Ghost of Nightmares Past/Chapter 22

DEFEATING AN ELDER

Nima smashed her fighter into the Hangar, and erupted from the compartment, sabre ignited and ready. Ventress cackled, and ignited one- she noticed only one- sabre and ran at Nima, just as the Clone ship crashed into the Hangar as well.

Sinya released Fives, taking the curved sabre from her belt and igniting it immediately, as Blaster Fire rained throughout the Hangar, and moved back, parrying shots from the Droids that were aimed at it. She could feel the Dark side emanating from Nima, and it made her scared. Staring at the Twi'lek Master, Sinya swayed, staring at her, and ignoring everything else. "Nima!" She yelled, limping towards her. "Nima! Stop!"

"NO!" Nima was screaming at Durge and Ventress. "NO! YOU WON'T TAKE HER FROM ME!"

Sinya paused; it was obvious she was referring to her, and now, she felt guilt rise.

She made this happen to her. She made her turn to the Dark Side, and now, Sinya had to do his duty as a Jedi. But she wasn't going to resolve to fight her until she had no other choice.

"Nima!" She begged. "Nima! Please! Put your sabre down! Power it down this instant!"

But she wouldn't. She was destroying the Droids, one by one, and now, Ventress was scared, backing off and fleeing, rushing into the ship, and slamming Droids to the ground as she went, trying to get as far away from the emerging Sith. Sinya could hear Durge shouting orders, trying to get the other Droids to fight Nima, but soon, there was only Sinya, standing there in the middle of the Hangar, holding Ventress' sabre in one hand, and trying to not topple over from his injuries. The Clones were backing off from the Enraged Jedi, and some were even raising their rifles to shoot her.

"DON'T!" Sinya started, but Nima turned, sabre ignited, and parried the shots back at five Clones, striking them and killing them immediately. Her lips pulled back into a sneer, as she stalked towards them, pale blue eyes now red...

Durge appeared from behind her, and raised a pistol, but the Tholodian turned, and rammed her sabre into his chest, before beheading him, and throwing his remains into a burning ship.

The screams pierced Sinya's heart, as Durge tried to get out of the flames, and she rushed over, grabbing the Droid's smouldering hand. The hot metal burned into her glove and almost onto her skin, but she ignored it, trying to pull Durge from the flames...

His claw grabbed Sinya's neck, pulling her close to the flames, and he whispered. "Look...at...me..."

Sinya blinked, as blue eyes pierced black eyes, before Durge's hand loosened around her neck and she fell still. Staring at the burning Droid, Sinya turned to Nima, as she demolished the last few Droids, and turned to Sinya. Her sabre was raised in his direction.

"You took Siri from me!" Nima screamed, as flames rose, separating the two Jedi from the Clones. "You are gonna suffer!"

Sinya coughed violently, holding onto Ventress' sabre tightly, as Nima slowly came towards her. It was then she spotted another figure behind her.

"YOU!" She snarled at the figure. "You were killed! Anakin slaughtered you!"

The figure chuckled, and emerged fully, standing next to Nima. "Yes, but he made the mistake by not realising I can only be killed one way."

"Sithspawn," Sinya muttered darkly. "What do you want now!"

The figure laughed, and emerged fully from the flames, her appearance now visible.

It was Stellandra.

Stellandra stared at Sinya, her blood-red eyes looking the Woman up and down. She looked different, she would admit that much, maybe slightly worn and older than she really was. Her eyes skimmed her body, and she couldn't help but realise that this Woman was injured. Perfect, she thought evilly. I can take her down, and my plans will go unchallenged. All I need is for Nima to strike her down.

"Leave her alone," Sinya said lowly, her eyes glaring into her own. "Leave Nima this instant!"

"I don't think so," Stellandra cackled, her dark hair curled around her shoulders. She turned to Nima. "Kill her."

The Twi'lek leapt for Sinya, and he parried her blow, ignoring the pain in his right arm, and kicked her back. "Nima! Please! Come back to the light!"

Nima seemed to struggle, but Stellandra just casually waved her hand, and the Jedi Master resumed her attack. Sinya was tiring, and her right arm was almost useless, so she had no choice, but to Force-push her back, hold her in the air, and throw her against the ground with a sickening smack. Her sabre flew into the air, and Sinya caught it with her left hand, holding both sabres in her hand. "Leave," He snarled at Stellandra.

"Oh no," She said, sending Force-lighting at him. "I don't think so."

Sinya rolled, and it missed her, but she was sweltering in the heat. Stellandra cackled again, and, this time, raised both her hands, sending the fire towards her.

Dropping the sabres, Sinya raised her own, causing the fire to crowd around her, but not touch. Something rose through her, and she found herself sending the fire back at her instead...

Stellandra screamed, and the fire died down. Lowering her arms, Sinya stared at the Sith Elder, as she tried to get up, Clones coming towards them. Her red-eyes found Sinya's...

And then she was gone.

Blinking, Sinya fell to her knees, panting. That took a lot of energy to do, but at least it scared her long enough to make her back off. Glancing at Adi, she crawled towards her, and turned her over, as Clones began to search the rest of the Vessel, a few staying behind to protect them. "Nima?" She rasped.

The Twi'lek's eyelids twitched, and opened. "Sinya..." She moaned, and he stroked her forehead. "I'm...sorry; I should never have let my grief and anger get the better of me. I didn't want to lose Siri and you. It's my fault."

"It's not your fault," Sinya said gently. "Don't worry about it; that Sith was manipulating you." He leaned back. "Just rest; we'll be going to the Negotiator soon."

Nima smiled, and closed her eyes.