If There Be Thorns

[Sage Bane]

The boy parried, just barely in time. His reflexes showed incredible talent. The intrepid little Padawan was probably quite the golden child at the Jedi temple where he trained. Sage’s psych-out was doing a number on him, however, and soon the young man began to try and reason with his adversary. The Sith halted his attack for a moment, stepping backwards into a defensive position.

“Ha! The Jedi? Help me?” Sage asked incredulously. “Where were the Jedi when I was sold into slavery at the age of ten? Where were those benevolent protectors of the light when I was chained to a Hutt who fed me only rotten meat? The Jedi are a joke.” He absently twirled his saber, his eyes meeting the Padawan's with laser-focused intensity.

A strong disturbance in the Force shimmered though the air, coming from the clearing where Darth Ferus and Anastasia Rade were. The two had obviously begun their dance. Why waste time with the pup when he could be fighting the wolf? Perhaps it was time to let the boy be for now.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to continue our conversation another time, Fletcher.” he said with a wide grin, using the name he had plucked from the Padawan's mind. Then as quickly as a snake, Sage struck out with his lightsaber, a sharp thrust aimed right at the young man's face. A deliberate attempt to mangle the boy’s angelic looks.

“Here’s something to remember me by.”

[member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Fletcher Lorcan"] [member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[PadawnPrawn]

Lowering his lightsaber, he left his defence down. He knew he had to get back to Anastasia soon, after sensing that she was in danger. He liked to think he could protect her but there were two people here which made it ever more harder.

"I'm sorry that happened to you, but it's not the Jedis fault. You're becoming just as bad as the people who had enslaved you. Revenge isn't right, and it's something I had to learn." he sighed and spoke quietly. "There are many Jedi who grew up in slavery, you're not the only one."

It felt like a dead end trying to reason with this man, he tried nonetheless, feeling as though it would distract him enough to stop trying to turn Fletcher to the dark side. After feeling a disturbance in the force, he completely left his guard down and was foolishly open to attacks as he tried to figure out how to help his master.

On the verge of running, he felt a sudden burning sensation on the right side of his face. It took him a moment to register that he had been attacked while keeping his guard down. So slow to react, he didn't even bring his lightsaber up to parry the attack defensively. He took both hands off his lightsaber and dropped it, bringing both hands to his face in shock and pain. He hadn't expected to be attacked so suddenly and had foolishly given his opponent a chance to lunge at him. He quickly scooped down to pick up his lightsaber and ran back to [member="Anastasia Rade"] and [member="Darth Ferus"], not being able to bare leaving her for so long. He took stance besides his master, breathing heavily and ignoring the burning pain. Now wasn't the time for revenge.

[member="Sage Bane"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

It was frustrating that her attack barely even made the Sith Lord in front of her flinch. It was clear that he was powerful but that didn't mean Ana had any plans of giving up. If the young Rally Master was anything it was persistent and she doubted he could go toe to toe forever. He had a weakness and she was going to find it even if it took all night. As she pushed back against him Ana focused on keeping her head from spinning off for the moment.

The re-arrival of her Padawan caused her to turn her head slightly before removing her lightsaber from his and flipping backward out of the way. She couldn't have her Padawan get in the middle of this especially when it was she whom they had come to. Run she spoke to him through the Force while she focused on trying to blind the Lord with the flash of light that came from her finger tips due in thanks to a little ability she liked to call Force Blinding.


[member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Fletcher Lorcan"] [member="Sage Bane"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

And blinded he was. A scowl would form on his face as the bright light from [member="Anastasia Rade"] burned into his eyes. He would keep in place, pulling his saber around in a two handed grip. The world was all dark to him, and for now he would have to rely on simple hearing and sense. Thankfully, he wasn't attacked just yet, but already Ferus could feel both [member="Fletcher Lorcan"] and [member="Sage Bane"] come into the group. But he would have to stay still, letting his eyes readjust.

But he too would send out his own metal message to Sage. "Get the boy. Leave the Mando to me."

 

[PadawnPrawn]

"No." he said out loud. Blatantly disobeying his master, he stayed planted firmly by her side. He wanted to help her, he couldn't just leave her here. What good would a padawan be if they didn't defend you? Besides, he was already injured, one more injury would mean nothing. He lunged his lightsaber towards the opponent's mid-section quickly but forcefully. It was hard fighting continuously, and he didn't want Ana to get too exhausted from the fight, so he intervened.

Still thinking about the dark side in the back of his mind, he grew increasingly agitated. He didn't want to join and he didn't want to think about it but it was just there. He began to lose focus.

[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Sage Bane"]

 

[Sage Bane]

Sage emerged from the clearing, stepping right behind Anastasia and Fletcher. Anastasia’s arm was outstretched, palm up. A bright, blinding light burst from her hand obfuscating Darth Ferus’ vision. His first instinct was to swing his saber in an arc towards the blonde Jedi Knight, but in the back of his mind he heard the low voice of the Zabrak Sith Lord. Darth Ferus’ commanded him to take the boy instead, and orders were orders.

As Fletcher lunged towards Darth Ferus, his saber sweeping towards the Sith Lord’s torso, Sage called upon the dark side of the Force to permeate every cell in his body. The Sith Acolyte raised his arm, curling his fingers towards himself in a beckoning gesture. Presumably the Force pull he executed would bring the boy right to him, like a fish squirming on a line, so that Sage could begin the lethal dance with the young Padawan.

[member="Fletcher Lorcan"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[PadawnPrawn]

Fletcher tried to resist but was forcefully dragged towards the acolyte. He glared at the young man. He wasn't going to let them get anything they wanted. Managing to stay on his feet after the force pull, he stood in a defensive stance.

"You're not going to win this. What purpose would killing me have?" he asked. It was clear they wanted to bring harm to Anastasia but Fletcher had done nothing worthy of him being killed. "That's just pure evil." he said, though he already regarded all Sith as evil.

The pain on his face had only just begun to subside. He raised his lightsaber and aimed to bring it down on the young man where his shoulder met his neck. It was in times like these when he wanted his master's guidance, although it wasn't available.

[member="Sage Bane"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"Leave him alone," Ana growled as her gaze went to [member="Sage Bane"] whom was now dragging over her Padawan. She would do what she needed to in order to ensure her Padawan was safe. The two Sith would not win this, she wouldn't allow them to take Fletcher with them or harm him anymore. She was angry that he hadn't listened to her but that was for a different date.

"It's me you want, not him. Are you afraid to fight me?" Her head spun back to [member="Darth Ferus"] whom was still readjusting back to the light. "I'll take you both on together. Test your skills against a true warrior of Mandlore." She didn't know Sith to be ones to back down from a fight unless these two were chicken.

Fight back Fletcher, your stronger than him. I need you to fight back like I taught you. She spoke to him through the Force hoping that this time he would listen to her. They could and would get through this together.

[member="Fletcher Lorcan"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

A deep sigh escaped red lips as his eyes finally readjusted. With a frown those very blue eyes would focus back upon [member="Anastasia Rade"] . He seemed insulted, and as he spoke it became clear why. "You're a fool Rally Master for not attacking me while you had the chance." That was all the Iridonian said before he suddenly lunged forward again. His blue eyes turned a stark gold as he ran, his speed surpassing what it had before. A welcomed anger at the insult fueled his actions, and as he got close his free metallic hand would reach out, and go to grip her left leg. A tug, enough to cause her to be off balance, was the goal, and with it he would strike, his golden blade burning through the air. As before, a push would burst out, but his metallic hand would fly out to deliver a punishing blow for her helm if she were to block his strike.

An Iridonian such as the red man would not be so keen as splitting his challenge with another. His kind has been away far too long, and it seemed another lesson on fear was needed for the Mandalorians. Once a powerful enough force to scare both the Echani and Mandalorians alike, the blood thirsty warrior would leave his mark like his ancestors before him. Once again the drums of war would ignite.

 

[Sage Bane]

Sage ignored Fletcher’s question as he brought his saber up to parry the boy’s blow, letting the lightsabers’ kiss for a moment before pushing his weapon forward to shove the Padawan backwards and disengage with him. True to the Ataru form, Sage quickly backflipped, widening the distance between he and Fletcher. The sight of the Padawan’s scorched eye, made Sage snicker with satisfaction.

Instead of attacking the boy, again the Sith Acolyte stayed in a defensive position, his brown eyes trained on Anastasia. His orders were to battle with the Padawan, but Sage began to heed a call of his own. The call of one who thoroughly enjoyed twisting in the knife. He used the Force to pry into the Jedi Knight’s mind, a velvety insinuation of his voice into her thoughts.

Don’t you remember me, darling? The brother of someone you use to love dearly. Someone who used you and discarded you. A woman scorned is a perfect vessel the dark side to fill. Doesn’t he still make you angry when you think about him? If you survive this, what say you and I slit his throat together?

The distraction would hopefully be enough to help Darth Ferus gain an edge in their lethal dance, something he seemed poised to do anyway.

[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Fletcher Lorcan"]

 

[PadawnPrawn]

"Why do you want to kill her? What has she ever done to you?" Fletcher asked whilst he tried to catch his breath, becoming worn out from the fighting. There surely couldn't be any reason for anyone wanting to kill his master, she was a good person as far as he was concerned. Glaring at the Acolyte, he advanced on the young man whilst holding his left hand out. The Padawan concentrated hard in attempt to use the force to knock the Sith Acolyte over.

He had been ordered to run but running away was the last thing he would do. Clutching the hilt of the blade, he continued to advance towards the young man, prepared to attack and kill.

It was determination that caused the Padawan to get into so much trouble, back at the Academy and out on missions. He always thinks he knows what he's doing, he always thinks he knows best but the cocky attitude leads him into many problems with his master.

[member="Sage Bane"] [member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

The pull of her leg caused Ana to wobble on one leg as she tried to keep her balance. It was hard when [member="Sage Bane"] was planting thoughts in her head. She had been angry about how things with Cryax had gone but Ana had made peace with it the best that she could. He was the reason Ana chose not date anymore. The heartache wasn't worth it and Ana always told herself that she had much better things to do with her time. Throwing herself in her work had helped her and finding happiness in other things.

Falling on her back Ana's saber flew to her hand as the silver blade went to once again battle his. As his metallic hand flew towards her head Ana maneuvered it out of the way. It wasn't enough as it hit the side of her head causing her head to spin. Even at that she kept pushing back at his saber.

"No! I'll never join the darkside," she growled as she jumped up on her feet pushing hard back at his saber. The words were actually ment for that little voice in her head.

[member="Sage Bane"] [member="Fletcher Lorcan"]

 

[Sage Bane]

Sage called upon the power of the dark side to resist Fletcher's blow, a move that he felt coming. The boy was gifted, no doubt, but Sage had been an acolyte in the One Sith for several months and his skill and prowess with Force powers had grown in leaps and bounds. He had even recently been taught how to wield Force lightning by Khan Ra, the Felitician Sith Knight, a power that he would use to subdue the gnat who persisted in annoying him as he tried to whisper to Anastasia.

As Fletcher came sprinting towards him, Sage took a hand off of his lightsaber and raised it in front of him, calling upon the primal energy to fill him with the indigo sparks of pure dark side energy.

"You must be a glutton for punishment," he hissed at the Padawan. Then, grinning, Sage extended his arm and attempted to strike the boy with a potent bolt of lightning. Not enough to kill, but surely enough to leave the boy a in a writhing, stunned heap on the forest floor.

[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Fletcher Lorcan"] [member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[PadawnPrawn]

Fletcher, unable to predict the attack, was struck by the lightning. He cried out in pain and fell onto his hands and knees, stunned by the bolt. The Padawan was unable to stand to fend off his attacker and slowly grew more fearful for his and his master's life.

The pain was still a dull sensation throughout his body and it didn't seem to be wearing out. Clearly he had underestimated this Acolyte. The young man was far more powerful than Fletcher had thought.

He wanted to get revenge but he knew it was wrong. Jedi weren't allowed to get revenge and he didn't want to disappoint his master. As he had been taught all his life, he kept calm, forcing himself to fight without anger but with tactical moves. All his instincts told him to run but all his training told him to stay and the pain kept him on the floor until he could regain his senses. He grimaced from the pain and reached for his fallen lightsaber.

[member="Sage Bane"] [member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Continuing to press, the Sith Lord couldn't help but grin at [member="Anastasia Rade"] . She was a hardy sort at least. But that would have to be dealt with. Continuing to press against her saber with his strength fueled single grip, Ferus would suddenly bring that metal arm around once more. But instead of her, he would go for her saber. The cortosis ore beneath the cybernetic limb would be enough to shut off her saber.

At the same moment her saber would come in contact with the metal though, his own saber would suddenly begin to cackle with electricity. The Zabrak would utilize the sudden surprise of the forced deactivation to bring down his saber across her chest. If this all did work, the contact would be brief. His intention wasn't cutting, but to shock instead. Conact would have all the lightning stored in his blade to release into her form, and it would be a nasty shock at that.

Sliding back quickly, the Sith Lord would take the chance to glance over to both [member="Sage Bane"] and [member="Fletcher Lorcan"] . Sage certainly would make an amazing Sith one day.