Star Wars Episode 7: A New Beginning

'The Clone Wars are finally ending.' thought Cade Merek, Jedi Padawan who had fought battle after grueling battle in the Clone Wars. He smiled as he looked out of the spaceship he was in. His master, Siri Keito smiled at him.

"You did well. I'm sure now that the war is over, you'll finally be given the chance to do the Jedi Trials." Siri told her padawan. Cade gave her a look of hope.

"You really think so?" Cade asked. Siri nodded. Siri remembered when she had first begun teaching the boy... he was just a kid who believed the Jedi life would be about adventures and fun... the Clone Wars was a wake up call. Cade still loved adventure, sure,  but over time, Cade started to grow and research other Jedi who had gone through conflicts in history. Cade had always been interested in the journal of Qui-Gon Jinn... and despite other masters preferring that Cade stay away from the more 'radical' thoughts of Qui-Gon, Cade read it and took it all in. Perhaps, Siri thought, that Cade disagreeing with the Jedi Council over many issues that Qui-Gon once disagreed with them, held back Cade's progress within the Order. She couldn't say. But what she did know was that Cade had fought well through the Clone Wars... inspired troops and normal people alike to defend their homes and had fought well for a Jedi Padawan against people like Asajj Ventress (when she worked with Dooku), Cad Bane, and even Count Dooku at times, though it was more because of Cade's ability to surprise his opponents, though he was a good duelist.

"Hey, Master... do you think Trek kept his promise to wait for our return near the Jedi Temple?" Cade asked. Siri nodded.

"I believe so. Commander Trek and his men have always been quite loyal to you when it has come to their promises. We could have used their help back on Gamo... but I'm sure our usual assortment of Clone Troopers will be happy to see we are ok." Siri replied.... unaware of the tragedy that had befallen the Jedi... if only they had received the message by Obi-Wan Kenobi not to return to the temple.

In Coruscant:
To say Cade and Siri were surprised when they saw the Jedi Temple set ablaze was an understatement. Suddenly, they finally received a message as they were standing right in front of the Jedi Temple.

"This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and our Republic have fallen with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi: Trust in the Force. Do not return to the Temple, that time has passed and our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged. Our trust, our faith, our friendships. But we must persevere and in time a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you, always." Obi-Wan Kenobi said in the message. Siri's eyes widened in panic... they were in the WORST planet to be in right now... at the WORST place to be.

"We have to leave, now!" Siri said. Before Siri and Cade could turn to run back to their spaceship, they found themselves surrounded by Clone Troopers.

"Stop where you are, Jedi scum!" One of the Clone leaders told the two. Cade recognized him, instantly. He was one of his closest friends.

"Trek, what are you doing?" Cade asked, shocked. Commander Trek pointed his blaster at Cade.

"Emperor Palpatine has ordered the elimination of all Jedi. That includes you. Now prepare to die!" Trek answered before the blue and two orange lightsabers ignited into action. Rather than try to cut down their former friends, Cade and Siri simply deflected their bolts. Cade's confusion clouded his mind as he blocked a few blaster bolts with his lightsabers. These men had been his friends. Why would the Clone Troopers so easily betray the people who led them into battle and cared for them? Sure, not every Jedi saw their troops as valuable, but Cade saw each trooper as a friend whose life he had held above his own... and now. Siri could easily tell that Cade hadn't the heart to harm the troopers that had betrayed them.... the loyalty he still had for these people weighing his mind down. The two Jedi ran inside the ruins of the temple... not realizing that this would be a big mistake.