(Part III)
 
> Be Anon (Three years later)
 
> The galaxy at large has seen many battles in your time at the temple.  The efforts to reclaim Ilum were thwarted by the Sith Empire.  Even though they were betrayed by Darth Malgus it only gave rise to a new sith lord; Darth Nihilus.
> Since then the Empire has been content with conquering system after system along the outer rim.  With the occasional skirmish along the mid-rim worlds; such as, Kashyyyk, Dantooine, Taris, Sullust, Malastare, Onderon, and Iridonia
> This course of action has puzzled many Republic strategists.  With the sacking of Coruscant only a decade before most believed the Sith would press their advantage and begin a campaign of capturing core worlds, but that had not happened.
> Republic spies were desperate to find answers among their various networks, but could not uncover anything.  Whatever their plans were it was only being discussed amongst the highest circles in the Empire.
> Many people theorized that the Sith were not as powerful as we were first led to believe.  Thinking they were recouping their losses and buying time to rebuild their Empire.  While more shrewd minds believed that the Empire’s efforts were not to attack the Republic, but rather to keep them out of the outer rim.
> Many were skeptical of this idea.  For thousands of years the Sith have had the sole purpose of defeating the Jedi and conquering the galaxy.  Why would they suddenly change tactics now?
> If that wasn’t bad enough word of increasing Mandalorian sightings were being reported across the galaxy.  This normally wouldn’t cause alarm.  Mandalorians are known throughout the galaxy for their ferocity and hunger for battle.  However, the frequency and precision of the attacks was what worried some.
> Rumors of a new Mandalore were beginning to surface.  Although, no official announcement had been made to rebuff these claims people cannot help but wonder if a new leader would present itself.
 
> It has been a treacherous journey for you and your friends.  Constantly perfecting your lightsaber skills.  Growing more attuned to the Force with the help of various masters, and occasionally practicing them with your friends.
> Now the day has come for all of you.  The chance to prove yourselves worthy of becoming Jedi.
> It was a bright and sunny day like any other, but this day would be the first of many for you to be tested for the chance to become a padawan.
> You meet up with your friends in the Grand Hall an hour before the test to mingle amongst yourselves.  Trixie had since joined your group of close friends.  At first Applejack and Fluttershy were hesitant of the idea, but had since worked out their differences.
Twilight: “I can’t believe the day’s finally come.  Do you think were ready?”
Applejack: “I wouldn’t worry about it Twilight.  We can overcome any obstacle as long as we stick together.”
> “I second that.”
Trixie: “Exactly, and even if the others should fail you can always count on Trixie for support Twilight.”
> “Still ever the modest one Trixie.”
Trixie: “Why thank you Anon.”
> Everyone giggles.  It was nice to have all your friends getting along.  Well, almost all of them.  Speaking of which you hadn’t seen Soarin all morning.  It wasn’t like him to be late for something this important.
> “Sorry girls I have to leave you.  I just remembered I have something important I have to do.”
Twilight: “Okay, well hurry back.”
> You tried reaching out with the Force to find him, but you were finding it to be more difficult than it should be.  Either your training was failing you, or Soarin was intentionally masking his presence.  Perhaps, it was a combination of both.
> You looked everywhere you could think of to find him with no success.  It was closing in on an hour since you left the Grand Hall, and the proceedings were going to be starting any minute.
 
> “Blast it Soarin you’ve always been so easy to find.  Why did you have to choose now of all times to do this.”
> You were just on the verge of giving up when you notice a single person sitting atop a cliff over you.  Upon reaching out with the Force you were able to confirm his presence.
> “Finally I found you.”
> By using the Force you are able to scale the face of the mountain with relative ease.  Coming face-to-face with your good friend.
> “I’ve been looking for you.  Come on the test is about to begin.”
Soarin: “I know.  I’m not going.”
> “What?  Not going; why?”
Soarin: “…”
> “Come on Soarin you can talk to me.”
Soarin: “It’s complicated.”
> “Well go ahead I’m listening.”
Soarin: “It’s just.  When I see you and the others training.  I can’t help but think that maybe I don’t belong with you guys.  You’re all so strong.”
> You place your hand on Soarin’s shoulder, and give him a comforting smile.
> “Listen Soarin.  We all have our doubts about becoming Jedi.  To tell you the truth I’m terrified.”
Soarin: “What really you?!”
> “Of course.  We’re about to be apart of a galaxy wide conflict that has ended millions of lives.  There’s no reason not to be afraid.”
Soarin: “I guess so, but you and the others are so far ahead of me in terms of skill.”
> “Hey don’t sell yourself short.  I’ve learned everything I know about starships, slicing, and droids from you.”
Soarin: “But what good will that do us when fighting the Sith?”
 
> “More than you know.”  If we need to crack a code on a stealth mission who are they going to turn to?  If a giant space battle over a key planet is in peril who are they going to turn to in order to lead the attack?”
Soarin: “Me?”
> “Yes you.”
Soarin: “But what if I confront a Sith Lord.  I won’t be strong enough to face them.”
> “Hey let’s worry about becoming knights before we start fighting Sith.  We’ll leave that to the masters for now.  Besides, I’ll have your back the whole way there.”
Soarin: “Thanks Anon that means a lot.”
> “No problem Soarin.  We should probably get going though.  We can’t become Jedi Knights if we aren’t padawans first.”
Soarin: “Yeah.  I guess you’re right.”
> With renewed vigor both you and Soarin make your way back to the Grand Hall.  Where the masters have already given their speech.
Twilight: “Anon there you are.  Where were you?”
> “Sorry ladies Soarin slept in.  What did we miss?”
Twilight: “We’ve been assigned to travel to the crystal caves, so that we can construct our lightsabers at the ceremonial alter.”
Soarin: “That’s all we have to do to become padawans?  That seems too easy.”
Twilight: “There’s more.  We have to travel to the other side of the planet by foot.  The masters said it would take us three weeks to get there.”
Applejack: “We’ll have to survive the wilderness for that long with minimum supplies and rations.  Not to mention fending off the Flesh Raiders.”
> “Aren’t the Flesh Raiders extremely violent towards the Jedi.”
Trixie: “You need not worry Anon.  Trixie will be right beside you if you need any assistance.”
> “Great I feel safer already.”
 
> After gathering some supplies you meet up with your friends in front of the temple.  You’ve been assigned to groups of fifteen to twenty students, and luckily all of your friends are in the same group as you.
> You hadn’t ventured off the temple grounds much after your first run in with the Flesh Raiders three years ago.  Since then you had grown a lot stronger, and so had your friends.  Still this journey you were about to embark on would be a risky one.
> Your supplies consisted of a change of clothes, some emergency rations, some sheets, a water canister, your lightsaber components and a vibroblade.
> Some others opted for blasters, but you felt that a vibroblade was more practical and traditional.
Fluttershy: “I hope we don’t run into any of the natives.  I don’t think I could fight them if we ran into any of them.”
> “Well unfortunately that’s probably not going to happen.  The masters gave us this test to see if we are ready to face the horrors of war.  Fighting the Flesh Raiders will be a cake walk compared to that.”
Twilight: “He’s right Fluttershy.  The Flesh Raiders are always looking to fight against the Jedi.  This is the ideal opportunity to test our self-discipline and training.”
Applejack: “I for one am itching for some action.  We’ll teach those varmints to mess with us.”
Trixie: “Trixie agrees.  It will be a perfect to flaunt our talents to the other students and the masters.”
> Everyone of your friends collectively groans, but quickly bubbles into light hearted laughter at Trixie’s expense.
> It didn’t seem possible, but everything in your life was perfect.  Aside from being away from your family there was nothing in the universe you would trade this life for.
Twilight: “Anon?”
> “What?  Sorry I wasn’t listening.”
Twilight: “I just asked what class Jedi you were planning on becoming.  We’ve all made our decisions, but you’ve never told us what your plans were.”
 
> “I didn’t?”
Twilight: “No, so what’s the deal?  You already know that Trixie and I are training to be consulars, Applejack a guardian, Fluttershy a healer, and Soarin an ace.  That just leaves you, so why are you holding out on us?  
> “I’m not keeping anything from you.  I’ll tell you if you really want to know.”
Applejack: “Well then spit it out already partner.”
> “I plan on becoming a Jedi Sentinel.”
Twilight: “Oh really, and what are your reasons for that?”
> “Well, to be honest I’d rather not say.  You may get the wrong idea.”
Twilight: “See right there.  That’s what I’m talking about.  Not wanting to tell us what you’re thinking.”
> “Twilight please, its nothing personal its just that-”
Trixie: “You don’t trust us.”
> “No its just-”
Soarin: “You think we’ll be a burden.”
> “No, no it’s not any of those things.”
Twilight: “Then what is it Anon?”
> You let out a deep sigh and look at all your friends and smile.
> “I’m just not the type to open up to people on a whim.  Which is usually why I keep them at arms length, so I can’t hurt them and they can’t hurt me.”
> “That might sound pretty self-centered of me, but I just didn’t want to get you all involved if I ever got in trouble.”
Fluttershy: Anon we’re your friends we’ll always be there for you even when times are tough.”
Applejack: “Especially when times are tough.”
> “Yeah and I realize that now, and I promise from now on to be more honest with all of you.”
Twilight: “I’m glad to hear that Anon.  Now you were going to tell us your reasons for becoming a sentinel.”
> “Yes, but before I do I need all your words that you won’t speak a word of this to anyone else.”
Everyone: “We promise.”
> “Okay then.”
 
> “As you all know the Sith are our ancient enemies that have sought to destroy the Jedi for millennia.  The Sith wish to rule over others while the Jedi seek to preserve the freedoms of the people, and every time these two factions collide it results in a galaxy wide conflict that ends countless lives.”
> “With that in mind it’s obvious that both religions are flawed in many ways  My thinking is that if I can establish some type of middle ground between where the two groups have made mistakes that it can lead to an end to the fighting.  A lasting peace between the Jedi and the Sith coexisting together in harmony.”
> You take a quick glance at everyone’s reactions, and not surprisingly they’re all of disbelief.  All expect for one; Trixie.  Her expression and emotions were much harder to read, and you had no idea what she was thinking.
> “You seem conflicted Trixie.  Is there something I said that intrigues you?”
Trixie: “No.  You can’t negotiate with those animals its not possible.”
> “Trixie!?”
Trixie: “Its nothing just drop it.”
> “Its obviously not nothing.  You want-”
Trixie: “We said NO!”
> With that an awkward silence slowly envelopes your group.  You decide it would be best to inquire about it later with her in private.
Applejack: “Well if y’all are ready I say its high time we get going.”
Soarin: “Yeah let’s do this.”
Twilight: “Together.”
Fluttershy: “Together.”
> “Together.”
 
> It’s been one week since your expedition started, and you were feeling pretty confident.  You had barely touched your emergency rations.  There was always a fresh stream nearby, and you’ve only had two minor skirmishes with the Flesh Raiders.
> Needless to say it was a welcome surprise to everyone, but you still had a long way to go.
> Fluttershy was never thrilled when you had to kill an animal to survive, so she ate various berries and fruits she found as much as possible.
> Applejack was always itching to put something or someone into the ground; while Twilight would preach to her about the Jedi Code’s practice of nonviolence.
> Trixie on the other hand had been very distant ever since the journey started.  Something was obviously bothering her, but she wasn’t saying anything to you.
> You had approached her about the subject several times, but she would always deny anything was wrong or avoid the subject altogether.
> Your group was taking a quick break at a watering hole when you contemplated taking this opportunity to speak with her again, but decided a different approach was in order.
> “Twilight do you have a moment?”
Twilight: “Sure Anon.  What is it?”
> “I need a word with you; in private.”
Twilight: “O-okay sure.”
> You both walk a ways into the woods until you are sure that no one is within ear shot.
Twilight: “So what did you want to talk about?”
> “It’s Trixie.  You’ve noticed it too haven’t you?”
Twilight: “Yeah.”
> “Would you mind talking to her.  She won’t say anything to me.”
Twilight: “What makes you think she’s going to tell me anything.  You’re the one she trusts the most.”
> “Because she might be angry at me that’s why.”
 
Twilight: “What makes you say that?”
> “Ever since I mentioned making peace with the sith she’s been avoiding everyone; especially me.”
Twilight: “I guess I could give it a shot.”
> “Thanks Twilight.  You don’t know how much that means to me.”
> You give her a quick hug; which catches her off guard.  Making for a rather awkward exchange.
Twilight: “D-don’t mention it.”
> Well nothing to do now but wait and see how things play out.  As you catch up with Fluttershy and Applejack you think you notice some movement in the bushes.  You reach out with the Force, but do not sense anything.  Marking it up as just your imagination.
Fluttershy: It’s so nice to be able to get to explore the great outdoors.  I’ve always wanted to interact with wildlife more than the Council would let me.”
Applejack: “I can’t see why.  Most of the native life of Tython consists of huge animals that could run you over or tear you limb from limb, or both.”
Fluttershy: “They’re just misunderstood is all.  If you just take the time to talk to them they can be very friendly.”
Applejack: “I’ll pass thank you, but don’t let me stop you.  I’ll be right here when a Nexu decides to eat you.”
> “Don’t listen to her Fluttershy.  I hear Nexu make great pets.”
Fluttershy: “Really!?”
> “Sure they do.  You can ride them, play with them, and even teach them to rip peoples faces off.  Evil people of course.”
Fluttershy: “Then that settles it then.  The next time I see one I’m taking it home with me, and I’ll call him Angel.”
> The irony is not lost on her.
 
> That night you talk with Twilight to see if she had made any headway, but alas she hadn’t.  You weren’t sure what you were going to do.  At this rate Trixie was never going to speak with you again.
> Perhaps it was time for desperate measures; again.  Why did it always have to come to this, so you volunteered for first watch with Trixie while everyone else slept.
> You both sat in a tree branch a few yards off the ground overlooking your campsite.  Letting the calm and peaceful air around you lighten the mood between you.
> “Trixie?”
Trixie: “Hmm?”
> “About what I said earlier.  I wanted to apologize.”
Trixie: “No Anon don’t.”
> “But why not?  You’re obviously upset, and I want to be on speaking terms with you again.”
Trixie: “Anon its fine.”
> “No its not.  The only way we are going to be able to move on is if we talk about this.”
> A long silence follows, and you didn’t have to be force-sensitive to see the turmoil brewing within her.  Her expression was gloomy, and she refused to make eye contact with you.
Trixie “If I tell you.  You have to swear to not tell anyone else.”
> “Trixie I swear on my life that no one else will know.”
Trixie: “Very well.  It was back on my home planet Csilla; which is a planet controlled by the Empire.  Life was relatively simple.  Do as you are told and no harm will come to you.  It wasn’t luxurious, but it was nice.  I was only seven at the time, so my parents both worked to support me. Then, one day a sith lord came knocking at our door accusing my parents of treason.  They strongly denied the accusations, but the sith had already decided their fate.  They were to be executed publicly the next day.  My parents tried to pled my innocence, but the sith lord would only believe them under one condition.”
> Trixie finally turned to look at you with tears filling her eyes.
[spoiler] Trixie: “He would only believe them if I killed my parents.” [/spoiler]
 
> You were speechless.  How could anyone ask a kid to kill their parents!?  No wonder she hates the Sith so much.  You remember when you mentioned her being alone a few years ago and how she lashed out because of it.  Now it all made sense.
Trixie: “After that I didn’t know what to do.  I tried to find someone to take care of me, but no one was interested in taking care of some kid.  I had to scavenge and steal to survive.  It was a miserable living.
When the Jedi found me I was in such a dark place they were seriously considering turning me away.  If it hadn’t been for Master Sentry I wouldn’t be here right now.”
> “Is he the one you found you?”
Trixie: “Yeah.  He alone recognized my greatness.  When the rest of the council didn’t.”
> “He’s not the only one who thinks you’re great Trixie.”
Trixie: “Yes, we know Anon.  We’ve seen the way you look at us, and it warms our heart to know that you care that much about us.  Even if it is forbidden to have such attachments.”
> “You know what they say Trixie.  A fruit that is forbidden is all the more enticing to take a bite of.”
Trixie: “Oh, really?  Who says that?“
> “Me.  Just now.”
> You move in closer to put a hand on her face, but she stops you.
Trixie: “Now isn’t really the best time for any of that Anon.  Others might be watching.”
> “Then let them watch.”
> Once more you close in and meet her lips with yours.  Holding a deep passionate kiss before finally breaking off.  Finally panting your lips on hers
Trixie: “You certainly are brave to oppose the Order on one of their strictest rules Anon.  However, I can’t help but think that maybe these feelings that we have for each other are a good thing.”
> Wait, did she just admit to liking you?
 
> “Did you just say your feelings?”
Trixie: “W-what no we said your feelings for us.”
> “Oh okay I misheard you then.”
> She definitely said it.  No mistaking it.  You’ll let it slide for now, but you’ll remember that little remark for later.
> As the days go by your group continues to avoid conflict with the Flesh Raiders.  It didn’t seem possible, but it would appear that forging your lightsaber would be far easier than you originally thought.
> You would have liked to believe that, but something in the pit of your stomach was telling you that something REALLY bad was about to happen.  You would get this feeling that someone or something was watching you, but when you turned around nothing was there.
> Maybe it was your imagination, but every fiber of your being was telling you otherwise.
> “Fluttershy have you noticed anything strange lately.”
Fluttershy: “What do you mean Anon?”
> “Well you’re very attuned to communicating with animals and nature in general.  Has there been any signs of danger?”
Fluttershy: “Thankfully no.  The little critters I’ve seen have been very relaxed.”
> “Don’t you think that’s a little bit odd.  We’ve ventured deep into Flesh Raider territory and yet the further we go the fewer we see of them.”
Fluttershy: “That is a little strange.”
> “On top of that I’ve had this uneasy feeling that were being followed by something, but I have no idea what it might be.”
Twilight: “Do you think they might be tracking us?”
> “It’s possible, but up until this point they’ve always been attack first and ask questions later.  Why the sudden change.”
Applejack: “Well whatever it is I have a feeling that were about to find out real soon.”
> “I hope you’re-”
> Suddenly you feel a surge of emotion in the atmosphere, and judging by everyone else’s reactions they feel it too.  A disturbance in the Force.
 
Fluttershy: “What was that?”
> “I don’t know but I think we should all get ready for the worst.”
Trixie: “There is no need.  The Great and Powerful Trixie is always ready.”
> After a few moments of apprehension you notice Flesh Raiders in full body armor and weaponry beginning to emerge from all directions.
Applejack: “Its about time these varmints showed there faces.”
Twilight: “Easy Applejack.  Let them make the first move.  We only fight in self-defense.”
> You count at least fifty soldiers in the trees, on the ground, and a few atop a small cliff overlooking the opening your group was situated in.
> “It appears that we’ve fallen into their trap.”
???: “Indeed you have human filth!”
> This new voice comes from the top of the rock cliff where two more Flesh Raiders with ornate clothing present themselves.
???: “We are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.  Leaders of the DeathMark Tribe.”
> “A pleasure.  I assume you both haven’t ventured out here to share a cup of tea then.”
Spoon: “Do not mock us with your idle banter Jedi.  You are all trespassing on sacred ground, and the cost for your actions can only be paid with death.”
Trixie: “Good.  Now that we’ve dispensed with the pleasantries.  We see no reason to continue speaking with you animals.”
Tiara: “You will all suffer for your atrocities.  KILL THEM!”
> You suddenly find yourself confronted by three raiders.  You push two of them back using the Force, and clash swords with the third.
> What the Flesh Raiders lack in flexibility and speed they make up for in strength.  Meaning a direct approach would not be favorable.
> You sidestep and parry a few blows before cutting down you first opponent.  As you do you see Fluttershy being cornered by five Flesh Raiders with nothing but a vibrodagger to defend herself.
 
> Using the Force to augment your speed you cut down two of the warriors that have their backs turned to you before standing by Fluttershy’s side.
> “You alright?”
Fluttershy: “Yeah, thanks Anon.”
> “Don’t mention it”
> As your standoff with the Flesh Raiders continues you notice that Twilight is sitting in the middle of the open field in what appears to be a meditative state.
> “Are you kidding me? What the hell is she doing?”
Fluttershy: “ANON!”
> You barely bring your sword up in time before another Flesh Raider brings his vibroblade down on you head.  Damn you need to focus.  If everyone doesn’t band together you’ll all be dead.
> Suddenly the Flesh Raider you are clashing with is sent flying after receiving a roundhouse kick from Applejack.
Applejack: “Come on Anon don’t tell me these slugs are too much for you.”
> “No of course not.  I was just distracted by Twilight.  She’s just sitting there.  We have to protect her.”
Applejack: “Shouldn’t we just tell her to get up and fight with us.”
> “I don’t think we could get her attention even if we tried.  She hasn’t flinched the entire time I’ve seen her sitting there.”
Applejack: “Then what’s the plan?”
> “Help everyone and tell them to form a circle around Twilight.”
Applejack: “Got it.”
> “Fluttershy you focus on healing those who have been injured I’ll cover you.”
Flutterhshy: “Right.”
> You weren’t sure why you thought this would work, but for some reason you had a strong feeling that it would.  Perhaps it was the Force guiding you.  Hopefully, otherwise you were all in deep trouble.
 
> After ten minutes of intense fighting most of you were exhausted, but the Flesh Raiders just kept coming.  There was at least double the number of soldiers that you had initially counted, and each one was more tenacious then the last.
> “This (heavy breathing) isn’t looking good.”
Trixie: “Speak for…yourself …we could do this all day.”
> “I know you can, but the rest of us are slowing down.  Sooner or later they’ll start picking us off one by one.  We need to end this now.”
Soarin: “Easier said then done.  The only way to do that is if we captured or killed their head chieftains, and they aren’t exactly in the most vulnerable position for us to do that.”
> “Yeah, but maybe there’s another way.”
Applejack: “And what might that be?”
> “Trixie you remember how to do the Force Repulse technique right.”
Trixie: “Of course we do.”
> “Good because I’m counting on you to lead everyone to perform that move.”
Trixie: “Impossible.  These low lifes have probably never even heard of it.  How am I supposed to teach them to do something they have no knowledge of?”
> “We’ll lock hands and form a circle around Twilight.  That way they only have to focus their energy in one direction.”
Trixie: “Tch.  It’s not like were given a choice at this point.  Fine let’s do it.”
> “Awesome.  Everyone join hands and listen to Trixie’s instructions.  This is our only chance at surviving this.”
> Reluctantly those who can still stand chain together and form a circle around Twilight and the other injured students.
Trixie: “Imagine a small orb of energy inside your chest and begin to compress it down as much as you can.  Feel the Force flow into you and trap it within that sphere.  Continue to condense it down until you can’t hold it anymore.”
 
> You could feel the ground below you begin to shake, and the wind around begin to swirl and swell.  The more everyone’s concentration increased the more intense the air around you shook.
Trixie: “Now on the count of three release everything you have.  One…two…THREE.”
> The shockwave your group sends out shakes you to your very core, and just about everything else in the area.
> All the Flesh Raiders you were fighting were sent flying in every direction, but that wasn’t all.  The amount of power you released was enough to topple fifty foot tall trees and smash solid rocks into dust.  Leaving you at the epicenter of what looked like a small meteorite impacting the planet.
> Just as your about to take a step forward you almost fall on your face from pure exhaustion, but Applejack is there to catch you.
Applejack: “Easy there sugarcube.  I think were safe now.”
> You were too busy trying to catch your breath to give her a response, so you just gave her a thumbs up.
> At the same time to notice Twilight open her eyes for the first time since this battle started.
Twilight: “Oh my goodness is everyone alright?”
Trixie: “ALRIGHT!  WE JUST GOT DONE FIGHTING FOR OUR LIVES AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS ‘Are you all alright?’”
> Twilight looked hurt by Trixie’s accusations.  Not that they weren’t baseless accusations but still.
> “Twi-…Twilight…what…were you doing…when we-”
Trixie: “We were busy protecting your ass.”
Twilight: “I just did what felt natural to me.  I thought if I connected with everyone through the Force I could strengthen our resolve and will to fight.”
> Wait she can do that?  How?
> “Have…you done this before?”
Twilight: “No I just listened to what the Force was telling me, and I passed that information onto all of you.”
> That’s incredible.  You’ve heard of Jedi Masters being able to turn the tide of battle in their favor by meditating, but you never believed it to be possible.