Abbi's Final Fanfic

Anyone who saw the bizarre bunch gathered together would realise that this was a strange affair. Between the kaleidoscope of colours, mis-matched outfits, witches hats, robes, munchkins and flying monkeys anyone could see that what was taking place was a little out of the ordinary. The Wicked Witch of the East lay motionless, her face as green as the emerald city and her robes ebony black. Her sister, The Wicked Witch of the West of course, was front and centre sobbing into her witches’ hat with her monkeys at her side, and Dorothy with her sparkling ruby slippers standing to her left.

Despite the fact that Dorothy’s house had landed on The Wicked Witch of the East (and she had stolen the prized Ruby slippers) The Wicked Witch of the West had appreciated Dorothy being there to share her condolences. After all it wasn’t completely her fault and The Wicked Witch of the West wasn’t an unreasonable lady and understood accidents happened.

Dorothy having lived in Kansas her whole life had never seen anything like this before; she was amazed by all of the different creatures that had arrived, as many of them were with her. A pretty young girl with dark brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. She was quite a stunner and many of the old warlocks and wizards realised this (to their wives dismay). Standing so close to the deceased family gave all of these men a chance to get close to her and introduce themselves.

After meeting Merlin, Albus Dumbledore, Gandalf she finally met Harry Potter. Young and handsome he caught her eye immediately, with his messy hair and rugged thunderbolt scar. I’m sure she would’ve caught his eye too if only his pesky ginger wife hadn’t been around.

After Dorothy met Harry she was determined to impress him but she had one problem, his wife. She was ginger and freckly and Dorothy thought he could do so much better. She could tell that Ginny knew she had her eye on him and made it her mission to keep the two apart. Finally after the beautiful service, at the wake, Harry and Dorothy’s paths crossed again. Dorothy was in the kitchen getting some ice and Harry had wandered in. Ginny Potter was in the corner of dining room talking to one of the old wizards Dorothy hadn’t met, so this was the perfect time for Dorothy to make an impression. "So uh Harry was it? Did you know The Wicked Witch of the East well?"

"Oh yeah she’s Ginny’s great Aunt. Didn’t really have much to do with her, you know since she was into the dark arts and stuff, but I heard she was ok... She left us lots of gold too. How about yourself?" Harry asked.

Dorothy suddenly became more intrigued with the mention of gold. "Gold, wow I like gold! How much did she leave you?" She realised she sounded a bit desperate so toned it down a bit. " I uh…" she thought she better not tell him she was the real reason behind her death so instead she thought on her feet, "I used to do her hair. Don’t you think it looks great? Almost as beautiful as my hair, don’t you think?"

"Oh yeah", Harry replied slightly confused because he was 100% certain that the "Wicked Sisters" were completely bald, but who was he to argue with their hair dresser.

He turned to have a real look at Dorothy to see how really beautiful her hair was and was blown away at how gorgeous she really was. "Well I’d have to say your hair is very beautiful but it is nothing compared to your amazing body."

She leaned in slowly and their lips touched. With every second their embrace became more passionate and intense.

"What the fuck are you doing Harry?" Ginny shrieked and she saw them locked together.

"I … Uh… "Harry stumbled stupidly breaking his embrace with Dorothy.

"That’s it after that bloody skank Hermione you said never again! Expelliowhoreous!" and with a loud crack Harry disappeared and on the floor in a crumpled dark heap lay a little Cairn terrier.

Dorothy shocked and dismayed quickly scooped him up and ran to the door. People were looking around to see what the commotion was. Just as she made it to the door way The Wicked Witch of the West appeared in front of her. "Where are you going my pretty?!" she said with a snarl, obviously the news had already reached her.

"I um I have to go back to my house... I uh forgot to secure it!" Dorothy lied.

"You’re a liar and a murdered. And I am going to get you my pretty! You and your little dog too!"The Wicked Witch of the West screeched.

Dorothy ran down the yellow brick road with Harry under her arm ran as fast she could until she came to a fork in the road with a scarecrow sitting in the middle…

Sweet Revenge: Mana's Final Fanfic

Title: Sweet Revenge
Hey guys this is my final copy hope you all enjoy reading it and thanks for the comment it really pointed out my errors i needed to fix. Much appreciated.

Donna Bonnatti sighs loudly and then leans back on her chair while thinking about her late husband Amos Bonnatti. He sure had a reputation as the ladies “man” but she can’t help but think if he did ever truly really love her. She remembers the first day he came to her small town in Mexico looking for a beautiful wife. He was very rich and powerful and had everything to offer. He was wealthy and my ticket out of this dump. Still staring out the window she remembers the day he asked her to be his wife and if she would move with him to Los Angeles. It was all so real and how could she not turn him down. He had everything to offer her, and she would be out of her mind not to accept his offer. She was ready to leave her old life behind and begin a new life with Amos Bonnatti as she thought to herself. But what she didn’t know was that he was violently abusive and did illegal business deals.

Their marriage lasted 16 years until he was shot dead at his office. Although he treated her badly, deep down Donna still loved him very much. He took care of her gave her and gave her everything she ever dreamt of and she was grateful that he even gave her the chance to live such a glamorous life.

“Oh I do love you my Amos” as tears starting running down her cheeks while thinking about him.

“Oh Amos, I promise I will bring justice to your death, even if it means destroying that Lucky Santangelos life completely”. “I know it was her that did it, I just know it”. The Bonnattis and Santangelos were enemy’s way back and Donna knew that Lucky always hated Amos for killing her brother and why wouldn’t she want revenge as Donna thought. Donna had a plan and that was to buy her precious Panther Studio.

Lucky was the new owner of Panther Studio after the legendary movie mogul Abe Panther sold her Panthers Studio after Lucky found proof that Abe’s deceitful grandson in law running the studio was skimming big bucks every way he could. The head of production was snorting coke, and supplying $2000 a night for call girls to movie stars and V.I.Ps and the head of distribution was smuggling drugs overseas along with Panthers legitimate productions. This was all disastrous as the company was not making enough profit from the movies they were making. When Lucky finally took control things were turning around for the better.

“I want Panther Studio now!” Donna screamed at her lawyer John who was trying to remain calm. “It’s not that simple Donna, do you even know how to run a studio let alone know anything about making movies”. “Does all that matter NO? I don’t care about the cost, just do whatever it takes to get me that damn studio” Donna yelled. “All I want is justice for my husband and that Lucky Santangelo will get what she deserves, a taste of her own medicine”.

“Hey Kyoko, Lucky said as she walked into her office. Kyoko was her personal assistant and they had a very close friendship. “Today is another hectic day”, Kyoko said while following right behind her. “What’s on the schedule today? Lucky said while she threw off her Armani jacket and then got comfortable in her chair. “You have 15 phone calls to return, a meeting at midday with the producers for the next movie, then lunch with your husband, and then you have a meeting with the lead actors and then tomorrow you will be flying to New York to see your son”. “Your schedule will kill a lesser person” Kyoko remarked. Lucky shrugged, “that’s the way it is when you’re the boss”. “At least you have me to help you” Kyoko remarked while looking at his reflection in the big glass window. “Oh, and can you get me my coffee as you leave”. “Sure, anything for you lucky” and Kyoko left giggling to himself. What would I do without him, Lucky thought. She remembered she was meeting up with her best friend and quickly got up. “I’ll be back soon” and she waved Kyoko goodbye.

“I have some good news” Donna’s lawyer said on the phone. “Would you just get on with it, is it a done deal for goodness sake? “It wasn’t easy but I managed to pull some strings and? “Would you hurry up I’m getting annoyed with you John? “I’m talking with the new owner of Panther Studio” John said over the phone. “You could have just came out with it straight away without having to take your time, well anyway thank you John and you will get what I promised but excuse me I have a company to run” and she hung up. This is for you Amos as Donna smiled to herself and left to claim her prize.

“Lucky I tried to stop her but she barged in here claiming she’s the new head of Panther Studio” Kyoko said almost screaming at Lucky. “What are you talking about? Lucky quickly walked into her office. “Hello Lucky, surprised to see me? Donna said with a big grin on her face. “What the hell are you doing here? “Would you please knock before coming in here? “Is this some kind of joke or something? “You’re looking at the new owner of Panther Studio and now get out before I have you thrown out” Donna said.

Lucky walked out stunned by what had just happened but she wasn’t going to give up so easily.You will live to regret this, Lucky mumbled to herself. What Donna doesn’t know is that Lucky is a fighter, street smart, powerful and ruthlessly dangerous and she was messing with the wrong person. And so the battle begins for control.

The Race for Survival - Elaina's Final Fanfic

Thank you for your feedback :), I really appreciate it!

I have made some changes following my last draft.

I have changed Lily's age to 16. It still follows on from the events after 'Seven Ancient Wonders' and encompasses a plot following the template used in 'Scarecrow'. It may make the story a little more realistic perhaps?

I have also decided to make this more of a prologue, rather than an action packed fanfic. I will indeed go over the word count for this particular brief and I think I've achieved what I wanted to in this story. As the reader you'll be informed a little about the actual background of the characters involved. This includes Lily.

I am still open to comments. If there's something that you think is unclear or could be written better, then feel free!

Thanks once again. And enjoy.

Date: August 10, 2012
1200 hours


"Chairman! I think you’ve left an important document behind!"


Sigh.

He doesn’t hear me at all, and continues to speak to another colleague as he walks further into the distance. Only the walls are able to translate the words I've spoken. Once again, I feel invisible. I guess some things never change around here.

Glancing back at the boardroom table with the document in full view piques my curiosity. Being inquisitive by nature, I pick up the two-page document. It is titled ‘For Authorised Personnel Only’. Upon processing this new piece of information, my attention is drawn instantly to the content and I proceed to read on.

I filter through the information, not thinking twice that I could be criminally prosecuted for it. I register the names of fifteen people who are ex-SAS, USMC, spies, terrorists and to my surprise, an Anthropologist. I then realise that these individuals are some of the worlds’ most talented in their field of choice. The appearance of an anthropologist in the list I find to be quite out of joint.

I look over the names again. Two names stand out; Jack West Jr. and Shane Scholfield. I immediately begin to question why the leaders of the world have a sudden interest in these individuals; even more so because Jack West Jr. is my father and Shane Scholfield is his long time best friend. Scholfield is also the long lost brother I’ve had to live without.

A sudden, icy jolt travels through my body. Instinctively, I know something is not right.

I begin to think about the events that have taken place today.

A meeting amongst the worlds' superpowers has concluded. A document addressed to ‘Authorised Personnel’ is left behind through careless handling by the Chairman. And what is with the list of fifteen people who are the very best in their field???

I read the fine print underneath the list and stare in shock.

“The targets listed above are to be removed by the deadline set: 1200 hours UST, tomorrow. No exceptions. We will only allow twenty four hours to complete the task.”

Realisation strikes hard.

These individuals are highly prized possessions to the world because they are now…

The worlds’ ‘Most Wanted’.


And my heart falls.


"The asking price is $18.6 million, per head. To be delivered in person to a secret location somewhere in Southern France. There are no rules, no boundaries and certainly, no mercy.
Eliminate the target. Obtain the head. Transport the prized goods to the designated location ready to undergo an authenticity check scan. If the scan is a success; you are within your rights to claim the bounty. A failed or false attempt will result in fatal consequences."

My panic levels begin to pulsate violently. My thought processes are on high alert as I come to realise that I am now a pawn in a game of real life chess. One wrong move and the world I know now will cease to exist. While I don’t know where to begin, I start to reflect on the two men who don’t realise how important they are to me.

Jack West Jr. is not my biological father, but he has been there since I was born. A dedicated anthropologist devoting his time to ancient artefacts and civilisations, he has been on some of the deadliest adventures I’ve known, and all because of me.

I didn’t know that I was born a twin Oracle; something that is unheard of in history. I didn’t know that I’d be the one to read the Callimachus Text or understand languages unintelligible to almost any linguist in the modern world of today. To think I was only ten when I mastered it.

From the centre of a volcano in the depths of Africa, I was rescued by Jack West, having performed a caesarean on my mother to save me and placing his arm into the viscous layers of molten rock. For that, I owe him a great deal for his sacrifice. It’s no wonder they call him ‘Huntsman’.

As for Scholfield, he is one of the craziest men I know. He also has a great heart, if you are willing to look past the scars. A former member of the USMC, I know that he has been through hell and back, tenfold. The marks that appear in a criss-cross fashion over his eyes are permanent scars as a result of being held captive at Guantanamo Bay, having undergone a series of brutal interrogations.

Father tells me of how cruel the world has been to a man like Scholfield; what it’s like to see his friends fall and listen to the way the love of his life perished. It is why he is as ruthless and daring as he is. The nickname ‘Scarecrow’ seems to fit perfectly.

Regaining composure and attempting to analyse the new situation before me, I place the document in my bag and proceed to leave the premises. To any onlooker, I remain calm and focused. On the inside I was a wretched young girl wanting to ball her eyes out.

But for the sake of my father and Scholfield, I make a silent promise to make sure they stay alive. I get the slight feeling that I won’t see the end result.

Whether I like it or not, I know one thing is for certain.


The race is on.



Meanwhile, somewhere out of sight, a young, dark figure looks on.

“You are clever indeed, Lily. What you don’t know is that you will lead the honourable Huntsman and the famous Scarecrow to their downfall.

And once they are dead, I will celebrate your tears of sorrow as a day of joy.

I can promise you that,

my dear sister.”

Manas first draft

Title: Vendetta: Luckys revenge
Hi Guys
This is just my first draft and hopefully you guys will enjoy it and please comment on it so I can make sure I’m on the right track. I decided to write about my fan fiction story on one of my favourite authors Jackie Collins. Her books are very entertaining and enjoyable to read. The first book that I ever read of hers was Vendetta: Luckys revenge and I was totally hooked. I’ve read most of her novels and their pretty much based on the lifestyle of the rich and famous in Hollywood and what really goes on behind the scenes.

Donna Landsman sighs loudly and then leans back on her chair while thinking about her late husband Amos Bonnatti. He sure had a reputation as the ladies “man” but she can’t help but think if he did ever truly really love her. She remembers the first day he came to her small town in Mexico looking for a beautiful wife. He was very rich and powerful but wasn’t that great looking, but what did it matter he was wealthy and my ticket out of this dump. Still staring out the window she remembers the day he asked her to be his wife and if she would move with him to Los Angeles. It was all so real and how could I not turn him down. I was ready to get out of this lifestyle and begin my new life with Amos Bonnatti. But what she didn’t know was that he was violently abusive. Their marriage lasted 16 years until he was shot dead at his office. Although he treated her badly, deep down Donna still loved him very much. “Oh I do love you my Amos” as tears starting running down her cheeks.

“Oh Amos, I promise I will bring justice to your death, even if it means destroying that Lucky Santangelos life completely”. “I know it was her that did it, I just know it”. Donna had been thinking of a plan to bring down Lucky and she knew exactly what she had to do, and that was buying her precious Panther Studio. Lucky was the new owner of Panther Studio after the legendary movie mogul Abe Panther sold her Panthers Studio after Lucky found proof that Abe’s deceitful grandson in law running the studio was skimming big bucks every way he could. The head of production was snorting coke, and supplying $2000 a night for call girls to movie stars and V.I.Ps. and the head of distribution was smuggling drugs overseas along with Panthers legitimate productions. This was all disastrous as the company was not making enough profit from the movies they were making. When Lucky finally took control things were turning around for the better.

“I want Panther Studio now!” Donna screamed at her lawyer who was remaining calmful. “It’s not that simple Donna, do you even know how to run a studio let alone know anything about making movies”. “Does all that matter NO? “All I want is justice for my husband and that Lucky Santangelo will beg for my mercy”.

Elaina's Fanfic: 'The Race for Survival' (A work in progress)

Attention Readers.

The characters and ideas that appear in the following fan fiction are to be credited to Matthew Reilly.
‘The Race for Survival’ is a crossover fanfic encompassing elements from Reilly's novels ‘Scarecrow’ and ‘Seven Ancient Wonders’. I shall upload the pdf file to the 'Scarecrow' prologue when I can figure out how to do so.

STORYLINE
Lily West is now 13. Although still very young, she is wise and intelligent beyond her years. Lily stumbles across a list with 15 names of the worlds' most elite individuals in their chosen fields.

To her horror, she realises that a bounty hunt is to take place immediately, with two of the most influential people in her life as prime targets; Jack West Jr (her adopted father) and Shane Scholfield. They go by their call-signs: "Huntsman" and "Scarecrow" respectively.

Lily's objective is to get the message out to West and Scholfield that they're being hunted. Little does she know, that she's being kept under close surveillance....

I do apologise for the late post. The actual story will be posted sometime shortly.

PROLOGUE

Date: August 10, 2009
1200 hours

"Chairman! I think you left an important document behind!"

He doesn't hear me. Just my luck. The walls in this facility must be sound proof.

Great.

With curiosity claiming the better of me, I pick it up. It seems straightforward somewhat.

Hmmm...fifteen names of Ex-SAS, Commandos, USMC, Spies, Terrorists and an Anthropologist appear on the list. Individuals who are extremely talented in their field of choice. Impressive indeed.

Suddenly, a strong, icy tingle travels through my body. Instinctively, I know something isn't right.

The meeting amongst the worlds' superpowers has concluded. Yet, this list eerily holds great importance.

I then read the fine print at the very bottom and stare in shock.

It reads:

"The targets listed above are to be removed by the deadline set: 1200 hours UST, tomorrow. No exceptions."

Realisation has struck, hard. These people are now…

The worlds’ most wanted.

I read on:

"The asking price: $18.6 million, per head. To be delivered in person to a secret location somewhere in Southern France.
There are no rules, no boundaries and certainly, no mercy.
Eliminate the target. Obtain the head. Transport the prized goods to the designated location ready to undergo an authenticity check scan. If the scan is a success; claim the bounty. A failed or false attempt will lead to fatal consequences."

Who do those bigots think they are!?! Money hungry bastards! It's all in the name of absolute authority.I say it's an international conspiracy brewing right under our noses. I have to help Huntsman and Scarecrow somehow. I know it was I who introduced the concept of the swear jar, but this is so FUCKED up!

Regaining composure and analysing the new situation, who would've thought that ‘what you know’ could blur the line between living and permanent obliteration?

I know one thing is for certain:


The race is on.

A Dive from Grace

In the Santiago Bernabeu there was a real sense of hope and celebration as fans eagerly awaits the official introduction of their newest ‘Galacticos’. The sound in the stadium was deafening; the incessant drumming, the blaring of horns and the passionate singing of pro-Madrid songs gave the stadium a real carnival atmosphere.

A young fan draped head to toe in Real Madrid gear excitedly exclaimed ‘An angel from heaven is coming to the Bernabeu tonight!’ before kissing a picture of the Patron Saint of Madrid San Isidro.

Suddenly all music and partying stopped as the PA announcer plays the Real Madrid club anthem. The moment has finally arrived; everyone in the stadium held their breath as club president Florentino Perez saunters to the stage on the centre of the pitch. He had a speech prepared which seemed to last a lifetime. But before all hell broke loose amongst the restless crowd ‘El Presidente’ uttered the words all Real fans were dying to hear “It is my pleasure to introduce to you CRISTIANO RONALDO!!!!”

Up until this point Madrid had spent in excess of €150 million on footballing superstars in the form of Kaka, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol and Xabi Alonso but as the young fan had said this “Angel” was the biggest of them all and the 80000 Madridistas present was a testament to that.

Wearing the crisp white playing strip of Los Merengues Cristiano Ronaldo emerged from the players’ tunnel to rapturous applause. The crowd in unison broke into song lauding his name, cameras from all corners were flashing violently and teenage girls were sent into frenzy as Ronaldo’s pearly whites were shown on the big screen. At that moment Cristiano couldn’t imagine a more glorious moment than the one he was experiencing on that warm summer night; little did he know this was as good as it would get for him.

Today Cristiano Ronaldo is a lowly paid farm labourer in his hometown of Madeira. So how did this once indomitable force in world football find himself in such humble surroundings?

It was not so long ago where Cristiano Ronaldo had the footballing world at his feet. He had impeccable ball control, struck the ball with pinpoint accuracy and his dribbling skill would mesmerize the best defenders. It was at Manchester United where he made a name for himself. Under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson Cristiano Ronaldo spearheaded one of the most successful squad in United’s history winning three consecutive Premier League titles and a European Champions League. So it was inevitable rival clubs would start vying for his services.

Eventually it was Real Madrid which was able to pries Ronaldo away from Old Trafford. Led by the club’s ambitious president Florentino Perez, Madrid offered Manchester United £80 million for Cristiano’s services, a financial package that was too irresistible to turn down.

The move to Real Madrid as Ronaldo put it was ‘Fulfilling a Childhood Dream’. However as a child he never imagined the riches that were to be offered to him; a six year contract with a starting salary of £183,000 a week in his first season rising to a staggering £556,000 a week in his final season.

With all the money and adulation being showered on him it was only a matter of time for temptation to follow. And temptations do not come any greater than in the bright lights of Madrid. Ronaldo jokingly pointed out as he went about harvesting this season’s stock, “Bringing me to Madrid was like putting a child in a candy store, in Manchester I was on a constant diet of pasty dowdy looking English broads and in Madrid I find myself knee deep in Mediterranean beauties! C’mon I was 24 what was I suppose to do?!” It was not long before alarm bells began to ring at Real Madrid. Cristiano would often stagger into training not over the effects from the night before and his performance on the pitch suffered.

Madrid fans are notoriously critical of underperforming players and they did not take too kindly to Ronaldo’s blasé attitude. It was against Real’s eternal enemy Barcelona when Madrid fans turned on Ronaldo. Like many “El Grand Clasico” in the past, this one was a riveting contest. With less than 5 minutes to go the match was evenly poised at 1-1, Barcelona had possession just a few yards from Real’s penalty box but a minor slip by Leonel Messi gave possession away to Real’s Xabi Alonso, from the ensuing possession Alonso sparked a ferocious counter-attack; his pinpoint pass sent Ronaldo rampaging down the left flank but instead of passing the ball to a wide open Kaka Ronaldo decided to take on the two defenders, his step-overs was clumsily executed and the Barca defense dealt with it easily. Unconcerned with Barcelona launching their own counter-attack Cristiano continued whining and pouting at the assistant referee for not awarding a free kick. However unlike Real Madrid, Barcelona’s Thierry Henry was able to blast the winner into the back of the net.

Incensed at Ronaldo’s absence in defense his teammates berated Ronaldo for everyone in the Bernabeu to see. Reacting to the players’ anger fans also started hurling abuse at Ronaldo. The newspapers had a field-day creating headlines like Ronal ‘Dope!’ and ‘What’s RON with you?’ Ronaldo’s Madrid dream was quickly turning into a nightmare, Ronaldo recalled, “The fans’ hostility was relentless, strangers would insult me on the streets and people would throw objects at me during games; I had a pigs head thrown at me once!” However nothing bothered him more than the strained relationship he had with his teammates, “I tried everything to redeem myself since the Barcelona game but my teammates had already made up their mind about me.” Without the support of the fans and his teammates Madrid became a very lonely place to live. “I was depressed and desperate to find a place where I would be accepted and loved.” Flushed with cash Ronaldo resorted back to his old partying habits.

By spending more time on the Madrid social circuit Ronaldo found himself mingling with some very shady characters. Ronaldo admits that most parties he attended had drugs readily available but he vehemently denies ever knowingly taking any illicit drugs. Nonetheless it was on a gloomy winters day when his world came crashing down. Ronaldo was summoned to Florentino Perez’s office; being summoned to the President’s office was never good, Ronaldo thought he was just going to get another stern lecture for the latest batch of intoxicated photos of him. As he entered Perez’s office he sees President seated behind his imposing mahogany desk. Perez never one to mince his word informed Ronaldo, “Ronnie, you have tested positive for cocaine, you have tainted this great club too many times, this is the final straw, You’re FIRED! Now get out of my office!”

The ensuing weeks saw Ronaldo banned from the game for 5 years, he had all his multi-million dollar endorsement deals terminated and experienced a public backlash not seen since George W Bush was in office. Little did he know his legal woes was only just beginning, Florentino Perez ever the astute businessman was intent on recouping the ₤80 million spent on acquiring Ronaldo. Perez successfully sued Ronaldo for breach of contract; the courts found Ronaldo liable for the transfer fee Real Madrid had to write off when they terminated his contract. Financially ruined Ronaldo filed for bankruptcy and returned back to his family home in Madeira.

Back at Ronaldo’s modest villa, I sit in the dining room with Ronaldo and his two sons as his wife prepares supper. Ronaldo gave a very philosophical response to everything that has happened in past, “I believe everything happens for a reason” he says, “I still believe an injustice was carried out against me, but without this ban and my financial woes I would not have returned to Madeira, I would not have met my loving wife Maria and be a father to two beautiful sons.”

Four years into his five year ban I ask whether he missed playing football. His reply was an emphatic YES! He mentioned that in his spare time he would go to the town’s local football club and coach the youngsters for a few hours. As we strolled around town I asked whether he may consider playing when his ban expires, at that moment a football from a nearby pickup game rolled towards us, he performed a spectacular juggling act before kicking the ball back, turned to me with a cheeky grin and replied “We’ll see”.

The sparkle in his eyes was back.

Star Wars: The Promised Land

Greetings Earthlings,

You are about to read a fanfiction influenced by the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game (available on Microsoft's Xbox and highly-recommended), an epic space opera following the exploits of the former Dark Lord of the Sith, Revan, who has had his/her memory wiped by the Jedi Council in a bid to discover the location of the Rakatan super-factory, the 'Star Forge'. For details concerning the events of Knights of the Old Republic, which is encompassed by the overarching Jedi Civil War, please see my relevant links.

Note: The characters and place names herein are the property of LucasArts, Inc. and Bioware Corp., under the copyright act, and are used here without permission. Please don't sue me.

Chapter 1: Awakening.

Flaming-hot plasma fire comes forth from the firmament in a torrent of violent fury, burning the landscape with the indelible mark of the Sith, as if it represented an expression of their inviolable will. The skyscrapers, once the haughty embellishments of a proud and wealthy people, are brought unto ruin as the fires of war cleanse this world of all it's old ties. Taris was it's name; a world enveloped by a sprawling city that once swamped the verdant surface of the planet below.

Characterised by ignorance and prejudice, Taris was a world divided between rich and poor, human and non-human, where justice came swift and harsh for those who would seek to disobey the laws of the Upper City. The poor and criminal classes called the Lower City home, people who could not afford to abode in the Upper City, and their territory was rife with villainy and tyranny. Swoop gangs and beggars and murderers all shared this common den of misery, relishing their freedom beyond the gaze of the Upper City and its lawmakers.

But below them lay a greater nadir - the Undercity, a subterranean world sheltered by shadow and hidden by old deceit, wherein the refuse of the Upper City would collect, peopled by exiles called Outcasts banished from the Upper City for their crimes. Here, despair and desperation defined existence, a dank and festering hole awash with cloying mist and stench that forbade the intrinsic feeling of hope, reducing the proud and noble to hunched heaps of human suffering. For centuries the Undercity went on like this, and there seemed to be no hope for those cast-down into the deep dark of Taris - until the Liberator would arrive from under destiny's hand, cleaving through sorrow as hope severs hopelessness.

But with the coming of the Liberator, the Outcasts - and, indeed, all Taris - would incur an all too-high debt. The sweeping tides of history have forever obscured the Liberator in both physical form and gender, though the Outcasts remember that the Liberator wore the mantles of light and dark. This was because the Outcasts' "Liberator" had once bore a different title, that of Darth Revan - the former Dark Lord of the Sith - until his/her capture by the Jedi Council, who proceeded to divest him/her of his/her old role and identity.

They hadn't known it at the time, but the Outcasts were not before a Liberator, but the dethroned former Dark Lord, reprogrammed to believe she/he is a soldier in the employ of the Republic tasked with the protection of a young Jedi commandant. Regardless, the Outcasts now believed their salvation had come, and through the actions of this "Liberator", they would undertake a journey in search of the mythical 'Promised Land' foretold in legends to be a paradise situated below Taris' Capital.

To greet the Liberator upon his/her arrival was a young woman named Shaleena. Instantly, she became enraptured by this person from the "Upworld", captivated by his/her majesty like a sailor aroused by the siren's sweet song. Though her enthusiasm was soon dampened when she realised she could not provide suitable answers to the strange questions the Liberator had posed, instead referring him/her to the village leader, Gendar. From the moment she and the Liberator had met, Shaleena felt something stir within her, as if her very spirit had trembled. The feeling persisted for some time, but Shaleena was at a loss as to the cause of her sudden uneasiness.

By this time, the Liberator had gathered all the pertinent information he/she was in search of, and travelled beyond the village gate into the very maw of the Undercity itself - the sewers - in pursuit of an unknown quarry. Shaleena could hardly contain her desire to know more of this mysterious Upworlder, and she inquired with Gendar as to the Liberator's reasons for delving into the Undercity.

"Gendar? Did the Upworlders learn anything more?", asked Shaleena, a slight quiver present in her voice.

"They did. Apparently they are in search of crashed escape pods. I told them to explore beyond the village if they wished to learn more firsthand", replied Gendar.

"Oh. I was hoping to get another chance to speak to them. Did they talk with Rukil? I'm hoping not", said Shaleena, trying in vain to suppress the latter portion of her response.

"I wouldn't know, Shaleena. Perhaps you should ask Rukil if the Upworlders paid him any mind", Gendar responded, sounding almost coy.

Shaleena, heeding Gendar's advice, decides to visit Rukil - a wizened and elderly man who represents the village's resident storyteller - to answer her queries. Rukil, after talking at length on the "Promised Land" and the "Coming of the Liberator", finally manages to answer at least a portion of Shaleena's questions. He says the Liberator, prophesied in ancient Outcast legends, had come in the form of this Upworlder to deliver them from their wretched existence below Taris' Capital. Shaleena, suppressing her innate eagerness, dismissed Rukil's beliefs as wild imaginings, that the Undercity would be their home for time immemorial.

Rukil insisted the Upworlder was this destined Liberator, even becoming enraged at Shaleena's attempts to belittle his ancestors' long-held hopes, imploring her that she not idle in misery and instead reach out to the comforts of promise. She refused to listen to his ramblings any longer, telling him that he brought shame upon all the Outcasts with his childish stories and tales of false hope, that he should refrain from further embarrassing the village by assailing Upworlders with his fabrications.

Furious, Shaleena stormed off toward the village gate, pushing Trewin the Gate Guard aside and raising the grate of steel that provided the village's only real security, and walked into the bleak black of the Undercity. She was angry, very angry, but deep within her Rukil's stories did resonate; she wanted the Liberator to come and save her and her people from their sorrows, but if it was nothing more than fairy tales what was the point in believing?

She walked alone for hours, attempting to piece herself back together all the while, tears flowing like the rivers of Old Taris. Suddenly, the sound of disturbed debris rang in her ears, and she felt the eyes of unseen predators assessing her every move; she spun around to see a pack of ravenous rakghouls to her rear, mouths foaming with disease and insatiable hunger. She struggles to voice a scream as the pack of mutants advance on her position, their claws outstretched and ready to tear at her flesh - an intense feeling of dread begins to overwhelm her and cowers in fear as certain death extends its grasp.

But the feeling of dread shifts within her, transforming in to that same tremble she had felt when she encountered the Upworlder, and suddenly a burst of energy pulses through her. It starts out as a mere ripple, then morphs in to a current of pure energy, sending the rakghouls flying through the air and driving them into the mottled earth. She stands up from her initial prone position in a state of disbelief - she had survived. About her are the mangled corpses of her rakghoul assailants, their jaws twisted and broken by the impact of their fall, their arms contorted and bent, their skulls oozing a sickeningly yellowed fluid.

Retuning to her village, bruised but otherwise unharmed, she speaks to Rukil once more and apologises for her earlier outburst; with her mind expanded, Shaleena was now ready to believe. Doubtless, her encounter with the Upworlder had awoken a strange presence within her, once a dormant echo given full voice by the proximity between she and the Upworlder. She didn't know what it meant, but from that point on, Shaleena knew the person she met was far from an ordinary Upworlder.

During the following days, Shaleena made great strides in understanding her new-found abilities, even managing a small measure of control over them; she levitated solid duracrete and twisted steel with her mind, she even led small groups of Outcasts in search of food whilst fending off rakghoul hordes. She was awakened.

Chapter 2: Liberation.

After a week's worth of meditation and practice, Shaleena had become quite adept at using her special talents, the Outcasts now relying on her during risky excursions into the dangerous depths of the Undercity. But even Shaleena and her gifts would not ease the chaos that would soon come to transform all Taris forevermore.

Shaleena had been busy escorting Outcasts through the sewers when it started, dealing to the Gamorrean slavers who made that place their home; deep rumbling echoed through Upper and Lower Taris, walls of hard stone began to crack and heave as the sounds grew louder. Soon, whole sections of wall gave way, surrounding Shaleena and her cortege with smoking piles of rubble; she did her best to deflect the chunks of rock that came within crushing distance of herself and her party, but Shaleena soon realised it was more prudent to seek cover.

Ducking and diving as they made their way through the sewers' more confined tunnels, Shaleena and company escaped the rapidly crumbling southern sewage works only to find they had jumped the frying pan and arrived in a blazing bonfire. Before Shaleena and her troop stood an eight-foot-tall abomination - the rancor monster - a towering behemoth with powerful jaws lined with rows of dagger-sharp teeth, four-fingered hands each bearing a claw sizable enough to dwarf even the longest katana.

Steeling herself for an inevitable confrontation, Shaleena centres her mind and hones the power within her, sharpening her senses to a razor's edge; her body pulsing with intense energy, Shaleena begins telekinetically throwing large hunks of stone at the rancor, biffing it on the snout and causing it to recoil.

"Run!", she screams hoarsely.

Immediately, the Outcasts accompanying her scatter and race off for the opposite end of the large hallway, piling up under a narrow doorway, their eyes widened with horror as they watch the lone Shaleena confront the rancor beast. Taunting it, Shaleena leads the rancor away from her entourage, luring it toward a torn pipe-main gushing superheated steam; her ploy works - the rancor rears it's head preparing to unleash a guttural roar, lifting it directly into the path of the billowing steam. Screeching and clawing, it's eyes completely dissolved by the steam, the rancor begins swiping it's claws at the empty air around it - Shaleena decides to flee in the opposite direction, reuniting with her fellow Outcasts awaiting her.

Suddenly, the Outcasts erupt into thunderous cheers and applause, praising Shaleena for her efforts and thanking her profusely for saving their lives. She tried for the usual lines like, "It was nothing", and, "I had no choice", but the approvals and praise kept coming her way; would the Liberator also receive such adulation, was this how he feeling of hope truly felt. Shaleena decided it was best, and easiest, to accept it for what it was rather than disputing it; if her people needed a hero and none would present themselves, she resolved to do so in their stead.

Greater concern, however, now lay with the cause for the sewer's collapse - had there been an earthquake? Impossible, Taris' planetary geology does not consist of tectonic plates or individual landmasses. It seemed likely that something very sinister had occurred in the Upworld, though Shaleena hesitated to dare ponder on what that occurrence might be.

By now, the entire Outcast settlement had mobilised and moved on to the lower sewers in search of the Promised Land, scouring the lowest reaches of the Capital for any clue that might unravel the greater riddle; that search was now placed in great peril. When news reached Shaleena of the happenings above, of the faction known as the 'Sith', that very same tremble echoed through her spirit once more.

Taris had been completely decimated; there was no more Upper City, no more Lower City, and certainly no more Undercity - it was as if all the divides of Taris had finally mended after all these centuries - no more rich, poor, or Outcast. Was this what the legends had meant, the secret message beneath the hopes and promises, that liberation was always about Taris' reunification? Shaleena felt the comforting feeling of hope once again, knowing that the Liberator had found what he/she had quested for, that he/she was now off Taris and able to pursue his/her great destiny.

With her cortege following close behind, Shaleena emerged from the wreckage of the sewers only to arrive at the wasteland of even greater wreckage - all around were toppled towers and mangled steel, pools of blood flowing through a trash-strewn waterway, endless visions of rubble stretching out toward the horizon.

The Capital was gone, erased, the memory of an untroubled mind. At last, the Outcasts were truly free, liberated from the misery that so consumed them, amid now the Upworlders who had formerly oppressed them; without the layers of metal and wire to separate them, at last the peoples of Taris would be whole again.

Chapter 3: Survivors.

Two teams of survivors - one side representing the remaining Outcasts to survive the Sith attack and the other representing survivors from the Upworld - assembled amidst the vast landscapes left unmarred by the hideous shadow of the Capital. To look upon the land thereafter it appeared as though the land had been stripped, it's pastoral beauty - once long hidden - now revealed for all citizens of Taris to stand before in testament to.

The faces of those who gaped at it in open-mouthed amazement still stains Shaleena's mind today; each expression burned permanently into her memory. No one, for a great many centuries, had ever witnessed the true surface of Taris - beneath the charred and warped metal, a heart could be seen where you couldn't espy one before, a pulsating green light emanating from an abyss of hollow, inky darkness.

Shaleena, again, sensed her spirit tremble and quaver as she stared deep into the green glow, which now throbbed rhythmically with each oscillation produced by the light. But her attentions soon became fixed on a far more physical feeling; a large shard of steel now jutted forth from her abdomen, encircled by a fine ringlet of blood. She was injured - badly.

She fell to her knees, the ringlet transforming into a funnel of spurting crimson, the colour in her face emptying on the ground all around her; she felt as though she were dying. Just then, a shadowed figure emerges from the crowd of onlookers, strolling toward her with all haste. He stoops down beside her, telling her that his name is Zelka Forn, a medical doctor from the former Upper City. He lifts her off of the earth and cradles her in his arms, giving her a syringe-full of medicine saved over from before the Sith's bombardment.

Her pain eases, if only a little, and she loses consciousness momentarily.

A half-hour later, she is roused to find her wound sutured and bandaged, the blood completely cauterised - Zelka stood close beside her in case she went into shock, flanked by a droid and one other man. Slightly delirious, Shaleena lifts her head just long enough to get a mental read-out of where she is; spying a makeshift table - which she is lying on - and a ramshackle desk stacked with paper, she realises that she is in some kind of clinic.

Shaleena had never been to a clinic before - being an Outcast meant you had no access to medical treatment - she had remembered the stories told to her by Rukil of places where people could go to treat diseases and such. Instantly, the thought of clinics and stories emptied from her mind, replaced by thoughts on Gendar and Rukil and the other Outcasts she left behind just one short week ago.

Were they dead?

Beside her a row of similar-looking makeshift tables like Shaleena's stood arrayed, each supporting a lifeless corpse - some were without heads or were crushed beyond recognition - though one still bore an intact face, and it was a face she knew well. It was Gendar - or rather his body - impaled by several metal pikes. With instant reaction, Shaleena shielded her eyes from the pain, but her mind yet retained the visage no matter how hard her eyes had wanted to forget, and she began to sob uncontrollably.

"A friend of yours, I take it? I'm very sorry", chimed Zelka, mournfully.

"Yes. Yes, he was a very dear friend. I can't believe he's gone", Shaleena said, still attempting to regain her composure.

"I don't think anyone can believe anything at this point. It's just too horrible to fathom", replied Zelka, lowering his line of sight in dismay.

"One word constantly reverberates through my mind even through all this carnage. 'Sith'. The Sith did this", says Shaleena, steeling her will with every word, before going on to say, "And they will pay dearly for it".

"You mean to challenge the Sith? You're lucky to have survived the bombardment, don't jeopardise that for vengeance's sake", retorts Zelka.

"This isn't for revenge. This is something I have to do", replies Shaleena while lifting herself off the table, embracing the pain as a means of motivating herself for the fight ahead.

"Wait! Please, at least rest awhile longer until you can regain a portion of your strength", says Zelka.

Shaleena ignores his requests and leaves, determined to take the fight to the heart of the Sith menace. Unfortunately for her, the Sith are already preparing to send an emissary to Taris' surface, a skilled Force-user by the name of Darth Somnus. Cloaked in a crimson/black cape and adorned with a silver face mask, Darth Somnus is Apprentice to the Dark Lord, Malak, former Apprentice to Darth Revan - the Liberator - Dark Lord of the Sith before him.

Arriving on Taris' surface in a small G-Wing fighter, Darth Somnus and an accompanying Dark Jedi duo - twin Jedi's named Carius and Marius - begin scouring the planet for signs of the Jedi commandant who had eluded Malak and his Sith in the space battle above.

Shaleena, absorbed in her dark thoughts, goes in search of Rukil, traversing the desolate wastes of the Capital; her feelings become ever more violent as she witnesses all the destruction wrought by the Sith, like a snowball gathers up ever more snow as it descends down a slope. After hiking through miles of shattered terrain, she comes across the remnants of her old village.

Pushing past sheets of distorted metal, Shaleena investigates the Outcasts' former hell, this time seeing it in a very different light. She now started to miss her old way of life, the security she had, the familial bonds she developed with her fellow Outcasts, the assurance she felt in their leader, Gendar; all those things had vanished, replaced by empty hopes and promises.

She had gone in search of this Promised Land, but had found only yet more misery; what was the point of it all, of sacrificing all those old assurances? Shaleena feels the tugging of malignant despair around her heart. But just as her hopes giveway to her fears, a small voice is carried by the wind to her ears, like a distant cry that is voiced but does expect to hear a voice in return.

Beneath several plates of heavy steel, Rukil stirs, moaning and groaning with immense pain. Shaleena is overjoyed to discover that old "Rukil Wrinkle-Skin" is, indeed, alive. Using her special gift, Shaleena lifts away the steel debris cocooning Rukil's body, his face alight with joy to see Shaleena had survived the bombardment. Blinking back tears, Rukil embraces Shaleena, shouting all the while about the Promised Land's coming - it seemed that his recent near-death experience had done little to change Rukil's perceptions on reality.

Shaleena, overcome with emotion, begins sobbing and explaining that she and four others had gone in search of the Promised Land and found nothing, that they spent days within the sewers only to find Gamorreans and rancors, but nothing else. But Rukil stops her, imploring her to see with her eyes and not her heart, the true Promised Land; the people working together to help each other, both Upworlder and Outcast, the destruction of the corruptive Capital, the liberation of the surface-ward Taris.

Shaleena stood gawk-eyed, staring into Rukil's empassioned image, his eyes ablaze with the truth before him, and, at last, she began to understand all that he had meant; though it looked bad now, someday the people of Taris could rebuild, forging the future anew as a unified world once again.

Chapter 4: Revelations.

Darth Somnus assayed the damage he and his Sith compatriots made possible; he hadn't a figure on the total people annihilated in the attack, but assumed the number would exceed the millions. He cracked a wry smile at the thought. He could feel the wounds in the Force ache with his very presence, the screams of the departed chorusing around him in a sort of macabre symphony.

Marching along a bombed-out freeway, Somnus spies the rallied survivors seeking shelter amongst the wreckage. He hastens toward them, eager to probe them for information on the whereabouts of the Jedi commandant working with the Republic. He stands a head's breadth above them, his silver half-mask concealing the right side of his face, lightsaber in hand; they try to look away from him, but are moved by anger to act against him.

A foolish mistake.

Taking up his lightsaber, Somnus strikes them down dead, their bodies still writhing with nervous twitches after they fall; Carius and Marius draw their own lightsabers and stand beside their Master, hateful expressions colouring their faces with disdain.

"Where is Bastila?", says Somnus, sounding aloof and insular.

"There's no 'Bastila' here", responds the first Tarisian, paralyzed by fear and unable to say anything more.

"She could not have escaped this worthless world's destruction in time. Do not toy with me, or you'll find I can be a most dangerous plaything", replies Somnus, curtly.

"We have no wish to meddle with the affairs of the Sith. Please, just let us go", says another surviving Tarisian.

"Your lives are meaningless to me! You will go nowhere until you have given me the answers I seek", shouts Somnus, his eyes becoming pools of shadow.

Meanwhile, Shaleena and Rukil had begun their trek across the 'Sun Rimmer', the first of many interconnecting bridges that once formed Taris' central transit system before the Great Famine some four hundred years ago. Many survivors also made the same journey, with herds of people amassing all along its span, seeking passage across the expanse of ocean below them.

But Shaleena and Rukil journeyed in pursuit of the true heart of Taris, the green landscapes encased by the Capital for century upon century, and the fertile promise of a reborn Taris. Others followed them, each determined to witness Taris' true beauty, eager to restart their lives in this paradise of legend; Upworlders and Outcasts marched together across the Sun Rimmer bridge, an almost poetic scene befitting an old Outcast fable.

As they passed beyond the Sun Rimmer, the final bridge loomed large before them; christened the 'Stellar Highroad', the last of these bridges now stands as an ancient remnant of Taris before the Great Famine - now it is home to rakghouls, perhaps a nest of rakghouls. Shaleena begins to worry immensely as she and Rukil approach the Highroad; the tales she's heard suggest a rakghoul nest may lay deep within the Highroad, perhaps the largest nest in all Lower Taris.

But having already travelled so far, turning back didn't seem an attractive option, either. Rukil, sensing Shaleena's apprehension, grabs her hand and looks into her eyes, seemingly giving off his own resolve to strengthen her's. Together, they begin the long and arduous journey through the Highroad, braving the dangers within alone. Very few Outcasts had decided to follow them at this point, as the risk was too great, but Shaleena never looked down on those ho decided to quit the quest. The Highroad was a dangerous place, perhaps the most perilous on all Taris, and it would prove this yet...

As they descended deeper into the Highroad's murky interior, Shaleena and Rukil came across a lone rakghoul feasting on the corpse of a fallen Outcast, it's razor-sharp teethe coated in coagulated blood. It turned and snarled at these invaders, crying a shrill voice that penetrated the darkness and echoed throughout all the Highroad. Soon, Shaleena and Rukil were surrounded by twenty or thirty rakghouls, all communicating amongst each other using a discordant dialect the likes of which would strip paint off walls.

Drawn by her gift, Shaleena glanced up to see a huge sac, pus-like in colour and oozing a viscous liquid that seemed ready to drop on top of her; Rukil noticed it next, his facial expression betraying the fear held deep inside his heart. Out from the sac came a large, hirsute creature resembling a rakghoul, only being of much greater proportions, and - judging by the rather, uh, obvious anatomy - female.

"That's like no rakghoul I've ever seen", remarks Rukil, sounding slightly intrigued by this creature.

"This isn't exactly the time for biology, Rukil", replies Shaleena, her brow becoming furrowed as she displays her contemp.

"Right. You're right, of course. We should make ourselves scarce", says Rukil, obviously not perturbed by Shaleena's earlier remark.

Evading the rakghoul mother's clutches, Shaleena and Rukil flee through the darkened passages that comprise the Highroad, snipping rakghouls close behind. Fluctuations of energy erupt from Shaleena's fingertips, spraying the rakghoul pursuers with waves of eletricity. Rukil, armed only with a small blaster pistol, fires a few rounds at two rakghoul stragglers. popping their heads open like ripe melons.

With most of the rakghouls dissuaged, Shaleena and Rukil continue their escape from the Highroad; unfortunately, the rakghoul mother has yet to give up the hunt. Bashing through surrounding walls, the Mother makes her presence known, using her claws to tag Rukil in the back. Shaleena, with help from her powerful gift, collapses the nearby archway in a bid to stop the Mother getting any closer.

Trapped, the Mother retreats, circling a bend in search of another avenue toward her prey, leaving Shaleena and Rukil a window of opportunity to escape her grasp. Shaleena spies a far light at the end of a long and dank corridor, which she suspects leads to the Highroad exterior; but before she can report this to Rukil, the Mother bursts through the wall to the right. With her last ounce of strength, Shaleena decides to cause a cave-in, hoping to crush the Mother in the process; racing through the last section of tunnelway, Shaleena carries out her plan.

With a thunderous crash, the antiquated tunnel collapses and crushes the rakghoul mother, as evinced by a rather sickening splat heard rearward; rivulets of greenish blood come coasting along the hard, white stone of the Highroad exterior. Though Shaleena is ecstatic, Rukil is in a very bad way - bleeding profusely, it doesn't appear he'll survive his injury.

"Rukil! No, we were so close! You can't die yet, not when the Promised Land is this close", says Shaleena.

"You still don't get it, do you? This, all this, is what was promised by my father and grandfather. What you see around you is the Promised Land", ethuses Rukil.

"I know, I know. But the planet core - the heart of Taris - that's what you most wanted to see", cries Shaleena, tears welling in her eyes.

"Then you'll just have to go see it for yourself. I'll see the surface world through your eyes. But you must go on, you cannot stop for me. You must leave me behind", replies Rukil, his face becoming a perfect reflection of Shaleena's.

At this moment, Rukil's fragile grip on life finally gives way, and Shaleena is left to pursue Taris' surface on her own. Rising to her feet, she looks toward the gaping mass of broken road that opens before her, an abyss that will ultimately lead her to the planet's core. But before she can begin the journey deep beneath Taris' wastelands, she will have to contend with Somnus, who is awaiting survivors at the Highroad's end.

Carrying what little supplies are left, Shaleena continues down the exterior of the Highroad, taking in the air of the world now that no Capital can pollute it. At the far end of the track, Somnus and his Dark Jedi question Tarisian survivors on the whereabouts of the Jedi commandant.

"You there!", shout Somnus, his lightsaber at his side as he stands amidst a pile of decapitated corpses.

"Me? What would you want with me?", replies Shaleena, sounding a touch confused.

"I'll tell you what I want with you, I want... Wait, I can sense the Force is working through you. A Force Adept, here, of all places. Ha", replies Somnus, in an strangely introspective fashion.

"Force Adept. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a survivor, nothing special", says Shaleena.

"Don't be coy with me, girl. You wield the Force, you are no survivor. You are the commandant", shrieks Somnus.

At that moment, Carius and Marius deactivate the stealth field generators and attack Shaleena, lightsabers slicing through the air. Shaleena manages to conjure a ball comprised of pure Force energy, using it to throw Marius to the ground. She lunges for his lightsaber, cartwheeling out of harm's way; in a deftly executed move, she spirals through the air, lightsaber-in-hand, and eviscerates Carius in one fell swoop.

"You've killed my brother, you dog", screams Marius, still without a lightsaber.

A sudden surge of Force-based energy flows from his hands, creating a maelstrom of lightning that ensnares Shaleena like a taloned hand. Powerless in this state, she drops her lightsaber, and is blasted with concurrent volts of pure electricity. Marius discontinues his Force Lightning, allowing Shaleena to fall to the ground in a heap. Marius readies his lightsaber, standing over Shaleena as an executioner stands over the condemned; raising his arm, Marius prepares to end Shaleena's life.

"Stop! This one's mine", declares Somnus, as if shouting commandments from the heavens.

Now unconscious, Shaleena wallows in her mind, abandoned to her thoughts and unknowing of the fate her corporeal fate prepares to meet. She hears Rukil, Gendar, Zelka and the Outcasts calling out to her, begging her to open her eyes and see truth for what it is. Slowly, Shaleena manages to rouse herself from her catatonia, and with all her suppressed rage, with all her darkest feelings and unspoken curses, she allows the Force to stream through her physical shell, trusting in this Force she knows nothing about.

Marius, before he can even think of lowering his sabre arm, is flung from the Highroad and thrown deep beneath Taris' transit hub. Darth Somnus, flailing like mad and unable to correct his fall, is slammed repeatedly into the surrounding duracrete pillars. Shaleena lifts herself of the ground, dazed but alive, and strolls over to the battered an broken Somnus.

He is dying, impaled by his own lightsaber.

"I've done what needed to be done. I won't kill you. If the Force is within me, I'm going to respect it, not use it to deal to scum like you", she says.

"F-fine... C-coward. You h-had better r-run, because i-if I survive this, you're d-dead", replies Somnus.

Darth Somnus never did get his chance for revenge - he died there midst that broken graveyard of road and rail.

Arriving at an abandoned core-ward train depot, Shaleena makes her final push to access the planet's core, or as Rukil once called it, "True Taris". Aboard a train that was, capriciously, still functional, Shaleena descended down the median rail-line, deep below the wastelands of ruined Taris. This region, known as D-Level (Deep Level), is the last evidence of the foundations of the Old Capital, before the Tarisian government started a new project to house that populous.

She was alone, but Shaleena felt the Force comfort her as it reacted to the sight of the planet's true surfaced, no longer concealed by buildings or streets, but visible and demythologised. And there she sat, waiting for others to chance upon this hidden oasis - perhaps she would even find passage off-world, in search of the Liberator, or these "Jedi" Somnus had spoken of.

Whatever she would choose, Shaleena wished only to be seated in quiet contemplation of the Promised Land, false hope made true promise.

The End.

Nathan's Star Wars Fanfiction Links

Greetings my fellow iWriters,

Here for your perusing pleasure, I've listed some of my personal recommendations for pertinent Star Wars fanfiction, wherein you'll find (mostly) professionally-written stories for a multitude of Star Wars story tracts. I was extremely careful in omitting material deemed pornographic - which are disturbingly numerous - or offensive by nature, so you can read without fear of indelible mental scarring. Enjoy!

1.) TheForce.net.

This website features a wide variety of stories covering every aspect of the multilayered Star Wars universe, including short narratives and epic poems ala Homer's "The Odyssey". Select stories that might pique your curiousity include dense fictions detailing Ewok/Wookie relations at the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War, Boba Fett works describing, at length, some early missions predating the Star Wars film trilogy timeline, and a Princess Leia piece discussing the Princess' early years on the planet Alderaan.

2.) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

A personal favourite of mine, this fanfiction site contains a database of KOTOR-related fanfiction works that detail the expansive Jedi Civil War period that predates the original films' timeline by around five thousand years. This website features some required reads if you are to understand the fanfiction I have personally composed, especially of Darth Revan's redemption/fall and the Mandalorian Wars that precedes it, which is a minefield of pertinent Old Republic details prior to the return of the Sith.

3.) Star Wars: Rogues.

For the more seasoned Star Wars fanfic fanatics out there, this site explores the deeper story arcs left hanging by the saga's completion, heavily focusing on character-based articles pertinent to some of the most renowned Star Wars characters of the trilogy. If you have always wanted to know when and how Han Solo and Lando first met each other, this is the website for you.

4.) Star Wars Chicks.

A fascinating website for those mysterious, "female" fanfiction writers who shroud themselves in darkness, composing dense narratives pertaining to the illicit love triangle formed between Han, Luke and Leia before the, uh, "revelation" that ended it all. A very interesting website, assuming the authors are actually female and not 50-year-old dudes posing as females.

5.) Jedi Apprentice: Fan Dimension.

Want even more half-assed Jedi philosophy and Force-related musings? Then check out this website and enlighten yourself on the inner-workings of the universe and Jedi-centric fanfiction detailing everything from the original Great Schism that first split the Jedi Order, as well as articles on Darth Vader's schooling in the dark arts under the tutelage of Darth Sidious.

6.) Star Wars Wikia.

It is important to know history - especially when that history entails galaxy-spanning wars between rival religious factions that frequently divest each other of their heads. The Jedi Civil War, as I have mentioned, predates the Galactic Empire and follows the exploits of Revan during the Mandalorian Wars. There is a wealth of information here - which includes some facts that even I had no prior knowledge of - bordering almost on manic obsession. Worth a good look.

7.) Star Wars Timeline.

While not really fanfiction, this website features a timeline relevant to the Star Wars galactic standard, and is integral viewing when trying to compose your own Star Wars fanfiction. From the videogame front to the conclusion of Return of the Jedi, this site effectively lists the key events/characters that helped to define the epic motion picture saga. This is excellent when you're unsure of when to place or stage events in the Star Wars continuum, avoiding potential embarrassment and/or ridicule.

8.) Star Wars Galaxy Map.

Want to find out where Taris lies on the Perlemian trade route? Then access this link and find out. With a comprehensive, sometimes complex, cartograph at your fingertips you'll never be lost in the Outer Rim again. Every world featured in either film/game/comic form is listed right here, and the map also lists some of the unique qualities of the Star Wars universe itself. Apparently the SW universe has something called a "Deep Core". Hmmm, sounds sexy.

9.) Star Wars Starships & Cruisers.

Not exactly a complete list of Star Wars vehicles, this website contains some images of classic (and not-so-classic) starships from the old/new films and the online "Galaxies" videogame. This is an excellent resource for those not familiar with the differences between the X-Wing, Y-Wing and the chicken wing.

10.) Star Wars Species Bios.

Ever wondered if the "Female Gamorrean" ever existed, or postulated on the necessity of Hutt back-fat? Because this section is your answer. You'll learn a lot about the Hutts' mafia-like culture, Wookie life-debts, Twi'lek "head-tails", and a whole slew of other useless information that will get you nowhere in life. Read and know bliss.

Abbi's Fan Fic Draft One

Why the Wicked Witch Really Hates Dorothy and Toto. (First Darft)

Everybody who saw the strange bunch gathered together would realise that this was a strange affair. Between the kaleidoscope of colours, mis-matched outfits, witches hats, robes, munchkins and flying monkeys anyone could see that what was taking place was a little out of the ordinary. These she lay her face as green as the emerald city with her robes ebony black she lay motionless, the wicked witch of the east. Her sister, of course the wicked witch of the west, was front and centre sobbing into her witches hat with her monkeys at her side, and Dorothy with her sparkling ruby slippers standing to her left. Despite the fact that Dorothy’s house had landed on the WWE and she had stolen the prized Ruby slippers the WWW had appreciated Dorothy turning up to share her condolences. After all it wasn’t her fault and the WWW wasn’t an unreasonable lady.
Dorothy having lived in Kansas her whole life had never seen anything like this before and was amazed by all of the different creatures that had arrived, as many of them were with her. A pretty young girl with dark brown hair and beautiful brown eyes she was quite a stunner and many of the old warlocks and wizards realised this (to their wives dismay). Standing so close to the deceased family gave all of these men chance to get close to her and introduce themselves. After meeting Merlin, Albus Dumbledore, Gandalf she finally met Harry Potter. Young and handsome he caught her eye immediately, and I’m sure she would’ve caught his if his pesky ginger wife hadn’t have been around.
After the beautiful service at the wake Harry and Dorothy’s paths crossed again. Dorothy was in the kitchen getting some more ice and Harry had wandered. Ginny (Harry’s wife) was in the dining room talking to one of the old wizards Dorothy hadn’t met in the corner so this was the perfect time to make an impression. “Did you know the WWE well?”

“Oh yeah she’s Ginny’s great Aunt. Didn’t really have much to do with her, you know since she was into the dark arts and stuff but I heard she was ok, left us lots of gold too. How about yourself?”
Dorothy suddenly became more intrigued with the mention of gold. “Gold, wow how much did she leave you?” She realised she sounded a bit desperate so toned it down a bit. “ I uh…” she thought she better not tell him she was the real reason behind her death so instead she thought on her feet “I used to do her hair. Don’t you think it looks great? Almost as beautiful as my hair, don’t you think?”
“Oh yeah”, harry replied slightly confused because even from under the hat no hair was even visible.
He turned to have a real look at Dorothy to see how really beautiful her hair was and was blown away at what a looker she really was. He hadn’t noticed it before but now he could really see how stunning she was. “Well I’d have to say your hair is very beautiful but it is nothing compared to your amazing body”
She leaned in slowly and their lips touched. With every second their embrace became more passionate.
“What are you doing Harry?” Ginny shrieked and she saw them locked together.
“I … Uh… " he stumbled
“That’s it after the skank Hermoine you said never again! Expellidogarius!” and with a loud crack Harry disappeared and on the floor in a crumpled dark heap lay a little
Cairn terrier.
Dorothy quickly scooped him up and ran to the door. People were looking around for the commotion that was happening around them. Just as she made it to the door way the WWW appeared in front of her. “Where are you going” she said with a snarl, obviously the new had already gotten to her.
“I um I have to go back to Kansas”. Dorothy lied.
“You’re a liar and a murdered. And I am going to get you my pretty! You and your little dog too!” and with that Dorothy ran down the yellow brick road as fast how she could until she came to a fork in the road with a scarecrow hanging in the middle…

This is my first draft, not how correct the spelling and grammar is. I found it really hard to write and am nervous about posting it so any feed back would be awesome!
Thanks

Johnny's Fan Fiction Links

By continuing reading fan fiction based on some of my favourite TV shows the next fan fiction is called New Shawty On the Block which is based on the TV series Entourage. This fan fiction is based around Vincent Chase the mega movie star character in the show. On the show Vincent never has an issue seducing the opposite sex; it was always Vinnie who pulled the strings. No one played the field in Hollywood as well as he did until he met Peyton. Peyton is a sassy young actress seemingly immune to all of Vince’s charms. To the reader Peyton obviously have strong feelings but by playing ‘hard to get’ she has got Vince’s bearing all messed up.

Rambling Rodeo Ross is a fan fiction based on the classic TV sitcom Friends. This one revolves around the characters Ross and Rachel. I found this fan fiction a very entertaining read because it encapsulates the goofy character of Ross which David Schwimmer played so well. Here Rachel busts Ross in the middle of a passionate rendition of a Shania Twain song and by distracting Ross with her sexual advances was able to capture the rather embarrassing moment on camera to show to the rest of the gang.

51 more days to go is a continuance from where the US sitcom Big Bang Theory left off in Season Two. Here we have the boys still in the Arctic Circle doing some revolutionary scientific research for the University they work for. This Fan Fiction I think is quite good because it is written in diary form from perspective of the three main characters (the writer did not include a diary entry for Raj). It is a good read because it portrays the characters as on the edge of going bonkers which is quite natural if you are confined to a small space for a prolonged period of time and are amongst people as neurotic as the characters on the show. I would recommend you read this piece if you are a fan of the show.

Diverging away from TV I went in search of a Fan Fiction based on movies. Broken is based on the movie Almost Famous. This Fan Fiction attempts to give us an insight on Penny Lane’s mind when she gets dumped by Stillwater’s lead guitarist Russell Hammond. Deeply in love with Russell Penny is devastated and her mind appears to be all over the place. This sense of chaos is only compounded by the Rock and Roll environment she is in. The writer does a good job illustrating the Drug, Sex and Rock & Roll atmosphere synonymous to the 70s. And by reading this fan fiction it also gives a good idea about what a life as a ‘band aid’ must of been like.

The Mobile’s Revenge is a Fan Fiction derived for Guy Ritchie’s cult film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The writer vividly depicts London’s gritty underground gangster world. There is violence; the characters all have a dark sense of humour, and talk in a cockney accent. If you are a fan of this movie, you will appreciate the creativeness of this story. I could easily envisage this as a movie.

Since I am a fan of 30 Rock, I thought I ought to find a 30 Rock fan fiction that was better than that mindless drivel I made a review on in an earlier post. After browsing through numerous mind numbing fan fics I stumbled on A Woman He Knows which I found to be a very well written fan fic. It shows Liz Lemon as a completely different character, confident, self assured and a little arrogant. The reader is intrigued to see why she is behaving that way, but natural order is restored when we understand the main reason why she's undergone a drastic personality change. I also like this fan fic because it encapsulate the banter Liz and Jack is famous for and also shows the writer to having good knowledge of the show.

Prison Blues is a fan fiction based on that sitcom about nothing, Seinfeld. This fan fiction has the whole gang in prison. I found it very entertaining, it has Jerry being as whiney as ever complaining about prison hygiene, while at the same that berating George with his smart alec remarks. It's a great environment to drop the characters into because in Prison all you do is wait for the time to go by, creating a perfect scene for a show that is famous for being a 'a show about nothing'.

I Can Jump That Far is a fan fiction based on the TV show How I Met Your Mother. It written about the scene where the gang overcomes their fear of heights and death and jumps from one rooftop to another. Not only did they conquer their fears but also got access to an awesome Hot tub. However things turn pearshaped as frightened residents mistaken their for burglars and calls the police. Not only are the gangs held at gunpoint but are arrested and convicted for trespassing.

Stewies's Outing is about Stewie Griffith from the Family Guy cartoons. Stewie is the evil, british accented baby with homosexual tendencies. And in this fan fiction it documents the stages he went through to find out he's gay. Along with capturing the show's randomness and its hold no prisoners gags it makes for some very good reading.