NationStates Jolt Archive

The machinations of Severino Jeriacor were widely known in the Imperium; held as a great sorceror and master of science and the black arts; he had long been praised as a dedicated servant of the Emperor's Immortal interests.
Now he was the Emperor's chief Sorceror and Lord of the Royal Alchemical society; but there was only so much he could do...

That is why his apprentice; Malek, found himself on this remote world, near the borders of Coreworldian space. Jeriacor had charged him; to found a cult, and he had done so; luring countless with promises of power, the transmutation of lead into gold, to fuel greed and hunger in the hearts of the weak...
He had turned these fools to Chaos, and lured them to attempt forbidden rites.

The transmutation circle crackled with power as the two animals hissed; before the flash obliterated them both. The thing slid forth, its feline grace augmented by a serpentine cunning. The Chimera roared, bellowing as it drew claws across the scales that marred its furry visage, and then hissed with barely controlled malice. Its Master extended his hand, stroking the beings forehead. It was led forth, to cages that lined the room; filled with countless creatures, created by vilest of Alchemy..

He turned to a central cage; where the Beast struggled. It had a human shape, yet was marred by vicious, violent animalism. Countless animal forms had been grafted to it alchemically; fur, fangs, claws, scales, wings, batlike and yet feathered...

They were getting closer...

The Jedi Alchemist woke up in his bed. Something was buzzing his brain and it isn't feeling good. He sighed, hoping that whatever's up isn't too bad, but with the recent rise in kidnappings, he suspected that trouble was brewing.

If he only knew.

He put on his customary clothes (light blue shirt and jeans, brown cloak) and headed down the stairs of the Masaki house. His brother Taylor was already eating breakfast.

"Morning, bro." Jacob said as he grabbed a bowl of cereal.

"Morning." Taylor murmured, reading the paper. "Something's come up. We're needed before the Council."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Don't know yet. Think it's related to the kidnappings recently."

"Oh." They ate in silence until little Travis came down with his mom.

"Hihi!" The small child beamed.

"Hey kid. How are you?" Jacob smiled.

"Good. Hungwy." The two year old boy said.

"I'll fix you some oatmeal. That ok?" Katrina asked and the kid nodded.

"We're going to see the Council in a bit. Something's come up." Taylor said to Katrina.

"Oh? Do you know what?"

The braided young man shrugged as he finished his cereal. "We'll know when we get there."

"Alright."

Not long after, the twins took their speeder out and headed towards the Jedi Academy. They would know soon enough what they need to do...

Malek stood before the circle; watching as servitors and supplicants drew out the runes and symbols upon the ground. A door opened, a cultist slipping in.

"My Lord, people are beginning to grow suspicious; we cannot keep kidnapping, there is too much risk!"

"Then we stop with the living for a while." he chuckled softly, turning his attention back to the runes upon the ground. His eyes were focussed, dazzling blue, as he watched the circle take form.

"You can't mean-"

"Of course I can, I can do as I wish"

"But it is forbidden! Even in the darkest arts it is forbidden, I-"

Silenced he was as Malek's hand clasped against his face; energy crackled for but a moment, before the mans face was obliterated by an alchemical blast; his body rupturing from the inside out...

"None shall stand in our way..."

The twins now stood before the Council: the ancient Master Elendil. Their grandfather Master Masaki. Master Lowbacca, the last link to Skywalker. Master Harry Blayden, the current headmaster of the Academy. Master Emily Rydo (also an alchemist, though she doesn't use it often). and Master Ninja (Hokage) Tsunade.

"There is a disturbance in the Force." Master Elendil said. "You have heard of a number of kidnappings recently, correct?"

The boys nodded.

"We managed to trace some of the kidnappers. It appears to be cult-related. A dark side cult. We don't exactly know where it is, but suffice to say that there is alchemy involved." Master Rydo said.

"Alchemy? You sure, Master?" Jacob asked.

She nodded. "That's why we sent for you and your brother, Jacob Masaki."

"So where would the center of activity be?" Taylor asked.

A map of the galaxy turned on, then zoomed to a sphere near Coredian space. Alex took up the answer. "It would be somewhere in this region. Close to the border, but still having several systems you will need to check out. You are tasked to infiltrate what cult there is, find out and disrupt their plans."

Taylor nodded assent. "Rules of engagement?"

"You may initiate a preemptive strike, but use your judgement."

"Yes, Master. Will anybody be coming with us?"

"We'll be sending troops once you report back on the cult, but other than that, you're on your own to minimize detection." Master Elendil said.

"As noted." Jacob said.

"Your ship will be ready by the time you reach the hangar. That will be all, and may the Force be with you two." Alex said.

The twins bowed. "And with you, Masters."

Then they left for the hangar bay, where a small shuttle awaited them. The Seven Stars is a two seater shuttle with special modifications for the Jedi. The twins hopped into the shark-shaped ship and soon lifted off and headed into hyperspace. What would await them? Only time will tell...

Night had fallen, a quick veil of darkness across the world, shadows growing and consuming, dominating entire areas. No one noticed as the figure slipped through the umbral folds of the slumbering city. Its dark robes betraying its occultish intent.

The streets were more or less empty now; as he slipped down a back street. Something followed him; growling softly, advancing as he turned, smiling at it.
"Come now; you have work..."

His fist crackled with energy as he laid it upon the door; breaking it about with sheer alchemical force.
The catlike creature slipping in through the open door.
"A little attention seeker" he chuckled. "Something to distract them; wild animal attacks, will make them think the kidnappings the same."

He turned and went into the night as the screams started. The Beast knew its way home, and was stealthy enough to make it back without leaving traces. The plan to wrest control of this world, was forming.

It didn't take long for the police to arrive and try to contain the beast, along with reporters for the nightly news. But the creature slipped away before anyone could get a good look. Conflicting reports were the order of the day, spreading confusion after the panic of the attacks.

Meanwhile, in space...

"Hmm. I wonder what's on the news now." Jacob said and tuned the comm bands for a station.

"--and numerous people have been injured. This so-called creature has left a trail of death and destruction, and the governor has yet to comment on this news. We'll know more later on, but suffice is to say that a creature has attacked a neighborhood about half an hour ago, leaving fifteen people dead. This is Balthas Network News, keeping up to date with current events."

"So, something's up at Balthas." Taylor commented.

"Yeah. I think it's as good a place to start as any." Jacob replied, then changed his accent. "Well, Cap'n, I'd say we'd better shift our course."

Taylor chuckled. "Ok. Let's go."

The twins changed course and zoomed towards the planet of Balthas. The investigation has turned up an interesting lead, and they aren't about to give it up.

Malek sat, deep in meditation in the centre of the underground chamber. Surrounded by the mewling and hissing; the black cries of countless Chimeras that they had developed, and were now using to spread fear, terror, havoc. The air was ripe now with fear, whiich was perfect for his undertaking. The runes which lined the floor where not simply for the focusing of transmutation circles, but also runes for his truer purpose...

He would use this cult to fuel his own dark power, in Sorcery and Alchemy, and then focus his power, hone it, and summon forth Daemons. With his army of zealous followers and Daemonic allies, this world would fall.

It would appear the sorcerous lords had plans that furthered their own ends as they collected artifacts and greater arcane power for the Imperium. Plans which would begin here.

Even now his dark craft was intoxicating higher ups in the social ladder; not just peasants and workers wanted such power; and as he delved deeper into semi human Chimeras, he began to see the fruits of his promise. They could understand instruction; and simple surgery served to heighten aggression and lower its own will. They were slaves.

Landing at the spaceport, the Jedi twins were met by a police chief who seemed quite grateful to have them around.

"Thank the Force you arrived! People are scared. First kidnappings, now this. What's next, I really don't want to know." The policeman shook his head.

"Don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of this asap." Taylor assured the cop. "Can you take us to the scene?"

"Oh, certainly Masters Jedi." The police ushered them to a waiting squadspeeder and in a few moments took them to the ravaged neighborhood where people were crying and consoling themselves. The twins got out and began to search for clues at a ravaged house.

"Look at the damage. Not many creatures can do all this." Jacob noted. "The bodies seem to almost be torn in half."

"Yeah. There's something funny about this." Taylor said, looking around the house. Then he spotted a clump of fur. "A clue, Jake."

Picking it up with a forensic tweezer, Jacob frowned. "I sense alchemic energy from this thing."

Taylor's eyes narrowed. "You don't think..."

"Yeah, I think so. We'd better report back. We're dealing with a bona-fide chimera here." Jacob concluded. "If there's one, there'll be more."

"Yeah." Taylor agreed, picking up his comlink, fiddling with the frequency until he found the one that relays to the Council Chambers. "Twin 1 to Home Base, you copy?"

Static, then a second later, Alex's voice came. "Home Base here. What do you have?"

"We're on the scene now and we think that we're dealing with chimeras."

Alex frowned. "You are certain?"

Jacob replied. "Yes, Grandfather. I could sense the alchemic energy from a clump of fur we found. We're definitely dealing with a chimera, perhaps more than one."

"Hmm. Interesting news. We'll send aid soon. For now, you must seek out the cult's base of operations and put a tracking beacon near it, then deal with them. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." Taylor replied, then shut off the comlink. "Well, let's go bro."

"Right." The twins headed out of the house and after conferring with the cops (and making sure they get the local garrison on alert) reached out into the Force, asking it where the cult lies...

Yet the cult was hidden, secreted away by the power of the dark side, and Chaos. There was not a part of this that Malek had not prepared for, even when a fellow cultist had burst in, out of breath and terrified.
"Jedi! There are Jedi here!"

"And? That changes nothing; they will be busy with my pet. They shall not interfere with the final endeavor. The True Purpose shall remain hidden, and an army shall arise...One to shake this world to its core."

"This is madness! They will find us"

'We are quite safe; my runes hold. We are deep underground; they shall not find us. Return to your normal business. Tonight, I shall deal with the jedi."

He adjusted his hood, stretching out his hand to carress the bars of the Chimera cages.
"I shall make sure they never interfere again. I have some new toys to try out on them."

Jurai:
A Victory Star Destroyer was dispatched on maneuvers to the area. Officially, the Captain's orders were to search for pirates that have 'been spotted' in the area. In reality, his mission was more exciting, in his mind at least. An Impstar would be too big and powerful, and warrant attention. A Strike Cruiser would be too weak. A Vicstar is potent and yet a common sight everywhere. Hiding in plain sight is a Coredian Navy tactic, after all.

Balthas:
"Sense anything?" Taylor asked.

"No...wait. It's very vague, and the Dark Side is strong around here, but there could be something..." Jacob was always the stronger ESP student, mainly due to his talent in alchemy.

"Where?"

"Umm...uh..." Jake tried to lock on to the feeling, but it wavered in and out, like a wraith. Then he vaguely pointed in a direction. "Strongest feeling's over there, but don't hold me to it."

"Right. Best chance, I guess." Taylor said, hopping onto a large branch overhead. "Let's go."

The twins headed towards the location, but Jacob isn't exactly sure. Well, only one way to find out...

The ground itself began to shake near where the twins were, the roads rocking in upheaval as a man took his hand from the concrete and smiled.

On the rooftops, another man sat, crouched, watching; his eyes glimmered softly in the darkness, as he cracked his knuckles; dark flames crackling from his fingers.

These were Rah'ban and Thaz'gul; both foremost apprentices of Malek. The first was the 'Sundering Earth Alchemist', the other 'The Warp Fire Alchemist'. Together, they had been dispatched to distract the Jedi, along with several Chimeras. One climbed the all of the building, lizard like feet stretching into a great doglike body; its eyes yellow slits in its tormented face.

The Feline-Serpent Chimera lurked on the ground, and far above; a great hissing thing with immense fangs, fur, yet dazzling feathered wings, soared upon the thermals in search of prey...

This would be most fun indeed.

The ground shook, slowing the twins down slightly.

"What was that? Groundquake?" Taylor asked in apprehensivness.

Jacob nodded. "Yeah...and something more. I feel something up ahead. Something dark...unnatural."

"Chimeras?"

"Possibly. Sounds to me like an obvious trap."

Taylor smirked. "Well, guess we'd better spring it, then."

The two Jedi went on with the knowledge of a possible trap. Something to be said about Jedi tenacity. Indeed, despite admonishments from the older Masters, excitement and adventure seem to follow the twins everywhere...

He slammed his fists into the ground again, roaring in raw concentration as the waves of energy were focussed; sending forth great schisms in the road way, the earth shaking, splitting under his raw will; headed straight for the twins.

Obscenely writhing fire flew from the rooftops; tearing at reality itself; roaring in almost sentient anger as it hurtled earthwards...

The Alchemists pressed their attack; even as the Chimeras leapt to join the battle; twisted beings forced to serve, roaring slaves...Savage beasts.

'Come, Jedi. We shall make you bleed..."

He slammed his fists into the ground again, roaring in raw concentration as the waves of energy were focussed; sending forth great schisms in the road way, the earth shaking, splitting under his raw will; headed straight for the twins.
The boys bounced out of the way of the schism and rolled to the side, bringing their lightsabers up in guard positions.

Obscenely writhing fire flew from the rooftops; tearing at reality itself; roaring in almost sentient anger as it hurtled earthwards...

The Alchemists pressed their attack; even as the Chimeras leapt to join the battle; twisted beings forced to serve, roaring slaves...Savage beasts.

'Come, Jedi. We shall make you bleed..."
Taylor stretched out a hand, focusing on the fire, deflecting it with his powers. The fire ravaged one of the Chimeras, burning it to death. "I'm taking on that guy! You take out the other one!"

"Right!" Jacob said and moved for the earthshaker.

Taylor summoned his own fire powers, unleashing the pure heat of the Force against his opponent, while Taylor faced a chimera, lightsaber slashing and thrusting, until body parts were severed. Then he moved for the earthmover...

The Sundering Earth alchemist forced the ground about him upwards, a great column of seething rock rising into the air; before he slammed his hands into it once more; shattering it; splinters of pure razor sharp rock hurtling forth, even as he leapt forward, bringing on crackling fist screaming down towards the jedi; followed by the tumbling pinnacle of rock...

The remaining, winged Chimera roared in anger, hissing as it lashed out with talons and fangs at the young Alchemist; as the Warp Fire Alchemist strode forth, focussing his power. He cracked his knuckles, flames crackling about his body.

"I am the cleansing Flame..."

The Sundering Earth alchemist forced the ground about him upwards, a great column of seething rock rising into the air; before he slammed his hands into it once more; shattering it; splinters of pure razor sharp rock hurtling forth, even as he leapt forward, bringing on crackling fist screaming down towards the jedi; followed by the tumbling pinnacle of rock...
Jacob saw the rocks splinter, too many for his lightsaber to deflect. But this isn't a lightsaber's job...as he balled his hand into a fist, energy crackling around it and punched forward. Bolts of energy flew forward, turning the sharp rocks into harmless pebbles. The bolts of energy lashed out at the approaching alchemist as well. Jacob is the Pure Light alchemist, his alchemic powers dealing with manipulation of light energy.

The remaining, winged Chimera roared in anger, hissing as it lashed out with talons and fangs at the young Alchemist; as the Warp Fire Alchemist strode forth, focussing his power. He cracked his knuckles, flames crackling about his body.

"I am the cleansing Flame..."
Taylor, on the other hand, faced the last Chimera and dodged some of the slashes. A close shave hit him on the face, and blood dribbled from it. Crimson lightsaber flashed in retaliation...

The Chimera screamed as the blade pierced its body; freeing it from tortured existence. Black blood flowed and spat from its wounds, as it fell; dead at the Jedi's feet.

The Sunderer growled as he watched his foes feat. "An Alchemist! So the Master was right to warn us of you; sons of Jurai" He near spat. Reaching down once more; feeling his hand touch the cool earth, felt it rising, engulfing his arm into a rock hard blade of stone, sharpened to a killing edge. "I shall kill you myself..."

The Flame Master looked upon the young Jedi and chuckled.
"You should not have come here, little one. I shall make sure that your ashes recieve a proper ceremony, but that is all I can afford you!" Roaring in anger as he lashed out with a wave of shimmering fire.

The Chimera screamed as the blade pierced its body; freeing it from tortured existence. Black blood flowed and spat from its wounds, as it fell; dead at the Jedi's feet.

The Sunderer growled as he watched his foes feat. "An Alchemist! So the Master was right to warn us of you; sons of Jurai" He near spat. Reaching down once more; feeling his hand touch the cool earth, felt it rising, engulfing his arm into a rock hard blade of stone, sharpened to a killing edge. "I shall kill you myself..."
"You'll find that I'm tougher than you think!" Jacob brought his lightsaber up to cut through the blade of stone, expecting it to be cut through.

The Flame Master looked upon the young Jedi and chuckled.
"You should not have come here, little one. I shall make sure that your ashes recieve a proper ceremony, but that is all I can afford you!" Roaring in anger as he lashed out with a wave of shimmering fire.
"Thank you, but I'm not ready to go out yet!" Taylor dodged the wave of fire and launched a fireball of his own from his hands. The heat is on!

The rock held; as the Sunderer forced forward; pressing his blade against the lightsaber, before ducking, thrusting his hand down. The ground surged up, clutching, clasping; trying to subsume the young Jedi's legs into itself; other tendrils rising to grasp at his arms...

The Flame Master was not about to be so easily set on fire. He was trained to manipulate it, and to be to an extent invulnerable against it. He curled his own flame about the blast of the child, forcing them to intertwine; to force it back. He felt the heat of the attack searing his upper torso, felt it singe his face, his neck, before he twisted the writhing flame about, hurling it back towards the younger alchemist.

The rock held; as the Sunderer forced forward; pressing his blade against the lightsaber, before ducking, thrusting his hand down. The ground surged up, clutching, clasping; trying to subsume the young Jedi's legs into itself; other tendrils rising to grasp at his arms...
Jacob sensed the danger and lept backwards from the clutching ground and sliced through the tentacles. From his other hand, he formed a gun from his fingers and let loose a concentrated blast of light energy at his opponent the alchemist.

The Flame Master was not about to be so easily set on fire. He was trained to manipulate it, and to be to an extent invulnerable against it. He curled his own flame about the blast of the child, forcing them to intertwine; to force it back. He felt the heat of the attack searing his upper torso, felt it singe his face, his neck, before he twisted the writhing flame about, hurling it back towards the younger alchemist.
"Whoa! Too hot!" Taylor exclaimed, dodging yet again, but his cloak was singed, forcing him to remove it. "Better use the other one..."

The air suddenly cooled down as energy left it. Snow began to fall as humid air gave up water, turning it into ice. A blast of subzero energy suddenly lanced out at the Warp Fire alchemist...

'Son of a bitch!" Hissed the sunderer as his arm exploded, shattering into countless pieces as he grasped it, feeling blood seep through his fingers and remenants of rock. "I'll....I'll kill you!" He bellowed, lashing out with his stump; his fingers glimmering as he held it; a great arcing arm of rock and bone slashing forth at him, as the alchemist roared in anger and agony...

"Impressive" The Flame Master seemed to chuckle as he met the blast of sub zero energy with a blast of raw heat; water splashed about them both; ice forming around the Alchemists even as he mustered his flame once more. "If I cannot beat you in combat; perhaps I can appeal to your heart" he lashed out, waves of fire coursing towards his opponent, dancing at the sides of the streets; slamming into buildings, before they sought their target.

'Son of a bitch!" Hissed the sunderer as his arm exploded, shattering into countless pieces as he grasped it, feeling blood seep through his fingers and remenants of rock. "I'll....I'll kill you!" He bellowed, lashing out with his stump; his fingers glimmering as he held it; a great arcing arm of rock and bone slashing forth at him, as the alchemist roared in anger and agony...
The young Jedi Alchemist narrowly dodged the blow, but a splinter of rock sliced into his leg. The young man grimaced in pain, fighting to ignore it. It will have to heal later, as Jacob was focused on defeating his opponent. Shifting weight to his other foot, Jacob concentrated energy onto the tip of the finger once again and pointed it at the Sundering Earth alchemist, letting loose another thundering blast of coherent light. I will end this, one way or another...

"Impressive" The Flame Master seemed to chuckle as he met the blast of sub zero energy with a blast of raw heat; water splashed about them both; ice forming around the Alchemists even as he mustered his flame once more. "If I cannot beat you in combat; perhaps I can appeal to your heart" he lashed out, waves of fire coursing towards his opponent, dancing at the sides of the streets; slamming into buildings, before they sought their target.
Taylor cupped his hands, catching the searing heat and surrounding it with cold energy. Heat and cold focused together, Taylor threw it into the air and then arced it back down like a comet at the alchemist...

The blast tore into the Sunderer's leg, tearing him from groin to shoulder. He grimaced, feeling this power still circling in his body. he tried to fuse himself alchemically...But his remaining arm refused to move. He coughed up blood.
"Bake....Bakemono...." he gasped; before sliding apart.

The flames licked at the remaining alchemists fingers as he held out his hand, trying to reflect the blast; before he felt it slam into his arm. He felt it sear away his clothing, as the fire dissipated, and the ice sent freezing waves down his arm. tattoos adorned it, as he strode forht, fighting the spreading pain, the dark and searing pain.

"I'll take you with me!" He screamed, running forward to plung the hand shaped mass of ice against this alchemist.
"DIE BY YOUR OWN ATTACK, ABOMINATION!"

The blast tore into the Sunderer's leg, tearing him from groin to shoulder. He grimaced, feeling this power still circling in his body. he tried to fuse himself alchemically...But his remaining arm refused to move. He coughed up blood.
"Bake....Bakemono...." he gasped; before sliding apart.
Jacob sighed. That last one took a bit out of him, and the way he killed the alchemist...he shook his head. You did what you had to, kid.
Then massive energies made him watch his brother's battle...

The flames licked at the remaining alchemists fingers as he held out his hand, trying to reflect the blast; before he felt it slam into his arm. He felt it sear away his clothing, as the fire dissipated, and the ice sent freezing waves down his arm. tattoos adorned it, as he strode forht, fighting the spreading pain, the dark and searing pain.

"I'll take you with me!" He screamed, running forward to plung the hand shaped mass of ice against this alchemist.
"DIE BY YOUR OWN ATTACK, ABOMINATION!"
Taylor said nothing, but let the alchemist come, as he backed up against a tree. It seemed like the Warp Fire would connect, instantly killing the boy, but instead the fire and ice destroyed not flesh and blood, but hard wood, splintering it into pieces. Taylor had teleported, and now his lightsaber was thrusting right towards the alchemist's back...

He chuckled as he spit up blood; letting it flow from his mouth, as he watched the lightsaber cauterise its own wound.
"You are strong...I always hoped I would have a warriors death, a good death" He gasped again, feeling the blade searing him.
"You...want to know, those who we work for....Or would you simply kill me, child? I don't think....you'd want to let that information escape...But maybe, maybe you will kill me. Like...they killed Daniel...Or his bitch mother..." He spat out blood again. His time was drawing near..

He chuckled as he spit up blood; letting it flow from his mouth, as he watched the lightsaber cauterise its own wound.
"You are strong...I always hoped I would have a warriors death, a good death" He gasped again, feeling the blade searing him.
"You...want to know, those who we work for....Or would you simply kill me, child? I don't think....you'd want to let that information escape...But maybe, maybe you will kill me. Like...they killed Daniel...Or his bitch mother..." He spat out blood again. His time was drawing near..
"No. I'm not like them." Taylor said, forcing his anger down and retracting the saber. "Tell me who you work for. Tell me what you plan. Perhaps it won't matter and we'll lose anyway."

"Perhaps you are not; but perhaps I am not willing to talk, though I thank you, for not going through with your final attack" Energy crackled about him, with the last of his strength.
"You should have killed me!" It hissed, as he exploded into a cloud of insanely hot, madly seething warp fire; searing the ground and all around it..

"Perhaps you are not; but perhaps I am not willing to talk, though I thank you, for not going through with your final attack" Energy crackled about him, with the last of his strength.
"You should have killed me!" It hissed, as he exploded into a cloud of insanely hot, madly seething warp fire; searing the ground and all around it..
Damn! Taylor shouted in his mind as he was blasted back by the heat. Only by virtue of the Force and his fire powers did he survive the explosion. He tumbled on the ground and forced himself back up.

"Taylor!" Jacob was ready to attack.

"Stand back, Jake! I got him!" Wiping blood from his lip, Taylor focused on the air around him again. But he saw that the alchemist was gone, in pieces. "Heh. Looks like he's gone."

"Yeah. Too bad you couldn't get information from him."

"Eh. We'll have to find the base ourselves, I guess." Taylor shrugged. "First, let's rest up."

"All right." Jacob said, and the twins moved to a better area of the forest and began nursing their wounds with the Force and eating MREs and drinking water from their pouches. They would rest here, then move on to the search...

"Failure..." Malek hissed; making countless cultists retreat. "The great work is near completed, and you grace me with failure."

"My lord, they were killed- the Jedi!"

"I care not about the Jedi. I'll crush them myself when the time comes. Are the launch sites prepared?"

"Yes, Lord Malek"

'Excellent, when the time comes, we shall remake this world....It shall bend to our will. But for now, I want you to focus on a new project, one that will allow even human Transmutation...The elixir...The Philosopher's Stone. It shall be ours. Begin research at once!"

"But my Lord-"

"Do I have to repeat myself?" His arm crackled with barely contained rage. "Send forth our cultists, even if they have to spread to some of our Offworld sites...Glean all you can"

Their rest ended, the twins got back to work on the search for the cult. They trust in the Force to guide them through the forest, to help them lead the way. Inexorcibly, the twins approached the HQ of the cult, though they don't know it...yet.

"I will not let you two interfere any longer; you may have defeated my associates, but they were weak, bound by their beliefs." A flash from above; and rapid gun fire began to rain down upon them. He let himself drop, even as the assault rifle he carried, morphed back into an ordinary metal pipe. "I am the Weaponsmith...."

"I will not let you two interfere any longer; you may have defeated my associates, but they were weak, bound by their beliefs." A flash from above; and rapid gun fire began to rain down upon them. He let himself drop, even as the assault rifle he carried, morphed back into an ordinary metal pipe. "I am the Weaponsmith...."
The twins launched themselves out of the way of the fire and deflected the bullets with their lightsabers.

"Nice to meet you. I'm a Jedi Knight and the Pure Light Alchemist." Jacob smirked.

"I'm the Fireice Alchemist and also a Jedi Knight." Taylor smiled. "And you are going down!"

The twins exchanged a single glance, and then they sent fireballs and lightbolts at the Weaponsmith...

"Amusing" He hissed, leaping into the air again, hidden amongst the trees as their formidible blasts tore several from the earth...His voice echoed above.
"You do not know the true power of Alchemy; the experiments we attempt have rarely been attempted due to moral constrictions; but we operate outside of such things; beyond the will of Gods and Men"

He opened fire again. "We have created life, in our image..."

Dodging the next series of blows, Jacob was not amused. "You defile nature! You create abominations!"

Taylor added his own statements. "That is why we have come, to restore the natural order. We will stop at nothing to end your evil ways! Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!"

Several small fireballs blew out of the young Jedi's mouth, aiming for the Weaponsmith.

"You call them abominations, but they are beautiful. Chimera's of all kind, Nature remade! And even the punishment of the most hateful of all animals; man is purified in his merging with nature"

The trees burst into flames, and he fell, catching himself, managing to returning to his feet, as he opened fire with another volley, while trying to douse the flames

"Augh!" Jacob yelped as an arm was hit by a bullet from the rifle. He stumbled backwards and fell, narrowly missing another bullet that would have made a hit in a more vital spot due to the loss of concentration.

"Jacob!" Taylor yelled, and reached further into the Force to press the attack, bullet-turned-plasma bouncing back towards the alchemist in streams of orange. He protected his brother while Jacob crawls behind a rock and started healing. Now it was up to Taylor to defeat the alchemist on his own...

The Alchemist roared as plasma infused bullets tore into his flesh; but still he fought on, madness taking him as he opened fire sporadically against the two Jedi, riddling the area with bullets. "I will kill you, I will destroy you, Jedi!"

The Alchemist roared as plasma infused bullets tore into his flesh; but still he fought on, madness taking him as he opened fire sporadically against the two Jedi, riddling the area with bullets. "I will kill you, I will destroy you, Jedi!"
Jacob ducked and opened fire with a blaster, while Taylor built up energy for a more powerful fire spell. He jumped behind a tree, which was soon pulverized, then he speedblitzed behind his opponent, ready to fire it. "Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

A huge fireball was released from Taylor's mouth, aiming for the Alchemist...

The Weaponsmith dodged blaster shots, but the fireball caught him off guard, sending him flying back, his spine impacting with a sharp thud against a tree...He slumped to the ground...

Struggling to raise himself, he looked at the jedi, unable to move his limbs. "What, have you done to me...My body.." he hissed

Taylor brought his lightsaber out. "Like we said, we're here to defeat all of you and stop this unnatural madness. You are just another fool who dares to defy the natural world, and this is your end. Any last words?"

"You shall never defeat us, we are legion; the true Purpose shall be fulfilled, Jedi. You cannot stand against us, the Lord, he has the vision; he has seen the bloodied path. We are the Order of the Bloodied Path; we who guide nature to its true destiny; who shall remake the world...You are gnats; flies in the ointment...I shall be avenged; Lord, Master, Malek, avenge me!"

"You shall never defeat us, we are legion; the true Purpose shall be fulfilled, Jedi. You cannot stand against us, the Lord, he has the vision; he has seen the bloodied path. We are the Order of the Bloodied Path; we who guide nature to its true destiny; who shall remake the world...You are gnats; flies in the ointment...I shall be avenged; Lord, Master, Malek, avenge me!"
"We'll see about that." Taylor said coldly and decapitated the Weaponsmith. After that, he went to his brother. "You all right?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute here." Jacob said, after he alchemized the bullet into iron atoms and tied a tourniquet around the wound to stop it. "There. I'll need to use my other hand for the time being, though. I'll need an hour to recover from this one."

"Damn, they're wearing us down one by one." Taylor cursed. "We're going to need help."

"Yeah. Call Gramps, then. Tell him to send some alchemists or ninjas."

"Already on it." Taylor said as he opened his comlink to the secure link. "Gramps? Taylor here. Jacob's hurt, and I'm low on energy. I think we're going to need help to take down the alchemist cult."

"Contact the Destructor. Some friends are on the ship, I believe." The old man said back.

"Who?" Jacob asked.

Master Masaki smiled. "You'll see. May the Force be with you two."

"Yes, master." The boys chorused and they then contacted the captain, a gruff old Twi'lek named Dy'lan. He dispatched a ship, but it would take some time to arrive. Now the twins only have to survive long enough to reach the HQ and set up the transmitter. The brothers were determined to survive this battle, no matter how many enemies the cult throws at them, and so they continue on the trek, following the location of the strongest Dark Side feeling...

The twins decided to take another short break to heal and gather up energy. Whoever else the cult throws at them will likely be stronger, and they would need to be healed so they could fight more effectively. So they stole into a small cave made by a giant old tree and dozed off, restoring health and energy...

A shadow moves through the forests; before a great roar echoes; ground sundered, tree and rock flying about the Twins as he lets loose. "There are three alchemical processes; but the only one which matters is destruction" He hisses, sending forth another wave of wanton destruction against them. "My Master waits below; but I will not allow you to interfere when the great work is so nearly completed" Lashing out with waves of pure destructive energy; rending the atomic bonds in the substances.

"Come forth, and taste your doom; the God's have forsaken you this day!"

"Aww man! here's a tough one!" Taylor yelped as he jumped away from the sundering.

"Don't I know it!" Jacob's arm is still weak, and he had to avoid the attacks as well. He sent a blue ball of pure alchemic energy in the direction of the enemy and prayed it would connect...

The hand of this attacker, writhing with almost living ink, grasps the ball; before dissipating it utterly, smoke drifting from his hand as he strides forward. "Come on; you're weak...You're slow" He hisses; dark eyes glimmering in the halflight, as he lets his hands carress the ground, sending forth a wave of energy; the ground roaring upwards in violent spasms, hurtling towards them. "Come on! Come at me!"

The ground heaved, throwing the twins in the air. They landed harshly. Taylor closer to the alchemist (who's powers seemed familiar) and Jacob fallen unconscious a little ways away.

Groaning, the blond boy got up, noticing that the ground blocked him and his brother. "So much for double-teaming him."

Then he saw the enemy...

"The natural order is chaos; the natural form is destruction. From destruction, creation must eventually arise. You are an alchemist" He hissed, eyes seething, blazing as he advanced. "You understand the cycle better than most; but you and your Jedi attempt to tame the order. Alchemy is nothing more than your pathetic attempt to control the world around you." He stepped back, watching the young one. "Pitiful...."

A great rumbling echoed about them; something seemed to shoot into the sky from several distant points about them.

"It has already begun..."

The probes tore free of the atmosphere, roaring into orbit; their forms unfolding...The lazers crackled to life; blasts echoing through space as they sundered the atmosphere; striking the ground near the cult headquarters; near where the terrible battle was taking place...Forming a great symbol into the earth.

"You have always though so small, little alchemist..."

The shuttle that headed down towards the planet narrowly missed the laser satellites.

"Yow! What the hell was that?" One of the passengers said, fuming.

Ignoring the question, the pilot noticed the lasers doing something odd. "Hey, they're burning a symbol into the ground! I'm gonna check it out."

"What? What if it attacks us?" The first said.

"We'll just have to evade it, that's all. Although..." The pilot contacted the Star Destroyer, notifying it of the satellites so it could shoot them down. Then the ship headed towards the odd symbol being burnt.

----

In the meantime, Taylor was getting ready for a duel with this alchemist. "You think you know how to control nature? Don't make me laugh. Even if we fall, you will only destroy yourselves in the attempt to control the unholy. In that, I can be content."

The air suddenly turned warm, then hot as Taylor prepared hand-seals for one of his most powerful techniques. Dry leaves burst into flames, then bushes and entire trees. A firestorm sprang up around the area, sucking in air to twist it around. A hot wind blew around them, hot enough to burn normal mens' skin. But the two (and by extension Jacob, who awakened to watch his brother's attack) were far from normal...

"Neither you or I can escape this heat unless you can force me to dispell it, villain." Taylor said, his voice almost cold enough to freeze the flames. "If I go down, you're coming with me."

Then he chanted...

"Katon: Karyuundan no Jutsu!" He shouted, activating his powerful technique.

The flames behind the young Jedi lept high in a giant swirl, like a fire tornado. But it didn't move. Instead, it took on the shape of a giant dragon, roaring into existence. The dragon only needed a single command from it's young master, and it would strike...

The Alchemist roared, surging forward to attack the Jedi; feeling heat tear at him as he forced the power of destruction against quivering, blazing air molecules; he felt the surge of flame against him; lashing out with all his might; the ground cracking, discharge surging from his sundering fist as he screamed; flesh peeling, charred till no feeling remained, and he forced forward the entirity of his power against the Jedi.

Light surged about him, a coruscating crimson light, that screamed and bellowed with the extent of the force focussed to one single area...Perhaps it could be seen from space; but it was but a single blow; the power of a man against this powerful force conjured against him.

A last stand.

The dragon struck, even as the alchemist's energies hit the young Knight. It was a clash of energies that could be seen from space. Jacob had to shield his eyes from the flash until he was blasted by the explosion.

Taylor, however, screamed out loud in excruciating pain as he tried to stop the alchemist's energies, but to no avail. It cut through his right arm and left leg like it was nothing and the fire consumed them, no longer under the protection of his powers. The alchemic energies would have destroyed him utterly if it wasn't for the dragon, who took the full brunt as it attacked the enemy.

The battle was over. The scars still remained as fire still scorched the ground, but it was over. Jacob managed to scramble up as the explosion died down. He was bleeding slightly from cuts all over, but he managed to ignore the pain to look for his brother. There was no sign of the enemy alchemist.

"Taylor! Where are you?" Jacob shouted. No sound except the crackling of fire answered him. "Oh, Taylor, why did you have to do that...you baka. Don't tell me you pulled off Daniel's trick..."

But a groan of pain stopped him. "Taylor?"

Jacob ran over to the broken, body of his twin brother. Luckily, he was unconscious, but he was bleeding badly from the stumps of his arm and leg. "Dammit!"

Jacob reached into what's left of the backpack he has and pulled out the medical kit. He then got to work, using everything he knows about Force healing and medicine to stop the bleeding. It took several moments and his brother was turning pale from the loss of blood, but he managed to stop the bleeding...barely. Then he worked on his own wounds, healing what he could and bandaging the rest.

"Oh, Taylor, what are we going to do now?" Jacob groaned. He would probably have to abort the mission, because he can't go on without protecting his brother from harm.

Then the whine of an air or spacecraft filled the air. Jacob looked up to see a shuttle. One of his own! He pulled out his blaster and shot off some bolts, hoping that the pilot would see...yes!

The shuttle landed and out came a couple of Jedi and Shinobi, as well as a squad of Marines.

"Hey! Over here!" Jacob shouted. A short Jedi apprentice came by and nearly vomited. Then a pink-haired kunoichi (female shinobi) arrived.

"Sakura, he's hurt badly." Jacob stated the blindly obvious.

"Yeah, I know. Medic Ken!" She shouted to the medic of the marines. "Get a stretcher, stat!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The medic raced back to the shuttle and got the stretcher. Then he raced back. "Ok. Damn, he's hurt bad."

"But he's alive. Ok, one, two, three!" The two medics put the twin on the stretcher and lifted it up.

"Now what am I going to do?" Jacob sighed.

"We continue the mission." Stated the other Jedi, who's name was Conan.

"Without my brother?" Jacob asked. He's haven't done a mission without Taylor. He felt weak.

Conan nodded. "Yeah. We have to."

Then an alchemist walked up. "Indeed. You know what they're making over there?"

Jacob shook his head. "No."

"A giant transmutation circle."

"What? No way!"

"I saw it coming down from orbit." The alchemist said. His name was Fredrick and he's nothing special, just your everyday alchemist with no noticeable speciality. A pair of transmute-gloves on his hands means that he doesn't have to draw transmutation circles all the time, though he would need to for more complicated objects.

Jacob ran his fingers through his dirty hair. "Then I guess we'll have to stop them."

Fred nodded. "Let's go. At least you have backup."

"Yeah, thanks."

It was then that he, Conan and Fred, along with the other marines headed towards the direction of the headquarters, which was definitely nearby judging by the massive energy increase sensed. The shuttle then lifted off, carrying the broken Jedi to the Star Destroyer...

The Cult had come forth; no longer to slink in the shadows, to crape at the baseboards, no, now they were glorified. Their brothers sacrifices had been truly great; for they had, thusfar, distracted the Jedi. Power was brewing deep underground, the generators crackling with energy as the cultists prepared for their grand endeavor. The Chimera's were set loose; each and every one of them; the halls, lined with ancient weapons and armor stood silent.

The doors were opened; but this was one of many entrances, one near to the Jedi, conveniently, as the others made their way through secret and ancient tunnels towards their goals; their objectives.

The Lord of this black school of alchemical arts sat, in the centre of a transmutation circle, down a long corridor lined with suits of ancient battlemail. His eyes were closed as he chanted; symbols glimmering and shifting now; augmenting and changing the circle; covering the walls. The fools, each and everyone of them were going to their deaths; his Master had been right, the power of alchemy...But there were prices to be paid. The great work was almost done...

All the data had been returned to Severino; all links to the Imperium save himself, were gone. The symbols flickered, shifted; as though the myriad voices of Tzeentch itself spoke to him. He knew what must be done now.

"Have you come this far, only to falter now, Jedi?" His mocking tone echoed through the facility, his laughter following it, a grating, taunting, cruel ringing chuckle.

"Have you come to the very gates of hell, only to be denied?" Shadows moved about him; things stirring in the darkness; eyes shimmered there, as the beats moved about; guarding him.

"Come Jedi; suffer as your brother suffers; know pain as he does. Come, and I shall purify you."

"Ahh, minion of Tzeentch." Jacob recognized the Sorceror God's workings from his studies. "I congratulate you on your success against my brother. But mark my words. You won't succeed twice. I am as powerful as he, for he is my twin."

Conan and the others snickered as the banter went on, but they ran through a couple of enemies and sliced or blasted through them.

"I approach you, you who chose the dark powers of alchemy to do your work." Jacob continued, unyielding. Determined to win. "You will not succeed."

His blue saber was out, destroying whatever he could find. His crews' blaster bolts found what terminals they could find.

"It is I who will purify. It is I who shall cleanse!" Jacob shouted. Light pulsed from his body as he poured out holy energies, energy borne of the Force. "It is I who will defeat you and end your evil ways!"

He and his team advanced towards the center of the base. Towards the sorceror himself...

Swords and other blade weapons, crackling with energy discharge crossed before the young Jedi; as the suits of armor began to move, turning to face them; their metallic girth blocking off the corridor even as the Sorcerous Alchemist's foul laughter echoed about them...His would be assassins were now surrounded.

"True understanding can only come from order and Chaos; I was shown that. I took what I knew of alchemy and expanded upon it; above us, a template for what shall be." He glanced about. "But not what they expect. The ritual shall remake the world, certainly; but none of them shall gain the reward promised by the cult" He stepped backwards into shadow; lizard fleshed creatures had begun to climb along the ceiling; hissing at the Jedi as they moved above the suits of armor.

"All sacrifices must be equal; and life, life is a key ingredient in that which I seek. You need look no further; I am the Lord of this Cult; I am the Master of all Magicks. I am the High Alchemist...Come against me at your peril, for I shall do my Master's will"

Jacob took a good look at the mass of metal coming after them...and laughed. "Your toys amuse me...High Alchemist. But I'm not here to play."

He, along with Conan stretched out a palm, and blasted the armor in front of them aside and apart. Fred alchemized the ground with spikes and barriers to make it harder for the ones behind to attack them. The marines poured fire and destruction upon the armor. The little group refused to stop for anything. They moved swiftly, cutting through the mass of metal armor like nothing. One, then two Marines fell to the onslaught of metal, but the group pressed on.

Jacob conserved his powers after the first telekinetic attack, for he would need it when dueling the Sorceror himself. Instead, his lightsaber went through the metal army, cutting, slicing, breaking. He was fully in the Force. It whispered for him to fight on. To end the evil that scours this planet. It gave him strength against the foes. Then finally...finally. After another marine fell to overcome the army with a powerful grenade, they have arrived...

Jacob moved into a Judan stance as he entered the transmutation room. "High Alchemist. We finally meet."

There were two Jedi, two alchemists, and two marines left to fight the Enemy himself...

Malek smirks, pressing his hands to the ground; the floor beneath the other Jedi, the alchemists and the marines shifting, holes forming beneath their very feet, as Malek slid back, raising a blade from the scabbard about his waist. It's surface was etched with runes, crackling with energy; a Powersword.

"You can go play with my pets; and you..." He turned back to Jacob. "You get to play with me. Did it really take you people so long to get here? I expected better of the Jedi Order; then again, all those lives we destroyed must have been shrouded by the dark side. Lack of foresight truly is a recurring factor" He lashed out, before retreating into the shadows; focussing his mind and body on assaulting the Jedi.

"Even now, something is being prepared that will change this world..."

The circle glimmered with the combined power of all of the alchemist cultists; focussing their energy on the symbol; its great purple light blazing, a brand upon the world.

Malek closed his eyes; he felt probability shifting; the scales of reality tipping; and then he heard it; a unified psychic scream. Bodies were being rent asunder, torn apart by the power of the symbols; turning bodies to dust, as the symbol crackled, blazing red now.

"And I thought they would have realised the folley of their actions" The earth around them shook. "Not long now, not long till it passes beyond the event horizon..."

Below them, the creatures advanced; half human meldings of man and animal, obscene fusions of different species; lumbering towards their prey.

"Kill" Came the hissed threat.

The other four were set upon by the beasts. The chatter of blasters could be heard, along with the crackle of alchemic energy and the fainter humming of a whirling lightsaber. Jacob merely bowed his head. If I don't see you again in this world, friends, I'll see you in the next.

Then, with a fury borne of the Light, Jacob attacked the enemy alchemist with his lightsaber. He must defeat him...before the plan succeeded. Or else all would be lost and the planet would be forced to become a battleground of Chaos...

Malek sought to parry his enemies blow; sparks flying as weapons met and he pressed in close against the young Jedi; his power was darkness, pure and simple; fuelling him, filling him; he let it guide him, let it dictate his actions.

"Come Jedi, shall we have a duel to the death, or shall I have you match your bastard sibling, hm?" He chuckled, "What a mess we made of him; a pity, certainly."

Malek sought to parry his enemies blow; sparks flying as weapons met and he pressed in close against the young Jedi; his power was darkness, pure and simple; fuelling him, filling him; he let it guide him, let it dictate his actions.
In contrast, it was the glory of light that aided Jacob. It was a light that comes from love, from joy, from peace. It pulsed, giving him strength against the darkness. It parried the darkness. It outshone the shadow. It gave him the necessary power to fight Malek successfully.

"Come Jedi, shall we have a duel to the death, or shall I have you match your bastard sibling, hm?" He chuckled, "What a mess we made of him; a pity, certainly."
"Unfortunately for you." Jacob merely smiled. "He still lives. He can be fixed. Can't the same for you!"

He pushed an offensive, reaching for vital spots to strike on Malek...

---

Meanwhile, the marines have both perished and now it was the younger Jedi and the alchemist that fought the beasts.

"Conan." Fred gasped between heavy breaths and dodges that left wounds in him. "Get up there with Jacob."

"What?" The Jedi cut apart a chimera, then moved to slice another.

"I'm going to alchemize as much as I can here. You'll be caught in the blast." Fred said. "Besides, you can jump up there better than I can."

"But...I can't leave you!" Conan cried to his friend.

"You have to!" Fred snapped as he began to focus his alchemy one last time. "Go!"

A beast tore at the Jedi's cloak and the young man knew he had to go. Decapitating the beast, he sent the Force to his feet and launched himself onto a wall, then bounced on a higher wall, continuing until he just reached the top.

The alchemist concentrated on his energies. He let the tendrils of energy hit the chimeras and pulsed them. In a sharp cry of pain, he vanished in a flash of blue light, hopefully consuming the chimeras that could attack the Jedi before he made it...

Malek hissed as the blade cut across flehs, running his hand over the wound.
"I was like you once; mislead, betrayed. But I was shown true power. Do you know what this world will become? It shall be a symbol that the power of alchemy is greater than any mere man, it is thw power of control; creation, destruction!" He snarled his hands darting to alchemical symbols along the walls; explosions rocking the facility; energy hurtling in all directions, as he leapt back into the fray, driving his weapon forth to meet the Jedi.

"Even if I die; my work shall be completed....Jedi"

"We'll see about that." Jacob said, then ducked the next blow, then riposted his enemy's blade towards the ground, hopefully leaving him open for an attack. Jacob took the initiative, driving his saber up towards his foe...

Meanwhile, Conan was busy trying to figure out how to stop the crazy alchemic stuff from going out of control. He decided to try and shut down the generators that dotted the huge throne room, and tossed his saber at one of them to see what happens...

Malek hissed as the attack seared his flesh; whirling and thrusting like a man possessed. "You shall not stop the great work!" He hissed, lashign mout again and again. "You shall end here, youngling!"

The generator exploded, bursting into flame as alchemical energy coruscated about the walls; a roaring, cracklijng surge of energy which sundered the walls; advancing the collapse of the facility. Above them, the symbol crackled, blazing more violently, its energy beginning to slip from the alchemists control..

"What are you doing!" He bellowed "The containment!"

From Malek's cry, Jacob knew that they have succeeded. "No, it is you who shall perish here. Killed by your own work. Such irony."

With that, Jacob lashed out for a leg of the alchemist. Whether or not he succeeded in the attack, he bounced out of range of Malek's blade and sent flying rocks at him. He knew that he and Conan would have to get out of here and fast.

"Conan, let's go!" He shouted, and they began racing for the nearest exit...

"Fool..." Malek hissed, falling one shattered leg, the other bleeding, a mere stump. He felt blood wellijng in his lungs; spitting it out as he tried to deflect the rocks of the Jedi. "The containment fields are failing....The ritual will not succeed...It shall not stop either; it shall fail" He coughed, slumping back. "This entire world will go with it...And all of us shall perish. All of us." He chuckled softly. "This facility shall be consumed by the fires of hell, child..."

Jacob cursed. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

He focused on his powers. "I can't fully contain the blast, but I can create a light-shield to lessen it. Still will need to evacuate nearby cities, though."

"Yeah." Conan said, a little awed by his friend's strength in the Force.

Jacob reached out, sending a bubble of light outward throughout the throne room, finding the containment breach and placed the bubble of light around it. The shield would fail, of course, but a good amount of energy should still be spent breaking it. "Let's go."

The boys ran for it, the Force aiding their legs as they headed out of the pits of hell and up to the surface. Jacob turned on his comlink to the shuttle flying overhead, now down from dropping off Taylor. "Sakura! We need immediate evac, now!"

"I'm on it!" She replied. "Just tell me where you are!"

"I will!" Jacob said and the Jedi continued to run for it. "Contact the governor! Tell them to evacuate the nearest cities immediately!"

"Already started! We detected the energy spike a little while ago!"

"Good!" Now Jacob only hoped they would escape in time...

Malek hissed, trying to drag himself from the rubble that now pinned him down; his strength was fading, blood pouring across the stone as he looked around him.

Master...Help...Help me

"And why should I?" That black whisper, as the armored figure moved from the shadows, bending to cup Malek by the chin. "You failed me."

"But, I tried...this world will still burn." Malek watched in awe and fear as the figure held out his hand, black energy crackling about his finger tips. There were no markings; no transmutation circle; as he slammed his fist against the ground; the room splintering; the generators shortcircuiting; throne collapsing in on itself.

"I am ready to make your work a success...That, and we have a bright new lead...Something brilliant....Something that will change worlds beyond imagination. As for you..." He left a small device, lain beside the prone form of Malek. "That device is alchemical in nature; when its clockwork gears run down, it shall activate its internal mechanism and the circle below you shall be infused with my power; only.." he pressed fingers to the lines, the circle changing; he glanced up, and enforced his will; the symbol appearing on the roof. "You shall be the victim of Human Transmutation, and such power shall only add to the destruction"

"MAster, no! Master! MASTER! SEVERINO!" He bellowed, in fear, rage, but fear clouding his mind. "SEVERINO PLEASE!"

But he was already gone...and time drew shorter...Shorter than the Jedi had a conceivable idea of. The mechanism stopped...and engaged.

The twosome reached the surface just in time. Jacob then sensed a giant buildup in energy below. He reached out into the Force and sent a bright firework into the sky from his hand. In his other, he was readying a a coherent light-whip. He would have only one chance at this...

Meanwhile, Sakura was orbiting the compound when she too sensed the buildup in energy. Come on, come on...there!

She saw the fireworks and something, perhaps the Force the Jedi cherish so much, compelled her to open the cargo bay and let out a hook. She then went as low as she dared and spotted the two small figures looking anxious to get offplanet. Can't blame them...

Jacob saw the ship zoom low, almost kissing the ground. He readied his whip and lengthened it for Conan. "Whatever you do, don't let go of it. Ever."

"Right." The younger Jedi nodded.

"Ok..." The ship zoomed right over them and the wash threatened to blow them aside. "NOW!"

A normal person wouldn't be able to make it. Hell, he won't be able to make it this far. But Jacob was far from normal, as his light-whip was sent speeding for the hook. It grabbed it, yanked taut, and the boys were yanked right off the ground.

"Whoa!" They yelped as Sakura punched the accelerator and shot off for space, followed by a couple dozen other ships. That accounted for about one thousand people. The rest took speeders and crossed their fingers, hoping they could escape the blast. Those who couldn't prayed to whatever gods they serve for a quick end.

Before the air got too thin, the boys were winched into the cargo bay, and now all that remained was to escape the blast itself...

Malek screamed; blinded by a rush of energy, and then the thing that had once been Malek, roared and hissed, as the world about it exploded into glorious energy. The surging wave of destruction rocked the world; tectonic plates shifting as the blast of energy rose into the atmosphere and tore at the ground; the facility crumbled; waves of debris and shockwaves roared across the surface; the crust melting away in the heat of the explosion.

The atmosphere burned, a great light orbijng half the world, as the great alchemical explosion continued onwards; ravaging the planet...

And somewhere in the darkness, Severino Jeriacor let a cold dark laughter slip from his aged lips.

"Most beautiful" That cruel, mocking whisper "Most beautiful..."

"Damn." Was all Jacob could say as the fireball rose as if to touch them and the firestorm consumed half the planet. He said a prayer for them, and silently vowed to hunt down whoever ordered the whole scheme and destroy him, so that the ones who perished in the conflageration would rest in peace. Most Jedi frown on vows of vengeance, but the Masaki clan are not like most Jedi.

They have succeeded in defeating the alchemists, but it carried a cost almost too much to bear. More personally, it has also cost much. His own brother...he wondered how he was. He would find out soon, very soon.

In hyperspace for home...

The medical bay's door opened and Jacob Masaki entered after debriefing by the Council. Taylor was up, his arm and leg still severed.

"Hey." Jacob said.

"Hey yourself. Glad you made it through the fight."

"Yeah. Assholes." Jacob growled.

"..." Taylor was silent. "I'm getting some new limbs. Strong enough to stand up to my fire powers."

"Cool." The brothers fell silent again. "I wish this didn't have to happen to you."

"Hey, it's fine. I'm alive. That's what counts."

"You almost didn't make it..."

The blond teenager scoffed. "Doctors say that just to scare you."

"I guess. You know, I almost came close as well."

"Yeah, I heard about the explosion. That was a bad one."

"Mmm. They're going to pay. For every life they took. For every unholy practice they've done." Jacob said coldly.

"You and me both." Taylor agreed. "They have a firestorm with their name on it."

"And a Hadoken too."

Thus, the Masaki Twins declared, with themselves as witnesses, a great and terrible vow. That as Shadow Jedi Knights and State Alchemists, they would make every effort to eradicate the foul alchemists from the galaxy. They would know their leader's name, and hunt him down, no matter how long it took, no matter where he hides. That they would restore peace and justice to the galaxy, a cause once championed by their older brother. Now, they too take up the cause. And so someday, will their young nephew...

*Star Wars end music plays*

The flames blanketed the world; the smoke rose in great and terrible streams. the mewling thing tore free from the earth, screaming to the skies; its twisted flesh seething and twisting, taking a new form; morphing. Arms pressed free from fleshy prisons; a torso tore free from pulsating matter, and a head tore itself out of the encompassing, suffocating blanket of skin and raw matter. He roared, bellowing in his birthcry; upon the back of his neck, a small symbol glimmered.

The Ouroboros...

You...Jeriacor...What did you do to me... He fell forward, legs giving way as he looked up; the Sorcerous Lord stood; watching him with those burning, warp-tainted eyes.

"What had to be done...You did well, and now you will serve. In time...you will call me Master once more."

"You....You bastard!" He lunged forward; his hand crackling as flames shot from it, his body morphing into living, seething flame, before he shifted back to human form. "What did you do to me!?"

"I took your alchemical ability; but I have given you something so much better; a chance to serve. A freedom from death...A new...pseudo-humanity."

"No...No..."

"Yes; you will learn the rules of this game; Haemonculus..."

OOC: *Shudders*

OOC: *grins*