(Things pick up more in this story more than the prequel, as you will see in this first chapter alone. I do hope you enjoy it, because I'm really getting into the story this time. I thouroughly enjoyed writing this first chapter.)
Chapter I
(Balmorra)
Flying over the plain a single snowflake decended over the valley below. The region is vast and expansive. The first signs of winter were appearing. Atop a hill in the central valley Scott could see for miles. The mountains to the south were the only obstacle in viewing range. The snowflake descends and lightly faded into Scott’s shoulder. He took a deep breath, centering himself for the day to come. The first major battle since the treaty was signed.
His battle tattered robes weaved in the wind. His armor made a small thud as Rowand placed a hand on his old apprentice’s shoulder. Rowand smiles at him, his hair becoming more and more gray streaked with the long years. Yet Scott hadn’t aged a day since Scott’s return over 20 years ago. He was now 45 or so and looked as if he were 25.
“Aye… It’s going to be a long day.” Rowand said with a grin. War had given the large man a dark sense of humor. Regardless of what the citizens of the Republic heard, there had always been frontlines where people died. But the war had become second nature to everyday people, especially since they thought of it as a cold war. It didn’t matter though, people would die this day.
Scott nodded in response. Looking out across the battle ravaged plains there was a small rumble in the distance. The Sith army was approaching. In the previous week, the Republic fought the Sith fleet deeper into the system to finally gain a foothold. The week before that, the ambassadors and senators of Balmorra were executed publically for going to the Republic for aid. It was the last straw among the Republic senate.
Scott glanced down the row of the frontline. Many faces could be seen, most of whom were largely heroes to the Republic. Many of those faces were now good friends and allies of his. Taking another deep breath his gaze returned to his old master.
“Been flow-wlakin’ again, eh?” Rowand said quietly. The question was more directed at Scott’s tired appearance. Scott nodded.
“What’s the score?”“I don’t know.” Scott said flatly. It was true mostly. For reasons unknown to him flow-walking had become increasingly difficult to access. Instead he was reduced to mere visions.
“Something big is coming, or going to happen. It is greater than this battle today.”“She’s here isn’t she?” Rowand said on queue. The master knew Scott well, and he merely nodded again. Scott could feel Kira's presence across the plains.
Rowand turned and headed towards an officer to discuss tactics of their platoon. The Grand Army of the Republic was strewn across the fields of Balmorra. It was an immense scene to see so many beings, tanks, hover craft, equipment and the like.
Across the land the Sith had equal to the Republics forces, and were closing in.
Due to the geographical nature of the region there was no other way to fight this battle. If the Republic stayed within the mountains the Sith would merely shell them out. It would become a battle like those of old. It would end up a face to face confrontation. Scott relished in it. Then, Scott looked up, the Sith army was there before him.
“Ready cannons!” Scott yelled into his com on his shoulder, hidden in his armor. The troops around him rallied. They were ready for battle.
Good…“This is it my old apprentice. Just like old times.” Rowand was beside him again. He gave a warm fatherly smile.
“May the Force be with you, whatever happens.”“May the Force be with us all.” Scott said into his com and to his old master. This was the defining moment. Scott detached his lightsaber from his belt. Activating his blade, above his head, he filled it with the Force. The pure white beam of energy caught the eyes of everyone near him. In turn, as one looked down the front line, sabers of all types began to activate in a mimicking fashion.
Without a word Scott dove forward in a sprint, silent. The first Sith troops burst over the nearest hill to him. His com was filled with shouts and orders. Jedi, tanks, troopers and the like spilled forward after him. Just before piercing into the mass of Sith troops Scott released a ground shaking battle roar. His hair, tied back in a battle braid, turned bone white. His skin began to glow with his birthmarkings. His eyes emanated rage, and radiate a brilliant white/blue glow.
Surprise and terror filled the first trooper his blade pierced. The enemies closest to him didn’t even have the chance to raise their weapons as he cut through them like an enraged rancor through a civilian crowd. One after another the troopers fell. He sent a static bomb into the crowd of soldiers before him, clearing the way deeper into the Sith’s massive force. He used his Force Blade to pierce through the armor of a tank, rendering it debris on the battle field.
Scott leapt into the air as a smoking enemy fight cruised towards the ground. He ran the length of the fighter flipping off it to the ground again. The fighter crashed behind him, releasing a pulse that scattered everyone who was not crushed by the impact. He continued forward. Ahead he spotted the first Sith warrior. He strolled towards Scott as if he were not a challenge. Scott ran for the warrior and met his crimson blade.
The force of the colliding blades sent the Sith warrior back a few steps, before retaliating. The warrior underestimated every one of Scott’s maneuvers. Soon the Sith warrior found himself with a whole in his torso, as the life faded from him. Soon another warrior met his blade. This time the warrior was even less skilled, and Scott sliced the being in thirds. A warrior with a saber staff charged him next. Parrying twice, Scott sent a push in the Force out at the warrior. The impact shattered the persons saber and bones.
Battle filled his being. He was not Jedi, he did not fear to use his rage. He was unstoppable. One Sith after another fell before him. During a spin attack on one opponent he glanced back at the Republic’s progress. The majority of the army was still more than a kilometer away. Few like Scott had made it as deep as he had. All fought just as impressively. Off in the distance Scott could see Rowand slice through the leg of Sith rancor, leaving it stumbling and tripping into the earth. The next second there were two blood red sabers entangled with his master’s dual blades.
When Scott completed his spin he connected a kick to the jaw of his opponent, snapping their neck and shattering there jaw in a bloody mess. He back flipped away and began a battle towards his old mentor. Then a being appeared before him. It was an Echani, and by the Force they were emanating Scott guessed she was a Sith lord.
Scott fought the Sith lord back, attempting to reach his master. There were now five sabers nipping at his master’s defensive weave. Scott brought his blade around to the back of his attacker. The Echani woman leapt backwards over the strike. Catching her in mid air Scott grabbed her in the Force and threw her against the side of a fallen hovercraft. The impact incapcitated the Sith lord long enough for Scott to make his way closer to Rowand.
He was too late, Scott whipped around just in time to see his master run through. A bloody orange blade protruded through Rowand heart, but the master didn’t fall. He grabed the hand that sealed his soon-to-be fate and pulled the being onto his own single, remaining saber. Rowand spit up blood as he was stabbed a second time from behind. Already dying, Scott felt the life force leave his master with the next slash.
No…Scott struggled to reach his old master’s body, but the large man was no more than a heap on the ground. The Sith that completed the deed turned and scattered back out into the battle. Scott caught one by surprise and used the Force to rip the man’s spine from his body. The Sith screamed in agony and fell dead.
No…It wasn’t possible to him. The man who he had come to know as a father destroyed, yet again, by the hands of the Sith. Scott seethed in rage. He hated the Sith. Whirling he sent out a shock wave knocking back all near him, Republic and Sith were scattered. He didn’t care. Blood filled his vision. He caught sight of the Echani Sith lord he threw earlier. She was now slicing the belly of a Republic soldier open and continued into a spin that planted her blade between the shoulderblades of a young female Jedi Knight.
He caught her next swing startling her in mid laugh. Her twisted chuckle turned to a sneer. It was soon replaced with fear and terror as she saw his face. Desperately she blocked his attacks, but it wasn’t enough. With a few quick and powerful strikes he beat her defense down and left her headless.
More…Scott reared for the next challenge. He was not ready for what he saw. Before him stood the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The fact that she was Sith twisted him inside. Her glare was eaqualy intense. Her long hair was a pure white, and her markings and eyes glowed with the same hue as his. Long moments passed as the battle blazed around them. Vehicles crashed, beings bled, and fires ravaged the battlefield.
“Darth Kiranas.” Scott bowed low in rage, yet not angry at her. Perhaps the rage was because he could not hate her.
Enjoy!)
