The True Jedi Way

A Temple Fallen

On the world of Coruscant, dawn was breaking down in one of the lower levels. Inside a small maintenance room, the floor was littered with a few unconscious Coruscant Guard Clone Troopers and Coruscant Security personnel. At the terminal in the center of the room, sat Dass, now wearing a green jumpsuit, instead of his Jedi robes, typing into the system with the aid of his Astromech, R5. He was reading over the incident at the Battle of Ringo Vinda, staring intently at everything. Eventually, his Droid let out some beeps, with Dass turning to the Droid and saying, "You finally got that report unlocked, excellent. The Force and a little luck is on our side."

The Droid projected a hologram of Clone Captain Rex of the 501st, who began to say, "I already know this report's gonna fall on deaf ears, but I owe it to Fives to record what I saw. I'm not sure I believe it myself, but there's a possibility that the inhibitor chips the Kaminoans put inside of us, have a purpose we don't yet fully understand."

Dass stroked his chin until realization hit his face, "That's it! The chips must be forcing them to do this. If I can get them out, I can return Doom and the others to the way they were before." He began to get up from his chair and make his way to the door, "I've got to get back to New Plympto." Before leaving, he heard beeping from R5, who was following him, and he turned to the Droid, "What do you mean you also found an announcement about a rally today?" After a few more beeps he shouted, "At the Jedi Temple! I don't know what this new Empire is up to but it can't be good. We better check out this rally." The pair turned and left out the door.

Sometime later, a massive crowd of many species had gathered near the steps of the Jedi Temple, including Dass and R5, where up the steps at the entry to the Temple was Mas Amedda, two Royal Guards, and a large number of Coruscant Guard Clones. Behind the Clones were the burning bodies of all the dead Jedi, while Mas Amedda loaded all the Lightsabers into a small incinerator behind him. As he did this he shouted to the crowd, "Never again will we fear the Jedi! Through the grace of our Empire Palpatine, we were saved from their treachery. The Jedi are gone. The Emperor saw through their Separatist plots, their lies. He survived their attempt to assassinate him. And now, at last, we are safe." He took out a Lightsaber, Yoda's Lightsaber in fact, "We have entered a new age. An age of freedom!" Many in the crowd cheered, as Mas Amedda loaded the last Lightsaber into the device.

Amongst the crowd, Dass overheard many things; one a male Human said, "Those traitors Jedi got what they deserved!"

Another Male human, an older one, on the other hand, said to his Munn friend, "I can't believe the Jedi tried to overthrow the government! I think they were the ones who were betrayed."

The Munn began to hush him and whispered, "Quiet, friend. These days, talk like that could land you in jail. I've already seen it happen."

However, another voice broke through the crowd, as a male Human in Jedi robes stepped in front of the crowd, shouting, "People of the Republic, hear me!! The Jedi were your protectors! They, like you, have been victims of a corrupt government! Many of you have seen firsthand how the Coruscant Guard and those most loyal to the Emperor treated you over the course of the Clone Wars! Stripping away your freedoms, attacking you, and killing you to get you to obey their will! Will you just continue to stand there idly and let your freedoms be taken away? Or will you fight!?" He then looked in Dass's direction, "And my fellow Jedi, I know some of you are here in the crowd!" The Jedi then turned in the direction of a young Human female with black hair and an older Bothan male, "I call you to help me! Let us find justice!" He activated his blue Lightsaber and began to race up the steps. One Clone charged at him and fired, but the Jedi was able to deflect the shots and then slash the Clone across the chest. As the Clones up top opened fire, the Jedi spun his sword rapidly, deflecting shots back, killing two more Clones. However, he then took a shot to the left shoulder, causing him to stagger back, barely able to keep deflecting shots. Luckily, a shot hit the Clone that nailed him straight in the head. The Jedi turned to see from the crowd emerged a male Quarren, a female Chagrain, a male Duro, and a female Pantoran, all holding blasters, with the Duro's smoking from the shot he just fired. Rushing in, the quartet started shooting, as the Jedi began to deflect more shots. Unfortunately, the Quarren was shot in the chest and killed by Clones. The Pantoran got shot in the shoulder by a Clone, but she used her free hand to keep shooting, and gunned down the Clone, before another Clone rushed over and shot her in the chest, killing her. While the Duro and Chagrian did each kill a Clone with a shot to the chest, Mas Amedda pulled out a blast and started shooting, killing the Chagrian, aka a member of his own species. After she fell, the Jedi deflected some more shots back, taking down another Clone, before several shots pierced his chest. As he fell dead to the ground, he could only let out a gasp of, "Justice. . ." Lastly, the Duro got shot in the arm, causing him to drop his blaster before a shot to the chest killed him. After this, the Clones dragged the five dead bodies up to the burning pile and tossed them on. While a Royal Guard retrieved the Jedi's Lightsaber and gave it to Mas Amedda, who tossed it in the furnace with the others, before lighting it up and causing an explosion that destroyed the trusty Jedi weapons.

The gathering concluded, and as people began to leave, Dass noticed the female Human and male Bothan and pursued them with R5. These two individuals came to an alleyway near a trash and began to discuss things. The female began to say sadly, "There were no other Jedi to help that young man. Coming here was a mistake."

The Bothan began to consult her with a gentle hand on the shoulder, "That boy didn't need help, he needed to hide. Give me your Lightsaber, young Noirah Na."

She took it out of her pocket and handed it to him, as he took out his own, "But why, Master Kai Hudorra?" He didn't answer and just tossed them in the trash, "Why did you do that!?"

Kai solemnly said, "The time of the Jedi is over. The galaxy we swore to protect has turned its back on us. The only thing we can do is survive." He pointed to her, "Your master gave his life so we could. Let's not make his sacrifice in vain."

Noirah began to question, "But-."

Kai stopped her with a raised hand, "It's over. You have to leave. Forget all your Jedi training. Find a new life and survive."

Dass made his presence known by saying, "Why not let her choose for herself?"

The Bothan's eyes light up, "Dass? Dass Jennier? You're alive?"

He smiled, "Of course, Kai. It takes more than some brainwashed Clones to take me out."

Noirah raised an eyebrow, "Brainwashed?"

Dass nodded, "Yeah. I figured out what's going on. We may be able to turn things around and still help the galaxy. We are still Jedi, guardians of this galaxy, and I ask you if you will help?"

As Noirah began to approach, Kai pulled her back and stated, "No! The Empire is too strong." Noirah looked up at the Jedi Master with pleading eyes, but he could only sigh, "Noirah, as my last instruction as a Master, I'm telling you, leave the Jedi path behind for your own safety."

The young Jedi could only hang her head down, as she walked out of the alley, right past Dass and R5, with an apologetic look on her face.

Dass sighed, "Well, I guess, you've made your decision."

Kai shook his head, "Dass, please, hide yourself. If you fight the Empire you'll end up like that poor boy and those three civilians. Fighting the Empire is crazy, even for you."

He let out a dry chuckle, "Well, I've always been a little crazy. Besides, that young Jedi had the right idea, just not a good plan. I've got friends on New Plympto that are fighting the Empire right now. I'm going to go help them and maybe find others to help too! We're not letting the Empire take over without a fight!" Smiling, "So, that's what I'll be up to. What about you?"

Kai could only state with a shrug, "Well, my Master always said a Force user could be a good gambler. Maybe I'll give it a try."

Dass only replied, "Then, may the Force be with you." He turned to leave while telling R5, "R5, let's get back to New Plympto. Bomo and the others probably need us by now." The Droid beeped, as the pair left the former Bothan Jedi Master alone in the alley.