Wander

[Allyson Locke]

Yavin IV

A small craft landed and a shadowed figure emerged over some of the forgotten ruins. The girl went searching for something; she didn’t know what yet but there was a strong force pull here. Spencer had to find things to teach her, she didn’t have a formal teacher anymore. All she had were the people that Ashin assigned to teach her, this time though Spencer went searching for information. It was the only way she would learn the deeper secrets of both the Jedi and the Sith.

Spencer walked the fine-line between the two. She didn’t identify with either side, she wanted to do what she wanted and realized that both sides had their faults. Despite this, she couldn’t blame the two religions – it was their nature but as a being that was created completely from the Force, she hoped to help balance both of them to make a lasting peace.

Running along the ruins, Spencer searched for the opening. It would lead her deeper into the ground and hopefully to something valuable. The Force called to her and she was here to answer it. Cursing under her breath she found the door and glanced at it, there were runic symbols ones she couldn’t understand. So pulling out her datapad she started to input the information. Her hands adjusted the white and gold mask that she wore when she wasn’t in the privacy of Ashin’s presence – everywhere else she was masked hidden away from the world till she was ready to return to it.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Not far away another starfighter touched down in a clearing of Yavin IV's jungle moon. Phylis Alince cut the engine and opened the canopy. Dropping down to the forest floor she pulled her brown robes about her and walked softly towards the distant ruins. By the time she reached there the sun was at its height, and the distant bulk of Yavin IV filled the eastern sky.
Taking a breath and closing her eyes as if listening, Phylis headed towards one particular part of the ruins. She could sense a presence in the Force so similar to one she had just encountered the day before. Her target, Spencer Jacobs, had not been easy to find, but with the help of her twin brother Aston she had succeeded in some measure.

Stepping to the middle of the clearing she called on the force to amplify her voice. "Spencer Jacobs...the time has come."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer stopped and cursed her luck. She knew she should have worn the amulet Ashin had given her. It hid her aura which allowed her to walk among the sith with no problem.

She sensed who the arrival was. She had come across it several times at the temple. Closing her eyes, the former Jedi assumed Darron would send someone for her.

"Phylis Alince and what time has come?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

"We see each other plain at last, Spencer. The time has come for you to come with me or else face the consequences. Your actions have helped the Sith, your gifts have been twisted by the power of the Empress. You are not a Sith, and there is still time for you to learn to control your destiny. Come and let's talk, you and I."

She now stood below Spencer, clearly visible in the clearing. "I want to help you, Spencer. Tell me what it is you want."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer nodded hearing the Master’s desire to talk to her. She spoke a good story and this made Spencer chuckle softly. How wonderful, Spencer thought. Things were sure looking up the Jedi still wanted her! The thought of returning to the Jedi amused her so much a laugh escaped her lips as she placed her hand on her face. Spencer’s back remained facing Phylis as she looked up towards the sky.

“You’re so kind, offering me the chance to learn to control my destiny. I’m pretty sure I’m doing that already. The Order is so controlling, everything is set in its own ways. I helped people and all I got was lectured on how I was wrong.”

Finally turning to face Phylis. A grin swept under the half faced Sith Mask, it was different from the other’s Phylis might have seen. There was nothing special about it yet, but mostly kept Spencer’s identity a secret to those who didn’t know her force aura. Reaching up, Spencer removed the mask revealing her full face. She wanted to face the Master as she left the order as Spencer Jacobs.

“My gifts were never twisted by the Empress, she only taught me to control them, to grasp them and nurture them. The Jedi did nothing, the Jedi never do anything. They are so called protectors of the peace, but where are you? What are you doing right now? You’re chasing me down trying to talk to me…how about saving the galaxy for once Phylis or helping someone? What I want, I want to bring peace to the galaxy. It seems though I’ll have to do it my own way since the Jedi can’t be of any hope.”

 

[Phylis Alince]

"I do not have to justify myself to you, Spencer Jacobs. However, now you mention it, I did just last week help evacuate an asteroid miner's crew from an oncoming collision. Now, I'm not sure if that was grand enough for you, but ten people is ten people. What grand feats of mercy have you performed recently?"

When Spencer turned to her she saw the mask and smiled. "Very cute. However, you show your true colours, even if you don't intend to. No one person can 'save the galaxy', and no one person can ever hope to outside of a fevered dream."

 

[Allyson Locke]

"Typical Jedi...no faith in anything. I know its a dream, but I'll accomplish it without your help."

Spencer clapped slowly mocking the Jedi and her feat of rescue. Spencer was glad at least someone was doing something but Phylis couldnt speak for the rest of the order.

"Me? Im training and becoming stronger. You're one jedi wish the others were like you oh great Master Alince"

Spencer bowed slightly once again mocking the Jedi

 

[Phylis Alince]

"Dreams and faith are mere excuses, Spencer. Following your dream, or having faith, is just a way of abdicating responsibility. You castigate the Jedi for not helping the Jedi, but what has the great Spencer Jacobs done? I don't see you saving the galaxy from this remote moon? You left the Jedi Order because you didn't want the responsibility that goes with the power. You couldn't commit to either Jedi or Sith, so you stand on your own, trying to convince yourself that you have the answers everyone has somehow missed. You don't."

Phylis shook her head. "I see I was right in my assessment," she stated, but did not mention what that assessment was.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer removed her dark cloak and laid it to rest beside her. Causally she tossed the mask onto the cloak. Her fingers ran down the braided leather that adorned her new tunic, form fitting and durable. Her sabers hung from her loose belt. Arms crossing, the former Jedi shrugged.

"There's a time and place Phylis. We all know the force works in mysterious ways. I judge the Jedi because they are constricted and I do the same to the sith because there is nothing but utter chaos. I seek balance."

Raising an eyebrow she took in all that was the Jedi master.

"Your assessment eh? I could care less. You talk too much"

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis smiled amiably. "I do talk a lot. Consider it a fault of mine. But...it does have its uses. It helps me gain an understanding of you. Regardless, you want action, so action you shall get. It is not in my power to stop everyone and save everyone, but I will stop you if I have to. Your misguided quest for balance is only a tool of the Sith."

She drew her lightsabre and ignited the green blade. Extending her other hand, she brought it down violently, and the ledge on which Spencer was standing suddenly gave way....

 

[Allyson Locke]

Before Spencer could say anything the ground under her started to shake, it gave way. Cursing, she used the force to help guide her back down to the solid ground which made her even with the Jedi Master. The rubble crashed behind her as she looked over her shoulder for a moment. How rude this Jedi was, all she wanted was to go inside the ruins and check them out. Now that the rubble had basically closed off the entrance no one was getting in. Looking over at Phylis she drew her own blade as well. The crystal starting to show its corruption flickered between a crimson and the soft blue color it was in the beginning.

Rotating her wrist she spun the blade around and the hum of the blade echoed. Of course Spencer wasn't the best at swordplay, but she did her best. On the other hands, Force technique was where she was strong. The rubble behind her started to float upwards and shot towards the master in a barrage. She need to give the Jedi a moment to rest especially after she attacked first.

"Glad you decided to fight, you were boring me with all your blabbering. Also you closed off the frakin entrance how the heck am I supposed to get in there now!?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis said nothing. She had no reason to point out the obvious; she didn't want Spencer getting inside. Besides, now was the time to fight, the time for words had passed.

The barrage of stones flew at her in a relentless onslaught, but the Master held up her hand and rocks divided neatly around her and crashed to the ground or thundered off into the forest behind them.

In the aftermath, Phylis gestured with her left hand, and one of the pieces of rubble left behind Spencer sped towards the back of her legs, aiming to catch her from behind.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer had a feeling her simple attack wouldn’t do much to the Master, so she was already coming up with something else. Something set off her awareness and she looked over her shoulder and saw the rock speeding towards her. Using the force she leap backwards over and propelled the attack towards the Master. Might as well use the woman’s attack against her while Spencer took a minute to re-center her mind.

There were no more exchange of words and the knight landed back on her feet and began to gather the force in the palm of her hand. The white static lighting started to surge along her arm, she didn’t attack with it just yet, but she focused and gathered as much of her strength into the current.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis brought her lightsabre across and slashed the rock from the air, so it skidded smoking to the side. She watched Spencer for a few seconds, then brought her lightsabre into the guard position. She closed her eyes and extended one hand.

Around her, and around Spencer little eddies and whorls of wind started to gather. A breath of wind gathering to a breeze, a wind, a gale, a storm. The sky darkened, the wind gathered and howled around them both, but gradually settled around Spencer, pelting her with dust and shards of stone, and aiming to gnaw at her concentration so she could not use the Force herself to attack. The onslaught did not cease, but redoubled until there was a roar in the air like thunder and the trees near them shifted and bent before the tempest.

 

[Allyson Locke]

The onslaught of the wind and debris was rather annoying. Spencer felt her face take the brunt of the attack. Small scratches started to knick at her face, but with her other hand she opened it and small strands of gold started to emit.

The electricity in her other hand grew less since she was focusing her force on the other. Holding up the hand the gold strands pierced the storm surrounding her drew it into her. The young woman had learned force drain. Pulling the storm in enough to allow her to have an opening, she stepped out and opened her left hand tossing the lightning at the Jedi Master.

“I bet they told you I was just a little padawan gone astray! Master Alince, I’ve had some of the greatest teachers in this galaxy, I search for more. I seek balance with the Force!”

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis let the storm die away and brought up her lightsabre to block the lightning. Against anything but a truly powerful master of the Force, a lightsabre held resolutely was the best defence against lightning. The green blade sparked and crackled, but eventually the power died away.

She brought up her weapon to the guard position. "Some of the best Sith teachers in the galaxy. The Dark Side I sense in you, Spencer. If you search for balance why not learn from me?" A futile gesture most likely, but it had to be done.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer started to charge again the lightning again, she looked at it for a moment and then back towards Phylis. The lighting started to fade as she raised her eyebrow and shook her head at the Master. Of course the dark side was in her, she searched for both sides. There was a balance in the force that she searched for and the learning from both the Sith and the Jedi was part of her plan.

"Why were you sent here? To tell me to come learn from you?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

"I came here to stop you being a threat, Spencer. There are two ways to do that; to fight you is one way. We are both strong in the Force, and I don't doubt that one of us will emerge victorious, maybe me, maybe you. But, you are not a Sith, you want to learn from both sides, and I have read you did not have a happy past with the Jedi. So, give me a chance to teach you about the light before you go too far down the dark path. For the Dark Side will twist your good intentions even if you don't realise it, and balance will turn gradually into enforcement. So let me teach you, and persuade you of the ways of the light."

She made a gesture to indicate the area. "Or else we continue a battle where you might well be slain."

 

[Allyson Locke]

"The Jedi didn't care I was there. You know how many times I left the academy to do what I wanted? They never noticed me, so why stay Master Phylis?"

Spencer looked at the ground before them, of course she could fight the Master. The young knight knew she could best the Master she had the skills from both light and dark, she could counter what she threw at her. Pondering, she could lose which would end in her losing her life or being imprisoned. Thinking on this she looked back over at Phylis and shrugged.

"So, what could you teach me?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

"The Jedi were stupid not to see your potential, Spencer. You have shown them the error of their ways...but that is no reason to lead yourself to destruction out of bitterness. If you come with me it will not be like the Jedi Order's methods you know. It will be hard, dangerous and difficult. All true knowledge is."

When asked what she could teach she quirked a smile. "I'm pretty good at flower arranging....and also many powers of the Force based on ancient lore, as well as skills not associated with the Force per se. History, archaeology, culture. That is what I can offer you. Choose one way or the other."