Post by Moonfire on Dec 13, 2009 12:54:17 GMT -5
Wide blue eyes sparkled lightly as the great ship began its descent. It was everything she had remembered it to be. The canyons littered with sparkling lightsaber crystals buried within, the sun glinting off them from every angle as it shined its rays over them like a thick blanket. She could almost feel the sunshine on her face as they prepared to land.
Gently touching down on the surface, she all but bolted from the ship, giving a wave to the crew. "I'll be back soon, no worries!" Moonfire called behind her as she tore down the exit ramp. Sunshine enveloped, warming her core as though it had been frozen itself with all the time she'd spent on Hoth, Chinine and Ilum. How lovely it was to feel warm again in the desert that held some of her fondest memories.
A warm breeze struck her, eyes turning up to the sky she smiled as a group of Bouncers floated in the wind, riding the breeze as they went. Wandering across the beaten path she smiled again. The spot was near by. She could still see it in her minds eye all this time later. How long had it been? A year? More? Edging closer, the path making its same familiar twists and turns, something nagged at the back of her head. What was she doing? Why had she come here, so spur of the moment?
"Because..." Moonfire reasoned to herself. "You needed to tell him."
There it was, the rock formation burned into memory. A pile of shimmering stones, the light hitting them in a rainbow of colors, the great chasm stretching out for miles about them. More memories, more flash backs. Stepping closer, black boots kicking up dust as she approached them Moonfire smiled, sitting back against the hot stone with a heavy sigh.
Now, where to begin?
"Its been a while, huh, Ryuu?" She started, feeling silly in a way, talking to the air as though he was really listening, as though he could there. Ryuu was gone, and if he were a Force ghost, if he were at one with the Force, if he was anywhere, he'd be there though, right? She had nothing left of him. Nothing but memories.
"You would have been proud of me today, Master Ryuu. Jor sent me on a mission at Nar Shaddaa, a test. I wasn't allowed to let anyone die, good or bad. I failed that test, but I don't care. I failed it by saving these people that were being sold into slavery. I would have passed the test if I had left them with the Hutts. Thats not what a Jedi would have done though, right? Even if it means I don't make Knighthood, I know you would have been proud." A smile spread across the girls lips. The words beginning to flow faster, flow easier as she closed the pale blue eyes and let her memory fill in Ryuu.
The expression of calmness, of pride in his padawan, his easy smile. Excitedly she back tracked, filling in all the gaps. Telling him of all the adventures all the hardship that the girl had faced without him, without his guidance. Defeating Hatori and saving Kyo. Finding the Union, and training and focusing. Searching endless for the truth of what happened to him. Hoth and the Wampa and Kyo saving her. Redeeming Lord Nanashi, and even his apology about what happened, and finally the Temple on Ilum.
Everything, all the things the girl had desperately wanted to tell him, how strong she was getting, how more and more everyday she hoped he was watching, he was seeing the Jedi his once clumsy and foolish padawan was becoming.
"Ryuu, thank you. Thank you for everything you did. I keep you in my heart, I keep your memory precious and strive to be the best Jedi I can be. The Jedi you were. You're with the Force now, and I no longer mourn you, Ryuu. If you're listening, I want you to know I will always be thankful for what time you had to teach me..." Carefully, she stood, black robes swirling about her in the dust as Moonfire straightened. Brushing at her robes more the girl closed her eyes for a moment more, relishing the Master sitting there just beyond reach before turning, and heading back down the edge of the canyon.
The sky was beginning to darken now, sun setting and the three moons beginning to rise slowly into view. A sweet sense of relief filled the girl. Everything would be okay. Now, to head back to Ilum.
"Moonfire!" Nearly jumping out her skin she turned, the rising canyon wall stretching out above her. "Whos there?" She called back into the growing darkness.
"Moonfire!" The laughing shout called again, echoing and faint though its tone unmistakable, its voice unforgettable. "Kyo?... Ryuu?" She all but squeaked, stepping closer towards the call. The source of this call revealing itself in the canyon wall, carved out was an entrance, a cave.
"Moonfire!" It shouted once more, louder now, more urgent. "Kyo! I'm coming!" Something must have happened, they must have followed her there, gotten trapped, something. Running into the cave, away from the dimming light of Ruusan. All around was blackness.
"Kyo! Kyo! Where are you?" Moonfire shouted, feeling her heart jumping, throbbing in her throat once more. And then, the darkness slowly began to brighten, to weave and change and reveal its true colors. Running faster towards the light ahead, the cave walls changed to wood, pictures hung and the uneven tunnel turned into a cooridor. "Kyo?" She asked softly, turning the smooth corner, the cave now a simple, yet lovely cottage.
"Kyo? Whats a Kyo, darling? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Ryuu chuckled, sitting at the table in the kitchen, a steaming plate of breakfast before him. "Don't give me that shocked look. I make breakfast sometimes. I swear its edible." Another chuckle as he motioned for the chair across from his own at the ornately carved table.
"Ohhhhkay..." Wiping away the dumblook she had Moonfire carefully took a seat again, staring wide eyed at the man before him. Taking his fork he methodically eat his breakfast, stabbing at eggs, little curls of steam still wafting off them as he carefully shoveled them into his mouth.
"Taelyn's outside, picking flowers for the table setting, she wanted to surprise you. Elliot's still sleeping, he sure does take after his mommy." Ryuu gave a quick wink, indicating the empty vase before them on the table. Had that been there before? What was going on? Had it all been a dream? Was she dreaming now? "T-t-taelyn? Elliot?" Moonfire stuttered out, still shocked and confused by the scene before them. Looking up from his food, Ryuu gave her a concerned look.
"Yes, Taelyn and Elliot. Our children, are you feeling alright dear? You look sick." His voice was full of the sweet concern, that same sweet tone she longed for. Clear as day. This was no dream, it had to be real. Scooting closer, Ryuu extended a hand, reaching out to cup it over her forehead, the universal way of quick checking for a fever. As his hand was about connect with the smooth skin of her forehead the door banged open, a little girl grinning in the doorway.
"Mommy! Mommy! I gots you flowers!" The little beauty cried out, racing towards the pair. Light red hair was pulled into two pigtails, long and stright as she moved with the same quiet grace as her father. Jumping and giggling she held up the flowers for Moonfire to see, a few scraggly blooming weeds clutched tightly between freckled fingers, bright green eyes enormous and shining, laughing with the little girl.
"They're... They're beautiful Taelyn, thank you." Moonfire stuttered more, in shock and awe of the gorgeous creature before her.
"You like them Mommy? They're the very prettiest I could find." The girl said nodding.
"Beautiful, my love, beautiful." Tears welled up in eyes as she leaned down the hug the unearthly child before her. Wrapping her arms about the girl, pulling her close Moonfire basked in the joy of total happiness and motherhood for single moment. Slumping against Moonfire's dark robes, the child wilted, flowers slipping from limp fingers.
"Taelyn?... Taelyn?" The words croaked in her throat, the feeling of pressure, of fear and anxiety blanketing over her. Eyes turned down to the child she screamed. "Taelyn! No!" Screaming louder, the child had slumped over in her lap, withered and dead. Features once beautiful and eternal now gaunt and sickly, wide green eyes staring out at her lifeless and waxy.
"Ryuu! Ryuu! Somethings wrong!" The body of the little girl thudding to the floor as Moonfire reached out across the table, grabbing Ryuu's arm.
The skin was the first thing to change. Changing near instantly with her touch, his skin lost its vibrancy, it softness beneath the grip of her fingers lost, growing grey and tight. His cheeks hollowed. With a heavy thud he too hit the ground, dead and broken.
"No! No! No!" Moonfire screamed louder as the door opened once more, the looming figure of so many nightmares now smiling at her. "You! You did this! You bastard, you killed them!" She screamed, lightsaber whipping into her hand as she pointed it at Cain.
"Mommy...? Wuzzgoinon?" Squeaked the soft voice of a little boy. Another sweet child of unparelled beauty. Rushing over Moonfire scooped up the child into her arms, clutching him protectly to her.
"Its okay, Elliot. Mommy has you, Mommy will save you." But he too withered at her touch, dying soundlessly.
Cain loomed over her, a satisfied smirk spread across his face as she wept. Hate and angry glimmered in tear filled eyes, the saber pointing out at him. "You! You killed them, you did all of this!" Moonfire screamed, lundging and tackled Cain to the doorway of the room he stood infront of. A master bedroom of sorts, the walls all mirrored about the bed and nightstand in the middle. Holding the bright saber to his throat Moonfire screamed again.
"You killed them, you killed them, I'll kill you!" His face twisted, laughter enveloping them both as the saber hovered and buzzed at his throat.
"I didn't kill them, Moonfire. You did." His head turned ever so slightly towards the mirrored wall, staring at the reflection. Slowly, afraid to take her eyes off the Sith Lord, she turned to the mirror. There, crouched over, a long red bladed saber pressed to the throat of the Emperor was Moonfire. Thought not as we know her today. Thin and twisted, aged. Her hair had grown long and trailed the ground, robes and black and red tattered and twisted about her, yellow eyes peering back. Scars littered what skin was visible, Sith tattoos swirling and dotting about them.
"No..." She jumped away, the reflection doing the same. "No! No! I didn't! Thats not me!" Moonfire screamed again, the reflection now only smirking and laughing with Cain. Laughing and taunting as the fear and the anger returned.
"Thats not me!" She screeched, kicking out at the mirror, shattering beneath her boot. The illusion shattered with it, turning about Moonfire ran hard and fast, the hallway and home drifting away in the darkness of the cave, the tunnel returning. Moonfire didn't turn back, she didn't dare see, the laughter of Cain and her Sith self ringing in her ears.
Slowly, the dim light of night shined through the cave entrance, revealing the real world. The vision was over, despite the ringing, husky laughter of the darkside. Still she ran out, past the canyon, down the path, only stopped as she boarded the ship.
"Back to Ilum!" Was all she could croak out, sitting her seat. The trial of Spirit had finished, it was time to return to the Temple. And with that, the Zyla Bram lifted off Ruusan, and set course back for base.
Gently touching down on the surface, she all but bolted from the ship, giving a wave to the crew. "I'll be back soon, no worries!" Moonfire called behind her as she tore down the exit ramp. Sunshine enveloped, warming her core as though it had been frozen itself with all the time she'd spent on Hoth, Chinine and Ilum. How lovely it was to feel warm again in the desert that held some of her fondest memories.
A warm breeze struck her, eyes turning up to the sky she smiled as a group of Bouncers floated in the wind, riding the breeze as they went. Wandering across the beaten path she smiled again. The spot was near by. She could still see it in her minds eye all this time later. How long had it been? A year? More? Edging closer, the path making its same familiar twists and turns, something nagged at the back of her head. What was she doing? Why had she come here, so spur of the moment?
"Because..." Moonfire reasoned to herself. "You needed to tell him."
There it was, the rock formation burned into memory. A pile of shimmering stones, the light hitting them in a rainbow of colors, the great chasm stretching out for miles about them. More memories, more flash backs. Stepping closer, black boots kicking up dust as she approached them Moonfire smiled, sitting back against the hot stone with a heavy sigh.
Now, where to begin?
"Its been a while, huh, Ryuu?" She started, feeling silly in a way, talking to the air as though he was really listening, as though he could there. Ryuu was gone, and if he were a Force ghost, if he were at one with the Force, if he was anywhere, he'd be there though, right? She had nothing left of him. Nothing but memories.
"You would have been proud of me today, Master Ryuu. Jor sent me on a mission at Nar Shaddaa, a test. I wasn't allowed to let anyone die, good or bad. I failed that test, but I don't care. I failed it by saving these people that were being sold into slavery. I would have passed the test if I had left them with the Hutts. Thats not what a Jedi would have done though, right? Even if it means I don't make Knighthood, I know you would have been proud." A smile spread across the girls lips. The words beginning to flow faster, flow easier as she closed the pale blue eyes and let her memory fill in Ryuu.
The expression of calmness, of pride in his padawan, his easy smile. Excitedly she back tracked, filling in all the gaps. Telling him of all the adventures all the hardship that the girl had faced without him, without his guidance. Defeating Hatori and saving Kyo. Finding the Union, and training and focusing. Searching endless for the truth of what happened to him. Hoth and the Wampa and Kyo saving her. Redeeming Lord Nanashi, and even his apology about what happened, and finally the Temple on Ilum.
Everything, all the things the girl had desperately wanted to tell him, how strong she was getting, how more and more everyday she hoped he was watching, he was seeing the Jedi his once clumsy and foolish padawan was becoming.
"Ryuu, thank you. Thank you for everything you did. I keep you in my heart, I keep your memory precious and strive to be the best Jedi I can be. The Jedi you were. You're with the Force now, and I no longer mourn you, Ryuu. If you're listening, I want you to know I will always be thankful for what time you had to teach me..." Carefully, she stood, black robes swirling about her in the dust as Moonfire straightened. Brushing at her robes more the girl closed her eyes for a moment more, relishing the Master sitting there just beyond reach before turning, and heading back down the edge of the canyon.
The sky was beginning to darken now, sun setting and the three moons beginning to rise slowly into view. A sweet sense of relief filled the girl. Everything would be okay. Now, to head back to Ilum.
"Moonfire!" Nearly jumping out her skin she turned, the rising canyon wall stretching out above her. "Whos there?" She called back into the growing darkness.
"Moonfire!" The laughing shout called again, echoing and faint though its tone unmistakable, its voice unforgettable. "Kyo?... Ryuu?" She all but squeaked, stepping closer towards the call. The source of this call revealing itself in the canyon wall, carved out was an entrance, a cave.
"Moonfire!" It shouted once more, louder now, more urgent. "Kyo! I'm coming!" Something must have happened, they must have followed her there, gotten trapped, something. Running into the cave, away from the dimming light of Ruusan. All around was blackness.
"Kyo! Kyo! Where are you?" Moonfire shouted, feeling her heart jumping, throbbing in her throat once more. And then, the darkness slowly began to brighten, to weave and change and reveal its true colors. Running faster towards the light ahead, the cave walls changed to wood, pictures hung and the uneven tunnel turned into a cooridor. "Kyo?" She asked softly, turning the smooth corner, the cave now a simple, yet lovely cottage.
"Kyo? Whats a Kyo, darling? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Ryuu chuckled, sitting at the table in the kitchen, a steaming plate of breakfast before him. "Don't give me that shocked look. I make breakfast sometimes. I swear its edible." Another chuckle as he motioned for the chair across from his own at the ornately carved table.
"Ohhhhkay..." Wiping away the dumblook she had Moonfire carefully took a seat again, staring wide eyed at the man before him. Taking his fork he methodically eat his breakfast, stabbing at eggs, little curls of steam still wafting off them as he carefully shoveled them into his mouth.
"Taelyn's outside, picking flowers for the table setting, she wanted to surprise you. Elliot's still sleeping, he sure does take after his mommy." Ryuu gave a quick wink, indicating the empty vase before them on the table. Had that been there before? What was going on? Had it all been a dream? Was she dreaming now? "T-t-taelyn? Elliot?" Moonfire stuttered out, still shocked and confused by the scene before them. Looking up from his food, Ryuu gave her a concerned look.
"Yes, Taelyn and Elliot. Our children, are you feeling alright dear? You look sick." His voice was full of the sweet concern, that same sweet tone she longed for. Clear as day. This was no dream, it had to be real. Scooting closer, Ryuu extended a hand, reaching out to cup it over her forehead, the universal way of quick checking for a fever. As his hand was about connect with the smooth skin of her forehead the door banged open, a little girl grinning in the doorway.
"Mommy! Mommy! I gots you flowers!" The little beauty cried out, racing towards the pair. Light red hair was pulled into two pigtails, long and stright as she moved with the same quiet grace as her father. Jumping and giggling she held up the flowers for Moonfire to see, a few scraggly blooming weeds clutched tightly between freckled fingers, bright green eyes enormous and shining, laughing with the little girl.
"They're... They're beautiful Taelyn, thank you." Moonfire stuttered more, in shock and awe of the gorgeous creature before her.
"You like them Mommy? They're the very prettiest I could find." The girl said nodding.
"Beautiful, my love, beautiful." Tears welled up in eyes as she leaned down the hug the unearthly child before her. Wrapping her arms about the girl, pulling her close Moonfire basked in the joy of total happiness and motherhood for single moment. Slumping against Moonfire's dark robes, the child wilted, flowers slipping from limp fingers.
"Taelyn?... Taelyn?" The words croaked in her throat, the feeling of pressure, of fear and anxiety blanketing over her. Eyes turned down to the child she screamed. "Taelyn! No!" Screaming louder, the child had slumped over in her lap, withered and dead. Features once beautiful and eternal now gaunt and sickly, wide green eyes staring out at her lifeless and waxy.
"Ryuu! Ryuu! Somethings wrong!" The body of the little girl thudding to the floor as Moonfire reached out across the table, grabbing Ryuu's arm.
The skin was the first thing to change. Changing near instantly with her touch, his skin lost its vibrancy, it softness beneath the grip of her fingers lost, growing grey and tight. His cheeks hollowed. With a heavy thud he too hit the ground, dead and broken.
"No! No! No!" Moonfire screamed louder as the door opened once more, the looming figure of so many nightmares now smiling at her. "You! You did this! You bastard, you killed them!" She screamed, lightsaber whipping into her hand as she pointed it at Cain.
"Mommy...? Wuzzgoinon?" Squeaked the soft voice of a little boy. Another sweet child of unparelled beauty. Rushing over Moonfire scooped up the child into her arms, clutching him protectly to her.
"Its okay, Elliot. Mommy has you, Mommy will save you." But he too withered at her touch, dying soundlessly.
Cain loomed over her, a satisfied smirk spread across his face as she wept. Hate and angry glimmered in tear filled eyes, the saber pointing out at him. "You! You killed them, you did all of this!" Moonfire screamed, lundging and tackled Cain to the doorway of the room he stood infront of. A master bedroom of sorts, the walls all mirrored about the bed and nightstand in the middle. Holding the bright saber to his throat Moonfire screamed again.
"You killed them, you killed them, I'll kill you!" His face twisted, laughter enveloping them both as the saber hovered and buzzed at his throat.
"I didn't kill them, Moonfire. You did." His head turned ever so slightly towards the mirrored wall, staring at the reflection. Slowly, afraid to take her eyes off the Sith Lord, she turned to the mirror. There, crouched over, a long red bladed saber pressed to the throat of the Emperor was Moonfire. Thought not as we know her today. Thin and twisted, aged. Her hair had grown long and trailed the ground, robes and black and red tattered and twisted about her, yellow eyes peering back. Scars littered what skin was visible, Sith tattoos swirling and dotting about them.
"No..." She jumped away, the reflection doing the same. "No! No! I didn't! Thats not me!" Moonfire screamed again, the reflection now only smirking and laughing with Cain. Laughing and taunting as the fear and the anger returned.
"Thats not me!" She screeched, kicking out at the mirror, shattering beneath her boot. The illusion shattered with it, turning about Moonfire ran hard and fast, the hallway and home drifting away in the darkness of the cave, the tunnel returning. Moonfire didn't turn back, she didn't dare see, the laughter of Cain and her Sith self ringing in her ears.
Slowly, the dim light of night shined through the cave entrance, revealing the real world. The vision was over, despite the ringing, husky laughter of the darkside. Still she ran out, past the canyon, down the path, only stopped as she boarded the ship.
"Back to Ilum!" Was all she could croak out, sitting her seat. The trial of Spirit had finished, it was time to return to the Temple. And with that, the Zyla Bram lifted off Ruusan, and set course back for base.
