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Topic:
Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)--*Complete* Replies 7/31- Link to EotD posted!
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Souderwan
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 9:11am
Subject:
Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)--*Complete* Replies 7/31- Link to EotD posted!
- Date Edited:
7/31/06 8:25am (64 edits total)
Edited By:
Souderwan
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Title: Descent Into The Dark
Author: Souderwan
Timeframe: Approximately 300 years before TPM
Characters: Yoda
Genre: Character Study, Action, Drama
Keywords: EU/AU
Summary: Before Yoda becomes a permanent fixture on the Jedi Council, he is a middle-aged Jedi Master in the prime of his life. Many of the rules that the Jedi live by have not been instituted. Yoda is a free-lance Jedi who visits his home world regularly. He knows about the dark side only from his studies in the Jedi Library and the stories he heard as a young Jedi. This is a story of how Yoda's personal experience with the power of the dark side. It’s a story of loss. It’s a story of redemption. It’s a story about the power of fear.
Note to my previous readers: Thanks for giving my story a try. Things will not move as quickly as Fall Of The Sith
but I hope you'll stick with me. I do my best to make it a rewarding reading experience.
Disclaimer: Lucasfilm owns all the rights to Star Wars. I don’t. No infringement is intended or profit to be made by me.
-----------------------------A Life Worth Saving---------------------------------
Freedom.
Lithe, compact muscles pulled and stretched in perfect synchrony beneath the green leather that had been baked to a perfect dark hue under the binary stars over the previous week. Among his species, he was the epitome of the physical specimen. His point seven meter frame, though diminutive to most of the other species in the galaxy, was above average on his world. His large pointed ears, now set slightly back to support the flow of his movements, were extremely appealing to the opposite sex.
Fine beads of sweat were coalescing to form rivers of coolness that flowed through the sinewy channels of his well-formed physique, only to fall to the soft earth, discarded and forgotten as he raced beneath the hot suns. Each ridge in his arms was like a finely made rope of strength. His phenomenal physical stamina was obvious when one saw the shirtless creature’s abdominal muscles flex and strain with his casual gait. His large, bulbous eyes were striking emerald pools of serenity that seemed to have infinite depth. And atop this magnificent creature’s impressive form, like a crown worn by the great kings of millennia past, was a flowing mane of hair that billowed behind him in a sea of glittering silver.
This was Jedi Master Yoda.
Yoda ran with a speed that few of the best athletes on his planet could ever hope to achieve. Three pointed toes on each foot alternately gripped and released the earth to propel the Jedi Master forward with such regularity that the motion itself became a symphony. He loved the feel of the earth beneath his bare feet. He loved the gentle sound they made as gravity demanded that he not fly from the surface of the planet each time he left it.
The wind was his friend. It brought soothing coolness across his powerful frame. The more rapidly he dashed, the sweeter the gentle song of the wind became in his voluminous ears.
As he raced beneath the morning sky, the twin suns rising slowly above the tree-shrouded mountains ahead, Yoda was at peace. He could feel everything in the Force. The ground welcomed his every step with the warm embrace of a long forgotten lover. The trees sang songs of praise to his every stride while providing him slight protection from the stars’ powerful rays. The rocks sat solemnly in awe of his unyielding will. The wind was his friend. But the Force was his ally.
The river ahead was nearly a kilometer across. It roared with turbulent waters that crashed down the two hundred meter waterfall in a torrent of white-foam spray. Yoda surveyed the scene with a wry smile. His morning jog was not complete. No small trickle of water was going to stop him. Not today. Not ever.
Yoda prided himself on his reluctance to call on the Force except when necessary. Far too often, he had seen his fellow Jedi use the Force for such casual things as lifting heavy objects rather than relying on their physical strength. It made the Jedi weak, he believed. To Yoda, the Force was a friend you called upon to help you achieve what you could not alone. If one abused that friendship, then that friend may fail to lend a hand when most needed.
For the first time in days, Yoda decided to call on his friend’s aid. He visualized the trees on the other side of the flowing water. He extended his senses to feel the flow of the water. He searched the waters for purchase and found the group of rocks midstream with practiced ease. Calmly, the Jedi Master breathed deeply, preparing to vault himself in a Force-aided leap atop the tiny island.
He was now rapidly approaching the bank of the river. Unconcerned with his proximity to the deluge, he drew the Force into him and wrapped it around himself like a warm blanket. He reveled in the tranquility. He smiled broadly with genuine joy as he reached the precipice and began his flight.
“Master Yoda! Master Yoda! Master Yoda!!”
The blanket of tranquility was suddenly ripped from the Jedi Master. Yoda abruptly found himself tumbling gracelessly into the rushing stream. As the water engulfed him, Yoda mused at the providence in his decision to go without his normal Jedi attire on his morning run. Slightly annoyed, he extended his arms and legs and began his swim back to shore in graceful strides that would make the famous Mon Calamari swimmers applaud.
Within moments, Yoda stood on the bank of the river, his hair matted like silver clumps of vine across his tree-green chest and arms. Staring out from beneath the argent bangs that hung in his face, Yoda searched for the intruder that had dared to interrupt his morning meditations. He had the uneasy feeling that he knew only too well who it would be.
Running toward him, at less than fifty meters away, was the only person Yoda knew that managed to find a way to aggravate him at every turn. In point of fact, the creature was not so much running as he was feverishly hobbling at his best possible speed using a small twist of wood as an aid. Yoda felt a frown draw itself across his face like a lightsaber through duracrete. Calling on the Force, Yoda brought himself calm and casually began to pull his hair back. In the several additional moments it took the ancient creature to cross the divide between them, Yoda retrieved a small band from his pocket and tied his mane into its customary ponytail.
By the time the half-meter-tall elfin creature had arrived, Yoda was calmly standing on the river bank with his hands folded behind his back as if he had been waiting for the newcomer’s arrival all day.
“Master Yoda!” the creature panted desperately, leaning heavily on the stick as if its strength was all that kept him on his feet. “Master…Yoda…!”
“Hear you I do!” Yoda snapped, far more harshly than he intended. He considered apologizing but knew that the offense was already lost on the bombastic politician. “My name, yell no more! Or wake the forest, you will!” Yoda laughed wryly inside as the interloper scanned the woods with widening eyes as if expecting some dark horror to rip through the trees and devour them both. The Jedi Master decided to do nothing to assuage the annoying old creature’s unwarranted fears.
Yoda passively watched him frantically try to catch his breath. He had often found that he never really mastered Jedi patience when it came to dealing with the unusually diminutive migru.
“What want you, Taru?” Yoda said finally. “Interrupt my peace lightly, you should not? The village, not on fire is it?” A look of shock erupted on Taru’s face followed by the slow realization that Yoda did not really believe that the village was indeed ablaze. Indignation replaced shock.
“Minister Taru, call me you should!” the politician replied. His face grew serious and he pointed the piece of wood at Yoda. He seemed to consider poking Yoda with it for a brief moment and then apparently thought better of it. Instead, the point stopped just shy of touching the Jedi Master’s taut stomach. “A respect for authority, never have you had!”
“Perhaps…,” Yoda replied calmly. “But answer my question, you have not.” All outrage left Taru as he was suddenly alight with glee.
“Yes!!” he shouted. “Forgot, I did! The celebration! Started it has!” When Yoda didn’t seem to join him in his excitement, a look of exasperation came over Taru. “The celebration, Master Yoda. Forget, you could not! In your honor, after all, it is!”
Yoda tried his best to stop imagining what Taru would look like suspended from a branch of one of the taller trees along the path to the village. He seemed to consider Taru for a long moment before answering. In fact, the Jedi Master was steeling himself for the unpleasant business that he thought he’d managed to avoid. After what seemed like an eternity to Taru, Yoda nodded in resignation.
“Forget, I did not,” Yoda answered somewhat testily. “Hoped, I did that if arrived I did not, go away this nonsense would.” Taru burst into a series of cackles that only managed to irritate Yoda further. Yoda patiently waited for the laughter to subside. When it became clear that this was unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future, Yoda interrupted. “What so funny, you find?”
Taru suddenly stopped laughing and blinked in surprise at Yoda with bulbous brown eyes. “Kidding, you were not?” he asked innocently.
Realizing that it was best to move things along, Yoda forced a smile. “Too easy, are you Taru,” Yoda said. “Join you, I will. Wish to get this over with, I do.” Taru immediately began to giggle again as he turned toward the beaten path back to the village.
“Minister Taru,” Taru corrected. “Remember this, you must, when meet the other elders you do.” Yoda shook his head resignedly and tried his best not to frown.
It was going to be a long day.
-----signature-----
"When we hurt each other we should write it down in the sand,
so the winds of forgiveness can make it go away for good. When
we help each other we should chisel it in stone, lest we never
forget the love of a friend." ~Godefroy
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ithesock
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 9:16am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Welcome to the wonderful and fascinating and breathtaking 'Before'. 
Liked your descriptive prose. And the way Yoda's been introduced. And am eager to see more. 
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Coric_Colje
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 9:36am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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(Pops in)
Yes, I'm reading stories at a normal hour this time!
Soudy, my favoritest fic-writing Squid! Well... The only squid I know to write fic... Or really, the only squid I know... Sorta...
Anyway! I'm liking how this one's starting... Could always picture Yoda like this; a little more care-free and less fettered by rules than he seemed later in life, yet... Somehow he still shows his little nuances of "just doing the job"... The slight annoyance at the celebration in his honor...
I can't wait to read more.
-----signature-----
"All your Darth are belong to us." Matters Of The Blood And The Force - Chapter 1 Up! - http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/20714283 Contributor to RotS HV - http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/19980768
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rhonderoo
Title:
Former Head Admin
Registered:
Aug '02
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 10:03am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Wow! You have given Yoda more character than I ever saw in the movies. Good job, Souderwan! I'm anxious to see where this goes!!
-----signature-----
DT421  And the hot chick is really the sister of the good guy, but they don't know it, and they kiss. Which is kind of messed up. I mean, what if they had done it instead of just kissed?
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jpauln
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 10:25am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Awesome start!  I am definitely liking this younger, more relaxed, if not a little less patient Yoda. Much to learn he still has. 
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Darth-Lutgerous
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 10:45am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Very interesting Sounderwan. I am glad I found this. I bet more of your Fall of the Sith friends will be coming soon too. I like how you have described Yoda and I look forward to more. This is an extremely open topic so I have no idea where you will take this. I can't wait to see a dark Yoda. Maybe this will explain how he got how he is in the PT and OT. 
-----signature-----
Proud Member of the Official Yoda Fan Club
"Much to learn, you still have."
Current Rank: Sith Warrior
Proud Apprentice to Darth Exavior A.K.A. JediCouncilMaster
Disciple to DARTH-RAMA
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DarthAJ
Registered:
Dec '04
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 11:05am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Yoda!!! Loving this new story. Yoda is rebel! Oh yeah! Souderwan you really have out done yourself. Liken' that ponytail. I can't wait for you to introduce the village.
PS: You do great begginings.
-----signature-----
:]
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 12:04pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Nice job with Yoda here! Great work, but that doesn't surprise me at all! Consider me one of your many fans.
An amazing start and I can't wait for the rest of the ride!
-----signature-----
If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
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OperaGhost21
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 12:34pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Rather enjoyed your first post, I did.
Feeling you have already exceeded your exceptional talents, I am.
Anxiously awaiting more, I will be.
Finding it hard not to talk like this, I am.
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yoda4982
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 3:53pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Now...as my name suggests i am a large fan of the little green guy so with that said
That was wonderful, i loved the characterzation you have of yoda, just wonderful. I can't wait for this little fic to really getting going, just a great intro.
Yoda
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Souderwan
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 4:43pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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ithesock: Thanks for the warm welcome! I hope that my stay here will be as enjoyable as my time in the Saga Forum. Thanks for your warm words. I wonder if you say that to all the new authors...meditate on this, I will.... 
Coric_Colje: Heya chair force buddy! Glad you could make it over! You'll find that Yoda is not quite the same little guy we all know and most of us love. But...that doesn't mean there isn't a little bit of the old guy inside waiting to come out.
rhonderoo: **bows humbly** Any words of encouragement from you carry too much weight to respond with anything other than humble thanks. Let's hope I don't disappoint.
jpauln: You have no idea how much Yoda's going to learn in this story! Stay tuned!
Darth-Lutgerous: Without giving too much away, I can safely say that this entire story is about how Yoda (and the Jedi Order) become the people we see in the PT. As we all know, we are often the sum of our experiences. We all know that Yoda is wise because of his vast experiences but we have not (until now) learned anything about what those life-lessons were. This is one very long lesson for our favorite little green guy.
DarthAJ: I like the pony-tail too. I was inspired, believe it or not by Yoda's hair in the movies. It's all kinda combed back with these little white strands everywhere. I could just picture him with long flowing white or silver hair.
Thanks for the compliment on the beginning. I worked really hard on trying to get it right and my Beta STILL managed to tell me to fix it! Thank God I've got a Beta **waves to mithrissa**
VaderLVR64: You're a fan of mine??!!  Thanks. I'm still auditioning to work with you here! Glad you like what you see so far. This should be easier for you than trying to finish off FoTS (which got a little long. I know how hard it is to get through a long fic from the beginning...)
OperaGhost21:  Yeah!!! One of the gang is here!! So happy to see you. Love your Yoda-speak, btw. If you think that's hard, try doing it for an entire village! Oh, and you have to stick to the grammer rules or somebody will be all over you like white on rice! Not fun. That's the most daunting part of this story and I almost didn't write it because of that.
yoda4982: I figured if I snagged just one reader, it would be you! Glad you like what I've done so far. Remember later on, when you don't like Yoda as much that I did much worse to my own favorite character, ok?
-----signature-----
"When we hurt each other we should write it down in the sand,
so the winds of forgiveness can make it go away for good. When
we help each other we should chisel it in stone, lest we never
forget the love of a friend." ~Godefroy
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Cobranaconda
Title: Ex-FF-UK: South CR
Registered:
Mar '04
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 5:55pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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*Late Again*
Damn, Souder, you're going from strength to strength. By the end of FotS you had the biggest following off the back of a debut fic I've ever seen! And now you've jumped straight into Before and delivered a scintillating first post of what could only become another masterpiece under your tender quill.
The descriptions are top class, rivalling or even bettering those from FotS, and the dialogue shows a new depth to Yoda that seems to have been worn out of him by the beginning of the PT.
I applaud you sir!
-----signature-----
"We find that your American beer is a little like making love in a canoe."
"Making love in a canoe?"
"It's ****ing close to water."
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Lord_Zeron
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 7:50pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Another wonderful start to what I forsee becoming another wonderful story. The characterization of Yoda was excellent, he's like an entirely different person now. Just goes to show what 300 years can do to a person. So all... Yodians, for lack of a better name, speak like Yoda. This should make some very interesting conversations. I can't wait to see where this goes, I'll definently be a reader. I have to go on vacation for two weeks though, and I'm not sure if I'll have internet access, so I'll just have to catch up when I get back. I'll be looking forward to it.
-----signature-----
"The greatest reward is often the journey which brings you to it." -Someone Wise Links to all my stories can be found at The Sith Archives: http://www.freewebs.com/lord_zeron/
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Darth_Scroobius
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 8:28pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
- Date Edited:
7/15/05 8:51pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Darth_Scroobius
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I love the premise, but all this backwards talking is giving me a headache  ! This is not your father's Yoda (EDIT: Though it could be your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather's Yoda ...  ) , but you can see his sense of humor hasn't changed over the years (Exhibit A: ESB). And I love how the minister was tempted to hit him with his walking stick. It is not just based off FOTS that I add this to the fics I follow, though that helped.
One question: I was always under the impression that if Yoda was not the last of his kind that they were at the least quite rare. Is this the case for this fic? Perhaps it will involve his race becoming rare. Hmmm?
-----signature-----
I might be a rocket scientist, but when I get up in the morning I put my pants on both legs at a time, just like everyone else, ROTO (ANH AU): http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/20767721
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Hyperion51
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/15/05 9:53pm
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Nice beginning to your new story. For someone so big in the Star Wars universe, I'm surprised so little has actually been done about Yoda. I can only think of one book based on him, and he had to share the glory with Dooku, two kids, and our heroes from the prequel movies.
This sounds like it could be interesting, adventerous, and funny all at the same time. I wonder what evil thing(s) Yoda is going to be involved with.
Also, bring on Yaddle.
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yoda4982
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
7/16/05 12:43am
Subject:
RE: Descent Into The Dark (EU, Yoda 300 years before TPM)
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Well to be truthfull i am very excited to see yoda touch the darkside or do whatever your going to do with him. i think it adds to the character. And one thing i can't wait to see is your OC's. I love the first one you've introduced to us i can't wait to see more.
Don't let anything hold you back, i can't wait to read it.
yoda
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