Part 5, here we go! Enjoy!

"Block high, Zel!" Aralez cried, bringing down her weapon.

I raised my lightsaber just in the nick of time before Aralez cut me in half.

Five days, Crowvern gave me to train. I thought it would've been enough time but the more I thought about it, I feel like each passing day is going by quicker than the last...

Aralez backed off and looked at me with concern.

"Everything alright, Zelara? You seem distracted," Aralez said.

"Sorry Ara, I don't mean to wear you down. It's just that, every day feels like it's going by quicker than usual. I guess I'm a little stressed out." I confessed.

"No need to apologize. Since I'm you, I can understand what you are feeling. I'm a little shaken up as well." Aralez said.

I turned to Aralez with a surprised look.

I know we share the same emotions, but I'd never guess she feels stressed out as well...

After a while, my face fell, and I turned my attention to the ground.

"Hey." Aralez said, voice bringing me back to reality.

I turned to her with a tired look.

"Answer me this. What do you hope to gain from battling Crowvern?" Aralez asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Let me rephrase that. Why are fighting Crowvern? What are your intentions?"

My intentions...?

"To avenge those who he slaughtered, especially my parents." I said.

A soft smile spread across Aralez's lips.

"Why am I not surprised? You have always put others' needs before your own. Your intentions outweigh Crowvern's in so many ways than one. He intends to become more powerful, but his ambitions, greed, and pride are going to be his downfall. If you are fighting for the greater good, there is no doubt in my mind that you will not falter and win this battle." Aralez said.

I let Aralez's words sink in before smiling at her.

"Thanks, Ara." I said.

"Anytime. Now, let us get back to training, shall we?" Aralez asked.

Nodding firmly, the two of us started training again. We trained until nightfall. Not wanting to overdo it, I insisted that we stop until the next few days.

The days went by slowly and I was able to train at my own pace. The next morning, Kayla trained with me and taught me some powerful flips and kicks; after that day, Kanan and Ezra trained with me and showed me some combo moves to do with Aralez if the situation were to arise; after that day, Aralez trained with me once more and taught me how to take hits and dish out double the damage; on the fifth and final day, Aralez, Kayla, Kanan, and Ezra all agreed to train with me.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this Zel? This seems, very unsafe." Kayla asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I don't know what kind of tricks Crowvern has up his sleeves; I just want to be ready for anything." I said.

I had asked Kayla, Kanan, and Ezra to duel with me and Aralez.

"Ready Ara?" I asked.

"Ready Zel." she replied.

When we merged, I drew my weapon and ignited the blade. Kayla and the boys did the same. Kayla was the first to strike when she ran up to me and brought down her lightsabers. Raising my own, I was able to stop her attack. Sensing the boys running up behind her, I pushed Kayla away and somehow managed to stop the boys' attacks.

"Nice moves, Zela!" Ezra commented.

"Thanks kid!" I said.

Shifting my footing, I deactivated my weapon and flipped over the boys. Knowing Kayla was going to attack me from behind, I activated my lightsaber behind my back, soon feeling weight being added to my weapon.

"Good reflexes, Zel!" Kayla said.

"Learned them from you, Kay!" I said.

Pushing her away with the Force, I looked at my opponents, expertly twirling my weapon.

"Time to go on the offensive. Remember what I taught you." Aralez said.

Nodding firmly, I charged at Kanan, making our weapons crash into one another.

"Thought you were on the defensive." Kanan said.

"A good defense is a good offense." I commented.

Knowing Ezra was coming up behind me, I pushed Kanan away and quickly stopped Ezra's attack, our weapons colliding.

"Like I said before, kid. You should know better than to sneak up on me." I said.

"Guess it slipped my mind." Ezra said with a smile.

Playfully glaring at my apprentice, I brought down my weapon repeatedly, showing no signs of letting up.

"Don't forget about me, old friend!" Kayla said from behind.

I quickly spun around and blocked Kayla's dual lightsabers.

The pressure is definitely on. This is only a sliver of what Crowvern might do to me.

Pushing away Kayla, I looked around at my friends who surrounded me.

"I think we're done here," Kanan said.

"You think so?" Kayla said.

"Yes. Zelara is clearly ready to face Crowvern."

Kanan's words of encouragement brought a smile to my face.

"I think so, too. Zelara is more than ready to take on Crowvern." Ezra said.

Then, the same blue light emitted from my chest. When it landed on the ground, Aralez appeared when the light died down.

"I agree. I will be with you every step of the way." Aralez said.

I smiled at my family and let out a chuckle.

"I know I shouldn't be, but I cannot wait to face Crowvern tomorrow," I said.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Zel." Kayla warned.

"Yes, Ms. Croslea."

The five of us laughed at what I said.

"Sun is setting. Better rest up for tomorrow, Zel." Ezra said.

"Right." I said.

Aralez became a small blue light and soon disappeared when she collided with me.

"Oh, and before I forget, can you all do me a major favor?" I asked.

"Sure. What is it?" Kayla asked.

"Don't follow me to Rivdar."

"What? Why not?" Kanan asked.

"You'll be putting yourselves all in jeopardy if you come. I can't risk that."

The three of them looked at each other and then back at me.

"Alright, we won't follow you." Kanan said.

"You promise?" I asked.

"We swear." Kayla and Ezra said.

I breathed out and smiled.

"Thanks everyone." I said.

Saying goodnight, I started walking back to the Ghost.

"You know they are going to follow you, right?" Aralez asked.

"I know." I said.

I walked into my cabin and sat down on my bed.

"Any last-minute advice, Ara?" I asked.

"Just remember why you are fighting Crowvern." she said.

I nodded and let out a sigh. I looked up at the ceiling and let out another sigh.

"Any advice for me, Mom?" I asked quietly.

Everything was placid. Already knowing what she'll say, I smiled and laid down in my bed.

She'll always be there to guide my hand...

The day finally came. Getting up early, I went to the Phantom and put in the coordinates for Rivdar. Taking the controls, I detached the shuttle from the main ship and blasted off into space. Engaging autopilot, I watched as the Phantom jumped into hyperspace. I let a heavy sigh escape my lips as I leaned back into the seat.

I can't believe this is really happening... I'm about to meet Crowvern after six years of hiding away from him... I can already imagine how he'll react to seeing me...

Coming out of hyperspace, I saw the beige planet of Rivdar.

He's here already. I can sense him...

After entering the planet's atmosphere, I followed Crowvern's power trail until I saw his starship up ahead. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I landed the Phantom a safe distance away from Crowvern's ship. Walking onto the planet's earth, I saw him; standing in front of his ship with his arms crossed.

His power... It's so overwhelming...

Taking a deep breath, I started walking up to my former Master. When Crowvern saw me, he smiled and made his way over to me.

"After six years, you show up for something as petty as this," he said.

"Save it, Crowvern. We both know that you wanted this from the beginning." I said.

"I suppose you are right. You always had a gift for that; no doubt you always will."

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh.

"Where's Nerezza?" I asked.

"Inside. I told her to watch the battle from the cockpit. And what about your battalion?" Crowvern asked.

"I told them to stay behind." I said.

"Why? You don't want them to see you perish?"

I clenched my fists and glared at my former Master.

"Let us get this over with, shall we? I am a very busy man, and I do not like to be kept waiting." Crowvern said.

He wasted no time igniting his weapon.

The Dark Wing Saber and he go really well together. With Crowvern's already immense power, plus the power from the lightsaber, he's going to be pretty hard to beat...

Nodding firmly, I ignited the Lone Wolf Saber.

"I must saw Zelara, over the past six years, your connection with the Force has become much stronger than when we first met." Crowvern said.

"I can say the same about you." I said.

A strong gust of wind came out of nowhere and kicked up a lot of the sand and dirt off the ground. In an instant, the two of us charged at one another, and our long-awaited battle began. Our weapons connected, collided, and clashed with each other repeatedly.

"The Force is strong you, Zelara. It is such a shame you did not join me when you found out the truth." Crowvern said.

"Why would I join someone as vial and cruel as you?" I asked.

Our lightsabers connected once more.

"You would be a much better partner in crime than Ilona, for one." Crowvern said.

I growled at him and started swinging and slashing my weapon every which way. Crowvern would either dodge or block my attacks.

"That's right, Padawan. Let anger take control. Let that same anger you felt when I killed your parents control you." Crowvern said.

I shook my head violently and started going on the offensive.

"Shut up!" I cried.

"You will never be as strong as me," Crowvern said.

"Shut up!"

"You will never be as strong as the other Jedi that came before you."

"Shut up!"

"You will never be as strong as your mother!"

Something in me just snapped. I let out a cry and charged up to Crowvern with enraged eyes. I brought down my weapon, but Crowvern casually leaned out of reach. Glaring at him, I swung my lightsaber near his face, unfortunately, he blocked the attack in a split second.

"You are such a disappointment; to yourself, the past Jedi, and especially your mother." Crowvern said.

"No!" I cried.

I brought down my weapon once more, only to have it stopped by Crowvern's lightsaber.

"You are weak, too soft, and a mistake for a Jedi. Just like your mother." he said.

"NO!" I cried.

He'll pay for what he said about Mother...!

Over and over, I brought down my lightsaber, showing no signs of backing down. When Crowvern dodged my onslaught, he ran his weapon down my arm. A painful shriek escaped my lips. I gripped my arm and winced in pain.

"Is that all you have to offer, my dear?" Crowvern asked.

Letting out a cry, I twisted around and tried to slash him with my good arm, but Crowvern stepped out of the way again and ran his lightsaber across my back. An agonizing scream came out of me when it happened. I dropped to one knee and winced when the pain kept shooting through me.

"Throwing in the towel already? Honestly, I expected better from the great Wolf Jedi." Crowvern said.

I glared up at him, my breathing quick and heavy.

"Zelara, do not let anger cloud your vision! Remember why you are fighting Crowvern! Remember why you are here!" Aralez shouted.

I can't... He's too strong... I can't beat him... I'm sorry, Momma...

I looked up at my former Master who looked down at me with a devilish smile.

"You are just like your mother; foolish and weak. Like mother, like daughter, I suppose." Crowvern said.

I clenched my fists as I watched my tears hit the dry ground.

I tried, Momma... I'm sorry...

"Rise Zelara..." said a faint voice.

My eyes widened when I heard her voice.

"I am here with you, my little star... Always..." she said.

Breathing out, I pushed myself off the ground and faced my former Master.

"You were right, Crowvern. I'll never be as strong as my mother..." I said.

Crowvern smiled with satisfaction.

"I'm already far stronger than her. I may not have been able to save her, but I am able to avenge her death." I said.

Exhaling, I closed my eyes and let the Force surround me like a gentle breeze. When I opened my eyes, I saw that I had my ears and tail again. Crowvern stepped back in surprise.

"What Jedi devilry is this?" he asked.

"This is the extent of my power. Why? Does it frighten you?" I asked.

Crowvern glared at me and readied his weapon.

"From this point on, you won't be fighting Zelara June, you'll be fighting the Wolf Jedi!" I proclaimed.

OMG, I had so much fun writing this part! I hope you all had fun reading it. The next part will most likely be the last part. Things are really starting to heat up. May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔