After the children’s initial shock settled somewhat, they were forced to overcome the overwhelming disgust and fear that the corridor filled with mangled bodies raised inside their chests. It was a sight from hell, which appeared inside their cherished temple’s walls, the temple that they believed to be the safest place in the entire galaxy. Understanding that such an act could happen here, has broken the last shreads of the once believed sense of safety within their little hearts. A terrible day this was, for the younglings had to grow up in a few minutes and embrace a new, much colder reality around themselves, if they wanted to be part of it. 

A sad day this was for the Republic, and the Jedi in general. The force, crying with the chaotic emotions of its wielders, projected into the waste emptiness of the endless galaxy. Echoing through the dark corners of many worlds, filling it to the brim with pain, betrayal, and sorrow. Such was the day when the clones turned against the jedi.

Behind all of this emptiness a dark shadow loomed over the disturbed galaxy, a cold sarcastic smile accompanied with a pair of blazing yellow eyes and in deep scrutiny watched the happenings through a mysterious scrying tool, which was filled with suspicious liquids that were pulsing with the unnatural energies of the dark side. 

The shadow of this dark, hooded figure was filled with nothing but layers upon layers of contempt. In the cloudy green mist of the scrying pool that was able to see behind walls at faraway places, the silhouettes of senate guards fighting against clones in the corridors of the Jedi Temple could be seen. 

-So the senate decided to go against my orders after all. The miserable fools still managed to conjure some backbone, surprising, but not entirely unexpected. 

The shadowy forms suddenly morphed into new ones, as the scenery changed to show the grand corridor inside the temple. Some of the jedi were still holding out against the attacking clones, they didn’t know it yet, but the clones were attacked from the back by the incoming senate forces. Now it was unlikely that the jedi would be effectively eradicated. 

-Unfortunate. Years and years of planning, yet it still turned out like this. 

The hooded figure looked at the fighting jedi. His eyes were cold, his expression filled with disgust. 

-They are much like cockroaches, clinging to their pitiful, meaningless lives... Their efforts are naturally meaningless in the greater scheme of things, none the less, they are extremely annoying. Now I will have to hunt them down one by one... 

-You will do no such a thing.

An unexpectedly familiar voice appeared in the shadowed hall, where the cloaked figure was hiding too focused on the scrying device to register his surroundings properly.

Now, in a moment of confusion and obvious surprise, he looked around the place, until his eyes focused on a single small form, standing in the door that was leading here.

Then the momentarily surprised and fear riddled expression slowly changed into one that could only be described as disgustingly jovial.

-Ahh… If it isn’t the Grandmaster of the fabled Jedi Order, Yoda in person none the less. I am surprised to see that your heart didn’t give out, sensing so many of your lapdogs releasing their last breath into the force through the early hours of this day. Tell me, how does it feel to see your cherished order fall apart around your shriveled old body, while unable to do anything to stop it. Heheh ehe~ 

The green form of master Yoda certainly seemed much paler than it usually was, as he heard the sarcastic voice, and understood that the shadows, beyond any doubt, were correct about who the Sith Master truly was.

He ignited his green lightsaber with an agile movement of his wrist and said.

-Your worry, I welcome, but it is misplaced. You should worry about yourself, Darth Sidious.

With that, a few dozen lightsabers of different colors were ignited, they were scattered around the shadowy corners of the large hall. Sidious wide smile has also disappeared. Seeing that a large part of the jedi council was present in this attack.

-You should have run while you had the chance, instead of enjoying the fruit of your cursed deeds… 

Stated Yoda, as his features tightened, ready to spring into action.

There was a loud cackle as the dark cloaked figure raised his arms magnanimously.

-Ha-h-h….Oh~ I can see that you have finally stopped underestimating your opponent, grandmaster… Alas, it was much too late… Did you seriously believe, that I would not know of your intention to assassinate me? That I will wait for you lot to surround me just like that? Masters, you have been a disappointment, a shadow of the Jedi Order my ancestors once fought against. You failed, and would have failed even more cluelessly, if that cursed little girl didn’t help you out just the right time… Yes… it seems that you have finally realized, even with your pathetically slow brains, that what you see in front of yourself, is nothing more but a hologram. An illusion, much like your power over the course of this war was. Hehe…

One of the masters, threw his lightsaber, which flew through the air and cut through the life like a hologram without the slightest resistance. Then he pulled back his blade into his stretched out arm. Now, it was certain that the Sith spoke the truth… the masters lowered their blades slightly, feeling dispirited while listening to the eerily amused laughter of the cursed Sith.

-Ahahaha… ha-h-h-h… ha~ how amusing…. Your failure has piled even higher, masters… but there is no reason to be depressed. I have left you a surprise, which I have no doubt you will handle with few causalities… We will see each other soon. Let the war commence in a more straightforward aspect this time. You would be wise to prepare your forces, masters… or what is left of them… hehe… as your last struggle is about to begin.

The cloaked Sith Master smirked at the present jedi openly, as he looked into each and every one of their eyes before adding his last remark.

-I will be enjoying every minute of it. Oh, I truly wonder, how long can you hold out against both the clones and the droid armies with those regular soldiers of yours? It would be such a pity if this little victory of yours would be shadowed by an even greater threat. Am I right? Ho-ho~ well then, see you soon…

The hologram disappeared without further words, and the sound of clanking metallic footsteps that slowly encroached the dark hall was heard. The Jedi masters exchanged grim looks, as they understood that they had walked into a trap.

-We shall fight our way through this armada of droids, my friends.

Stated Yoda with a grim expression.

-Yes, and then we shall go back to the temple, just as Master Windu did.

Added Kit Fisto, the nautolan jedi master. He was a jovial figure, one that could always raise the mood of others around him, but even his expression seemed worried and tired this time.

Shaak Ti, the beautiful and usually serene togruta Jedi Master, who was trusted with the surveillance of Kamino’s clone factories had been miraculously called back to the temple about a simple matter and therefore survived the assault of clone troopers, was the next one stepping forward.

Her expression was very pale, and depressed as she felt a deep shame and self-loathing for not realizing anything about the deadly trap which closed around them. One that has resulted in the death of thousands of jedi, and clearly endangered the future of the Republic and the Jedi Order.

With a pale, and shaky expression, she stepped forward and stated…

-Grandmaster…

Yoda looked at her and saw that there was a large conflict inside the togruta master, but he could only say for the time being.

-Not now, Master Ti… we must focus on the battle ahead, drive away any thoughts that might lead you astray and make you vulnerable. We will talk later, if the force wills it.

Ti nodded grimly and refocused her attention towards the closing in droids. The other two masters present Adi Gallia, a tholothian woman, and Saesee Tiin, an iktotchi man, have also followed her example.

---

Meanwhile, back in the Jedi temple, the younglings led by Kalifa finally managed to reach the council hall without further complications. They were immediately welcomed by the worry filled form of Jocasta Nu, who was the lead librarian of the temple, and seemingly the only person who was left behind to guard the council hall.

-Kalifa!

Shouted the woman, evidently relieved to see that the rest of the younglings had finally arrived.

-Foolish girl, where have you been all this time? I was worried sick about you kids, but couldn’t leave the small ones on their own to go out and search for you!

-I am sorry, Master Nu… we have run into clones and were held back…

The relieved expression contorting the face of the old librarian has changed radically as she heard that part.

-There were clones so deep inside the building! Are you all right? How did you manage to get away from them?

Kalifa looked aside, feeling awkward, as she looked at the two injured kids, both out cold from the pain they must have endured.

-I… well… we have two injured, but neither one of them is in critical condition…

-Master Nu immediately followed the direction of Kalifa’s worried gaze, and jumped into action, helping the two injured kids to be laid down on the councilors’ currently empty seats.

-By the force, those cowards didn’t even spare the children… I can’t accept such barbarism… even the smallest ones. How could things get to this point? The force may have mercy on us all… I am so happy that you managed to get away. How did you manage to do that? Tell me, sweet child!

-I, well…

Kalifa’s expression paled as she thought back to the massacre that Lily committed for their sake. All of them had been deeply shaken by that experience. To her confusion and slight worry, the less deeply affected person of all seemed to be the one who was forced to commit the atrocious act.

That particular thought was something that had bothered her for a while now. Is she? Is she acting strong for their sake, holding in those emotions? That could have been understandable, but her act seemed too natural. She was a jedi after all. She could sense the emotions much more acutely than other, normal people, and to her bafflement, she didn’t feel falsehood in her emotions.

At first, she felt that the girl was confused and disturbed by what she had done. It was obvious to all of them, but the extreme quickness and smoothness with which she had recovered from that momentary shock was absurd. The sense of guilt she felt from her was not as deep as she initially anticipated. There was guilt, but it was more like what you would expect a hover car driver to feel after accidentally hitting some small bird on the ride, and that realization made her feel very uneasy.

Now Kalifa, gaze wandered towards Lily, who was standing next to the unconscious bodies of the two injured kids. She stretched out her hand, blatantly touching the injury on the right arm of the currently unconscious togruta girl. The girl’s body, even in this comatose state, shuddered from the pain that likely followed her touch.

I was so surprised by this action that I couldn’t even scold her…

None the less, that was not the case with Master Nu. Who almost immediately screamed seeing the rude action of the foolish girl.

-Stop that! Don’t touch her injury. Have you lost your mind, child? You are causing her unnecessary pain!

Lily looked up, turning towards Master Nu with a clearly confused expression. But she still listened to the words as she saw that the master was running over to her side, probably to make sure that she didn’t do more stupid stuff.

The moment Master got closer to her and looked at the injury, she gasped loudly, gaining the attention of the nearby children, who quickly surrounded her on all sides showcasing excited cheers and sounds of awe, as they saw that the injury was healing at a visible rate.

-By the force! Did you do this, child!? I have never seen anything that is even half as potent as this rate of healing… it looks like as if the tissue is just growing out of thin air! Somebody should pinch me, to make sure that I am not dreaming! Ouch, hey! Stop that, I was only speaking metaphorically…

-Some of the kids giggled good-naturedly hearing the amused complaints of the kindhearted librarian.

At least they were giggling until their ears were suddenly grabbed by the hands of Master Nu and pulled harshly.

-Don’t try to make a fool out of your elders, little rascals.

The two kids, sensing the tight grasp on their earlobes, quickly capitulated and apologized guiltily.

-We apologize!

-Humph, at least you know when to admit defeat, a commendable trait that some of your future masters should also embrace.

If any of us managed to survive, this tragical day... was the continuation of her internal thoughts, but it was left unsaid.

In the meantime, the injury on the togruta girl’s right arm was almost entirely healed, and the unconscious child was now sleeping in a more relaxed manner.

Master Nu looked over at the arm of the poor girl, and she couldn’t help but shook her head in disbelief. With that she turned towards Lily, who had gone to the other injured, and did the same process. This time, nobody tried to scold her, only to watch as the injuries of the boy began to heal the same way.

When the injuries healed, Nu couldn’t wait anymore and stepped closer to the mysterious girl grabbing her hand and pulling her aside, while giving a strict glare to the rest of the kids, warning them to not follow them if they knew what was good for their sake.

The moment they managed to walk to a mostly empty side of the room, master Nu could finally begin to check this girl in detail. She was clearly older than most of the other kids, probably a padawan already and one with a miracle like blessing in the force healing arts. Alas… those piercing yellow eyes of her were quite troubling. Naturally, Master Nu had seen races that had natural yellow eyes, and seeing that the girl was capable of healing with such exceptional aptitude, she quickly discarded her ingrained suspicion that she might be a Sith in disguise. No Sith, in her understanding, would be capable of such levels of force healing.

She sensed that someone in that presence had come over to her, even after her warning to leave them alone. She turned towards the incoming kids, seeing that they were Kalifa nad Barriss, Secura, and Luminara’ padawans. She swallowed down her remark. Both of the girls were promising and good natured padawans. They must have a proper reason to disturb her, also with Kalifa. She was actually in the middle of a conversation. It shouldn’t be cut in half so harshly just because of an unexpected disruption.

She subdued a sigh and told the girls to come closer.

-Ah yes, we should continue our earlier conversation too… so how did you manage to get away from the clones earlier… Tell me, is there any chance if they might have followed you here?

It was the unusually pale Barriss who answered Master Nu’s question.

-We didn't think that anyone would follow us… because the clones we met were killed…

The eyebrows of Jocasta Nu jumped up to her hairline. She turned towards Kalifa, as if for confirmation, that Barriss, however unlikely that might be, wasn’t pulling her leg. And she received that confirmation in the form of a solemn nod.

-I… see…

Was the only thing that the old master could say. It was true that she was not a young chick anymore… but in her time; she was quite a wild and thorny flower, as her old master always called her with the obvious intention of riling her up, mostly successfully to her shame. That was in the past. Now she was a woman who knew her limits and capabilities. But… even in her best form, she wasn’t sure that she could defeat a squad of armed clones in a narrow corridor that had almost no cover to hide from their deadly shots.

Those blasters were spewing out plasma at a rate that had never been seen before. The clones were more than capable warriors, they were elite warriors who were able to rival a mechanic army of fearless droids for so long. Nobody should underestimate the effectiveness of clones, and it seems that these clones have turned against them.

So how did these children manage to kill a bunch of clones while receiving just a few injuries? It seemed to be impossible. Upon arriving at this conclusion, she only asked one more word.

-How?

Now both girls simultaneously turned towards the other girl that was next to me. Now, I also looked at the strange kid with a suspicious stare. I checked over her body in great detail and saw signs that were driving me towards an unexpected conclusion.

The first sign my eyes caught were the large appendages folded over her back… they were covered in a reddish color… and only now when I looked at it carefully did I realize, that it was not their original color… it was half coagulated blood… which had been dripping over her outer robe, that was draped over her like a simple brown cloak….

But... if such carnage happened... why was her cloak so clean... A thought surfaced in my mind. Was it draped over her afterward?

I reached out my hand hesitantly to carefully unfold the robe over her chest. Seeing my intention of stripping her, she stepped back while tightening the robe around herself prudly. So I chided her.

-Do not be alarmed girl, nobody is going to harm you. I merely wanted to look for injuries.

The girl looked at me and spoke for the first time since she arrived here.

-I am called Lily, and I am not injured. However, my clothes were mostly burned off… Kalifa gave me this cloak in place of my destroyed clothes.

I furrowed my brows as I exchanged looks among the three girls.

-If your robes were damaged to such a degree, how could you say that you were not injured!?

-Ah, because of the larvae protecting me.

This made the conversation froze for an awkwardly long moment. Then, when Master Nu gathered her spirit, she asked.

-… What larvae?

To that, the girl smiled sweetly and said.

-These!

In a moment, Jocasta Nu vision was filled with huge crackling larvae running around the little girl’s skin completely covering her in a dark and endless swarm of giant ugly bugs… She was still holding the young girl's wrist, and felt as a few of the bugs run over her bare hand which caused cold shivers to run up her spine.

She felt her eyes roll backward, and the world ominously darkened around her. Dull sounds of screams filled the background. She heard two girls shout her name worridly, while simultaneously scolding Lily.

Her last thought was.

I am too old for this shit.