Beyond - Legends The Way of the Sith: Dark Jaina, post-Invincible AU. Concluded, 12/10

I adopted this plot bunny from rabbit_eye_movement, who suggested using the Major Arcana of the tarot cards as a model for the way that a Sith student takes. Well, I found this rather interesting, and I couldn't resist since I am a card reader myself. It actually fit rather well.

Some background on the tarot. The meanings that I use for the cards come from both Wikipedia, which reflects a synthesis of ideas on the meanings, and my personal experiences.

Title: The Way of the Sith
Author(s): SithGirl132
Timeframe: Starts two months after an AU ending to Invincible
Characters: Darth Caedus, Jaina Solo, the general cast of LOTF, and please do expect at least a Force ghost of Vergere.
Genre: AU, drama
Summary: Thanks to a wonderfully rabid plot bunny, Jaina has been captured by Caedus and must now become a Sith apprentice. The Major Arcana of the tarot reflect the journey she will undergo.
Notes: Thanks to rabbit_eye_movement for the bunny.

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[i]Chapter 0: The Fool

two months after the battle in the Transitory Mists[/i]


Throughout the biodisposal pit of the [i]Anakin Solo[/i], the signs of a furious lightsaber battle were clear. Blood, syringes, and droid parts littered the room, and there were visible scorch marks on the walls.

Darth Caedus, still limping, returned to the room for what he hoped would be the last time. He examined the scene, taking everything in as though her were a detective. He picked up the hilt of a deactivated lightsaber and gazed at it curiously before walking out.

He wandered through the darkened corridors of the [i]Anakin Solo[/i], remembering when it way his flagship. Now, the wrecked Star Destroyer rested on Korriban, and he was alone on the Sith world with Jaina.

In the duel, Jaina had made one small wrong step, and had been incapacitated by Caedus? Force lightning. She was now aboard, as a prisoner, and finally Caedus realized that he had found his perfect apprentice. Ben was too weak. Tahiri was too tied to Anakin. But Jaina?s potential was great, and releasing her anger was not particularly difficult.

For the last four days, ever since Jaina had emerged from the Force-induced healing trance she had begged to know where she was and what was going on. Caedus had purposefully said nothing. He could not articulate the changes to his world in only one month.

Yes, he had won the duel, but he had lost the battle. The troops aboard the Anakin Solo pledged their loyalty to Tahiri, who had somehow orchestrated a takeover without his knowledge. Most of them had left the Star Destroyer.

When the duel was over, Caedus had commanded his few loyal troops to take the [i]Anakin Solo[/i] to Korriban. There, they would be able to hide for a little while, Caedus could recover, and most importantly, he could turn Jaina to the Dark Side and make her into the Sith apprentice he still needed.

Something had gone horribly wrong along the way. The [i]Anakin Solo[/i] had lost power and crashed into a deep canyon of Korriban.

The Star Destroyer would never fly again, but for the time being, it was a shelter for Caedus and his new apprentice.

He had made sure to destroy the remaining crew. Even though they were loyal, there could be no chance of them escaping and betraying him. If it was true, then, that the Galactic Alliance thought that the last Sith Lord had taken a hyperspace jump to nowhere, that was all the better.

What better way was there for Caedus to hide and restore his power?


As he returned to his quarters and closed the door behind him, he was aware of Jaina?s presence. ?So you have finally found a way out of the rooms I most generously gave you.?

?I?m wondering why you didn?t lock me up. Where are we and what do you think you?re doing?? Jaina was clearly confused and angry.

?We are in hiding now. I have brought you here to become my Sith apprentice, and what better place but an ancestral world of the Sith?? Caedus glanced over Jaina. The healing trance had done it- she looked reasonably healthy again. ?If you are wondering, I do

 

Wow, that was intense! I've never actually seen a deck of tarot cards, but this story has a very, very interesting premise!!!

I wonder what will happen...

*Begins chant: Evil Jaina! Evil Jaina! Evil Jaina!*

I can't wait to see your next chapter! And Caedus is creepy beyond belief - the few soldiers that remain loyal to him he decides to just kill off, despite the fact that they have no other way off planet. Wow. Well, I guess I can only wait...

~Jaina

 

Hehe!

I love your story. It's awesome what you did with my bunny. Hope it will continue to inspire you. Looking forward to the next chapter!

REM

 

Mwahahahahaha

Shouldn't there be a Darth Tahiri running around somewhere?

RESIST Jaina, resist!

Since this is an AU, I'm willing to bet that the one Sith doesn't exist.

 

Nice to see an Invincible AU, there aren't too many, and I don't think I've ever read one where Caedus tries to make Jaina into his apprentice.

So Tahiri deposed Caedus eh, she surpassed him, the pupil overtook the teacher, I guess he shouldn't have trained him that well. So they're on Korriban, I wonder whether the One Sith know about their presence, or whether Caedus knows about them. I can't wait for the next post, keep up the good work.

 

What a unique plot bunny, and you've certainly done it justice. Please PM me when you update.

 

Jaina: You've seen a few incarnations of Dark Jaina in my writing before, and I promise to keep up that tradition and try not to kill her or something else horrible this time. My general thought on Caedus is that he's smarter and creepier than profic is willing to write him, and I am going to have far too much fun doing this.
rabbit_eye_movement: I'm going to have so much fun with this deliciously rabid bunny!
Lightsaber123: There is a semi-Darth Tahiri lurking around, and she'll show up later. The One Sith... haven't decided yet; they're all characters that I haven't tried writing.
Vialco: It's an evil idea that's been lurking. Jaina makes much more sense as a Sith than Jacen ever did. You'll hear a bit more about Tahiri as the story goes on... and the One Sith may or may not make an appearance. You'll have to keep reading.
Vader: Thanks! Yes, you are on the PM list.

You get an update today. Let me know who else wants PM's!

---

[i]Chapter 1: The Magician[/i]

Jaina spent the next three days purposefully ignoring Caedus. He left her alone within the suit, and she suspected that he was trying to get her on his good side.

Finally, she entered the suite?s common room to find Caedus waiting for her. ?I knew you would show up sooner or later.?

?What do you want?? Jaina dropped on to the couch next to him. ?You?re the insane idiot who destroyed my brother, and you
now want something out of me. What is it??

?What if I told you that all I want is a Sith apprentice? Ben is too weak, too soft from the Jedi. Tahiri betrayed me, as I knew she would; she was too tied to your brother.? Caedus glanced at Jaina, allowing for a brief moment of eye contact.

Against her better judgement, Jaina allowed her emotions to explode. ?No. I?ll never become your apprentice! I am the Sword of the Jedi!?

?Some sword you are, getting stuck here under the control of a Sith Lord who could destroy you at any moment.? Caedus remained glacially calm.

Jaina turned away from him. ?Sith Apprentice? Really, I can?t do it. You?re the most deceptive and manipulative person I know, and I?m not going to destroy myself for you.?

?If I am so deceptive, then how will you know that I am not turning you now, as we speak?? He allowed a bit of a smile to appear.

?I don?t know.? Jaina shook her head. ?You were trained by Vergere, who?s the most tricky little featherball that ever existed. I don?t trust anything you say and I?m not going to deal with you.? She stormed out, returning to her own room.

Caedus remained on the couch, watching her leave. He sighed softly and spoke to his absent former sister, ?Deceptive and manipulative, you say? You have only begun to explore it??


The Force ghost twitched a bit. ?You never cease to amaze me, Lord Caedus. You are taking on the challenge of one already determined as too emotional for the way of the Sith.?

?I am not concerned.? Caedus brushed off her warning. ?Yes, she is emotional, but there is much power in that emotion. I have seen what she is capable of; she lived through that duel since I wanted her to.?

?You have a plan that Lumiya and I find far too dangerous.? The ghost gave Caedus a stern look.

?As I said, do not concern yourself about this matter!? Caedus? gold eyes focused on the glowing blue shape. ?It will take time and pain, but Jaina will become another Sith.?

The ghost had no reply to this.

Caedus rose from the couch, with a dark laugh. ?It is in our blood, my former teacher. Jaina and I are the descendants of Anakin Skywalker, and we are both very powerful Force-users. My job now is to take the Sword of the Jedi and transform her into the Sword of the Sith.? He stormed out of the room, unable to conceal the worst of his anger. ?She always supported me in the past? idiot furball who doesn?t know what she?s doing??

?Oh, Jacen Solo,? Vergere whispered, ?you have always been foolhardy. If you turn Jaina into a Sith, then you have done something far beyond my expectations. If you live to tell the tale? that is a genuine miracle.?


[i]It was an ornate office

 

Woohoo! I had been looking forward to reading the next chapter! It's so awesome. I love your story already. Keep on going.

 

Excellent story so far!

 

My sincere apologies to all for my absence. My Muse and I are not always on the best of terms.

rabbit_eye_movement: Thanks! I will finish this story, though it seems to want to take a bit longer than I'd planned.
Wraiths_Ghost: Hello and welcome! Glad you like it!

PM list: rabbit_eye_movement, VaderLVR64. Tell me if you want PM's!

---

[i]Chapter 2: The High Priestess[/i]

?You seem most pleased with this turn of events.? One blue Force-ghost regarded the other, looking amused and appalled at the same time. ?Vergere, all of your plans seem to end in something... interesting, and you never fail to amaze me.?

Vergere fixed Lumiya with a cool look. ?I know we discussed this some time ago, and you never thought that Jaina Solo was much of a possibility for the Sith. I relayed that to Lord Caedus, of course, even though I have previously told you that Jaina would be a wonderful Sith. She is so very emotional, and if she could learn to control that??

?I have little faith in her ability to control her emotions.? Lumiya sighed. ?Jaina is a Jedi, even if her actions can be somewhat grey. She certainly has had brushes with the Dark Side, but each time she claims it?s just a bit of out-of-control emotion and she?s since dealt with it. I do wish she?d learn to be honest with herself.?

?You?re stalling.? Vergere ruffled her feathers a bit. ?Be honest with me. I asked you to come talk with me before you said anything to Caedus, since I don?t think he?s ready to see your Force-ghost yet. He?s become rather used to me, but I?d rather you talk to him about this.?

?About the fact that you actually think Jaina is a good choice? I won?t lie to him. He knows me well enough that he?ll know you sent me.?

?No.? Vergere shook her head. ?I want you to tell Caedus that he is training Jaina at his own risk. There are? certain influential parties? out there who would not appreciate knowing about this idea.?

Lumiya smiled. ?His other attempts at apprentices won?t like this at all.?

Vergere snorted. ?Ben was too weak only because Caedus screwed up his training. If it had been done correctly, we?d have two Sith now and not be having this conversation. And Tahiri? she is still too attached to Anakin Solo. It never could have happened.?

?You are the most opinionated little featherball I?ve ever met.? Lumiya was obviously displeased.

?You never even completed your training, and now you act like you have the authority to tell me what to do??

Vergere?s Force-ghost began to dematerialize. ?Fine. Say what you want to Caedus, and if he takes it badly, don?t say I didn?t warn you.?


The utter mundanity of Lumiya?s visit surprised Caedus. He was expecting that a former Dark Lady of the Sith would make a spectacular entrance or speak to her former apprentice in a vision, or do something that way more typical for a powerful Force-user.

Instead, she knocked on the door to his study.

Caedus grumpily opened the door with a ?What do you want, Jaina?? without even checking in the Force to see who it was. He jumped back in surprise to see Lumiya?s Force-ghost instead.

?I want to talk to you, Lord Caedus.? Lumiya entered purposefully, acting as though she was still alive.

Caedus stood there in disbelief for a moment. ?First Vergere, and now you? Who?s going to drop in on me next- Sidious? Bane? Someone even more obscure??

?We need to talk about your new apprentice,? Lumiya said, disregarding Caedus? surprise.

?All right.? He sighed. ?Vergere already mentioned that Jaina has been determined to be too emotional to make a good Sith. If you?ve come here as another warning of trouble if I continue??

Lumiya cut him off. ?In that case, I must state clearly that I do not approve of your choice of apprentice. However, you seem determined to make Jaina into a Sith, and if you are to do this, you need to know where to start.?

?She is very rebellious and determined,? Caedus conceded. ?She?s certainly more trouble than I?d bargained for, but what can I do? It is her nature, and when she is turned, those shall be quite valuable traits.?

?How do

 

Ooh, this has the SG flair all right. This is going to be very twisty I know LOL Looking forward to how Jaina's gonna take it to Jacen I'd love PMs for updates.

 

Yieks! Great update!

Wonder how long it'll take Caeden to break Jaina... And just what evil plans does he have to reach his goal?

Sigh, can't wait for ya next update!

 

Jade: How nice to see you again! Yes, you are in for a roller-coaster ride. Fasten your seatbelts and welcome to the PM list!
rabbit: Caedus has to convince Jaina that she should at least listen to the Sith, and then get her to agree with it, and then practice it... it's going to be interesting! And the evil plans are locked away in the best evil plan vault available.

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[i]Chapter 3: The Empress

Coruscant, three months later[/i]


?Why did you want to see me?? Leia Solo coldly greeted Chief of State Daala.

?Sit.? Daala gestured to one of the ornate armchairs in her office. ?If you don't mind, we need to talk about the affairs of Force-users in this galaxy.?

?You want to do something about the power fo the Jedi.? Leia sighed. ?From Jaina, I have heard that you don't particularly like Force-users.?

?As far as I'm concerned, they're more trouble than they're worth.?

?Do you have something fantastically horrible prepared for the Jedi??

?No.? Daala shook her head. ?I am not planning another purge; the Jedi have their uses. I want to know about Caedus.?

Leia visibly winced. ?Your intelligence is good enough. You should've already heard the whole story; what more can I say??

?Tell me where he is now.?

?What?? Leia gasped. ?I... I thought he was dead...?

Daala's emerald eyes narrowed. ?My sources indicate that the Anakin Solo did not jump into oblivion, but instead found a place to hide. If this is true, then Caedus may very well still be alive.?

?Jaina was there too... we all believed she died along with him...? Leia felt a lump form in her throat. ?You don't really think they could both be alive??

Daala began pacing around the room darkly. ?Every time Sith appear in history, they cause nothing but trouble for the galaxy. I refuse to allow a new Sith order to rise and wreak havoc on a galaxy that has known little but war.?

?Well, if you don't want another round of Sith Wars, what are you going to do??

?I shall find Caedus,? Daala replied. ?When I find him, wherever he's holed up, we will find a way to destroy him and any other Sith he has now. Including, if this is the case, Jaina Solo.?

Leia stood up in shock. ?You're being too suspicious. I don't want to hear any of that.?

?Ah, Madame Solo, you forget one thing.? Now, Daala was smiling rather ominously. ?I have not lived this long by not being suspicious.? She began glancing through sheets of flimsi on her desk, a clear signal for Leia to leave.

Shaking with anger, Leia left the office without any formal parting words. She refused to believe this... madwoman who suggested that Caedus was alive and Jaina was perhaps becoming a Sith...


Far away on Korriban, Jaina was deep in meditation. She found that to be her only refuge against the Sith and the darkness she found within her. She and Caedus had now taken up residence within the Valley of the Dark Lords, using an uninhabited tomb. Strangely enough, Jaina noticed that the tomb seemed to provoke odd visions and nightmares that encouraged her to accept the way of the Sith.

[i]She stood in the Valley of the Dark Lords, in amongst the tombs of the Sith of old. Somewhere in those tombs was what Caedus probably intended for his final resting place, all the dark spirits she had feared... everything she had once fought against.

A voice, from far away, called to Jaina. She followed the voice, asking again and again, ?Who are you? What do you want??

The voice kept calling. ?Jaina, you must find your way through the maze...:

?What maze?? Jaina asked, begging this time. ?All I want is to go home and find a way to defeat Caedus.?

She stopped at the entrance to one of the tombs. Against her conscious mind and common sense, she went into it, seeing only pitch-black on the inside.

No. Not all black. There was a statue inside- a hooded and cloaked man, standing on a pedestal. All around him were scattered shards of stone, pieces of other statues that had been destroyed.

The man stepped from the pedestal; he was not a statue at all. He took Jaina's hands in his and whispered in that far-too-familiar

 

Beat the PM!

NOOOOO JAINA!!! DON'T DO IT!!!!!

Or maybe you should

What's that quote, now... "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." - and what an interesting story it makes when that road is followed.

And for once Daala is being somewhat intelligent, and her paranoia is being put to good use!

Excellent update!

~Jaina

 

Amazing update. Great to see Daala again. She surely hasn't changed and definitely has no love of the Jedi but is wise not to want Sith domination and I'm glad she's sick of war and wants peace.

Poor Jaina--she really is in between a rock and a hard place. Becoming what your enemy is is definitely a valid and horrific fear.

 

Caedus was still there; apparently he hadn't left the room. ?You believe you will do the right thing for the wrong reasons.?

Don't fall for that!

 

Jaina: Trust me, I will always write Daala as intelligent. Paranoia isn't always a bad thing, especially when there really are people out to get you.
Jade: I love Daala's character. She is one of those characters who attempts to get into the majority of my stories, and this time, I think she'll be quite active. And Jaina sure does have some trouble ahead.
Vader: Good advice! Let's see if Jaina heeds it!

And now you get an update, as I fend off my homework with a lightsaber and my need for sleep...

---

[i]Chapter 4: The Emperor[/i]

?Five months has changed you.? Caedus glanced at Jaina in surprise. ?There was a time when you?d never ask me about the old Sith, not even if you were planning to use the information to overthrow me.?

?How do you know that?s not what I?m planning?? Jaina glanced up from whatever obscure document she was reading. ?I presume you?ve found all of the old Sith records here and there.?

?Ah, so you did find everything that I?d hidden.?

?You?re so much like him.? She sighed reflectively.

?Like who??

?Sidious. You hide things for your use on a rainy day, disguise yourself well as a respectable ordinary guy when you try hard enough, but you make a great sadistic despot??

?You?re getting into dangerous ground there.? Caedus coldly regarded his apprentice.

?I know.? Jaina sat back against the rock wall of the tomb and then looked up at the carvings all over the wall. ?There?s something I?ve been wondering lately.?

Caedus sat down next to her. ?Continue.?

?I doubt my sanity all the time- why else would I ever be studying the Sith now? But it makes more and more sense the more I think about it. And after all the reading I?ve done about Lord Sidious, well? you remind me of him a bit too much.?

?Where is this going??

?Lord Caedus, are you trying to become another Emperor??

Caedus was quiet for a moment, gathering his thoughts. ?I honestly don?t know, Jaina. I would be able to bring peace and security to a war-torn galaxy, but it would mean a good deal of responsibility and being in the public eye constantly. I?d rather not do it, but instead allow one who will follow my aims take the position instead.?

?Does that mean me?? Jaina?s eyes narrowed. ?I?m not a politician.?

?In a way. If you want the position, I?d greatly appreciate your taking it. But if you?re staunchly opposed, I understand why.?

?There?s something you?re not telling me,? Jaina stubbornly insisted.

Caedus rose and made for the tomb?s door. ?Come walk with me. We need to talk.?

Jaina followed him, marveling at how she would have fought him virulently only a few months ago. He must be turning me, she thought.

They walked along one of the paths in the floor of the Valley of the Dark Lords, surrounded by the ruins of ancient Sith architecture. Jaina felt a chill run down her spine as she thought of all the power hidden within this one valley, and the power that Caedus was teaching her to channel? [i]He?s turning me. I didn?t think I?d let him.[/i]

?It wasn?t a matter of allowing your mind to open to another way, Jaina. It was only a matter of letting your dark side take over; you?ve always had it within you though it takes a long time to truly accept the Dark Side.? Caedus glanced at her for a moment. ?You knew since before I killed Mara that I wanted to rule the galaxy.?

?That was what I thought. And now you say that isn?t what you want? Make up your mind, you deceptive liar.?

?I don?t want to rule directly; after everything I?ve been up to lately, I doubt I could anymore.?

?You want me to rule??

?No. I plan to set up a regime in which both of us will work together to rule the galaxy, with someone else as a puppet Chief of State.?

?You don?t trust yourself to do it alone??

?I probably could, but you will someday succeed me, and therefore you must learn how to rule.?

Jaina laughed. ?You?re setting me up to someday destroy you.?

Caedus sighed. ?Again and again, I?ve told you of the process of creating a Sith.?

?Not like I care.?

?Jaina, you must learn to care.? Caedus regarde

 

*pokes thread* This story needs a bit of life. How about an update?

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[i]Chapter 5: The Hierophant

Master Skywalker-

I chose not to deliver this to you in person due to my past? adventures. I know I am indeed a persona non grata within the Jedi, and I no longer seek to return. I have been too shattered on the inside to ever allow me to come back to the life I had once known. That life died with Anakin; I plan only to find my own way and stay away from the Force from now on.

I figured you?d like to know what exactly went on in that battle. You have heard the rumors that Caedus is not dead, I presume. I know Daala neither trusts nor likes Force-users, but I should hope she at least shared that much with you. I can confirm now that he is far from dead and plans to rise again. I know no more than that, but as you well know, it doesn?t matter whether he?s hiding on a backwater world or in plain sight. He is dangerous nonetheless.

Do not chase Caedus down and destroy him. If you have any common sense at al, you will stay away from him. He means to kill you next time he finds you, and he has a new apprentice. I hate to have to break this to you, but Jaina is alive as well and is his new apprentice. She has fallen into his trap out of necessity, and if she is allowed to remain with him, you shall indeed be facing a resurgent Sith order.

If you choose to ignore my advice and chase Caedus, do not tell Daala what you are doing. She does not need any more ideas and definitely not any more reason to distrust Force-users. Caedus is the most dangerous enemy you will ever face, and with Jaina on his side, he is beyond even your abilities. If you go after him and fail, or somehow create a greater disaster than you were trying to end, then Daala will turn on you.

I know you are also wondering about my current whereabouts. I am in a voluntary exile now. The only reason I ever backstabbed Caedus was because I couldn?t deal with his obsessions and mistakes any longer, and I felt he was setting himself up for trouble. He was using me as a nice little minion, and clearly never meant for me to be the Sith Lady upon his end. Feel free to disbelieve this, but I am speaking from experience. You have of course heard the rumors that we were more than Master and Apprentice- you?ll hate to hear this as well, but they are true. He shared with me far more of his plans than he had ever intended to; like many men, he was a sucker for a beautiful woman and this proved to be his undoing.

If you value your life and your Jedi order at all, stay away from Caedus. Do not search for him. Do not interfere with what he is doing. Write Jaina off as dead or what have you, but do not try to turn her back to the light. She will have to do that of her own accord. Please listen to me, no matter how stupid I have been in the past.

-Tahiri[/i]


?Do you think it?s legitimate?? Leia read the letter from over Luke?s shoulder. ?I can?t believe it. Why would she ever do something like that??

Luke tossed the letter to his desk. ?Tahiri is still his Sith apprentice, as far as I?m concerned. She?s just lying and trying to cause more trouble than she?s already caused.?

Leia thought for a moment. ?You know, she was never found after that last battle. And we have several conflicting stories about where she was at the time- what Ben said, a few things from officers aboard his flagship? nothing matches up.?

?I won?t accept this letter as legitimate. Tahiri has lied too much in the past. And if Jaina were alive, we?d notice.?

Leia was very quiet for a long moment. ?I can?t discount the possibility that one of my children might still be alive and perhaps be able to return to us.?

?I wish we knew how to find Tahiri. I want to talk to her now.? Luke glanced over the last sentences of the letter again. ?Either she?s alive and this is legitimate, or this is some kind of trick??

?Or Daala did it. When I last spoke to her, she mentioned that some of her intelligence indicated that Caedus might still be alive. And I shouldn?t tell you this, but she?s going after him.?

?Is

 

Chapter 4... Jaina's absolutely right about Sidious LOL and Caedus too.. Love the idea of her marrying Jag under any circumstances Chapter 5... interesting letter from Tahiri... Luke and Leia don't trust her or Daala... I think they're right to be wary.

 

This is good please keep it up

 

Jade_eyes: You might just get your wish of J/J, but since it's me, it'll be tumultuous with a side dish of evil! And as you're about to find out, Tahiri is indeed up to something.
Aracnid: Hello! Nice to meet a new reader! Thank you!

And you get another chapter. I'm getting back into fanfic and a regular writing schedule.

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[i]Chapter 6: The Lovers[/i]

Jag-

I know you won?t believe this. I know you think I?m dead. Really, it?s all for the better if you do. You?d really not want to see me now, as a Sith apprentice.
I just want you to know I?m still thinking about you and I love you?


?No, that isn?t correct.? Jaina decided to start again.


Jag-

Destroy this after you?re done. I?m not dead. I?m a Sith apprentice now. I know that means you?ll never want to see or speak to me again, but you need to know something- I?m okay and alive, even if my life has taken a turn that I wasn?t expecting. Don?t worry about me, just move on?


?No, damn it!? Jaina turned off the holo recorder. She couldn't send a message to Jag or to anyone else whom she had previously known. No one would believe it, and even if they did, they would just come after her and kill her.

?Ah, musing on past loves?? Caedus emerged from one of the nearby tombs. ?It seems you have not fully let go of your past life.?

?You try letting go of a whole family and two people you?ve been in love with,? Jaina muttered.

?I had to let go of two people whom I loved greatly,? Caedus reminded her.

Jaina laughed. ?This probably isn?t wise, but I have a hard time taking you seriously when it comes to Tenel Ka and Allana. If you ever cared about either of them, you never would?ve played with the Dark Side in the first place.?

?That?s your opinion.? Caedus shrugged. ?If you think I am so incapable of love, then why did I develop a relationship with Tahiri??

Jaina spun around and looked like she wanted to slap the Sith Lord. ?Tell me you didn?t sleep with your dead brother?s girlfriend??

?And what if I did? It was a matter of business, not one of pleasure.?

?Shut up.? Jaina sighed. ?I don?t want to know about your private life. Somehow you?ve found a way to do things other than be a Sith Lord. I wish I had some extra time.?

?The Dark Side is a life-changing decision, as I?ve previously mentioned. You can?t just take this lightly and act as though you might change your mind at any time.?

?Haven?t I heard this a few thousand times already?? Jaina rolled her eyes. ?You?ve gotten your point across, and I?ve made my choice to stay here at least long enough to learn whatever you have to teach me.?

?Then forget about Jag.?

?I? don?t know?? Jaina began.

?You must leave your old life behind,? Caedus continued. ?I know you love him still. You will lose him sooner or later; there is little that will turn him away from you more than knowing you have joined the Sith.?

?I can?t just let him go like he doesn?t mean anything to me,? Jaina persisted.

?Then telling him the truth is less cruel? He will spurn you outright if he ever realizes that you have become what you once swore to destroy.?

Jaina stormed away, once again furious that she had allowed Caedus to get to her. He was always doing these things- showing up when she was doing something innocuous and somehow managing to leave her completely confused and upset. She didn?t want to fully let go of Jag just yet, even if it was inevitable.

When Jaina finally returned to where she normally slept in the wreck of the Anakin Solo, there was a letter for her, written on flimsi.


[i]Jaina-

Don?t kill me once you?ve read this. I?m only writing to you for your own good, and I?d rather there not be a holo that could fall into his hands. I don?t trust him anymore; you know who I?m talking about and you know how stupid and dangerous it is to trust a Sith. I trusted him, and only when I realized he was screwing me over did I finally backstab him.

You?ve probably heard by now that I had an affair with Caedus. If this is your first news of it, my apologies? it was something I thought was necessary or at least help

 

*appears through the murky for of lurking* Very Entertaining. Keep up the good work. I've been lurking as your story progressed and I'm surprised such a well written story is not garnering recognition. I guess us Jacen fanboys/girls are a dieing breed(not insinuating or presuming you to be one). *returns to the wispy fog of lurk*

 

I'm still getting caught up!

 

Caedus is completely off his rockers....

I love it!

 

Now the question becomes: did Jaina purposefully not the destroy the letter or not?

And who will team up against who with Tahiri added in, or will it become a massive, backstabbing, everyone for themselves brawl?

Thanks for the update!

~Jaina