Chapter 10: The Verdict

After showcasing my supreme, giga-chad, big dick energy by eviscerating the Separatist ground force with a force railgun. I was greeted with cheers upon my return to the lurmen village, the little hairy fuckers were in awe as I swaggered past them like a proper hardman on level 1313 of Coruscant.

A good few collapsed to the ground with tears welling in their eyes, poor bastards. They must've been terrified and the thought of fighting for the first time in their lives, and now they're in the clear all of their built of stress gushed from their small bodies in a variety of different ways.

Or maybe they just collapsed in reverie from the sheer awesomeness of my display.

Truly one of the greatest things I've ever done.

"Lycan! What the heck was that!?" Skywalker's young protege excitedly asked, her eyes twinkling with youthful curiosity as she gazed up at me.

"Just the physical manifestation of my epicness." I nonchalantly replied.

Ahsoka's lips twitched in a mix of annoyance and amusement before urging, "You've got to teach me how to do that. Come on, pretty please!" Hitting me with puppy dog eyes that would've no doubt convinced the many pedophiles in the galaxy.

But I was no pedo. Nor did I plan to teach anyone else how to turn themselves into a one man artillery unit.

"Not a chance. You'd end up ripping yourself apart trying that." Forcefully tensing my large, muscular biceps that positively popped with power, I continued, "You'd need muscles like this kiddo before trying want I just done."

Now that I started to cleanse my body from the enhancements granted by the force, I really began to feel the aftershock of using that last attack. Tremors travelled through my bones, causing my entire body to feel shaky and weak.

Suddenly, out of nowhere someone lightly pinched my arm sending a sharp pain shooting through its entire length. Barely holding back a yelp, I turned to catch a view of the sexy blue perpetrator.

"Less flexing, more healing. Wang Too just fixed you up this morning and you've already managed to hurt yourself again." Aayla said in a mix of worry and exasperation.

Doing just that, I say to Ahsoka, "Is your master as demanding as mine? I swear padawans are just the gopher's of the order."

"Even worse." The young togruta sighed, "Master Skywalker's, that kind of person that would teach you how to swim by throwing you into the deep end. Plus none of us can heal, so there's none of that happening unless there's a bacta tank nearby.

Fuck that noise man, a wouldn't have the balls to follow half of Anakin's suicide plans. The clones under him must have a screw loose for going along with them, in fact scratch that, those clones have to be certifiably mad.

"Sounds like a great time." I lied.

Inspecting my body for any lingering effects from using the rail-gun, Aayla told us, "Once you're ready, we'll head to the Separatist outpost and either take a ship or use the radio to call in a pickup."

Shite, I totally forgot about the fat neimoidian that ran this operation. I'm probably better off keeping quiet about that one, letting the order know I sent one of the high ranking Separatists to a brutal fiery death might not be the best decision.

"No problem, I'll be sorted in a few minutes." I replied, already feeling the muscle pain starting to dull.

{Coruscant - Jedi Temple}

Home sweet home. Or so I'd like to say.

The Jedi Temple has never been my favourite place in the galaxy, and never will be. Every second of the time I spend in there feeling disgustingly empty, and it's getting worse. You could feel hint's of it when I first arrived here, but now, years later, the sensation was alarming.

It was as if the force that breathed life into the Jedi's holy ground was being corrupted, rotting the paragon of light from the inside-out. I'm sure everyone else can feel it too, the atmosphere of the temple says it all.

The once bustling halls were now filled with nothing but the echoes of its past glory. There were hardly any Jedi stationed on Coruscant anymore, and the ones that were either temple guards, or elderly members of the order who were now tasked with teaching the Younglings since they are too old to be of any use in combat.

For those that return between missions, most of their time is spent meditating in isolation to keep their minds aligned with the light. As the raging, galaxy-spanning conflict seduces all jedi to lose their inhibitions in the chaos.

Then you've got me, who was fucking choking for a pint and half a deck of fags, while walking through said holy temple.

"What am I being dragged to the council for?" I moaned at Aayla who walked in tandem next to me, "I've not given them a report in… ever."

Fiddling with the ends of her lekku, Aayla states, "It's not a report we're going to the council for."

"What's it for then? C'mon don't leave me hanging." I pressed.

Averting her eyes to one of the many intricate wall carvings dotted around the temple's interior, Aayla somewhat sheepishly murmured, "I…can not divulge such information at the present time."

This is doing my head in, she sounds like a droid answering machine. Aayla's been acting suspect as fuck the whole return trip, now that we've arrived it's gotten worse. Constant fidgeting, stuttering when speaking, she's acting like me after I've gone a day sober.

Either I'm in severely deep shit, or her period has come early.

Stopping in front of the large sliding doors that hid the council chambers from prying eyes, Aayla told me, "I know it's difficult to ask, but remember and be polite, and by that I mean keep a lid on the swearing."

"What's the occasion?" I smirked at her seriousness.

"Please Lycan, for me." She begged.

Sighing, I said "I'll give it a shot then, no promises if that foreheaded fuck starts spouting shite though."

Breaking the tension slightly, Aayla lips crack into a slight a smile as she says, "I wouldn't want to stop you if he does." Before flicking her finger to the side and using the force to open the metallic doors.

A moment the doors were breached, the both of us were hit with the bright lights of the Coruscant skyline that seeped in from the large windows stationed in the council room. With my eyes promptly adjusting, I was able to see the mostly holographic forms of the Jedi Masters who lead the order.

Though the two who drew my eyes were both here in person, Grandmaster Yoda, and the powerful Mace Windu.

Fuck...

The both of us stood in the centre of the circular room, surrounding us from all sides were the council members. All of them attended the summons in holographic form, the shimmering blue constructs were superimposed over their respective seats.

The only ones who were true here, were Yoda and my Vaapad teacher Windu. Both of whom had differing expressions, but that's nothing unusual when one is a millennia old munchkin and the other so serious even his hair has gone and left him for someone more lighthearted.

"This assembly is now in session." Windu monotonously stated, snapping me out of my ill-mannered thoughts and bringing a start to whatever the fuck this was.

"Know why we have gathered, do you?" Yoda asked me in his typical manner of speech that was a good few centuries out of date.

"Haven't got the slightest idea." I answered truthfully.

Did I fuck up? Sure I'm not what you would call an ideal jedi, but I make sure to keep my debaucherous tendencies away from the order… most of the time. There was that one day me and Rael were off duty at the same time and ended up going on a slight bender in the temple.

But we kept it under wraps…at least I hope we did. I can't exactly remember much beyond trying to shank each other with training sabres and climbing to the peak of the temple so we could try skydiving.

...We've been caught red handed haven't we.

While I wracked my mind to try and remember what happened that night, Yoda let out an ancient cackle mixed in with plenty of 'Hrms'. "A joyous occasion, today is."

What?...Have they finally come around to the wonders of alcohol?

Maybe they're just happy to expel me and be done with my mischief.

Sending a quick probing glance at Aayla, who never gave me any indication on what was going on. I tilted my head slightly and queried the Grand Master, "Why's that? I can't remember anything important that was supposed to be taking place today." Other than a reunion drinking session with the troops down at the bar.

"Wrong about that, you are. Not a scheduled event this is, but one brought on by the order's current situation." Yoda clarified, confusing me further.

"I'm still lost." I replied in the hope that they would just give me a straight answer.

Being on top of a nexus for the light side of the force, my sensitivity to it was heightened making it easy to feel how the jedi that sat nearby felt. All of them seemed to be in anticipation for something, but the accompanying emotions varied from person to person.

With most feeling something along the lines of mild pleasantness mixed in with small hints of joy, a select few burned with a smouldering flame of agitation unbecoming of a council member, prominently standing out among the others in the eyes of the force.

Surprisingly, of those I was able to single out, Ki-Adi-Mundi was't among them, in fact he actually seemed quite happy about whatever was going on - if that was actually a good thing.

The best part of the indignation came from Oppo Rancisis the half-snake, half-man amalgamation, with enough body hair to make a wookie blush. As well a lesser portion radiating out from Adi Gallia's lithe figure.

Taking over from Yoda, Mace Windu explained, "After long deliberation and a recommendation from your master, we have decided to grant you the chance to partake in the trials of knighthood."

"Eh?" I idly mumbled, too shocked at the sudden revelation to make a proper reply.

The hologram mimicking his court chuckle at my reaction, Plo Koon added, "More like one final trial. Out of consideration from your previous efforts in war, the council has come to the conclusion that the only trial you have left to face, is the Trail of Spirit."

Joining in the conversation, Kit Fisto said, "Your Master has informed us of your admirable performance in missions, and the many severe injuries you have sustained in the process. Thereby invalidating the need for both the trial of skill and flesh." Finishing the statement off by flashing a smile at both me and Aayla who had moved from the centre of the room without me noticing.

Spoke to Kit Fisto a couple times over the years, he's possibly the most carefree guy I've ever met. The Nautolan gives close to zero fucks about anything, and really seems like the type to smoke a death stick just for the kicks.

Only thing is, he seems to have a thing for Aayla in the romantic sense, creating a point of conflict between the two of us. Though nothing major, mostly just a couple verbal jabs here and there.

Making his voice heard, my fellow Scot Mark Rent- I mean Ewan McGreg- Obi-wan Kenobi Remarked - sadly - with a less than Scottish accent, "As is the trial of intuition. That's to some…statements from Master Aveross, it seems that you have enough wit to pull through many different situations."

Rael's definitely said something dodgy, guess I'll have to pull him up about it next I see him.

"Aided the war effort you have, take much courage it does. Trail of Courage, passed you have." Yoda slowly said, allowing the conversation to come full circle.

I'm flying through these trials aren't I?

"Should you so accept, we will begin the final trial here in the council chambers." Windu stated, clasping his finger together and awaiting my answer. As did everyone else in the room, whose eyes were trained on me from all angles.

…Well shite, no pressure then ae?

To be honest I don't even want to be a Jedi Knight yet, that's just a fuck tone of extra responsibility that I can't be arsed dealing with. Plus I would be able to stare at Aayla's fat arse while I'm in the field, it'd be a total sausage fest.

Even worse, what if I get landed with a padawan. I can't even keep myself in order half the time, never mind a little kid. I'd end up corrupting them faster than the darkside wrinkles Palapines forehead.

Then they'd eventually lose it from all the excessive partying and go full darkside on me, forcing me to put them down. I might be a dick, but offing a child's pushing the limits, even for me.

I'd have to call in Anakin for that one.

On the other hand, having a legion of clones under me doesn't sound half bad. I get along well with them as long as they aren't shuttle-bus wankers like Bly that don't know how to have a laugh.

More Importantly, as much as I don't want to think about it, the dreaded Order 66 is still on the horizon, and unless I'm in a totally different universe than I thought I was, I've only got around two years until the clones go from friends to foe.

I could finally have the privacy to give the clones a thorough examination and locate their inhibitor chips, without looking like a paranoid maniac and/or drawing the attention of big Sheevie boy. Who knows what kind of scheme he'd cook up if he found out what I was up to, he might even pull the plug then and there, damn the consequences.

I'm getting stressed just thinking about it. I'd rather fall off the grid than deal with the fallout of the war, but for better or worse, I've actually got friends and shit. A bar as well, and with it a bunch of hot employee's that I've had the pleasure of working with.

I can't vanish without helping them out, then I'd really be a dick through and through.

…

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Fuck it man. Knighthood here I come.

My response to Mace Windu was a simple "I accept."

As If rehearsed, all council members gave a solemn nod of approval before all eyes turned to the Grand Master, "Meditate, you shall. Take care of the rest, we will." The small alien stated, reaching out with his three-fingered green hands, Yoda pulled the blackout blinds down, bringing absolute darkness to the council room.

Deprived of sight, my other remaining senses went into overdrive, making the approaching footsteps of the council members sound like sonic booms - especially since they all moved in unison.

Over the years, whatever Magik bullshit the nightsisters pulled on this body had slowly been fusing with my flesh and bones. Now when I'm injured, I can barely notice the green fumes of ichor leaving my body.

While I'm not totally sure what it means, even after asking Ros Lai for her input. I'm positive it's what's been causing me to grow so much, and in the process refining my body to its utmost limits.

Heightened senses are good for combat situations - not so good for mediation. Especially so when I've never been good at meditation in the first place. Still, I sat cross-legged on the ground, shut my eyes and tried my best to meditate.

When the footsteps went silent, that was when I heard Yoda say, "May the force, be with you."

All of a sudden the force surrounding me started to go haywire, no matter what I did I couldn't regain control of. It was like trying to catch a leaf in a tempest - an impossible task.

Then came the worst part, I gradually started to lose control of my body. Nerve endings began going numb, muscles started to go limp and I felt my consciousness begin to disperse. My remaining sense's began to disperse one after another in rapid succession, leaving me with nothing but the faint sound of internal organs churning away inside me.

The experience was horrifying, never before had I felt so out of control. It took my all just to barely stay awake, but even my best efforts couldn't stop me from slipping into a world filled with nothing but the sound of a beating heart.

Slowly, light began to return, as did my senses, but the thumping beat remained the same. The ground beneath my feet was replaced with a shallow layer of murky water that went on for as far as the eye could see.

Directly above my head was a ginormous ball of light, that I no doubt would've mistaken for a star had the heat radiating off it not be so lukewarm. Nipping at my nose was a scent reminiscent of antibacterial wipes, bringing my attention back to the source of the smell.

Crouching down, I dipped my finger into the puddle and sampled the liquid. Immediately after tasting, my tongue was assaulted by the harsh burn of potent alcohol, smacking my lips to really get a bring the prominent flavour out of the beverage.

"Definitely absinthe." I nodded.

Shit, and I thought this trail pish would be hard. Turns out it's an all you can drink buffet.

At the sight of so much beautiful alcohol surrounding me, I couldn't hold back the incorrigible Scottish urge to drink poison. Whipping my flack out - that somehow followed me into this wack dream - I filled the baby up to the top.

Though when I finished topping up my flask, I felt a disturbance from behind me. Upon turning around, I was greeted with an unpleasant surprise, eerily staring at him where tens, if not hundreds of helmet-less clones standing upright with various lethal wounds littering their body.

"Fucking hell man." I said, heaving a deep breath and taking a brief moment to calm down from the fright before saying "Where'd you cunts come from?"

Nothing, they just stood there like a bunch of hyper-realistic halloween mannequins. Feels like I'm in one of those VR movies I tried out on one of my off days, stuck in the Star Wars equivalent of dinosaur movies and ended up giving myself Dathomir flashback.

What a fucking time that was.

Something drastic changed when I became unbothered at the sight of the undead clones. The ground they were standing on sank into a deep pit hiding them from my vision, that was when the sound of a ravenous beast reached my ears. Managing to send my mind a job back to that dreaded red planet.

Almost timidly I walked to the edge of the pit to get a glimpse of what was going on inside. Maybe it was a mistake, because beneath my feet was the scene of pure carnage. The mutilated clones were torn asunder by the carnivorous monsters hailing from Dathomir, blood and flesh pooled on the floor, managing to turn the light green absinthe to a rich ruby red.

It was a demonstration like no other, a true showing of the brutality of Dathomirian wildlife, and one I was seeing for the second time. But while the showing was unpleasant to watch, it still never felt like my trial.

Or maybe this whole thing was my trial.

The beasts from Dathomir were possibly a bit of lingering trauma I got from my inhospitable stay on the planet during my arrival in this universe. I'm not going to lie, the experience fucked me up a good bit, I'd been in some sticky situations during my previous life, but nothing as hardcore as that. In hindsight I was likely not far away from losing my mind, instead of getting off with a couple loose screws.

Even with a slap on the wrist, it ended up taking me months to not wake up in a cold sweat, paranoid of what could've been seconds away from turning me into dinner. And even longer to not go completely neurotic at every noise that surprised me.

I don't even blink twice when it comes to blasting someone's brains out, I've killed sentient beings on multiple occasions and I've not lost a wink of sleep over it. It's like my brain doesn't even register what I've done, suppose that might be because I had to claw meat off those savage creatures's bones with my bare hands just so I could get a damn meal.

The clones were probably symbolic of the men I've led into battle that sadly weren't able to make it out alive. However I realise that going into a war and expecting to come out without any losses is nothing but a dream. So whilst it brings me no happiness, I can live with myself knowing that those men died following my lead.

I really should've asked a few more questions about the trial so I wouldn't be standing around like a total dobber.

Once the slaughter was finished, the pit rose back up to become level with the rest of the world's surface, at the same time the brutish lifeforms faded away, giving a final roar before disappearing for good along with the mess they created.

Relishing in the renewed quietude of the realm. Nevertheless, nothing ever lasts forever.

After a brief respite from the world's attempt to scare me. I was once again startled by the familiar humming of a lightsaber, dodging to the side I narrowly avoided the vertical slash that no doubt would've sliced me in two had I been any slower.

During my recovery roll, I shot a fleeting rush of yellow lightning at the attacker in an attempt to create some distance. Unsurprisingly, the bolts of force judgement were absorbed by the assailant's crimson blade as he successfully blocked.

Though it did manage to slow him down, giving me time to take in his large, feral frame. Sporting the same skin colour and near identical tattoo patterns, I realised there was a high chance I was facing a version of myself that had fully surrendered to the darkside.

The dark amalgamation was a full two feet taller than me, bringing it to the huge size of 9ft. Adding in his massive, bulging muscles that swelled in unnatural ways, it managed to make me look relatively petite in comparison.

With its long overgrown horns, bloodshot red eyes, and its overall beastly demeanour. It looked more beast than man.

Letting out a guttural bellow, the conjured Zabrak launched itself at me as I ignited my own dual sabers. Taking wild, untrained swings at me, I blocked and parried the mad man's blows, coming to the conclusion that though he outmatched me in strength, I outclassed him in skill.

Overshooting another one of his attacks, I redirected his blade to the side with one of my own leaving his full arm exposed. Quickly striking with my second saber, the purple stream of plasma seared cleanly through the flesh and bone of his shoulder, causing a green mist of ichor to spray into my eyes.

The slight obstruction gave the abomination a time to slam his leg into the ground and send a repulsive blast of force at me that pushed me back tens of metres, but otherwise done no noticeable damage.

Clutching his arm, he screamed in pain before out of his mouth a powerful blast of force shot towards me. It was like a mix between push and crush that destroyed everything in its path, before it reached me I pushed force push in a defensive manner to create a V-shaped blockade in front of me that split apart the impending shockwave.

What an ingenious technique, definitely going to try copying that once this is over. It's the perfect ability for saber locks, where you could scream in someone's face from point blank range.

Now with one less arm, the abomination was like a cornered beast. He constantly lashed out with force strikes that grew in proportion with his rage, but he wasn't the only one that grew in strength.

For the first time since learning the technique I could properly use Vaapad against a darkside user, and I must say, Mace Windu was an utter genius for making this form. No matter how powerful my opponent grew, I mirrored him.

Using my own darkness in unison with my adversaries, I created a constantly empowering circuit between us. Using him as a battery to fuel my own energy, while he did nothing but make me stronger.

I felt positively overflowing with vigour, so much so I activated force valour by default just to burn off some steam. With all of this power flowing through me I started to pick apart the amalgamation with little effort.

Crushing its legs with the force's vice grip, hacking off his remaining arm and finally ending the fight with the vertical strike he attempted to sneak attack me with, cleaving his body straight down the middle and draining whatever life he had left in him.

Standing in the cloud of ichor, I truly did my best to calm down before I got drunk on the temporary power and started destroying the surroundings to vent this pent up feeling I was filled with.

Upon return to normal, I silently thought in disbelief that I might've actually turned out like that…thing had I not been taken off Dathomir by Vos. Made me grateful. I can't imagine what it would've been like to live as that hunk of anger that couldn't do anything but destroy.

Having said that, I never had much time to ponder longer on that line of thought, as I felt the sensation I got when being pulled into this meditative trance.

As expected, by the time I opened my eyes again I was in the council chambers, surrounded by the proud countenance of the Masters that I could barely make out in the darkness.

Without a single word, the members of the council ignited their lightsabers of various colours and held them upright in front of them, forming a circle of blades around me. Standing right ahead of me on top of his seat, was Yoda gripping his green shoto-saber.

"Step forward." He said in a clear and concise manner.

Bringing myself towards the Grand Master I took a knee beneath him within his lightsaber's range. As Yoda raised his blade, the rest of the Master's lowered theirs, making an aesthetically pleasing sight.

"Lycan, by the right of the council." Yoda lowered his green blade as it hovered closely over my right shoulder, before switching sides and continuing, "By the will of the force."

"Dub thee I do, Jedi Knight of the Republic."

{Aayla Secura POV}

Anxiously I waited outside of the council room. I couldn't help but pace back and forth to let off some nervous energy, my worry was becoming more palpable by the minute.

How could it not?

My one and only Padawan was going under that horrendous Trial of the Spirit. Whilst not being as difficult as the Trail of Skill, or as painful as the Trial of Flesh, it was by far the most dangerous.

During the trial it's far from unheard of for Padawan's mind to crumble under the pressure of facing their inner darkness. I would know best, I'd already had a dance with the darkside once before and the Trial of Spirit brought it all rushing back despite all I had done to move past that stage of my life.

I barely made it through by the skin of my lekku, and despite passing, I had to undergo rest for several days to repair the damage done to my mind.

Suddenly I heard the door behind me sliding open, anxiety unbefitting of a Jedi welled up in my chest as the scene of a stoic council member telling me of Lycan's failure played through my head.

The perturbation was unbearable, bracing myself. I turned around to face the music.

"Lycan!" I blurted looking at the smirking Zabrak.

Not a second passed before I appeared next to him gripping at his robes, "You're fine." I choked leaning my head against his chest, my eyes moistening slightly in relief. It was as if a starship sized load was lifted off my chest seeing him here the same as before.

"What? Were you out here doubting me?" He jokingly poked.

Shaking my head, I stood in silence for a moment relishing in his company, "C-congratulations on your promotion. I-It was well deserved." I stuttered after realising I had been leaning against him for a bit too long. I tried to take a step back but a large hand caught my shoulder before I could do so.

Looking up, I caught sight of Lycan's face as he said, "You know what that means right?" Every word spoken with an impish smile. Without warning I was lifted in the air and slung over his shoulder like a sack of protatoes.

"Party time." With those final words he took off running for the temple's exit at high speed.

Barely holding on, I yelled at my captor, "Put me down! I'm going to fall off." My lekku swinging wildly all over the place due to how fast he was moving.

"Better hold on then." He replied, as we left the temple and were exposed to the blue skies of Coruscant, "Me and Rael did this once. Can't remember how it went though."

"What?" I asked, before realising how close we were to the edge of the temple's roof. I quickly figured out what he had in mind, and I wasn't the least bit looking forward to it, making it clear with my shouts, "Lycan don't jump!"

Alas I was too late and my Padawa- Lycan had already leapt. Changing my tune I gripped onto him tightly, lekku and all, and screamed more than I'd like to admit as we fell to the lower levels of Coruscant.

 

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