Chapter 9 - The Fabled Black Bladed Saber
The long corridors of the fortress seemed to span for eternity. The pathways were uneven. Understandable since it had been built with little or no real technology. A cloud of microscopic dust seemed to hang in the air inside.
Braja made his way cautiously, one hand on the wall, the other on his saber. The wall guided him. He could see ok under the circumstances, here and there were cracks in the stone where dim lances of light filtered through, but the wall was comforting to him.
Nin traveled close behind Braja, her hand on the wall also, nearly on his. Indeed, all of Braja's freinds were still with him. Battle scarred, and bruised, all were still not fully convinced themselves that they had faced that many oppontents and lived.
Twinker trudged along holding his arm, just slightly behind Clinker, they were bringing up the rear. Upon firing, one of the Dark Jedi had reflected the blaster shot back at him. Clinkers metal feet clinked with each step he took. Jan half smiled, a fitting name Braja had given him.
They were expecting to encounter more resistance than just those few they had faced at the entrance. With nine Jedi already, and what should have been well over a hundred from the caves that they had captured, something didn't add up. They were either keeping the ones who wouldn't convert prisoner, or worse, feeding upon them.
Presently, the long corridor they had been in came to an end. An open doorway lay in front of them. Braja eased his way ahead and peered inside. This was definately the biggest room of the fortress. Two stone staircases ran up both sides of it to an upper area. Braja halfway expected to see a crude throne of some sort sitting right in the center. Instead, there was nothing but a disgusting fountain at the very back wall, and a lone Dark Jedi seated in meditation in front of it, facing it.
Braja held his breath and walked calmly toward the figure. Everyone else had halted just outside the doorway. Braja couldn't help but pay more attention to the fountain as he neared the seated Jedi. The water sprayed from what appeared to be a real skull, seated on two others. And the water was more of a brownish, reddish, with a hint of greeish black mottled in with it. Most likely blood. At the base of the fountain, the putrid water splashed onto a conglamerate of dismembered body parts. A hand, some fingers, a shriveled eyeball, and yes, even a rotting head floated there.
Braja silently pulled his saber hilt from his belt, he advanced stealthily toward the unmoving figure. For a moment, he thought he was dead. Better make sure. The blade swooshed and hummed as Braja extended it. Red. He had commandeered it from one of the felled Dark Jedi's he and his companions had lain waste to. It was time to try it out. In fact, he had advised everyone of his companions, save Clinker and Twinker, to pick up an unused saber. "Just in case.", he had said.
Braja drew back the saber and swung. Suddenly and without warning, the mannequin like figure lunged into action. Before the blade had completed it's swing, the Dark Jedi had jumped up extended both his sabers, knocked Braja's away with one swing, and went for Braja's head with another. A quick duck and a near miss. Braja leaped backwards.
The Dark Jedi, using the Force for a boost, hurled himself from where he was, to the stone railing of the upper level. He hurled around. Obsidian glasses covered his eyes. "Who are you that would dare face Darth Night?!?" He bellowed angrily.
Braja lifted an eyebrow. "Darth, Night?" He asked. "I thought you, you know, had to be THE Darth's apprentice before you could declare yourself one? You're Malak's apprentice?"
"Hmm, Malak? What happened to Reven?" The crazed Jedi yelled back.
"Reven was killed." Braja said. "So I take it you're not really a Darth at all."
"I am, HERE!" Night said angrily. "We have been cut off from the outside for so long. This is my peice of the galaxy, so I shall rule it as I see fit. The power of the Dark Side is so much more than you could imagine. Or perhaps, not. I see, is that a weapon of one of my warriors?"
Braja swung the red saber around. "It was." He said calmly. "How many are dead?" Night asked.
Braja grinned. "Every one that we saw at least." Darth Night snarled. "Ah yes, I see your sniveling freinds hiding back there."
Jan stepped into the room. Connie, Kirk and Nin came also. "Why don't you get down here and take us all on if you're so great?" Jan yelled mockingly. Clinker and Twinker continued hovering in the doorway. Twinker jibbered something.
"Perhaps it is not wise to taunt a madman." Clinker said, holding up his mechanical hand in Jan's direction. Jan grinned and shrugged it off.
"Your challenge is most daunting." Night said, scanning them individually, sizing them up. "Five of you, against just me. But, then again, I am a master of the Dark Side." He swept one of his sabers towards Braja. "I can sense the dark side churning within you. Within all of you, but within you especially."
Braja gritted his teeth. "I, am a Jedi. I came here to end this madness."
"Did you?!?" Night yelled. "Or did you come, seeking power?" Braja hung his head.
"Yes, yes I thought so." Night chuckled.
"I felt a power. I didn't know it was from the Dark Side. But now that I know, I'm stopping it. Whatever it is. What is it anyways?" Braja asked looking up at Darth Night.
Night just cackled. "You may yet find out. But not, just yet." Night swung his sabers around casually. "I accept your challenge blonde one. Fight me if you dare. Kill me, and join the Dark Side anyways. Or, if I triumph, if any of you manage to survive, you shall surely feel my wrath, and I will make you mine all the same. Either way, it is you who will lose this day, JEDI!" Night screamed and snarled, grasping both his sabers and lunging right for Braja.
Braja reacted quickly. His violet blade flashed to life in an instant. Electricity hummed as Night's and his blades met. With a daft sideswipe, Night knocked the red saber from Braja's hand. He swirled sideways, catching the violet saber with one blade, while swinging the other around. It never made it, Braja hit Night with a force blast. Night was knocked aside, but on his feet instantly.
Nin, Jan, Kirk and Connie, fanned out around Night. All of them extending both their blades. Night glared at them. A planned course of attack right now wouldn't work, there were too many of them, too many variables.
Braja held his hand out, the hilt quickly flew up into it, he extended the blade and waited.
Night went for Connie first, their sabers collided, within a flash he swung toward Jan, another flash, then in two directions, one toward Nin, one toward Kirk. Braja watched this show with amusement. Night was like a trapped rat. Flashes and hums echoed every second. Like a streak of lightning, he never gave one of them a pause.
Night swung both sabers toward Nin, and hurled himself over her. Their blades flashing as he swung himself upwards. Landing just a few feet from Braja, Night swung one saber, Braja deflected it, then the other, Braja stopped it. Night spun himself around. Both blades. Braja used both of his and blocked them.
Night didn't waste a second. His distraction had worked momentarily. He lunged backwards into the air, hurling around, his blades went for Connie. Her skin burned as one raked through her shoulder and down her side, just missing her breast. She stumbled backwards.
Kirk flung himself at Night. Night blocked his swing, knocking the blue saber from his hand. His red blade locked between Night's. Night's eyebrows furrowed. Using just the power of his mind, it felt like a fist, double the size of a normal one, pounded into Kirk's chest. Knocking him backwards.
Nin swung her blue blade. Night knocked it downward with one swing, spinning her around. She swung out with the red blade, Night knocked it away and sidestepped then incoming other swing.
Whirling around with both blades, he used them to pincer her red saber and flipped it from her grasp. The blade retracted as it went flying. She swung at his head with the blue one, he ducked it and knocked it aside with one blade, swinging at her leg with the other. Searing pain shot through the side of her thigh. She went down quickly. Nin gasped and gripped her leg, but she couldn't get up.
Braja gritted his teeth at what he was witnessing. In just a few moments, Night had managed to incapacitate all but Jan and himself. And there was no way he could've stopped it, without possibly injuring one of his freinds. Connie was gripping her shoulder against the wall, holding back tears, though some were slipping through. Kirk was unconcious close beside her. And Nin was groaning in pain beside the sneering Darth Night.
Jan retracted his red saber and tossed it aside. "Over confident, aren't we?" Hissed Night. "I can see the Dark Side in you as well."
Jan grinned. "Not over confident you smug bastard. I just fight better with one saber. If you don't mind that I make myself comfortable, that is?"
Night snickered. "No not at all, whatever you think will help you sniveling Jedi."
Jan gripped his saber and swung quickly. Energy hummed as the blades met. Jan fought valiantly, and lasted longer than most. Finally however, even he was no match for his skilled opponent. He had misjudged Darth Night. His saber hit, and stayed only a moment too long on Night's blade. The other blade swung over, and it was caught.
Night flipped the blade from his hand quickly. The hilt landed beside Nin. She thought about picking it up, but in the end it would've done no good. She sighed, shaking her head.
Night retracted one of his blades, sticking back in his belt. Braja moved toward him. Placing the blade he still held to Jan's throat, Night held his hand out toward Braja. Electricity crackled. It surged through Braja's body, setting his senses on fire and knocking him across the room. Both his sabers fell from his grip. He landed against the far wall, his body and clothes were smoking.
Night pressed the blade closer, Jan backed away. "Now I will bind all of you with my power. You will know what the true nature of the Dark Side feels like you fool. Perhaps then, you will show some respect." Darth Night spat in contempt.
Braja felt his mind stirring. Jan was trying to communicate to him through the force. Night's words swirled in his head, he lifted it feebly. The word "bind" stood out. It made sense to him. If they worked together, perhaps. . .
Jan and Braja's will focused now on Nin. She understood as well.
Jan focused now on Night. Excerting every ounce of force he had in him. Night's eyebrows lifted, he tried to swing at Jan, his arms wouldn't move. Looking over, he saw Nin concentrating hard as well. Suddenly, he felt a great pressure gripping him from all side around his abdomen. They were lifting him.
Night floated up into the air, about five feet from the ground he hovered. He felt pressure in his arms, he heard his own bones breaking, he was forced to realease the sabers. The hilts clinked to the floor. His face, a mask of fury, anger and pain.
Braja lifted himself, walking almost trancelike towards Night. He held a hand out toward his saber. It quickly slid across the floor and went airborne as well. Lifting up, it spun quickly, and then finally settled, aimed towards Darth Night. Mentally, Braja extended the violet blade.
"Yes! Strike me down! Strike me down damn you! You will," Darth Night choked and gasped for air. "You, will, know, the, power, of, the, dark, SIIIIIIIIIIIIII. . ." Braja used the force and pushed the humming blade through Night's heart. Night choked, gurgled for a moment, saliva oozing down his contorted mouth.
Braja was finished. His blade slid out, leaving a clean hole. The blade retracted, and the hilt glided over and landed nicely in his hand. He watched Night hover there, dead. Finally Jan and Nin both released their hold. Night crumpled to the floor like a rag doll.
Clinker and Twinker entered. "My what an astounding battle sir." Clinker buzzed. Braja nodded solemnly.
Connie was helping Kirk up, apparently he had come to. They slowly made their way to Braja. Jan helped Nin stand up, she still clutched her thigh, but put her leg down gently, she could still use it.
"The fountain." She said, pointing. Jan helped her over to the morbid blood bath. Jan winced as he looked at it. "This. Braja, this here. It is here that I sense the source of power."
"Ok." He said, wondering if he was supposed to do something.
Nin leaned over and stuck her hand down into the grossness. She felt around for a few moments, and then pulled something out. Dripping with foul wetness, in her hand sat an obsidian gem. Clinker reached his hand out and clasped it in his metal fingers. He examined it closely.
"Analysys: Sir, I do beleive this would fit a lightsaber." Clinker said.
Braja's face lit up. "A black bladed saber?" He questioned. "I've heard the legends about it. But there actually is one."
"There is the possibility that there could be one. Right now all we have is the gem. Besides, shouldn't we be destroying this right now?" Kirk said.
Braja shook his head. "Clinker. Can you assemble a lightsaber?"
"Answer: Yes, I can. However, I do not think this would be wise. Explanation: The construction of a saber from uncharted materials may prove to be, unstable." Clinker said.
"Just try it." Braja said, handing Clinker Jan's discarded red saber. Clinker took it somewhat unwillingly, and inspected it.
"Very well sir. I shall do as best as I can." Clinker set about disassembling the saber. Braja grinned.
Braja made his way cautiously, one hand on the wall, the other on his saber. The wall guided him. He could see ok under the circumstances, here and there were cracks in the stone where dim lances of light filtered through, but the wall was comforting to him.
Nin traveled close behind Braja, her hand on the wall also, nearly on his. Indeed, all of Braja's freinds were still with him. Battle scarred, and bruised, all were still not fully convinced themselves that they had faced that many oppontents and lived.
Twinker trudged along holding his arm, just slightly behind Clinker, they were bringing up the rear. Upon firing, one of the Dark Jedi had reflected the blaster shot back at him. Clinkers metal feet clinked with each step he took. Jan half smiled, a fitting name Braja had given him.
They were expecting to encounter more resistance than just those few they had faced at the entrance. With nine Jedi already, and what should have been well over a hundred from the caves that they had captured, something didn't add up. They were either keeping the ones who wouldn't convert prisoner, or worse, feeding upon them.
Presently, the long corridor they had been in came to an end. An open doorway lay in front of them. Braja eased his way ahead and peered inside. This was definately the biggest room of the fortress. Two stone staircases ran up both sides of it to an upper area. Braja halfway expected to see a crude throne of some sort sitting right in the center. Instead, there was nothing but a disgusting fountain at the very back wall, and a lone Dark Jedi seated in meditation in front of it, facing it.
Braja held his breath and walked calmly toward the figure. Everyone else had halted just outside the doorway. Braja couldn't help but pay more attention to the fountain as he neared the seated Jedi. The water sprayed from what appeared to be a real skull, seated on two others. And the water was more of a brownish, reddish, with a hint of greeish black mottled in with it. Most likely blood. At the base of the fountain, the putrid water splashed onto a conglamerate of dismembered body parts. A hand, some fingers, a shriveled eyeball, and yes, even a rotting head floated there.
Braja silently pulled his saber hilt from his belt, he advanced stealthily toward the unmoving figure. For a moment, he thought he was dead. Better make sure. The blade swooshed and hummed as Braja extended it. Red. He had commandeered it from one of the felled Dark Jedi's he and his companions had lain waste to. It was time to try it out. In fact, he had advised everyone of his companions, save Clinker and Twinker, to pick up an unused saber. "Just in case.", he had said.
Braja drew back the saber and swung. Suddenly and without warning, the mannequin like figure lunged into action. Before the blade had completed it's swing, the Dark Jedi had jumped up extended both his sabers, knocked Braja's away with one swing, and went for Braja's head with another. A quick duck and a near miss. Braja leaped backwards.
The Dark Jedi, using the Force for a boost, hurled himself from where he was, to the stone railing of the upper level. He hurled around. Obsidian glasses covered his eyes. "Who are you that would dare face Darth Night?!?" He bellowed angrily.
Braja lifted an eyebrow. "Darth, Night?" He asked. "I thought you, you know, had to be THE Darth's apprentice before you could declare yourself one? You're Malak's apprentice?"
"Hmm, Malak? What happened to Reven?" The crazed Jedi yelled back.
"Reven was killed." Braja said. "So I take it you're not really a Darth at all."
"I am, HERE!" Night said angrily. "We have been cut off from the outside for so long. This is my peice of the galaxy, so I shall rule it as I see fit. The power of the Dark Side is so much more than you could imagine. Or perhaps, not. I see, is that a weapon of one of my warriors?"
Braja swung the red saber around. "It was." He said calmly. "How many are dead?" Night asked.
Braja grinned. "Every one that we saw at least." Darth Night snarled. "Ah yes, I see your sniveling freinds hiding back there."
Jan stepped into the room. Connie, Kirk and Nin came also. "Why don't you get down here and take us all on if you're so great?" Jan yelled mockingly. Clinker and Twinker continued hovering in the doorway. Twinker jibbered something.
"Perhaps it is not wise to taunt a madman." Clinker said, holding up his mechanical hand in Jan's direction. Jan grinned and shrugged it off.
"Your challenge is most daunting." Night said, scanning them individually, sizing them up. "Five of you, against just me. But, then again, I am a master of the Dark Side." He swept one of his sabers towards Braja. "I can sense the dark side churning within you. Within all of you, but within you especially."
Braja gritted his teeth. "I, am a Jedi. I came here to end this madness."
"Did you?!?" Night yelled. "Or did you come, seeking power?" Braja hung his head.
"Yes, yes I thought so." Night chuckled.
"I felt a power. I didn't know it was from the Dark Side. But now that I know, I'm stopping it. Whatever it is. What is it anyways?" Braja asked looking up at Darth Night.
Night just cackled. "You may yet find out. But not, just yet." Night swung his sabers around casually. "I accept your challenge blonde one. Fight me if you dare. Kill me, and join the Dark Side anyways. Or, if I triumph, if any of you manage to survive, you shall surely feel my wrath, and I will make you mine all the same. Either way, it is you who will lose this day, JEDI!" Night screamed and snarled, grasping both his sabers and lunging right for Braja.
Braja reacted quickly. His violet blade flashed to life in an instant. Electricity hummed as Night's and his blades met. With a daft sideswipe, Night knocked the red saber from Braja's hand. He swirled sideways, catching the violet saber with one blade, while swinging the other around. It never made it, Braja hit Night with a force blast. Night was knocked aside, but on his feet instantly.
Nin, Jan, Kirk and Connie, fanned out around Night. All of them extending both their blades. Night glared at them. A planned course of attack right now wouldn't work, there were too many of them, too many variables.
Braja held his hand out, the hilt quickly flew up into it, he extended the blade and waited.
Night went for Connie first, their sabers collided, within a flash he swung toward Jan, another flash, then in two directions, one toward Nin, one toward Kirk. Braja watched this show with amusement. Night was like a trapped rat. Flashes and hums echoed every second. Like a streak of lightning, he never gave one of them a pause.
Night swung both sabers toward Nin, and hurled himself over her. Their blades flashing as he swung himself upwards. Landing just a few feet from Braja, Night swung one saber, Braja deflected it, then the other, Braja stopped it. Night spun himself around. Both blades. Braja used both of his and blocked them.
Night didn't waste a second. His distraction had worked momentarily. He lunged backwards into the air, hurling around, his blades went for Connie. Her skin burned as one raked through her shoulder and down her side, just missing her breast. She stumbled backwards.
Kirk flung himself at Night. Night blocked his swing, knocking the blue saber from his hand. His red blade locked between Night's. Night's eyebrows furrowed. Using just the power of his mind, it felt like a fist, double the size of a normal one, pounded into Kirk's chest. Knocking him backwards.
Nin swung her blue blade. Night knocked it downward with one swing, spinning her around. She swung out with the red blade, Night knocked it away and sidestepped then incoming other swing.
Whirling around with both blades, he used them to pincer her red saber and flipped it from her grasp. The blade retracted as it went flying. She swung at his head with the blue one, he ducked it and knocked it aside with one blade, swinging at her leg with the other. Searing pain shot through the side of her thigh. She went down quickly. Nin gasped and gripped her leg, but she couldn't get up.
Braja gritted his teeth at what he was witnessing. In just a few moments, Night had managed to incapacitate all but Jan and himself. And there was no way he could've stopped it, without possibly injuring one of his freinds. Connie was gripping her shoulder against the wall, holding back tears, though some were slipping through. Kirk was unconcious close beside her. And Nin was groaning in pain beside the sneering Darth Night.
Jan retracted his red saber and tossed it aside. "Over confident, aren't we?" Hissed Night. "I can see the Dark Side in you as well."
Jan grinned. "Not over confident you smug bastard. I just fight better with one saber. If you don't mind that I make myself comfortable, that is?"
Night snickered. "No not at all, whatever you think will help you sniveling Jedi."
Jan gripped his saber and swung quickly. Energy hummed as the blades met. Jan fought valiantly, and lasted longer than most. Finally however, even he was no match for his skilled opponent. He had misjudged Darth Night. His saber hit, and stayed only a moment too long on Night's blade. The other blade swung over, and it was caught.
Night flipped the blade from his hand quickly. The hilt landed beside Nin. She thought about picking it up, but in the end it would've done no good. She sighed, shaking her head.
Night retracted one of his blades, sticking back in his belt. Braja moved toward him. Placing the blade he still held to Jan's throat, Night held his hand out toward Braja. Electricity crackled. It surged through Braja's body, setting his senses on fire and knocking him across the room. Both his sabers fell from his grip. He landed against the far wall, his body and clothes were smoking.
Night pressed the blade closer, Jan backed away. "Now I will bind all of you with my power. You will know what the true nature of the Dark Side feels like you fool. Perhaps then, you will show some respect." Darth Night spat in contempt.
Braja felt his mind stirring. Jan was trying to communicate to him through the force. Night's words swirled in his head, he lifted it feebly. The word "bind" stood out. It made sense to him. If they worked together, perhaps. . .
Jan and Braja's will focused now on Nin. She understood as well.
Jan focused now on Night. Excerting every ounce of force he had in him. Night's eyebrows lifted, he tried to swing at Jan, his arms wouldn't move. Looking over, he saw Nin concentrating hard as well. Suddenly, he felt a great pressure gripping him from all side around his abdomen. They were lifting him.
Night floated up into the air, about five feet from the ground he hovered. He felt pressure in his arms, he heard his own bones breaking, he was forced to realease the sabers. The hilts clinked to the floor. His face, a mask of fury, anger and pain.
Braja lifted himself, walking almost trancelike towards Night. He held a hand out toward his saber. It quickly slid across the floor and went airborne as well. Lifting up, it spun quickly, and then finally settled, aimed towards Darth Night. Mentally, Braja extended the violet blade.
"Yes! Strike me down! Strike me down damn you! You will," Darth Night choked and gasped for air. "You, will, know, the, power, of, the, dark, SIIIIIIIIIIIIII. . ." Braja used the force and pushed the humming blade through Night's heart. Night choked, gurgled for a moment, saliva oozing down his contorted mouth.
Braja was finished. His blade slid out, leaving a clean hole. The blade retracted, and the hilt glided over and landed nicely in his hand. He watched Night hover there, dead. Finally Jan and Nin both released their hold. Night crumpled to the floor like a rag doll.
Clinker and Twinker entered. "My what an astounding battle sir." Clinker buzzed. Braja nodded solemnly.
Connie was helping Kirk up, apparently he had come to. They slowly made their way to Braja. Jan helped Nin stand up, she still clutched her thigh, but put her leg down gently, she could still use it.
"The fountain." She said, pointing. Jan helped her over to the morbid blood bath. Jan winced as he looked at it. "This. Braja, this here. It is here that I sense the source of power."
"Ok." He said, wondering if he was supposed to do something.
Nin leaned over and stuck her hand down into the grossness. She felt around for a few moments, and then pulled something out. Dripping with foul wetness, in her hand sat an obsidian gem. Clinker reached his hand out and clasped it in his metal fingers. He examined it closely.
"Analysys: Sir, I do beleive this would fit a lightsaber." Clinker said.
Braja's face lit up. "A black bladed saber?" He questioned. "I've heard the legends about it. But there actually is one."
"There is the possibility that there could be one. Right now all we have is the gem. Besides, shouldn't we be destroying this right now?" Kirk said.
Braja shook his head. "Clinker. Can you assemble a lightsaber?"
"Answer: Yes, I can. However, I do not think this would be wise. Explanation: The construction of a saber from uncharted materials may prove to be, unstable." Clinker said.
"Just try it." Braja said, handing Clinker Jan's discarded red saber. Clinker took it somewhat unwillingly, and inspected it.
"Very well sir. I shall do as best as I can." Clinker set about disassembling the saber. Braja grinned.