A Soldier's Secret

Part 24

As I flew, Danger and the other voice sang more lyrics. My paws, as blond as my hair, came down upon his chest, and he tumbled to the ground under my weight. In a flash of fury, I kicked his head, rendering him unconscious as I moved to the other singer. No one but me shall remember these lyrics. There are mine and mine alone, fragments of a long-gone friend. Error, fully human, was singing, her voice crackling with the added strain of her injuries, many of which I inflicted. I prowled slowly over to her, a smug grin on my face. I would knock her right out, and move to help Kelish. But it was Error who would understand. As I reached her, she tried to escape

"Error" I murmured "This is fake. I've convinced Kelish that I'm on his side. I'm sorry" I said, and she nodded. I batted her across the head with a hard swing, and she went out. With a groan, Furn woke up. He was hurt, but not as badly as Danger or Error. He saw me, and I gave a wink and dashed away, back toward Kelish.

"Cedar" Woods said. He was propped against a wall, his nose burst open. I dashed to him

"Elmar Woods," I said "The presumed dead Padawan" I grinned "Don't worry. Error and Danger were the worst wounded. They won't suffer until our escape. I've convinced Kelish that I'm on his side. I'm going to run at you, shove me back with the Force, okay? Then this whole ruse is sold and I can jump on Kelish" He nodded, and I backed up four paces.

My powerful legs threw me forward, and Woods nearly froze with terror as I came closer. But he knew what was happening, and shoved me back. There was no real harm behind it, but it was still substantial. As I tumbled to the ground, my whole body stung. I glanced at my shoulder, and I knew how I was going for this long. I was coated in scratches, from Furn, Danger, Error, and my jump from the tree. I was running on adrenaline alone, as dirt crept into my wounds.

"Okay. One last job to do" I said, then ran toward Skywalker and Kelish.

Everything seemed to be slowed down as I went

Skywalker saw me, and a threat gleamed in his eyes

Kelish didn't notice as he kept attacking

I moved quicker than ever before, and I leapt 

Kelish saw me and assumed I was going for Skywalker and had missed

They both shoved me and I went flying against the concrete wall of the atrium

Kelish shouted his distress before he turned to Skywalker

A new kind of rage had taken hold

His feelings went deeper than I thought

I was screwed

I pulled myself up

My new power gone

Adrenaline gone

I was just Cedar

The weak, useless scout who can't even save her brother

"You don't need them" A voice in me whispered "Kelish has shown you the first real affection in your life. He has been true, has he not? He can show you true power. Truth, in its purest form, and the things you crave most. What has the Republic shown you? That you're only as good as your skills. Kelish will have you, no matter what you can do"

"Yes" I said "They say I am only as good as my skills" I stood up "But then, I have to be the best of myself. Their standards are unfair. So I'll be unfair right back" I grinned and summoned the feelings from before. I was me, and I was in control.

I was replaced

By the real me

The me that jumps through trees

Laughs

Smiles

The feline side of me

The Cat

I took a deep breath

Controlled it

Before, it was wild

Now, I was controlling the wild side of me

A tail flicked

My vision was sharp

Claws

But I was still me

My face

My arms

My legs

Still me

But wild

I turned to Kelish, who was winning against Skywalker. I ran forward, and I leapt, soaring onto his back, and I used my powerful legs to kick him, sending him tumbling forward. Taking the opportunity, Skywalker brought his boot down onto Kelish's exposed neck and finished him off.

As soon as Kelish was out, my power faded again, and I fell backwards, into the sweet oblivion of darkness.