NationStates Jolt Archive

"Tens minutes until depature," Tiamat stated, putting her feet up on the seat opposite her. "Doubt there will be any other passengers, they should leave now."

She was in her usual impatient mood.

"Where are we heading to?" Quatre asked.

Tiamat gave him a smirk. "To the main city," she said. "It's called Nocturne City funnily enough."
An odd look crossed Taylor's face. "Yeah. Funny."

"It would be where she took the name from," Tiamat said. "Either that or from the Nocturne Academy in Dark Haven."

"Have you been to the city?" Quatre asked.

Tiamat nodded. "Many times," she said. "The former ruler there was a distant relation to Kurt. Talia killed her to take over Svartalfheim, it's where she launched her original attack on Tortuga from."

Master Raven whistled a tune.

"Just heading into the forest to pick up a few ingredients," the Jedi Master explained.

"Ingredients for what?" Titan asked, now more interested then ever; the way the food came in the cafeteria made him wonder what ingredients they could possibly need to go into the forest for. He moved fast, passing Gorgorn and catching up to the Jedi Master.

"Oh this and that," Master Raven replied. "Rare foresty type ingrediants, need the real stuff."

Lialai put it into her robes but still kept her hand on it. She knew he was trying to use the force to open the door, but it seemed like it was taking him some time. Lialai began surveying the area. She didn't see anyone, but for some reason she felt like she was being watched.

The sound of a camera moving was heard. Looking up, they could see that a scurity camera was now looking away from them, shortly after that it fizzled and promptly conked out.

"Got security out of the way," Jr mentioned.

And shortly after that the doors opened.

"And now we're in," Namus said as they stepped inside the docking bay.

There appeared to be a long walk down the corridor to where the ship was docked. It would of course be harder for them to gain access to the ship itself.

Lialai began walking down the hallway towards the ship until she heard voices from behind them.

"Who left the door open?"

There was the sound of a group of voices behind them.

Lialai looked at Jr. and whispered, "That can't be good."

"It would be where she took the name from," Tiamat said. "Either that or from the Nocturne Academy in Dark Haven."

"Have you been to the city?" Quatre asked.

Tiamat nodded. "Many times," she said. "The former ruler there was a distant relation to Kurt. Talia killed her to take over Svartalfheim, it's where she launched her original attack on Tortuga from."
"I remember that. Was wondering where she came from." Taylor said.

"You're hearing things," Namus replied. "Theres no one outside the doors."

That was followed by the sound of the doors closing. Even the camera was back in it's orginal spot and working once again, this time it was looking out for those other then themselves. Namus would be first to know if anyone else were to approach the doors.

Soon they were outside the the ship. Jr walked up to the control panel and typed in the code needed to get inside. He knew the code already and was glad to find it had not been changed. The ships hatch opened and inside they could see an empty corridor.

"Namus check for lifesigns," Jr suggested.

Namus nodded, stepping inside the ship he walked over to a control panel and placed his hand over, closing his eyes.

"The only lifesigns are us."

"I remember that. Was wondering where she came from." Taylor said.

"Her ships were probably fitted here as there are shipyards on the otherside of the system," Tiamat explained.

No other passengers boarded the shuttle before the doors closed and the walkway moved away from the shuttle. The engines started and the shuttle took off toward the planet.

At the head of the shuttle, the cabin bay was sealed off from the passenger compartment. They couldn't see who the crew was from where they sat.

"I don't like that we can't see the crew," Quatre mentioned.

Lialai shrugged and said, "Whatever." She followed them.

OOC: There is nothing following them.

"Best place to start would be the Pel'tak," Jr mentioned.

With everyone inside, Jr closed the hatch and began to head toward the Pel'tak with the others in tow.

"Oh this and that," Master Raven replied. "Rare foresty type ingrediants, need the real stuff."

Titan shrugged, annoyed that the Jedi Master was not giving him a straight answer, before following silently behind.

Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "It is a surprise," he then said. "You'll like it."

"Well I'm waiting..." Titan said as he continued to follow the Jedi into the forest.

Deeper into the forest they went before Master Raven abruptly stopped. He stood there listening, his eyes closed.

Gorgron looked over at Titan and just shrugged.

"What is it?" Titan wondered as Master Raven seemed to be attempting to sense something. "A dragon!?"

"You wish," Gorgron replied. "There aren't any around here, right Master Raven?"

"No, not usually," the Jedi Master replied. "Though there is a unicorn nearby."

Titan frowned. He was hoping there would be a dragon... especially in place named as it is.

"Is that why we are here?"

"Nope," Master Raven replied. "But it's a bonus if we get hair from its mane."

"Why... what does it do?" Titan asked curiously.

He had heard of a force technique that could calm animals to the extent that you could ride them - he was wondering if Master Raven would attempt to do it.

"It's good for spells," Master Raven explained. "And it's good luck."

The Jedi Master then paused a moment.

"Unless you kill the unicorn."

"Spells?" Titan asked. He wasn't aware of what a 'spell' actually was. Of course he had heard of using the force in different ways, but never of these so called spells.

Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "What backwards backwater planet did you come from to have never heard of spells."

Titan frowned angrily... he didn't take kindly to being insulted.

Master Raven stared at him for a moment before walking off again.

Master Raven stared at him for a moment before walking off again.

Titan was liking this Master Raven less and less. It was unprecedented for an instructor to insult a student, especially one he barely knew.

But Master Raven hadn't thought of Titan mistaking it for an insult and began whistling happily as he led them deeper into the forest. A few minutes later he stopped walking once again to listen to their surroundings.

"Can you at least tell us what you are listening for?" he asked, frustrated.

"Something that doesn't belong in nature," Master Raven replied.

"Could you quit being so vague!"

Master Raven eyed Titan, he didn't look pleased. "Sometime young padawan, vague clues are all you have to go by on a mission," he said, if you can't stand it, tough."

"And sometimes if you want help, you have to be willing to share your information with others," Titan retorted.

"Best place to start would be the Pel'tak," Jr mentioned.

With everyone inside, Jr closed the hatch and began to head toward the Pel'tak with the others in tow.

OOC: Alright. Was trying to add a little bit more to the scenario right there. I'll get rid of it.

IC: Lialai simply followed Jr. and the group. She then thought to herself, I wonder when this will get interesting.

"And sometimes if you want help, you have to be willing to share your information with others," Titan retorted.


Master Raven narrowed his eyes at the young padawan. "Fine then, pink daffodils," he said. "Happy now?"

Wooshaba']
Lialai simply followed Jr. and the group. She then thought to herself, I wonder when this will get interesting.

The Pel'tak was eerily quiet as Jr led them inside. Usually Namus would be at the navigational controls, but he hadn't been around when Kurt had gone awol.

"Namus check the logs, you know what to do," Jr suggested.

Namus nodded and quickly went to work. He sat down at the controls and began to search through the logs.

"Lialai come here a sec," Jr then said, standing beside the captains chair. "Hold your hand here, it's freezing isn't it? The rest of the Pel'tak is warm but in this spot its cold."

Lialai walked over to that spot and touched it. It was cold. "That's strange," she said to Jr. "I wonder what it is?"

Jr watched the goosebumps on his hand. "Sometimes caused by ghosts, other times caused by magic," he explained and took his hand away. "There is no visible ghosts around, considering Kurt was mostly likely sat there for most of the journey here, I'd say it is a case of magic rather then the supernatural." His face began to show how worried he was. "That could mean that Kurt, or whomever else was sat here, might have been under alot of magic."

Lialai shook her head and said, "That is not good." She then looked at Namus and said, "Have you found anything?"

"Her ships were probably fitted here as there are shipyards on the otherside of the system," Tiamat explained.

No other passengers boarded the shuttle before the doors closed and the walkway moved away from the shuttle. The engines started and the shuttle took off toward the planet.

At the head of the shuttle, the cabin bay was sealed off from the passenger compartment. They couldn't see who the crew was from where they sat.

"I don't like that we can't see the crew," Quatre mentioned.
"Good or bad, we're stuck until we land." Taylor said.

Wooshaba']Lialai shook her head and said, "That is not good." She then looked at Namus and said, "Have you found anything?"

"So far, just that Kurt wasn't alone," Namus said. "Trying to get the crew list now, it's been encrypted so it might take time."

"Good or bad, we're stuck until we land." Taylor said.

Tavan leaned over and looked out the window. "Shouldn't be too long, I can see the planet now."

Quatre looked out the window. Svartalfheim was pretty large as they drew near, it looked rather dark and forbodding from above. "I don't like the look of it," he told the others.

"Heh. I guess if we're going to encounter not only Kurt, but his enemies as well, this is the place to do it." Taylor chuckled darkly.

Lialai nodded and looked around. She wondered what had happened here.

Quatre quietly glanced over at Taylor.

"Five more minutes and we'll be landing," Tavan announced.

"Oh good, I hate this shuttle, it's too human smelling," Tiamat remarked. "No offense Masaki."

Master Raven narrowed his eyes at the young padawan. "Fine then, pink daffodils," he said. "Happy now?"

"Yes..." Titan replied as he began looking for the pink flowers.

"There are also rumours of a crashed shuttle out here," Master Raven then casually said.

Of course now the real surprise was out of the bag as the Jedi Master just casually walked along and started whistling a tune.

"Hmm." Taylor said nothing while the ship landed.

"There are also rumours of a crashed shuttle out here," Master Raven then casually said.

"Well why aren't we looking for that?!" Titan exclaimed excitedly. Unexplored crash shuttles were much more interesting that little pink flowers...

Wooshaba']Lialai nodded and looked around. She wondered what had happened here.


"That little bastard," Zathar yelled as he noticed the first name that was decrypted come up.

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

"My brother Firiat is on the list."

"Well why aren't we looking for that?!" Titan exclaimed excitedly. Unexplored crash shuttles were much more interesting that little pink flowers...


"Because it was just a rumour," Master Raven replied. "If it had been true it would have been found by now."

"Hmm." Taylor said nothing while the ship landed.


After the five minutes were up, the shuttle had safely landed and they were walking out into the space port. There were a number of shadowy figures milling about men in uniform, whom were either staff or guards.

Quatre placed a hood over his head, the last thing he wanted was to be recognised. "Where to?"

Tiamat silently rubbed her chin.

"Because it was just a rumour," Master Raven replied. "If it had been true it would have been found by now."

"Well if it was a rumor that you had disproven, you wouldn't have bothered to bring it up..." Tark commented. Rumors only remained rumors if there was no proof one way or another.

Master Raven sighed. "I think too loudly sometimes," he muttered.

Behind the Jedi Master, Gorgron made a crazy motion with his hand.

Titan giggled slightly at Gorgorn's motions - helped by Titan's growing dislike of Master Raven - before he stifled himself by cupping both hands over his mouth.

"Well... I think it would be cool if we found a crashed shuttle..."

"With long dead bodies and treasure to boot?" Master Raven asked.

"With whatever may be there..." he replied. If there were any scavengers or predators out here, the bodies of the shuttle may be long gone... but the treasure... that sounded like a dream for a kid.

"Whatever the case, the skeletal remains will probably be there," Master Raven said. "The flesh chewed away by nature but no one to take the bones away."

"So there will be bones..." Titan said.

"Have you found the ingredients yet?" he asked as he continued to walk and scan the area.

"No, have you?" Master Raven then said. "That reminds me, wasn't there previously three of us?"

Titan spun around, his heart pounding at the words Master Raven had just said. "Where is Gorgorn!?!"

"GORGORN! GORGORN!"

They were now alone, where Gorgron had been just moments before, nothing.

"Oh I'm in trouble," Master Raven replied. "He must have fallen down somewhere."

"If he had fallen down he would still hear me!" Titan screamed.

"GORGORN! GORGORN!!!"

OOC: It's Gorgron, not Gorgorn :p

IC:

"That's if he's conscious," Master Raven pointed out and closed his eyes. "I'll have him located in a jiffy."

ooc: Hehe, maybe that is why he isn't responding :p

IC:

"Fine..." Titan said, still worried about his friend.

"Ah ha, that sounds like fun," Master Raven said, opening his eyes. "This way."

Master Raven led Titan through some bushes over to a steep slope that led down into darkness.

"He's down there somewhere."

"Well, what are you waiting for..." Titan asked as he peered over the edge.

Master Raven smirked before jumping down the slope and sliding into the darkness below.

Titan decided that jumping down the way Master Raven did would be too dangerous without taking his time, and if he did that, Master Raven would have already found and recovered Gorgron. In the end, he decided to cop a squat on the ground and wait for word from the Jedi.

From behind Titan came the sound of crackling and Master Raven appeared. Gorgron was right beside him looking muddy and bruised.

Titan frowned. "Well at least you're alive..." he commented as he saw his friend was cut up and bruised.

"This whole trek is fucking bollocks," Gorgron yelled to the surprise of Master Raven.

Titan was quite taken aback by Gorgron's outburst. He must be annoyed because he got hurt. Nothing you can do about it...

The young padawan did not respond, but rather simply turned to Master Raven.

Master Raven held up a box that appeared to be emitting a pink light. "Still we got what we came out for," he said. "We should return to the academy you are far too inexperianced to go any deeper."

Titan frowned. This had not been at all exciting like Master Raven promised it would be. He was thoroughly disappointed.

The ground shook as an almighty roar cut through the forest. Gorgrons anger turned to worry.

"What was that?" he gulped.

"That would be a jaguar," Master Raven said rather calmly.

Titan wondered if she ignite his lightsaber or not, but decided it was best left up to Master Raven to defend them. Though, the head of the academy probably wouldn't be pleased to hear that one of the padawans he took into the forest was lost for several moments and was returned in a less than fair condition.

[ooc: Somehow I keep missing your posts.]

A figure emerged from beside them, it wasn't a jaguar like they'd heard but was Daniel. His cold feral like eyes watched them.

"And what are you doing so far from the academy?" Master Raven asked.

Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Could ask you the same question," he replied.

After the five minutes were up, the shuttle had safely landed and they were walking out into the space port. There were a number of shadowy figures milling about men in uniform, whom were either staff or guards.

Quatre placed a hood over his head, the last thing he wanted was to be recognised. "Where to?"

Tiamat silently rubbed her chin.
Taylor followed suit, covering his face with the hood of his own cloak. "So, what's next?"

Tiamat had led the group to a large mansion within Nocturne City. Stood within the main hall the group sawthat they were surrounded by paintings of the dragon council, including Tiamat and Ryujin.

"Since when did the dragon council have a mansion here?" Quatre demanded.

"Three thousand years now," Tiamat said rather calmly. "First time it has been used in the last century though. Ryujin felt it important to have a place out here to keep a watch on the dark elves."

She walked over and behind her painting was a television screen. Tapping into a control panel brought up a recent recording of Darth Karask. His silver hair easy to see but his face was hidden by a mask.

"See that's him, that's Darth Karask."

"That little bastard," Zathar yelled as he noticed the first name that was decrypted come up.

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

"My brother Firiat is on the list."

Lialai looked up. "What is that a list of?" she asked.

A figure emerged from beside them, it wasn't a jaguar like they'd heard but was Daniel. His cold feral like eyes watched them.

"And what are you doing so far from the academy?" Master Raven asked.

Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Could ask you the same question," he replied.

Titan looked to Master Raven, wondering what he should do. "Are we going back now?"

[ooc: Is Daniel a Master, Padawan, or Knight?]

Wooshaba']Lialai looked up. "What is that a list of?" she asked.

"Crew members for the ships journey here," Namus explained.

Titan looked to Master Raven, wondering what he should do. "Are we going back now?"

[ooc: Is Daniel a Master, Padawan, or Knight?]

OOC: He's a padwan still.

IC:

Master Raven nodded. "Yes we are," he replied and looked toward Daniel. "As are you."

OOC: He's a padwan still.

IC:

Master Raven nodded. "Yes we are," he replied and looked toward Daniel. "As are you."

"Okay... let's go then," Titan said as he walked in front of the group and began leading the way back.

Master Raven placed the box inside his Jedi robe and walked off, whistling The Dambusters theme. When his back was turned, Daniel turned round to Gorgron and Titan, grinning at the pair before wandering off back to the academy.

"He's strange," Gorgron muttered under his breath.

"Crew members for the ships journey here," Namus explained.


Lialai replied, "Do you think your brother is still here?"

Master Raven placed the box inside his Jedi robe and walked off, whistling The Dambusters theme. When his back was turned, Daniel turned round to Gorgron and Titan, grinning at the pair before wandering off back to the academy.

"He's strange," Gorgron muttered under his breath.

"No kidding!" Titan said in mock surprise. "I wouldn't be caught dead out here alone..." As they continued walking back towards the academy Titan added, "... Well, maybe dead."

Wooshaba']Lialai replied, "Do you think your brother is still here?"

"If he is, I'm strangling him," Zathar remarked, folding his arms.

"No kidding!" Titan said in mock surprise. "I wouldn't be caught dead out here alone..." As they continued walking back towards the academy Titan added, "... Well, maybe dead."


"Very dead," Gorgron nodded.

Once they'd arrived back at the academy, Master Raven headed inside. He seemed too preoccupied to tell the boys what to do.

"They're up to something, the Masters," Daniel announced, placing his hands behind his head.

Lialai looked at Jr. and said, "What are we going to search for next?"

"They're up to something, the Masters," Daniel announced, placing his hands behind his head.

"I was under the impression that they always were..." Titan responded. He had heard of the mysterious ways and means of the force and the Jedi.

Jr thought for a moment. "How long until you have all the names?" he asked Namus.

"Just give me a few more minutes," Namus said.

Jr nodded. "Of course we'll have to find out why none of the crew were left aboard."

"I was under the impression that they always were..." Titan responded. He had heard of the mysterious ways and means of the force and the Jedi.


"Oh just more than usual," Daniel smirked. "Especially with a box emitting a pink light."

"Well, why didn't you ask him about it if you were interested?" Titan asked as he entered the academy. "He said it was what we went into the forest looking for."

Lialai nodded and began walking around the room looking for stuff. She then just sat down on the floor and waited for everyone to finish their task.

"Well, why didn't you ask him about it if you were interested?" Titan asked as he entered the academy. "He said it was what we went into the forest looking for."


"And you believe him," Daniel questioned, raising an eyebrow. "The Masters, they're always closed books."

Wooshaba']Lialai nodded and began walking around the room looking for stuff. She then just sat down on the floor and waited for everyone to finish their task.


Jr walked over to her. "Perhaps we should scout the rest of the ship while they finish up in here," he suggested.

"And you believe him," Daniel questioned, raising an eyebrow. "The Masters, they're always closed books."

"Maybe... but why did he take me and Gorgron into the forest with him. If he wanted to keep it secret, he would have told knowbody..." Titan said, in what he thought was a pretty valid point.

"Did you see Master Raven collect what he wanted?" Daniel questioned him.

Gorgron shook his head, he was the one whom had been down the bottom of that slope where Master Raven had seemingly taken what he'd needed.

Tiamat had led the group to a large mansion within Nocturne City. Stood within the main hall the group sawthat they were surrounded by paintings of the dragon council, including Tiamat and Ryujin.

"Since when did the dragon council have a mansion here?" Quatre demanded.

"Three thousand years now," Tiamat said rather calmly. "First time it has been used in the last century though. Ryujin felt it important to have a place out here to keep a watch on the dark elves."

She walked over and behind her painting was a television screen. Tapping into a control panel brought up a recent recording of Darth Karask. His silver hair easy to see but his face was hidden by a mask.

"See that's him, that's Darth Karask."
"Hmm. On the face of it, looks like a Kabuto clone..." Taylor said, referring to the enigmatic ninja, an A-level criminal in the books. "But we'd best meet him to find out who he is for sure..."

Tiamat nodded. "Of course the problem is getting near him," she mentioned. "He resides in a castle in Helfife, we have a teleportation device that goes to another mansion in Helfife but his castle is heavily guarded."

"Never heard of a castle that wasn't." Taylor commented, folding his arms. "Tell us everything you know about the castle, please."

Tiamat tapped into the control panel once more. The screen then changed from Darth Karask to a large dark stoned building.

"Doesn't look like much I know."

Pressing another button, a droid headed towards the castle. Once it hit a certain point, a yellow forcefield appeared and the droid was instantly vapourised into nothing.

"Tavan has been working on a spell to shut that off as there's no other way in."

"Hmm. How far from the castle is this forcefield? And has anyone tried going underground?" Taylor asked.

"The forcefield is a complete sphere," Tavan said, speaking up at last. "Darth Karask no doubt expects Lady Nocturne to attack. The forcefield itself is a hundred metres from the castle at that point."

"All right." Taylor said glancing at Tavan. "If it's magical, I'll leave that to you, Tavan, I presume? I only know Jedi and ninja techniques..."

Tavan looked over at Taylor. "With a powerful magical forcefield like this you have to fight magic with magic, there is no other way around it and I have just the spell to make a temporary opening."

"I see. When will you do it?" Taylor asked.

"As soon as we get there, to Helfife," Tavan replied.

"Right. No time like the present to go..." Taylor said.

Tavan looked toward Tiamat whom just nodded.

"This way," she said, tapinng the control panel so that the painting covered up the screen once again.

She then led them though a door with a pentagram painted on the floor. There were unreadable symbols and words around it, surrounded by a circle.

"Just stand inside the circle."

"Looks like a transmutation circle." Taylor noted as he stepped inside.

"Its a teleportation circle," Tiamat replied. "The pentagram is needed for powerful magic such as this."

With everyone inside the circle, a red light engulfed them. Once it dispersed they found themselves in a similar room.

"This way," Tiamat said, leading them through to an entirely different room from before.

This one looked to have fallen into disrepair. There was rubble everywhere and gaping holes in the ceiling.

"Did you see Master Raven collect what he wanted?" Daniel questioned him.

Gorgron shook his head, he was the one whom had been down the bottom of that slope where Master Raven had seemingly taken what he'd needed.

"No..." Titan admitted, "But still... why would he bring us with him if he wanted to keep it secret?"

Daniel raised his hand and lightly flicked Titans forehead. "Because you're naive, he knew that no one would take much notice if he left with two padawans and because you're new you're clueless," he explained. "He used you."

"Well I don't care!" Titan retorted sincerely. Used him or not, he wasn't going to think he knew better than the Masters what to do.

Daniel grinned and cocked his head sideways, still looking at Titan.

"So you like being used then?" he asked. "Like to be given orders."

"You can try using head games on me... but it won't work," Titan replied as he brushed past Daniel and into the academy. He paused, stopping on the top step before turning, "If you think something is up that shouldn't be... find proof first."

Daniel just laughed. "Who said anything about them being up to something they shouldn't be?" he replied. "Just because it's in secret, doesn't mean they're doing something illegal. There might be a spy around, that Zathar kid and his little bro were spying on the academy not so long ago."

The black haired boy placed his hands behind his head.

"Six months ago actually, but you weren't here. Man you missed one big fight back then."

Daniel just laughed. "Who said anything about them being up to something they shouldn't be?" he replied. "Just because it's in secret, doesn't mean they're doing something illegal. There might be a spy around, that Zathar kid and his little bro were spying on the academy not so long ago."

The black haired boy placed his hands behind his head.

"Six months ago actually, but you weren't here. Man you missed one big fight back then."

"Yeah? What about?" He asked, interested in a recent battle that had occured, possibly on the very place he is walking now.

"Some Sith sent a small army to attack the academy," Daniel explained.

"Some Sith sent a small army to attack the academy," Daniel explained.

"What happened?" Titan asked broadly. He wanted to know everything. What the academy did in response. If anybody died. If there were any 'heroes.' Everything...

"A bloody battle happened. Lost no one on this side, all the dark Jedi were either killed or captured," Daniel said coldly. "You know Zadeth Tyrneanea? His father, brother and sister are all locked away in the cells."

"Sounds like a pretty poorly planned attack if they were all captured and killed and none of the people from the academy were killed," Titan mused. "I wonder why they would organize such a pathetic attempt."

"It was probably an intelligence gathering attack, send in the pawns to test the academy defences," Daniel replied with a smirk. "A real attack might still happen."

"Its a teleportation circle," Tiamat replied. "The pentagram is needed for powerful magic such as this."

With everyone inside the circle, a red light engulfed them. Once it dispersed they found themselves in a similar room.

"This way," Tiamat said, leading them through to an entirely different room from before.

This one looked to have fallen into disrepair. There was rubble everywhere and gaping holes in the ceiling.
"Looks like it hasn't been used in years..." Taylor commented.

"Thirty years in fact," Tiamat mentioned.

She went to open the main doors but they promptly fell down upon touch.

"And this is Helfife, a dead city," she then announced, stepping outside.

All of the nearby buildings were in ruins. The sky was dark, as if it were night but the city was cloaked in eternal darkness. Looking up the driveway, the castle was visible and appeared quite close.

"There it is."

Quatre looked up at the castle, there was a sense of dread around the castle. He could feel it from where he stood and it sent a shiver up his spine.

Not waiting for the others, Tavan had already begun walking off down the driveway.

"Hmm. Gotta bad feeling about this." Taylor muttered as he followed.

"You and I both," Quatre said.

Tavan placed a droid in front of him, that way he could tell where the forcefield was and no one would accidently walk into it. The castle drew nearer as they continued walking. Suddenly the droid hit the forcefield and was vapourised.

"Stop, this is as far as we go for now," Tavan said.

THe others stopped behind him as he took out a small book from his pocket and knelt down.

"Right." Taylor folded his arms and waited.

Tavan opened the book and lay it out in front of him.

“Farw drem,” he then said and his eyes went completely white.

Saying nothing, a green pentagram appeared directly in front of him. It was more or less the same height as he was. Turning the page, he began.

“Dduwies Hel, Archa chennych adnabod atoch chlyw 'm eiria. Archa chennych at anrhega 'm 'ch allu , 'ch allu chan 'r farw.”

For a while nothing happened. Tiamat rolled her eyes believing that Tavan didn’t know what he was doing after all, but then he began to glow white.

“Agor a daungan fel a chofnodom hon castella.”

Tavan looked up, his eyes still nothing but white. Waiting a few moments, the pentagram swung inwards as if it were a door. The young silver-haired vampire hunter stood up and stepped through. He was successful in creating an entry point.

“Quickly, someone will most likely have noticed this,” he warned.

Taylor stepped through quickly.

Jr walked over to her. "Perhaps we should scout the rest of the ship while they finish up in here," he suggested.


Lialai replied, "Sure." She then stood up and waited for what to do next."

Taylor stepped through quickly.

Once they were all through, the pentagram door swung shut behind them and vanished.

"It's alright, I can open another," Tavan assured them.

"This way," Tiamat said with a nodded.

The front doors of the castle were nearby, two masked guards were stood outside.

"Don't think they saw us," Tavan remarked.

Wooshaba']Lialai replied, "Sure." She then stood up and waited for what to do next."

Jr looked over at Zathar.

"We'll be fine," he assured him.

Jr nodded and headed for the door. "We'll try the captains quarters."

"It was probably an intelligence gathering attack, send in the pawns to test the academy defences," Daniel replied with a smirk. "A real attack might still happen."

"Oh..." Titan said somewhat quietly. The thought of the academy being attacked was riveting and yet at the same time quite scary to think that people could actually die.

"You didn't think you'd be safe here did you?" Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow. "Jedi academy's always attract the attention of Sith."

"You didn't think you'd be safe here did you?" Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow. "Jedi academy's always attract the attention of Sith."

"But then there are the Masters to deal with the Sith..." Titan countered. Safety was a relative term anyway.

Daniel smirked at Titans naivety. "Not if they sent a larger number of dark Jedi," he pointed out.

Daniel smirked at Titans naivety. "Not if they sent a larger number of dark Jedi," he pointed out.

"Well then why wouldn't they have done it already?" Titan asked.

Daniel flicked Titans forehead once again. "They have to build up once again since they lost the last batch of dark Jedi," he remarked. "Like you, Sith miss the fucking obvious and run in without thinking things over."

Daniel flicked Titans forehead once again. "They have to build up once again since they lost the last batch of dark Jedi," he remarked. "Like you, Sith miss the fucking obvious and run in without thinking things over."

"But you just said they were pawns and it was a faint rather than a serious attack, certainly they wouldn't need to build up that much... And I heard that some of the Masters left recently..." Titan replied as he rubbed his forehead.

Again Daniel flicked Titans forehead. "The Masters are still here," he said. "Those that left weren't Masters, just a Knight and a Padawan."

Lialai followed him out of the room towards the captain's quarters.

Again Daniel flicked Titans forehead. "The Masters are still here," he said. "Those that left weren't Masters, just a Knight and a Padawan."

"Oh..." Titan replied once again. Daniel seemed to know a lot; maybe it was best not to argue with him. "Do you know when the next class is?" he asked.

"Oh..." Titan replied once again. Daniel seemed to know a lot; maybe it was best not to argue with him. "Do you know when the next class is?" he asked.

"Fuck knows," Daniel replied with a shrug. "The Masters seem to be all over the place, they'll probably forget about you."

Wooshaba']Lialai followed him out of the room towards the captain's quarters.


Jr led Lialai through the ships corridors to the captains quarters. Luckily the combination on the control panel and as soon as he'd tapped it in, the doors opened. The duo were greeted by an almighty mess, there were clothes books and various other objects strewn about the room.

"Yep, his majesties definitely been here," Jr sighed. "Only he could leave a mess like this."

"Fuck knows," Daniel replied with a shrug. "The Masters seem to be all over the place, they'll probably forget about you."

"Thanks... that is really reassuring," Titan replied as he decided to wander off in search of something else to do or class to take.

Lialai looked around and said, "This is a very big mess. Very big." She walked over and picked up a book. As soon as she touched it fell apart. Lialai shook her head at it.

"Thanks... that is really reassuring," Titan replied as he decided to wander off in search of something else to do or class to take.

"So if you want to learn something worthwhile, just look me up," Daniel said and turned to head down to the lake.

Wooshaba']Lialai looked around and said, "This is a very big mess. Very big." She walked over and picked up a book. As soon as she touched it fell apart. Lialai shook her head at it.


"Well that's his Majesty for you," Jr shrugged. "Never big on cleanlyness and don't get me started on his manners."

"So if you want to learn something worthwhile, just look me up," Daniel said and turned to head down to the lake.

This last sentence caught Titan's attention. He wanted to learn and seeing that there apparently were no classes currently, he decided to go check out what Daniel had to offer.

He turned and walked after the kid, arriving down by the lake only a minute after him. "What ya got?"

Daniel smirked. "What do you want to learn?" he asked.

"Whatever you can teach," Titan replied, eager to learn anything he could.

ooc: How much older is Daniel?

"I can teach you lightsaber moves, how to play with the elements and even put a stopper in death," Daniel grinned.

OOC: Fourteen.

"All of it!" Titan said excitedly, though the last thing he had mentioned seemed very odd, especially for a fourteen year old to know.

"Would take years to teach you all," Daniel replied. "The elements are particularly hard."

Daniel raised his hand and moved it like he was swinging a sword. Titan would feel the breeze against him.

"Well then skip the elements," Titan said as he felt the cool breeze against his face. "I can learn those later."

Gorgron placed his hands behind his head as he watched.

"So the basics then?" Daniel asked.

"Sure... we can start there," Titan replied as his hands were getting ancy.

"Do you know how to use the force to pick up objects?" Daniel asked. "That's the best thing to start with."

Titan frowned; he knew how to, though he wasn't much good at it. In fact, he wasn't good at all that much that dealt with the Force. "I can do it a little.."


[ooc: Just a friendly reminder that he (in the future) isn't going to be good with the force. ;) ]

"Ok," Daniel said, kicking a rock over at Titan. "Try picking that up."

Gorgron had disappeared back to their dorm room.

Lialai nodded and said, "So if we follow this big trail of mess the king has made we should be able to find him, correct?"

A rock of that size, especially when it was so close to him, was not a very difficult task for Titan, even if he was clumsy with the Force and poorly trained in it.

A moment later, the rock was floating in the air above his hand.

"Probably not," Jr sighed. "If we could find anything in this mess, I doubt it'll be anything of use." He sniffed the air. "I smell heavy alcohol."

There was the sound of something shuffling followed by a thud.

"Seems we might not be alone afterall."

A rock of that size, especially when it was so close to him, was not a very difficult task for Titan, even if he was clumsy with the Force and poorly trained in it.

A moment later, the rock was floating in the air above his hand.


Daniel smirked. "See not so hard is it?" he said. He pointed over to a larger rock beside the lake. "How about trying that one."

The rock Daniel was pointing out was much larger in comparison to the one which Titan had just let fall to the ground and roll slightly down the hill. It looked to weigh many pounds rather than the couple of ounces the previous one had been.

Nevertheless, Titan focused on the rock in his mind and began concentrating on picking it up. The rock in question began rumbling in its spot as Titan used the force to get a grip over it. It rose an inch or two into the air before shaking violently... the young padawan lost his control over it and it fell into the waters of the lake.

Daniel shook his head. "You think too much, that's your problem," he had observed. "Try not thinking too much about what you're doing."

The concept that Daniel proposed was a particularly radical one for Titan. How could he possibly do something without thinking about it. Even when the letting the force guide him and direct him, he still had to think about his actions to a certain degree.

However, he decided to give it a try. As best as he could, all of the thoughts within his mind were wiped away... The rock did nothing.

"Look at me and imagine it floating, don't think it imagine it," Daniel then said.

The odd statements just kept coming from this Daniel character. To Titan, you couldn't imagine something without thinking about it... In fact, imagining it was thinking about it and picturing it.

He wasn't sure what to do, so he did the best he could... The rock did nothing.

Daniel just shook his head. "You need work," he said, his voice sounding a little cold.

Once again, Titan gave his ever-repetitive frown. Obviously he needed work - he knew that.

"Most padawans can pick up a rock that size by now," Daniel then said. "If you can't pick it up by the end of the week you'll never make it."

"You're not helping..." Titan said in annoyed tone as he sat down on the grass.

Daniel folded his arms and glared at the younger boy. "I taught myself to use the force," he replied.

Daniel folded his arms and glared at the younger boy. "I taught myself to use the force," he replied.

"Good for you!" Titan mocked sarcastically.

"Well I can see you don't want my help," Daniel said and walked off.

"Well I can see you don't want my help," Daniel said and walked off.

"Not anymore..." Titan said as he sat sulking on the grass.

In an instant he was gone, who knew where to.

Gorgron meanwhile had made it back to their dorm room. He flopped down on his bed and closed his eyes, he was aching all over.

“Oh we’ve seen you,” came a voice from behind them.

Several guards had appeared directly behind them, their weapons drawn and ready to fire.

“Cawn hymwthwyr, Feistrola,” one guard said as more appeared in front of them.

They could tell that they were out numbered as the guard awaited something.

“Do Feistrola.”

The guard then looked at them. “Darth Karask requests your presence in his hall,” the guard then said.

Without protest they were marched inside the castle. Through a long hallway they walked through silently before coming across a large pair of doors that swung open and led them into a large darkened hall, lit only by a line of fires that led down to throne. Upon the throne they could see a masked man. Behind the fires were shadowy figures watching them.

“Bod cerddedig,” the figure upon the throne ordered, his voice sounded rather distorted and his face hidden by a mask.

This was Darth Karask. He stood up as the guards left the hall.

“Why are you here?” Darth Karask demanded.

Back aboard the space station, a number of guards had formed outside the Ayreon’s docking bay.

“I sense trouble,” Jr mentioned.

After about twenty minutes of just sitting on the grass thinking, Titan decided to go get some rest. It had been tiring thus far and he would need his energy.

Soon, he found his way back to his room - though he did get lost once - and fell asleep the instant his head hit the pillow.

Lialai sniffed the air and said, "Yeah I smell it too." Her spine stiffened as she sinced a disturbance in the Force. Lialai quickly scanned the area and said, "There is something definitely wrong. I think we should move."

Jr nodded, his hands moving to check his guns. "We should head back to the Pel'tak," he suggested and headed for the door.

Lialai nodded and began walking towards the door. She didn't know what was going to happen next, but she could sense something was coming. Her hands cover her lightsaber.

Once back on the Pel'tak, Jr walked over to Zathar and Namus.

"We have company," Namus explained and showed the video of the guards outside. "I've shut off all the doors between there and the ship, I don't know how long we can keep them out."

"Long enough I should imagine," Jr said, noting the fact they had yet to make it through the first door.

Lialai looked at them and said, "How are we going to get out of here? We can't just tell them to go away."

Jr grinned."Well we are on a ship are we not?" he pointed out. "I know my way round the Ayreon. Namus, get the others online, tell them to move the Durandal and then start the engines."

Namus nodded and then went silent. As Jr settled down in the captains chair, he could see the communication going to the Durandal.

Lialai sat down on a chair near the front of the ship. She kept her eyes on the door. She would be ready for anything.

"They're heading away from the spaceport," Namus then mentioned. "They found guards outside as well."

The Pel'tak lit up as the engines started.

"How far should we go?"

"Just away from the spaceport," Jr said.

Namus nodded, his eyes were closed as the ship began to pull away.

As he slept comfortably in the unfamiliar bed of the academy, Titan was visited by numerous obscure dreams. Some possibly from the Force itself, but none that stuck with the young boy...

Quatre looked over Darth Karask, there was an air of familiarity around him. "We know who you are, theres no sense hiding behind that mask now," he said.

Darth Karask moved forward. "Oh really, and how do you know I am whom you think I am?" he asked almost mockingly.

"Because Ddauchlor betrays you," Quatre explained. "Kurt."

"Yo, Kurt." Taylor said cheerfully. "What's with the getup? 'tis not like you."

"I'm not Kurt, I'm Darth Karask," Darth Karask replied.

A shadowy figure appeared from behind the throne. "Forget it they're not buying it," came a familiar female voice, a certain blonde Sand Nin. "You were right, you really can't fool your husband can you?" She sighed. "We can fool the people of Svartalfheim but not those that know you."

"Nice to see you too, Temari." Taylor noted.

Temari raised an eyebrow at Taylor. "Well looks like this plan has gone down the drain," she remarked.

Kurt took off Darth Karasks mask, his hair was silver and he looked very much human. The pale skin and silver hair made him look like a Cyredathem. Quatre stepped up to him and slapped Kurt across the cheek.

"Ow, I probably deserved that," he said, rubbing his cheek.

"I was worried about you," Quatre told him. "I felt the dark thoughts coming from you before you left."

Kurts eyes widened. "You were visiting your parents with Gabriel while I dealt with the threat at the academy, why did you come back?"

"Had to get something for Gabriel that I'd left behind," he explained. "I had to leave Gabriel with the Kazekage because I feared for his safety."

Temari smirked. "Gaara looking after a baby? That should be fun."

After a good night's sleep, Titan woke up the next day feeling fresh and relaxed, if not a little sour from the all the activity the previous day. Yawning deeply, he put on his robe and quickly made his way to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Gorgron was already in the cafeteria, talking to Zadeth. Looking up he saw Titan and waved to him.

"Why are you doing all this if you haven't turned?" Quatre then demanded.

Kurt shook his head. "Because Lady Nocturne still has the other Amulet of Ostara and we need to get it from her," he explained. "This is the only way we could get close."

Gorgron was already in the cafeteria, talking to Zadeth. Looking up he saw Titan and waved to him.

"Hey..." Titan said from across the cafeteria as he waved back. Walking towards his friend, he saw somebody he didn't recognize talking to Gorgron. "Umm... hi."

"Hey," Zadeth replied. "Heard you had a run in with Daniel yesterday."

"Hey," Zadeth replied. "Heard you had a run in with Daniel yesterday."

"Yeah... a little," Titan admitted, remembering yesterday's events. "He is a bit of a meanie... I don't like him very much."

[ooc: Should he know who Zadeth is?]

Zadeth shook his head, "Something about him I don't quite trust," he admitted.

OOC: Titan probably wouldn't really know him since he's new to the academy.

Zadeth shook his head, "Something about him I don't quite trust," he admitted.

OOC: Titan probably wouldn't really know him since he's new to the academy.

"Yeah, me too. He kept trying to convince me that the Masters were up to something they shouldn't have been..."

[ooc: Alright. I was just wondering if Titan had talked to him before and I just forgot.]

Zadeth raised an eyebrow and laughed. "When are the Masters not up to something?" he smirked.

A fresh pot of coffee appreared in front of him.

"You should have some, it'll help you get through the day, fresh Draconian coffee."

"No thanks... I don't like coffee," Titan said, remembering the one time when he tried it and immediately spit it out for its bland flavor.

Gorgron rolled his eyes and grabbed a cup. "Suit yourself," he said, gulping down coffee.

"He say anything else?" Zadeth asked.

OOC: What is going on? Where should our characters be now?

Gorgron rolled his eyes and grabbed a cup. "Suit yourself," he said, gulping down coffee.

"He say anything else?" Zadeth asked.

Titan shrugged. "He might've... but I tried to forget about it. None of it was very helpful or nice."

"Well thats just Daniel for you," Zadeth shrugged.

OOC: @Wooshaba, still on the bridge.

"How do you propose on getting the amulet from het then?" Tiamat asked. She had a sneaking suspision that the Kings plan wasn't well thought out. "You haven't thought out that part of the plan have."

Kurt narrowed his as at her, he really hated it when she got on his nerves like this. "We just have to find out where it is."

"And have you?"

"No, not yet."

"Well thats just Daniel for you," Zadeth shrugged.

OOC: @Wooshaba, still on the bridge.

"Yeah..." Titan said, trying to forget about the boy.

"What do I want... How about pancakes!" And with that the food appeared in front of him and the young boy began to eat to his heart's content.

"I don't suppose you know what happened to Daniel before he came here do you?" Zadeth then asked.

"I don't suppose you know what happened to Daniel before he came here do you?" Zadeth then asked.

"No idea. I just got here yesterday... or maybe the day before - I forget; the days kind of blended together," Titan said, trying to remember that he had only just arrived.

"He was the only survivor of a dark Jedi massacre," Zadeth explained.

"He was the only survivor of a dark Jedi massacre," Zadeth explained.

"Oh..." Titan said gravely as the situation surrounding Daniel's oddness sank in. "I guess that explains a lot."

Zadeth sat back in his chair, Dark Jedi, just like members of his own family. "He has never said much about it as far as I know," he then said. "Who knows what he saw."

Zadeth sat back in his chair, Dark Jedi, just like members of his own family. "He has never said much about it as far as I know," he then said. "Who knows what he saw."

"Nothing good I would imagine," Titan added as he finished off his pancakes and wiped his mouth off.

"Too graphic to mention," Zadeth then said. "I had to fight Dark Jedi here when they attacked the academy months ago, can't say that would be the same."

Every now and then his eyes would look upon the door to the cafeteria as if he were waiting for someone.

Jr tapped into the control and brought up a view of the Durandal.They could see that they were safely away from the space station.

"You think that was Lady Nocturnes goons at the door?" he asked Lialai.

"Too graphic to mention," Zadeth then said. "I had to fight Dark Jedi here when they attacked the academy months ago, can't say that would be the same."

Every now and then his eyes would look upon the door to the cafeteria as if he were waiting for someone.

"Ah..." Titan said as he grabbed a glass of some odd drink and took a snip nervously.

"So... how long have you been here then?" he wondered.

Zadeth downed the last of the coffee in his cup before pouringanotherfromthe coffee pot. "Seven months, or there abouts," he said. "Just before the academy opened."

Quatre was still looking angrily at Kurt. The King sighed and walked over to him, whispered something in Quatres ear before leading him behind nd through a door.

"Tsk, marital difficulties already," Temari smirked. "Never a good thing to keep things from each other, I doubt Quatre will be happy when he finds his fatherknew about this and was trying to keep him from finding out." Her eyes turned to Taylor. "They'll be a while, want a mini tour of Svartalheim? We know where Lady Nocturne resides."

Zadeth downed the last of the coffee in his cup before pouringanotherfromthe coffee pot. "Seven months, or there abouts," he said. "Just before the academy opened."

"Oh," Titan said, slightly surprised. He hadn't realized that the academy had just opened recently. The fact that it was so new and had already experienced an attack from the Sith was quite unnerving.

Zadeth's eyes returned to the door. "Academies always attract Sith," he then said.

"Academies don't seem like the safest places to be," Titan mused.

"Oh they're safe, this academy is safer for you then if you were back at home," Zadeth pointed out.

"Oh they're safe, this academy is safer for you then if you were back at home," Zadeth pointed out.

"But they wouldn't know where I was nor would they have a reason to bother me if I was back at home," Titan replied, reassuring himself that his home was safe.

[ooc: lol, I forgot where I said he was from again.]

OOC: I'm sure you said Naboo

IC:

"They could trace you when you use the force," Zadeth pointed out.

OOC: I'm sure you said Naboo

IC:

"They could trace you when you use the force," Zadeth pointed out.

Titan was a little embarassed to admit it, but there was no sense in denying it. "I... uh... don't use the force that much."

[ooc: Ah, right you are.]

Zadeth raised his eyebrows at that. Gorgron just sniggered.

"Well you're new to it," the older teen then mentioned. "You're here to learn how to control it and use it more."

Zadeth raised his eyebrows at that. Gorgron just sniggered.

"Well you're new to it," the older teen then mentioned. "You're here to learn how to control it and use it more."

"Yeah..." Titan knew it was the truth even if he still was behind for his age and experience. "Something Daniel didn't understand..." he muttered.

Zadeth sighed. "As I've said, there is something very strange about him," he then said. "But then his brother is pretty warped himself."

Quatre was still looking angrily at Kurt. The King sighed and walked over to him, whispered something in Quatres ear before leading him behind nd through a door.

"Tsk, marital difficulties already," Temari smirked. "Never a good thing to keep things from each other, I doubt Quatre will be happy when he finds his fatherknew about this and was trying to keep him from finding out." Her eyes turned to Taylor. "They'll be a while, want a mini tour of Svartalheim? We know where Lady Nocturne resides."
"I guess. Be good to rest awhile before we figure out the next step." Taylor shrugged.

Zadeth sighed. "As I've said, there is something very strange about him," he then said. "But then his brother is pretty warped himself."

"Who is his brother... and why wasn't he caught up in the massacre?" Titan asked as he finished his drink.

"Well actually theres a place I'd like to check out," Temari admitted. "It's a lab, I've heard rumours of cloning going on there."

Behind he were stood Kimiko and Ichigo, both looking bored. Their team-mate Eamonn didn't appear to be around.

"You do that, I'll wait here," Tiamat said. "Don't want to alert anyone to my pressence."

"Who is his brother... and why wasn't he caught up in the massacre?" Titan asked as he finished his drink.


"His brother is Eamonn Jarlath, a Hidden Sand ninja," Zadeth told him. "They were adopted by different families."

"Alright. We'll check out the lab, then." Taylor eyed Temari's students. "Let' see it."

"His brother is Eamonn Jarlath, a Hidden Sand ninja," Zadeth told him. "They were adopted by different families."

"When?" Titan asked, wondering why they were adopted at all.

"Alright. We'll check out the lab, then." Taylor eyed Temari's students. "Let' see it."

Temari nodded. "Keep and eye on the King," Temari told Tiamat.

Tiamat nodded and watched as Temari turned to leave the room, followed by Kimiko and Ichigo.

"When?" Titan asked, wondering why they were adopted at all.

Zadeth shrugged, he didn't really know. "As babies I guess," he replied.

He decided against mentioning who their mother was.

"So do they know each other?" Titan wondered.

"Well they've since met," Zadeth then said, taking a gulp of coffee.

Once again his eyes looked over to the door, he looked disappointed to see no one walking in.

"Oh..." was all Titan responded with. He decided to ignore the fact that he wasn't quite sure what a ninja was... he assumed it was just normal thing.

Temari nodded. "Keep and eye on the King," Temari told Tiamat.

Tiamat nodded and watched as Temari turned to leave the room, followed by Kimiko and Ichigo.
Taylor followed them, no longer feeling bored.

"Oh..." was all Titan responded with. He decided to ignore the fact that he wasn't quite sure what a ninja was... he assumed it was just normal thing.

Zadeth looked up once again to see Master Blexe enter. Zadeth's younger brother Maiyr was with him.

"Would you mind taking the padawan training for today?" Master Blexe asked Zadeth. "The other Masters and I have a few urgent things we need to do."

"Yes Master," Zadeth accepted.

Master Blexe nodded and left the cafeteria. Zadeth turned to the tow padawans and gulped.

Taylor followed them, no longer feeling bored.


Before long, Temari had led Taylor and her two young Genin to the lab she had mentioned. There were two security guards stationed just inside the doors.

"You think you could use a Jedi mind trick on them?" Temari asked Taylor.