Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side

Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side
Chapter XV: An Assembly of War

Solinara folded her hooves over each other and sat with trepidation. Her hind hoof shaking underneath the cold steel table. Her gaze meeting the others that had gathered around. It was midday and before she had regained her powers of the Force to forsake her magic, she enchanted the sun to move on its own volition. There really was not much movement that she had caused to the sun's path, she merely kept it far enough away and close enough to either have warm seasons or cold seasons. She knew the healthy in between where ponies saw it comfortable and appropriate. Lunara had done the same when she had regained her connection.

It was like a light had lit itself once more after years upon years of forgetting about it, after she believed to regain the world she had once known. After the constant rebellions, wars, and revolutions she had grown tired. Ironic how the Warmaster grew tired of her craft, and hung up her lightsabers to take up a tiara. To take up the world her father had intended her to have. To once rule regally over her little ponies with care and love. But that was not the case.

War had come and swept over the land, the coming of these Force users struck a great deal of conflict and wrapped the ponies up in a war that they did not belong in. At first, they walked into a slaughter. Their magical attacks and weapons had no effect against the plasma swords that burned with all the intensity of the sun. With powers that they had never faced before. With hate that they had never witnessed before.

After many casualties this Force War, quickly became more equal as the peaceful ponies learned the dogmas of war and hate. They had become a war machine that was swift and crushed their opposition. Sending the invaders back to where they had come from. But they did not forget, and the temples erected by these beings did not leave and were not simply torn down. The ideals they had learned stayed with them, and would refurbish old hatreds long since forgotten.

Solinara had spent years of study under the first Jedi Master, Master Remus Brightstar. Remus had shown her all the teachings of the Jedi and had her memorize the code by heart. A code she had forgotten for years when the Sith had rose in their borders.

"Master Solinara?"

Her attention drew up from her thoughts, but her eyes still cast towards the middle of the holotable, "Hmm?"

"If you do not mind coming out of your stupor of daydreaming, we were discussing the most pressing matter on our minds." The voice was slithery and female, almost immediately identifiable. It was none other than Master Sameris, Lamia Jedi Master. Her bright yellow scales and intense green slitted eyes focused on her. Her brown robes pulled over her and a small tunic wrapped many times around her scales. Lightsaber strapped to her side, intricate using the most minimal metals possible. Only inlays were clearly marked with metal, the rest being natural fibers and materials. Her voice was very sly and the lisp always loud and presented itself with such authority, "This Sith'ari."

"I thought we agreed to let this chosen Sith grow in power," This voice also rattled like a snake's, but it was deeper and held more of an accent of a middle eastern Equestrian resident, "While we wait with our tail between our legs like cowards."

Every word held weight behind it when this one talked, Master Okan-Dum, the Saurian Jedi Master himself. Dark scarlet brass colored scales marked his muscled bust and intense yellow eyes, unblinking. Like a pony's when angry, dark obsidian slits that fixated upon her specie's cousin. Okan-Dum wore laminated metallic armor over his aged Jedi robes. Chestplate, spaulders, bracers, thigh plates, and backplate. The hems torn and ripped, dust upon the edge closest to the floor and his two lightsabers strapped to each of his hips. His arms curled over the other as he stared down Samris in an unpleasant gaze.

Sameris found resentment under his harsh gaze and responded, "If we allow ourselves to spring out of the open upon the Sith'ari, the Force knows what horrors would await us."

Okan scoffed and moved his gaze elsewhere, a deep thundering voice echoed over the chamber's walls, "Indeed, we must remember that this Sith holds the very key to our destruction."

Solinara moved her gaze to the far end of the table, the thunderous voice belonging to Jedi Master Lonan Drah. A Buffalo, dressed in robes and cloth, wrapped all around. Almost making one think that he was made of the soft linen. He had no need for such armor as his thick fur layer protected him from arrow and spear. His double bladed lightsaber strapped on his chest, near his shoulder. He carried wisdom with every little gesture and syllable he spoke.

The last two who sat in silence was, Master Platinum Night and Master Delilah Dusk. Platinum Night was well built and squared at the shoulders. His icy blue eyes focused and his almost frost blonde mane matching his platinum colored coat. He wore a dark golden tunic with white silver inlayed sashes over his back and shoulders. A snow white robe wrapped around his shoulders. His lightsaber hidden under his robe.

Delilah Dusk, almost a stark contrast to the bright glinting of her pupil next to her. Her coat an earthy brown and her mane and tail a warm hazelnut. Her robe a light tan and her tunic dark leather with a base of sand brown. Her dark green eyes scanning the table and watching the discussion of their fellow Jedi Masters. Her light pike strapped to her back.

Platinum's voice was light and airy, like the winter wind, as he voiced his opinion, "Still, it would not hurt to keep an eye on this Sith'ari."

Okan's voice skittered and clicked in agitation, "If we keep our guard down like this, they could strike at a moment's notice and catch us off guard. With our bellies exposed."

Delilah's voice carried with in the foundation of the chamber, and connected to the very earth itself with her heavy yet higher pitched voice, "I must agree with Master Okan, we cannot afford to just let this Sith'ari grow in power. If we do then we lose ground and we cannot possibly squash their rebellion swiftly."

Lunara voiced her opinion, raising her hooves to have them settle, "We cannot be too hasty, this Sith'ari could change the Sith and their ideals. We might reach a peaceful negotiation before we let this get out of hoof. War is not certain yet."

Solinara matched her sister's volume, "Yet in their eyes it has already begun."

There was chittering amongst the council, an air of bated breath as they awaited a further explanation. Solinara let her hooves gently fall to the table, her voice soothing and calm despite her dour mood, "I sent our Sentinels out to see to it that a rogue Sith was quickly neutralized."

She paused, Okan growing impatient lisped harshly, "And what did you find?"

Solinara kept a cool face and tone as she answered, "One escaped with their life. Though she stuck around long enough to overhear Darth Mortis and her former apprentice talk and say that they are beginning to mobilize."

Once again silence fell upon the council chamber, Solinara joined their stunned silence. She had just woken them up from their trance and now they must endure bad news. Each of their faces bore sour expressions as they realized their age old enemy was now reimbursing into the world once more, just as they have. But they will not be coming with open hooves. Solinara moved her gaze to Okan as he asked, "What forces do they have? If my knowledge serves me right, then they were Elements, yes?"

"That is correct." Solinara nodded in affirmation.

"Then how has it come to pass that they have amassed support right from under your nose?" Okan kept his muscular arms folded over each other. Every Jedi matched his gaze and awaited an answer. Some of their eyes filled with impatience, but most were filled with worry and consideration.

Unflinching, Solinara volumed, "They must have kept their forces hidden from me. Likely somewhere in the north. Perhaps in the Howling Mountains but I am not sure."

Delilah leaned back in her chair as she motioned, "Since, that we cannot make a move against the Sith'ari, why not just move against their allies?"

Lonan shook his head, "Just because they are Sith, does not imply that they are mutual allies of one another. Sith care about themselves and their own goals, they always have. No unity amongst their numbers."

Sameris muttered loud enough for all to hear, "Which makes them easier to manipulate against one another."

Lonan nodded, "Exactly, if we incite and appease to these warmongering Sith while the Sith'ari gains power. Then the Sith will be weakened."

Okan spoke, his voice as sharp as knives, "Allowing the Sith'ari to finish the job."

They all seemed to agree to that, approval marking all of their faces. Except for Lunara. Her constant preaching of peace and taking instead of action irritated Solinara, but it did not mark her a fool in Solinara's mind. The only reason Lunara was there was to be the voice of reason where there was none.

Solinara looked to each of them individually and said, "Okay, putting forth the motion to move against the Sith and weaken them for the Sith'ari to sweep in. All those in favor say 'Aye'."

Okan-Dum, "Aye."

Sameris, "Aye."

Lonan Drah, "Aye."

Platinum Night and Delilah Dusk, "Aye."

Solinara's gaze fell to Lunara, Lunara looked right at Solinara and said bitterly, "I abstain."

There was a certain level of bitterness in her tone when she had not heard in a thousand years. The sound brought a smile to the warmongering Jedi's eyes. She voiced, "You all must go and prepare troops for battle. Not for a march, but for a readying force against us. The Sith will arrive sometime, better to be prepared now than caught off guard. This meeting is dismissed."

"May the Force be with us." All the Jedi masters said in unison, except for Lunara who sat in contended silence as the others left the room. Staring expressionless at her sister that now stood before her. Solinara looked and saw Moonshadow standing near her master and she returned from leaning against one of the columns. Solinara smiled, "Do not be angry with me dear sister, it was a decision that had to be made. Don't accuse me for trying to do the right thing."

Lunara's gaze was cold, "Isn't that how every Jedi falls to the dark side? By thinking they are doing the right thing?"

"Watch your tone sister," Solinara snapped, "I do not wish to send you Harmony Knights away, stay and wait to see what happens. Though I guarantee that they will come swift like a mighty blade."

Solinara then went to leave, stopping as she heard Lunara mumble, "And so will your indignation."

She ignored the comment and asked, "Have you seen my apprentice?"

Lunara shrugged, "No, I had not heard any word of Summerfall since she left. I fear the worst, I have tried to sense her and I only sense darkness."

With that Solinara left, with a heavy heart and with worry welling up through her. Her padawan was gone and now the only student she had left was Twilight. She was hoping to get a report from her soon, she could use the pick me up. She had faith in her student that she would likely avoid the situation as much as possible. However, her student was curious if anything and will likely inspect with a closed mind on this Force. At least she had Twilight.