A short youth play by Rebecca Rogers
Rise of the Younglings
CHARACTERS: (WITHIN THE DIFFERENT LEVELS, CHARACTERS CAN BE COMBINED FOR VARIABLE CASTING. ALL GENDERS ARE INTERCHANGEABLE.)
SETTING: OUTSIDE THE NEWLY RE-FORMED JEDI SCHOOL – ON THE STEPS – CHILDREN GATHERED AROUND THE TWINS
SCENE 1 THE FORCE ACADEMY
AUBREN
What on Hilsar were you thinking, Alforus? You can’t
practice using the Force without teacher supervision. You know that!
TONANDER
Yeah, Al… You’re going to get us all in trouble!
SULLNA
I’m surprised you’ve gone this long without getting expelled.
CAITAYL
Aw, leave him alone. No one got hurt.
LANDSIL
YET!! Did you see that speeder nearly crash into a Wookiee?
GRAYSHA
Ha! My money would be on the Wookiee!!
ROWAAR
That’s so not funny. My granddad broke both of his legs in a
speeder accident.
ALFORUS
Look, you guys. I only force-tossed a tiny pebble. How was
I supposed to know it’d get caught in that speeder’s engine? It was a total fluke!
GAIKOR
Man… did you see him swerving? I thought for sure he was a
goner!
OMBARA
Oh my goodness! We’re going to be late to Professor Rey’s
class!
Not again!! My mom will kill me if I get another detention!
TANARAY
All rush “inside” except Alforus and Aubren, who pause at the door.
ALFORUS
Look, sis… I’m really sorry. I just wanted to see if I
could do it. I’m getting pretty good, aren’t I? (He looks very pleased with
himself.)
AUBREN
Yes, Alforus. You have definitely gotten better. But you
have to have discipline, too. The Force isn’t a toy.
ALFORUS Ugh. You sound like mom, Aubren.
Thank you.
AUBREN
SCENE 2
They exit into the school
FORCE ACADEMY MARCH
March Music
All characters weave in and out of the exits singing the Force Academy Youngling’s song
ALL We are the younglings
And through us the Force Sings We all want to learn
We all want to know
We are the younglings
We’re learning how to shift things We all want to learn
We all want to know
We are the younglings
We know what the light brings We all want to learn
We all want to know
We are the younglings
In our hearts all hope rings One day we will be… Padawans
One day One day
we will be… Padawans we will be… Padawans
All cheer! All exit except Calejad, Tanlila, Brishaan, Reavice, Mayroxa, Bronya, Osbalo, Jasmani, Dalkelu, Ahmaron, Kerrowa, Crijuda, Stanrik, Gaiwen, and Tresage.
2.
SCENE 3 TROUBLE IN DEJHAR
After school. The kids are back out on the steps.
CALEJAD
Holy Hollixiom! Professor Rey is so cool!
TANLILA
I know. I want to grow up to be just like her!
BRISHAAN
Ha! Tanlila, you’ll have to grow about two feet first!!
REAVICE
And get waaaaay better in saber practice!
MAYROXA
Leave her alone, you guys. She’s already more force
sensitive than the two of you put together!
BRONYA (Imitating Yoda)
“Size matters not.”
And on top of that, Tanlila smells nicer, too!
OSBALO
Hey, guys! Did you hear what Professor Poe was saying to
Professor Finn when we walked by the staff lounge?
JASMANI
No. I couldn’t hear anything over Brishaan and Reavice’s
shouting!
DALKELU
What’d he say say, Osbalo? Was it about us finally getting
to use REAL light sabers??
OSBALO
No, Kelu. It’s way cooler than that!
AHMARON
Seriously… NOTHING is cooler than getting to use a light
saber!
KERROWA
Well, I don’t know. Have you ever seen the three suns rising
over the twin planets of Chaheat and Chacul?
CRIJUDA
You guys!!! I want to hear what Osbalo overheard!
Aubren, Alforus, Tonander, Sullna, and Caitayl enter just in time to hear Osbalo.
3.
OSBALO
(getting in close and
speaking softly)
I heard Professor Poe tell Professor Finn that there’s
trouble over in Dejhar. I heard him say something about “The Dark Side rearing it’s ugly head.”
STANRIK What do you think that means?
GAIWEN
Oh no! Do you think we’re in danger?
TRESAGE
I bet they will need us to help battle some Sith Lords!
ALFORUS
You’re still a level two, Tresage. They won’t be calling on
the likes of you.
All exit except Alforus, Aubren, Tonander, Sullna, and Caitayl.
AUBREN
They won’t be calling on any of the Younglings… maybe the
Padawans, but not us.
TONANDER
But what if it’s really, really bad over in Dejhar? I bet
they’ll start teaching us the more advanced stuff, just in case!
SULLNA
Tonander, I think you might be dreaming. The council is not
going to risk our training.
CAITAYL
I hate to say it, but I think Sullna’s right. The council
won’t let us do anything dangerous.
AUBREN
“We’re the future of the Force.” Right?
Enter Landsil, Graysha, and Rowaar.
LANDSIL
Whoa. Those second and third level kids can’t stop talking
about Siths in Dejhar.
GRAYSHA
Maybe we should tell them when the next shuttle leaves. We’d
see pretty quickly how “courageous” they are!
4.
ROWAAR
Please don’t. I’m pretty sure I’d get blamed for it if they
decided to go on a field trip.
AUBREN
No one’s going anywhere. The Masters have it under control,
I’m sure. We’re all just going to go home, do our homework, and stay out of trouble… right?
Right!!
ALFORUS, LANDSIL, AND GRAYSHA (all three look suspicious)
SULLNA
I’m with Aubren. There’s no point even thinking about what’s
going on in Dejhar. I have way too much Clone History homework from Professor Finn.
TONANDER
Why does he do that to us?? Ahh… to be a level two again.
Those were the days!
CAITAYL
Ha! I’d never want to go back and do it all again. We’ll be
up for Padawan next year. I’m hitting the books! Bye, guys.
All exit except Alforus, Landsil, and Graysha
ALFORUS
pass my Padawan tests tomorrow!
I could
Only if
I bet you’d fail even then!!
Pebble.
Whatever.
LANDSIL
ALFORUS
you cheated!
LANDSIL GRAYSHA ALFORUS
Whatever, Graysha. I’m the best in our saber! And you saw me force throw that
level with a light rock earlier!
Graysha and Landsil exit.
ALFORUS (CONT’D)
I AM the best in our level. I don’t need another year of
training to reach Padawan. I’ll be a Master Jedi by next year. They’ll see.
5.
SCENE 4
Exit
THE NEXT DAY
All but Alforus enter. Aubren moves through the crowd of students asking if they’ve seen her brother. No one has. She begins to get very, very worried.
All move in and out of exits during this transition.
All exit except Aubren, Gaikor, Ombara, Tanaray, Calejad, Tanlila, Brishaan, Reavice, Mayroxa, Bronya, and Osbalo.
Brishaan and Reavice are dueling with practice sabers. The others gather to watch.
BRISHAAN
Take that! And that! And THAT!!
REAVICE
And I’ll give you this! And this! And THIS!
Ha Ha! I will!
AUBREN
Hey you two… Have you seen Alforus? He usually practices
with you guys before class.
Nope!
Haven’t seen him.
Can you please stop for one second???
BRISHAAN REAVICE AUBREN
BRONYA Hey Aubren. Are you ok?
AUBREN
No, Bronya, I’m not. I can’t find my brother and I’m worried
he’s gone off and done something foolish.
Ha Ha! What’s new?
GAIKOR
MAYROXA
Stop it, Gaikor. Aubren’s clearly upset.
(to Aubren) Can we do anything to help you?
6.
TANLILA
Yeah… what can we do? I know I’d be going crazy if I
couldn’t find my little brother.
TANARAY
He’s only three, Tanlila. Where could he possibly go?
You know what I mean!
TANLILA
OMBARA
Aubren… when was the last time you saw Alforus?
AUBREN
Last night after dinner. We both went to our rooms to study.
He wasn’t at breakfast, but I just thought he’d already left for the academy.
OSBALO
Um… hey… I don’t know if this will help, but I saw
Graysha and Landsil heading toward the transport station. Those three are always together.
BRISHAAN
Yeah, they’re like twins, or something!
REAVICE TRIPLETS… sand for brains!
SCENE 5
They begin swinging their practice sabers again.
A deep chiming sound signals the start of classes. They all exit into the academy, except for Aubren.
She pulls out a communicator tablet and types something in. She exits the opposite direction of the Academy.
DEJHAR
Enter Alforus, Graysha, and Landsil. Level 2 Ensemble makes city crowd. City sounds can be heard.
GRAYSHA
Hey guys, this place looks pretty rough. Maybe we should
head back. I don’t see any Sith Lords.
LANDSIL
Are you scared, Graysha?? Don’t worry, Al and I will protect
you!
(laughs, but looks nervous, too)
7.
ALFORUS
C’mon. That droid on the transport said strange things were
happening in sector 7.
(looks at an electronic
device and pauses) Dejhar sure is big.
GRAYSHA
We’ll probably get lost. This is a really bad idea.
LANDSIL We won’t get lost. Will we, Al?
ALFORUS (hesitates… then has an idea)
No. We won’t get lost. I can use these pebbles to mark the path we’ve taken. I’ll just put a little force energy into
them.
(tries to concentrate… waves his hands over a pile of pebbles)
That should do it! We’ll just sense the Force and follow it back to here once we’ve found the “trouble” the Professors were talking about.
Genius! I don’t
SCENE 6
This is
know…
LANDSIL
GRAYSHA
They exit, scattering pebbles as they go.
OUTSIDE THE TRANSPORT STATION
Enter Aubren, Tonander, Sullna, Caitayl, and Rowaar. They look around and then board the shuttle. Level 3 Ensemble creates a crowd. Aubren ends up at one end while her friends are at the other. Transport sounds can be heard.
ROWAAR a really bad idea.
SULLNA
I’m sure Aubren knows what she’s doing. She’s the best in
our level.
TONANDER
Yeah, but even the smartest students and the best people
still make mistakes.
8.
CAITAYL
She’s worried about her brother, Tonander. She needs us
right now. I’m sure we’ll be fine. We just have to stick together.
SULLNA
I’m going to send a communication to my mom. She’ll be
worried if I’m not home right after class. I’ll tell her I’m going to your house, Caitayl.
Good idea.
TONANDER
They all (except Aubren) take out communication devices and send messages. Aubren squeezes through the crowd to her friends.
AUBREN
We’re almost to Dejhar. Are you guys ready?
Yes!
All four look nervous.
TONANDER, SULLNA, CAITAYL
ROWAAR
I have a bad feeling about this.
SCENE 7 LEVEL TWOS UNITE!
Enter Jasmani, Dalkelu, Ahmaron, Kerrowa, Crijuda, Stanrik, Gaiwen, and Tresage.
JASMANI
You guys… Listen! I heard Professor Rey on a conference
communication with Alforus and Aubren’s parents. They’re missing!
CRIJUDA
What? What do you mean, “missing?” I saw Aubren this
morning.
AHMARON
Yeah, she was super upset. I think she was looking for
Alforus. I bet he snuck off to Dejhar with Graysha and Landsil. They’re always doing crazy stuff together.
STANRIK
Do you think the Sith have left Dejhar?
GAIWEN
Please don’t even say that word!! It gives me nightmares!
9.
KERROWA
My dad says that nothing is stronger than the Force. He says
the Masters will surely have Dejhar under control any day now.
DALKELU If your dad said that, I’m sure
your dad is brilliant.
TRESAGE Ahem… does “any day now” mean are missing RIGHT NOW! If they
in big trouble.
it’s true. My dad thinks
“today,” because our friends ARE in Dejhar, they could be
CRIJUDA
You’re right, Tresage. We may be the only ones who know
what’s going on. We’ve gotta do something!
JASMANI
Hang on a second. We just need to talk to the Masters… or
our parents… or something. We can’t just go to Dejhar to try to rescue them.
CRIJUDA
Jasmani! That’s brilliant! We’ll go to Dejhar and rescue
them!!!
DALKELU
Yeah!! There are eight of us. I bet we could take on a a
couple Sith!
GAIWEN What?!?! We’re only second level!!
STANRIK
I haven’t even touched a practice saber yet!
KERROWA
But we do have each other. If we all work together I think
we can do anything.
AHMARON
Kerrowa’s right. Let’s make a plan on our way to the
transport station.
They all start to leave.
I’m scared, Gaiwen.
Me, too, Stanrik.
STANRIK
GAIWEN
They rush to catch up. All exit.
10.
SCENE 8
DAJHAR 2.O
Alforus, Graysha, and Landsil enter quickly, as if escaping from something or someone. They are in a very dark and sketchy part of Dejhar. City sounds can be heard.
GRAYSHA (out of breath)
LANDSIL!! Are you ok? Did you get hit?
LANDSIL (out of breath)
I’m ok, Graysha. I managed to duck behind a garbage container. You don’t even want to know what happened to IT!
ALFORUS
(out of breath and holding his left arm)
Quiet, you two. He might still be following us!
LANDSIL
Who the heck was that man??? And why did you agree to go into
his warehouse, Alforus??
ALFORUS
He seemed ok. He said he had information about the
disturbances in Dejhar. How was I supposed to know he was ONE OF THEM???
GRAYSHA
Oh, I don’t know… Maybe the first clue could have been his
creepy eyes?
LANDSIL Or maybe the weird way he spoke?
GRAYSHA
Or possibly the fact that his warehouse was full of US-SIZED
CAGES?!?!?!
ALFORUS I get it NOW, you guys!!
(after a thoughtful pause)
It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this. We were supposed to save the day… save Dejhar and the Galaxy from the next
rise of the Sith!
11.
LANDSIL
Look, Al. I’d probably follow you just about anywhere, but
did you REALLY think we were going to bring down the Dark Side… today… just the three of us?
They hear a loud commotion coming from behind them.
GRAYSHA
What in the name of Kashyyyk is that??
LANDSIL
I bet it’s him! And it sounds like he’s not alone this time!
Run!!!!!
ALFORUS
They begin to run to the farthest exit. Before they are gone, enter Aubren, Tonander, Sullna, Caitayl, and Rowaar from the direction of the commotion.
AUBREN There you are!! Alforus! Wait!
Alforus, Graysha, and Landsil stop and turn. Alforus runs to hug his sister. Everyone crowds around, breathing sighs of relief, but still warily looking around for danger.
City sounds stop abruptly during the following exchange between Alforus and Aubren.
ALFORUS Aubren, what are you all doing here???
AUBREN
We came to find you. I was so worried when I found out you
were missing.
ROWAAR
Hey guys… I don’t mean to interrupt your reunion, but
hasn’t it gotten REALLY REALLY quiet?
Everyone pauses as if holding their breath. They all look around nervously. Suddenly there is a loud ruckus coming from all directions. The kids huddle with their backs together, looking everywhere for the danger that is surely coming. Jasmani, Dalkelu, Ahmaron, Kerrowa, Crijuda, Stanrik, Gaiwen, and Tresage enter in pairs from four different directions. They, too, are out of breath! They all bend over, hands on knees, trying to catch their breath.
TONANDER
What are you second levels doing here!
12.
SULLNA Shouldn’t you be at the academy??
CAITAYL Don’t you know Dejhar is dangerous?
CRIJUDA
We came to find Alforus… and the rest of you!
JASMANI
You were all clearly in danger and we just KNEW you’d come
here.
KERROWA
It’s common for people with your spirit, Alforus, to be
attracted to adventure.
TRESAGE
I like adventures.
(kind of to himself)
STANRIK
I didn’t think we should come. I was pretty sure the trip
alone would kill us.
GAIWEN
It almost did! I had to sit next to a Twi’lek on the
transport!
DALKELU
We thought we should try to think like you and so we thought
ourselves all the way here… I think.
AHMARON
Good thing we did, too. Looks like it’s not just Alforus
that needs saving, but all of the third and fourth levels!
OMBARA
We don’t need saving, Ahmaron. We used our greater intellect
to deduce that clearly Alforus, Graysha, and Landsil foolishly decided to come to Dejhar to fight the Sith.
CALEJAD
And that Aubren would follow and probably bring Tonander,
Sullna, Caitayl, and Rowaar with her.
TANLILA We were worried about everybody.
BRONYA
So we followed. The more the merrier, right?
REAVICE
We just wanted to find the action!
13.
BRISHAAN
(making laser and saber sound effects)
Yeah! Pew pew pew…zzzhing zzzhing zzzzzhing!
TANARAY
I’d be fine with just missing Clone History class!
GAIKOR
You know Professor Finn will make us do the work anyway,
right?
OSBALO
Hey! Let us dream a little, Gaikor!
AUBREN
Quiet, everyone! Look… this place is not safe. Now that
we’re all together we should get back to the transport station and back home before anyone knows we’re gone.
SULLNA
Every second, third, and fourth level student is standing
right here. I’m sure someone’s noticed we’re not at the academy.
JASMANI
Um… Aubren… Sullna? They DEFINITELY already know. I
overheard Professor Rey talking to your parents.
ALFORUS I’m going to be in big trouble.
We all are… unless…
TONANDER
ROWAAR
Oh no… not another PLAN! We’re doomed!
TONANDER
Wait… hear me out. What if we actually do what Alforus,
Graysha, and Landsil came to do?
CAITAYL
Yeah. I’m good!
Wait. I know what you’re thinking, Tonander. It just might work!
Fight a Sith Lord????
I’ve had enough adventure for today.
GRAYSHA LANDSIL AUBREN
14.
SCENE 9
THE PLAN
Exciting music begins to play. Levels two and three gather around the fours with Alforus, Aubren, and Tonander at the center. They quickly mime sharing their plan with the others. All break and scatter out different exits. Tense, building music plays. Lights flash. We hear the sounds of “the bad guy” yelling, things crashing, metallic banging, and then cheers from the students.
All re-enter triumphantly in trios and quartets.
CALEJAD
Holy Hilsar! Did you guys see Kerrowa?
She was amazing!
MAYROXA
CALEJAD
I didn’t know she was that clever!
MAYROXA
I think she’s the cleverest level two… by far!
KERROWA
Stop, guys. I couldn’t have done it without Ahmaron and
Dalkelu.
Yeah! We make a good team!
We sure
do!
DALKELU
They high five each other.
OMBARA believe none of us died!
AHMARON
I can’t
Well, I
Now we’ll just have to face Professor Rey.
BRONYA
I think she’ll be impressed by our bravery and teamwork!
TRESAGE
I still think we’ll get in trouble. But what a story we have
to tell!
BRONYA
had a good feeling about the plan.
OMBARA
15.
TONANDER
I’m just glad the plan worked. Not that I was worried!
TRESAGE
It was a brilliant plan… using those force pebbles Alforus
left behind!
ALFORUS
That wasn’t quite the use I had in mind, but they sure were
handy!
BRISHAAN
Handy?!? Genius!!! Getting all of the level twos to throw
them at that creepy dudes speeder was awesome!!
ROWAAR
I think one hit the back of my head.
REAVICE
Come on, Rowaar! Lighten up! With the help of us level
threes making a huge distraction, Alforus’ pebbles were deadly weapons in the hands of the twos!
Well… not deadly.
CAITAYL
TANLILA
You level fours were so good. You looked like Padawans back
there!
AUBREN
We’re definitely NOT Padawans, yet. But thank you, Tanlila.
That’s sweet.
CAITAYL
It took all of us to force that man back into his warehouse
where we could lock him in one of his own cages.
ALFORUS
Look you guys… I want to say something before we all head
back to the transport station.
SULLNA
I hope it’s about all of the rules, and probably LAWS, we
broke trying to get you out of trouble.
ALFORUS
Well, kinda. I just want to say… well… thank you… and
I’m sorry. I know it was my stupid pride that made me come to Dejhar to find the Sith. But you know what? I’m realizing this speech may be the bravest thing I’ve done in ages!
REAVICE Dude… talking isn’t that hard.
16.
BRISHAAN Yeah… Reavice does it ALL THE TIME!
They play fight.
ALFORUS
But seriously, though. I was foolish and you were all super
brave… and you’re pretty great friends to have when things get crazy.
LANDSIL
Enough with the sappy stuff. We’d better hurry.
GRAYSHA
We’ve got a whole transport ride to figure out how to make it
up to our professors… and our parents!
JASMANI Come on, everyone! I know the way!
They all head toward the exit. Alforus and Aubren stay behind.
Hey, sis…
ALFORUS
AUBREN
It’s ok. I know what you’re going to say. We’re twins,
remember?
ALFORUS
Yeah. You’re right. You already know I was just about to
tell you how AWESOME this whole day was!!
They laugh and she pulls him after the others. Fin
