And Then There Were Two (A Star Wars Fanfic)

Chapter 9

"So, she went be trained in the ways of the Light and Dark sides?" Anakin tried to sum up everything his master had just told him. "How come you know all this?"

His master sighed. "I had the opportunity to become a Dark Jedi. That was long before I was assigned a master. I was much younger than you. But when I landed on Nequek, I felt the Force guide me in a different direction. I decided to use only the Light side of the Force, therefore never becoming a Dark Jedi. It's not like I wasn't the first person to refuse such a high honor, and I certainly won't be the last, I just felt as though it wasn't my path to take. And now I see why."

He didn't say anything else. His padawan decided not to press the subject, so he decided to slightly change the topic. "Is Arrai alright?"

Master Kenobi nodded. "As far as we know, she's fine. Anakin, I don't want to worry you, I just..." he stopped. "I just thought you should know the truth."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" The boy's voice was quieter than normal, as if he just realized a terrible truth.

Obi-Wan once again let out a heaving sigh. "The existence of the Dark Jedi has always been kept hidden, even from most of the Jedi. Only those on the Council know. But now their secret is out. They don't have to hide anymore. In a lot of ways, it's a good thing. We'll most likely be working together on missions now. They can be very resourceful."

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As soon as she had stepped back on land, she felt a swirl of Light, begging to be dominant in her. And she allowed it to be. After releasing that much dark energy, she's have to wait awhile before she could make another safe journey to the Dark Side and return.

At the temples, all of the Dark Jedi had glittering yellow eyes, most of them still recovering from her switch. She apologized more times than she could count. Some of the younger apprentices glared with hints of jealousy in their eyes.

"Young Skywalker, come with me." Master Gi said. She was not happy.

Arrai once again stood in the presence of the Dark Council. She bowed low.

"You are powerful, I'll grant you that." The master said. She took her seat. "But at a great price. You have exposed our existence to the entire Jedi Order. Do you know what this means?"

The girl shrugged.

The master rolled her eyes and sighed. "Many years ago, a very long time ago, when the Jedi and Sith lived together peacefully, three of the Jedi decided that they wanted to use the power of the Dark Side. So they asked their counterparts for help. In exchange, they would teach the Sith the ways of the Light Side. The days turned into years, which turned into weeks, which turned into months, which turned into years. All this time, the heads of each side knew nothing of the secret meetings. One day, they vanished. They were not seen again for fifty years. And then, they seemed exactly the same as they had the day they'd gone missing. To use both sides of the Force, to be perfectly Neutral, it meant immortality. Each of them had become insane. Being perfectly in balance means carrying a fraction of the weight of the Force. Each carried one sixth. The power had overwhelmed them. To save themselves, they trained six more apprentices, and when try were ready, one twelfth was laid upon each. And still today, each member of the Dark Council carries one twelfth. We still have this burden. After all these years."

Arrai's eyes went wide. "You are... you were the first Dark Jedi!" She realized. She could hardly stare at the ancient beings in front of her.

"Not all of us." Master Gi said sadly. "During the Great Hyperspace War, Master Shy-Le sacrificed her life to win a great victory. She was my master. When I replaced her, I became the youngest member of the Council. And I still remain that way."

"But that war," she gasped. "It was thousands of years ago."

"The weight of the Force has a price: immortality. Some would consider it a gift. But to others, it is just a great burden that needs to be carried." She hung her head. "From then on, we were outcasts. Neither Jedi nor Sith would accept us. Not until very recently. It was only fifty years ago when the Jedi sent us a student. They sensed much darkness in him, and such began the process of us taking in Dark Jedi once more."

"But does that happen to everybody? Do all Dark Jedi become immortal?" Arrai was curious.

"No. Only those who find perfect Neutrality and hold the weight of the Force may live forever. But aging does indeed slow for most pupils.

"I don't think you truly understand the gravity of this situation. Dark Jedi are regarded as freaks, outcasts. That is why we attempted to remain secret."

"Oops." The girl realized her mistake right then. "Is that why most Dark Jedi never leave Nequek?"

Master Gi nodded. "Yes. We try to remain hidden. Those who do leave, like your master, keep their powers secret from all except the Jedi Council, and then they only use them in emergencies."

Arrai nodded in understanding. She acknowledged what she had done: she had brought oppression to the Dark Jedi.

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"Good, very good." He said. The evil lord had accomplished the first part of his plan.

He suddenly felt a present behind him. "Master," a figure kneeled. "I have heard the news, how do you wish me to proceed?"

"As of now, I want you to do nothing. We'll give them time, and they shall do exactly as intended."