The Rebel Faction

Mira was already in a great deal of pain from her accident, so when the lighting hit, she didn't feel the intensity immediately. She was already going into shock from the first injury. But it didn't take long for the electrical current to affect her already-tortured nerves, and then she felt it. Boy, did she feel it.

She had always heard that people in pain often screamed without realizing they were screaming, but she had never believed it until now. She heard someone screaming, and the small part of her brain that still worked wondered who was making such a racket. Then that portion shut down, and she didn't remember anything as everything went black.

The next thing she knew, she felt herself bumping along in someone's arms, but she didn't even have a chance to see who it was before the pain hit and she blacked out again. She awoke once more several minutes later. The pain was still there, but something had happened, for it was no longer overwhelming. She stood and took her place with the others.

Without any warning the Force push knocked Ithron off his feet. Impacting on the tree, he was winded and rolled to the ground struggling for breath. His side must have been badly bruised and by the looks of it, Jehain was in a similar state. Turning his head, he saw the triumphant form of the Sith Knight.

Bastard, he thought.

He had known what to expect and so as the Sith knight said "Now observe, the power of the dark side of the force.", he stood as straight as he could and prepared to feel wave after wave of Force energy shooting through him. It never came. The display he saw, however, was well worth watching. As the Force energy flowed into the girl, she opened her eyes and began to breath normally. It was a startling turnaround.

Then why the hell didn't you do that before we started to carry her off? Ithron thought angrily. Was that another one of your fucking lessons?

Out loud, he merely stabilised himself and made a clumsy silent bow. Already he had realised that a single bow could do this work of many words.

Let me know once you have accomplished this simple task, then we will move on.

Using the same techniques as before, Ithron allowed the density of the Force to accumulate around his legs. He found it easier this time, but inside himself he could sense his own anger, his own frustration and bitterness. In his mind, he could sense them like a flame burning inside him. Carefully, he allowed this flame to transfer its strength to legs. It was similar to standing near the fire to warm oneself. Too near and you'd burn and the heat would be lost quickly. Too far and you'll never get warm. He felt the Force grow brighter and stronger and he smiled. He was getting the hang of it...

Having got his breath back, Ithron walked over to the Knight. His legs felt strangely light as he walked, almost like they were being supported from something. Stopping several paces away, he first bowed to the Sith and said, "Master, I beg to report that I have accomplished your set task."

He kept his voice level, but as he spoke, he wondered if he would have got quite the same reaction from the Sith Knight if he had been a young girl in tight clothing. What do you want with her, Necros? he thought.

Receiving no reaction from the Knight he again bowed and returned to his space.

Necros observed as the apprentices went about their work, channeling the force through them and concentrating the energy in their legs. Now that they had done this simple task, it was time to move on to them learning how to use their first force ability. Necros glared at one of the apprentices that vocalized his finishing of the task. He briefly used the force to probe his thoughts, wondering if perhaps the apprentice was trying to show off in front of the others. What he got in return was quite annoying and amusing at the same time. Apparently the one called Ithron favored Skygge because she was a female in a revealing outfit. Necros smiled. How sexist of him, but he suppose it was just another weakness in his perceptions that he would learn to correct sooner or later. Probably the hard way too, considering how he was going along.

The Sith knight walked to stand before them, and looked up. Manipulating the force with his right hand, he grabbed a group of about twenty fallen branches from the surronding trees, and held them hovering up about twenty five feet above the ground. He made sure the apprentices saw them up there before speaking.

"Now, it is time for you apprentices to learn a force ability called the force jump. It is merely like a regular jump that you would do, except that with the power of the force, the distance and height of your jump can be increased dramatically. With the force being channeled in to your legs, your next task is simple to understand yet somewhat challening to undertake. It requires the appropriate timing for likeable results. Simply jump up into the air, and while you are still heading upwards, release the force energy you have gathered in your legs. But be careful. Release the force energy the wrong way, and you can end up making your legs explode." preached Necros in his typical attention grabbing cold voice.

Stepping back slightly to avoid the clearing field of what should be an amusing circus, he motioned for the apprentices to begin.

Later That Day

Ithron was feeling mentally and physically drained from the training that Necros was putting the Apprentices through. No amount of effort seemed to satisfy the Knight running the training. Laying flat on the ground, with his eyes closed, Ithron breathed deeply, attempting to recover his strength.

"Apprentice Ithron." Necros hissed from nearby. Instantly Ithron was sitting up and awake. The Knight laughed, but the sound was without humour. "Master Vance Jas requires your presence at the Temple. I suggest that you make haste. The Master is somewhat less forgiving than I am."

Ithron hesitated, perhaps remembering the ordeal of getting through the forest the first time but one look at the face of Darth Necros suggested that staying where he was would be a mistake - possibly a very terminal mistake.

Ithron entered the forest and ran. He ran past the overgrown trees, over undergrowth and through swamps. Calling up the last reserves of his strength, he managed to get half way back before collapsing. Lying on the ground, spent, he closed his eyes and felt the Force around him.

Help me... he pleaded with the invisible energy that was all around him. Help me carry on.

As though in answer to his prayers, his limbs lightened. He felt the Force, red in his mind, imbue his tired legs with strength. Anxious lest the effect wear off, Ithron ran. This time, he didn't stop until he was in front of the Temple with his lungs almost exploding from the effort and his clothes sticking to his skin by sweat. Suddenly, there came a crashing noise and he saw the girl Mira run into the Temple clearing. She looked as Ithron felt - her clothes ripped and her face bloody. Seeing Ithron, she raised an eyebrow but neither had the strength to speak.

"Apprentices Ithron and Mira. Good." The voice was that of Master Vance Jas. "You show promise. For the present you shall remain here, in the Temple. Be ready to continue your training tomorrow."

The Master turned to leave.

"But....where are the others?" Ithron blurted out, referring to the other Apprentices.

Vance turned and Ithron felt the full extent of the Master's will hit him. "They show less promise. Most likely, they will be disposed of."

Ithron and Mira shared a look.

"Understand this. The Sith have no place for the weak. You two are permitted to continue your training. Yet you are not Sith yet. In the fullness of time, you will either take your places in the ranks of the Order or else..."

The Master nodded to the trees, indicating the fate that awaited Jehain and the others at the hands of Darth Necros.

The relief pouring off the two apprentices was obvious to the Master without even needing to use the Force.

"You have performed acceptably. You may leave."

As the two weary apprentices staggered towards the temple building and the promise of a meal and a shower, Vance watched them go, his thoughts hidden by the carefully blank expression on his face.

End