Fight or Flight

Tides of Change

Beware the tides of change. I sit up straight in my bed, sweat forming on my forehead. My breath is shallow and rapid, and I look around. No one is in my bedroom, but something feels off. The dream that has just occurred is not helping anything. I lay back down and close my eyes only to see the burning stones of the Jedi temple falling around me. Groaning, I turn on my holophone to see that it's not even the morning yet. I sigh, rubbing the exhaustion from my eyes and turning on the small bedside table lamp. I make my way over to the dresser and pull out my Jedi uniform.

I walk over to the bathroom and get ready. After getting dressed, I pull my hair up into a tight braided bun and walk back into my bedroom to grab my sabers. As I walk down the stairs, I take extra caution to not wake anyone. I close the door to the chalet and head out towards the forest. A foreboding feeling lurks in the back of my mind, but I try my best to shove it down. It's not like anyone knows we're out here, right? I think to myself and try to laugh off the bad feeling I have. Once I feel like I'm far enough away from the chalet, I sit down on a rock and observe the forest around me. It is barely light outside, which makes the tall trees eerie. No birds sing, which adds to the creepy ambience. I take a deep breath, close my eyes, relax my muscles, and settle into the silence.

A crunch of leaves startles me out of my meditation. I jump up, pulling my lightsaber off my belt and igniting it. The bright white light blinds me momentarily as I call out "Who's there?" There is no answer. Maybe it's just my imagination. Or some animal walking by. But as much as I try to talk myself down from my fear, my gut tells me something is wrong. But what could be wrong? Then I hear it. Whispers from all around me. I cannot make out what is being said, but a cold feeling wraps around my heart and my chest constricts. "I ask again, who's there?"

A figure leaps out from behind the trees brandishing a blaster. Before I can react, I am suddenly surrounded by five droids. I ignite the second end of my lightsaber. "Well, what is it we have here?" The voice isn't robotic. In fact, it almost sounds...human. Light is beginning to seep through the trees from the sunrise. I try to make out the shapes of the droids and to see where this voice is coming from. "The little Jedi who became much like Sifo-Dyas will die the same way he did."

"I ask again, who are you?" I state, my voice shaking slightly. I am vastly outnumbered by droids and by this mysterious voice.

"I think you would know by now." The voice laughs with a sadistic, toying, tone. I frown, trying to detect whose voice this is. "Don't your Jedi powers give you a glimpse into who I am?"

"I've told the council that they don't work like that. The only reason you would know is if you were a rogue Jedi."

"Or a Sith."

"If you are a Sith, then show yourself and face a Jedi." I call out, a sudden surge of courage coursing through my veins.

"Very well then." A tall figure steps into the clearing. I immediately recognize the white beard and hair and the voice becomes all too familiar as I try to control my emotions.

"Dooku." I state the one word. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for you."

"What purpose would I serve your effort?"

"You as a Sith apprentice would be unstoppable."

"Perhaps. But I believe you will have a different apprentice under your wing. I am not one to easily turn to evil."

"When others are hurt, you will."