A Light in the Darkness

[Kuja]

"What is easily gained is easily lost." -ancient Gotal saying.

[Stormbringer]

Perhaps.

Can't say one way or the other. That would ruin the finale.

I know exactly how it's going end.

[Kuja]

Naw, REALLY?

[Stormbringer]

Naw, REALLY?

Of course. And I'm rather suprised you don't as well. You certainly ought to.

[Kelly Antilles]

A Light in the Darkness
Chapter 4: To Fall from on High


It had been thirteen years since the purge had begun. Thayre and Rhian had married and settled down on a remote planet near the outer rim. They refrained from using the Force so they wouldn't look conspicuous. However, they continued training in private. Best not to be completely out of practice should ever the need come up.

Thayre had taken up painting. He found it a very soothing pasttime. His art also showed his healing. The first ones were very dark, showing that the Dark side still had a bit of a hold on him. Now, however, they were very bright and cheerful.

Today, he was working on a portrait of Rhian for their anniversary. It was of her when they first met. He could only work on it when she was out of the house. Luckily, she had needed to go get groceries this morning.

It was almost finished. He was touching up the color of the eyes when he heard her call. Thayre, I need your help. Though it sounded calm, just the fact that she had contacted him telepathically was enough to make him upset. He dropped the paint to the floor, grabbed his lightsaber and ran out the door.



It was a day like any other. Rhian went into town to buy groceries. Everyone was cheerful, as usual. The sky was bright and clear, as usual. There was but one thing out of place. Her senses were warning her of danger.

As she left the grocers, waving good-bye to the owner, she saw them. Through the Force, she could see three dark auras. Turning towards home, she quickened her pace.

Suddenly, she was pulled into an alley. Her groceries flew from her hands, spilling all over the ground. Looking up, she saw two men standing in front of her. She was quite glad she always took her lightsaber with her.

"You thought you could elude us," a voice whispered near her left ear.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rhian replied.

"No Jedi will escape the Purge." The two in front of her lit their 'sabers and created an eerie red glow in the alley.

"I am not a Jedi," she scoffed. "Why would you think such a thing?"

In reply, the Dark one behind her ignited his lightsaber and brought it up towards her head.

Faster than light, she lit her azure blade and blocked the potential death strike. The two blades crackled as they pushed together. She turned to look her attacker in the eyes. "How many innocents have you killed that way?"

Her question caught him off guard and she pushed off his blade, giving herself some room to maneuver. Three on one was never good, so she summoned her husband. Thayre, I need your help. That done, she turned her attention to the matter at hand.

The two now behind her brought their blades up to strike at her back. She lifted her arms over her head to block them. At the same time, she kicked her left leg backwards to catch one in the knees, knocking him off balance. She pushed away from the other blade only to spin forward to block the man in front of her.

Flashes of light and sounds of battle greeted anyone who stepped near the alley way opening. No one dared to see what was happening.

Rhian parried three more attacks before vaulting over one of them to put them all in front of her. "Your faith in the Dark side will be your undoing."

"Your faith in the light will be yours," the only one who had spoken said before lunging forward.

She continued to block and parry, never having an edge to attack. Her energy was waning. It wouldn't be long before she would slip up and let one of them strike her. Now would be a good time for you to show up, Thayre, she thought. She blocked a high shot and jumped over a low slice.

As if on cue, Thayre appeared at the end of the alley. "Rhian!"

For some reason, she turned her head. She knew it was Thayre, so why did she turn? That would prove to be her undoing.

The lead Dark Jedi noted her attention was elsewhere and stabbed forward. She was too slow to block it away. The crimson blade sliced through her chest.

"NO!!!" Thayre watched his beloved skewered on the Dark Jedi's lightsaber. All of his burried anger and repressed emotion came forward. "YOU WILL DIE!" Igniting his lightsaber, he sprang forward and began an all out assault on the three Jedi Hunters.

They had no chance with his speed. The first lost his arm before being stabbed in the chest. The second was sliced in two from head to toe. The last, the leader, gave the best fight. He didn't have enough to contend with the full power of the Dark side. Thayre whipped his hands around at shoulder level and decapitated him.

The blood lust wore off quickly and Thayre dropped to his knees beside Rhian. "Oh, Thayre," she whispered.

"Sh, don't speak," he told her, tears running down his face. "I'm going to get you to a hospital."

"It... it's too late, Thayre. This was my destiny." She coughed up some blood. "You... you must come back to the Light before..."

He picked her up in his arms. "Don't speak such things. You're going to be fine." Without another word, he began to walk towards the edge of town.

[Kuja]

Holy shit. THAT was unexpected.

[Kelly Antilles]

Really? Wow, you're not very observant, are you.

[Stormbringer]

Holy shit. THAT was unexpected.

Did you even read the Idea help thread? The whole idea was pposted in that.

And did you even read the opener?

[Kuja]

Yes, I read BOTH. IIRC, the original idea was for VADER to kill him and his wife.

[Kelly Antilles]

Just let him think that, Stormbringer. Makes the ending all that more special to him.

[Stormbringer]

Yes, I read BOTH. IIRC, the original idea was for VADER to kill him and his wife.

Nope, it was never the idea.

[Kelly Antilles]

A Light in the Darkness
Chapter 5: From the Darkness Comes the Light


Thayre stood in silence, the white snow falling and covering the ground and all upon it. He was still reeling from the fact that his wife had passed away in his arms. My beloved. What will I do without you? The tears streamed down his face, falling on her grave and turning to ice in the cold.

The roar from a ship's engine broke his reverie. Looking up, he saw a tri-winged shuttle barreling towards him. He stood his ground as it swept over his head and landed in a clearing nearby. Thayre felt the presence and frowned.

The ramp of the Lamda-class shuttle lowered and a tall, meanacing, black-clad figure marched down. The sound of his breathing, amplified by the mask he wore, broke the stillness of the snowfall. "Thayre Starrider."

Thayre could feel the familiar weight of his lightsaber in the palm of his hand. "Anakin Skywalker. I should have known."

"I am no longer Skywalker. You may call me Darth Vader. I sensed you through the Force. If you come to the Dark side, you can be all powerful."

"The Dark side holds no meaning to me."

"I know your desires. You wish to kill the Emperor because he slaughtered the younglings and was behind your wife's death. Join the Dark side. You can defeat the Emperor yourself with that power."

Thayre lowered his head and closed his eyes. He saw the children, happy and free. He saw Rhian, her childlike charm and unerring beauty that captured his heart so long ago. "There is nothing to live for anymore. I accept death graciously. When the time comes, I hope you will do the same."

"As you wish." Vader's crimson blade came to life.

Still looking at the ground, Thayre ignited his own lightsaber. The green and red hues reflected off the snowy ground. In darkness, there can be light. With a cry, he leapt at his opponent, swinging in a downward arc.

Vader effortlessly brought his arm up to block the attack. He was surprised by the stunning force of the Attack. Throwing his hand out, he Force-pushed Thayre back.

The other man slid across the ground after landing hard. I'm getting too old for this, he thought to himself as he stood and brushed the dirt from his clothes.

The black clad figure struck first this time. The two blades danced off each other over and over. Thayer was able to push him back somewhat. "Come on, Anakin. Return to the Light. Palpatine is using you as a puppet."

"You underestimate the power of the Dark side." Vader struck hard and fast.

Thayre matched him blow for blow. Unfortunately, he was growing tired. It wouldn't be much longer before he made a mistake and missed a parry. "I know too well about the Dark side. It consumes you. It makes you into a ruthless killer. You cannot deny that, Anakin."

"I am NOT Anakin!" Vader began his attack anew. He pummeled Thayre, driving him back further and further. Thayre stepped back and his foot slipped. Vader used this to pound on the green blade over and over, forcing Thayre to the ground.

Once Thayre was prone, his lightsaber knocked to the side, Vader held his blade hovering over Thayre's chest. "I give you one more chance. Join me or die."

"Once I drowned myself in the darkness. She saved me. She was the the light in the darkness of my soul. I will not betray that. Perhaps one day you'll know what that means, even in darkness like yours there can be a light."

Vader paused, taking his words into concideration. He lifted his arm and came down, slicing Thayre's head from his body. Looking down at the decapitated body, he felt something he hadn't in a long while. Remorse.

The Dark Lord of the Sith turned away, giving it no more thought. He knew he was right. The Dark side is all powerful. There is nothing left that is honorable.

[Stormbringer]

I love it. You did a great job.

[Kelly Antilles]

So, did it meet up to your expectations?

[Stormbringer]

So, did it meet up to your expectations?

Actually, it was better than I hoped for.

[Kelly Antilles]

*blink* Really?

[Stormbringer]

*blink* Really?

Yes, really. If I ever get another really good idea, I'll let you know.

How do you think it turned out?

And now that it's I wonder if you could retroactively put up a rating poll?

[Kelly Antilles]

I love the story line. I probably could have expanded it in a few places, but overall, it isn't bad.

How do you want the poll set up? (since I've never done a poll)

[Stormbringer]

I love the story line. I probably could have expanded it in a few places, but overall, it isn't bad.

If you say so, I like it how it is. I suppose if you want you could go back and edit the stuff in.

How do you want the poll set up? (since I've never done a poll)

Go back to the opening post and edit it. Theres a poll setup at the bottom, you can retractively add a poll.

[Kelly Antilles]

Yes, but how do you want the rankings? 1-5? great-horrible?

[Stormbringer]

Yes, but how do you want the rankings? 1-5? great-horrible?

I'd say a four star system system with half star increments. But it's your call.

[Kelly Antilles]

Poll added.

[Stormbringer]

Poll added.

Already voted.

[Kelly Antilles]

[Stormbringer]

You're welcome.