the assault to watch his work.

He's created a tornado trap, and the end of the twister dove right on top of the youngsters...

"And that's the reason dark Jedi have been turning to blue blades," Kurt agreed. "Colour is no indicator of alignment."

***

The two that had been hiding in the trees were instantly sucked into the funnel of the tornado. If one could look at them, then they would surely think that the older of the two was in fact Zadeth, only with longer hair and dark rings around his eyes.

Master Blexe recieved the message and quickly headed outside with Master Raven in tow.

"You can put them down now Ryujin," Master Blexe said.

Master Raven looked ready with the chains he'd used on the earth clones.

"And that's the reason dark Jedi have been turning to blue blades," Kurt agreed. "Colour is no indicator of alignment."
"Yeah." Taylor nodded.

***

The two that had been hiding in the trees were instantly sucked into the funnel of the tornado. If one could look at them, then they would surely think that the older of the two was in fact Zadeth, only with longer hair and dark rings around his eyes.

Master Blexe recieved the message and quickly headed outside with Master Raven in tow.

"You can put them down now Ryujin," Master Blexe said.

Master Raven looked ready with the chains he'd used on the earth clones.
The two teenagers were dumped unceremoniously in front of the Masters as Ryujin released the tornado. "Found these two in the forest. Possible survivors."

"I just wish they wouldn't use blue, that's my colour," Kurt remarked, managing a slight grin.

***

"Well I never," Master Raven said as he chained the two boys up. "The two Tyrneanea we hadn't captured. Zather and Maiyr."

"Hmm, Zathar does look rather like Zadeth does he not," Master Blexe remarked.

Zathar just sneered at them. Maiyr on the other hand looked frightened, in fact he was shivering slightly.

((OOC: Sorry (again), my computer seems to be struggling to survive. At the moment I can use a different one, though, so I should be able to post fairly regularly.))

After having thanked Master Wescolum for the gift, Taan wandered back into the academy. He realised that he had never answered the Master's question about the stone set into the lightsabre's base, and made a note to ask exactly what it was the stone did when he next had the opportunity.

As it was, he began wondering about it, but gave up and decided to wait patiently for the answers he was looking for. He made his way to the training rooms and entered just as Lialai made her tiny tornado.

As she caused a small lightning storm in the palm of her hand, Taan suddenly looked down at his hands. Small sparks were jumping between the tips of his fingers, then stopped when Lialai allowed her tornado to dissipate. This was the third time today he had done something without meaning to, both the previous ones involving concentrated air blasts, not the Force-push they might have appeared to have been.

He waited for the padawans to start doing something, then walked over to Lialai and said quietly, "Um, excuse me, I think I need to talk to you."

Lialai responded to the padawan ,"Cool I haven't gotten to use my Bāguàzhang style of Kung-Fu in a long time." She saw a look of confusion on some of the children's faces. "It helps me to control my aerokinesis better," she added. She was just about to take up a stance when Taan asked her something. Lialai looked at Douzu and said "One moment." She walked over to him and said "What's up".

==========================================================

Master Wescolum was waiting at the doors for Master Blexe and Master Raven to bring the two kids who had escaped in. He started to walk towards them. He saw Ryujin hovering above them. As he got closer he saw that both of the children resembled Zadeth. Matter of fact one of the kids looked exactly like Zadeth except with longer hair. Den sense that these children had both been connected to the darkside of the Force. He looked at the two masters and mentally voiced to both of them ,Looks like we have some dark teenagers. They must be related to Zadeth. They look a lot like him.

"Ok," Douzu replied and placed his hands behind his head as they waited.

*******

They are his brothers, Master Blexe replied, his eyes looked upon Maiyr intently. Zather is Zadeth's identical twin brother, I've been looking for them ever since I saw their sister was one of those captured. It appears that these two were to attempt to sneek in after the battle.

Den nodded and replied back ,They are thinkers, huh. Maybe they should be separated from each other. The older one looks stronger. He needs to be put in solitude. He is probably the most dangerous of all of the teens.

Master Blexe nodded. "Master Raven, take Zathar to a cell," he ordered.

Master Raven complied and took Zathar away.

Master Blexe's eyes returned to Maiyr. "I wish to talk to Maiyr here."

Den understood. He voiced I will be in the library or my study if you need me. Den disappeared with a soft popping noise. He landed in the library. He looked around and picked up a book and sat down to read it. It was quiet in the library.

Thank you, Master Blexe said.

"I sense little darkness in you," Master Blexe said. "Perhaps you would rather be like Zadeth then the rest of your family."

The young dark Jedi just looked at him, he still looked rather fightened.

Joining Den in the library were a couple of older padawans who were quietly reading. Neither really took much notice of his entrance.

Aboard The Durandal they were far into their journey. Kurt had stayed on the bridge and was silently staring into the passing hyperspace. The wonderful blur of blue just seemed to take his mind off things right now.

"Oh this doesn't sound good," Jr sighed.

Kurt looked over at him. "What is it?"

"Just recieved a message from the academy, seems that they've foiled an attempt to sneek into the academy," he said and looked around to make sure Zadeth wasn't on the bridge. "By Zadeth's brothers."

Reno sighed, standing in line at the information kisok. He sighed. I shoulda known this was going to happen. I get no respect, I tells ya!

Finally, it came to be his turn. Approaching the lady at the kisok, he passes her the datacube. "I hear the King has a bounty on Sith? I'd like to claim a bounty then. That datacube shows all the Sith I killed in an aerial battle over the Jedi Academy."

The lady at the kiosk just stared blankly at him. "Bounties are taken up in the Bounty Office in Shin Exetergrecia," she replied. "Take the train, it'll lead you straight there."

Reno nods, taking back the cube. "Thanks. Take care." Why can't these things ever be easy?

Nodding, he leaves the info kiosk and the spacepad for the train station. At the ticket booth, he purchases a rounf trip ticket for Shin Exetergrecia, paying and slipping the ticket into his pack. He'd have to wait thirty minutes for the next train. Taking a seat on a bench near his departure station, Reno watches the crowd idly, ever mindful of his items, least a thief pickpockets him...

People milled about around him minding their own business, none seemed to take any notice of Reno except for a white-haired man in a staff uniform.

"Excuse me Sir, could you please come with me?" he politely asked.

Reno's hand dropped to his holstered Neuro-Pistol. "Depends. Where to and why? I never said I won't come. All I ask is a simple reason." He said, looking at the white haired man as he stood to his feet.

"Because you have been acting suspiciously," the man said. "Now you can come quietly or I can bring in the guards."

Reno shrugged. It could go either way, although he felt good about his chances it was just a simple misunderstanding by local, legitimate authorities. Digging in his pack, he pulled out his Bounty Hunter Licence, officially recognized by the Bounty Hunter's Guild. "I'm a Bounty Hunter. But sure, I'll go with you."

His hand remained on his Pistol as he followed the man. The last thing he was going to let happen was someone trying to surprise disarm him...

The man looked at the licence and nodded. "Follow me," he calmly said and began to walk off through the crowd towards the staff area where he waited for Reno.

"Well," replied Taan to Lialai, "I keep doing things without meaning to. It's easier to show you than to explain, I think."

He brought his arms up and held his hands out, palms facing up at about chest height.

"Do what you did just now, with the tornado and lightning," he said to her.

He made sure that his fingers where not touching each other so that what happened would be easily seen.

Aboard The Durandal they were far into their journey. Kurt had stayed on the bridge and was silently staring into the passing hyperspace. The wonderful blur of blue just seemed to take his mind off things right now.

"Oh this doesn't sound good," Jr sighed.

Kurt looked over at him. "What is it?"

"Just recieved a message from the academy, seems that they've foiled an attempt to sneek into the academy," he said and looked around to make sure Zadeth wasn't on the bridge. "By Zadeth's brothers."
"So there were others." Taylor said.

"So it seems," Kurt replied, sounding rather glumly.

How could they have missed that Zadeth's two brothers hadn't been a part of those who were captured. It made sense that there would be a couple left behind for whatever reason.

"Now I guess we have more to tell Zadeth."

Master Blexe looked at the young boy in front of him, the eyes of the academy head brightened and he smiled, releasing the chains. "I believe that you are not a threat to us," he then said. "We do not imprison unnecessarily here, but I will not hessitate to do so if you cross us, do you understand?"

Maiyr nodded.

"Good, good," the academy head said. "No doubt you are hungry."

Maiyr just shyly nodded.

"Then we shall head for the mess hall, do you wish to join us Ryujin?"

"So it seems," Kurt replied, sounding rather glumly.

How could they have missed that Zadeth's two brothers hadn't been a part of those who were captured. It made sense that there would be a couple left behind for whatever reason.

"Now I guess we have more to tell Zadeth."
"Yeah. He doesn't like being kept out of the loop." Taylor said.

Master Blexe looked at the young boy in front of him, the eyes of the academy head brightened and he smiled, releasing the chains. "I believe that you are not a threat to us," he then said. "We do not imprison unnecessarily here, but I will not hessitate to do so if you cross us, do you understand?"

Maiyr nodded.

"Good, good," the academy head said. "No doubt you are hungry."

Maiyr just shyly nodded.

"Then we shall head for the mess hall, do you wish to join us Ryujin?"
"Yeah, sure." The dragon, now in human form, shrugged. "I'm a little hungry too."

"Now I know why ninja's prefer to use hidden villages," Kurt joked. "We may as well have planted a huge neon sign telling 'All Sith come this way, we have a new academy for you to attack'."

***

Master Blexe smiled and led them to the dining hall. Sitting down, he looked towards Maiyr, "Order whatever you want," he told him. In front of the academy head appeared fish & chips wrapped in a newspaper as if it had come directly from a fish & chip shop.

Maiyr just silently nodded and a plate of chips appeared in front of him.

"Um okay," Lialai said. Lialai moved her index finger in a circular motion and watched as a small tornado with a thundercloud appear. She waited for Taan to show her something.

Lucca listened intently to all the conversation. She then raised her hand at the mention of telling Zadeth. "Umh... If you all want, I can go tell him?"

Kurt shook his head, "No I'll tell him," he replied.

As lightning from Lialai's miniature thundercloud struck down into the heart of the tornado, sparks leapt sympathetically between the tips of Taan's fingers. They didn't try to jump to anywhere else, but were quite clearly visible.

"I'm not making that happen, it just is," he told her. "And earlier, when I was fighting with the dark jedi, I put my hand out and knocked my opponent over, twice. And I wasn't using the Force."

Master Blexe opened up the newspaper, revealing the fish & chips. He leaned over and sniffed.

"Just as I like it," he smiled and began eating.

Maiyr looked at the plate of chips in front of him. Shyly, he reached over and grabbed a chip. For a moment he looked at it before eating.

Lucca nodded, stepping behind Taylor. "Okay." There was simply nothing else she could do.

Lialai watched as the sparks lept in between Taan's fingers. She looked at him and simply said "You are aerokinetic. You just cannot control it yet. I will teach you how some other time." She then walked over to Douzu and said ,"I am ready whenever you are."

Douzu nodded, "What do you want to do first?" he asked.

"It is truly up to you," said Lialai. "If you want to hand-to-hand than let us do hand-to-hand." She bowed to her opponent and took up her stance.

Douzu nodded and held up his arms. "Attack me," he said.

Lialai said "Okay". She then thought to herself ,Douzu is up to something. He probably has some hidden power. Only one way to find out. Lialai ran towards Douzu with Force speed. Just before she struck him she used the winds to flip him through the air.

Noticing the winds lift him up, Douzu was not pleased but not surprised. He blocked her attack with ease. "Expected you to try something like that," he grinned, he used his weight and leapt away from her, landing on his feet to her side.

"Oh," said Taan, "Cool." He looked down at his hands again, watching the disappearing sparks.

He was a little surprised when Lialai just walked away after that, but realised that she was currently in the middle of doing something. He had just expected slightly more from her, like what to do about it.

Instead of watching the fight, he moved out of the way, to the far side of the training room, and began thinking about what he had just learned. Maybe he could work out how to control it by himself.

Lialai smiled and said ,"Excellent. You fell right into my trap." She pointed to the floor. As soon as Douzu had landed beside her, a static cling trap had came out of her. It was one of her many defenses. She walked around to look Douzu in his face and said, "How are you going to get out of this one?"

"Damn you got me," he sighed and saluted. "A captain always goes down with his ship."

Continuing to salute, he began to disappear into the floor.

"Show off," Wanda remarked.

Lialai looked at Wanda and said ,"So he can phase through walls and floors, huh. That's interesting. Lialai walked back to Taan because she wanted to dicuss his aerokinesis. She had been rather rash towards him. She walked up to him and said ,"Sorry about that. So when did you first start noticing your aero- and electro- kinetic abilities?"

"It's the family trait," Wanda replied.

Douzu reappeared through the floor, grinning. "Well I wasn't going to use it, but then you decided to use yours so I thought fuck it I'll use it," he said.

((OOC: Not here tomorrow, so Happy Christmas all!))

"In the fighting earlier, I guess, when the dark jedi attacked," he replied, "I couldn't get my lightsabre to work, and the guy was about to attack me. I just put my hands out and he was thrown backwards. Then again when I was fighting the other one, just before the end I knocked him over in the same way. Then there were the sparks just now."

He didn't look at her as he spoke, instead concentrating on his hands, trying to recreate the sparks.

Lialai looked at Taan and said "Well. . . I really don't know what to say. When I first started doing aerokinesis I learned a fighting style that helped me to control my aerokinetic abilities. Perhaps it would help you." Lialai then said "If you want I could teach you some simple stuff."

At the other side of the training room, Tarja and Wanda began fighting each other with lightsabers as the others watched on.

Master Raven soon appeared in the mess hall and walked over to Master Blexe. He looked down at Maiyr, who just looked away having only eaten a few chips.

"Is it safe for him to be here?" he asked.

Master Blexe nodded. "He is of no threat, he just wants to be like his brother Zadeth," he assured him.

Maiyr just looked up at the mention of his brother.

Master Raven bowed slightly. "Then I trust your judgement," he said and turned to leave.

Kurt and the others were waved through the entrance of Suna. Two ninja’s were on guard, having checked them over they waved them through.

“I’ll never get this sand out of my fur,” the King complained as they headed through the streets.

Soon they arrived at the building in which the Kazekage residing. two more ninja’s stood guard outside and they waved them through. Inside they saw puppet parts scattered across the floor, at first look it was as if they had been taken apart by battle but sat in the middle of the floor fixing a puppet was Kankurou. He looked up at them as they walked past.

“They’re waiting for you,” the puppet master told them.

Kurt nodded and led the others up to the doors of the Kazekage’s office, knocking twice.

“Come in,” came Gaara’s voice.

Kurt opened the doors and led the others inside. Gaara was stood beside the window with his arms folded. Eamonn however was nowhere to be seen.

“They should be arriving soon,” the Kazekage explained.

Taylor and Lucca awaited Eamonn.

"You little bastard give that back!" a girls voice yelled from the hallway outside before the sound of something being hit was heard.

Gaara's eyes narrowed, the door opened and Temari entered the Kazekage's office. Behind her followed Eamonn along with Kimiko and Ichigo, who was rubbing the side of his face which looked swollen.

"The mission was completed successfully," she said and looked towards Kurt and the others. "I'll report it later, I hear we have trouble."

Now Taan looked up at Lialai.
"If you think it'll help," he told her. "I'd rather not change my fighting style, though, just learn how to control it."

He looked back at his hands momentarily, thinking about what he could do with them once he had learnt to control his aerokinetic abilities.
"Although I might end up changing my style without realising I suppose."

"What the heck just happened?" Taylor asked.

"Don't ask," Temari replied, looking rather annoyed.

Kurt turned towards Eamonn. "Your mother whom you have been refusing to name is Lady Dedlock, am I correct," he said.

Eamonn looked up at him but stayed silent. Kurt could read his body language well.

"That's a yes," the King then said.

"It is to our regret to inform you that she is alive, and unfortunately, well." Taylor said. "She's recently sent an army of Dark Jedi to the Academy, and of course, it failed."

Eamonn turned and stared at Taylor. "I know she's alive, I'm not stupid," he replied, his voice felt cold and bleak. "I've known for years, she has no real power. Any Jedi sent won't have come from her."

Want to tell him about Zadeth or should I? Taylor glanced to Kurt.

He knows about Zadeth's family, Kurt replied.

Fair enough. Carry on. Taylor answered.

"Eamonn we are not willing to take that chance," Kurt told him. "And I believe you know where she is."

Daniel was stood silently at the back with Zadeth.

"I knew, but not anymore," Eamonn coldly replied. "She'll have long since moved on."

Taylor watched the proceedings go on.

Gaara looked over at him. "It is still important to find her so that they may rule her out if that's the case," he told him.

"I first met her in Coredian space," Eamonn said. "That's when she told me she was my real mother, the last time I saw her was on the Norns planet."

Lialai replied to Taan, "It is not going to change your lightsaber style. It is just the martial art that goes along with aerokinesis. The name of the martial art is Ba Gua style Kung Fu. It is easy enough at first and then it gets more complicated towards the end. It match aerokinesis perfectly". She then looked at Taan and said "In Ba Gua you also master the use of the staff." Lialai reached inside of her robe and pulled out a short wooden rod. She focused on the object and it grew into a staff. "Staffs are always useful when you don't have your lightsaber and also some staffs double as a glider." She shrank the staff back to its original size and put it back in her robe.

After being certain that nothing exciting or particularly useful was going to happen, Alimar began practicing his new form, Form V or Shien, and attempted to integrate his tailblade into the fighting style so that each of his three usable appendages could work together to overpower an enemy.

"What do you think Taylor?" Kurt asked.

Esteban looked over at Alimar who appeared to be training alone. "Want a one on one?" he offered.

"Oh right," said Taan, "Okay then. I've used a staff before, you know" there was a slight pause, "well, sort of. A big stick or a metal pole actually. That was before I got taken to the Jedi."

His claim was a bit inaccurate, he had used a short staff-esque weapon in a fight, but mostly used it like a club, and never against a trained opponent, just other street kids like he used to be.

"What do you think Taylor?" Kurt asked.
"Most interesting." Taylor said. "I would think it's a matter of ensuring that she doesn't cause trouble...especially with Nocturne around."

Kurt nodded.

"So Lady Nocturne has made a return?" Gaara asked.

"It would seem so," Kurt sighed. "Figures they'd both make a return at the same time."

"You think it's collaborative?" Taylor asked.

Kurt shook his head. "No I doubt it," he replied, running a hand through his hair.

He noticed a change of expression on Gaara's face.

"It is possible the ones as dark as they are, could band together," the Kazekage said. "An order bound by evil would make sense and if they want Draconis Nightcrawlis they'll take out whatever is standing in their way, you in otherwords, before turning on each other."

"Alliance of convenience." Taylor nodded. "I would expect such, even among Sith."

Kurt sighed once more, just what he didn't want to hear.

"Well it would make sense as to why Lady Nocturnes two dark Jedi slaughtered everyone but Daniel," Jr then pointed out.

"I guess," Kurt muttered.

"So what's next?" Taylor asked.

"Next would be to find her location, her place of hiding," Gaara suggested.

"Which could be anywhere in the M66 galaxy," Jr warned. "There are some very dark area's out there."

Esteban looked over at Alimar who appeared to be training alone. "Want a one on one?" he offered.

'Sure, why not?' Alimar responded. He put his lightsaber away and drew a stunstick. It would be be good to injure a fellow padawan by accident. He ignited it and stood in a modified Form V stance. This modified stance would hopefully be just as effective in defending himself while incorporating the advantages and disadvantages of his Andalite body. of course he hadn't tested this form yet so it might not be work at maximum efficiency.

Esteban smiled and picked up a stunstick. "Your first move," he then told Alimar

Alimar nodded. He began circling Esteban. Then he dashed forward bringing the stunstick down low for a strike at Esteban's legs.

Esteban jumped away to avoid getting hit. "Just a warm up," he grinned before swinging at Alimars own legs.

Lucca remained behind Taylor, listening and watching all that occurred. This was truely beyond her, and she was so overwhelmed that she couldn't find the means to speak. Even if she could speak, she wasn't sure if she'd know what to say...

"Next would be to find her location, her place of hiding," Gaara suggested.

"Which could be anywhere in the M66 galaxy," Jr warned. "There are some very dark area's out there."
"Well, their father did come along because of them, or so I heard from Jacob." Taylor said. "Think their mother would be enticed the same way?"

"You mean Zadeth's father right?" Kurt said. "I would hate to use them as bait though, it just feels wrong."

Temari smirked. "Your forgetting a certain Henge no Jutsu," she pointed out.

"Exactly." Taylor nodded. "Couple that with the ability to mask Force or chakra signatures to apprentice-level and you've got a trap."

Lucca blinked, then rose her hand. "Umh... What's Henge no Jutsu?" She asked. She was in the dark as to their plan, she felt she understood enough from context to grasp the basic ideal of their plan to bring out the Dark Lady.

Kurt looked towards Gaara, "Just like you bastards did to me after my coronation," he said, recalling the fight with the fake Akatsuki. "It worked then, it'll probably work again."

"Only back then we didn't use Henge no Jutsu," Temari pointed out.

Lucca blinked, then rose her hand. "Umh... What's Henge no Jutsu?" She asked. She was in the dark as to their plan, she felt she understood enough from context to grasp the basic ideal of their plan to bring out the Dark Lady.

"It's a ninjutsu that allows the ninja to tranform themself into any person or object," Gaara explained.

Lialai looked at Taan and said "The staff was also my first weapon. I have always had my staff since I trained with the Wooshabian Air Nomads. The Air Nomads were very powerful back then." Lialai sighed. "Good times with the Air Nomads. Den's brother is a omnikinetic so he trained with me at the Air Temple. If I am correct he has nearly mastered all of the elements. You should travel to Wooshaba one day and train with the Air Nomads." Lialai cracked her knuckles and added "This land, Draconis Nightcrawlis they have a Kazekage who is the a master ninja of the wind. I want to train with him. I am sure he can help me develop my wind skills better. Then I want to meet the kage of lightning. He is called the Raikage." Lialai then said "After I leave the academy I will travel to meet these kages. You should join me. Meet me out by the lake in two days and I will start teaching you about aerokinetic and electrokinetic philosophies." Lialai walked over to watch Alimar and Esteban's duel.

Lucca raises her head in understanding. "Ahh. Okay. Thanks." She bows to Gaara, before she resumes blending in with the furiture. In other words, she doesn't draw attenation to herself, observing as the other talked, and probably forget she even existed.

A lot of people do that. When I'm not talking or doing anything, they forget I exist... I guess its because I'm not important... It doesn't matter, I guess. As long as I can be near Taylor, I can be happy. She thought to herself as she listened to the others.

Gaara gave a slight nod to her.

Meanwhile, back on Wundagore DN...

Reno nods as the old man opened the staff door and he steps inside. Within the room was a chair, which Reno promplty sits in. He looks around and to the old man. "What's up?"

The man eyed Reno with suspision. "You are after a bounty in Draconian Space, yes?" he asked.

Den left the library. In his hand he held books about the Force and Chakra. He wondered if it was possible to some how combine these to powers into one to execute a single attack. He thought to himself This could come in handy in a future fight.

"And if the plan doesn't work?" Gaara questioned, a back up plan was always a good idea.

Kurt scratched the back of his neck, he wasn't too sure about a backup plan. "I guess we could send scouting parties out to the two areas Eam saw Lady Dedlock," he said.

Alimar did not reply. He merely lifted his forelegs up to avoid the attack. At the same time he lifted his stunstick up and slashed downwards for a strike at Esteban's chest.

Douzu just shook his head as Esteban fell to the ground. It wasn't from being hit by the stunstick, no it was from when he leapt aside to avoid it. instead he'd lost his footing and slipped.

"Two left feet," Douzu remarked.

Lialai looked at Douzu and said "Yeah it does seem that he doesn't have any balance."

Douzu grinned back at her. "Dropped on his head as a baby, messed up his brain," he joked.

Alimar waited for Esteban to stand up.

'Oh? How unfortunate for him. Maybe I should just end this match before he hurts himself.' Molari said.

Esteban got back up again. "Floor's slippery," he complained and looked toward Alimar. "Your move."

Lialai looked at Estaban and said slyly ,"Oh the floor is slippery now is it? Let's make this duel more interesting." Lialai moved her fingers and put a weak static cling on the floor so that it would be harder for Estaban and Alimar to move. "You want fall anymore. Well you won't be able to move very much either but there is always pros and cons."

"Damn you," Esteban cursed.

Douzu just laughed.

Alimar chuckled. He was somewhat worried about the fact that it was harder to move but decided that since his opponent was similarly handicapped, he was alright. Alimar dashed towards Esteban running past his left while swinging the stunstick at Esteban's left arm.

Esteban caught Alimars move and blocked him from hitting his left arm. He attempted to push Alimars stunstick away to create an openening for him to attack.

Lialai smiled at the annoyed Esteban. "Come on you can do it," she said while laughing at him.

"Shh, you'll encourage him," Douzu remarked. "I want to see him fall flat on his arse again."

Lialai started laughing. It would be funny if he was to fall on his face again.


***************************************

Dirta sat back in her study just chilling. She had become used to the academy. She thought back to her little hut and decided she didn't want to ever go back there. She sat there for a little while until she realized that she hadn't bathed in what felt like centuries. She smelled herself, frowned and quickly hustled towards her bathroom. She pulled a towel and facecloth from the linen closet and then derobed. She then got into the tub and sat there and allowed the warm water to melt away her troubles. She washed over herself and cleaned her fingernails until they were perfect. She then got out and dried herself. She put on her towel and walked back into the main study to find a fresh robe.

"I see you like that idea," Douzu smirked.

Alimar met Esteban's shove with one of his own. It turned into a contest of strength as both of them attempted to knock the other one off their feet. Alimar got tired rather quickly of that and whipped his tailblade around to hit Esteban on the side of the face with the flat part.

"Uh-oh lookes like Esteban is about to fall again,"said Lialai to Douzu.

The sound of the smack echoed around the training room. Esteban lost balance and once again fell over.

"Give it up Esteban," Douzu laughed. "You're out of your league."

"Screw you," Eseban growled and looked toward Alimar. "He's defeatable."