Cyclical Saviours: Mutatis Mutandis

[s'Il]

<center><b><i>In the direct aftermath of the Jedi Purge... </i></b></center>

In their time since escaping the Temple during the Purge, Lok s'Ilancy had remained nearly glued to Zem Vymes. The two had relied on one another, and each needed the other if they had any hope of surviving.

But, there was something - and only one such a thing - that would cause the young Lupine to stray from her companion's side. It was horrifying, how in such a time of darkness - where the once highly-regarded Jedi were now the most hunted and branded as traitors, it was now simply a game of pure survival.

But even the need to survive suddenly became secondary to this need... this drive.

There was only one person aside from Zem that she would risk death for now.

Her father.

Or at least, her legal Guardian. What a twist of fate it was as well, that this person was also a Guardian. The only one of his kind that she thought of as more than a simple subservient, Lok had come to regard him as her 'dad'. After the death of her real father, he had taken her as his own, bringing her to the Jedi Temple.

As the Lupine picked her way through the rubble of the lower levels that had once - long, long ago - been home, she hoped that Mr. Flux would be there. It was where they had first met after all, where her father had died. The symbolism of it all remained in the back of her mind as she stopped at the doorway to a long abandoned apartment. Another few moments passed before she gingerly reached her left hand out to the door. Her free hand hovered tensely over the handle of her sabre which rested in a modified dogleg blaster holster she'd pilfered from a dead clonetrooper commander.

Soflty, the Lupine pushed on the door. It gave way slowly, its' hinges protesting with a muted squeal, and she let it swing open fully.

Crouched in the doorway and framed by what murky light was to be had on the lower levels, Lok cautiously nudged a toe forward over the threshold.

[Mr. Flux]

The purge for the Jedi, to say the least, had been rather...challenging. They were sure to send an excess amount of troops for the master, specifically with a resistance to his powers..But the 'young boy' was not as reliant on the Force as they had thought. He was equally skilled with a lightsaber, and as such, dispatched his would be dispatchers.

Afterwards, however, he could not leave his home. He had to stay there..And not only that, he'd always told her that if something had ever happened, to immediately get back to him there, and they would decide what would become necessary. They would decide what to do...

His daughter. The thought put a smile on his face as he stood over the body of a trooper, that small lightsaber hilt in hand. The irony of him being a father figure..

The squeeking of the door; more assassins? His dark garbed figure moved quickly, due to how he was dressed, he was barely visible. He saw who was in the doorway, and he moved into the dim light, a wide smile on his face; his raspy voice sounding out..

"You made it."

[s'Il]

Eyes adjusting almost instantly to the darkness in the front room, s'Il stepped the rest of the way inside and closed the door behind her. The sound of his voice was reassuring, and her hand strayed from her sabre. Out of old habit, she reached a hand down to remove her boots, but stopped. Even if in the past it'd been a household rule, it seemed that now taking off her shoes in the house wasn't necessary.


Stepping through the entryway, the Lupine made sure to avoid the body of a dead clone.

"I got here as fast as I could."

For a moment the muscles of her face tightened, but the expression passed just as quickly, and s'Il let out a long breath. Such a strange thing to regard a Guardian as a father; even after all these years the Lupine found it, at least in this case, to be rather amusing.

She reached a hand out and affectionately tipped his hat to the side, a relieved - if not strained - smile on her lips.

"I'm glad you aren't dead."

[Mr. Flux]

Whenever she stood so close to him; tipping his hat, he showed a moment of 'weakness'..A moment where he longed to show emotion to her, to give her a hug..To make sure that she was safe. And perhaps she would see that- but he did not act on it. His face changed slightly to a more harder appearance, but never-the-less he lofted her one of those smirks only he could give.

"Careful touching the hat."

He offered up softly. Despite the situation, he was still concerned for her 'minor' safety. She could've burned herself on the cortosis.

"The feeling is mutual. Whats going on out there? Whenever the clones attacked the temple I helped where I could. I came back down here, but they sent a regiment. They got the picture when half of them got fried by electricity, and attempted to send in specialists."

There were more bodies back in the bedrooms. He looked up to her, and before she could even respond..

"Are you ok, Lok?"

His voice softer than per usual..

[s'Il]

A pause. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but nothing came out. She snapped it shut.

And suddenly the weight of it all came crashing back down. Her shoulders slumped, and her body sagged. Almost in despair, the Lupine let herself sink to the floor. She sat on what had once been a lush, pristine white carpet. Now it was stained with blood.

"Master Windu is dead."

She let herself lean against his small body. Now more than ever, the Lupine needed the tactile sensation that at least one person she so loved and cared for was still alive. First it had been her father - her real father - and now Master Windu. Even though her bond with Zem Vymes seemed to be growing stronger, Flux was someone she simply couldn't lose. Not right now, not ever. She couldn't let him suffer the same fates as Darkharon s'Ilancy and Mace Windu.

It was with these thoughts that she reached up, hands clenching onto the black fabric of his overcoat as if he would disappear lest she not.

[Mr. Flux]

While his form was fragile, and he was not one for much strength, he managed to step forward to hold her against him as best he could. He lightly buried his slender face in the crevice of her neck, his hat tipping and falling off, to the ground and behind them. His small arms wrapped around her back, until finally his voice spoke to her in comforting tones.

"I'm here. Like I said I would be."

Fate had been dealing her rather frakked up hands. Her father, which was an intricate tail, and now Windu. That loss was not only felt by her. But he had to be strong for his daughter. With that in mind, he pulled away from her neck, and let his forehead rest against hers, eyes staring at her own.

"We have to be strong. We have to get through this."

[s'Il]

Her eyes were locked with his, and for a few moments the Lupine said nothing. His closenes was one of - if not the only - comforting things that she had left.

Finally, blinking, she spoke. But her voice was only a whisper.

"I know."


And even then it was a shaky admission. Other than Master Windu, Flux was the only other person that s'Il placed her complete trust in. But what if she couldn't help him? What if she made a mistake, and that mistake got him killed?

Secretly, the Lupine had always wanted his approval, and to make him proud. Even if she was not truly his daughter, nor he her father, the sentiment and desire was still present.

Eventually s'Il pulled back away from him, looked to the side and down. Her gaze settled on a bloodstain, and she spoke.

"I escaped the temple with another Jedi; we're trying to find a way offplanet."

Her next words were almost pleading. "Come with us."

[Mr. Flux]

His first thought was to decline the offer to go. He had to stay and fight whatever was happening! But then another line of thought kicked in. The smarter; the one with nearly 30 years of experience. There weren't many Jedi left after this purge, and as such he was one of the few Masters left to teach the next generation. Lok included.

He gently pet either side of his daughters face, and he gave her an affirming nod; one last heartfelt hug, and stepped backwards. He grabbed his tophat, and stood infront of her.

"They'll be looking specifically for me; and most likely you since you proclaimed a grand escape. Where is this other?"

[s'Il]

Getting to her feet, s'Il now towered over Flux.

"We found a hiding spot for now; it's in the next district over."

Her eyes traveled throughout her old home once more. Such disarray and destruction in such a relatively small space. What used to be an almost spotless dwelling was now littered with bodies. Her gaze lingered on the hallway that led to the back room, and she took a backwards step away from the Guardian, turning to head for her old room.

On the way she stopped as something caught her eye. Kneeling, the Lupine reached down, pulling a smashed picture frome from the rubble. A quick move and she'd slid the flimsi out. It was a picture she'd seen many times over,and it'd always been one of her favorite memories.

It showed herself, nearly seventeen, with a smile that went from ear to ear. And on her shoulders rode Flux.

The memory brought a faint smile to her face, and she turned to regard him from over her shoulder.

[Mr. Flux]

He wanted to say something- perhaps apologize for the destruction of there home? That thought was hilarious in itself, as he could remember the weekend he was sent to Kyshyyk and had to leave s'Il all by her lonesome at seventeen years old. He came back and the place was all but destroyed. Drink cans everywhere, fast food bags.

She hadn't cleaned a thing; and he let her have it. He threatened her with electroshock therapy! A smile at the thought, as he saw her look at the photo. He turned, and went to his room. He couldn't wear these clothes all the time, but he would stay in them until they made it to the safe spot. He made a small pack of clothes, and eased the small satchel on his shoulders.

"Unless you wanna carry me, lets hop to."

[s'Il]

As if hearkening back to the old days, s'Il stuffed the flimsi into her back pocket with a hasty "One second."

And off she was, darting into her old bedroom for a few extra belonging - mementos of her past and history; of her people. An old book, a few small woodcarvings, and a datachip that held every picture of her real father that she had were stuffed into the carry-pack she'd brought with her. Flux had never discouraged her from keeping such pictures of her real father, and for that the Lupine was grateful.

She knew who her real father was through imagery and whatever Flux would tell her. But it didn't replace the fact that the Guardian had become her father in word and action. It was as if she had two dads; the one that helped to bring her into this world, and the one that had given her a life.

Emerging from her room, s'Il dodged bodies and broken furniture on her way towards Flux.

She looked down at him.

"If carrying you means we can move faster, than it might be a good idea."

[Mr. Flux]

"Hah."

He spoke rather quickly and moved to the door. He made sure everything that he would need in a fight was ready- just incase. The next district over was quite a ways away. But he knew s'Il had an idea of where to go.

Afterall, she'd gotten back to him. He stood, waiting for her, as if an impatient child waiting on his parents to hurry up.

[s'Il]

Allowing herself a moment of fun, the Lupine unexpectedly swept him up off his feet on her way out the door.

"Come on Old Man," she happily grumped, "let's get out of here and down to the lower levels."

That was how she'd been able to arrive mostly unhindered, and that was how she planned on them returning to Zem.

[Mr. Flux]

After she set him down; and she would set him down, he gave her a nod. He looked around as they carefully made their way from the ruined lower levels of the temple; up to the higher areas, until which finally he stood back, behind her, against one of the metal walls..

"Your show..You better get to showing it."

He quipped a bit arrogantly.

[s'Il]

"If you're looking for me to change," she shot back, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint."

She carefully scanned the empty ruins. What had once been a slaughterhouse was deathly quiet. She saw a body, then another. Her features turned to stone, but through the grace of... something... she managed a stoic countenance.

She chose to push the thought of dead fellow Jedi from her mind.

With this conscious effort, the Lupine lifted a hand into Flux's view, and wiggled her fingers. "Need those opposable humbs, you know."

[Mr. Flux]

Like her, he'd looked at the bodies. However, instead of a controlled calm, a feeling of grief- he felt anger. Rage. How dare they attack the temple? Jedi were the keepers of peace! All they had ever done was help the republic; the now..Empire! He had half a mind to charge right up to Palpatine...

But she spoke. Brought him out of his slight train of thought and he shook his head. He waited for her to take him out of there- and to this safe haven she had been speaking about. Who was this person she escaped the temple with?

Another Jedi? That's what she had said...But convenient that it happened. Or perhaps Flux could stop being paranoid that she was leading him blindly into a trap. He had to trust her. And that's exactly what he was doing.

[s'Il]

Waiting another few moments, s'Il made as sure as possible that there were no longer any clone patrols wandering about; it would do to get into another brawl at this point in time.

Another second or two of hesitation, and slowly, still cautious, the Lupine eased out of their hiding spot. No blaster fire rained down on her, and s'Il hoped that it would stay that way.

Stealing a glance to her father, she offered a smile and a nod, indicating that for now the coast was clear.

[Mr. Flux]

His form easily slipped forward; though even for the best trained clone trooper or commando, it would be a challenge to spot the small child due to his dress, and overall height. If one didn't know the intricacies of his life, they would even consider him as a non-threat.

Now that they were in the open he kicked his little feet into high gear, keeping up with the 'older', more youthful, and no doubt more stamina-having body of his daughter. It would prove to be a challenge, even for one at the highest rank given the circumstances.

And he heard a thought that made him smile rather wide; if she got his tunic blaster-holed, she was doing the sewing!

[s'Il]

For two levels they had progressed unhindered. It was a strange thing to hear utter silence where once there had been voices, laughter, and footsteps. It pained s'Il to imagine that the last noises to pass through had been screams, crying, and blasterfire. She knew all too well about what level of force the clones were using against the Jedi.

She bit her lower lip at the thought.

Slowing as she neared an alcove, the Lupine kept both eyes and ears open for any threat. It was low, but still there; voices. For a brief moment, s'Il hoped that it would be other survivors, but the muted, filtered sounds she heard only meant one thing... clones.

Of all the rotten luck. Crouching beside Flux, s'Il pulled a disgusted face.

"Kun on a cracker," she cursed quietly.

[Mr. Flux]

Flux was pleased with their ability to evade patrols, and not have to deal with an ounce of clones for the current duration of there escape. However, that 'good'..mood quickly turned south as he too heard the chirps of microphones, the quit cut off after they were finished talking.

Clones. And his suspiscions were confirmed as his daughter knelt near him, and cursed. He shook his head with a wry smile..."And here I thought you knew a way safely to get there."

He stood against the wall looking over his garb, hand sliding inwards of the folds..."Well; guess we're gonna have to do things the old fashioned way. I sincerely hope that you can keep up, daughter."..

He'd withdrawn that small lightsaber hilt, and before he gave Lok a chance to say anything at all, that small form sprinted outwards. One might compare his next acrobatic feat to something that Master Yoda might accomplish. His lithe form went into the air; the garbled 'transmissions' started to yell out jedi. But right then the saber was ignited, the plasma beam searing into battle armor and flesh, relinquishing the clone of his head.

The enemy closest was reacting the quickest; and albeit Lok may have been a lupine, but unlike the other monstrosities, her form could handle force usage. Lightning arc'd at his fingertips as it then ushered outwards, ending more life..

[s'Il]

"Well I did", she grumbeld, watching him burst from their cover.

The sounds of frantic scrambling and surprise on the part of the clones was immediately accompanied by that of a lightsabre coming to life.

s'Il surged up to her feet, pulling her own sabre from its' holster while in the same motion bulling around out into the open. Her amethyst blade seemed to move of its' own accord and she waded into the small group of clones, her blue eyes turning a tawny yellow.

Avoiding her electrical arcs from her father was easy enough; far easier for her than for the unfortunate troopers who found themselves caught up in its' destructive path. She crouched low, blade lashing out to the side and taking the legs out from under a clone - literally.

Master Windu's training was being put to the test now more than ever, and s'Il gave herself to the moment. She let her mind reach out and settle over the battleground.

The Lupine jumped high then, avoiding a barrage of blaster bolts and bringing her sabre around and up before chopping downwards to cleave one of their attackers in two.

She hit the ground and swept her weapon back, in the same motion looking to her father.