| L BRACKET Match 1 - R.J. Harris Luke Skywalker vs Bluto It was a hot day on the planet of Tatooine. The Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker, knew that his foe was somewhere in the shadows of the city where he had spent his boyhood. There was a slight stench of the sea as the Jedi rounded one corner. "There you are!" A raspy sailor's voice boomed from a overhang. "I've been waiting for you." Bluto jumped down from the ledge in a futile attempt to crush the Jedi Knight; but with the finesse that was Luke's alone, he rolled away and, in the same movement, rose to his feet and energized his lightsaber into a bright green flurry. "Well then," came the reply, "Let's get going. I'm not afraid of you. Compared to Jabba, you�re a cream puff!" "Nice comeback, little worm! I�ve eaten fish larger than you." Admittedly, the bickering between the two seemed quite childish at first; yet, there was a deeper conflict involved. For Luke, everything had become much more clear since he completed his Jedi training. The Force flowed all through him; Luke knew it and he knew that this bristly sailor from Earth was similar to his enemies on the Dark side. Likewise, Bluto realized the similarities between this foe and the sailor back home that constantly beat him to a pulsating pulp. The two circled each other for but a few seconds. Each believed that the battle would be over quickly�but one, the victor, would be correct with the method. With a loud scream, Bluto was the first (and only one) to charge. Luke Skywalker jumped out of the dumb bull-like run and with a flick of his wrist, chopped off the head of the now dead sailor. With a slight hum, Luke turned down his blade and trotted back into the heat of the multiple suns. Winner: Luke Skywalker Match 2 - Robert Newell Odo vs. Porthos No one seemed surprised when two blinding flashes of light appeared in front of the bar, strange things were always happening here. The outlandish garb worn by the two beings that proceeded from the lights brought no special attention either. When they began to fight, all that anyone did was to tell the two to take their quarrel outside. Porthos was infuriated. He was one of the best swordsmen in all of France, but he could not mark this strange man for the life of him. Odo was actually enjoying himself. This strange primitive did not seem to notice his subtle shape changes that kept the sword away from him, not that this steel would likely hurt him, but Odo was not one to take chances. After quite a bit of dodging, Odo became bored with this childish game. He changed his hands into two of those Klingon battl'eths that Dax had once shown him. Porthos did not quite know what to make of this; the only answer that he could come up with was that this man was a demon. As anyone might guess, a battl'eth is remarkably superior to a rapier in a swordfight and Odo had Porthos on the ground in a very short period of time. Odo asked if Porthos would yield. Rather than accept such dishonor at the hand(s?) of a demon, so he tried one last desperate lunge... and impaled himself on Odo's left battl'eth. Odo returned himself to normal and went to look for a bucket to sleep in. Winner: Odo Match 3 - Mark Ailshie Green Lantern vs. Willow Kyle Rayner soared across the horizon like an emerald comet, noting the desert planet of Tatooine, the small spaceport of Mos Eisley. The beginning of many a great story, but this time it would be the end for one brave story. Kyle regretted having to destroy someone so small and heroic, but he could not afford to flag or hesitate. Such were the duties of being the guardian of the universe. Willow didn't like this heat at all. No trees or water anywhere. All around were strange and unusual creatures, some of whom looked like trolls, although they didn't seem malignant. He looked into the sky and saw two suns and a bright green star. The green star got brighter and brighter--no. It was getting nearer and nearer. The Green Lantern adjusted his mask as he zeroed in on his destination. The powers of his ring made flying through space at speeds faster than hyperspace as easy as walking down the street. In fact, the powers of his ring made just about everything that easy. His power was bounded only by his own imagination. And Kyle was an artist, with an unusually vivid imagination. He hovered for a moment above Mos Eisley, and tried to pick out his opponent among the millions of people and aliens. Willow's mouth hung open. THAT was the Green Lantern? How could he hope to fight someone so powerful? He shook off his doubts. He had defeated Bavmorda, he could handle this. He drew an acorn and called out "Over here, Green Lantern. I am Willow Ufgood. I am a great sorcerer!" Kyle spotted the nelwyn. So small. So full of hope and bravery. He hated doing this. The little man threw an acorn at him. Kyle decided to let the little man think he was doing well. He let it hit him. He turned to stone and fell to the desert sand with a dull thud. Willow cheered! He could hardly believe his good fortune on defeating the green wizard! He rushed up to the stone to inspect his adversary's corpse. Kyle waited for him to be within easy striking distance. Then the stone crumbled apart, and the Lantern soared back into the air. Willow hardly had a chance to think before a gigantic green flyswatter slammed down on his head, squashing him into the dirt. Winner: Kyle Rayner, The Green Lantern Match 4 - Robert Newell Freddie Krueger vs. Jason Voorhees The Mos Eisley cantina was very crowded, as was usual for this time of day. Loud Jizz music was playing in the background as various sentients talked, yelled, threatened, and fought amongst themselves. All of a sudden a man wielding a chainsaw walked in the front door. He was wearing a white mask, but all in the cantina could tell that he was searching the room with his eyes, looking for something... or someone. In the back another man stood up. He was somewhat disfigured and had what appeared to be long metal claws on the fingers of one hand. The man with the chainsaw, Jason for those of you who did not recognize him, pulled the ripcord on his saw and charged the man with the claw, Freddie Krueger, just in case anyone did not realize. Just as they were about to reach each other... CENSORED - by order of the Fantastic Rumble Decency Commission The scene you almost witnessed has been rated G (Grossly inappropriate) and will not be shown. ... There was nothing left. Of anyone. Corpses lay piled up all over the ruin of the cantina. Those who had managed to make it outside before the killing started thanked the Force and went on their way. The owner of the bar sat down outside and wept. His bar was wrecked! How was he going to pay for all of this. Then he remembered the insurance that he had bought for this place after that one lowlife lost an arm to what appeared to be a Jedi. The insurance would cover everything he realized. He would be back in business within the week, better than ever... though with a few less patrons and no jizz band. Winner: Double K.O. (bye) Match 5 - Brian Ailshie Thor vs. Sailor Mars The Thunder-God looked across the street at the diminutive woman in a dazzlingly white outfit with a red skirt. Her jet black hair was pulled back slightly behind her head. Hefting his hammer he started across the street to pulverize the little punkette. Raye looked at the heavily muscled guy crossing the street toward her. She didn't have to see the immense war hammer in his hands to know that she was no match for this guy in hand to hand combat. However, his long, golden, braided hair kind of reminded her of Serena, except without those obnoxious meatballs at the top. Well, Sailor Mars knew that while that she stood little chance fighting hand to hand with this guy, she figured she definitely could best him with magic. Bracing her feet, she screamed "MARS FIRE ARROW!! GO!!" Suddenly a huge blast of fire arced from the girl's hands and slammed into Thor. Stunned he dropped to the ground and rolled. Luckily, his reflexes were enough that the blast had half missed him. As it was most of his hair was badly singed, he'd need a haircut soon. Many of the leather clasps of his armor were burned through too, and would need mended. Of course all these thoughts came secondarily to the fact that he was going to have to act fast before this little girl fried him to a crisp. Calling on his power and swinging his hammer, Thor called down lightning and slammed into the girl. "AAAAAAUUUGH!!!" Sailor Mars yelled. The shock had stung quite badly. Her beautiful black hair was now a huge tangled afro. She felt as if she'd gotten the biggest static electric shock of her life. No, a bit worse than that. Again, these thoughts were secondary as she realized that this guy could wield magic too. She would have to act fast. Rolling to her left she hopped to her feet and screamed again, "MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!!!" Swirling balls of fire appeared and with a wave of her hand, she sent them flying at the muscle-freak. At the same time she jumped and flipped to another position to the right of where she had stood before. Thor was confused. The blast of lightning he had sent at the girl wasn't the most powerful he had ever called, but it should have been enough to strike her down instantly. Looking up, he scanned the sky. He didn't need a cloud in the sky to call down lightning, but it helped. Then he saw it. The double suns of this place were the source of the intense heat. They probably were the cause of the lack of moisture in the air too. That could account for the weakening of his electrical power. He could summon nearly all the power he could muster and it probably would kill the girl, and destroy a large section of the neighborhood, but it just wouldn't be the enveloping destruction he knew he could call upon. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on pulling as much power as he could, wounded as he was. Squinting one eye open he saw the girl hopping up from a roll and pointed his hammer. The blast came out just seconds after her she screamed again. Thor felt the fire engulf him and staggered under the burning sensations in his skin. It would hurt, badly, but he could survive, but she wouldn't survive that blast of lightning. Opening his eyes he saw the girl jump away. It was too late. Raye hit the wall as the lighting blasted into the ground where she had been with force enough to send her sprawling. Mr. Hammer was still on his knees her last fire attack finishing its work. No time to lose. "MARS FIRE ARROW!!!! GO!!" Again, a blast of fire arced from her hands and this time it pelted through the man's torso. She had won, but she was sore. Every muscle in her body ached, and her skin was scratched in several places. Putting her hand to her mouth she sucked her bleeding knuckles. Winner: Sailor Mars Match 6 - Robert Newell Colossus vs. The Dread Pirate Roberts Westley looked about the cantina for his opponent. He wondered who this 'Colossus' was. He hoped it was another giant... giants were so easy to outwit. He did not have to search long before he found the creature that he must be looking for. Colossus was huge. He easily towered over the dread pirate and was at least twice as wide as well. On top of that, his skin was made of metal. This would be as easy as beating the giant Fezzik, who he had learned had already lost twice in this round alone. Westley yelled out to Colossus, "Don't move or I will destroy you!!!" Colossus was momentarily taken aback, who was this man that threatened to destroy him? He replied, "I don't know who you are, but I could probably kill you before I died." So Westley, who is obviously bluffing, though Colossus has no way of knowing this, said "I propose a battle of wits, it is obvious that we are too powerful to fight each other by brute strength for we would likely kill each other and all around us." Upon hearing this, the cantina rapidly evacuated. They had seen enough violence recently not to want to be in any more danger. Colossus asked what the pirate was proposing. "Simple", Westley replied, "We will go into that corner table and sit down. When we get there, both of us will deactivate our powers. Afterwards, I will ask you a riddle. If you answer it correctly, you can kill me, I will not resist. If you fail, I will kill you and you will promise not to resist." Colossus thought it over and then agreed. There was no point risking all against an unknown mutant if he could win by his wits. When they sat down in back, Colossus returned to his, still imposing, human form. "Okay" Colossus said, "I have deactivated my power... but how do I know you have?" Thinking quickly, Westley responded, "Because you'd be dead if I hadn't." Colossus thought on this and replied, "Ok I am ready, what is your riddle?" "It is a very simple riddle" Westley said slowly "Who is the most gullible person in the universe?" Colossus did not think that that was a very fair riddle, but he did not have time to complain or respond. He slid to the floor as he felt two of Westley's daggers protruding from his now unarmored stomach. The last thing that Colossus ever heard was one word whispered by Westley into his ear, "You." Winner: Westley, the Dread Pirate Roberts Match 7 - Mark Ailshie Aslan vs. Lando Calrissian Lando took a look around him and groaned. He�d been to this miserable planet. He had only visited it once, and almost ended up swallowed by a giant sand-monster. So it wasn't exactly on his top-ten list of vacation spots. It was way too hot. Lando ducked into the cantina. THIS was more like it. Jizz Music, drinking, hard-playing. Here he was in his element. He sat down at a table and ordered a drink. Nonchalantly, he looked around the bar. A big Aqualish leered in his direction, and for a minute, Lando thought he was going to draw a blaster. Suddenly, there was a deep growl from his left. Lando turned and saw an immense Lion staring at him. This had to be Aslan. He was as big as a bantha, with a mane as golden as the sunset on Bespin. His mouth was big enough to swallow him at one bite, and for moment, Lando was paralyzed with fear. But Aslan looked at him with eyes as big and bright as the twin moons of Hapes, and his fear vanished. Aslan turned and walked out of the cantina. Lando followed, forgetting all about his drink. The man and the Lion walked out of the cantina, out of the town, and straight up to the promontory overlooking Mos Eisley. Lando followed, not even wondering how he was walking straight up the hill. Or why, for that matter. The two stood looking out at Mos Eisley. Aslan turned and looked at him again. There was a thing like sadness in his eyes. "You know why we are here." said the Lion. It was not a question. Lando nodded. "We have to fight to the death." Aslan nodded. "No one can defeat me. You will lose." It was neither a challenge, nor a threat; simply a statement of fact. Lando shivered despite the heat. "Don't be afraid to die," said Aslan calmly. "I have been there. It is nothing to fear." Lando grimaced. "I can't help it. I have no choice. I live life with a passion. I don't want to die." The Lion blinked his huge eyes. "If you wish, I will die for you. You can continue on." For a moment, Lando's heart leaped within him. But then he looked again at Aslan's eyes. How could he ask this magnificent creature to die just for him? He couldn't do it. Aslan nodded. "You choose well, Son of Adam. You will be rewarded for it. Follow me." Aslan turned and bounded over the rocks. Lando followed, tears falling down his cheeks. As they turned a corner, Lando saw a huge door standing in the middle of a clearing. "Wha-- What is that?" Aslan didn't answer, but strode deliberately to the door, pushing it open with his great head. He turned and looked on Lando, and the gambler followed him through the door. Once they were on the other side, Lando blinked at the change. His mouth dropped open. He was back on Bespin! Only it was before the Empire had overrun it. He looked around in wonder at all his old friends and associates welcomed him home. He turned to look at Aslan, and saw the great Lion walking back through the door to where Tatooine's twin suns burned down. "Wait, Aslan! I thought you were going to kill me!" Aslan turned and looked at him, and then Lando knew that Aslan could never kill him. Beings he would destroy without mercy, but he would never have hurt him. "But then how will you be the winner?" Aslan smiled. "Look around before you decide whether or not you are the winner. I told you not to be afraid. When you walked through this door, you passed through the change that you once--in the Shadowlands--called death. The term is over: The holiday has begun. The dream is ended: This is the morning." So saying, Aslan jumped back down the hill, and the door closed. Winner: Aslan Match 8 - Robert Newell Beorn (Lord of the Rings) vs. Lord Voldemort Lord Voldemort looked around the crowded bar he had been dropped into by the blinding flash of light. "Excellent", he thought to himself, this would be a perfect location to ambush that Beorn character that he felt a compulsion to kill. Meanwhile, Beorn was at an almost total loss. He felt very out of place in this group of strangers. He longed for the open forest of his home, but he knew that he could not return there unless he managed to kill this Lord Voldemort person. Beorn knew that he could handle most men, but Voldemort sounded like one of those wizards, like Gandalf or Saruman. He did not want to meddle in the affairs of wizards, but it didn't seem like he had much of a choice. Voldemort quickly got to work and began to use his magic. The particular spells he was using had been absolutely forbidden by all civilized wizards, but Voldemort was far beyond caring. Besides, these creatures were only muggles, so what possible harm could they cause him. He selected one particularly nasty spell and set to work. He pointed his wand, quietly said "Imperio", and his attack began. Beorn wasn't panicking, but he could not find Voldemort in this crowd of strangers, and he did not want to be caught off guard by a wizard. He looked around again and saw what he thought to be an orc. As it turns out, it was actually a Gammorean, but Beorn would never learn this. The "orc" approached Beorn. Beorn supposed that if Voldemort were anything like Saruman, he may have orcs working for him. Beorn grabbed the "orc" and lifted him up until they were at eye-level, which left the orc several feet from the ground. Beorn demanded that the orc tell him where his master was. Voldemort laughed silently to himself as he watched from a table in a far corner of the bar. The Gammorean's mind was easy to dominate, but this unexpected reaction by his prey was an added bonus. Working through the Gammorean, Voldemort made the poor creature point at a devilish looking alien at another table who happened to have horns sticking out of his head. Beorn dragged the "orc" to the back of the bar and broke its neck on general principle. The rest of the occupants of the bar ignored this for the stench of that piggish alien had been getting on all of their nerves. He knew where Voldemort was now. He decided that the best course of action was to sneak up behind him and crush him before he was seen. He got up and headed across the bar and passed behind the horned alien. In one quick motion, he bear-hugged his perceived foe and began to squeeze the life out of him. Voldemort took this opportunity to strike. He was a very cruel wizard and wanted to make sure this oaf suffered. He raised his wand and said, "Crucio!" At this, Beorn howled in pain. Actually, pain barely begins to describe the agony that Beorn was actually experiencing. Unfortunately for Voldemort, the curse had the opposite effect on Beorn than what he had planned. Instead of incapacitating Beorn, he only managed to enrage him to the point that he changed into an incredibly large bear. This did not alarm Voldemort however, he was far from the dreadful bear and the damage caused by his rampage was of no consequence. Tables, chairs, and people went flying in all directions as Lord Voldemort rose to his feet. The bear came closer to him, but he did not fear this, well, animagus he supposed. He raised his wand one last time and shouted, "Avada Kedavra!" In a flash of green light, Beorn fell to the floor, dead. Lord Voldemort had not been worried overmuch. His opponent had been very strong to resist the Cruciatus curse to be sure, but there was no resisting Avada Kedavra. Only one person had ever survived that spell. And this animagus, or wizard, or whatever he was, was not the second. Lord Voldemort left the bar and planned his next move against that one. Harry Potter would die at their next meeting, Voldemort was certain. Winner: Lord Voldemort ROUND 2 Match 1 � Robert Newell Luke Skywalker vs. Odo Odo fit right into the Mos Eisley cantina. He was just another weird-looking alien. Odo moved to the back of the cantina and morphed into a chair. He watched and waited for his opponent, hoping to gain the element of surprise or at least gain some information by observing the surroundings. Luke Skywalker on the other hand, stood out. Everyone recognized the presence of the most famous man in the known universe. The man who was thought to have single-handedly defeated the Emperor and Darth Vader at once (no one knew what really had happened on the Death Star). The fact that a Jedi Knight was in the bar caused a great deal of stir; as well as the hasty termination of several shady business deals. Luke had sensed his opponent's presence in the building and had entered to investigate. The mass of sentients was blocking his force senses, so Luke ordered that the bar be emptied. There was no movement towards the door, he was a Jedi, but he couldn't make them do what they didn't want to do. The ignition of Luke's lightsaber was much more effective. The bar emptied quickly, and with no casualties. The patrons of the bar remembered what had happened the last time a lightsaber had been ignited in that particular bar. With the bar empty, Luke recognized the bar as he had seen it in his Force-vision. He put his lightsaber away and pondered how a chair could be a danger to him... for that was what his vision had told him. Luke wandered around the bar until his back was to Odo's chair-form. Odo took this opportunity to lunge at Luke. Luke's heightened reflexes saved him. He drew his lightsaber and threw it behind him, igniting it with the Force. The blade cut Odo down without slowing down. Odo screamed as his body was cauterized. His lower half fell lifeless to the ground, but he quickly discovered that he could reform, if only smaller than before. Luke did not let that stop him. He recalled his lightsaber and continued to slash at Odo. Each time he would sever part of Odo, and each time Odo would reform smaller and smaller. Finally, Odo was totally consumed by Luke's brilliant emerald blade. Odo-bits littered the empty room. The last Jedi Knight stood victorious and unharmed. Winner: Luke Skywalker Match 2 Green Lantern takes the Bye from Match 4, Round 1. Match 3 - Brian Ailshie Sailor Mars vs. Dread Pirate Roberts Roberts didn't know who this "Sailor Mars" was, but a 'Popeye' like sailor couldn't be any more difficult to confuse and destroy than that buffoon Colossus had been. Suddenly he bumped into a diminutive, dark-haired girl in a white blouse and red mini-skirt. "My apologies, my Lady." He said with a sweeping bow. "Not at all, no problem" the girl replied. "If you will excuse me, I must be going; I am searching for a sailor who owes me a fight!" Roberts explained and began to continue on. Roberts dismissed the child so readily that he barely registered the "Mars Fire Arrow!" comment until too late. As he began to turn to look, the flaming arrow burst into his side and he fell to the ground in a heap. "Men can be such fools." Sailor Mars mumbled shaking her head. That reminded her and she took her brush back out and began to try re-comb her hair from the major static electricity from her last match. Winner: Raye, Sailor Scout of Mars. Match 4 � Alexander Strub Aslan vs. Voldemort Voldemort stood in the darkness of the desert of Tatooine. There was only a slight glimmer in the east of one of the twin suns that the planet orbits. There was a strong power near. Voldemort could sense it. A power as great in good as his was in evil. His antithesis! He had never truly felt pure righteousness come to bear upon him. Not even from the aged Albus Dumbledore. But he would prevail. "I am Lord Voldemort!" Hadn't that always been the way? He looked east once more at the setting sun. He thought he could see a mirage, a typical phenomenon. One thinks one sees a lake of water in the middle of the desert. "Impossible!" Voldemort dismissed it as weaknesses of his newly regained flesh. But wait, "What trickery is this?" He could see something walking towards him on the water. The thing came closer, and Voldemort realized it was a very large, tawny, ferocious lion. You-Know-Who had taken on huge beasts before, like the zithering zebu of Zanzibar, and this would not be a challenge to him. As the lion approached, Voldemort increasingly felt the pressure of the extreme righteousness bearing down on him. He couldn't withstand much more; he'd have to act soon. He raised his wand, but then was forced down upon one knee by the weight of his burden. He looked up, only to see the lion towering above, looking down into his eyes. The lion glowered for a moment, and then roared once, triumphantly and majestically. Voldemort exhaled, and was no more. The magnificent lion simply turned away. Aslan vanished. Winner: Aslan, the Great Lion ROUND 3 Match 1 � Brian Ailshie Luke Skywalker vs. Green Lantern Luke strode down the street away from the Cantina. He could sense great power nearby. It had to be his opponent. Suddenly his danger sense flickered. A gigantic green flyswatter slammed down around him. It should have hit him, but the lightning reflexes of a Jedi Master allowed Luke to flip on his sabre, and cut away enough of the net to make a hole for himself. Abruptly, the flyswatter disappeared. Just as suddenly, a new attack followed. Dozens of green birds with 6 inch needle sharp beaks began zipping down the street toward the Jedi Master. It was then that Luke saw what the real threat was. A thin man in green, skin-tight, synthcloth stood at the end of the street, his hand raised toward Luke in a fist. Allowing his Jedi reflexes to take care of the needle birds, Luke charged. The Lantern was amazed, this guy had superb reflexes. The man even managed to evade most of the snipes as he charged the Lantern's fake-self he was creating. The plan was working. In a moment the man would reach the hologram, and when his attention was focused there, The Green Lantern would strike. There it was, the man swung his laser sword and beheaded the hologram. Now to get him. Suddenly the Green Lantern noticed that the laser sword was still moving! The man had swung and released the blade in one motion, and now it was coming at him spear-like. He tried to dodge, but the blade actually curved in its flight to connect. As the green blade pierced his ribcage and his heart, the Green Lantern was still wondering how the man had even known he was there, never mind been able to make such a curving toss with the blade. Winner: Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master Match 2 � Robert Newell Sailor Mars vs. Aslan Sailor Mars chuckled to herself. That last man had been quite easily dispatched. She was hurt from her first match, but she had triumphed so far. Her next opponent would fall as well, she told herself. Suddenly, she came upon a gigantic lion. Ah, she thought, my next opponent. She fired off an arrow of fire such as she used to dispatch her previous foes. The fire hit Aslan, but it did nothing. His hair wasn't even singed. Sailor Mars became desperate. She threw everything that she had at the lion, but it did nothing. When she had exhausted herself, she heard the lion speak. "I had hoped that you would be one to be more kind and gentle to a stranger that you met. But you attacked without knowing who I was or what my intentions were. You correctly guessed that I was you opponent, but you did not discover how it would be possible to advance past me. I would gladly have died for you, if you had but only asked. Instead, you attacked me with fell sorcery. If you had forsaken your evil magic and murderous ways, you would have become more powerful than you could have imagined, but alas, you did not. The law decrees that for your witchcraft you must die. You shot your last opponent in the back when he was totally unaware of your presence, and his blood cries from the earth. If you had been penitent, I would have gladly died in your place. But the law demands justice, and I cannot assuage it with mercy without repentance. I am sorry it has to end like this, daughter of Eve." Aslan touched her once with his massive paw, and she fell back dead. Aslan wept. Winner: Aslan ROUND 4 Match � RJ Harris Luke Skywalker vs. Aslan The suns were beating hot on the Jedi. He raised his macrobinoculars and scanned the horizon again. There was no sign of any life, let alone some huge lion. Aslan could not be seen yet, for he had not yet desired to been seen. However, Aslan sensed the good in this young man. He must soon go and meet him. The suns fell and Luke prepared for bed. He had learned to live well on Tatooine. By the time the cool night began, he had a warm fire burning. He ate his supper in silence and meditated on many things. Suddenly a shadow moved over his pack and he sprang to action. Within seconds he was on his feet and had ignited his lightsaber. "Who's there," he shouted out into the night. The response shocked him. "Son of Adam, it is I!" The reply was warm and comforting, yet full of magnificent power. What startled Luke about it was the fact that he did not HEAR the voice; it spoke to him in his mind. The Jedi turned and saw the most glorious golden lion. He followed suit and spoke to Aslan in his mind. "Are you the powerful Aslan?" "Yes!" came the reply that seemed to shake the ground. "And we are meant to fight, my son. What do you desire?" Luke was startled by the question. He had learned early in his Jedi training to always respect those creatures that were in tune with the Force. But now Luke felt something different. The words formed almost by magic: "I desire good, Aslan. What do you want me to do?" Aslan smiled at the Jedi. "There is much good in you, my son. Please take your saber and kill me. It is the only way to help save others; for if I continue, all that is evil must be destroyed--that is what I do. But you have more of a choice to make in these matters, and by killing me you will understand more. Your good may help change others." Luke almost cried at the thought of killing such a noble creature, but he obeyed. He took his lightsaber and cut deep into the mane of the Lion. He felt the last warm breath leave the body and saw the Lion vanish. Although he was sad, he felt a new sort of comfort--a comfort that he was sure would last with him. As the night continued on into day, Luke meditated much on the words of Aslan; and as day broke, he was sure this experience would guide him in the future. Winner of Bracket L: Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight |